When you buy through our links, Insider may earn an affiliate commission. Learn more.

Whether you're hosting a movie night with friends or simply want to enhance your snacking experience, a quality popcorn maker is essential. Microwave poppers usually cost less than $25, are made of silicone, are incredibly easy to use, and might even fold up for compact storage. Stovetop and electric popcorn makers both use metal stirrers and oil to evenly heat kernels. With stovetop models, you control the stirrers with a crank, while it's automated with the electric version. These poppers tend to cost a bit more, but they also produce more popcorn per batch.

Alternatively, air poppers continue to be a favorite option because they don't use oil. However, we didn't include any of these in our guide because it's hard to create a flavor-packed snack without oil. And, seasoning tends not to stick after popping. 

We researched dozens of models to round up poppers with demonstrated user-friendliness, durability, and ability to pop fluffy, delicious popcorn.

Learn more about how Insider Reviews tests and recommends kitchen products.

Best microwave popcorn maker: Lekue Microwave Popcorn Popper, $22 on Amazon The Lekue Microwave Popcorn Popper is compact and produces small batches of popcorn with minimal unpopped kernels. 

Best stovetop popcorn maker: Whirley Pop Stainless Steel Stovetop Popcorn Popper, $26.99 on Bed Bath & Beyond For whipping up fast, delicious batches of evenly popped popcorn, the Whirley Pop Stainless Steel Stovetop Popcorn Popper is our favorite stovetop option. 

Best electric popcorn machine: West Bend Stir Crazy Electric Popcorn Popper Machine, $39.99 on Amazon The West Bend Stir Crazy Electric Hot Oil Popcorn Popper Machine is an easy plug-and-pop option for large, savory, and premium-style kernels.

Best high-end popcorn maker: Great Northern Little Bambino Table Top Popcorn Popper, $75.37 on Amazon To most accurately create a movie theater-like experience, the Great Northern Little Bambino Table Top Popcorn Popper produces your go-to snack for watching action films and rom-coms.

Best freestanding popcorn machine: Nostalgia Popcorn & Concession Cart, $249.99 on Amazon If you want a movie theater popcorn machine in-house, the Nostalgia Concession Vintage Popcorn Cart is the most accurate, freestanding replica.

The Lekue Microwave Popcorn Popper is compact and produces small batches of popcorn with minimal unpopped kernels. 

Pros: Easy to use, compact storage, effortless cleanup, minimal unpopped kernels, affordable, 10-year warranty on manufacturing defects

Cons: Small, potential for burnt popcorn

How to use: Fill the bowl to the line with popcorn kernels, drizzle a little oil (or no oil at all), add seasoning of your choice, put the lid on, and microwave

How much it makes: A batch equivalent to what a microwave popcorn packet would produce (best for two people)

How long it takes: A minute and a half in the microwave 

How big it is: 8" x 5" (collapses to 2")

The Lekue Microwave Popcorn Popper is the most compact option in our guide, about the size of a cake pan when collapsed upon itself, which makes it ideal for apartments and small spaces. 

It's easy to use and the lid prevents the popcorn from spilling out and into your microwave. The bowl can go directly from the microwave to the couch, too, so you don't have to clean another dish. 

The bowl is made of BPA-free platinum silicone, which is known for its nonstick properties that make cleanup a breeze. . Be sure to take it out of the microwave once the popping slows to avoid burning. And, for whipping up professional-tier popcorn, the maker comes with a variety of recipes developed by the Alicia Foundation and inspired by various film genres.

Lekue also offers a 10-year warranty on manufacturing defects if the item fails during use.

For whipping up fast, delicious batches of evenly popped popcorn, the Whirley Pop Stainless Steel Stovetop Popcorn Popper is our favorite stovetop option. 

Pros: Produces high-quality popcorn, doesn't require electricity, durable construction, steam vents allow moisture to escape, 25-year warranty on mechanical parts

Cons: Requires a stove and cranking, reports of the gears catching

The Whirley Pop Stainless Steel Stovetop Popcorn Popper uses a combination of your stove and physical cranking to produce excellent popcorn.

The durable aluminum pan produces crispy and fluffy kernels. With built-in steam vents, moisture will escape, while the hand-crank feature manually stirs the popcorn to evenly distribute oil so it won't burn.

The stovetop popper is easy to clean, too: simply remove the lid and wipe the inside of the pan with a paper or dish towel. Wabash Farms offers a 25-year warranty on all mechanical parts if you run into any mishaps.

