Top 20 Best Popcorn Popper Reviews In 2020

While you can’t control what is in the pre-made microwave popcorn bags, why not make them on your own at home? In this way, popcorns aren’t your guilty pleasure anymore because you have the choice to pop them with or without oil, salt, sugar, and other flavors.

This post will walk you through the top 20 best popcorn poppers, including microwave hot air poppers and the electric models that are picked due to specific needs.

So whether you’re on a diet, in a tight budget, or want to create insane flavors on your own, there’s always an option for you.

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Top 20 Best Popcorn Popper Reviews In 2020

Microwave popcorn poppers

Hotpop The Original Microwave Popcorn Popper

In the realm of collapsible popcorn silicone bow popper, HOTPOP is like a king.

It can make your popcorn in no longer than 4 minutes, capacity up to 15 cups – ideal for a big family or friend gathering. One thing to note: It only fits medium to large microwaves. The best thing is no chemicals which are commonly found in microwave popcorn bags or noise like electric hot air poppers.

It is neither as slow as stovetop poppers.

This one is guaranteed to be made from 100% food-grade silicone material with no PVC or BPA.

When not in use, it’s collapsible from 5.7” high to 2.4”, fitting nicely any drawers, kitchen cabinets, or your backpack for travel.

If you’re concerned if the handles are hot to touch after microwaved, the answer is no. It also comes with a lid to not make your microwave a mess while popping corn.

Easy pop, ultimately safe, spacious yet collapsible, and come with a wide range of colors, I think that’s the reason why this popcorn popper receives such love.

Product Specs

Salbree Original Microwave Popcorn Popper

This microwave popcorn popper from Salbree is another great choice for popcorn fans who don’t prefer to buy another small appliance to put on your counter when you already have a microwave.

Or for people who don’t like the idea of all chemicals put in the microwave bags.

This one is really compact, fitting in the smallest microwaves, enough 4-6 cups of popcorn and cooking just within 3-4 minutes in a microwave. So it is perfect for single individuals, couples, or small families.

It is collapsible, dishwasher-safe, BPA-free, and features easy-grab handles, which makes it time- and effort-saving, from the making popcorn process to the cleaning tasks.

It’s also easy to store or pack as well.

The best part is no hulls stuck in my teeth and no scorching at the bottom of the bowl.

Product Specs

Nordic Ware Microwave Popcorn Popper

Nordic is a famous long-standing American manufacturer for over 70 years, specializing in kitchenware with specialty Scandinavian ethnic cookware products. One of the bestsellers of Nordic’s microwave line is this popcorn popper.

Like other options in this list, it is Melanine-free and BPA-free but making it differentiate from other poppers is the material.

It resembles white clay that is manually weighed and cut before put in a compression molding machine to bake and cure at 450 degrees F for a minute. That makes the bowl microwave-safe to 400 degrees F without melting.

Love the fact that it makes popcorn with no needs of oil so, each serving provides fewer calories than usual, which is ideal for people who are on a diet. It also pops more evenly so you can tell when the popping has slowed with ease.

I do appreciate the lip design of this bowl that allows you to pick it up without scalding your fingers, unlike some silicone models.

Product Specs

Leuke Microwave Popcorn Popper

This is one of those gems that are quite inexpensive and performs brilliantly.

It is much better than some collapsible silicone poppers at the same price range that I’ve tested. No requirement of special inserts nor burning popcorn after a couple of batches.

And I really am impressed with how few kernels remained when the popping finished. You can put any unpopped corn back in the microwave.

The bowl holds a moderate amount of popcorn that’s enough for 3-4 servings and it comes with an efficient suction lid that can prevent popcorn from overflowing. The height is 5 inches but can be folded down to 2.25 inches so it doesn’t hog space in your cabinet.

The biggest bonus is a recipe booklet included and the packaging is really cool, which is perfect for gifting.

Cleaning isn’t a thing to worry about, especially if you don’t use sugar or oil. The bowl is dishwasher-safe.

Product Specs

Ecolution Original Microwave Micro-Pop Popcorn Popper

Although many popcorn maker bowls state that its silicone material is 100% food-grade, BPA- and PVC-free, I know that some people still don’t like the fact that it is plastic.

