You may think every popcorn maker (or popcorn popper, whichever you call it) does the same job, but you'd be wrong. The type you choose changes everything: how it tastes, how long it takes, and how much cleanup you're signing up for. Whether you're setting up for movie night, feeding a crowd on game day, or just trying to snack a little smarter, the right popper makes the difference.
We broke down the four main types on the market, stovetop, air, microwave, and electric, picked a standout in each, and noted a strong runner-up where one exists. Here's how they compare:
How We Picked
We've been in the popcorn business for over 20 years, so when we tell you what makes a popcorn maker worth buying, we're not playing around. We looked at how consistently each one pops, how it's built, how much of a hassle it is to clean, and whether the price actually matches what you get.
The Popper's the easy one: we make it, we use it several times a week, we know every quirk, and we built it to fix the exact problems that show up in cheaper stovetop poppers (ex. hot spots, scratched pots). But not everyone wants to stand at the stove, so we picked a genuine standout in air, microwave, and electric too, judged by that same eye: specs, build quality, and what real owners report once the product's been in their kitchen a while.
4 Different Types of Popcorn Poppers (and How to Choose)
If you want to make the best popcorn at home, you need the right popcorn maker for the job. There are four common types on the market: stovetop, air, microwave, and electric. Each one trades off flavor, effort, and cleanup a little differently.
1. Stovetop Popcorn Makers
Our pick: Popsmith Popcorn Popper - $199.00
Out of all the ways to make popcorn at home, stovetop delivers the tastiest results, and the Popsmith Popper is built to prove it. Inspired by the classic popping technique movie theaters use, it features a patented spinner you operate by turning the crank that keeps kernels in motion.
Why it's the pick:
- Even heat, every batch. A multi-clad stainless steel bottom distributes heat evenly enough to handle sugar-based recipes like kettle corn without scorching, something thinner pots can't reliably do.
- A better spin. The patented stirring system covers the entire bottom of the pot as you turn the crank, not just a narrow strip, so nothing sits still long enough to burn.
- Works on any stovetop. Unlike aluminum poppers, it's induction-compatible.
- Cleanup's a non-issue. Fully dishwasher-safe.
- Pops a full batch in under 5 minutes. Just heat, pour, turn, and enjoy!
GOOD TO KNOW: New to stovetop popping or want to get the timing down? Our guide to using the Popsmith Popper walks through it stovetop by stovetop.
We're not the only ones who think the Popper stands out. Serious Eats put it through their own 2026 testing lineup against ten other machines and called it "the prettiest stovetop popcorn maker" in the bunch.
And it's not just critics:
"We have used a Whirley Pop for many years, but there is no equal to the Popsmith Popper. Pops fast with little effort with very little unpopped kernels. The best popper on the market!" — Rollie H., Verified Buyer
ALSO WORTH A LOOK
If you're just testing whether stovetop popcorn is for you, or you only pop occasionally, these two are worth knowing about. Just know what you're trading for the lower price.
Whirley Pop — $49.95
The name most people picture when they think "stovetop popcorn," and a decent choice for occasional use. But it's aluminum instead of stainless, so it's prone to scratches, and its bottom is thinner than the Popper's, which means faster heat-up but less even cooking, and more risk of hot spots. Its crank is a simple wire-and-gear setup that only covers a narrow strip of the pot (rather than the Popper's full-bottom spinner), and those gears wear down with regular use. It's not dishwasher-safe either. Full comparison: Popsmith vs. Whirley Pop.
Great Northern Popcorn Stovetop Popcorn Maker — $39.99
At first glance, this might look exactly like the Whirley Pop with its same wire-and-gear design, but it's built a little differently under the hood. It's stainless steel, holds 6.5 quarts and pops up to 5 quarts at a time, and has a duplex heat pad that spreads heat more evenly than a basic single-layer pot.
It doesn't have the same full-bottom spinner the Popper uses, though, and it won't work on an induction range. Cleanup's easy: just wipe it down, no soap and water needed, though it skips the dishwasher unlike the Popsmith. One fun bonus: it's rated for campfire use, so if you ever want to make popcorn outdoors, this one can tag along.
If you pop several times a week, the Popper earns its counter space fast. That's less about looks and more about performance: fast, even batches with almost nothing left unpopped, and it just so happens to come in colors that look good sitting out.
2. Air Popped Poppers
Our recommended model: Presto Poplite Hot Air Popper - $34.99
If you’re after the lightest, healthiest possible popcorn, an air popper is the move. It uses hot air instead of oil to pop the kernels, which means no added fat and a blank canvas for whatever seasoning you're in the mood for.
Why it's the pick:
- The most reviewed air popper on Amazon. It's racked up over 54,000 reviews, more than any other air popper out there.
- No oil, minimal cleanup. Just the bowl and chute to rinse out, no scrubbing burnt residue off a pot. It also skips a power button, so it starts the second it's plugged in and stops when you pull the cord.
- Consistent pops. Hot air circulates the whole chamber instead of relying on you to shake it, so you're not left picking through a bowl of unpopped kernels.
GOOD TO KNOW: Butter melts better if you melt it separately first and drizzle it over, rather than pouring it straight onto hot popcorn, it coats more evenly instead of pooling at the bottom of the bowl.
