Best Popcorn Poppers in the UK

Review & Comparison, Last Update January 20, 2024
Popcorn is a quick and yummy treat for a large party or a pleasant chill-out with your loved ones. Are you raving about an unmatched ...Read more
PROS

This party-style popcorn maker has an interior light that will let your guests enjoy watching popcorn flying out the kettle. The light is controlled with a separate switch.

CONS

It's quite bulky compared to other products.

OUR VERDICT

The Global Gizmos 54500 is the machine that can bring the fun of the fair into your living room. It can keep you entertained during the next cinema night or at any other party. With that, it produces tasty popped snacks with minimum or no oil at all.

detailed parameters
TYPE

Electric popper

POPPING METHOD

Hot air

BATCH POPPING TIME

3 minutes

USABILITY FEATURES

On/Off switch, Separate light switch, Measuring cup and spoon

CLEANING

Manual wash

DIMENSIONS

46.8 x 33.6 x 28.6 cm

WARRANTY

Amazon's 30-day return policy

PROS

The set includes six cinema-style cardboard popcorn cups that will give you the opportunity to fully immerse yourself in the cinema atmosphere.

CONS

A little too powerful when throwing the popcorn out of the chute.

OUR VERDICT

VonShef offers a reasonably-priced popper that can help you quickly prepare a batch of homemade, healthy popcorn. The top lid does double duty by serving as a measuring spoon, thus, simplifying the popcorn making process. 

detailed parameters
TYPE

Electric popper

POPPING METHOD

Hot air

BATCH POPPING TIME

2-3 minutes

USABILITY FEATURES

One-touch operation, 6 x Cinema-style boxes, Lid doubles as a measuring cup

CLEANING

Manual wash

DIMENSIONS

29.5 x 15 x 17 cm

WARRANTY

2 years

PROS

This compact popper has an incredibly high power output (1200 watts), so it churns out popcorn very fast. For convenient use, it has a unique lid with an integrated measuring spoon.

CONS

It's rather noisy.

OUR VERDICT

If you're turned off by retro-style models, the Salter EK2902 may become the best choice for you. Made in sleek black and silver design, it can fit any modern kitchen. With that, it's a relatively compact and will take a little space on your counter.

detailed parameters
TYPE

Electric popper

POPPING METHOD

Hot air

BATCH POPPING TIME

3 minutes

USABILITY FEATURES

On/Off switch, Non-slip feet, Removable cover, Includes integrated measuring spoon

CLEANING

Manual wash

DIMENSIONS

28.5 x 15.5 x 15 cm

WARRANTY

1 year

PROS

The unit is small, compact, and ergonomic, which makes it a good fit for just about any kitchen. Thanks to the long cord, you can place it anywhere where an outlet is in close reach. 

CONS

Since the capacity of the unit's container is rather small, ready kernels may pop out of it at times.

OUR VERDICT

Designed in the best traditions of the 60s-70s, the SENSIOHOME Popcorn Maker can make a perfect addition to any household. Thanks to one-touch operation, even kids can safely use it. A top choice for those who want to savour the healthy snack at home.

detailed parameters
TYPE

Electric popper

POPPING METHOD

Hot air

BATCH POPPING TIME

3-5 minutes

USABILITY FEATURES

On/Off switch, Non-slip rubber feet, BS Plug

CLEANING

Manual wash

DIMENSIONS

~ 25 x 17 x 14.4 cm

WARRANTY

1 year

PROS

The body of this popcorn maker has a well-thought-out construction, equipped with a stable base and a number of vent holes that help prevent it from overheating.

CONS

Sometimes popcorn might stick to the bottom of the container.

OUR VERDICT

The WICKED GIZMOS New Retro PM1300 makes delicious popcorn in mere minutes, while taking very little space on the kitchen worktop. Also, this unit comes with everything needed to start using it out of the box, including even 6 serving boxes. 

detailed parameters
TYPE

Electric popper

POPPING METHOD

Hot air

BATCH POPPING TIME

3 minutes

USABILITY FEATURES

One-touch operation, Lid doubles as a measuring cup, Non-slip rubber feet, 6 x Serving boxes

CLEANING

Manual wash

DIMENSIONS

28.5 x 17.5 x 20 cm

WARRANTY

1 year

Classic Cinema Popcorn Maker

Would you like to liven up your next cinema party? We bet you do, and the best way to do that is to get the Global Gizmos 54500 retro popcorn maker. It's a cute old-fashioned machine that can add 1950s vibes and recreate that fantastic cinema feel.

With its unique design, the machine can not only stand out from its peers but also stand out at any event. It even has an interior light that will let your guests enjoy watching popcorn flying out the kettle, thus, adding ambience to your home cinema. The light is controlled with a separate switch, meaning it's up to you whether to light the machine up or not.

