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Cost
Price
$499
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Type
Type
Compressor
Compressor
Freezer bowl
Freezer bowl
Freezer bowl
Compressor
Processor
Compressor
Recommended products
Recommended
Recommended
Recommended
Test results
CHOICE Expert Rating
Performance score
Vanilla ice cream score
Lemon sorbet score
Vegan frozen yoghurt score
Ease of use score
Sustainability
Country of origin
China
China
China
China
Not specified
Italy
China
China
Warranty (years)
2
3
3
1
1
3
1
1
Comments
Good points
• Very good for lemon sorbet.
• Excellent controls.
• Comprehensive instructions with recipes.
• Cleaning brush and spatula supplied.
• 4 pre-set functions: Sorbet, Frozen Yoghurt, Gelato, Ice Cream, plus manual mode.
• Hardness selection.
• Lid and paddle are dishwasher safe.
• Relatively quiet.
• Count-up timer and temperature display.
• Audible feedback: intermittent beeper and end of cycle melody that can be turned up, down or off.
• Excellent controls.
• Comprehensive instructions with recipes.
• Cleaning brush and spatula supplied.
• 4 pre-set functions: Sorbet, Frozen Yoghurt, Gelato, Ice Cream, plus manual mode.
• Hardness selection.
• Lid and paddle are dishwasher safe.
• Relatively quiet.
• Count-up timer and temperature display.
• Audible feedback: intermittent beeper and end of cycle melody that can be turned up, down or off.
• Fairly comprehensive instructions with recipes.
• Countdown timer.
• Audible feedback: beeps 3 times at the timer end.
• Lid and paddle are dishwasher safe.
• 2 paddles - gelato and ice cream.
• Countdown timer.
• Audible feedback: beeps 3 times at the timer end.
• Lid and paddle are dishwasher safe.
• 2 paddles - gelato and ice cream.
• Very good overall.
• Very good for performance.
• Excellent for vanilla ice cream.
• Very good for lemon sorbet.
• Very good controls, very easy to use, basic.
• Fairly comprehensive instructions with recipes.
• Very easy to clean, mostly smooth plastic exterior, no vents.
• Few parts to clean in domestic sink - bowl, paddle, lid.
• Relatively compact unit, fairly easy to store.
• Relatively quiet.
• Relatively cheap.
• Very good for performance.
• Excellent for vanilla ice cream.
• Very good for lemon sorbet.
• Very good controls, very easy to use, basic.
• Fairly comprehensive instructions with recipes.
• Very easy to clean, mostly smooth plastic exterior, no vents.
• Few parts to clean in domestic sink - bowl, paddle, lid.
• Relatively compact unit, fairly easy to store.
• Relatively quiet.
• Relatively cheap.
• Very compact unit, easy to store.
• Very good controls, very easy to use, basic.
• Mostly smooth plastic exterior - lid only. No vents. Very easy to wipe over.
• Few parts to clean in domestic sink - bowl, paddle, lid.
• Relatively quiet.
• Relatively cheap.
• Very good controls, very easy to use, basic.
• Mostly smooth plastic exterior - lid only. No vents. Very easy to wipe over.
• Few parts to clean in domestic sink - bowl, paddle, lid.
• Relatively quiet.
• Relatively cheap.
• Very good overall.
• Very good for performance.
• Very good for vanilla ice cream, lemon sorbet and vegan frozen yoghurt.
• Very easy to use, lever switch, basic.
• Freezer bowl has two side handles for easy lifting.
• Easy to remove the paddle and scrape off the mixture.
• Freezer bowl exterior has ridges aiding grip when removing load.
• Few parts to clean in domestic sink - bowl, paddle.
• Paddle is dishwasher safe.
• Very good for performance.
• Very good for vanilla ice cream, lemon sorbet and vegan frozen yoghurt.
• Very easy to use, lever switch, basic.
• Freezer bowl has two side handles for easy lifting.
• Easy to remove the paddle and scrape off the mixture.
• Freezer bowl exterior has ridges aiding grip when removing load.
• Few parts to clean in domestic sink - bowl, paddle.
• Paddle is dishwasher safe.
