The 8 Best Pasta Makers of 2023, Tested and Reviewed
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We tested manual, electric, and extruder pasta makers to see which ones were the easiest to use
People / Russell Kilgore
If food is your love language, there’s no better date night than putting on some music, sharing a bottle of wine, and making homemade pasta with your special someone. This delicious labor of love can be time-consuming, so having a good pasta maker is an easy way to make the process quicker and more efficient.
In search of the best pasta makers available, we put 14 leading models through a series of tests to determine functionality, ease of use, and overall value. While there are a few different styles to choose from — tabletop, extruder, and attachment — the best pasta maker for you will depend on how hands-on you like to get in the kitchen. There’s nothing better than a steaming bowl of fresh, pillowy pasta, and the options on this list can help you serve it up any day of the week — no need to wait for the weekend.
Read on for the best pasta makers we tested.
Best Overall: Marcato Atlas 150 Pasta Machine
Pros
Both the crank and clamp are extremely secure.
All the pasta we made came out with a consistent shape, size, and thickness.
It’s one of the more affordable pasta makers we tested.
Cons
We found that the cutter clogged a bit when making spaghetti.
Making pasta shouldn’t be a complicated process; this simple machine proves that. The manual model yielded some of the most consistent pasta we made, and it was easy to use and clean. We love that this model has a firm and sturdy clamp, which helps it remain steady on the countertop throughout the entire process. The handle is easy to hold, and it locks securely into the base, so it never falls out while you’re cranking. Removable combs under the cutters are also super easy to clean.
This model comes with three different cutting shapes — fettuccine, spaghetti, and lasagna — but additional accessories are available to purchase separately. We found that it yielded pasta that was consistent in size, shape, and thickness, and we didn’t notice any fraying whatsoever throughout the process. It comes with 15 settings, and we had no trouble switching between them. Overall, this is an incredibly functional, easy-to-use machine that comes at an affordable price, compared to other pasta makers we tested.
Price at time of publish: $64.99 (orig. $89.99)
Type: Tabletop | Number of Settings: 15 | Weight: 5.4 pounds | Dishwasher-Safe Parts: No
Best Overall, Runner Up: Imperia Pasta Maker Machine (Model 150)
Pros
Both the crank and clamp are extremely secure.
It’s compact and doesn’t take up too much space on the countertop.
Cons
We found the user manual to be confusing and complicated.
This affordable machine is simple and streamlined, and it’s exactly what you’d want from a tabletop pasta maker. The clamp is secure enough to hold the product down tightly so it doesn’t wobble around the countertop while you’re pressing and cutting. During our testing, we found that the six settings worked efficiently, and it was easy to switch back and forth.
Overall, we love this pasta maker’s consistency — each pasta shape we made came out in consistent shapes and sizes, with no clogging, sticking, or jamming at all. It’s a basic, easy-to-use machine that helps make the pasta-making process much more efficient. We love that the handle feels ergonomic when turning, but we don’t love the fact that it doesn’t lock into place, and we found the manual a bit confusing. On the upside, this machine and its parts are dishwasher-safe for easier clean-up, and we think this one is a great, affordable pick.
Price at time of publish: $25.99 (orig. $64.99)
Type: Tabletop | Number of Settings: 6 | Weight: 7.6 pounds | Dishwasher-Safe Parts: Yes
Best Value: CucinaPro Pasta Maker Deluxe Set
Pros
This 5-piece set comes with extra attachments for making different pasta shapes.
The various cutters slide into place easily.
Cons
Some dough got caught in the grooves of the cutters.
The handle doesn’t lock in place, and we noticed it falls out occasionally.
This versatile machine features extra attachments that allow you to make additional pasta shapes with the same machine. It’s a manual tabletop-style pasta maker, and we love that the clamp is tight enough to keep it securely in place while you’re working. Though we found that a little bit of dough got stuck in the grooves while cutting spaghetti, the machine doesn’t jam, so the clogging actually works itself out as you continue to feed dough through the cutters. We found that the dough stayed flat and straight throughout the process and didn’t notice any fraying, wrinkling, or sticking. It yielded consistent pasta while being easy to use and clean, which, honestly, is all we can ask for in a pasta maker.
Our only hang-up? Since the handle doesn’t lock in place, we noticed that it fell out of the machine a few times, which made it feel a bit cumbersome.
