Best 5 Portable Cotton Candy Machines Reviews & Buyer’s Guide
Who doesn’t love cotton candy? It’s everyone’s favorite carnival treat. But that doesn’t mean you can only eat it at the carnival. You can also enjoy this delicious treat at home. But only if you have a portable cotton candy machine.
And not just any machine. If you want good cotton candy, you need a good machine. Since finding the right one can be difficult, here’s a list of the top 5 cotton candy machines on the market along with everything you need to know before buying one.
Who needs a Portable Cotton Candy Machine?
Pretty much anyone could use a good cotton candy machine. Whether you plan on having a small family party or a large-scale event like school fairs, a portable cotton candy machine is a great choice for you.
⦁ Family parties and small gatherings
⦁ Large-scale events like school fairs
Top Portable Cotton Candy Machines for Your Kitchen CounterTop
| Bella Cotton Candy Maker | Nostalgia Electrics Carnival | Paragon Classic Floss | Jelly Belly Cotton Candy Maker | Nostalgia Electrics Vintage Hard Cotton Candy Maker | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Best feature | Best overall | Most budget-friendly | Best machine for large-scale gatherings | Best machine for novice users and small accommodations | The Best vintage design |
| Weight | 4.65 pounds | 5.3 pounds | 39 pounds | 3.95 pounds | 4.45 pounds |
| Rating(out of 5) | 4.3 | 3.5 | 3.5 | 2.5 | 3.1 |
| Price | Check Price | Check Price | Check Price | Check Price | Check Price |
How to Choose the Best Portable Cotton Candy Machine – Things to Consider
Here are a few factors to think about before buying your portable cotton candy machine.
1. Build
When it comes to the build of your portable cotton candy machine, you have to think about what you need it for. Are you planning a small event like a family gathering or a small party?
If so, you might want to go for a plastic unit. They tend to be cheaper and they can get the job done. As long as you don’t overwork them, they should have a great lifespan.
On the other hand, if you need your portable cotton candy machine for large-scale gatherings, you’re better off choosing a sturdier, non-plastic machine.
Some all-metal machines come with powerful motors and that are specially designed to stay separate from the sugar. This ensures a much longer lifespan.
2. Accessories
A lot of portable cotton candy machines come with handy accessories that can make the process go a whole lot smoother. For example, you can find bubble tops that form a sort of rim around the top part of your candy machine.
This makes it easier for you to shape the cotton candy to your liking and it also keeps it from flying out.
A lot of machines come with reusable cones which can be quite handy. Some smaller machines even come with raw materials and recipes to help you start right away.
3. Price
Cotton candy machines usually aren’t very expensive, with the exception of high-end large-scale devices. You can find some pretty good devices somewhere between $35-$90.
There are also more expensive options that cost over $250. Work within your budget and plan according to the size of your event. You’ll definitely find something within your budget.
Our Selection Criteria for the Best Portable Cotton Candy Machines
We’ve scavenged market looking for the best portable cotton candy machine in terms of efficiency, reliability, functionality, and even design.
The machines included in this list are from both ends of the price spectrum, essentially covering every price range and budget. There’s bound to be a machine that’s perfect for you.
Top 5 Best Portable Cotton Candy Machines Reviews
1. Bella Cotton Candy Maker- The Best Overall
First up is the Bella Cotton Candy Maker. Not only does this cotton candy machine allow you to make cotton candy that tastes amazing, but it’s also super easy to clean. All you have to do is toss the bowl into the dishwasher and let it do the rest.
This jolly red and white machine is the perfect way to make your favorite carnival treat at home. It’s fun, functional, and above all, extremely efficient.
Here’s how it works. First, you have to preheat it. Second, you have to add the sweet ingredients, like sugar and hard candy. After that, all you have to do is twirl the spun sugar around your plastic cones.
You can choose between using the 3 included cones and making your own. You can also replace regular candy with sugar-free candy if you want to cut back on some calories, although that might not work in some cases.
According to the manual, you’re better off avoiding gummy or ball-shaped candies. You should also keep in mind that the Bella isn’t a commercial or industrial-level machine. Most of its components are made from plastic.
