The Breville Smart Scoop and the Cuisinart Ice-100 are both high-performance ice cream makers with built-in compressors, but they cater to very different users. The Breville justifies its higher price with smart technology, featuring an LCD display and 12 automatic hardness settings for perfect consistency every time. In contrast, the Cuisinart Ice-100 is a simpler, more affordable workhorse focused on making continuous batches with its powerful compressor and easy-to-use manual controls.
Here’s everything you need to know to decide which of these machines from Breville and Cuisinart is the right choice for your kitchen countertop.
Breville Smart Scoop
The Smart Scoop is Breville's premium home ice cream maker, designed for dessert perfectionists who love technology. It uses an internal compressor, so no bowl pre-freezing is needed, and stands out with its smart automatic settings. You can select the precise hardness for everything from soft-serve sorbet to hard-packed gelato, and the machine will adjust its churning and cooling to hit that target perfectly.
- What it is: A compressor-style ice cream maker with smart technology that automates the churning and freezing process.
- Key features: 12 hardness settings for sorbet, frozen yogurt, gelato, and ice cream, pre-cool function to rapidly cool the machine, keep-cool function maintains texture for up to 3 hours, 1.5-quart capacity.
- Price: Around $500–$600.
- Style: Modern and sleek with a brushed stainless steel finish and an intuitive digital control panel.
- Materials/Construction: Durable stainless steel housing with high-tech internal components designed for precision.
- Pros: Fully automatic "set and forget" operation. Incredible precision with 12 texture settings. Keep-cool feature is great for serving. Sleek design looks great on the counter. No pre-freezing required.
- Cons: A significant investment compared to other models. The feature set might be more than a casual user needs. Can be quite noisy during operation.
This machine is ideal for the enthusiastic home chef who wants professional-grade control and loves experimenting with different types of frozen desserts.
Shop this product: breville.com/us/en/products/ice-cream/bic900.html
Cuisinart Ice-100 Compressor Ice Cream and Gelato Maker
The Cuisinart Ice-100 is a powerful and reliable ice cream maker that prioritizes simplicity and value. Like the Breville, it has a built-in compressor, allowing you to make batch after batch without any prep time. Instead of an advanced computer, it features straightforward manual controls and comes with two distinct paddles - one for creamy ice cream and another for dense, authentic gelato.
- What it is: A compressor ice cream and gelato maker for home use, known for its powerful motor and ease of use.
- Key features: Commercial-style compressor. Separate paddles for ice cream and gelato. 60-minute countdown timer. Transparent lid with a mix-in opening. 1.5-quart capacity.
- Price: Around $400–$500.
- Style: Functional and classic, with a stainless steel exterior and simple push-button controls.
- Materials/Construction: Features a solid, stainless steel body housing a reliable compressor built for frequent use.
- Pros: Excellent value for a compressor model. Simple, intuitive operation with no complex settings. Capable of making back-to-back batches, perfect for parties. The dedicated gelato paddle produces fantastic results.
- Cons: Lacks the automatic features of the Breville. Requires you to monitor the consistency yourself. Bulkier footprint than some other ice cream makers. The timer is just a timer - it doesn't turn off the machine automatically.
The Ice-100 is a workhorse machine for families and frequent dessert makers who want the convenience of a compressor without the fuss of advanced settings.
Shop this product: cuisinart.com/shopping/appliances/ice_cream_makers/ice-100/
Breville Smart Scoop vs. Cuisinart Ice-100 Comparison
Features & Technology
This is where the two machines differ most significantly. The Breville Smart Scoop is a tech-forward appliance with its LCD screen, pre-cool function, keep-cool mode, and 12 hardness settings. These features provide a completely automated experience - you tell the machine what you're making, and it takes it from there, churning and freezing until the perfect texture is reached.
The Cuisinart Ice-100 is all about manual control and simplicity. Its main "technology" lies in its two specialty paddles, one designed for incorporating less air for dense gelato and another for light, creamy ice cream. The operation is basic: you turn it on, set a timer, and keep an eye on it. There are no smart sensors or automatic adjustments, you stop it when the dessert looks ready.
