The Best Popcorn Makers Of 2022

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The first commercial popcorn maker was a far cry from today's compact and portable poppers. Invented in 1885 by Charles Cretors, the steam-powered machine was usually wheeled around to serve patrons attending sporting events and fairs (via America's Favorite Gourmet Popcorn). Over the years, popcorn machines became smaller, faster, and more affordable. Today's poppers can easily fit on a kitchen countertop and are speedy enough to make batches of flawless popcorn in minutes.

From collapsible bowls to concession stands, poppers come in all shapes and sizes. Some of the most popular machines use hot air, microwaves, stovetops, and electricity. And while there are many different types of popcorn makers on the market, they all have one feature in common — they give you absolute control of the popping process, which means personalized and often healthier popcorn. Looking for a popcorn maker to lift your movie game to the next level? Keep reading!

The aptly named Presto PopLite hot air corn popper is an air popping device that makes fluffy popcorn without oil or butter — just think of all the calories you won't be ingesting. If you're into butter though, there's a handy butter melter on top of the unit that doubles as a measuring cup. According to the Presto website, the popper is also very speedy, producing up to 18 cups of popcorn in just two and a half minutes. After some testing, the Top Ten Reviews proclaimed the number to be 15 cups — still ample as far as we're concerned.

Suitable for both standard and gourmet popcorn, the Presto popper leaves very few unpopped or burnt kernels. And once the popcorn is ready, the unit's plastic chute guides the popped kernels right into a bowl. When you are done, simply remove the cover and measuring cup and clean them with warm water and soap. There's also a handy cord wrap at the back of the device for easy storage when it's not in use. And from the sound of various reviewers who say they've been using theirs for decades, the Presto popper is also highly durable (via She Speaks).

Purchase the Presto PopLite Hot Air Popper from Amazon starting at $29.99.

If you're feeling nostalgic about the old-school method of making popcorn on the stove, the Wabash Valley Farms Whirley-Pop Popcorn Popper might be a worthwhile investment. Made from stainless steel for durability, the popper takes roughly three minutes to produce six quarts of popcorn for your snacking pleasure. 

Simply pop some kernels and oil in the pot, turn the wooden crank, and wait until you stop hearing the pops. While the unit features die-cast metal gears to ensure that the stirring crank works smoothly, Stephen Turner from Food Editorial.co recommends "keep[ing] an eye on things since all stove tops can burn your popcorn if [you leave] them at it for too long and don't crank when you are supposed to."

The Wabash Valley Farms Whirley-Pop Popcorn Popper is a vast improvement on the company's aluminum popper. While the aluminum unit pops the kernels faster than its stainless steel counterpart, it's not as durable due to possible warping caused by repetitive reheating and cooling. On the other hand, the stainless steel popper comes with a 25-year-guarantee so you can rest assured that you're purchasing a quality product.

Purchase the Wabash Valley Farms Whirley-Pop Popcorn Popper from Amazon starting at $39.95

At just $13.99, the Original Hotpop Microwave Popcorn Popper is an absolute bargain. Made from BPA- and PVC-free silicone, the microwave popcorn maker features a bowl with built-in handles and a lid. It's also large enough to make 15 cups of popcorn in one batch. Simply pour the kernels into the bowl, add some optional oil, close the lid, and place the unit in the microwave for two to four minutes. Available in a multitude of appealing colors, the Hotpop popper features a collapsible design for convenient storage and portability and it's even dishwasher safe.

Though simple, the Original Hotpop Microwave Popcorn Popper has received overwhelmingly positive reviews. In fact, the Review Index gave the appliance a massive 9.3 out of 10 after analyzing around 1,000 reviews. One Amazon reviewer went as far as proclaiming that this popcorn maker blew him away, saying that it's "easy to use, easy to clean, and most of all makes perfectly popped popcorn! Light, airy, crispy, [and] not chewy."

Purchase the Original Hotpop Microwave Popcorn Popper from Amazon starting at $13.99.

The WestBend Hot Oil Theater Popcorn Machine is perfect for family nights in front of the big — or small — screen. And while it may set you back around $70, just think of all the money you'll save on movie tickets. The old-school countertop unit is also bound to be a hit with the kids. One Amazon reviewer who purchased the popper for her husband is looking forward to family get-togethers over popcorn, saying that he "LOVES it and now we are planning movie nights for the grandkids because he bragged to them and they want to use it. Great product for a few people."

The unit's non-stick stainless steel kettle pops up to four quarts of popcorn at a time. Simply fill the kettle with kernels, wait a few minutes, and watch as it tilts to deliver fresh popcorn into the serving area. While the motorized stirring rod keeps the number of unpopped kernels to a minimum, any unpopped kernels end up in a catcher tray. Once the popcorn is ready, the kettle is fully removable for fast cleaning. The popcorn machine comes with a measuring cup and spoon, as well as a scoop.

Purchase the WestBend Hot Oil Theater Popcorn Machine from Amazon starting at $71.98.

A popcorn maker and a collector's item in one, the Nostalgia Popcorn & Concession Cart is bound to make an impression on your guests. Crafted in the style of early 1900s silent movie houses, the 59-inch stand features a heat- and scratch-resistant tempered glass window, atmospheric interior LED lighting, and a storage cabinet for your kernels and popcorn seasoning. The 16-inch rubber wheels and a pull handle ensure that the stand is easy to maneuver. Plus, the bottom part of the stand can be removed if you wish to use the unit as a countertop popper.

The Nostalgia Popcorn & Concession Cart comes with a 10-ounce stainless steel kettle that produces up to 40 cups of fresh popcorn per batch to keep the entire clan happy. The kettle features an in-built stirring system to ensure uniform popping and a hinged lid that lets you tip the popcorn into the popper's main shelf. This device comes with a kernel measuring cup, an oil measuring spoon, and a popcorn scoop.

Purchase the Nostalgia Popcorn & Concession Cart from Amazon starting at $359.99.