• Very good for lemon sorbet and vegan frozen yoghurt.
• Large sealed press controls, mode button lights up when in use.
• Control panel is angled slightly towards user.
• Fairly comprehensive instructions with key diagrams.
• Easy to remove mixture from around the paddle, paddle is very smooth with no obvious grip section. Easy to scrape out mixture from removable bowl - wide and small shaft.
• Three auto settings, and manual mode.
• Mostly smooth silver plastic, easy to wipe over.
• All removable parts are dishwasher safe.
• Relatively quiet.
• Few parts to clean in domestic sink - bowl, paddle, lid.
• Audible feedback, beeps when done.
• Two bowls, can make two lots of ice cream in a row.
• Large sealed press controls, mode button lights up when in use.
• Control panel is angled slightly towards user.
• Fairly comprehensive instructions with key diagrams.
• Easy to remove mixture from around the paddle, paddle is very smooth with no obvious grip section. Easy to scrape out mixture from removable bowl - wide and small shaft.
• Three auto settings, and manual mode.
• Mostly smooth silver plastic, easy to wipe over.
• All removable parts are dishwasher safe.
• Relatively quiet.
• Few parts to clean in domestic sink - bowl, paddle, lid.
• Audible feedback, beeps when done.
• Two bowls, can make two lots of ice cream in a row.
• Very good for vegan frozen yoghurt.
• Includes three 500mL cups that are filled with mixture and frozen - ready to be churned when needed.
• Very good controls.
• Comprehensive instructions with recipes.
• Easy to scrape out mixture, could eat directly from mixing cups.
• 7 pre-set functions: Ice Cream, Sorbet, Milk shake, Lite Ice Cream, Mix-In, Gelato, Smoothie Bowl.
• Easy to use controls. Indicators light up when in use. On/off indicator is obvious.
• Processing time is only 1-4 minutes.
• Some parts are dishwasher safe.
• Obvious when processing completed.
• Includes three 500mL cups that are filled with mixture and frozen - ready to be churned when needed.
• Very good controls.
• Comprehensive instructions with recipes.
• Easy to scrape out mixture, could eat directly from mixing cups.
• 7 pre-set functions: Ice Cream, Sorbet, Milk shake, Lite Ice Cream, Mix-In, Gelato, Smoothie Bowl.
• Easy to use controls. Indicators light up when in use. On/off indicator is obvious.
• Processing time is only 1-4 minutes.
• Some parts are dishwasher safe.
• Obvious when processing completed.
• Fairly easy to use controls, basic with indicator lights for power, on/off.
• Fairly comprehensive instructions, with recipes.
• Few parts to clean in domestic sink - bowl, paddle, lid.
• Countdown timer.
• Relatively quiet.
• Audible feedback, beeps when completed.
• Scoop included.
• Fairly comprehensive instructions, with recipes.
• Few parts to clean in domestic sink - bowl, paddle, lid.
• Countdown timer.
• Relatively quiet.
• Audible feedback, beeps when completed.
• Scoop included.
Bad points
• Borderline result for vanilla ice cream.
• Only OK to remove paddle if not overflowing.
• Fiddly to scrape out mixture from bowl due to narrow shape and central shaft. Needs a long narrow spatula to assist in removal - spatula provided feels too short, limiting leverage needed to scrape out load.
• Open ice bowl so some ingredients can seep into bowl chamber, requiring extra cleaning.
• Brushed stainless steel exterior shows some finger marks.
• Wide, heavy and bulky unit - only OK to store.
• Compressor unit - needs to sit upright at all times, doesn't like being moved.
• Only OK to remove paddle if not overflowing.
• Fiddly to scrape out mixture from bowl due to narrow shape and central shaft. Needs a long narrow spatula to assist in removal - spatula provided feels too short, limiting leverage needed to scrape out load.
• Open ice bowl so some ingredients can seep into bowl chamber, requiring extra cleaning.
• Brushed stainless steel exterior shows some finger marks.
• Wide, heavy and bulky unit - only OK to store.
• Compressor unit - needs to sit upright at all times, doesn't like being moved.
• Only OK overall.
• Only OK vegan frozen yoghurt performance.
