When the British summer hits its peak, nothing beats the cool relief of a perfectly churned scoop. The Guardian's latest rigorous taste test has uncovered the best ice cream makers in the UK, covering everything from silky gelato to airy soft serve and refreshing sorbets. Whether you're a home dessert enthusiast or a budding artisanal producer, these machines promise to elevate your frozen creations to professional standards.

Gelato Machines: Creamy Perfection at Home

Gelato is celebrated for its dense, creamy texture and intense flavor, and the top machines in this category deliver just that. The Guardian's testing team churned batch after batch to find units that freeze quickly and incorporate minimal air, yielding that authentic Italian mouthfeel. Standout features included pre-cooling functions, robust motors, and easy-to-clean removable bowls.

For those serious about their gelato, models with built-in compressors are the clear winners—they allow continuous churning without the need for pre-frozen bowls, giving you the flexibility to experiment with multiple batches in one sitting. The tested favorites also excelled at handling high-fat recipes, ensuring no icy crystals mar the final product.

Soft Serve Machines: Bringing the Fair Home

Soft serve's nostalgic swirl is now achievable in your own kitchen, thanks to the compact machines in this category. The Guardian's testers found that the best soft-serve makers produce a stable, creamy swirl that holds its shape, even when layered with toppings. These machines are perfect for parties and family gatherings, turning any evening into a carnival.

Key considerations included the size of the machine (countertop models are ideal for most homes), the ease of dispensing, and the cleaning process—a notoriously tricky aspect of soft-serve equipment. The top picks managed to balance simplicity with excellent results, making them accessible even to first-time users.

Sorbet Specialists: Fruit-Forward and Dairy-Free

Sorbet is a refreshing, dairy-free alternative that demands a different approach. The best machines for sorbets in the test featured powerful blades that could handle frozen fruit chunks and fibrous ingredients without clogging. The result? Smooth, vibrant sorbets that burst with natural flavor.

Testers highlighted models that allowed for customizing sugar levels and incorporating alcohol (which lowers freezing points) without compromising texture. For those with dietary restrictions or a preference for plant-based desserts, these sorbet-capable machines are a game-changer, proving that you don't need cream to achieve a luscious scoop.

How We Tested: What Makes a Great Ice Cream Maker?

The Guardian's testing process was thorough, evaluating each machine on several critical criteria: consistency of the final product, speed of freezing, ease of use, noise levels, and cleanup. Each machine was used to make a standard vanilla base, a fruit sorbet, and a more complex custard-style gelato. The results were blind-tasted to ensure unbiased judgments.

Machines that excelled offered multiple settings for different frozen desserts, timers for hands-off operation, and clear instructions. Durability was also a factor, with testers noting which models felt built to last through countless summer seasons.

Key Takeaways

Choosing the right ice cream maker ultimately depends on your priorities. If you're a gelato purist, invest in a compressor-based model. For quick, crowd-pleasing treats, a soft-serve machine is a fun addition. And for health-conscious or fruit-forward options, a versatile sorbet-friendly maker is a must.

The Guardian's top picks offer something for every budget and skill level. Whether you're a weekend hobbyist or a dessert-obsessed perfectionist, these machines will transform your kitchen into a summer sanctuary. Read the full test at The Guardian to see which specific models took the top honors.