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Your Favorite Movie Theater Snack at Home: The Best Popcorn Poppers

  1. Hotpop Microwave Popcorn Popper – Best Microwave Popcorn Popper
  2. Paragon 8-Ounce Popcorn Machine
  3. Elite Gourmet Maxi-Matic EPM-250 Tabletop Kettle Popcorn Popper
  4. Great Northern Movie Theater Style Popcorn Popper
  5. Waring Pro Kettle Popcorn Popper
  6. Funtime Sideshow Popcorn Popper
  7. Wabash Farms Whirley Pop Stove Top Popcorn Popper
  8. Presto 04820 Poplite Hot Air Popper
  9. Nordic Ware 60120 Microwave 12 Cup Popcorn Popper
  10. West Bend 82306X 6 Quart Stir Crazy Corn Popper
  11. Buyer's Guide

Theater style popcorn is in a class all its own. No microwave or air popped corn is capable of reproducing that special flavor which also has as much to do with the sight of a nostalgic unit and smell of hot oil too. In order to capture that unique flavor you must have the right style of popcorn maker that looks like it came out of a theater to give you the sensation of being there.

All of the best popcorn poppers in 2022 that are on this list are designed to create this unique and delicious treat in the comfort of your own home or even small business/theater. These selections all have the appearance of a theater-style popcorn maker, meaning they’ll look like a large box with glass panels on each side, an electric heating element beneath the popping kettle, a handle to spill the contents into the bottom of a box, and a large doorway to scoop the popcorn out once it is popped.

Each of these picks will require minor assembly such as putting the door panels on and mounting the kettle in the machine, so a little do-it-yourself skill is required to put them together. Fortunately, they will all include oil and a popcorn measuring scoop.

As with the popcorn popper, the amount of popped popcorn will greatly depend on the quality of the kernels. Different brands of kernels may work better than others, so if you’re not satisfied with the results of your machine, always try a different brand of popcorn and compare the results.

Comparing the Best Popcorn Popper for 2022

Hotpop Microwave Popcorn Popper – Best Microwave Popcorn Popper - Best Popcorn Popper Overall

Hotpop’s microwave popcorn popper has taken every detail into consideration for popcorn lovers. Safety, size, health, and convenience are all taken care of in this smart design. The popcorn popper can pop up to 15 cups of popcorn in 4 minutes. After adding the kernels and seasoning desired, simply place the bowl in the microwave and your work is done.

Since the bowl is made of 100% food-grade silicone, is BPA- and PVC-free, there is no need to worry about harmful toxins from popping bags. The popcorn can be made with, or without oil according to your preference.

This convenient popping bowl has cool-touch handles to avoid burnt fingers. It is dishwasher safe and comes in 17 different colors. The design is collapsible, making it one of the most compact popcorn poppers available for long-term use. Hotpop’s microwave popcorn maker can be folded from a height of 5.7" to 2.4", allowing it to fit in your kitchen drawers. Avoid the bulk, noise, and mess of an electric popcorn popper and simply enjoy great functionality

Paragon 8-Ounce Popcorn Machine - Runner Up

If price is no object, and you want the fastest popping popcorn machine on this list, you'll need to check out the Paragon TP-8 Theater Pop 8-Ounce Popper Popcorn Machine. With a 1250 watt kettle element, you'll get popped popcorn almost as fast as you can feed it into the kettle. This machine is capable of popping almost 10 pounds of popcorn in one hour.

This is popper is considered commercial grade, but with a price tag at almost three times the top rated model, you'll have to decide if just having faster popped popcorn is worth the price of admission. A perforated floor allows un-popped kernels to fall through and there’s also heating elements beneath the floor instead of a standard heat lamp to keep popcorn hot and ready to serve.

At 65 pounds this popper is a beast and isn't exactly the most portable unit around but once situated it will stay in place. The interior is surrounded by safety glass, the motor is industrial quality, and this popper comes with a three year warranty.

Elite Gourmet Maxi-Matic EPM-250 Tabletop Kettle Popcorn Popper - Honorable Mention

For a smaller machine that’s right for the individual or a couple look into the Maxi-Matic EPM-450 Elite Tabletop Old-Fashioned 4-Ounce Kettle Popcorn Popper Machine. Although it only makes four ounces of popcorn at a time, this is still a fully functional machine. The 600 watt kettle element has just enough mojo to get the corn popped in quick enough time, and it has tempered glass side panels.

This machine weighs in at about 25 pounds, so it’s one of the more portable machines on this list. It also features a bottom warming tray and a perforated floor that drops un-popped kernels out of the way. For the size, this unit is a bit pricey, but it’s the best four ounce kettle popcorn maker out there. It comes with a one year warranty.

Great Northern Movie Theater Style Popcorn Popper - Consider

Made to commercial standards, the Great Northern Popcorn 8 oz. Foundation Movie Theater Style Popcorn Machine is often used in public settings to make great popcorn. The eight ounce kettle holds a lot of popcorn, and the 860 watt burner assures your corn will be popped quickly. The motor is one of the quietest on our list, and the antique styling is the perfect retro touch.

