Four of the best popcorn makers - tried and tested

Popcorn makers are an increasingly popular kitchen gadget, saving the hassle of trying to make popcorn microwave or on the stovetop without making a mess (never mind lifting the lid of the pan only to have red-hot kernels shooting out).

If you fancy enjoying cinema-level popcorn next time you have a family movie night, you might want to consider investing in a popcorn-maker - they're easy to use, usually fairly cheap, and don't take up too much space in cupboards or on countertops.

Of course, we had to try out the leading brands ourselves and whip up some bowls of fresh warm popcorn - all in the name of journalism, of course. Read on for the YourHomeStyle's team verdict on four of the leading models on the market:

Best popcorn makers to buy in the UK - tested by us!

Salter healthy electric hot air popcorn maker

No butter or oil is needed for this popcorn maker; the middle chamber heats up and spins to pop the kernels – just don’t forget to fit the popcorn scoop on top of the machine, otherwise the corn will go everywhere! The chute means you do have to use a spare bowl – we found it best to hold it against the machine to catch flyaway pieces of corn. It’s fairly small, so produces less popcorn, but it’s easier to store. It felt quite hot once it was on and takes around 10-15 minutes to cool before you can pop another batch.

VonShef retro popcorn maker

This popcorn maker has bags of retro appeal, which makes it a fun addition to family movie nights, especially when putting together the included stripy popcorn boxes. It uses hot air to pop the kernels and the recommended serving size (measured through the scoop, which doubles up as a lid) produced a couple of bowls within a few minutes. The maker didn’t pop every kernel and it also had some serious projection, so make sure you have some deep bowls at the ready!

Lékué large microwave popcorn maker

For last-minute movie marathons, this popcorn maker can be filled up and in the microwave in a matter of minutes. It also folds down compactly, so it’s a handy option for smaller spaces. A lid keeps the popcorn contained as it pops, and if there is any overflow it’s restricted to your microwave rather than the whole kitchen. Oil and flavourings, such as sugar and salt, can also be added to the bowl before microwaving. The silicone does get hot though, so it’s best to decant into another bowl before eating.

Joe & Seph's gourmet popcorn maker

Joe & Seph’s is best-known for its range of tasty gourmet popcorn, so we had high expectations for it's own-brand popcorn maker – and it didn’t disappoint. The removable bowl makes it easy to use; the corn is projected out of the top section into the bowl, which can be easily separated and taken to the nearest sofa. It was a little noisy, but popped every kernel and produced almost a full bowl. We found it to be a little messy, as some of the popcorn overshot the bowl, but we really liked its simple design.

If you enjoyed our round-up, check out our other Buyer's Guides. We share our recommendations for everything from the best toastie makers to freezers - and everything in-betweem. We've also tested the hottest appliance in town, to find the best air fryer on the market.