The Best Cotton Candy Machines in 2023

Who doesn’t love the sweet, fluffy goodness of cotton candy? It’s a staple at state fairs, carnivals, and circuses. Don’t you wish that you could make it yourself?

The reality is that cotton candy is a super-simple dessert. All that it requires is some sugar, heat, and centrifugal force.

The best cotton candy machine doesn’t have to be found at the carnival midway. It could live in your own home. Whether you choose a home-use model or one that’s commercial-grade, you want to make an informed choice.

Here’s your chance to rely on our research. Read on to learn more about these great cotton candy makers.

Top Cotton Candy Machines Reviews

1. Nostalgia PCM805RETRORED Hard & Sugar-Free Candy Cotton Candy Maker

This pink and white cotton candy maker has a retro look that many people will appreciate. It can be used with cotton candy kits made by the same manufacturer, and it’s even possible to floss sugar or hard candies in the same machine.

Deserving to be named the best cotton candy machine because it’s so easy to use, the Nostalgia Cotton Candy Maker just needs to be warmed up before adding the flossing sugar. Within minutes, you’ll have warm and fluffy cotton candy.

One of the features that make this machine so easy to use is the clear rim guard, which makes collecting the finished cotton candy a breeze. This machine is pretty compact, which means that it’s easy to store as well.

People love this cotton candy machine because it’s easy to use and easy to clean. Nonetheless, they do caution that you have to let it fully heat up before adding the sugar, and they say that some practice is required.

Impressing your family is no problem with this little machine.

2. VIVO Blue Electric Commercial Cotton Candy Machine, Candy Floss Maker

This is the selection for you if you have a serious cotton candy addiction. In fact, this machine may be just what you need if you’re planning to set up a cotton candy stall at bazaars, fairs, community festivals, or church events.

With 1030 watts of power, it’s easy for anyone to churn out tons of cotton candy with this machine. In fact, it’s the best commercial cotton candy machine because its operation is really straightforward. When it’s time to clean up, this cotton candy maker disassembles in seconds.

Use hard candy or sugar in this machine, and you’ll get the same outstanding results. You’ll be able to produce two to three servings every minute thanks to the 20-inch stainless steel bowl.

Thanks to four rubber feet, this unit is really sturdy on any flat surface. The bowl quickly and easily latches to the base, and a push of a button is all that’s necessary to start the operation.

Because they love that this machine is quick, powerful, and simple to operate, many people recommend it. For most people, the only downside is the price.

For die-hard cotton candy lovers, this one is a no-brainer.

3. Olde Midway Commercial Quality Cotton Candy Machine Cart and Electric Candy Floss Maker – SPIN 2000

Mounted on a wheeled cart, this commercial-quality cotton candy machine is ready to go wherever you want to take it. This makes it ideal for any event as you won’t even need a booth. Everything you need is located right on the cart.

This unit heats up fast with its 950-watt heating element. The large, stainless steel bowl is a great size for use at larger events. Plus, this machine can produce two servings every minute.

Accessories included with this cotton candy maker include two extra motor drive belts, a sugar scoop, and a storage bin. With easy-to-use controls and three holes where you can display your finished product, you’ll have mouth-watering when you use this machine.

Most fans love how easy this machine is to use, clean, and maintain. However, some are bothered that the company seems to be including out-of-date instruction manuals with the unit.

4. Partyhut Large Commercial Cotton Candy Machine Party Candy Floss Maker Blue

This electric commercial cotton candy machine boasts 1080 watts of power and a high-performance, belt-driven motor. Because it can produce between two and four servings of cotton candy every minute, it’s one of the fastest machines out there.

The 20.5-inch stainless steel bowl sits on an oversized bin that includes a storage drawer and a stainless steel scoop. Extra motor belts are found in the box too.

With a safety feature that prevents operation if the bowl is not properly latched, this is a safe choice for a cotton candy machine. Operation is convenient as a voltmeter, heat controller, and power switch are located on the front of the unit.

Like most cotton candy makers, all you have to do is pre-heat this machine and then pour in the sugar.

Saying that it is easy to clean and operate, many people are fans of this machine. Others are disappointed that the cotton candy comes up out of the middle of the bowl rather than along the sides.

This well-made cotton candy machine is great for small community events and festivals.

5. VIVO Pink Electric Commercial Cotton Candy Machine, Candy Floss Maker with Cart

This commercial cotton candy machine comes with a cart so that you can take it everywhere with ease. Whether you’re making cotton candy at a birthday party or a carnival, you’ll be set and ready to go in no time thanks to having a sturdy base from which to work.

Like other VIVO cotton candy machines, this one features 1030 watts of power so that you’ll be able to churn out two to three servings every minute. Included in this package are a 20-inch stainless steel bowl, a sugar scoop, and a cash drawer.

Cleaning up this deluxe machine is a snap. The whole thing disassembles with ease so that you can sanitize every component and be ready for your next party. A one-year warranty has got you covered in case anything goes wrong. Tech support is included as well.

With some nice safety features and good reliability, many people say that they recommend this cotton candy machine. Nonetheless, some people are disappointed that this machine doesn’t include a bubble cover to prevent making a mess.

