If you find yourself a regular at-home movie night person and are looking to level up your experience, then it’s time to purchase the best home theater popcorn machines.
Whatever your needs, be it a small-capacity popcorn machine, a large-capacity, an easy-to-assemble, or fast-working, there will be at least one best option here for you.
Here are the best home theater popcorn machines you can buy in 2024:
- Smallest Capacity (Oil Popcorn Machine): West Bend 82515
- Easy To Clean (Oil Popcorn Machine): West Bend 82505
- Largest Capacity (Oil Popcorn Machine): Superior Popcorn Company 4635 SPC Hot Fresh 8OZ BLK Top
- Easy To Assemble (Air Popcorn Machine): Presto 114316
- Compact Design (Air Popcorn Machine): Dash DAPP150V2AQ04
- Fast Working (Air Popcorn Machine): Hamilton Beach 73400
| 6 Best Home Theater Popcorn Machines | ||
|---|---|---|
Smallest Capacity | West Bend 82515
| |
Easy To Clean | West Bend 82505
| |
Largest Capacity | Superior Popcorn Company 4635 SPC Hot Fresh 8OZ BLK Top
| |
Easy To Assemble | Presto 114316
| |
Compact Design | Dash DAPP150V2AQ04
| |
Fast Working | Hamilton Beach 73400
| |
Smallest Capacity: West Bend 82515
- Extremely compact - 10.87 (W) x 10.27 (D) x 17.72 (H) inches of measurement
- Space-saving – stick-to-top magnetic cover & removable popping kettle
- Ideal for 2-3 servings at a time – 4-quart capacity
- Wish the shell was thicker and sturdier
Let us explain why the West Bend 82515 is the best-ever option among the smallest-capacity oil popcorn machines. First, it’s incredibly compact with just 10.87 (W) x 10.27 (D) x 17.72 (H) inches of measurement.
The ultra-small footprint allows it to fit anywhere, even that’s a tight nook or corner, whether on your counter or in the cabinet after use.
Moreover, its magnetic cover is designed to stick to the top and the popping kettle is removable for extra space efficiency.
If you’re curious about its performance, well, we actually have no complaints when testing it.
| West Bend 82515 Specifications | |
|---|---|
Dimensions | 10.27 x 10.87 x 17.72 inches |
Capacity | 4-quart |
Highlight Features | 10.87 (W) x 10.27 (D) x 17.72 (H) inches of measurement stick-to-top magnetic cover & removable popping kettle 4-quart capacity |
Year after year, the West Bend 82515 continues to be the highest scorer in terms of the largest capacity oil popcorn machine.
Easy To Clean: West Bend 82505
- Easy to clean - the nonstick coated plate and the removable dishwasher-safe nesting cover
- Foolproof & effortless to make tasteful theater style popcorn – stir rod
- Versatile – working with prepackaged popcorn packs
- The bowl lid is susceptible to fall off
There are two key benefits that we pleasantly love about this inexpensive oil popcorn machine from West Bend: the nonstick coated plate and the removable dishwasher-safe nesting cover. They all make this unit a breeze to clean.
The West Bend 82505 makes theater style popcorn very quickly (within 5 minutes for 6 quarts of kennels) and tastes amazingly good.
As a great bonus, it works well with prepackaged popcorn packs.
| West Bend 82505 Specifications | |
|---|---|
Dimensions | 11.5 x 11.7 x 7.5 inches |
Capacity | 6-Quart |
Highlight Features | the nonstick coated plate and the removable dishwasher-safe nesting cover stir rod |
Enjoy your homemade popcorn with no worries about cleaning, as the West Bend 82505’s design is removable and dishwasher-friendly. Yeah, it’s the best easy-to-clean option in this field.
Largest Capacity: Superior Popcorn Company 4635 SPC Hot Fresh 8OZ BLK Top
- Perfect for multiple servings - 12-quart popcorn capacity
- User-friendly - the simple 3-switch design
- A bit struggling to clean
The Superior Popcorn Company 4635 SPC Hot Fresh 8OZ BLK Top’s construction is quite similar to the commercial-grade popcorn machine as seen in the theaters.