• Has a narrow mix-in chute in the lid - can be awkward to pour in load, or add mix-ins.
• Alignment labelling on lid and unit is not obvious.
• Only OK to remove mixture from around the paddle.
• Will need to refer to manual for time guides.
• Relatively expensive.
• Heavy, bulky unit - only OK to store.
• Compressor unit - needs to sit upright at all times, doesn't like being moved.
• Noisy when in use.
• Only OK vegan frozen yoghurt performance.
• Has a narrow mix-in chute in the lid - can be awkward to pour in load, or add mix-ins.
• Alignment labelling on lid and unit is not obvious.
• Only OK to remove mixture from around the paddle.
• Will need to refer to manual for time guides.
• Relatively expensive.
• Heavy, bulky unit - only OK to store.
• Compressor unit - needs to sit upright at all times, doesn't like being moved.
• Noisy when in use.
• No handle on freezer bowl, large and awkward to grip when frozen.
• Ice cream bowl needs to be frozen prior to use.
• Difficult to remove load due to iciness of freezer bowl, hand protection may be needed.
• Will need to refer to manual for time guides.
• Brushed stainless steel panel on exterior shows some finger marks.
• No audible feedback when ice cream is ready, need to monitor ice cream throughout processing time.
• Messy - may push contents up over the rim for volumes greater than 500mL.
• Ice cream bowl needs to be frozen prior to use.
• Difficult to remove load due to iciness of freezer bowl, hand protection may be needed.
• Will need to refer to manual for time guides.
• Brushed stainless steel panel on exterior shows some finger marks.
• No audible feedback when ice cream is ready, need to monitor ice cream throughout processing time.
• Messy - may push contents up over the rim for volumes greater than 500mL.
• Only OK overall.
• Only OK performance.
• Only OK for vegan frozen yoghurt.
• Borderline for lemon sorbet.
• No handle on freezer bowl, large and awkward to grip when frozen.
• Ice cream bowl needs to be frozen prior to use.
• Difficult to remove load due to iciness of freezer bowl, hand protection may be needed.
• Will need to refer to manual for time guides.
• Small mix-in chute in the lid - open hole, no cover. OK to pour in mixtures - need a jug for pouring accuracy.
• Basic instructions, limited recipes.
• No audible feedback when ice cream is ready, need to monitor ice cream throughout processing time.
• Messy - may push contents up over the rim for volumes great than 500mL.
• Only a 1-year warranty, which suggests low manufacturer confidence in the product.
• Only OK performance.
• Only OK for vegan frozen yoghurt.
• Borderline for lemon sorbet.
• No handle on freezer bowl, large and awkward to grip when frozen.
• Ice cream bowl needs to be frozen prior to use.
• Difficult to remove load due to iciness of freezer bowl, hand protection may be needed.
• Will need to refer to manual for time guides.
• Small mix-in chute in the lid - open hole, no cover. OK to pour in mixtures - need a jug for pouring accuracy.
• Basic instructions, limited recipes.
• No audible feedback when ice cream is ready, need to monitor ice cream throughout processing time.
• Messy - may push contents up over the rim for volumes great than 500mL.
• Only a 1-year warranty, which suggests low manufacturer confidence in the product.
• Only OK ease of use.
• Only OK instructions with only one recipe.
• Ice cream bowl needs to be frozen prior to use.
• Drive assembly connects to the dasher (paddle), then drive assembly is attached to the mixer - can be a little fiddly to align.
• Hand protection may be needed due to iciness of the bowl.
• Will need to refer to manual for time guides.
• Messy - may push contents up over the rim for volumes great than 500mL.
• No audible feedback when ice cream is ready, need to monitor ice cream throughout processing time.
• Must have a compatible KitchenAid benchtop mixer.
• Expensive attachment adding to a very expensive bench mixer.
• Only a 1-year warranty, which suggests low manufacturer confidence in the product.
• Noisy when in use.
• Only OK instructions with only one recipe.
• Ice cream bowl needs to be frozen prior to use.
• Drive assembly connects to the dasher (paddle), then drive assembly is attached to the mixer - can be a little fiddly to align.