The West Bend Stir Crazy Electric Hot Oil Popcorn Popper Machine is an easy plug-and-pop option for large, savory, and premium-style kernels.

Pros: High yield, minimal waste, excellent flavor, doesn't require the use of other appliances, one-year limited warranty on manufacturing defects

Cons: Requires more oil than other picks

The West Bend Stir Crazy Electric Hot Oil Popcorn Popper Machine doesn't require another appliance, like a microwave or stove, to use. You just plug it into your wall outlet and let it do the work.

It stirs the unpopped kernels with a built-in agitator at the base to prevent burning. When it's done popping, you can flip the unit over and use the top as a bowl, which also fits inside the top for easy storage.

Though efficient and easy to use, it requires a bit more oil than some other models to produce flavorful popcorn and ensure the unpopped kernels are well lubricated when they roll around the machine. Be sure to use an oil that can withstand high heat — like coconut oil or sunflower oil —and avoid oils that burn easily, like olive oil.

West Bend offers a one-year limited warranty on manufacturing defects, too.

To most accurately create a movie theater-like experience, the Great Northern Little Bambino Table Top Popcorn Popper produces your go-to snack for watching action films and rom-coms.

Pros: Easy to use, cooks batches quickly, fits on most countertops, dishwasher-safe parts, one-year limited warranty on manufacturing defects

The Great Northern Little Bambino Table Top Popcorn Popper gives you the commercial experience at a relatively affordable price, without taking up a lot of space.

Once the vintage-style machine finishes its first round of popcorn, use its exterior handle to tip the kettle over into the larger reservoir so you can pop another batch. The machine comes with two popping kettle hangers, a removable popcorn tray (to slide out and eat directly from), a measuring spoon, and a cup. The popcorn maker also has a 10-watt bulb that keeps the popcorn somewhat warm.

A downside to this machine is its difficulty to clean, despite dishwasher-safe parts. Pouring ingredients can also be cumbersome. But, these things are typical with a larger machine, and the nostalgic experience it provides is unmatched.

If anything goes awry, Great Northern has you covered with a one-year limited warranty on manufacturing defects.

If you want a movie theater popcorn machine in-house, the Nostalgia Concession Vintage Popcorn Cart is the most accurate, freestanding replica.

Pros: Built-in stirring system to pop kernels, heat- and scratch-resistant tempered safety glass, interior light, tilt serving door for easy scooping, storage compartment for popcorn accessories, transportable with bicycle-style wheels, affixed tabletop for tubs 

Cons: May be difficult to clean, no warranty

Sure, a high-quality home projector and plush movie seats are essential for an at-home movie theater, but the Nostalgia Concession Vintage Popcorn Cart is what will complete your room. With a vintage-style look, it provides a lovely touch, allows you to see your popcorn shooting up with its tempered glass design, and will certainly have people ask where you scored such an item.

The two oversized bicycle wheels make this '50s-style machine an all-in-one snack essential. The stainless steel kettle holds eight ounces of kernels and circulates them as they pop using a built-in stirring system. When lights are dim or off for movie watching, the machine will light up the room to create the perfect theater ambiance, too.

Nostalgia also hooks you up with a side shelf that's perfect for storing seasonings, oils, and bags. The affixed side tray is great for lining up red-and-white-striped tubs. 

Though Nostalgia doesn't offer a warranty, it's built to last so it's not a deal-breaker. 

When making popcorn at home, it's all about the seasoning and oils. Coconut oil is your best bet for tasty popcorn, but you might also consider canola oil if you are looking for a cheaper alternative. Avoid olive oil, which burns quickly, and vegetable oil, which can increase your levels of bad cholesterol.

In our research, we found the best seasoning for your popcorn is Flavacol. It's what movie theaters use for that perfectly artificial buttery flavor. Just be cautious when adding because Flavacol tends to be a bit strong.

If you want to spice things up, buy a good Cajun seasoning at your local market. My favorite combination in my microwave popper is coconut oil, Cajun seasoning, and a little salt. 

Want to skip the popcorn maker altogether? Check out our article on how to make popcorn on the stove for a quick and easy snack.

Sign up for Insider Reviews' weekly newsletter for more buying advice and great deals. You can purchase logo and accolade licensing to this story here. Disclosure: Written and researched by the Insider Reviews team. We highlight products and services you might find interesting. If you buy them, we may get a small share of the revenue from the sale from our partners. We may receive products free of charge from manufacturers to test. This does not drive our decision as to whether or not a product is featured or recommended. We operate independently from our advertising team. We welcome your feedback. Email us at reviews@insider.com.