Home & Kitchen · Head-to-head
Whynter ICM-201SB Upright Automatic Compressor Ice Cream Maker vs Cuisinart ICE-21P1 Frozen Yogurt, Ice Cream & Sorbet Maker
Which should you buy? Our verdict on both, pulled from our full The Best Ice Cream Makers: 4 Compared (and One to Skip) comparison.
The Whynter is the best all-around choice: it has a self-contained compressor, is rated at 55 dBA or less, and never asks you to plan ahead. If you make ice cream only now and then, the frozen-bowl Cuisinart delivers a lot of the same quality at a lower price tier.
Whynter ICM-201SB Upright Automatic Compressor Ice Cream Maker
Buy itA self-contained compressor machine that needs no pre-freezing, is rated at 55 dBA or less, and has a compact upright footprint.
- Built-in compressor means no pre-freezing and back-to-back batches
- Owners describe smooth, creamy results from its churn
- Noise level is rated at 55 dBA or less, in a compact upright footprint (about 12.5 by 10.75 by 14.25 inches)
- 2.1-quart capacity handles a crowd in one run
- Heavy at about 24 lb and a real investment compared with a frozen-bowl model
- A stainless steel bowl and churn blade need hand cleaning, and a compressor unit takes more counter space than a canister
Cuisinart ICE-21P1 Frozen Yogurt, Ice Cream & Sorbet Maker
Buy itThe frozen-bowl workhorse that makes good ice cream at a lower price tier than a compressor.
- Produces excellent results once the bowl is fully frozen
- Inexpensive, light, and easy to stash in a cabinet
- Large owner base with a long track record
- Simple one-switch operation with almost nothing to learn
- Requires freezing the bowl many hours (typically overnight) before every session
- One frozen bowl means one batch unless you buy and freeze spares
Side by side
The 7 criteria below are the ones our full comparison judged every product on, narrowed to these two.
| Whynter ICM-201SB Upright Automatic Compressor Ice Cream Maker Our pick | Cuisinart ICE-21P1 Frozen Yogurt, Ice Cream & Sorbet Maker | |
|---|---|---|
| Our verdict | Buy | Buy |
| Best for | Frequent makers and entertainers who want spontaneous, high-quality batches without planning a day ahead. | Occasional makers who can plan a batch a day ahead and want the best value in the category. |
| Price tier | $$$ · premium | $ · budget |
| Cooling method | Built-in compressor, no pre-freeze | Frozen bowl, pre-freeze overnight |
| Batch capacity | About 2.1 quarts | Up to 1.5 quarts |
| Back-to-back batches | Yes, no pre-freezing | No, one bowl per freeze |
| Texture (owner reports) | Creamy per owner reports | Excellent when bowl is fully frozen |
| Noise | 55 dBA or less | Motor whir |
| Footprint & weight | Compact upright, about 24 lb | Light, easy to store |
| Setup effort | Pour and go | Plan a day ahead to freeze bowl |
Which one is right for you?
Pick the Whynter ICM-201SB Upright Automatic Compressor Ice Cream Maker if
frequent makers and entertainers who want spontaneous, high-quality batches without planning a day ahead.
Know before buying: heavy at about 24 lb and a real investment compared with a frozen-bowl model.
Pick the Cuisinart ICE-21P1 Frozen Yogurt, Ice Cream & Sorbet Maker if
occasional makers who can plan a batch a day ahead and want the best value in the category.
Know before buying: requires freezing the bowl many hours (typically overnight) before every session.
The bottom line
Our overall pick is the Whynter ICM-201SB Upright Automatic Compressor Ice Cream Maker - A self-contained compressor machine that needs no pre-freezing, is rated at 55 dBA or less, and has a compact upright footprint. Choose the Cuisinart ICE-21P1 Frozen Yogurt, Ice Cream & Sorbet Maker instead if occasional makers who can plan a batch a day ahead and want the best value in the category.
Want the full picture, including the other options we compared and the popular one we'd skip? Read the complete The Best Ice Cream Makers: 4 Compared (and One to Skip).