• Hand protection may be needed due to iciness of the bowl.
• Will need to refer to manual for time guides.
• Messy - may push contents up over the rim for volumes great than 500mL.
• No audible feedback when ice cream is ready, need to monitor ice cream throughout processing time.
• Must have a compatible KitchenAid benchtop mixer.
• Expensive attachment adding to a very expensive bench mixer.
• Only a 1-year warranty, which suggests low manufacturer confidence in the product.
• Noisy when in use.
• Only OK for ease of use.
• Only OK to remove paddle if not overflowing.
• Paddle needs to be screwed into place using a screw-on stainless steel cap (small part that may be misplaced).
• Unscrewing bolt to release paddle is fiddly.
• No mix-in chute - lid needs to be removed.
• No recipes included in instructions.
• No obvious start button. No timer/countdown display.
• No written labelling on controls, need to refer to manual.
• Need to refer to manual for mode guide. No time adjustment for auto programs.
• Very expensive.
• Tall, bulky and heavy unit - only OK to store.
• Compressor unit - needs to sit upright at all times, doesn't like being moved.
• Only OK to remove paddle if not overflowing.
• Paddle needs to be screwed into place using a screw-on stainless steel cap (small part that may be misplaced).
• Unscrewing bolt to release paddle is fiddly.
• No mix-in chute - lid needs to be removed.
• No recipes included in instructions.
• No obvious start button. No timer/countdown display.
• No written labelling on controls, need to refer to manual.
• Need to refer to manual for mode guide. No time adjustment for auto programs.
• Very expensive.
• Tall, bulky and heavy unit - only OK to store.
• Compressor unit - needs to sit upright at all times, doesn't like being moved.
• Only OK overall.
• Only OK for performance.
• Borderline result for vanilla ice cream.
• No mix-in chute - lid needs to be removed.
• Very noisy when in use.
• Some cracks and crevices around the shaft and bowl area, can be difficult to clean.
• Care required when removing, cleaning and replacing sharp blade.
• Tall unit, fairly lightweight, only OK to store.
• Only a 1-year warranty, which suggests low manufacturer confidence in the product.
• Only OK for performance.
• Borderline result for vanilla ice cream.
• No mix-in chute - lid needs to be removed.
• Very noisy when in use.
• Some cracks and crevices around the shaft and bowl area, can be difficult to clean.
• Care required when removing, cleaning and replacing sharp blade.
• Tall unit, fairly lightweight, only OK to store.
• Only a 1-year warranty, which suggests low manufacturer confidence in the product.
• Only OK overall.
• Borderline for performance.
• Only OK for ease of use.
• Poor result for vanilla ice cream.
• Only OK result for lemon sorbet and vegan frozen yoghurt.
• Will need to refer to manual for time guides.
• Wide, bulky, and heavy unit - only OK to store.
• Compressor unit - needs to sit upright at all times, doesn't like being moved.
• Has a removable drive shaft that locks into lid and paddle components. These parts are separate to compressor unit. Can be fiddly to align and position drive shaft assembly onto compressor unit without paddle slipping off into mixture.
• Bowl needs to be positioned with handles in a particular position otherwise drive shaft won't lock in place.
• No mix-in chute.
• Only OK to remove the paddle and scrape off the mixture - fingers can come in contact with mixture when removing.
• Tallish narrow bowl only OK for scraping out load.
• Only a 1-year warranty, which suggests low manufacturer confidence in the product.
• Borderline for performance.
• Only OK for ease of use.
• Poor result for vanilla ice cream.
• Only OK result for lemon sorbet and vegan frozen yoghurt.
• Will need to refer to manual for time guides.
• Wide, bulky, and heavy unit - only OK to store.
• Compressor unit - needs to sit upright at all times, doesn't like being moved.
• Has a removable drive shaft that locks into lid and paddle components. These parts are separate to compressor unit. Can be fiddly to align and position drive shaft assembly onto compressor unit without paddle slipping off into mixture.
• Bowl needs to be positioned with handles in a particular position otherwise drive shaft won't lock in place.
• No mix-in chute.
• Only OK to remove the paddle and scrape off the mixture - fingers can come in contact with mixture when removing.
