Top 4 compared
The best popcorn makers
Fresh, warm popcorn for a film night in a few minutes, without the microwave bag.
As an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases. It costs you nothing extra. How this works
The top 4 at a glance
A popcorn maker turns a scoop of dried kernels into a bowlful in a few minutes. A hot-air popper blows hot air up through the kernels with no oil, so the popcorn comes out light and dry. A stirring popper heats them in a little oil or butter on a hot plate while a rod keeps them moving, so sugar can go in too for sweet popcorn.
Hot-air poppers are the simplest to use: pour in the kernels, press the switch, and the popcorn is blown out into a waiting bowl; the butter or seasoning goes on afterwards. Popcorn machines go back to Charles Cretors, who took his steam-powered popcorn wagon to Chicago’s Columbian Exposition in 1893.
What matters
- A butter melter on top, so there’s no extra pan.
- Grams of kernels per batch, to fill a bowl for everyone.
- Dishwasher-safe lids and cups, to save on the washing-up.
- A cool-touch body, if children will be nearby.
#1YASHE Retro Hot Air Popcorn Maker (U6-1208)
£10–£20
Hot air does the popping, with no oil: 60g of kernels in two or three minutes, and the measuring cup sits on top to melt butter while it works. Next to the FOHERE, which scores above it, it costs less and needs nothing but kernels.
What owners say: People like how little there is to it: tip in the kernels, switch on, and the parts come off for a quick clean afterwards, though some find it leaves more kernels unpopped than the box suggests.
A closer look: Stand a large bowl in front of it before switching on, since the popped corn is blown out as it pops. Pour the melted butter over at the end rather than as it goes, so it coats evenly, and wipe the inside with a damp cloth once it has cooled.
- Pops in 2–3 minutes
- Blows popcorn into the bowl
Best for: Oil-free popcorn on a night in
- Type
- Hot air
- Power
- 1200W
- Kernels per batch
- 60g
- Measuring cup
- Yes
- Melts butter
- Cup on top
- Dishwasher-safe parts
- Cover and lid
#2FOHERE 3.5L Stirring Popcorn Maker
£30–£50
The one here that pops in oil: a stirring rod keeps the kernels moving over a non-stick plate, which makes sweet or salted popcorn possible, and 100g of kernels makes a big bowlful. It costs a good deal more than the YASHE and needs oil, so for plain popcorn the hot-air popper at #1 is the easier everyday choice.
What owners say: Owners say nearly every kernel pops without burning, a bowl is ready in under five minutes, and the non-stick plate wipes clean quickly, though several find it feels flimsy.
Heads up: Switch it off as soon as the popping stops, as FOHERE advises, so the last of the corn doesn’t scorch on the hot plate.
A closer look: Measure the kernels and the oil or butter with the two cups, and add sugar for sweet popcorn: the rod keeps everything moving so it coats evenly. Once the machine is turned over, the clear lid becomes the serving bowl and goes straight to the sofa.
- Clear lid flips to serve
- Makes sweet popcorn too
- Non-stick plate
Best for: Sweet and buttery popcorn
- Type
- Stirring, with oil
- Power
- –
- Kernels per batch
- 100g
- Measuring cup
- Kernel and oil cups
- Melts butter
- Vents in the lid
- Dishwasher-safe parts
- Lids and cups
#3VonShef Retro Hot Air Popcorn Maker (13/261)
£26.99 RRP
A bright red retro popper that looks the part on the worktop, with a lid that doubles as the kernel scoop and six striped cinema boxes for serving.
What owners say: Owners like the cheerful retro look and how fast it turns out popcorn, and say children love watching it pop; the complaints are kernels left unpopped and popcorn some find bland.
A closer look: Use the lid as the scoop: fill it with kernels (up to 50g), put it back on and press the button. With no butter tray, toss the popcorn with melted butter or seasoning in a bowl afterwards, and wipe the aluminium chamber with a damp cloth once it has cooled.
- 6 cinema-style boxes
- Cool-touch housing
- Aluminium popping chamber
- 2-year warranty
Best for: Retro kitchens and film nights
- Type
- Hot air
- Power
- 1200W
- Kernels per batch
- Up to 50g
- Measuring cup
- Lid doubles as scoop
- Melts butter
- No
- Dishwasher-safe parts
- No
#4Andrew James Classic Popcorn Maker (AJ001537)
£22.99 RRP
A red hot-air machine with a clear, cool-touch lid and a scoop that turns over to melt butter on top, plus eight red and white striped boxes for handing it round.
What owners say: Owners find it easy to get going and say a big bowl is ready in two or three minutes; others get plenty of unpopped kernels, and a few report it giving up early.
Heads up: Give it 15 minutes to cool between batches, as Andrew James’s manual asks, so one full scoop at a time works better than lots of small rounds.
A closer look: A level scoop is 65g of kernels, the most it takes per round; stand a bowl under the spout before switching on. Nothing here goes in the dishwasher, so wash the lid and scoop in warm soapy water and wipe the outside with a damp cloth.
- 8 striped cinema boxes
- Cool-touch clear lid
- Non-slip feet
Best for: Sharing round in boxes
- Type
- Hot air
- Power
- 1200W
- Kernels per batch
- 65g
- Measuring cup
- Yes
- Melts butter
- Scoop on top
- Dishwasher-safe parts
- No
How they compare
Swipe sideways or rotate device to see all 4.
| Feature | #1YASHE U6-1208 | #2FOHERE 3.5L | #3VonShef Retro | #4Andrew James Classic |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Best overall | Best stirring popper | |||
| Picked Rating | 8.5 | 8.8 | 8.4 | 8.4 |
| Price | £10–£20 | £30–£50 | £26.99 RRP | £22.99 RRP |
| Type | Hot air | Stirring, with oil | Hot air | Hot air |
| Power | 1200W | – | 1200W | 1200W |
| Kernels per batch | 60g | 100g | Up to 50g | 65g |
| Measuring cup | Yes | Kernel and oil cups | Lid doubles as scoop | Yes |
| Melts butter | Cup on top | Vents in the lid | No | Scoop on top |
| Dishwasher-safe parts | Cover and lid | Lids and cups | No | No |
| Best for | Oil-free popcorn on a night in | Sweet and buttery popcorn | Retro kitchens and film nights | Sharing round in boxes |
| Buy now | Amazon | Amazon | Amazon | Amazon |
Photos are illustrative, some computer-generated. As an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases. It costs you nothing extra. Certain content that appears on this site comes from Amazon. This content is provided ‘as is’ and is subject to change or removal at any time. How we pick · How this works.
