We Popped Thousands of Kernels to Find the 5 Best Popcorn Makers

How We Tested

This roundup combines results from three separate tests of popcorn makers, one with six electric machines, one with 10 microwave and stovetop models, and a third with 11 makers of all kinds. In each set of testing, we made two batches in each machine, following its included directions and using the maximum amount of popcorn. We measured the amount of time it took to finish each batch and counted the number of unpopped kernels left behind.

In addition, we rated each batch of popped kernels on crispiness and flavor, taking note of soggy, chewy texture and any plasticky or burnt flavors. For machines with butter-melting accessories, we tested those and noted how long it took butter to melt and how well it was incorporated into the popcorn. We rated the machines as well for ease of setup, use, and cleaning, noting any special advantages and disadvantages. We did not consider price until after making all of our other ratings.

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Other Options We Tested

• Cuisinart EasyPop Hot Air Popcorn Maker: This hot air machine has a similar design and works similarly well to our best overall pick, but it’s significantly more expensive. We also noted that its shorter chute let more unpopped kernels escape than the Presto Poplite.
• Hamilton Beach Electric Popcorn Maker: This popcorn maker had several things going for it, including its easy setup and great-tasting results, though its popcorn texture could have been crispier. The dealbreaker was that the butter melter drips right into the piping-hot machine, causing it to burn and make acrid smoke.
• Cuisinart Pop and Serve: Our former best microwave pick earned top ratings for its ease of use and compact size. During testing, however, more than half of the kernels were left unpopped at the bottom of the silicone bowl. While finding the right cook time for the power of your microwave can be important to success, we couldn’t improve our results after several attempts.
• Great Northern Little Bambino Table Top Retro Popcorn Popper: A previous version of this list included the Great Northern Little Bambino. It’s an adorably tiny version of the classic movie-theater setup, but we found its setup process far too long. It was no easy task to latch the popcorn basket properly into position, and it was one of the most difficult machines to clean due to its hard-to-reach corners.
• Nordic Ware Pro Pop Popper: Nordic Ware’s Pro Pop failed to pop well more than half the kernels. Of the popcorn that did pop, we found it to be a bit soggy and greasy.

What to Look for in a Popcorn Maker

Capacity

When it’s movie night, think about who you’ll be serving—if you’ll need just enough popcorn for a few friends or a whole horde of hungry kids. Most of the makers we tested have a capacity of half a cup of unpopped kernels, which doesn’t sound like much but turns into as much as 18 cups popped. If you’re going to be making a lot of popcorn, there are larger-capacity poppers, but you should also consider how easy it is to make multiple batches in a row. Some makers can dump out a load of popped corn and start right over, while others need cleaning or cooling down before refilling.

Cooking Method

All you need to make popcorn is corn and heat, but there are a lot of ways to heat the corn, each with its own pros and cons. Air poppers use only hot air and work quite effectively at popping almost every kernel, but you can’t add any oil, butter, or seasonings during cooking. Self-stirring electric and manual-stirring stovetop models both work in similar ways, constantly moving the corn as it cooks to ensure even heating and separate popped from unpopped kernels. These let you use any oils and seasonings you like but tend to make slightly less-crisp popcorn. Microwave poppers contain the corn in a (typically silicone) container while it heats and pops. Microwave results can vary; it takes some experimenting to figure out the right power setting and amount of time for your oven.

Cleaning

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Making popcorn is a simple task without too much cleaning required. Few models are dishwasher-safe, but the worst you need to deal with is some grease that should wipe away with a soapy sponge. Electric poppers need special care, as you don’t want to get any water in the motors and heating elements; check the manual for specific directions.

Size

Two popcorn makers that can cook the exact same amount per batch can be wildly different in size. Microwave poppers tend to be the most compact, especially ones that collapse down for storage. Electric machines that incorporate a heating element (and possibly a fan) are quite a bit bigger, but they also don’t require a separate microwave oven. Depending on how often you make popcorn, you may want to keep one of these on the counter or tucked away in a cabinet—if it fits. Stovetop popcorn makers don’t vary much in size, roughly equivalent to a medium-to-large saucepan. You could use the pot without its stirring lid for everyday cooking, but the material tends to be cheap aluminum that’s not great at transferring heat.

FAQs

How do popcorn makers work?

The exact method of popping depends on the type of popcorn maker you buy, but they all heat up corn kernels to around 355 degrees, the point at which their husks burst and they turn into light, crunchy flakes.

Self-stirring electric, stovetop, and movie theater-style popcorn makers use of hot oil to cook kernels and have a stirring arm that keeps them in motion to heat evenly, prevent burning, and separate popped from unpopped kernels. Hot air makers blow hot air through the kernels to both cook and separate the popped ones. They’re very easy to use and don’t require any oil but also can’t use any oil if you want to add it for flavoring. Microwave poppers use a microwave to heat the kernels, of course, and can use oil or not depending on your preference.

How do you clean a popcorn maker?

First off, check the user manual for cleaning instructions for your specific model. Before cleaning, you should also be sure the machine is completely cool, turned off, and unplugged if applicable. The goal is to remove any grease and leftover bits of popcorn, but most machines don’t need very serious scrubbing. Some models have dishwasher-safe parts, but if you have to wash them by hand, all you’ll need is a sponge, soap, and water. With electric machines you can still wipe with a sponge, but it’s very important not to let the base get immersed in water or let water pour into any cord seams or other openings. Even if your popcorn machine doesn’t get too dirty, it’s a good idea to clean it soon after each use; grease will get sticky and harder to remove if it sits for a long time.

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Movie theater-style popcorn makers take the most effort to clean. The kettle can be wiped with paper towels between uses to remove oil residue, and the interior can be periodically washed with warm, soapy water to remove oil buildup.

Do popcorn makers need oil?

Some, but not all. You need at least a little oil with a stovetop, self-stirring, or movie theater-style machine, as it helps transmit heat to the kernels more effectively. On the other hand, you should never use oil in an air popper; nothing but popcorn is supposed to go in its cooking chamber. With a microwave popcorn maker, you can use oil or not, though adding a teaspoon or so will help get more of the kernels to pop.

Oil is used for cooking, but it can also contribute to flavor: Try cooking popcorn in coconut, sesame, or extra-virgin olive oil, and you might not need to add any butter.

Is homemade popcorn healthier than store-bought?

It’s not necessarily healthier (especially if you add tons of butter and salt), but homemade popcorn does give you control over what’s in your snack. Store-bought microwave or pre-popped popcorn is apt to contain artificial flavors, preservatives, and other chemicals that aren’t in homemade. There’s also the issue of PFAS, so-called “forever chemicals” often used in packaging. These are found in the linings of many microwave popcorn bags, and a recent UCLA study found that people who eat more microwave popcorn have more PFAS in their systems.

Why Trust The Spruce Eats?

The author of this piece, Collier Sutter, personally tested popcorn makers in our Lab to determine the best picks to recommend, replicating the same recipes and measuring specific data points. She also included insights from our freelance reviewers to get the home cook’s perspective.

This roundup was updated by Sharon Lehman, a home cook who happens to be a registered dietitian nutritionist; Allison Wignall, who takes her popcorn very seriously, even taste-testing the best popcorn seasonings for The Spruce Eats; and Jason Horn, whose earliest memory is crawling around on the kitchen floor eating popcorn after his great-grandma loaded too many kernels in the air popper while she was babysitting.

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Categories: Kitchens