We may not know it, but popcorn and the movies are built into our brains. Going to the movies and watching a movie with popcorn in your hands is so commonplace now it almost beats apple pie. So why not bring that feeling into your house?
Introduction
Theater popcorn makers are nothing that only businesses can own. Sure they buy machines that can handle a heavy load and wear and tear, but your average family can have their own private antique popcorn maker that the household can enjoy. It's a great thing to have. Imagine the whole family sitting down in front of their big-screen HD television watching a movie and being able to pop some popcorn with their popcorn maker. You can invite over the neighbors and friends. They will love it. And what's best of all, you will not have to pay $4.50 per bag with only a re-fill if you buy the super large bag that nobody can ever finish.
Do not let the theaters and cinemas have a monopoly over you. They do not have exclusive rights to these machines. Get your Popcorn Maker and make your popcorn in the comfort of your own home.
Brands
Best Popcorn Poppers
Presto 04820 PopLite Hot Air Popper Review
The Presto 04820 PopLite Hot Air Popper can produce up to 18 cups (two large bowlfuls) of popcorn with virtually no unpopped kernels, and it does it in under 2-1/2 minutes. It's still one of the most recommended hot air poppers around, mostly because it's cheap, simple, and rarely breaks down.
This popcorn maker uses hot air instead of oil to pop the kernels, which results in popcorn that is healthier and lower in calories than oil-popped corn. The unit comes with a 1/2-cup measuring cup that sits on top of the popper and doubles as a butter melter. Drop a knob of butter in the cup while the machine runs and it will be melted and ready by the time the popcorn is done. Cleanup is just a wipe with warm, soapy water, and the chute sends the finished popcorn straight into a bowl placed underneath.
Presto 05204 Orville Redenbacher's Stirring Popper Review
The Presto 05204 Orville Redenbacher's Stirring Popper is the current go-to oil popper for anyone who grew up on the old West Bend Stir Crazy models (which are now hard to find new). It makes up to 6 quarts of popcorn per batch and uses just a small amount of oil per batch, which keeps the flavor closer to classic movie-theater popcorn than an air popper can manage.
A motorized stirring arm keeps the kernels moving so the batch pops evenly with very few duds left at the bottom of the bowl. The clear lid flips over once popping is done and turns into the serving bowl, so there's one less dish to deal with. There's also a built-in butter well on top that melts butter while the corn pops, and the nonstick base wipes clean with a damp cloth. It nests compactly for storage, which is a nice touch if counter space is tight.
Presto 04821 Orville Redenbacher's Hot Air Popper Review
The Presto 04821 Orville Redenbacher's Hot Air Popper makes up to 18 cups (two large bowlfuls) of popcorn in less than 2-1/2 minutes with virtually no kernels that have not popped.
This unit employs hot air instead of oil to pop the kernels. This popping method results in a snack that is healthier and lower in calories than one produced using oil. As with most popcorn machines, there is a 1/2-cup measuring cup on top of the popper. This doubles as a butter melter. Just add a knob of butter, which melts during the popping process. You need to place a bowl below the chute to catch the popcorn as it is made. The cover is made from clear plastic, which is easily removed for hand cleaning with warm, soapy water.
West Bend 82505 Stir Crazy Popcorn Popper Review, 6-Quart
The West Bend 82505 Stir Crazy Popcorn Popper is the next generation of Stir Crazy poppers. It can pop up to 6 quarts of popcorn at one time. It is very similar to the West Bend 82306 in that it pops the same amount of popcorn as the older model but has a slightly smaller footprint.
This model has a clear and vented cover can also be used as a serving bowl. On top of the cover, there is a butter cap where you place a knob of butter. As the butter melts, it drizzles over the popcorn for added flavor. The motorized stirring rods make sure to get an even popping result. They will also automatically reverse to prevent kernels from getting stuck. The important point is that the handles are heat-resistant for safe and easy grasping.
Nostalgia RHP310 8-Cup Hot Air Popcorn Maker Review
The Nostalgia RHP310 8-Cup Hot Air Popcorn Maker is a "retro" style Mini Hot Air Popcorn Popper. It gives you that authentic and stylish 1950's look. As a result, it is a lot smaller and lighter than the more modern equivalents.
This model can pop up to 8 cups of healthy, oil-free popcorn per batch. It includes a handy kernel cap for measuring out your popcorn kernels to ensure consistency. The clear top allows you to watch the whole popcorn popping process. As the popcorn is produced, it overflows into a bowl that you place below the spout.
Nostalgia SP660SS 6-Quart Stainless Steel Stir-Pop Popcorn Maker Review
The Nostalgia SP660SS 6-Quart Stainless Steel Stir-Pop Popcorn Maker is another unit that is a popcorn maker and bowl in one. The clear cover is also used as a serving bowl.
It is designed with a built-in stirring rod. This feature moves the popcorn around the Teflon coated bowl and through the oil to prevent the popcorn from burning. You just simply add oil and wait for it to heat through. Then add salt and popcorn kernels to make a batch of your favorite popcorn. The unit is very easy to use and easy cleanup.
Cuisinart CPM-100W EasyPop Hot Air Popcorn Maker Review
The Cuisinart CPM-100W EasyPop Hot Air Popcorn Maker produces batches of popcorn using hot air. It is healthier than the models that use oil and a heating plate to produce the popcorn.