Price at time of publish: $49.95 (orig. $59.99)
Type: Tabletop | Number of Settings: 6 | Weight: 5.6 pounds | Dishwasher-Safe Parts: Yes
Best with Motor: Marcato Atlas Electric 150 Pasta Machine with Motor
Pros
Both the crank and clamp are extremely secure.
The 10 settings are clearly marked and easy-to-read.
It’s compatible with a wide range of additional attachments (sold separately).
Cons
The design of the motor and crank is a bit cumbersome.
It’s one of the most expensive pasta makers we tested.
This automated pasta maker allows you to make fresh pasta quickly and efficiently, thanks to the motor that speeds up the cutting process. Just like the manual version of the same machine, this option sits tightly against the countertop and doesn’t bounce or wiggle while in use. The crank is easy to maneuver, and the dough moves easily through the press and cutters: It yielded consistent dough with perfect size, shape, and thickness.
We found that it was particularly easy to clean thanks to the removable combs that come right out when it’s time to wash them. While it’s a useful and efficient pasta maker, the price for this model is considerably higher than its manual counterpart (our Best Overall selection). This is a great option if you’re looking to make large batches of pasta quickly, but if not, we advise you to stick to the more affordable manual version.
Price at time of publish: $300
Type: Tabletop, automatic | Number of Settings: 10 | Weight: 7.7 pounds | Dishwasher-Safe Parts: No
Best Attachment: KitchenAid 3-Piece Pasta Roller & Cutter Attachment Set
Pros
The easy-to-use attachments securely screw into your KitchenAid mixer.
It comes clean effortlessly.
The 7 settings are clearly marked and easy-to-read.
Cons
This is an attachment piece, so you need to own a KitchenAid mixer in order to use it.
One of the best parts of owning a KitchenAid stand mixer is the ability to take advantage of all the attachments it’s compatible with. Our favorite? The KitchenAid pasta maker attachment set. This 3-piece set is one of the easiest to use of all we tried, and it yielded some of the most consistent, toothsome pasta. Simply screw the attachment into your KitchenAid, turn it to the appropriate speed, and start rolling.
We love how clearly etched each setting is, making it obvious what speed you’re on and easy to switch to the next one. We didn’t notice any jamming, fraying, or clogging whatsoever — throughout the pasta-making process, the dough moved effortlessly through the machine with hardly any user intervention. We were super impressed by the quality of pasta that it yielded, too. The cutters are strong and durable, so we didn’t have to separate any pasta by hand after the cutting process was complete. This is an incredibly efficient and durable gadget that is well worth the price for KitchenAid fans.
Price at time of publish: $175 (orig. $199.97)
Type: Attachment | Number of Settings: 7 | Weight: 2.86 pounds | Dishwasher-Safe Parts: No
Best Attachment (Less Expensive): Antree Pasta Maker Attachment for KitchenAid Stand Mixer
Pros
It’s compact and easy to store.
It’s super easy to operate.
Cuts cleanly and yields consistently shaped pasta.
Cons
We noticed occasional jamming.
It can be a little cumbersome to clean.
This attachment-style pasta roller is more affordable than the branded KitchenAid one, but we found that it delivers the same great results. It cuts two shapes of pasta — fettuccine and spaghetti — easily and cleanly. We love that it’s simple to insert into your KitchenAid (or other) mixer and features easy-to-use settings.
The roller and cutter pieces sit side by side, so you can easily feed a batch of dough through the roller and then transfer it to the cutter; no need to swap out the blades or switch attachments. We had no trouble cutting spaghetti and fettuccine, and we found that each shape came out consistently both in size and shape. Though we did notice a bit of jamming here and there, the issue worked itself out as we continued to run the machine.
Price at time of publish: $89.99
Type: Attachment | Number of Settings: 7 | Weight: 3.5 pounds | Dishwasher-Safe Parts: No
Best Extruder: Philips Viva Collection Pasta and Noodle Maker
Pros
It’s super easy to operate.
Cuts cleanly and yields consistently shaped pasta.
The shape discs are easy to switch out.
Cons
It’s a large and heavy machine.
