5 Best Popcorn Poppers For Your Next At-Home Movie Night
When movie night means curling up on the couch instead of heading to the theater, the best popcorn poppers go from “nice-to-have accessory” to absolute necessity. And just as some people prefer classic films and others love romantic comedies, there are a wide range of preferences as to how folks like their kernels popped.
Whether you’re looking for a healthy hot air popper, an old-fashioned movie theater style popcorn machine, or a non-toxic microwave popcorn maker, we’ve searched the web to find the perfect option for you — so all you’ll need to do is decide on a movie. Keep scrolling to shop our picks for the best popcorn poppers you can buy in 2020!
What are the best popcorn poppers?
Great Northern Popcorn Company Movie Theater Style Popcorn Machine
best popcorn machine for a crowd
Why we like it:
- Cute, nostalgic design
- Makes perfect movie-theater style popcorn
Do you love having people over for a movie night? Is your home theater set up with the perfect sound system and comfy seating for a crowd? Then you need this classic, movie theater-style popcorn maker, which pops enough corn for your whole crew and will make you feel almost like you’re actually at the theater! It makes 2-3 gallons of popcorn per batch, and reviewers say it’s simple to use and easy to clean. Once the neighbors get wind of this sweet popcorn machine, you might need to start selling tickets to movie night!
“I decided to purchase this popcorn maker for an event that I was in charge of for work … We definitely made the right decision. We were pleased when the machine arrived earlier than expected. It was also packaged very well. Included were some popcorn bags, a large serving scoop, a few smaller measuring cups and spoons, [and] two plastic popcorn holders, which are really cute. It is very easy to use, worked well the first time we made popcorn (we were expecting it to burn a little with first time use), and the clean-up was quick. The popcorn is AMAZING!”
West Bend Stir Crazy Electric Popcorn Popper
best popcorn maker for one
Why we like it:
- Lid can be used as a bowl
- Easy to use and clean
Solo movie nights are the best, because you can watch whatever you want — no compromise required. And when it comes to popcorn, you can make as much or as little as you like in this convenient, hot-oil electric popcorn maker. Many people prefer the taste of popcorn made with oil, rather than hot air, and with this popcorn popper, you can use your favorite type of oil — tasty coconut, healthy olive, or any other variation you prefer. And we love that the lid also functions as a bowl, making for fewer dirty dishes!
“This is it. The great taste of a stand-up kettle popcorn machine, or a hand-crank stovetop pot, with the energy savings, easy cleanup, and simplicity of a modern appliance. I researched popcorn machines for a while; when I saw this one I knew it had great potential, and it did not disappoint. Making popcorn is faster and easier than with my hand-cranked, and clean up is easier as well.”
Lekue Microwave Popcorn Popper
best microwave popcorn popper
Why we like it:
- Healthier alternative to microwave popcorn
- Works with either hot air or oil
If you’ve always made popcorn in the microwave, but are concerned about the potential health hazards of microwave popcorn, then this handy gadget is the perfect solution! Just pour a handful of kernels into the silicone bowl, pop the lid on the top, and zap it in the microwave for a couple of minutes, and voilà! You’ve got a healthy, delicious snack. Prefer your popcorn popped with oil? Put a little of your favorite variety in with the kernels — and toss some salt or other spices in there as well while you’re at it! The possibilities are endless, the process is simple, and cleanup is a cinch.
“This is the best popcorn maker I’ve ever purchased. No oil is necessary to use this at all, so you produce a truly healthy snack. The popcorn maker is BPA free, so there are no worries about microwaving something inside of it. It’s easy to clean up, since there is no oily residue. I love the compact storage of it, since the bowl folds up into itself and the lid stores inside. It’s the 21st century way to pop corn!”
Franklin’s Original Whirley Pop Stovetop Popcorn Machine
best stovetop popcorn popper
Why we like it:
- Old-fashioned crank is fun to use
- Aluminum kettle distributes heat evenly for perfect popping
If you have the grandkids over for movie night, they’ll love turning the crank on this old-fashioned stovetop popper, which makes up to six quarts of movie-theater style popcorn to a batch. Just heat up the pan, put a little coconut oil in the bottom, pour in the kernels, and listen to it pop as the air fills with that irresistible fresh-popped popcorn aroma. This is how we remember making popcorn in the good old days!
“I did a lot of research regarding popcorn poppers … after reading hundreds of reviews on all sorts of popper options, I chose to go with this one. I couldn’t be happier! It is AMAZING! … If you follow the directions and use good quality ingredients you will have perfect movie theater popcorn each and every time. This popper is well worth the extra money! Love the lifetime guarantee and the fact it is a U.S.-based company.”
DASH Hot Air Popcorn Maker
best air popcorn popper
Why we like it:
- Low-fat alternative to oil-popped popcorn
- Comes in 3 color options
If you love popcorn but don’t love the oil (or can’t have it due to dietary restrictions), a hot air popcorn popper is the right choice for you. We like this one because it’s compact, so it won’t take up precious counter or cupboard space, comes in three colors to coordinate with your décor (red, aqua, or white), and makes up to 16 cups of hot, fresh popcorn in a flash. Thousands of five-star ratings on Amazon indicate plenty of satisfied customers!
“I absolutely love this popper! I’ve used it a few times now and its been working great! My popcorn is fluffy and crispy and tastes wonderful given that it has no oil. Great value for money and looks pretty good too!”