Performance & Results
Both machines produce exceptionally smooth and delicious frozen desserts, thanks to their powerful compressors that freeze the mixture quickly and prevent large ice crystals from forming. Breville's advantage is its consistency - select "gelato," and you'll get a dense, perfect gelato texture every time. The automatic shut-off and keep-cool functions ensure it never over-churns.
The Cuisinart Ice-100 relies on your judgment, but its two-paddle system is very effective. The results are outstanding, especially for gelato fans, though it might take a batch or two to nail your preferred timing. Because it's simpler, it's also arguably more durable long-term, with fewer electronic components that could fail.
Design & Footprint
The Breville Smart Scoop has a modern, premium look with its brushed steel and digital display, making it a stylish countertop feature. It has a slightly more compact and refined footprint. The Cuisinart Ice-100 is functional and sturdy with a traditional appliance look. It's a bit heavier and bulkier than the Breville, so you’ll want to ensure you have adequate counter space.
Price & Value
The Cuisinart Ice-100 generally costs about $100 less than the Breville Smart Scoop. It delivers fantastic value, offering the most crucial feature - a built-in compressor for continuous churn - at a very competitive price. For most home users, this is more than enough.
The Breville's higher price tag pays for its advanced technology, precision, and automation. If you're a serious hobbyist who wants repeatable, perfect results across a spectrum of frozen desserts without any guesswork, the extra cost is easily justified by the sheer convenience and quality it provides.
Which One Should You Choose?
Both are excellent compressor ice cream makers from reputable brands, but they serve different goals.
Choose the Breville Smart Scoop if:
- You consider yourself a dessert perfectionist and value precision.
- You love smart kitchen gadgets and want a "set it and forget it" experience.
- You plan to make various frozen desserts and want the machine to auto-adjust for each.
- You're willing to pay a premium for high-end features and a sleek, modern design.
Choose the Cuisinart Ice-100 if:
- You want the powerful convenience of a compressor model at a great price.
- You plan to make large quantities or back-to-back batches for family and events.
- You prefer straightforward, reliable manual controls over complex digital interfaces.
- Your main goal is making excellent ice cream and gelato without needing extra frills.
Frequently Asked Questions
What's the main difference between the Breville Smart Scoop and Cuisinart Ice-100?
The main difference is technology. The Breville Smart Scoop uses smart sensors and has 12 automatic programs to churn desserts to a perfect, preset hardness. The Cuisinart Ice-100 is a manual machine with simple controls where you visually decide when the dessert is ready.
Does a compressor model really make a difference?
Absolutely. A built-in compressor is a game-changer because you don't need to freeze the bowl for 12-24 hours beforehand. This allows for spontaneous ice cream making and lets you create multiple batches one after another, which is impossible with standard freezer-bowl models.
Can both machines make gelato?
Yes, both are excellent for gelato. The Cuisinart Ice-100 even comes with a dedicated gelato paddle that incorporates less air for a denser texture. The Breville Smart Scoop has multiple gelato hardness settings to achieve your preferred consistency automatically.
How long does it take to make ice cream in these machines?
On average, it takes between 25 to 60 minutes for a batch to finish, depending on the ingredients, the recipe temperature, the type of dessert, and the desired firmness. Breville's pre-cool feature can help speed up the process.
Which machine is noisier?
Both machines produce ambient noise due to the compressor and motor. They are comparable in sound level to a microwave running. Some users note that the Smart Scoop can be slightly louder and may play a tune at the end, which can be turned off.
Are the bowls easy to clean?
Yes, both machines have removable bowls that are easy to clean by hand with warm, soapy water. They are not dishwasher safe, as harsh detergents can damage the surface.
Is the Breville Smart Scoop worth the extra money?
If you value precision, automation, and convenience, then yes. For someone who loves experimenting and wants guaranteed results for different dessert types like sorbet or frozen yogurt, the smart features justify the cost. If you just want to make great ice cream simply, the Cuisinart offers better value.
How much ice cream do they make?
Both models have a capacity of 1.5 quarts (or 1.4 liters), which is a standard size for home-use ice cream makers and yields about 8-10 servings.
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