This extruder-style pasta maker produced consistently high-quality pasta each time we used it. With very little effort required, the quick and efficient machine yielded perfectly formed, perfectly cut shapes that didn’t require any separating by hand after the fact. In fact, it made some of the best spaghetti and penne of any of the machines that we tested. We love how easy the buttons are to control; it’s a completely automated machine that can be paused or stopped at any time throughout the process. Throughout our testing, we found this to be a super functional and reliable machine for anyone looking to make pasta quickly with minimal effort.
Although we love how this machine automates the pasta-making process, it’s important to remember that it’s a bit large and bulky. It takes up considerably more space than a handheld pasta press, so be sure that you have the space to store and use it before purchasing. It’s also a bit on the heavier side.
Price at time of publish: $180
Type: Extruder | Number of Settings: 3 | Weight: 10.36 pounds | Dishwasher-Safe Parts: Yes
Best Basic: Cuisinart CTG-00-PM 5-Piece Pasta Maker
Pros
The included clamp is steady and stable.
It’s an affordable price for a good-quality machine.
Cons
It can be cumbersome to switch between settings, and the numbers are small and difficult to read.
When making spaghetti, the machine didn’t cut as efficiently — we had to separate many pieces by hand.
This simple product was easy to use and yielded consistent, toothsome fettuccine. The manual model secures tightly to a tabletop or counter, and we didn’t notice any bouncing or wobbling throughout our testing. The dough is easy to feed through the roller, and transferring it to the cutting attachment is even easier.
However, we did notice that the spaghetti cutter wasn’t quite sharp enough — we had to separate much of the batch by hand after feeding it through the cutter. Overall, this simple machine makes it easy to make fresh pasta at home at an affordable price.
Price at time of publish: $59.99 (orig. $79.99)
Type: Tabletop | Number of Settings: 9 | Weight: 5.83 pounds | Dishwasher-Safe Parts: No
Other Pasta Makers We Tried
GVODE 3-Piece Pasta Attachment Set for KitchenAid Stand Mixer: This product delivered solid results across both the fettuccine and spaghetti. It’s easy to operate and use, and the settings are clearly depicted on the product. This is a solid option for anyone looking for a good-quality pasta-making attachment who doesn’t want to splurge for the brand-name option from KitchenAid. However, it’s a bit pricey for an attachment piece that doesn’t come with its own base.
Hamilton Beach Traditional Pasta Machine: Overall, we found this machine to be tricky to use, and we were disappointed in the results it yielded. Our fettuccine was way too thick, and we had to separate many of the spaghetti strands by hand. It was one of the most unwieldy of all we tried, too. The base of the roller didn’t stay secure on the table and bounced around quite a bit while in use.
Nuvantee Manual Pasta Maker Machine: We noticed that this roller created a lot of friction throughout the pressing process, which meant the process took a lot longer than it normally would with other machines. We found it to be clunky and cumbersome, and it was difficult to switch between the nine settings. Though it yielded consistently shaped pasta with no clogging or jamming, the spaghetti needed to be separated by hand.
OxGord Hand Crank Pasta Maker Machine: This machine performed decently well, but we found that it bounced around quite a bit on the tabletop, making for an unpleasant rolling and cutting process. It’s super affordable, but it doesn’t feel particularly durable, stable, or high-quality.
KitchenAid 6-Piece Gourmet Pasta Press Attachment: When it came to cutting the dough into different pasta shapes, this product couldn’t cut it. We found that it yielded poor results — the dough didn’t cut cleanly or evenly because the blade worked too slowly to cut it efficiently. Instead, we found that the dough smushed together and clogged often.
People / Russell Kilgore
Things to Consider Before Buying a Pasta Maker
Style
Tabletop: If you like to mix and cut your dough by hand, then a tabletop-style pasta maker is your best bet. This style uses a crank to let you manually roll and press the dough, and it’s best for long pasta like fettuccine, linguine, or spaghetti. Tabletop-style pasta makers are typically the most affordable and straightforward, but this style is also the most time-consuming and labor-intensive.
Extruder: If you prefer to be a bit more hands-off, an extruder or automatic style will suit you well. This style of pasta maker automatically mixes and rolls the dough, then feeds it through different cutters that automatically shape the pasta. This is a great option for anyone looking to make large batches of fresh pasta in a variety of different shapes. Extruders are quick and efficient, with minimal labor or intervention necessary. Keep in mind that automatic or extruder pasta makers are typically the most expensive, they’re more difficult to clean, and they often come with a bit of a learning curve. We noticed during our tests that the extruder models were a bit more confusing — these pasta makers took us a little extra time to understand and get the hang of.