This single-serving is a perfect alternative for you, especially if you’re the sole person enjoying popcorns in your house.

This interior is all glass, so, health-wise. With every batch of 1.5-quart kernels, it normally ends up with 5 or fewer seeds that are unpopped, which is significantly fewer than other silicone bowls. You can put these kernels in your microwave for another popping if wanted.

For anyone who particularly loves movie-theater popcorns, this is definitely a great purchase or gift as it makes fully broken popcorns with wonderful tastes.

You can make it a machine for all kinds of insane fun flavors as well. The 3-in-1 lid will be your helpful assistance to cover, measure, and melt it all.

When done, just throw it in the dishwasher.

Product Specs

Housewares Hot Air Popcorn Popper

The Housewares Solutions Microwave Popcorn Popper is one of the most favorite options of people who love making popcorn at home.

There are many good reasons for that.

First off, it is the cheapest available in the market with no compromise of quality and safety. Crafted from premium food-grade FDA-approved silicone, it is BPA-free and heat resistant.

Not just economical, the microwave popcorn maker makes popcorn delicious with, or without, flavors, which is great for people who prefer the way it tastes with nothing on it. No scorched popcorns with very few unpopped kernels left in the bottom.

The last bonus is it cleans thoroughly in the top rack of the dishwasher and collapses for easy storage.

Despite the rock bottom low price, Housewares still provide this popper with a 30-day full money-back satisfaction to let you by with no fear.

Product Specs

Colonel Popcorn Popper

This revolution food-grade silicone bowl will make your popcorn in a blink with endless possibilities, whether you want it to be as savory as your heart’s desire or as healthy as the doctor’s advice.

It makes tasty, crisp, and airy popcorn every time in no longer than 4 minutes, with a capacity of 14 cups – ideal for one serving or sharing with a whole family.

You can pop without any added oil for late afternoon, low-calorie snacks. Before bringing this one home, I read many customer reviews, most of which complained about it didn’t make kernels fully popped.

Well, my trick is to select the right power setting on your microwave every time you want to pop that fluffy goodness.

Above all, it is easy to clean, dishwasher-safe, and collapsible to be extra space-saving.

Product Specs

Presto 04730 Popcorn Popper

Speaking of this popcorn popper from Presto, I really like how easy it is to use and how good the popcorn tastes.

The secret lies in its cup and base which are specifically designed to concentrate microwave energy to the kernels, making them pop thoroughly and efficiently. That’s why it can pop any kind of kernels, from the white, yellow, to the hybrid.

The popping time is around 2 ½ minutes for each 3-quart, which has been endorsed by Orville Redenbacher’s Gourmet Popping Corn.

The unit can make popcorn with or without flavors. If you want some salty, buttery, or sugary tasting with popcorn, add it prior to popping.

Although the manufacturer advertises that you can eat from the bowl, I highly recommend transferring them to your larger bowl as it’s commonly really hot after popped.

Product Specs

Cuisinart CTG-00-MPM Popcorn Popper

The next popper that I’d like to introduce to you is this.

It is from Cuisinart, features 10 cups’ capacity, and fits nicely into almost small-sized microwaves because the bowl itself isn’t too large. Like other microwave popcorn makers, it is made from food-grade FDA-approved silicone material – known for phenomenal heat resistance and durability.

More importantly, it pops kernels like a dream, with 95% to 99% of fully-popped corn. And it also allows you to vary the recipes by adding extra flavors onto the popcorn, like caramel, buttery, salt, or sugar as wanted.

The best thing is it is backed by the manufacturer via a lifetime warranty.

Product Specs

Electric popcorn poppers

West Bend 82505 Stir Popcorn Popper

If you’re looking for a budget-friendly electric popcorn maker, this is it.

The investment is minor and the utility of making full-popped corn is unparalleled. It is significantly faster to make popcorn than the hand-cranked models while the simplicity keeps cleaning tasks can’t be easier.

Compared to other West Bend versions, this certainly looks smaller but amazingly, it holds the same capacity as well as pops efficiently and thoroughly with hardly unpopped kernels.

