Best Ice Cream Makers · head-to-head

Cuisinart Frozen Yogurt, Ice Cream & Sorbet Maker ICE-21P1 vs Whynter 2.1 Qt Upright Automatic Compressor Ice Cream Maker ICM-201SB

A sourced, side-by-side comparison. Cuisinart Frozen Yogurt, Ice Cream & Sorbet Maker ICE-21P1 is cheaper at $89.99. Every spec and price links to its source.

Which is better: the Cuisinart Frozen Yogurt, Ice Cream & Sorbet Maker ICE-21P1 or Whynter 2.1 Qt Upright Automatic Compressor Ice Cream Maker ICM-201SB?

On the specs we track, they're closely matched. The Cuisinart Frozen Yogurt, Ice Cream & Sorbet Maker ICE-21P1 is the cheaper at $89.99.

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Full spec sheet

marks the stronger figure where "more" — or "less", for price and weight — is unambiguously better.

Spec Cuisinart Frozen Yogurt, Ice Cream & Sorbet Maker ICE-21P1 Whynter 2.1 Qt Upright Automatic Compressor Ice Cream Maker ICM-201SB
US price $89.99 $339.99
BrandCuisinartWhynter
Released
Type freezer_bowl compressor
Capacity qt 1.5 2.1
Build in compressor No Yes
Wattage (W) 50 180
Preset programs 3
Timer No Yes
Keep cool function No Yes
Mix ins setting No No
Release

Sources — Cuisinart Frozen Yogurt, Ice Cream & Sorbet Maker ICE-21P1: target.com (verified 2026-06-20). Whynter 2.1 Qt Upright Automatic Compressor Ice Cream Maker ICM-201SB: shopwhynter.com (verified 2026-06-20).

What's the difference between the Cuisinart Frozen Yogurt, Ice Cream & Sorbet Maker ICE-21P1 and Whynter 2.1 Qt Upright Automatic Compressor Ice Cream Maker ICM-201SB?

Where the two actually differ on the specs we track (6 of 8). Matching specs are omitted.

  • Type: Cuisinart Frozen Yogurt, Ice Cream & Sorbet Maker ICE-21P1 freezer_bowl vs Whynter 2.1 Qt Upright Automatic Compressor Ice Cream Maker ICM-201SB compressor
  • Capacity qt: Cuisinart Frozen Yogurt, Ice Cream & Sorbet Maker ICE-21P1 1.5 vs Whynter 2.1 Qt Upright Automatic Compressor Ice Cream Maker ICM-201SB 2.1
  • Build in compressor: Cuisinart Frozen Yogurt, Ice Cream & Sorbet Maker ICE-21P1 false vs Whynter 2.1 Qt Upright Automatic Compressor Ice Cream Maker ICM-201SB true
  • Wattage (W): Cuisinart Frozen Yogurt, Ice Cream & Sorbet Maker ICE-21P1 50 vs Whynter 2.1 Qt Upright Automatic Compressor Ice Cream Maker ICM-201SB 180
  • Timer: Cuisinart Frozen Yogurt, Ice Cream & Sorbet Maker ICE-21P1 false vs Whynter 2.1 Qt Upright Automatic Compressor Ice Cream Maker ICM-201SB true
  • Keep cool function: Cuisinart Frozen Yogurt, Ice Cream & Sorbet Maker ICE-21P1 false vs Whynter 2.1 Qt Upright Automatic Compressor Ice Cream Maker ICM-201SB true

What reviewers say

Sourced tester consensus for each — the "what people who used it think" layer, not just specs.

Cuisinart Frozen Yogurt, Ice Cream & Sorbet Maker ICE-21P1

Two whitelisted hands-on testers cover this exact machine: NYT Wirecutter names the Cuisinart ICE-21 its outright top pick, while USA Today's Reviewed names it Best Value (runner-up to the Ninja Creami). Both praise fast churning (~18-20 minutes to soft-serve), a simple one-switch design with a wide open top, and strong value (Wirecutter cites a typical ~$90). Both flag the small 1.5-quart capacity and the mandatory overnight (12-24h) bowl pre-freeze. No lab dB/noise data found. (2 sourced reviews, 2 lab-tested.)

Praised: Churns creamy ice cream fast (~18-20 minutes to soft-serve); Wirecutter calls the texture dense, chewy and rich; Simple one-switch (on/off) design with a wide open top for taste-tests and mix-ins; Strong value for the field; Wirecutter cites a typical ~$90 price.

Flagged: Small 1.5-quart capacity, prone to overflow when adding mix-ins to a full batch; Requires overnight (12-24h) bowl/canister pre-freeze before you can churn; Freezer bowl / machine is a bit bulky to store (long-term tester).

Whynter 2.1 Qt Upright Automatic Compressor Ice Cream Maker ICM-201SB

One whitelisted hands-on tester covers this exact model: NYT Wirecutter, which names the ICM-201SB a compressor pick after timing churns and weighing/measuring machines. It praises a light, creamy, stretchy dairy/custard texture but flags icy vegan results and bulk (~28 lb, 13.5 in tall). No other whitelisted outlet reviewed this exact model. (1 sourced review, 1 lab-tested.)

Praised: Goldilocks dairy/custard texture — light, creamy, stretchy, rich-but-light; Self-cooling compressor makes back-to-back batches with no bowl pre-freezing; Larger 2.1-quart bowl gives more room for mix-ins.

Flagged: Vegan/non-dairy base came out icier than rival machines; Heavy (~28 lb) and tall (13.5 in); not the most compact; Pricey versus the top frozen-bowl pick.

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