• Tallish narrow bowl only OK for scraping out load.
• Only a 1-year warranty, which suggests low manufacturer confidence in the product.
Features
Non-slip feet
Automatic mode
Yes (4 preset functions: Sorbet, Frozen Yoghurt, Gelato, Ice Cream)
Yes (3 preset functions: Gelato, Ice Cream, Granita)
Yes (7 preset functions: Ice Cream, Sorbet, Milk Shake, Lite Ice Cream, Mix-In, Gelato, Smoothie Bowl)
Hardness selection
Pause function
Yes (press stop/start button)
No (not recommended)
No (not recommended)
Yes (press selected function then press again to restart)
Yes (press on/off button)
Safety locking lid
Cord storage
N/A
Removable
Accessories supplied
Cleaning brush and spatula
2 paddles - gelato and ice cream
None
None
None
2 bowls, 2 paddles (one set fixed, the other removable), measuring cup (35mL) and spatula
3 ice cream tubs with lids
Ice cream scoop
Dishwasher safe parts
Yes (lid and paddle, top rack only)
Yes (lid and paddle, top rack only)
Yes (dasher/paddle and drive assembly, top rack only)
Yes (all removable parts, but recommends hand washing)
Yes (top rack only)
Safety features
Heating overload (thermal cut-out)
Heating overload (thermal cut-out)
Heating overload (thermal cut-out)
Heating overload (thermal cut-out)
Not specified
Lid lock and bowl lock
Cover must be in place to operate
Manual mode
Yes (time: 5 to 180 minutes)
Yes (time: 10 to 60 minutes)
Yes (time: 10 to 60 minutes)
Pre-cool setting
Freezer bowl
Freezer bowl
Freezer bowl
Yes (manual)
Yes (manual pre freeze)
Keep cool setting
Yes (up to 3 hours)
Yes (up to 10 minutes, no churning)
Yes (2 hours)
Yes (up to 60 minutes)
Mix-in chute
N/A
Mix-in alert (audible/visual)
No (add 5 minutes before recipe completed)
No (add 5 minutes before recipe completed)
No (add 12 to 15 minutes into the mixing process. Also says last 2 minutes)
No (add them before serving - approx. 5 minutes)
No (mix in program at end of the first churn)
End beep
Yes (a melody - can lower volume or mute)
Yes (beeps 3 times)
Yes (but can stop before the timer ends if the mixture is too thick with no audible feedback)
Specifications
Website
Wattage (W)
170 - 200
150
35
12
N/A
140
800
150
Bowl capacity (L)
1
1.5
1.5
1.5
1.9
2
0.47
1
Weight (kg)
11.8
10.4
3.4
2.3
2.5
10.9
5.9
8.8
Dimensions (cm, H x W x D)
24 x 45 x 28
23 x 23 x 24
33 x 23 x 24
22 x 19 x 21
17 x 28 x 23
37 x 26 x 29
41 x 17 x 18
30 x 39 x 29
Noise
55
61
54
52
62
51
75
54
Bowl material
Anodised
Anodised
Not specified
Not specified
Not specified
Stainless steel
Plastic
Anodised
Pre-freeze bowl time
N/A
N/A
Minimum -18°C for at least 12 hours (recommends 24 hours)
Minimum -18°C for 8 to 12 hours
Minimum -18°C for 16 hours
5 minutes
24 hours
N/A
Refrigerant used
R600a (28g)
R600a (23g)
N/A
N/A
N/A
R290 (38g)
N/A
R600a (16g)
Maximum ingredient volume to allow for expansion
700mL
4 to 4.5 cups
1.2cm from the top of the bowl
4cm from the top of the bowl
1.4L
1L (half full)
500mL
1/2 full (500mL)
Maximum churning time
60 minutes
60 minutes
25 minutes
30 minutes
20 minutes
30 minutes
3 minutes (first churn 1 minute 40 seconds, plus a respin for a creamier texture)
Stop when ice cream begins to thicken (about 30 minutes). When the ice cream has reached the correct consistency, the paddle will slow until it locks up. Stop at this point (recipes state 50 to 60 minutes)