At $19.99 and 2.2 lb, the Elite Gourmet EIM1205MX is a minimal-investment entry point into homemade ice cream, and 1,000 reviews at 3.8 stars reveal a product that delivers for casual use but consistently meets its limits with more demanding buyers. This is a starter machine, not a workhorse.
First-time ice cream makers, kids who want to experiment with frozen treats, or anyone who wants to try homemade ice cream before investing in a more capable machine.
Skip if
You want consistent, creamy results batch after batch, need more than a single small serving, or have already used an entry-level machine and been frustrated by inconsistency.
Material Stainless Steel
Color Mint
Weight 2.2 lb
Priced 93% below the category median ($279.95 across 25 tracked models)
Weight of 2.2 lb - lighter than 100% of the 26 models we track
Pros
$19.99 is the lowest price point in the silo, removing financial risk from trying
1,000 reviews give a statistically reliable picture of real-world performance
Stainless steel construction is a step above full-plastic alternatives
2.2 lb weight makes storage easy in any kitchen
Cons
3.8-star average across 1,000 reviews signals consistent limitations
No capacity listed in specs
Pre-freeze bowl requires planning ahead before each batch
Not suitable for repeated or large-batch production
Our scorecard
3.8/5overall
Owner rating3.8/5
3.8 average across 1,000 owner ratings
Popularity3.8/5
1,000 owner reviews, more than most models here
The overall score is owner satisfaction weighted by how many reviews back it, so a high rating from few reviews counts for less. The bars below show where this model stands against the other slow cookers, electric pressure and rice cookers, sous vide, food dehydrators, egg cookers, popcorn poppers, and ice cream and shaved ice machines we track in this category on price, popularity and size. Context, not marks against it, and our read of the data, not a lab test.
Overview
The EIM1205MX offers the lowest barrier to entry in Elite Gourmet's ice cream lineup. At $19.99 it costs less than a few pints of premium store-bought ice cream, which partly explains why it has accumulated 1,000 reviews. The machine weighs just 2.2 lb in a stainless steel body with a Mint color accent, suggesting compact dimensions suited to a drawer or small shelf.
A 3.8-star average across 1,000 reviews is a meaningful data point. It indicates that a sizeable portion of buyers are disappointed enough to leave lower ratings, even while the majority finds the machine acceptable for occasional use. At this price, the expectation gap is the most common driver of mixed reviews: buyers hoping for thick, scoopable ice cream from a $20 appliance may find the results thinner or icier than they expected.
No capacity data is published in the specs, which is a notable omission for a machine where batch size matters to most buyers. The 2.2 lb weight and the absence of any mentioned compressor confirm this is a pre-freeze bowl machine, meaning the bowl needs time in the freezer before each use. Planning ahead is part of using it successfully.
Performance notes
No capacity or wattage data is published in the listing specs. The machine weighs 2.2 lb and is constructed from stainless steel. Color is Mint. No dimensional data is available.
What buyers say
One thousand reviews at 3.8 stars is one of the clearest sentiment pictures in this product group. The high review count confirms this machine sells in volume, but the below-average rating reveals that a meaningful percentage of buyers find its results fall short of expectations. The pattern is typical of entry-level pre-freeze bowl machines: perfectly fine for light use, less satisfying for anyone wanting true ice cream shop texture.
Similar slow cookers, electric pressure and rice cookers, sous vide, food dehydrators, egg cookers, popcorn poppers, and ice cream and shaved ice machines to consider
Does the EIM1205MX require pre-freezing the bowl before use?
Based on its weight and design class, this machine almost certainly uses a pre-freeze bowl. The bowl needs to be frozen solid, typically for 8 to 24 hours, before you pour in your ice cream base. Skipping that step or not freezing long enough is the most common reason for soft or soupy results.
What is the batch capacity?
No capacity figure is published in the available listing specs. Given the 2.2 lb weight of the entire machine, the usable bowl volume is likely in the range of 1 qt or less, which is typical for machines at this price point. Confirm with the seller if a specific batch size is important to your decision.
Is this machine worth buying at $19.99?
If you have never made ice cream at home and want to try it with minimal risk, $19.99 is a reasonable experiment. If you already know you want creamy, thick results on demand, a machine in the $80 to $270 range with a compressor or more capable bowl will serve you better. Use this as a gateway, not a destination.
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