Don’t expect it to make carnival-size quantities of cotton candy at once or very quickly, for that matter. It’s simply made to be convenient for home use.
Cleaning the Bella is extremely easy. All you have to do is take it apart, which doesn’t take any effort, and then throw the bowl, cones, and rotating disk right into the dishwasher.
Pros
⦁ Easy to use
⦁ The bowl, cones, and rotating disk are all dishwasher-safe
⦁ Compact
⦁ 1-year warranty
⦁ You can use sugar and candy to make your cotton candy
⦁ Suction feet at the bottom reduce vibration and make sure your device doesn’t move around on your countertop
⦁ Comes with detailed instructions on how to use the hard candy in the flossing unit
⦁ Lightweight
⦁ Easy to carry and store
Cons
⦁ Makes relatively small quantities of cotton candy
⦁ It requires that you wait about 10 minutes for the machine to preheat before starting the process
⦁ Costs a little more than most non-commercial machines
Our Verdict
If you’re looking for an efficient and reliable cotton candy machine for the occasional home use, the Bella is a perfect choice for you.
2. Nostalgia Electrics Carnival- The Most Budget-Friendly
Next up is the Nostalgia Electrics Carnival. This retro-looking, small-size machine is perfect for your kitchen countertop.
Much like the Bella, this cotton candy machine is mainly made from plastic. Don’t expect it to be extra sturdy or to make large quantities of cotton candy. That being said, you can easily overlook these issues once you see its price.
The Nostalgia is the most budget-friendly portable cotton candy maker on this list. Thanks to this device, you can make your favorite carnival treat and it’ll cost you less than $30.
Here’s how it works. First off, you have to preheat it for about 5 to 10 minutes. After that, toss in some hard candy or sugar, but in small quantities, and you’ll get your cotton candy. No experience needed. The Nostalgia does everything for you.
On the top of the bowl, there’s a clear rim that prevents cotton candy from flying up and getting away. It also has sucking feet that reduce vibration and make sure it stays in its place.
The Nostalgia comes with 2 reusable plastic cones and premeasured sugar packets to help you start right away.
The main downside to this device is that none of its components are dishwasher-safe. That means it’ll take some time to clean.
Pros
⦁ Comes with a rim along the top of the bowl that prevents cotton candy from flying out
⦁ Retro look
⦁ Small size
⦁ Countertop-friendly
⦁ Great price
⦁ Reusable cones and premeasured sugar packets
⦁ Suction feet reduce vibration and secure the device in place
Cons
⦁ Fewer accessories included than other machines
⦁ The parts are not dishwasher-safe
⦁ Can only produce small quantities of cotton candy
Our Verdict
If your budget is a bit tight, but you still don’t want to miss out on the best candy carnivals have to offer, then the Nostalgia is perfect for you.
3. Paragon Classic Floss – The Best Machine for Large-Scale Gatherings
If you’re looking for a cotton candy machine that’ll handle a lot of work, the Paragon Classic Floss is a great option to consider. It’s perfect for catering, family reunions, school carnivals, and large-scale gatherings.
In these kinds of events or settings, you’ll need to produce a large amount of cotton candy. This means that the Paragon can save you money in the long run, making it a worthy investment, despite being the most expensive device on this list.
The great thing about the Paragon is that it favors an all-metal construction and a strong motor. This powerful and sturdy cotton candy machine can give you up to 200 cones of cotton candy per hour!
Its all-metal spinning head is specially designed to prevent clogging and to be extremely easy to take apart and clean. The motor is also designed to always be far away from the sugar which means it’ll have a longer lifespan.
Despite being so expensive, the Paragon doesn’t come with the bubble top that prevents cotton candy from getting out of the machine. This is probably because professional or experienced cotton candy makers won’t need the bubble top.
It’s an extra that is only useful for beginners. To make up for lack of accessories, the Paragon boasts an impressive, sophisticated control system, rather than just a power switch.
There’s a dial for heat adjustment and a couple of switches for turning on the motor and the heat.