A warming light keeps the popcorn hot and fresh, a perforated floor at the bottom allows un-popped kernels to fall through to a collection tray, and the contents are surrounded by tempered safety glass. There’s even a built-in storage area for bags, portion packs, and other supplies.

There may be more expensive machines available, but none make popcorn as good as this model. At 32 pounds, this unit is fairly easy to move around but it weighs enough to stay in place once set down. Available in your choice of red or black, this machine comes with a five year warranty, the best on this list.

Waring Pro Kettle Popcorn Popper - Consider

The Waring Pro WPM28 Kettle Popcorn Maker is one of the least expensive popcorn makers here. If there was a best bang for the buck unit, this would be it. The 500 watt kettle element gets the job done quickly and you'll be able to pop about 10 ounces of popped corn in three minutes.

It's surrounded by acrylic glass, which keeps the weight down to only about nine pounds. You could literally put this unit on an end table next to a couch or chair, and make fresh popcorn for movie night in front of the television. Unless you have a family or need something for a party, this popcorn popper is going to be right for most situations.

Although there’s no warming feature, it still has floor perforations to allow un-popped kernels to fall through and get them out of the way. Nothing on this list makes better popcorn, you'll just get a little bit at a time. It comes with a five year motor warranty and a one year overall warranty.

Funtime Sideshow Popcorn Popper - Best Theater Style Popcorn Popper

For anytime you are looking for a little kettle corn snack, choose the Funtime Rock'n Popper 2.5 oz Hot Oil Popcorn Machine. It only makes small batches of popcorn at a time, perfect for occasions when you don't need a big bowl or you just want some popcorn to go.  Although small in stature, this unit has a big 860 watt kettle heating element which makes this an incredibly fast popping machine for its size, although there’s only a little popcorn provided at a time.

It’s surrounded by acrylic glass, and the lower tray catches the popped corn which can then be removed and used as a bowl. It comes with a built-in warming light, and at nine pounds of weight this machine will go just about anywhere. This is a basic kettle corn popper yet it still delivers great tasting popcorn at a very affordable price. It comes with a one year warranty.

Wabash Farms Whirley Pop Stove Top Popcorn Popper - Best Popcorn Popper Overall

As long as you have a heat source, one of the simplest and easy to use popcorn makers out there is the Wabash Valley Farms Whirley-Pop Stovetop Popcorn Popper. It will make some of the best batches of popcorn you've ever had.

It has a manually rotated arm inside of the 6 quart kettle attached to a wooden handle. You just pour in oil and popcorn kernels, place it on the stove, and crank the handle. Just like genuine kettle corn, the kernels will begin to pop and fluff up; you can make enough great-tasting popcorn in few minutes for a large group. It's so easy to use that even kids will love helping out.

This heavy-duty, stainless steel popper also features an induction insert on the bottom for use on induction cook tops. The wooden handles keep the heat off of your hands, the gears are made of solid metal, and it has a 25 year manufacturer’s warranty on all moving parts.

Presto 04820 Poplite Hot Air Popper - Best Popcorn Popper Overall

For those of you who don’t want to use oil for popping kernels, choose the Presto 04820 PopLite Hot Air Popper. It's the best air popper available and will give you consistent results with every terrific batch of popcorn you pop. This model pops an amazing 18 cups of popcorn in about 2 1/2 minutes and there’s slots on the top of the popper shield which automatically releases butter onto the popped kernels; the butter melter even doubles as a popcorn measuring cup.

The popcorn chute is angled to drop popcorn directly into your bowl so there’s no muss, no fuss; no oil also means you just wipe the machine off with a damp cloth. It’s  the quickest air popper available, it's easy to use and makes great air popped popcorn. It comes with a one year warranty.

Nordic Ware 60120 Microwave 12 Cup Popcorn Popper - Best Popcorn Popper Overall

To make manually pop kernels in a microwave oven, choose the Nordic Ware 60120 Microwaver Popcorn Popper 12 Cup. It turns 1/2 cup of un-popped kernels into 12 cups of light and fluffy popcorn. This popcorn maker is made of BPA and Melamine-free high heat plastic so it stands up to high heat as the kernels pop. With no added oil necessary, your microwave will pop the kernels which have been poured inside of the bowl.

You may have some trial and error with heat and time settings, but once you get it down, you’ll get hot, great-tasting popcorn in about four minutes Once popped, the popper doubles as a bowl which is safe for both the top dishwasher rack or hand-washed with regular detergent in the sink. It comes with a five year warranty.

West Bend 82306X 6 Quart Stir Crazy Corn Popper - Best Popcorn Popper Overall

If you want an easy to use variation on a kettle popper, then the West Bend 82306 Stir Crazy 6-Quart Electric Popcorn Popper is what you'll want. This design works much like a traditional kettle popcorn popper, with a motorized stirring rod keeping the kernels moving in the oil for an even popping cycle. Just pour in some oil, scoop in some popcorn kernels, put on the clear cover and turn the popper on. It will automatically stir the kernels around and make sure they never stick while popping.

