The Best Air Popper Popcorn Makers

Dash Hot Air Popcorn Popper

Available in aqua blue, red, or white, this contemporary popcorn maker might be the one for you. It uses hot air to quickly pop up to 16 cups of fresh popcorn, making it perfect for parties or date nights. All you have to do is use the included measuring cups to add the kernels to the heating chamber, push the one-touch start button, and you’ll be enjoying hot popcorn in minutes. The measuring cups can also double as a butter melting tray when placed on top of the machine while it pops your popcorn. Compact, safe, and easy to use, this cute and convenient popper from Dash is hard to beat.

Pros:

• Comes with versatile measuring cups
• Makes 16 cups of fresh popcorn
• Comes in three different colors

Cons:

• We wish the dispenser chute were a little bit longer

Presto Poplite Hot Air Popper

If you like to add butter to your popcorn, we suggest this option from Presto. It comes with a measuring cup that can also be used as a large butter melter. Just put butter or margarine in the measuring cup, and the heat that pops the kernels will also melt the butter. In less than two and a half minutes, you’ll have up to 18 cups of fluffy popcorn ready for snacking. Plus, it’s designed with removable pieces, making cleanup a breeze.

Pros:

• Easy to clean
• Butter melter doubles as measuring cup
• Pops 18 cups of popcorn

Cons:

• We wish the aesthetics of this popcorn maker were a little more modern

Korcci Microwavable Silicone Popcorn Popper

Offered in black, blue, green, and red, this silicone popcorn maker is easy to use and even easier to store. Just add about a third of a cup of popcorn to the bowl, place the lid on top, and microwave for two to four minutes. The collapsible design allows you to keep it pretty much anywhere in your kitchen and makes it perfect for traveling. We love how easy it is to clean, whether you’re at home or on the go.

Pros:

• Convenient handles let you take it out of the microwave safely
• Dishwasher-safe
• You can eat the popcorn right out of the silicone bowl

Cons:

• It heats up quickly

Aicook Popcorn Maker Retro

This retro popcorn maker is a statement piece all its own. It’s designed for one-button operation —  just plug it in, and you’re ready to party. It uses hot air to heat the kernels evenly, giving you delicious popcorn in less than three minutes. This popcorn maker is portable and easy to move from room to room, and the lid is removable, making the parts easy to wipe down. Plus, this system boasts a high kernel popping rate of up to 98%, minimizing the number of unpopped kernels at the bottom of your bowl. A perfect finishing touch to any home theater, this popcorn maker is easily a favorite.

Pros:

• Great as a gift
• Fun, retro design
• Easy to operate

Cons:

• A little pricier than more basic models

Popco Silicone Microwave Popcorn Popper

Popco’s air popper is offered in over ten different colors, and at such an affordable price point, each person in the family could have their own. It’s made from durable silicone, features a lid and handles, and is microwave-safe. This popcorn maker can collapse down to about half its full size for easy storage, and it can be hand washed or thrown in the dishwasher for convenience. Add your preferred seasonings to the kernels, microwave for a few minutes, and you’re all set.

Pros:

• Holds up to 15 cups of popcorn
• Great value for the price
• Simple to store and clean

Cons:

• Holds a lot of heat, so try not to let it sit in the microwave for too long

Frequently Asked Questions

Is air-popped popcorn healthier than microwavable bags?

Definitely. In general, popcorn is a relatively healthy snack since it is full of fiber and low in calories. But when you need to add oils for it to pop, it becomes less healthy. Microwaveable bagged popcorn usually includes oils, salts, and butter, making the snack overall less healthy for you. Air-popped popcorn only uses hot air to pop the kernels, which means, if you aren’t adding other seasoning or butter, it’s a decently healthy whole-grain snack.

How do I clean my air popcorn maker?

It depends on the model you choose. But typically, you would just need to wipe down the inside of your machine with a wet cloth to clean it. Some models have removable pieces that are dishwasher-safe. And some popcorn makers are made of silicone, so you could either handwash or throw those in the dishwasher. Your popper will come with more specific care instructions, so be sure to follow those to keep it popping for as long as possible.