The Best Cotton Candy Makers In 2023
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A hit with both kids and adults, cotton candy is a sweet treat made by transforming sugar into delicious flossy threads. Also known as sugar glass, the threads are then collected on cones to form a ball of fluffy cotton candy. While sugar confectionery was already enjoyed by the ancient Egyptians, fairy floss is a much more recent invention. In fact, the first cotton candy machine was invented in 1897 by a dentist and confectioner duo but was not revealed to the public until 1904.
Since then, the puffy clouds of candy have become a staple at carnivals, sports stadiums, and amusement parks. And while the original cotton candy was unflavored and white in color, today's offerings are much more diverse. Not only does candy floss come in a huge range of colors, but it's also available in many different flavors, from strawberry and chocolate to more unusual choices such as Champagne, Irish cream, and root beer. Best of all, with the right tools, you can even make fairy floss in the comfort of your own home.
Ready to give spinning wooly cotton candy a try? Take a look at our list of the best cotton candy makers in 2023.
How we selected products
Most of today's cotton candy machines are very simple to operate. All you need to do is warm them up, add flossing sugar or crushed candies, and collect the needle-thin strands of cotton candy on cones. Depending on the machine, this process shouldn't take longer than a minute.
While most candy floss machines are user-friendly, it goes without saying that they aren't all created equal. With so many options on the market, selecting the right gadget for your needs can be a tall order. This is where we can help. Our team has spent time and energy researching some of the best cotton candy machines around so you don't have to. We have also consulted hundreds of reviews to ensure that you get exactly what you pay for.
In our quest to bring you a roundup of the best cotton candy makers available, we have looked at a number of factors. Firstly, we took into account the unit's size — after all, a compact tabletop machine may not be the best option for huge parties. We also noted the material — most cotton candy makers are made of stainless steel or plastic. Finally, we considered each unit's price point since we know that value for money is an important feature for our readers.
Best overall cotton candy machine
Ideal for parties and gatherings, the VIVO electric cotton candy machine is a 1,030-Watt workhorse. In fact, the powerful machine can whip up two or three servings of cotton candy each minute to keep all of your sweet-toothed guests happy. Available in blue and pink, the cotton candy machine comes with a sturdy 20-inch stainless steel bowl and a handy sugar scoop. Plus, it can be taken apart for easy cleaning and is backed by a one-year manufacturer's warranty.
The VIVO electric cotton candy machine has received top marks on different websites, including an outstanding 9.6 out of 10 stars on Best Views Reviews. The unit has also been awarded 4.7 out of 5 stars from more than 1,500 Amazon shoppers. Perhaps one customer sums it up best, saying, "Doesn't vibrate too much, quiet, heats up quickly, makes lots of cotton candy, and is easy to clean. Comes with a nice scoop that delivers a good size serving per person. [...] Super simple to use if you ever used a cotton candy machine."
At the time of this writing, you can purchase the VIVO electric cotton candy machine from Amazon starting at $219.99.
Best budget cotton candy machine
If you're after a basic and affordable option, you can't go wrong with the Nostalgia countertop cotton candy maker. Great for home use, the compact machine turns flossing sugar or hard candies into cotton candy in a matter of minutes. In terms of safety, the gadget features a clear protective guard and four suction cups that keep it in place during use. Plus, it comes with a handy sugar scoop and two reusable cotton candy cones.
Overall, the Nostalgia countertop cotton candy maker has received positive feedback from Amazon users who have awarded it an average of 4.5 out of 5 stars. One reviewer praises the unit, saying, "Bought this for a dessert party, my 10-year-old niece figured it out right away and it was a hit! Kind of a pain to clean, but worth it." Not everybody agrees about the unit's ease of use, however, with another shopper complaining that the cotton candy maker doesn't come with any instructions.
At the time of this writing, you can purchase the Nostalgia countertop cotton candy maker from Amazon starting at $29.99.
Best cotton candy machine for a splurge
While the Great Northern Popcorn flufftastic cotton candy machine is bound to be a hit at parties, it doesn't come cheap. However, for those with a few hundred dollars to spare, the gadget may just set a new party trend. Perfect for making cotton candy cones on the go, the machine comes with a cart with two 13-inch wheels, two adjustable feet with suction cups, and a chrome handle for easy maneuverability. There are also two work platforms that can hold three candy cones each. The Great Northern Popcorn cotton candy machine comes with a sugar scoop and is fast enough to produce one cotton candy cone every 30 seconds.
This flufftastic device has received 4.5 out of 5 stars from more than 700 Amazon shoppers, with 79% of buyers awarding it 5 out of 5 stars. One happy customer says, "Heats up fine in a few minutes and spins big fluffy cotton candy. I bought the specially made sugars just to make it easy, the flavors are great and lots of colors. Easy to clean. Now I just need to find a place to store it when not using it." And while one reviewer complains that the machine leaves a lot of waste sugar on the side, another buyer says that it can be easily reused.
At the time of this writing, you can purchase the Great Northern Popcorn Flufftastic cotton candy machine from Amazon starting at $308.84.