The compact design also makes the machine easy to turn over when the popping is finished.

For people who have a narrow kitchen or tabletop, you probably like the On/Off function of this model as it doesn’t require you to plug in to turn on or unplug to shut off.

If you prefer to make popcorn with oil, its recessed popping well is another big bonus as it’s easier to measure the oil and popcorn.

Product Specs

Presto 04821 OPopcorn Popper

The Presto 04821 Orville Redenbacher’s Hot Air Popper is a fantastic value that performs far better than I expected for a hot air popper at this price point.

It is constructed to North American Electrical Standards and can pop 18 cups of popcorn at a time in under 2 ½ minutes. As long as the kernels are fresh, this machine can pop them almost 100% with no oil needed.

It works like a dream. Easy, quick, and basically no mess. You can also tilt back the machine until it’s partially full of popped kernels.

The base and cover are simple to wipe clean. If you want to make butter popcorn, it’d better melt butter in something that can be thrown in the dishwasher. By this trick, you hardly have to clean it at all.

One thing to note: Reading the instructions carefully before do the cleaning tasks

Product Specs

Cuisinart CPM-100MR Popcorn Popper

I’m really happy with this electric popcorn maker because it is not just made by a reputable long-standing manufacturer in this industry – Cuisinart, but also easy to set up or clean after popping.

With a 10-cup capacity, it can make a huge quantity of popcorn within 3 minutes for a movie festival, family gathering, or a group of friends.

The design comes with some removable parts, such as the butter warming tray and chute, and all of them are dishwasher-safe, meaning that cleaning isn’t a thing with this unit. I do appreciate the on/off switch so that you just flip it to start or shut off after popping is finished.

Make sure to place a tall bowl to catch popcorn because it comes out quickly. There is not a single burnt kernel, it doesn’t do the counter dance, and the popcorn is much fluffier than other competitors at the price range.

It also comes with an interesting recipe book.

All-in-all, this is the best popcorn machine for home theater.

Product Specs

Dash DAPP150V2AQ04 Popcorn Popper

This 16-cup electric popcorn maker comes with a smaller footprint than my initial expectation, which is good to be placed in a narrow countertop as well as easier to store in a kitchen cupboard.

It features a functional measuring cup that doubles as a melting tray, great for movie festivals, big families, or entertaining friends.

What I don’t like about this model is its noise which is no different than an operating vacuum cleaner, however, it pops kernels really well.

I found really little unpopped ones at the bottom of the tray, which is impressive. Meanwhile, the popcorn is fluffy, tasty, and you can add extra flavors after popped for more interesting tastes if wanted.

There is also a recipe booklet included for those who love creating insanely flavored popcorn on their own. The most worth-trying recipes are the S’ mores style and cheddar cheese.

Ah, did I tell you about the 1-year manufacturer warranty for this vintage product?

Product Specs

AICOOK Popcorn Popper

If you are looking for a heavy-duty popcorn maker to serve for the whole family, look no further.

AICOOK Electric Hot Oil Popcorn Popper Machine is constructed with 24-cup capacity and it’s easily transformed into a popcorn serving bowl after finishing the pop, which is multifunctional.

Unlike the stovetop poppers, this can help you make multi-flavored popcorn recipes, even the stickiest, such as caramel and butter. You can add the spices either to the top of the transparent lid or on the baking sheet. All delivered tasty popcorn with no burnt.

The added ventilation holes enhance the results of popping, making kernels pop fuller, airier, and crispier, at an incredible amount of time. Commonly, each 24-cup popcorn serving just takes 3 minutes of your time.

For those who prefer some technical information, this unit is FDA and ETL certified as well as built to North American Electrical Standards.

Product Specs

Paramount Popcorn Popper

Despite the look, Paramount Popcorn Maker Machine is not designed for high-volume applications nor a commercial-grade popcorn maker.

It is small – merely 1 ½ feet tall and 10 inches wide.

But in the maximum capacity, it can pop a single 8-ounce batch like a breeze with an extremely low rate of unpopped kernels. From my experience, it would be within 1% to 5% depending on the type of kernels and the recipes.

With such complicated-alike design, I think many people would be concerned if it’s easy to clean or not. The answer is not that bad!