ALSO WORTH A LOOK
DASH Hot Air Popcorn Popper — $19.99
The cheaper option, still well-reviewed (35,500+ reviews at 4.2 stars) and works the same way: hot air, no oil. It's a bit slower to pop a full batch than the Presto, but that's a fair trade if you'd rather save $15.
If zero cleanup and the lightest possible bowl of popcorn matter most to you, an air popper earns its keep, but just don't expect the same depth of flavor you'd get from oil.
3. Microwave Popcorn Makers
Our recommended model: Cuisinart® Collapsible Silicone Microwave Popcorn Maker - $18.99
Image from Cuisinart®
A microwave popcorn maker swaps the bag for a reusable bowl, either silicone or glass, that pops kernels using just the microwave's heat. Add your own kernels, oil if you want it, and whatever seasoning you're into. It does take a bit longer than a bag, most microwave poppers run 3 to 5 minutes depending on your microwave's wattage, versus 2 to 3 for a bag, but you get a fresher, more customizable batch in exchange.
Why it's the pick:
- Amazon's Overall Pick for microwave poppers. Rated 4.4 stars across nearly 6,000 reviews.
- Collapses flat for storage. Barely takes up any cabinet space.
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Dishwasher-safe. Goes straight in after use instead of hand-scrubbing butter and salt out of silicone folds.
ALSO WORTH A LOOK
Salbree Microwave Popcorn Popper — $16.99
The same silicone-bowl idea, but bigger and cheaper. Salbree's bowl holds up to 16 cups popped, versus roughly 10 cups for the Cuisinart, and it comes in more color options than just about any competitor.
The tradeoff reviewers mention most: because the bowl's built to fold completely flat for storage, it can feel a little floppy when it's fully expanded and empty. It's less structurally rigid than the Cuisinart. Cuisinart has its own reported quirk, though. Professional testing at The Spruce Eats found its bowl gets very hot to the touch.
If you want fresher, better-tasting popcorn without committing to a dedicated appliance, a microwave popper is the easiest entry point, and either of these two silicone bowls will get you there.
4. Electric Popcorn Makers
Our recommended model: West Bend Stir Crazy Hot Oil Electric Popper - $44.95
Image from West Bend
Electric poppers are about as hands-off as popcorn gets. Plug it in, add kernels (and oil, depending on the model), hit the button, and let it do all of the work.
Why it's the pick:
- Automatic stirring. A rotating rod keeps kernels moving in the 6-quart kettle so nothing scorches.
- Flips into a serving bowl. The lid doubles as a bowl once popping's done, so there's one less thing to clean.
- Built-in butter well. The vented lid has a spot to melt butter as the popcorn pops. Reviewers are split on it, though. Many just melt butter separately instead, but it's there if you want to try it.
ALSO WORTH A LOOK
DASH SmartStore Deluxe Stirring Popcorn Maker — $39.99
A close alternative to the West Bend. It has the same hot-oil stirring setup, same 24-cup capacity, nearly identical pop time (3 to 5 minutes for Dash, 4 to 5 for West Bend), and it's $5 cheaper.
The real difference is the butter feature: both are designed to melt butter as the popcorn pops, but real owners of both report it's hit-or-miss, most just melt butter separately and pour it on after. West Bend remains the better-established, more widely used option, while Dash is the budget pick if price matters most.
Pick the Popper That Fits How You Snack
Which popcorn maker you reach for still depends on how you actually snack. Want the lightest option with zero cleanup? Air popper. Feeding a crowd? Electric. Need something dorm-sized and dead simple? Microwave.
But if you want as much joy popping popcorn as you do tasting it, stovetop is the category that delivers, and the Popsmith Popper is built to do it without the trade-offs (hot spots, scratched pots, gears that wear out) that come with cheaper stovetop options.
If you love popcorn and eat it often, it's worth the investment: buy once, buy right, and you'll never need to replace a popper again.
Popcorn Maker FAQs
Is it worth buying a popcorn maker?
If you eat popcorn more than once in a while, yes. A dedicated popper pays for itself against buying bagged popcorn every time, skips the mystery ingredients and artificial flavoring that come with most microwave bags, and gives you full control over how much oil, butter, and seasoning goes in.
What's the best popcorn for a popcorn maker?
Skip the generic, mass-produced kernels and look for farm-fresh popping corn instead. It pops more consistently and tastes noticeably better. Ours, for example, comes from small family farms in Iowa and Missouri. If you'd rather skip the decision entirely, our Oh Sooo Buttery Popcorn Kits come with that same farm-fresh corn, coconut oil, and buttery salt already portioned out.
What is the best oil to use in a popcorn maker?
Coconut oil is the most popular choice. It has a high smoke point and gets you closest to that classic movie theater flavor. Canola, vegetable, peanut, and sunflower oil all work well too. Whatever you use, stick to oils built for high-heat cooking, and check your machine's manual for a maximum amount. As a rule of thumb, stick to 1 tablespoon for every 1/4 cup of kernels.
Is it better to use butter or oil to pop popcorn?
Oil all the way. Don't pop kernels in regular butter, it's only about 80% fat, and the rest is water that boils off fast enough to scorch the milk solids before your kernels finish popping. Most popcorn maker instructions are explicit about this: pop with oil, then add butter after (or use a dedicated butter-melting feature, if your machine has one) rather than using butter as the cooking fat itself.