It is measured by (L) 20.5” x (W) 17.5” x (H) 25.75” and features a powerful 850W motor, which allows for making 25 prepackaged packs or 12-quart popcorn (3x larger than the West Bend 82515). It’s perfect for big families, sports events, or parties.
Don’t worry, the machine is still easy to use thanks to the minimalist 3-switch design and compact enough to fit a standard kitchen countertop.
| Superior Popcorn Company 4635 SPC Hot Fresh 8OZ BLK Top Specifications | |
|---|---|
Dimensions | 17.5 x 20.5 x 25.75 inches |
Capacity | 12 quarts |
Highlight Features | 12-quart popcorn capacity the simple 3-switch design |
If you’re looking for the largest capacity oil popcorn machine, the Superior Popcorn Company 4635 SPC Hot Fresh 8OZ BLK Top is your best bet.
Easy To Assemble: Presto 114316
- Minimal assembly required
- Effortless to make butter-flavor popcorns – the top butter-melter
- Wish there was an on/off switch
The Presto 114316 is ready to use right out of the package. It satisfies our 3-E’s requirements: Easy to assemble, Easy to clean, and Easy to use. The instructions are very clear and minimal assembly is required.
It also features a tray on the top for melting butter if you’re a big fan of butter-flavor popcorn.
Despite the low price tag, the machine feels sturdy.
| Presto 114316 Specifications | |
|---|---|
Dimensions | 6.62 x 9.5 x 12.31 inches |
Capacity | 4.5 quarts |
Highlight Features | Minimal assembly required the top butter-melter |
With very little assembly required, the Presto 114316 is user-friendly and ready to use right out of the box. If you want something easy to assemble and easy to use, pick this one.
Compact Design: Dash DAPP150V2AQ04
- Compact - 9.96 x 9.57 x 5.47 inches of measurement
- Safety & convenience – the one Touch start button
- Great value – including various accessories
- The butter melter could work better
- Prone to pop popcorns all over the counter
Of all the air popcorn machines we tested, the Dash DAPP150V2AQ04 is the most inexpensive and compact – measured by 9.96 x 9.57 x 5.47 inches – option.
With a 4-quart capacity, it can easily make 16 cups of popcorn in minutes, which is ideal for a quiet date night of couples or small group gathering. But the biggest selling point is the one Touch start button for convenience and safety.
It also includes a recipe book, a top butter melter, and a measuring cup. What else to ask?
| Dash DAPP150V2AQ04 Specifications | |
|---|---|
Dimensions | 9.96 x 9.57 x 5.47 inches |
Capacity | 4 quarts |
Highlight Features | 9.96 x 9.57 x 5.47 inches of measurement the one Touch start button including a recipe book, a measuring cup, and a butter melter |
With only 9.96 x 9.57 x 5.47 inches of measurement, the Dash DAPP150V2AQ04 is the most compact design that will fit nicely any nook and corner.
Fast Working: Hamilton Beach 73400
- Fast-working – able to make 4.5-quart popcorns in 2-1/2 minutes
- Flexible – the two-in-one measuring cup
- No on/off switch
When it comes to the Hamilton Beach 73400, what you will receive from it are not only reliable performance, quality, and warranty but also working speeds.
According to our testing, it can make 18 cups of popcorn in only 2-1/2 minutes – something that other low-range air popcorn machines hardly do – without scarifying the taste. The popcorns are large, fluffy, and tasteful.
The built-in measuring cup can also work as a butter melter, which is a cool feature.
With this convenient machine, you can try different popcorn flavors at home in a healthier and more effortless way, from cinnamon sugar and chili powder to parmesan cheese.
| Hamilton Beach 73400 Specifications | |
|---|---|
Dimensions | 9.53 x 6.14 x 14.06 inches |
Capacity | 4.5 quarts |
Highlight Features | able to make 4.5-quart popcorns in 2-1/2 minutes the two-in-one measuring cup |
In our testing for working speeds, the Hamilton Beach 73400 receives the highest marks across the board, making it the best fast-working option.