The mobile cart that comes with this machine makes it natural for community events.

6. Cra-Z-Art Deluxe Cotton Candy Maker with Lite Up Wand

If you have a little one who adores cotton candy, then you can’t go wrong when you give them this cotton candy maker for kids for their birthday or another event.

Kids love having the opportunity to make their own cotton candy at home, and that’s exactly what this machine gives them. It comes with a glowing stick that kids can use to collect and eat their sweet treats, which is almost as fun as the candy itself.

This is a really accessible cotton candy maker. All you have to do is pre-heat it, then add ordinary household sugar. Within minutes, you’ll see the floss start to form. Then, you simply insert the glowing wand to create a ball of spun sugar.

Paper cone wands are included as well. Wash the components of the machine by hand so it’s ready to use again.

Users say that their kids absolutely love making their own cotton candy. Critics warn that it makes a big mess, so you may only want to use it outdoors.

7. Olde Midway Commercial Quality Cotton Candy Machine and Electric Candy Floss Maker – SPIN 2000

The SPIN 2000 heats up quickly, making it a reliable commercial cotton candy maker that you can trust even when you’re using it at larger events where demand is likely to be higher.

The high-performance, belt-driven motor is a definite plus as it ensures longevity and just the right amount of power. It’s capable of turning out approximately two servings of cotton candy per minute.

On the front panel, you’ll have access to a storage bin, the on/off switch, the voltmeter, and the heat controller. Two extra drive belts and a sugar scoop are included in the box.

This machine operates with a minimum of vibration, keeping things quiet and smooth. The bowl detaches quickly for easy cleaning.

Fans love having the storage bin and extra belts. Critics wish that there was more control over the heat at this price point.

Many people are thrilled with this easy-to-use cotton candy maker.

8. VEVOR Electric Cotton Candy Machine, 19.7-inch Cotton Candy Maker

When you’re really serious about cotton candy or need a machine that can handle even the largest crowds, then this should be your go-to choice. Granted, it is quite a bit more expensive than other models on this list, but this selection is for people who are looking to feed an army.

This cotton candy floss maker is equipped with a 1/12 horsepower motor that spins the bowl at 3450 RPM. The upshot is that this is one fast-and-furious floss machine.

Capable of producing 200 servings per hour, this is the perfect machine for feeding a large crowd, Professional-style controls to ensure that the operator always has total authority over the machine’s functioning for the sake of improved safety.

The aluminum bowl and stainless steel casing are two of the features that make this unit a favorite with cotton candy makers everywhere. Critics warn that this machine is super heavy.

Catering to large events is no problem with this heavy-duty cotton candy maker.

Factors to Consider

When you’re thinking about buying a cotton candy machine, perhaps the most important thing to consider is how you plan to use it. Do you envision pulling out the machine two or three times a year to make no more than half-a-dozen cones? If so, then there’s really no reason to go to the expense of getting a commercial-quality machine.

In fact, you’ll probably do well with an inexpensive model that’s intended for home use. The resulting cotton candy may not be quite as good as what you’d get at the fair, but you’ll be surprised by how close it gets.

However, even a lower-end commercial-quality machine may be worthwhile if you plan to make cotton candy for large family gatherings or the carnival at school.

When you begin contemplating making cotton candy for really large crowds on a regular basis, then it’s time to step up to a higher-end, commercial-quality machine with a more powerful motor and better heating element.

The tank size will vary widely depending on the intended purpose of the machine. A small tank is perfectly suitable for occasional use at home, but you’ll definitely want to look at something with a larger capacity if you’ll be making cotton candy for a crowd.

You’ll also want to consider how powerful the machine is. Generally, the more powerful the cotton candy maker is, the faster it will make servings. Moreover, the more powerful machines are capable of pre-heating faster.

Some people also like to give some thought to the ingredients that will make cotton candy. Machines may only accept sugar, but there are models that will accept sugar or melt hard candies to make cotton candy.

How to Make Cotton Candy

Cotton candy is a snack that is loved by both adults and children. Every time at a birthday party or a fair, everybody is usually looking forward to getting themselves cotton candy. It may be how cotton candy sticks on your lips or the way you feel the sugar running through your body that makes people love it.

Imagine if you could have cotton candy anytime you wanted and with readily available ingredients and tools. Good news! This article shows you how to make cotton candy in seven easy steps in the comfort of your home without a machine, or check our guide about Cotton Candy Machines and make things easier

Step One: Get and Combine All Ingredients

It is important to have all your ingredients and tools set out before you begin to avoid leaving your work halfway to look for a missed ingredient or tool. To make the fluffiest and sweetest cotton candy at home, you need the following ingredients and tools.

• Four cups full or 800 grams of granulated sugar
• One cup or 40 ml of corn syrup
• A quarter teaspoon or 1.5 grams of salt
• I cup or 40 ml of water
• One teaspoon or 5 ml Raspberry extract. You can use any other extract of your choice
• Two drops of pink food color. You can use any other food color of your preference
• A saucepan
• Parchment paper
• Whisk

Once you have gathered all the ingredients, mix the sugar, water, corn syrup, and salt in the pan. Place them on middle-temperature heat and stir occasionally until all your sugar melts. To prevent the formation of sugar crystals, you can wipe the sides of your pan using a pastry brush.