The popcorn is popped out of the stainless steel kettle, while the retro handle on the side helps you tip out the fresh popcorn, sparing space for a new batch. Plus, owing to the small vents on the sides, you can smell the popcorn too. So, if you'd like to impress your friends, it's surely one of the best offerings on the market.

The machine has a relatively compact size and can be left out on display without getting in your way. The base is fitted with non-slip rubber feet to be ultimately stable on any flat surface.

How It Works

Yet, the fantastic look isn't the only selling point of this machine. It's capable of creating large batches of the healthy snack in a very short period of time. The popcorn is produced inside the stainless-steel container with a built-in heating system and stirrer. So, you just pour the kernels into the kettle and it pops them all. The popcorn generally gets well-shielded with very little kernels that go astray.

As soon as the popcorn begins to spill out of the kettle, you can tip it into the cabinet and load a new batch. Using a small amount of oil or no oil at all, the 250-W motor heats the corn, ensuring everything that gets into the kettle comes out crispy and tasty. One batch is basically done in a few minutes only. With that, the unit can produce 4.5 litres of popcorn per batch. Once you're done, you can remove the kettle and collection tray for cleaning and wipe down the inside of the box with a wet cloth.

All in all, the Global Gizmos 54500 is the machine that can bring the fun of the fair into your living room. It can keep you entertained during the next cinema night or at any other party. With that, it produces tasty popped snacks with minimum or no oil at all.

Additional Info

    Manufacturer

Last updated price £65.99
Stock In stock
ASIN B01G7L4ELG

Well-Balanced Model

Produced by a trustworthy manufacturer, the VonShef Retro Popcorn Maker is another great machine that can bring much fun to your parties for not a lot of money. Actually, it strikes the perfect balance between price, quality, capacity, and design, making it one of the most popular choices among customers. So, if you’re after a well-balanced machine to prepare delicious fresh popcorn at parties, events or movie nights, you may find a lot to love about the VonShef Retro Popcorn Maker.

First things first, the machine is quite easy to use right out-of-the-box. It comes almost assembled, and all you have to do is clip the clear part onto the base and fit the lid on the top. Then, you simply plug it in, pop your kernels in, and switch it on. Since it’s a dry air popcorn machine, it uses the hot air circulation system that requires neither butter nor oil to make tasty popcorn that would be fat-free and calorie-light. It warms up quickly and makes quite a lot of popcorn that comes out hot, light, fluffy and crunchy. For your liking, you can season or flavour it afterwards.

Overall, the machine works very well and even is a little too powerful when throwing the popcorn out of the shute. Therefore, we recommend you to use a deep bowl in front of it to catch the shrapnel that will come out "wildly" towards the end.

Nice Addition

The VonShef popcorn maker has a vintage red design with cool-touch housing that can instantly add retro vibes to your home. What further brings the true cinematic experience is the addition of six thematic cinema-style boxes that come with the machine. The included popcorn tubs are made of card box but seeing that popcorn will be pretty clean and dry, they can be reused as many times as you wish (unless you add syrup, butter, or any other seasoning that can make them soggy).

All things considered, the VonShef Retro Popcorn Maker works a treat. It has everything to bring your cinematic experience to a whole new level. It quickly churns out loads of fresh, homemade popcorn that is free of oil and other additives. After just a few moments, the first pieces of crunchy popcorn will jump out of the tank, ready to be served in thematic tubs and then gobbled up.

Last updated price £28.99
Stock In stock
ASIN B01LLH1QEE

Smaller and Cheaper Alternative

Are you looking for a cheaper and healthier alternative to supermarket popcorn? Or, probably, you’re tired of shaking the popcorn in your pan? Then, we have an answer - the Salter EK2902 machine. It looks nothing like traditional popcorn makers and comes at a fraction of the price, so it can easily become a perfect choice for those who would like to get fluffy popcorn without shelling out a lot of money.

Not to tiptoe around the subject, the Salter EK2902 has a sleek black/stainless-steel body and, actually, resembles a coffee grinder rather than a typical retro-style popping appliance, which means it won’t look out of place in any modern kitchen. Also, it has more modest dimensions and measures just 15 x 15.5 x 28.5 cm. So, we believe the small popcorn maker like this will sit nicely on any countertop and will be easy to store away in a cupboard after use. Yet, despite the small size, it packs a big punch.

With 1200-watt power, it’ll be able to make a first batch of the crispy dainty in a matter of three minutes. Overall, it can cook 10 cups of popcorn at once. The popcorn will be easily released through a spout, and all you need to do is catch it with a bowl. Afterwards, those who want their popcorn to be chock-full of flavours can get creative with tasty seasonings or sweet toppings. For example, you can drizzle melted cheese, butter, or maple syrup over warm popcorn to get a decadent treat.