You can simply wipe the side walls with a paper towel.

My only complaint is no warming function so if you want to make an unlimited amount of popcorn, make sure they should be stored airtight to retain the crispiness. It’d be best to make just moderate popcorn for your current needs.

Overall, if you want something that is fun and nostalgic for movie nights, this is the most potential contender.

Product Specs

Aicok Hot Air Popcorn Popper

The last electric popcorn popper in this list is from Aicok.

It is designed to meet North American Electrical Standards with FDA and ETL approval to be conveniently and safely used in any USA household. Love the fact that it is relatively portable and compact so that you can easily move it here to there.

The fancy and stylish design makes it perfect as a gift for college students, apartment owners, or simply use during RV traveling.

As requiring no oil, it makes popcorn with 42% fewer calories than the pre-made microwave popcorn bags while adding no artificial flavors, preservatives, or saturated fats. Not to say that in the long term, it is much cheaper to use.

Product Specs

Stovetop popcorn poppers

Great Northern Popcorn Popper

Although there are many stovetop popcorn makers with same-same design and a few bucks cheaper, I still want to invest in this one. The reason lies in quality!

In comparison, the aluminum material of this model is much thicker, sturdier, and more durable to last longer, which means it costs less in the long term.

Besides, the knobs and handles are made from real wood, which makes them last longer and handles heat better to not burn your fingers during the pop.

In the description, you’ll find the phrase “unique spinner stirring mechanism” and it, in reality, works decently than other cheaper counterparts. It is actually metal rods similar to coat hanger wire and they can rotate.

Once the kernels start popping, they keep the popcorn moving to avoid burning whereas not move the unpopped kernels underneath. For the price, this old-fashioned popcorn machine is worthy!

Product Specs

Franklin’s Original Popcorn Popper

When it comes to kettle popcorn poppers, Franklin’s Gourmet Popcorn is an OG. It has been operated in the USA since 1978 and each product is backed by a lifetime warranty, no exception for this one.

Measuring 11.6 x 7.7 x 16.6 inches, it allows you to make 6 quarts of popcorn at a time within under 5 minutes. And as the product is made of high-grade aluminum with patented stirring mechanism, it pops kernels like a champ (no matter which kind they are – yellow, white, or hybrid) with hardly burning.

Besides, the handle is crafted from real wood for superior durability and longevity.

I also appreciate how easy-to-clean it is, especially if you just make plain popcorn. After use, all you need to do is wipe it with a paper towel.

You can add sugar or salt for more interesting flavors but take note to avoid stickier recipes like butter or caramel, advised by the manufacturer.

Product Specs

Cook N Home 02626 Popcorn Popper

What sets this model apart from other stovetop popcorn makers is the lid design. It features some steam vents to enhance the popcorn’s crispiness to enjoy.

Besides, it makes popcorn a little bit faster than other counterparts at the same capacity so you can save some precious extra time on this.

Unlike the electric or microwave poppers, this product line requires oil to make popcorn, which means it is probably not suitable for people who are on a diet or advised eating low-calorie food. In turn, it gives incredible taste with full fluffiness, crispiness, and no hulls left.

Unlike the regular cooking pots, it doesn’t leave 10% or 15% of the popcorn burnt in the bottom. Thanks to the integrated crank, not a single popcorn is burnt, which is great.

You can use this popper on most stovetops, from ceramic, electric, to gas, except for the induction stoves.

Product Specs

Whirley-Pop Popcorn Popper

For those who don’t know, Whirley-Pop Popper has been in the industry for over 30 years and at the current, it has added this old-school stainless-steel version.

Yes, the special popcorn machine in this category that’s made of high-grade stainless steel and moreover, it changes color during the pop. As it requires being present while making popcorn, why not give such dead time extra fun to enjoy, right?

Regardless, it is a reliable popper to count on as every single product has been hand-assembled and manually checked before selling to ensure the highest quality to the customers.

Not to say, it is backed by a 25-year replacement by the manufacturer and up to now, there have been a lot of customers giving it positive feedback.

A clear proof is on Amazon, 82% of 626 customer reviews are 5 stars, which is very high, despite the high price tag.