Best cotton candy machine for design
Striking and highly functional, The Candery cotton candy machine makes a great addition to all sugar-loving households. The gadget features a stainless steel bowl with a plastic safety shield secured on top of a rectangular pink base. The cotton candy maker also comes with heavy-duty suction pads to prevent it from vibrating. Plus, it's fast for its compact size, producing a cone of cotton candy every 30 seconds. Last but not least, The Candery cotton candy machine comes with a sugar scoop and 10 cones.
Overall, this product has received positive marks from Amazon shoppers who have awarded the gadget 4.3 out of 5 stars. One buyer calls it a great value, adding, "This is a very well made cotton candy machine. It's easy to clean and easy to use. The pieces are easy to take apart and easy to put back together making cleaning super simple. [...] The cotton candy made in this is light and fluffy and very flavorful." And while some customers say that the gadget can be messy, others highlight that it's also very easy to clean.
At the time of this writing, you can purchase The Candery cotton candy machine from Amazon starting at $65.99.
Best cotton candy machine set
The Cotton Candy Express machine comes with all the bits and pieces you'll need to start making the sweet treat right after it arrives on your doorstep. These include a pink cotton candy machine, a sugar scoop, and 50 paper cones. The set also comes with three 11-ounce jars of floss sugar (grape, cherry, and blue raspberry), which can each make up to 30 cotton candy cones.
According to the Tamara Camera Blog, the Cotton Candy Express cotton candy machine isn't just compact for convenient storage, but it's also very easy to use. In fact, it's so simple to master that you can even get your kids to get in on the action. And at the end of the day, the machine can be disassembled for easy cleaning.
The Cotton Candy Express machine has received decent reviews on different platforms, including 7.6 out of 10 stars on Best Views Reviews and 4.2 out of 5 stars on Amazon. Perhaps one reviewer sums up the experience of using the gadget best, saying, "Super fun and easy way to make cotton candy. Loved the easy clean up. Only issue is that it gets pretty hot and can only make about three or four [cotton candy cones] before it gets too hot and starts smoking and you have to stop and clean it."
At the time of this writing, you can purchase the Cotton Candy Express cotton candy machine from Amazon starting at $74.99.
Best cotton candy machine for kids
What makes the Nostalgia Kool-Aid cotton candy maker so appealing for kids is its lazy Susan design. Composed of 12 compartments and four slots for cotton candy cones, the gadget is ideal for storing candy and other confectionery. The machine also features a transparent rim guard to let the little ones watch as their fairy floss comes to life. The Nostalgia Kool-Aid cotton candy maker comes with a sugar scoop and four reusable cones.
This device rates a solid 4.6 out of 5 on Amazon, with many shoppers highlighting that it has been a hit with their kids. One buyer says, "Fun activity to do with kids. Getting to use candy you like to make cotton candy outside of the traditional flavors is super cool." Another reviewer agrees, commenting, "This product is amazing for the price! Nice and fun with the family and tastes great!"
At the time of this writing, you can purchase the Nostalgia Kool-Aid cotton candy maker from Amazon starting at $39.99.
Best cotton candy machine with a cart
Perfect for serving fairy floss at outdoor events, the VIVO electric commercial cotton candy machine combines a 20-inch stainless steel bowl and a cart stand with two wheels for easy maneuverability. Available in pink or blue, the 1,030-Watt cotton candy maker can produce up to three servings of cotton candy a minute to keep everybody smiling. The VIVO electric commercial cotton candy machine comes with a handy sugar scoop, an instruction manual, and a kit with spare parts.
VIVO's cotton candy machine has received 4.7 out of 5 stars from more than 300 Amazon shoppers, with 82% of buyers awarding it 5 out of 5 stars. One satisfied reviewer praises the machine, saying, "It has been great for birthday parties and warm evenings with the kiddos running around. Everyone is always asking where we got it or if they can borrow it. It's easy to put together and clean. We're glad we bought it." Another shopper says that the gadget is better than a commercial rental, adding, "I have rented a handful of cotton candy machines for high volume use and this is the best one by far. Super fast and perfect results every time. So easy to clean!"
At the time of this writing, you can purchase the VIVO electric commercial cotton candy machine from Amazon starting at $299.99.
Best retro cotton candy machine
Available in white and pink, the Nostalgia retro cotton candy machine is a miniature version of a 1900s festival vendor cart. Aside from the cute mini cart, the gadget also features a bowl with a transparent rim guard. There are also two suction cups that keep the unit stable during the cotton candy-making process. Nostalgia's cotton candy machine disassembles for easy cleaning and comes with a sugar scoop and two reusable cones.
This retro cotton candy machine has received an average of 4.3 out of 5 stars from over 3,800 Amazon customers. One reviewer recommends the machine, saying, "It's easy to set up, no assembly required and easy to use. [...] It takes a minute to get the hang of turning the cone to collect the sugar strings but once you know what to do it's pretty simple." Another buyer agrees, commenting, "Made quite a bit of cotton candy within a few minutes. Heats up quick and the floss sugar tasted great. It's super easy to use and the kids loved making their own cotton candy."
At the time of this writing, you can purchase the Nostalgia retro cotton candy machine from Amazon starting at $44.99.