Simple to Use and Maintain

As fast and efficient as it is, the Salter compact popper is straightforward to use. To start popping, you should add kernels into the chamber using the integrated measuring cup at the top. One cup equals one serving and only makes 30 calories. Once you’re done, you plug the unit and push the single on/off button. Fitted with a self-serving spout, the machine will churn out popcorn into a bowl placed below. With an operation that easy, your whole family can get involved in the fun process of making some popcorn.

What also makes it well-suitable for family use is the fact that the device is made with a stay-cool housing, which is especially great considering that the unit doesn't have handles. Moreover, the popper is also a breeze to clean. You can wipe the exterior clean with a soft cloth right after use.

To sum everything up, the Salter EK2902 may become an ideal popper for those individuals that are limited in cupboard space or those who are turned off by retro-style models. It’s a relatively compact and affordable popcorn maker that has a classic design and matches any decor fairly well.

Additional Info

    Manufacturer

Last updated price £19.99
Stock In stock
ASIN B07DPH1GF2

Best for Home Use

While different things can happen in the world, this doesn't mean that you have to deprive yourself of simple pleasures. Especially so since the market offers tons of great popcorn makers that can be easily used from the comforts of your home. A case in point is the Sensio Popcorn Maker. What sells this model is that it is powerful, functional and doesn't have a hefty price, making it a good addition to just about any average household.

As it can be seen from the picture, the Sensio Popcorn Maker is quite small. It measures just ‎25 x 24 x 14.4 cm and has a small footprint, allowing it to find a place in any room, be it a small kitchen or a large diner. Also, it has a rather small container that is good for producing a portion for one or two people. This, however, is a standard capacity for most home popcorn makers and doesn't detract from the merits of Sensio. Moreover, the model utilises a powerful heating element that allows you to prepare a new batch of popcorn in just 3-5 minutes, making it possible to prepare enough popcorn even for a small party when needed.

What's more important is that the Sensio Popcorn Maker makes delicious popcorn, despite its small size. By heating kernels with hot air, the unit churns out dry and fluffy pop corn time and again while needing no oil or butter. However, if you prefer your popcorn with butter, cheese or any other topping, the model makes it easy to add whatever ingredients you like, too.

Easy Maintenance

Using the Sensio Home Popcorn Machine is the easiest thing ever. Equipped with a single switch on/off, it needs no complex manipulations on your side. Actually, once you plug it in, put all the ingredients in the container and enable the machine, the rest will be done by the unit. Adding to the convenience of use is the non-slip feet that keep the popcorn maker from tipping over on the worktop.

In regard to cleaning, the device requires little to no maintenance. As you don't need to add any fats, in most cases, it is enough to just wipe the container clean with a towel.

To say a few words about the design, you can't help but like its retro style, bringing you back to the 60s and 70s. Encased in a heavy-duty red plastic housing with a stainless-steel container for kernels, the unit makes a nice addition to just about any ambience, be it a small kitchen, living room, or an entertainment room for watching films.

In closing, if you're looking for an inexpensive popcorn maker suitable for home use, the Sensio machine can be exactly what you need. With a small form factor and more than attractive price, it can become a nice addition to your home appliances, delivering batches of delicious treat anytime you want.

Last updated price £26.95
Stock May be out of stock
ASIN B07B8Q68PN

Make Your Movie Nights More Fun

Are you looking to bring more fun to your movie night parties? If so, consider turning to the WICKED GIZMOS popcorn maker. Sporting a classic Coca-Cola design, this device can become a focal point at any party while also perfectly handling its job of making delicious popcorn batch after batch.

To kick things off, the gizmo boasts a powerful 1200-watt motor and a 45g food capacity, allowing it to pop up about 8 cups of popcorn at a time. Furthermore, it utilises a Vortex Popping Chamber. Thanks to that, it always releases fresh and fluffy popcorn with fewer unpopped kernels.

Similarly to the other reviewed models, this one works based on the hot air circulation, which means it churns out a healthy, fat-free snack with no oil or butter added. Plus, just like the other popcorn makers from this review, it takes only three minutes to produce a portion of popcorn. All you need to do is fill the chamber with the kernel, flick a switch and within the mentioned period of time, you'll get your fluffy, tasty treat flowing out of the unit.

Sure, if you find the popcorn a bit dry, nothing stops you from adding a little oil to the hopper. In the same vein, you can add any toppings and syrups you like to bring out even more flavour out of your popcorn.