Step 2: Heat Your Mixture

Heating your mixture is probably the trickiest step of making your cotton candy, and you have to be very keen. Ensure that you do not over-stir, undercook or overcook the mixture as that will give the wrong consistency. It may even prevent the cotton candy from being fluffy at the end of the process.

Once you have your sugar, salt, and corn syrup mixture ready, place your thermometer on the saucepan and set the mixture on fire again.

Heat the mixture as you occasionally stir it until it reaches a temperature of 320 degrees Fahrenheit or 160 degrees Celsius. Once you have attained that temperature, pour your mixture into a shallow heatproof container.

The heatproof container stops the sugar from further burning and cooking. Add your raspberry extract and pink food color into the mixture. Stir continuously until the food color evenly spreads around the whole sugar syrup.

You can also choose any other extract and food color of your choice. It is all about your taste and preference.

Step 3: Set Up Your Work Station

To make sure that your workstation is ready for you to work in, spread parchment paper over the surface. That will make it look neat and easier to work in.

To prevent making a mess with the hot and sticky sugar, you might want to place a newspaper under the parchment paper.

For this step, you can substitute the parchment paper with spatulas. With the spatulas, you need to place them on a table such that the wide part protrudes from the table surface. Support them by placing a heavy object on the other end, and spraying them with Pam or any other oil.

Step 4: Spin Your Sugar

After you have poured your sugar mixture into the heatproof container, it is now time to spin the sugar mixture. It will be better if you work with a snipped whisk. So first, make sure you snip the end of your whisk for the best results.

Dip your whisk into the mixture and hold it over the pot to let the excess syrup drip back into the container.

Now hold your whisk around a foot or thirty centimeters over the parchment paper and move it back and forth. That will cause thin strands of the sugar syrup to form on the parchment paper. Keep doing that until you have your desired ‘nest’ of cotton candy strands.

In this step, you have to move quickly to avoid messing your cotton candy up. The sugar strands on the parchment paper will begin to get fluffy after about ten minutes of dripping them from your whisk.

When you wave your whisk back and forth, the sugar syrup falls off the whisk, and air mixes with the mixture, and that is what causes the mixture to be fluffy. If you want your cotton candy to be fluffier, then you have to wave your whisk harder.

However, if the syrup has not achieved the right consistency, you can microwave it.

Step 5: Roll the Cotton Candy on Lollipop Sticks

Roll each of your sugar syrup strands on either lollipop stick. Depending on how thick you want your cotton candy, roll it on either lollipop sticks or straws. Straws are longer and, therefore, will hold more cotton candy. Ensure that you do that before the sugar becomes very brittle.

Step 6: Serve and Enjoy

Now that you have achieved your desired size and color of cotton candy, it is time to finally sit back and enjoy as you satisfy your cotton candy craving! You can store the extra cotton candies in an airtight container to keep the moisture out.

That will keep them looking fresh and good for you to enjoy at a later time. Do not store the cotton candies in the refrigerator as they will become hard and will lose the very much desirable fluffiness.

There are other ways to serve your cotton candy other than lollipop sticks. You can choose to serve it on ice cream cones instead of lollipop sticks or straws.

Another way to serve cotton candy is on ice cream. You can decide to be a little creative and place your cotton candy on ice cream or even other types of desserts. You can also eat the candy by hand. All these depend on the recipe or method that you used when making the cotton candy.

The bottom line is that no matter how you serve or eat it, cotton candy will still have the same sweet, satisfying fluff and sweetness, and it will surely take away your craving.

Step 7: Clean Your Work Station

It is important to leave your workstation as clean as it was or even better to avoid dealing with ants. Make sure that you soak all of the tools used in this recipe in hot water. Hot water works best in removing all the sugar syrup that might have dried up on the surfaces of your tools.

Now that you have learned the seven simple steps of making cotton candy at home, you do not always have to wait for special occasions to treat yourself or your kids with cotton candy.

You can also find other methods to make candy like the handpicked cotton candy made using your hands only. Having the ability to enjoy a good fluffy cotton candy is perhaps every child’s dream and even adults. It is very important that you also watch and limit the amount of sugar you or your kids consume for healthier teeth and overall health.

Summary

If you’re planning to make cotton candy on an occasional basis at home, then we recommend that you try the Nostalgia Cotton Candy Maker.

It’s an economical choice, and although it does take some practice, it really is easy to use. Moreover, we love that this machine accepts sugar and hard candies. That kind of versatility at this price is unusual, and it enables you to make creative cotton candy.

When you’re ready to step up to the best cotton candy machines that can produce enough for a crowd, then try the VIVO Electric Commercial Cotton Candy Machine with the cart.

This is a super-sturdy model at a reasonable price. We love all of the accessories, including the cart, which is a must if you’re going to use your cotton candy maker quite a bit. With the large bowl, powerful heater, and reliable motor, you can’t go wrong with this one.