If you’re anything like us, you’ll agree that freshly popped popcorn is one of the best parts of a trip to the cinema.
Trying to recreate the experience at home with ready-made popcorn in packets never quite seems to deliver the same fresh flavour.
This is where a home popcorn machine can step in.
A popcorn machine will take the corn kernels that you can buy in the supermarket or online and help them burst into the delicious nuggets of popcorn that you enjoy at the cinema.
Then it’s just a case of adding your favourite flavouring and finding a good film to watch!
Read on for our guide which explains the different types of these ingenious popcorn poppers to see which would best suit you.
We’ve done the legwork to find some of the best models on the market and bring you our popcorn maker reviews and recommendations.
See Our Best Popcorn Makers
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Best Overall
3Lékué Popcorn Maker
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Best For Higher Budgets
4Severin 117803 Popcorn Maker
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Best For Low Budgets
6Relaxdays Silicone Microwave Popcorn Maker
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1. BRENSTEN Microwave Hot Air Popcorn Maker
- Works in your microwave to make popcorn in just 2-3 minutes
- Collapsible design saves storage space
- Made of durable silicone
- Cool touch handles for safety
If you are short on worktop or storage space, or if popcorn is a more occasional treat for you, then this microwave popcorn maker is a compact solution which could suit your needs.
The durable, silicone bowl is collapsible so it’s easy to store when not in use.
When you want to make popcorn, simply expand the bowl, place kernels into the bottom and rest the lid on top before putting the bowl into the microwave.
We found it took a few attempts to find the right timings for our microwave, but after that we had great results every time.
It’s quick and easy to use and clean and allows you to make popcorn without any need for oil or butter if you’re trying to stay healthy.
We found the handles and lid could be a little hot after use, but this is otherwise a great product.
Specifications
Pros
- Doesn’t require any oil making it a healthy option
- Lid sits inside the bowl and rises as the corn pops
- Easy to clean after use
- Simple to use
Cons
- Cooking time is trial and error at first - adjust to suit your own microwave
- Lid can get quite hot - caution needed
2. Salter EK2902 Hot Air Popcorn Maker
- Healthy method that requires no oil
- Produces popcorn from kernels in just 3 minutes
- Measuring cup on the top of the machine ensures you use the right quantity of kernels
- Popcorn is dispensed through a spout (just place a bowl below)
This hot air popcorn maker is compact and requires no set up when you want to use it. All you need to do is plug the machine in, add kernels and flip the on/off switch. When you’re done, the cover is removable for easy cleaning.
The handy measuring cup at the top of the machine ensures you use the right amount of kernels and it swivels so you can drop the kernels straight into the chamber.
Once popped the corn pours out of a spout and we found this to be a slight flaw in the design, as unpopped kernels also escaped and had a tendency to fly around.
On the plus side, this is a healthy way to make popcorn that doesn’t need any oil and takes just 3 minutes.
Specifications
Pros
- Simple on/off switch to operate
- Cover is removable for easy cleaning
- Non-slip feet
- Compact size
Cons
- Unpopped hot kernels can come out of the spout along with the popcorn
- We found a fairly high proportion of kernels were unpopped
3. Lékué Popcorn Maker
- Collapsible design is easy to store
- Made from BPA-free silicone
- Takes only 2-3 minutes to make popcorn
- Lid rises as the corn pops
A microwave popcorn maker such as this Lékué bowl is a great option for a speedy snack.
The silicone bowl is BPA-free and collapses down when it’s not being used, so is easy to store. Making popcorn couldn’t be simpler.
Expand the bowl, pour in kernels (there are 50g and 100g markers to guide you) and place the lid on top before microwaving.
The cooking time will depend on the power of your microwave (we tried a few different timings before we got the ideal results) but you can expect tasty popcorn in around 2-3 minutes and there’s no need to use oil so it’s a healthy choice.
You can put the bowl in the dishwasher to clean it after use, too. Just watch out when removing the bowl from the microwave – it gets pretty hot.