If you’re a beginner, this machine might be too expensive and sophisticated for you. But if you use cotton candy machines regularly for events and such, this is the perfect choice for.
Pros
⦁ All-metal parts give it a much longer lifespan than most machines
⦁ Can produce large quantities of cotton candy in little time
⦁ The motor is separated from the candy which means there’s no chance of it clogging or gumming up
⦁ Perfect for large-scale events
⦁ Sophisticated control system
Cons
⦁ Expensive
⦁ Despite its price, the included warranty is only for 1 year
⦁ Has fewer accessories than other machines (doesn’t include the bubble top)
Our Verdict
The Paragon is the perfect cotton candy machine for large-scale gatherings. It might be a bit expensive upfront, but it will definitely save you a lot of time, money, and effort in the long run.
4. Jelly Belly Cotton Candy Maker – The Best for Novice Users and Small Accommodations
This super quiet and portable cotton candy machine is the perfect choice for novice users and small accommodations. It’s designed with an extremely small footprint so don’t worry about it taking up much space on your countertop.
It also has suction cup feet on the bottom making it essentially foolproof, anyone can use it, even children! Of course, you should still supervise while your child is using it.
That’s because the extractor head of the Jelly Belly spins very fast and machine deals with high temperatures.
One of the best things about the Jelly Belly is that it works well with granulated sugar and finely crushed hard candies. Basically, you don’t have to use a regular flossing sugar and can experiment.
Pros
⦁ Very lightweight
⦁ Small size, doesn’t take much space on your countertop
⦁ Easy to store
⦁ Simple to use
⦁ You can clean it easily using warm water and a sponge
⦁ Includes 6 cotton candy cones
⦁ Clear rim guard (easy to see the cotton candy forming)
⦁ Great for birthday parties or family fun time
Cons
⦁ The power cord isn’t very long, but in the kitchen, you might not need anything longer
Our Verdict
If this is your first time making cotton candy at home or you just plan on making a little bit for a small gathering, this machine is a perfect choice for you.
5. Nostalgia Electrics Vintage Hard Cotton Candy Maker – The Best Vintage Design
Last on this list, but definitely not least, is yet another model by Nostalgia Electrics. The great thing about this cotton candy maker is its beautiful vintage design. But of course, that’s not the only thing that landed it a spot on our list.
This vintage machine comes with an extractor head, a sugar scoop, and reusable plastic cones. You can splurge all you want when it comes to cotton candy.
Pros
⦁ Easy to take apart and clean
⦁ Amazing vintage design
⦁ Comes with reusable cones
⦁ Transparent rim gives you a clear view of the cotton candy being made
⦁ Can make fluffy and soft cotton candy from hard candies or just sugar
Cons
⦁ Some customers have complained that the cotton candy isn’t fluffy enough
Our Verdict
If you’re looking for a portable cotton candy machine that has that old-school vintage design that reminds you of carnivals, this is the right machine for you.
The Best Overall among the 5 Best Portable Cotton Candy Machines
The best overall would definitely have to be the Bella Cotton Candy Maker. This portable cotton candy machine is extremely easy to use, reliable, and comes with impressive features.
It’s a customer favorite and it’ll definitely become yours, as well.
Best Portable Cotton Candy Machines – Frequently Asked Questions
My cotton candy isn’t flossing properly, what do I do?
There are a number of things you can try:
⦁ Add only 1-2 pieces of hard candy at a time
⦁ Evenly distribute the candies around the extractor head
⦁ Break candies up before use
How do I clean my cotton candy machine?
Each machine has its own recommended method, but there are a few general tips you can follow. First and foremost, make sure you turn off the machine and let it cool down before cleaning it.
Rinse your machine with warm water and dry the interior. As for the outside, you could use a clean, slightly damp, non-abrasive sponge or cloth to wipe it clean and then dry it afterward.
Final Verdict
Cotton candy is one of those things that people can’t get enough of. It’s a universally-loved treat that is super easy to make. You just need a good cotton candy machine.
If you’re having trouble choosing a machine, why not pick one from this list? These 5 are the best on the market and you’ll definitely find one that is perfect for you.