The corn kernels are added to the machine without oil, which will produce up to 15 cups of crisp, oil-free popcorn in less than 3 minutes. The popping chute sends popped corn into a serving bowl. For extra flavor, you can melt some butter in the cup on the top of the popping chute while the popcorn is popping, and then pour it over the popcorn. The popping chute can be easily cleaned by putting it into the dishwasher.
Nostalgia RKP630 Retro Series 2.5-Ounce Kettle Capacity Popcorn Maker Review
The Nostalgia RKP630 Retro Kettle Popcorn Maker will make hot, fresh, and delicious popcorn just like in the movie theaters! It looks great.
It has a large, stainless steel kettle with a built-in stirring system that can pop up to 10 cups of popcorn per batch. Supplied with the unit is a measuring spoon for oil and measuring cup for popcorn kernels. The windows are ventilated, and there is a light interior. You can watch and smell the popcorn as it is popping. There is a tilt door at the front that allows you easy serving access.
Great Northern Popcorn 6010 Roosevelt Top Antique Style Popcorn Popper Machine Review, 8-Ounce
Great Northern Red 8oz Roosevelt Antique Style Popcorn Popper Machine comes complete with a stand, so it looks the part sitting in a home theater or game room rather than tucked away on a kitchen counter. If you have the floor space for it, this one is worth a look.
This is a commercial-quality machine built around a stainless steel food zone, with an easy-clean stainless kettle and a warming deck to keep batches hot. There are old-maid style drawers to catch any kernels that don't pop, plus tempered glass panels so you can watch the show. The 8-ounce kettle runs off an 860-watt heating element, which is plenty for parties or movie nights with a crowd.
It's a fun, eccentric design paired with the conveniences of a modern machine.
Original Salbree Microwave Popcorn Popper Review
The Original Salbree Microwave Popcorn Popper is available in 18 colors, so it can fit into everyone’s kitchen. It can help you save money on buying bagged popcorns while remaining in style.
This popcorn maker is virtually indestructible, as its made of silicone. This also makes it BPA free, and you can wash it in a dishwasher. It can make popcorns in just three to four minutes! The bowl has two handles so you can easily remove it from a microwave. And if you’re worried you won’t have a place to store it – it has a collapsible design. In other words, you can keep it in a drawer, if necessary.
Ecolution Original Microwave Micro-Pop Popcorn Popper Review
The Ecolution Original Microwave Micro-Pop Popcorn Popper is an elegant popper that gives you a luxurious service. It uses hot air to pop tasty popcorns in less than three minutes without burning them.
This popper is made of temperature-safe glass, which is the safest material to use for food processing. To ensure easy cleaning, the top is made of silicone, which is one of the easiest materials to clean. This also makes everything environment-friendly, as you won’t be using disposable popcorn bags. When using this product, the only things you need to do is to place kernels in the bowl and place it into a microwave. You’ll have tasty popcorns in no time!
Popcorn Poppers: Frequently Asked Questions
Hot air or oil popper — which is better?
Hot air poppers use no oil, so the popcorn is lower in calories, and they are fast and cheap, but the result is drier and blander with more unpopped kernels. Oil and stirring poppers give richer flavour and better texture with a near-total pop rate, at the cost of added fat and a few more minutes.
Can you put oil in a hot air popper?
No. Air poppers are built for dry kernels only. Oil gums up the popping chamber, can smoke, and creates a fire risk. Melt butter or drizzle oil over the finished popcorn instead.
What kind of popcorn do you use in a popper?
Plain bagged popcorn kernels, yellow or white — never microwave popcorn bags. Keep the kernels in a sealed container so they hold their internal moisture, which is the water that flashes to steam and pops the hull.
Why are so many of my kernels not popping?
Usually old or dried-out kernels, a popper that has not reached temperature, or an overfilled chamber. Buy fresh kernels, store them sealed, and stick to the recommended batch size and most of the "old maids" disappear.
How much popcorn does a popper make per batch?
Air poppers typically produce 10 to 18 cups; stirring oil poppers range from about 6 cups on a small model to 24 on a commercial-style unit. As a rule, a quarter cup of kernels makes roughly 8 cups of popped popcorn.
Are stovetop poppers better than electric ones?
A stovetop crank popper makes excellent popcorn and stores away with nothing to plug in, but you control the heat by feel. An electric popper is more consistent and completely hands-off, which matters if you make popcorn often or for kids.
Published: 5th Feb, 2025 · Last Updated: 31st Aug, 2026
We re-check the picks in this guide periodically and update it when models are discontinued or better options appear.
Oğuz Tokatlı
Oğuz co-founded ReviewsByPeople.com in 2018 and has worn most of the hats since: building the site itself as a full-stack developer, editing every guide before it goes live, and personally researching and writing across electronics, outdoor gear, kids & baby products, home & garden, health, and more. The approach is to dig through spec sheets, verified buyer feedback, and manufacturer data before making a recommendation, and to keep guides updated as products change rather than letting them go stale.
Comments
George Robbins6 years ago
If the corn is LOOSE in the bottom, how do you get it out into a bowl? Some have a tray you pull out.
Elinor6 years ago
Is there any popper that can be used as both an air popper and with oil?