The Breville Smart Scoop and the Whynter Ice Cream Maker are both compressor-style machines that don't require pre-freezing a bowl, but they cater to very different users. The Breville targets serious home chefs with its high-tech features, premium materials, and a price tag to match, while the Whynter offers a straightforward, budget-friendly option for casual users who prioritize simplicity and value.
Here is a detailed comparison to help you decide which ice cream maker is the right choice for your kitchen and budget.
Breville Smart Scoop Ice Cream Compressor
From the premium appliance maker Breville, the Smart Scoop is a high-end ice cream machine designed for precision and convenience. It features an internal compressor, multiple pre-programmed settings, and smart technology that automatically senses the hardness of your mixture and adjusts accordingly, making it a favorite for culinary enthusiasts seeking perfect, repeatable results.
- What it is: A premium, 1.5-quart smart compressor ice cream maker with 12 hardness settings for sorbet, frozen yogurt, gelato, and ice cream.
- Key features: Pre-cool function to rapidly lower the temperature, transparent lid with an opening for add-ins, automatic hardness sensing, keep-cool function for up to 3 hours, and a child lock.
- Price: Around $499
- Style: Sleek and modern with a brushed stainless steel housing, a large LCD screen, and intuitive button controls that fit perfectly in contemporary kitchens.
- Dimensions: 15.75" x 11.25" x 10.75"
- Materials/Construction: The housing is a durable brushed stainless steel, and the internal bowl is made of die-cast aluminum. It's built for longevity and frequent use.
- Pros: No pre-freezing required. Pre-programmed settings take the guesswork out of making different frozen treats. High-quality build and materials ensure durability. The keep-cool feature is great for serving. Delivers consistently smooth and creamy results.
- Cons: A significant investment at around $500. It is larger and heavier than many other models. The "add mix-ins" alert beep can be quite loud.
This machine is ideal for the dedicated home chef who makes frozen desserts often and values precision, consistency, and smart features.
Shop this product: breville.com/us/en/products/ice-cream/bci600.html
Whynter 2.1 Quart Upright Ice Cream Maker
The Whynter ICM-200LS is a popular compressor ice cream maker known for its powerful motor, large capacity, and user-friendly operation at an accessible price. It skips the smart features of the Breville in favor of a simple, robust design that gets the job done reliably, making it an excellent entry point into compressor models for beginners or budget-conscious shoppers.
- What it is: A 2.1-quart compressor ice cream maker with two primary modes: ice cream mode for churning and cooling mode for storage.
- Key features: Powerful internal compressor that freezes as it churns, a removable stainless steel mixing bowl and motor-driven churn blade, and a simple timer-based operation.
- Price: Typically priced between $200 - $250.
- Style: Functional and utilitarian. Its stainless steel and black plastic casing is practical rather than focused on high-end design, with a basic LCD timer.
- Dimensions: 10.75" x 12.5" x 14.25"
- Materials/Construction: Features a plastic body with stainless steel accents and a stainless steel mixing bowl. It feels solid for its price but is less premium than the Breville's housing.
- Pros: Significantly more affordable than the Breville. Larger 2.1-quart capacity is great for families. Simple and intuitive to operate. Removable bowl makes cleanup easy.
- Cons: Lacks pre-programmed settings for different types of desserts. Build materials are less durable than the Breville Smart Scoop. Can be noisy during operation.
This ice cream maker works well for anyone who wants the convenience of a compressor model without a high price tag or complex features.
Shop this product: whynter.com/product/whynter-upright-stainless-steel-ice_cream-maker-2-1-quart-icm-200ls/
Breville Smart Scoop vs. Whynter Comparison
Dimensions & Scale
Both machines require dedicated counter space, but their footprints serve different needs. The Breville Smart Scoop (1.5-quart capacity) has a wider, more rectangular profile at 15.75" wide, making it a substantial appliance. It's designed to be a permanent fixture in a serious home chef's kitchen.
In contrast, the Whynter ICM-200LS (2.1-quart capacity) has a more upright, tower-like design (10.75" wide) which can be easier to fit into tighter corners, despite its larger capacity. If making bigger batches is a priority and you have more vertical space than horizontal, the Whynter is a more efficient choice from a size-to-capacity perspective.
Materials & Construction
This is one of the most significant differentiators. The Breville Smart Scoop boasts a heavy-duty brushed stainless steel exterior and high-quality internal components, reflecting its premium price. It feels like a long-term investment designed for frequent use.