Specifications
Pros
- Easy to clean - dishwasher safe
- Simple to use
- No oil required - healthier method
- 50g and 100g markers to guide you on how many kernels to use
Cons
- Bowl can be quite hot when first removed from the microwave
- Some trial and error to find the perfect cooking time
4. Severin 117803 Popcorn Maker
- Kernels can be measured out in the cup at the top of the chamber
- Spout dispenses popped corn – place a bowl below
- Hot air method is quick and requires no oil
- 2 year warranty
The advantage of a popcorn maker which uses hot air to pop corn is that it doesn’t need any oil, so you end up with a healthier snack.
To make popcorn with this Severin machine, you just need to add kernels to the chamber (there’s a handy cup at the top to measure out the kernels), place a bowl beneath the spout and turn the switch on.
We’d suggest you lay some kitchen paper over the spout as the corn fires out quickly and can miss the bowl.
You’ll end up with a bowl of popcorn in no time; our only complaint is that quite a few unpopped kernels escaped from the spout along with the popped corn.
When researching this item we noticed a lot of people use it to roast coffee beans.
We only tested it as a popcorn maker so can’t comment on that, but it could be an appealing secondary use if you’re a coffee fiend!
Specifications
Pros
- Simple to use
- Non-slip feet
- Easy to clean after use
- Small machine to store
Cons
- Unpopped kernels escape from the chute during use
- Short spout means corn doesn’t always go into a bowl beneath!
5. Proper Popper Silicone Microwave Popcorn Maker
- Collapsible and lightweight design
- Use in your microwave to make popcorn in under 4 minutes
- Dishwasher safe
- Marker inside the bowl to measure out kernels
Collapsible microwave popcorn makers such as this Proper Popper example are ideal for students or anyone with minimal kitchen space.
The BPA-free silicone bowl folds down when not in use so it can easily fit into a drawer. Once expanded, it can produce up to 15 cups of popcorn at a time.
To use, expand the bowl, add kernels using the marker inside the bowl as a guide, and rest the lid on top before microwaving.
There’s no need to add oil so it’s a healthy option.
The cooking time will depend on your microwave – for us 3 minutes and 30 seconds was the right duration but you can experiment.
You do need to be aware that the bowl and lid are hot at the end of the cooking time so leave to cool slightly or use a towel.
Specifications
Pros
- Made from BPA-free silicone
- Large capacity (around 15 cups)
- No oil required
- Lid prevents corn from flying out during cooking
Cons
- Bowl and handles are hot to handle at the end of the cooking time
- Takes a little trial and error to get the right cooking time
6. Relaxdays Silicone Microwave Popcorn Maker
- Healthy way to prepare popcorn – no oil needed
- Collapsible design to save storage space
- Made of BPA-free silicone
- Dishwasher safe
This Relaxdays bowl offers a quick and low-cost way to make popcorn anytime you fancy a snack.
The bowl is made from food-safe BPA-free silicone and can collapse down when not in use for easy storage. It’s also dishwasher safe, making cleaning it after use hassle-free.
There are 50g and 100g markers inside the bowl to guide you when adding kernels. The transparent lid is placed on top and rises as the kernels pop, keeping popcorn inside the bowl.
You’ll need to experiment with the cooking time and we’d suggest 90 seconds to start with, and then further 30 second bursts until the kernels are popped.
When you stop hearing popping sounds as frequently, it usually means the popcorn is ready.
The lid does start to discolour after a number of uses, but this doesn’t seem to impact on the performance at all. Overall, this is good value for money and an easy way to enjoy homemade popcorn.
Specifications
Pros
- 50g and 100g markers to measure kernels easily
- Lids rises as corn pops to keep it in the bowl
- Takes just 1.5 to 3.5 minutes (depending on your microwave)
- Very simple to use
Cons
- Lid discolours with use
- No instructions supplied so you’ll need to experiment with the cooking time
Popcorn Machine Buying Guide
Type
Home popcorn makers fall into a few different categories which vary in method, cost and ease. All of them rely on the basic principle that inside each corn kernel is a small amount of water.