How To Choose The Best Home Theater Popcorn Machine?
Your Needs And Budget
Home theater popcorn machines are varied in price ranges, from $$ to $$$, depending on the brands, features, capacity, and more.
As the price gap is quite huge, it’s important to understand your needs and determine your budget before dropping bucks on anything.
Start with determining your needs!
You should find the answers for these questions:
- How often do you make popcorn at home?
- How many servings do you need per movie night?
- Do you need any particular add-on on the machine?
- How much are you ready to pay for a home theater popcorn machine?
- Is it important to you to have a fast-working machine?
- Which do you prefer: the original popcorn flavor or different flavor options?
Capacity (Kettle Size)
When you’re in the market for the best home theater popcorn machines, it’s easy to find that the capacity ranges are varied, from 4-16 ounces for around 10-40 servings.
In most cases, the larger the capacity, the more expensive it is.
Here’s what you should consider: how do you plan to use the machine? Is it for you or anyone else? And, if there are other people who will use it, how many?
To help you get a better idea, please take a peek at this table:
Capacity (ounces) | Popped Cups Per Batch (Cups) | 1-Ounce Servings Per Hour (Ounces) |
16 | 40 | 320 |
12 | 30 | 240 |
8 | 20 | 160 |
6 | 15 | 120 |
4 | 10 | 80 |
Oil vs. Hot-Air-Popped Corn
Are you a serious health-concern person?
Which is more important to you: flavorful popcorns or health-friendly popcorns?
If your answer is the first one, then an oil-popped corn machine is your best bet. As the name implies, this type of popcorn machine uses oil to make kennels popped.
The end results are moderately moist popcorn with a little taste. However, they might be soggy.
The hot-air-popped corn machines, on the other hand, use high heat and fan to create fat-free popcorns – which is healthier and not soggy. The drawback of this method is dryness in the corn.
Which Brands Make The Best Home Theater Popcorn Machine?
West Bend Company
In the US electric kitchen appliance market, West Bend Company is renowned for providing products with unmatched value, quality, and performance to consumers. The brand started in 1911.
Presto
One of the longest brands and also the leader in the housewares and small electric appliance industry. Presto’s PopCornNow® was one of the first hot air poppers in the world. Then, they created PowerPop®, which concentrates microwave energy to pop kennels.
The brand has retained its top position in the industry for top-notch quality and functionality.
Hamilton Beach
Hamilton Beach is a US manufacturer for small electric household appliances, founded in 1904.
Over 100 years of development, superior customer service, a wide variety of options, and product quality are primary elements that build the brand name strength.
FAQs
Which are better: air or oil popcorn machines?
If you’re an eat-clean dieter, then a hot-air-popped corn is better. However, if your priority is popcorns’ texture and flavor, the oil popcorn machine is indeed a better choice.
What kind of popcorn salt do theaters use?
Flavacol - a fine, bright orange, and butter-flavored powder - is the kind of popcorn salt that only theaters use.
Can I wash a popcorn machine?
Here are five simple ways to wash a popcorn machine:
How often should I clean my popcorn machine?
It’s recommended to clean a popcorn machine after it’s been used.
How should I clean a burnt popcorn maker?
To clean a burnt popcorn maker, follow this step-by-step guide:
Step 1: Pour 200ml vinegar into the popcorn maker’s pan/pot.
Step 2: Heat up the pan/pot until vinegar is boiling. Then, remove the pan from the stove.
Step 3: Add ½ ounces of baking soda and let it sit for 1+ hour.
Step 4: Gently scrub the pan with a soft nylon scrubber
Step 5: Rinse the pan with water and let it air dry thoroughly.
Conclusion
Finding the best home theater popcorn machines can feel like a daunting challenge. With an avalanche of options, even from the same manufacturer, it is challenging to determine the right one for your needs and budget. So hopefully, our review list helped you in your quest.
Jane Orta