Product Specs

The Ultimate Guide To Choosing Best Popcorn Popper In 2020

 Type

There are three common types of popcorn makers in the market:

Electric poppers

Operated by electricity.

In terms of cooking time, this type of popcorn maker is unbeatable and allows you to make a wide range of recipes, such as oil, sugar, salt, dried herbs, caramel, and butter. However, it commonly takes place in your kitchen countertop and is bulky for storage.

The design is also more complicated and harder to clean.

I highly recommend this type for big families or popcorn freaks who usually have a friend gathering in your house.

Stovetop poppers

Operated by the stove energy and usually feature a stirring mechanism to prevent burnt popcorn.

This is the traditional way to make popcorn and also known as the type that takes the longest cooking time. But in fact, this difference compared to the microwave or the electric isn’t significant, generally within 2-4 minutes.

In my opinion, this way makes the tastiest popcorn with the least percentage of unpopped kernels.

As stated, it is excellent at avoiding burnt popcorn.

The biggest flaw of this popper type is the price, which is relatively highest out of the three. So, I won’t recommend this for tight-budget individuals.

Microwave poppers

This is the modern way to make popcorn and also the most convenient if you have a microwave in your house.

It usually comes in a wide range of color options and the capacity to fit into specific sizes of microwaves. The two major kinds of microwave poppers’ material are food-grade FDA-approved silicone and glass.

Either kind, they are health-friendly and easy to use so the choice is preference issues.

Microwave poppers are easy to clean, easy to store, and quick to make popcorn. However, they can’t handle a huge quantity of popcorn like the stovetop or the electric, which is also the biggest drawback.

Cooking capacity

The measuring unit of poppers’ capacity is either cups or quarts.

1 quart = 4 cup = 32 ounces

Normally, ¼ cup of kernels can make nearly 7 cups of popcorn and 2 tablespoons of kernel make 3.5 cups.

For a group of 4-6 persons, a small equivalent to 8-10 cups. 6-7 people can consume a medium of 12-14 cups of popcorn and 16-20 cups equals 8-10 servings.

FAQs

What is the best stovetop popcorn popper?

My picks are:

• Great Northern Popcorn Original Stovetop Popcorn Popper
• Franklin’s Original Whirley Popcorn Machine Popper
• Cook N Home 02626 6-Quart Aluminum Stovetop Popcorn Popper
• Whirley-Pop Popcorn Popper – Metal Gear

What is the best oil popcorn popper?

Below are the top picks for each type of popper:

• Cook N Home 02626 6-Quart Aluminum Stovetop Popcorn Popper – best oil stovetop popper
• West Bend 82505 Stir Crazy Electric Hot Oil Popcorn Popper – best oil electric popper
• Hotpop The Original Microwave Popcorn Maker – best oil microwave popper

Are silicone popcorn makers safe?

As long as it is food-grade, FDA-approved, and cooked within recommended temperature range (commonly under 400 degrees F), silicone popcorn makers are safe to use.

How do you make air-popped popcorn taste better?

Here are some effective tricks to make air-popped popcorn tastier, according to the USDA:

• Use a dusting of cocoa powder or cinnamon instead of sugar for sweetness
• Try olive oil instead of butter for less fat
• Try adding dried herbs, like oregano and basil, with a pinch of salt.

Can you pop popcorn in an air fryer?

Yes, you can.

After heating the air fryer to 199 degrees C (390 degrees F), add the kernels to its basket with some praying of coconut/olive oil. Add the basket and set the timer for 10 to 15 minutes.

What are the disadvantages of an air fryer?

• Bulky
• Expensive
• Dry out fast
• Take longer cooking time

Can you pop popcorn without oil?

Yes, you can.

Some popper models are designed to not require oil when popping kernels. For example:

• Nordic Ware Microwave Popcorn Popper
• Leuke Microwave Popcorn Popper
• Ecolution Original Microwave Micro-Pop Popcorn Popper

Conclusion

After thoroughly testing the best popcorn poppers on the market, I ranked the top-notch competitors in key metrics, as well as looked at their overall performance to choose the most outstanding in specific needs.