When the kernels are heated that water is converted to steam putting pressure on the hull or shell of the kernel, causing it to explode.
The fibres inside the kernel then combine with the air to make the finished result – a perfect piece of popcorn.
Here are the different popcorn maker options you could consider:
Hot Air Popcorn Makers
Hot air poppers are small worktop appliances that can be plugged straight into a mains socket. They have a chamber at the top which kernels are added to.
The body of the machine produces hot air which is aimed at the kernels in the chamber so they pop. The air popped popcorn then comes out of a spout in the chamber into your waiting bowl.
No oil is needed so it’s a healthy way to make popcorn (until you add any extras!).
The process is usually quick, the machines are simple to operate and there’s a novelty factor watching the popcorn be made that can be appealing, especially if you have kids in the house.
Microwave Popcorn Maker
Microwave popcorn makers are simply durable silicone bowls with a separate lid (silicone is chosen as it’s food safe and can withstand high temperatures).
Kernels are put into the bottom of the bowl – you don’t need any oil – the lid placed on top and once again, heat created from the microwave will cause the kernels to pop.
The advantage of this option is that the bowls are usually quite inexpensive, and most have a collapsible design so they don’t take up much storage space.
They’re ideal if you don’t have the space for a dedicated appliance and are easy to clean.
Stovetop Popcorn Makers
A stovetop popcorn maker looks similar to a saucepan, but there’s a crank handle on top which you turn to keep moving the kernels inside until they’ve all popped.
The downside is that the stovetop makers are generally more expensive and do take up more cupboard space.
However, they produce great-tasting popcorn and you’ll have fewer unpopped kernels when you’ve made a batch than using other methods. You may also prefer the taste which can be lighter and fluffier.
Style
Although you can find modern styles to fit a contemporary kitchen, many popcorn makers are deliberately designed to have a vintage look which harks back to an earlier age of cinema.
You’ll notice that some makers replicate the retro design of a large popcorn maker which may have stood in the foyer of a cinema, but in a much smaller format.
If you want to continue the theme you can even buy vintage style paper or reusable popcorn tubs.
Microwave popcorn makers can’t really emulate that style, but the silicone bowls are available in various colours from pretty pink to a bright sunshine yellow.
Material
The materials used in a popcorn maker vary a lot according to the type you opt for.
Stovetop popcorn makers are usually made from aluminium or stainless steel the same as a regular saucepan. Hot air poppers may have a metal body and some type of plastic chamber at the top.
A silicone popcorn maker is a bowl designed to go into the microwave. Look out for BPA-free silicone.
Pricing range
If you want a cheap popcorn maker to use occasionally, your best bet is going to be a silicone popcorn maker and these can be bought for a little over £10.
Hot air poppers are electrical appliances so understandably cost a bit more – upwards of £15.
Stovetop popcorn makers are the most expensive, and we’ve seen these range from around £40 to several hundred pounds if you want to go for an authentic ‘Whirley Pop’ maker.
Our Verdict
We had a great time testing popcorn makers and sampling the results!
We decided that if we wanted a cheap and cheerful way to make popcorn whenever we wanted, we’d buy the Relaxdays Silicone Microwave Popcorn Maker and that’s why it’s our Best Entry Level choice.
We also really liked the Severin 117803 Popcorn Maker, our Best Top of the Range pick. We think watching the kernels pop and popcorn pour from the spout would add some fun to movie time if you have kids.
Finally, our Best Value selection was the Lékué Popcorn Maker. This silicone maker is good quality, easy to clean and the capacity is 2.8 litres which is great to make a decent quantity for a few to share.
Frequently Asked Questions
The answer to this question really depends on you as the user! If your priority is to make a quick and tasty snack whenever you want popcorn, then a silicone popcorn maker does the job without spending too much.
But, if you want to try to recreate that cinema experience at home then a hot air popcorn maker will do this better. It’s a fun way to make popcorn for the family or for a party and you don’t have to spend a huge amount.