A Lovely Gift

The WICKED GIZMO New Retro PM1300 has a nice, eye-catching design and is very easy to use, which is why many people choose to buy it as a gift for their kids. At the same time, owing to its powerful performance and fast operation speed, it can also make an excellent Xmas present for adults who crave that feeling of cinema popcorn in the comforts of their home.

On the note of design, the PM1300 is relatively small and portable. Measuring just 32 x 21 x 18 cm, it can be easily placed on pretty much any countertop. A long power cord doesn't get in the way and makes it possible to use it from any power outlet. The bright, red design with stainless-steel accents, which draws inspiration from the 50s, perfectly meshes with the different ambiance.

To end up, if you want to treat yourself or your family to a healthy batch of oil-free popcorn while watching your favourite films, we suggest you consider the WICKED GIZMO New Retro PM1300. Quite roomy and speedy, the machine can make enough popcorn for as many as 8 people while coming at a fraction of the cost. Also, this model makes a lovely gift for your friends and kids who can't get enough of cinema popcorn.

Additional Info

    Manufacturer

Last updated price £22.99
Stock In stock
ASIN B01MQT2BY7

What Is a Popcorn Popper?

Today popcorn goes hand in hand with entertainment and parties. At the same time, most commonly it is a tasty snack to eat and treat your friends while gathering around a TV set, playing games, watching movies or sportscasts. And a popcorn popper will help you make the necessary amount of popcorn quickly and without a hassle. This terrific device will make a popular popped delicacy out of corn kernels. Our review will help you decide on a popcorn maker to be the best-ever acquisition in your household. We have rounded up the top-quality appliances of different sizes, capacities, and designs.

If you still don’t have a home theatre system or home theatre projector, make sure to get one to improve surround sound and your watching experience. For party-goers who adore gathering with friends to watch a film together, we'd like to offer shaved ice machine and cotton candy maker reviews, where you can find most popular appliances to treat your guests and kids.

What Features to Compare

Type and Popping Method

There are several types of popcorn makers. Below you will find the poppers most suitable for domestic use:

  • Stove-top poppers look just like regular pots with a handle. They’re used for making a big batch of popcorn. By turning the handle, you will stir corn kernels to minimise popcorn overheat and scorching.
  • Electric kettle poppers are most common among users today. They work by way of hot-oil kettles with a built-in heating element. But it is worth mentioning that such units use much less oil as compared to the stove-top models. Usually, kettle poppers come with an automatic stirring system to ensure uniform heating of kernels.
  • Hot air popper is a type of electric popcorn maker too. Basically, it features a special popping chute that directs popcorn right into the bowl. With this unit, you will get much healthier popcorn and be able to add some melted butter if needed.
  • Microwave bowl is another quick and simple way to prepare popcorn dipped in hot oil.

Performance

The number of popped cups per batch is an important criterion to consider. On average, a standard serving size for one person is about 2-3 cups or even more. Most often, while watching an interesting movie or an exciting TV show people eat popcorn with enthusiasm and don’t even notice how they rush through the whole bucket. Thus, if you select a popper for two persons the unit popping up to 12-15 cups will be a perfect match. Meanwhile, if you have a big family with several kids raving about popcorn you need a higher capacity popper. The batch popping time is also a significant factor. While planning a get-together with friends you should think about the number of popcorn batches you'd like to make within a short period of time so that your guests don't need to wait for too long. With some popcorn makers, you can fill the kernels for popping the next batch immediately after the first batch is ready. But you should remember that most poppers do not have overheat protection and are not meant for commercial use. Hence, a 2-3-minute break between the batches is needed to let your popper cool down a bit.

Usability and Cleaning

For your convenience, electric units have ON/Off buttons. A cool-touch body or a stay-cool handle (in stove-top models) are a must for a safe and comfortable operation. Hot-air poppers usually come with a removable cup to melt the butter while making popcorn or use it as a measuring cup for kernels. Electric oil poppers should be equipped with a stirring mechanism to minimise the risk of popcorn scorch and ensure even heating of all unpopped kernels. If your unit has some removable or detachable elements it will significantly facilitate the cleaning and dishwasher safe parts will be a really nice benefit making cleaning a breeze. The design of certain popcorn makers allows using a base bowl for serving. At the same time, there are units that have a top nest combined with a bowl for handy storage. And finally, pay attention to the size of a popper. It really matters if you have a small kitchen or you've got quite limited storage space.

Sources:

1. Christine Gallary Our Best Tips for Making Perfect Popcorn, Kitchn. October 24, 2014.

2. Popcorn maker, Wikipedia. December 8, 2016.

3. Sarah Popcorn: The Healthy Snack You’re Not Eating Often Enough, The Healthy Home Economist.

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