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Gear guide

Best compact ice cream makers for small kitchens

Picked from Amazon listings, not hands-on tests. How we pick

Top picks at a glance

Compare all picks

  • Closest match for the job

    Whynter ICM-080: 0.8 qt compressor for small spaces

    0.8-quart capacity designed to save countertop space, per the listing.

    See price on AmazonSee it on Amazon

  • Most for the money on paper

    Oplace 1.0 qt vertical compressor with yogurt mode

    Slim vertical body fits small countertops, according to the listing.

    See price on AmazonSee it on Amazon

  • Most complete listing

    Cuisinart 1-qt compressor with cord wrap and presets

    Integrated cord wrap makes it tidier to store, per the listing.

    See price on AmazonSee it on Amazon

In a small kitchen the best ice cream maker is the one that fits on the counter or slides into a cabinet without a fight. Smaller batches help: a 0.8 to 1.3 quart machine is easier to store than a 2-quart workhorse. Upright and vertical designs also take up less counter depth than wide horizontal ones. The catch is that few listings give exact dimensions or weight, so this guide leans on what the listings do state: capacity, upright or vertical design, cord storage and whether you need freezer space for a bowl. Five of the six listings state a built-in compressor, so those need no room in your freezer. Where a listing gives no size, we say so, and you should check the product details before ordering.

Compare the picks

Facts are taken from each Amazon listing. Prices are checked daily and shown with their date.

The picks in detail

Pick 1 · Whynter

Whynter ICM-080: 0.8 qt compressor for small spaces

See price on Amazon

The smallest-batch compressor machine in this guide, built for personal servings and small families. Best for one or two people with very little counter space.

What the listing offers

  • 0.8-quart capacity designed to save countertop space, per the listing.
  • Removable stainless steel bowl and BPA-free paddle for easy cleaning.
  • Motor protection shuts the unit off if the mixture freezes solid.

Limits to know

  • 0.8 quarts is too small for a family dessert or a party.
  • The listing does not state dimensions or weight.
See it on AmazonListing title: Whynter 0.8 Quart Compact Automatic Ice Cream Maker with Stainless Ste...

Pick 2 · Whynter

Whynter ICM-128WS: 1.28 qt upright with stainless bowl

See price on Amazon

An upright Whynter that stands tall in a stainless housing to save counter space, with a 1.28-quart batch. A middle ground between personal and family size.

What the listing offers

  • Upright space-saving build with a smaller counter footprint, per the listing.
  • Removable stainless bowl lifts out for serving and washing.
  • Churn blade comes apart for a rinse instead of a full disassembly.

Limits to know

  • This listing does not spell out the compressor or no-pre-freeze claim, so confirm on the product page.
  • No dimensions or weight are stated on the listing.
See it on AmazonListing title: Whynter Upright Automatic Ice Cream Maker, 1.28 Qt, White, ICM-128WS

Pick 3 · oplace

Oplace 1.0 qt vertical compressor with yogurt mode

See price on Amazon

A slim vertical compressor machine the listing describes as ideal for apartments, with modes for frozen desserts and homemade yogurt. Good for small kitchens that want variety.

What the listing offers

  • Slim vertical body fits small countertops, according to the listing.
  • Built-in compressor with no pre-freezing, plus a homemade yogurt option.
  • Transparent lid for watching progress and detachable mixing parts.

Limits to know

  • A lesser-known brand with no warranty terms stated.
  • The listing describes it as lightweight but gives no weight or dimensions.
See it on AmazonListing title: Oplace 4-in-1 Compressor Ice Cream Maker (1.0Qt), No Pre-Freezing, Aut...

Pick 4 · Cuisinart

Cuisinart 1-qt compressor with cord wrap and presets

See price on Amazon

A compact Cuisinart with Quick Freeze Chill Technology, four presets and an integrated cord wrap for storage. Suits small kitchens where the machine goes back in a cabinet after use.

What the listing offers

  • Integrated cord wrap makes it tidier to store, per the listing.
  • One-touch presets for ice cream, frozen yogurt, sorbet and Keep Cool.
  • Built-in ingredient funnel for adding mix-ins while churning.

Limits to know

  • Dimensions and weight are not stated despite the compact claim.
  • 1-quart batches are small for larger families.
See it on AmazonListing title: Cuisinart Ice Cream Maker Machine, Automatic, No Pre-Freezing, 1-Qt

Pick 5 · Whynter

Whynter ICM-201SB: upright 2.1 qt for bigger batches

See price on Amazon

An upright Whynter that keeps a 2.1-quart batch in a smaller footprint than horizontal machines. For small kitchens that still feed a family.

What the listing offers

  • Upright stainless housing designed for a smaller counter footprint.
  • 2.1-quart capacity, the largest in this compact guide.
  • No bowl in the freezer, so it saves freezer space too.

Limits to know

  • Taller and heavier than the 0.8 to 1.28 quart picks, though the listing gives no figures.
  • No preset programs are listed, only an LCD timer.
See it on AmazonListing title: Whynter Upright Automatic Ice Cream Maker, 2.1 Qt, ICM-201SB

Pick 6 · Martha Stewart

Martha Stewart 1 qt compressor with dial control

See price on Amazon

A 1-quart compressor machine with three modes and a backlit display. A small-batch option for cooks who want named modes over a plain timer.

What the listing offers

  • 1-quart batch makes up to 8 servings, per the listing.
  • Built-in compressor means no freezer space for a bowl.
  • Three modes and an easy-turn dial keep it simple.

Limits to know

  • The listing makes no footprint or compact claim, and gives no dimensions.
  • Costs about the same as the Cuisinart 1-qt, which adds a cord wrap and Keep Cool.
See it on AmazonListing title: Martha Stewart Ice Cream Maker Machine, 1QT Fully Automatic, 3 Modes, ...

Read before you buy

More gear: Choosing a machine

Scoop & Churn chooses every product independently from what its Amazon listing states. We may earn a commission from the links above. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.