The Whynter model uses more plastic in its construction, which helps keep the price down. While it has a stainless steel bowl and functional design, it doesn't give the same premium feel and may not withstand the same level of wear and tear over many years compared to the Breville.
Price & Value
The price gap is substantial. The Breville Smart Scoop typically costs around $500, placing it firmly in the luxury appliance category. For that price, you get smart technology, automated controls, consistent results, and a durable build that's hard to beat.
The Whynter ICM-200LS retails for less than half that, usually between $200 and $250. Its value comes from providing a powerful compressor and a large capacity at an extremely competitive price. It forgoes the bells and whistles for core functionality, making it a high-value pick for those who just want to make quality ice cream without a big investment.
Style & Versatility
The Breville Smart Scoop is a clear winner on style. Its sleek stainless steel finish, elegant LCD screen, and modern design make it an appliance you'd be proud to display. Its versatility lies in its smart programming - you can dial in the perfect texture for anything from a soft sorbet to a hard-scramble gelato with the push of a button.
The Whynter takes a utilitarian approach to design. It's functional but not particularly stylish. Its versatility is more manual - you can make ice cream, gelato, or sorbet, but you need a simple timer control and must rely on your own judgment to stop the machine when the consistency is right.
Who Each One Works Best For
The Breville Smart Scoop is best for the passionate home cook, the gadget lover, or anyone who wants consistently perfect results without a lot of guesswork. If you make ice cream and other frozen desserts regularly and view it as a serious hobby, the Breville is a worthwhile investment that offers unmatched precision and durability in its class.
The Whynter Ice Cream Maker is ideal for families who want to enjoy homemade ice cream without breaking the bank. It's also perfect for beginners who are just getting started and want the "no pre-freeze" convenience of a compressor model. Its larger capacity and simple operation make it a practical, fun appliance for occasional use.
Which One Should You Choose?
Both are excellent compressor ice cream makers for home use, but they shine for different reasons.
Choose the Breville Smart Scoop if:
- You are a home cooking enthusiast who wants professional-grade control.
- You appreciate smart features like hardness sensing and pre-programmed settings.
- A sleek, modern design and premium, durable materials are important to you.
- You are willing to spend more for a high-performance, long-lasting kitchen appliance.
Choose the Whynter Ice Cream Maker if:
- You're on a budget and want the best value in a compressor model.
- You need a larger capacity to make ice cream for a family or guests.
- You prefer simple, no-frills operation without complex settings.
- You will be using the machine for occasional treats and prioritize function over form.
Frequently Asked Questions
What's the main difference between the Breville and Whynter ice cream makers?
The primary difference is technology vs. simplicity. The Breville Smart Scoop uses smart sensors and 12 settings to automate the process for perfect results. The Whynter is a manual machine with a simple timer, offering powerful cooling and churning at a much lower price.
Do I need to pre-freeze the bowl for either model?
No. Both the Breville Smart Scoop and the Whynter ICM-200LS are compressor models. This means they have a built-in freezer that cools the bowl as the ice cream churns, so you can make multiple batches back-to-back without pre-planning.
Which ice cream maker is easier to use for beginners?
The Whynter is arguably simpler for a true beginner just learning the basics, as it only has a power button and a timer. However, the Breville's automatic settings mean a beginner can achieve perfect gelato or sorbet without knowing the technical details, which could also be considered easier.
Is the Breville Smart Scoop worth the extra money?
If you make frozen desserts frequently and value precision, consistency, and a premium user experience, then yes, it's often considered worth the investment. For someone who only makes ice cream a few times a year, the Whynter offers better value.
How long does it take to make ice cream in these machines?
Both machines typically take between 30 to 60 minutes to make a batch of ice cream, depending on the recipe and desired firmness. The Breville's pre-cool feature can help speed up the process by getting the machine down to its optimal temperature before you add your mixture.
Which machine makes better quality ice cream?
Both are capable of making excellent, smooth ice cream. The Breville may produce more consistently perfect results across different types of desserts due to its automated hardness settings, but a user paying close attention to the Whynter can achieve comparable quality results.
How do you clean these ice cream makers?
Both models feature a removable bowl and churn blade that must be washed by hand with warm, soapy water. The main housing of the units can be wiped down with a damp cloth. None of the components are typically dishwasher safe.
How much ice cream can each one make?
The Breville Smart Scoop has a 1.5-quart capacity, a good size for most families. The Whynter ICM-200LS has a larger 2.1-quart capacity, making it a better choice if you frequently serve larger groups or have a bigger family.
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