It makes about six quarts of popcorn in about five minutes and there’s a butter well on top which automatically drips butter down onto the popped kernels. This popper also features a heat-resistant handles, a non-stick Teflon base and the clear plastic cover doubles as a serving bowl. It comes with a one year warranty.

Buyer's Guide

Why Should You Use a Popcorn Popper?

A popcorn popper isn’t only a useful invention for people who love popcorn, but it also a fun and interesting investment for people who love hosting parties. They are used for producing large batches of delicious popcorn, and you can also try out different flavors of popcorn while you are at it. The larger the popcorn popper you find, the more fun it will be to use.

Popcorn poppers can be found in various designs and themes that you will love. For instance, if you are a movie buff, you can find a popcorn popper that has a movie theater appearance, or one that looks like the popcorn stalls that are usually found in fairs and parties. Whether you need tabletop popcorn poppers or one that comes with a trolley, you can enjoy all the popcorn you want with this handy machine.

History of Popcorn Poppers

Popcorn is one of the most popular snacks in the US, and it has been around since nearly 200 years. Ever since, people have used different methods and appliances to make their popcorn, such as throwing them in a kettle, or cooking them over hot ashes on a smoldering fire. However, the first-ever popcorn popper was invented in the year 1893, and the credit for this invention goes to an Illinois-based businessman named Charles Cretors.

Interestingly, he didn’t create the popcorn popper. Rather, he built a machine to roast peanuts outside his bakery, but he realized that the same machine could be used for popping popcorn. He improved the design and transformed it into a popcorn machine with wheels, which could be transported and used anywhere. The same year, the machine was introduced in the Columbian Exposition in Chicago, where it was well received.

Things to Consider Before Buying a Popcorn Popper

If you want to pop delicious popcorn every time, you need a popcorn popper in your home, but how do you choose the best one out of the hundreds of products that are available out there? Here are some of the key factors that you must keep in mind while exploring different options to find the best one.

Design

The design of the popcorn popper is an important factor, and there are three different styles that you can choose from: stovetop, air poppers, and free-standing or theater-style popcorn poppers. Among these three, free-standing popcorn poppers help you in making a large amount of popcorn, whereas the other two have a much lower capacity. Air poppers are operated by electricity, so they might not be your choice if you are worried about energy costs.

Lastly, stovetop popcorn poppers enable you to pop the popcorn over the heat, be it a traditional stove or an induction stove. If you are short on space, then you will prefer stovetop popcorn poppers or air poppers.

Popping Method

There are two methods for popcorn popping that are applied: oil and air. No matter what the design of the popcorn popper is, it will apply one of the two methods for popping. The oil-based popping method has been around since a long time and it gives popcorn their natural taste. You can use various types of oils in this method, such as olive oil or coconut oil if you are health-conscious.

However, if you are more concerned about health, you can also choose air popcorn poppers, which use no oil and make use of hot air to pop the popcorn. However, they may cause you to consume electricity and may also be more expensive.

Capacity

The capacity of the popcorn popper is another important factor that you should keep in mind while choosing the best one for yourself, and this can be determined by the number of people you usually prepare popcorn for. Popcorn popper sizes range from 10 or 15 cups in a single batch to as many as 2-3 gallons.

The smaller capacity options are usually present in air poppers or stovetop poppers, whereas the larger options are available in the free-standing or movie-themed popcorn poppers. Generally, the popcorn poppers with smaller capacity are suitable for small families, and the larger ones are suitable for gatherings, parties, and events.

Popping Speed

After you have considered the capacity and popping method of the popcorn popper you are considering buying, the next thing to ponder upon is the popping speed, which is a measure of how fast the popper prepares popcorn in a single batch. Some of the high-end popcorn poppers have a fast popping speed and are done within 4-5 minutes.

The popping speed is also dependent on the size of the popcorn popper, as they have a larger space and also take in a larger amount of popcorn. Air poppers have the fastest popping speed, since they don’t require the use of any oil at all.

Construction

Last but not least, you should also keep the construction of the popcorn popper in mind, as it is subjected to high temperatures and has to be made from high-quality and heavy-duty materials that don’t deform or melt. Some of the cheaper options are made from plastic, which doesn’t withstand heat very well.

If you want a high-end and durable popcorn popper, then it is advised that you opt for a popcorn popper that is made out of stainless steel, aluminum, or other durable and heat-resistant metals.

FAQs

Why are there some unpopped kernels in my popcorn popper?

Unpopped leftover popcorn in your popcorn popper isn’t strange. Rather it is quite common with most of the models, but manufacturers find a way around this by adding special features like stirring systems, or popcorn poppers with heated side walls or domes.

What type of oil should I use to cook popcorn in a popper?

The most common type of oil used in a popcorn popper is olive oil, but if you are concerned about the health effects of oil, you can make use of coconut oil, or invest in an air popper.

How can I keep the popcorn popper clean?

You can make use of a window cleaning solution for the outside of the popcorn popper, and if there are any detachable components of the popcorn popper, then you can remove them and clean them individually.

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