A countertop popcorn maker turns a measure of kernels into a bowl of popcorn in a few minutes. Hot air poppers use no oil, stirring poppers use a little oil on a heated plate, and kettle machines copy the glass-case look of a movie theater.
The six machines below include two hot air poppers, two stirring bowls and two theater-style kettle machines. Capacity, size and features come from each product’s listing page. We have not used these machines ourselves. Capacity and speed claims are the makers’ own.
As an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases. Links below are affiliate links, and they do not change the product information we give.
What to Look For
| Feature | Why it matters |
|---|---|
| Type | Hot air uses no oil; stirring and kettle machines use oil for a classic taste |
| Capacity | Cups or quarts per batch decide how many people it serves |
| Butter melting | A tray or well melts butter while popcorn pops |
| Serving | Some lids double as a serving bowl |
| Storage | Stacking parts and cord wraps save cabinet space |
Specs at a Glance
| Machine | Type and capacity | Size and weight | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Dash Fresh Pop | Hot air; 16 cups; 1400 W | 8.4 x 4.8 x 13.5 in; 12.8 oz | Measuring cup doubles as a butter tray; about 3 minutes |
| Presto PopLite | Hot air; 18 cups | 9.25 x 5.81 x 13.75 in; 2.1 lb | Cap measures and melts butter; built-in cord wrap |
| West Bend Stir Crazy | Hot oil; 6 quarts | 10 x 13 x 10 in; 4.4 lb | Motorized stirring rod with automatic reversal; lid is a serving bowl |
| Dash SmartStore Deluxe | Hot oil, stirring; 24 cups | 13.3 x 11.3 x 11.2 in; 3.15 kg | Butter tray; clear bowl; lid and base stack |
| West Bend Theater Crazy | Kettle; 4 quarts | Two sets of sizes listed; 7.5 lb | Nonstick kettle; tilt door; kernel catcher tray |
| Great Northern Big Bambino | Kettle; 4 oz; 480 W | 10.8 x 9.7 x 19.5 in; 9.5 lb | 60 W light; dump-style kettle; scoop and serving cups |
The 6 Best Countertop Popcorn Makers
1. Dash Fresh Pop Hot Air Popcorn Maker, 16 Cup
A 1400 watt hot air popper measuring about 8.4 by 4.8 by 13.5 inches and weighing 12.8 ounces. The maker says it makes up to 16 cups in about 3 minutes with no oil, and the measuring cup doubles as a butter melting tray. The top cover and cup are hand washed.
Suits: dorms and small kitchens. Strengths: a light, narrow body. Weaknesses: no serving bowl. Skip it if you want a stirring bowl.
View Dash Fresh Pop Hot Air Popcorn Maker 16 Cup on Amazon
2. Presto PopLite Hot Air Popcorn Popper, 18 Cup
A hot air popper with an 18 cup capacity, measuring about 9.25 by 5.81 by 13.75 inches and weighing 2.1 pounds. The cap measures kernels and melts butter, and the base and chute wipe clean. The maker says it pops 18 cups in about 2.5 minutes, and a cord wrap is built in.
Suits: a simple air popper. Strengths: 18 cups and a cord wrap. Weaknesses: a plastic build. Skip it if you want a metal body.
View Presto PopLite Hot Air Popcorn Popper 18 Cup on Amazon
3. West Bend Stir Crazy Popcorn Popper, 6 Qt
A hot oil popper measuring about 10 by 13 by 10 inches and weighing 4.4 pounds. It has a motorized stirring rod with automatic reversal, a nonstick popping plate and a clear vented lid with a butter well that serves as a 6 quart bowl. The listing says the lid is dishwasher compatible and the parts nest with a cord wrap.
Suits: family batches in one bowl. Strengths: a stirring rod and a serving lid. Weaknesses: uses oil. Skip it if you want oil-free popping.
View West Bend Stir Crazy Popcorn Popper 6 Qt on Amazon
4. Dash SmartStore Deluxe Stirring Popcorn Maker, 24 Cup
A hot oil stirring popper with a 24 cup capacity, a butter-warming tray, a clear serving bowl and a measuring cup. The lid and base stack for storage. It measures about 13.3 by 11.3 by 11.2 inches, and the listing gives the weight as 3.15 kg.
Suits: bigger groups. Strengths: 24 cups and stacking storage. Weaknesses: a plastic build. Skip it if you want a theater look.
View Dash SmartStore Deluxe Stirring Popcorn Maker 24 Cup on Amazon
5. West Bend Theater Crazy Popcorn Machine, 4 Qt
A theater-style machine with a 4 quart capacity, a nonstick stainless kettle, a motorized stirring rod, a quick-release lever, a tilt door and a kernel catcher tray. A measuring tool and scoop come with it. The listing gives two sets of dimensions: 11.7 by 11.7 by 19.37 inches in the table and 10.87 by 10.27 by 17.72 inches in the text, so measure your shelf with the larger set. It weighs 7.5 pounds.
Suits: a movie-night centerpiece. Strengths: a kernel catcher and a tilt door. Weaknesses: conflicting size figures. Skip it if shelf height is limited.
View West Bend Theater Crazy Popcorn Machine 4 Qt on Amazon
6. Great Northern Big Bambino 4 Oz Popcorn Machine
An old-fashioned 480 watt machine with a 4 ounce stainless kettle, a dump-style design, a 60 watt light and a drop-down tray. It comes with measuring cups, a scoop and serving cups. The maker says it makes about 1.5 gallons of popcorn, while the specification table gives 1.5 liters, so the capacity is unclear. It measures about 10.8 by 9.7 by 19.5 inches and weighs 9.5 pounds.
Suits: a retro, themed look. Strengths: serving cups and a scoop. Weaknesses: a tall body and unclear capacity. Skip it if you need exact capacity.
View Great Northern Big Bambino 4 Oz Popcorn Machine on Amazon
Care and Setup
- Unplug and let the machine cool fully before cleaning.
- Wipe heated plates and kettles with a damp cloth.
- Follow the manual for how much oil and kernels to use.
- Check the care label before using a dishwasher.
Mistakes to Avoid
- Overfilling with kernels past the measuring line.
- Using the wrong type of oil for a kettle.
- Ignoring the height of a tall theater machine.
- Putting parts in a dishwasher that the maker says to hand wash.
Popcorn Maker FAQ
Hot air or oil?
Hot air poppers need no oil. Stirring and kettle machines use oil and often a butter melting step.
Which is easiest to store?
The Dash Fresh Pop and Presto PopLite are small, and the Dash SmartStore stacks.
The Short Version
For a tiny air popper, the Dash Fresh Pop. For 18 cups with a cord wrap, the Presto. For a 6 quart bowl, the West Bend Stir Crazy. For 24 cups, the Dash SmartStore. For a theater look, the West Bend Theater Crazy. For a retro light-up look, the Great Northern.
