This popcorn machine is relatively expensive, although still not pricey enough to truly damage your bank account. This machine has a snazzy red cinema-worthy design, and it can produce as many as 16 cups of popcorn in one batch. There’s no assembly required, and it comes with all the cups and trays you need to get popping. There’s even one bag of corn thrown in for every customer, adding another level of value for money. Essentially, this is the perfect premium option for when you want to take your movie nights to the next level.

The instructions are simple. You fill the whole silicone liner with kernels and place at the bottom of the popping bowl, being careful not to overfill or to let any kernels get under the silicone liner before microwaving. Then put the lid on the bowl, place the liner in the center of the bowl, and microwave on full power in a 1000W oven or the 1000W equivalent if your microwave is higher than 1000W. (The instructions state not to use the Popcorn setting on your microwave if it has one.) As is always the case when you’re buying a new piece of kitchenware, it’s worth considering how much space you can actually spare. If you’re a bit short of free space, there are some popcorn machines that can slot easily into a small cupboard when they’re not in use. Type: Air popper | Capacity: Not specified | Power r ating: 1200W | Dimensions: 24.9 x 24 x 14.3 cm | Warranty: Not specified What we like Will the popcorn machine of your dreams be supplying one person or ten? Is this for casual/personal use or is the plan to host an epic movie night with loads of mates? Keep an eye on the maximum load stats if you’re thinking of feeding a big group with your gadget. Are you looking for a healthy option?An alternative way to make popcorn is by using a stovetop popcorn maker. This is a pan with the addition of a rotation device. It is placed directly on the hob and, as the popcorn is heating, you turn the handle to operate the rotation device which keeps the popcorn moving so it cooks evenly. What to look for in a popcorn maker The popcorn maker has a multi-purpose warming tray on top that can be used to melt butter or measure toppings to sprinkle over prepared puffs. To make a batch, simply flip the power switch on, watch the popped kernels fly out of the chute and into your bowl, and then turn it off once it's done popping. The chute and butter tray are both removable and dishwasher safe for a fairly easy cleanup.

I also found I didn’t like the advice to add the butter and salt and cook longer. My popcorn came out chewy that way. Instead, I found that heating the butter separately in the microwave and then drizzling it on worked better.While watching the popcorn whizz out of a machine is a big part of the fun, it can be a bit of a safety hazard with little ones around, not to mention a bit of a chore to clean up if the bowl isn't positioned in the correct place. The retro-inspired stovetop popcorn maker features steam vents that release moisture to create fluffier kernels, while the manual hand crank mechanism evenly distributes oil and is meant to prevent burning. While testing it, we found that some pieces got close to burning, but overall the popcorn met our flavor expectations. While many reviewers bought it for its aesthetic appeal they're keen to praise how well it works, taking just two or three minutes to make a batch of popcorn with an easy one-touch operation. Type: Air popper with rotation blades | Capacity: 5 litres | Power r ating: 800W | Dimensions: 35.6 x 30 x 24.9 cm | Warranty: Not specified What we like

With the right microwave popcorn popper, you can have healthy oil free popcorn in less than 4 minutes. The bottom of the container won’t burn, and there are few unpopped kernels left behind. Microwave popcorn poppers serve crunchy popcorn in a shorter cook time. Furthermore, there is minimal storage space required in you select a collapsible popper. There are three main types of popcorn makers — the differences are how the popcorn kernels are heated, whether or not oil is needed to cook and how much popcorn each can make:Type: Air popper | Capacity: 60g | Power rating: 1200W | Dimensions: 28.5 x 29 x 30.5cm | Warranty: 3-year guarantee What we like The machine makes 60g of popcorn in just two and a half minutes so is a great option if your children have got friends over for a sleepover or a party. Mixing nostalgic elements with a sleek core design, the Klarstein Volcano will look great in your kitchen. It’s easy to use as well: all you need to do is power it up, add kernels and oil, and prepare yourself for some excellent edible goodness. Keeping it clean will be more of a challenge, but the slide-out popcorn tray helps with serving and makes the task of tidying remarkably simple. This machine doesn’t have a huge capacity, making this better suited for two-person movie nights rather than big group affairs (unless you’re happy to refill it a few times before everybody arrives). The silicone popping bowl is dishwasher safe, while the lid needs to be washed by hand. I found it easiest to just wash everything by hand. The bowl doesn’t get dirty enough to warrant the dishwasher unless you add melted butter or other flavorings to the popped corn. We love the retro design of the machine, and the traditional cinema-style boxes that come with it are a lovely added touch.