Attachments: If you already own a KitchenAid mixer, buying a pasta maker attachment is a great option. Throughout our tests, we found that these attachments yield some of the most consistent pasta, both in size and shape, and they make the process easy and efficient.
Price
As is the case with most kitchen gadgets, price is a major factor in selecting the best pasta maker for you. Depending on the style you select, these machines can range in price from around $35 to $300. We found that extruder styles are the most expensive, while manual tabletop styles, like the Cuisinart Pasta Maker, are the most affordable.
Ease of Use
Making pasta at home is a fun and rewarding project, but it can also be time-consuming and messy. Having a dedicated pasta maker can help make it faster and easier, and the best product for you depends on how automated you want the process to be. If you enjoy the hands-on experience of making your own pasta, a tabletop style is best. We found that the easiest tabletop pasta makers to use are the kind that have a silicone or rubber grip on the bottom, which helps them remain sturdy and stable on the table. Having a secure clamp is essential to these products’ overall ease of use.
Alternatively, extruder-style pasta makers are extremely easy to use — they automatically mix and cut the pasta dough for you. This hands-off process is great for making large batches in a small amount of time, but we found that these machines are more challenging to clean. They’re understandably a bit more complicated, which can make them more difficult to use than a standard tabletop machine.
People / Russell Kilgore
How We Tested
Setup: Upon unboxing, we noted how easy it was to set up each pasta maker and start using it. We paid special attention to any included materials and used them to assist us in the setup process. We noted whether all necessary parts of the machine were included, whether the material and design of the pasta maker looked sturdy and durable, and took note of any special cleaning instructions.
Ease of Use: After assembling each pasta maker, we prepared our pasta dough for each of the three styles of machine we planned to test. For the manual or tabletop machines, we secured them to our countertop using the included clamp. We used each model to roll and cut a batch of spaghetti, paying special attention to how efficiently each machine rolled and cut the dough. We examined the cut pasta and took note of size and shape, striving for consistency throughout. We paid special attention to how effectively the cutters worked — did we need to separate pasta by hand after the fact? Or was each strand precisely and uniformly sliced?
Durability: Simultaneously, we examined how sturdy each machine felt when clamped against the tabletop. We took note of any bouncing or wiggling and made sure to assess how comfortable the handle felt when turning.
Performance: Next, we used each model to roll and cut a batch of fettuccine. This test allowed us to gain insight into each machine’s ability to roll and cut a thicker dough. To assess the finished pasta’s texture, we then cooked each batch in four quarts of boiling water for three minutes.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is it cheaper to make pasta or buy it?
While the ingredients necessary to make your own pasta are super affordable, keep in mind that it is a time-consuming pursuit. You can certainly make a batch of pasta for less money than it costs to buy a box of pasta at the grocery store, but when you consider the time commitment as well as the cost of a pasta maker, it’s usually cheaper to purchase a box of store-bought pasta.
Is an automatic pasta maker worth it?
Automatic pasta makers are easier to use than manual tabletop styles because they do the work for you. Depending on the style you purchase, some pasta machines mix, roll, and cut the dough completely automatically. If you want to make large batches of pasta quickly and with minimal work, then yes, an automatic machine is worth it. If you enjoy the hands-on process of manually making and cutting your own pasta dough, stick to the tabletop style.
Is fresh pasta healthier than boxed?
It depends on the type of boxed pasta you purchase! One of the benefits of making fresh pasta at home is that you’re completely in control of what ingredients you put in. That means you can skip the preservatives or added sodium and select the type of flour you want to use. Fresh pasta requires the use of eggs, which means there’s typically more fat in it than dry pasta, but it also has more protein. Additionally, fresh pasta has a higher water content, which means it has slightly fewer calories than boxed pasta.
Why Trust PEOPLE?
Laura Denby is a food and wine writer with a degree in culinary arts from the Institute of Culinary Education and a degree in journalism from Penn State. After years of working as a professional chef and caterer throughout NYC and the Hamptons, Laura now focuses on testing and reviewing kitchen and home products in an effort to help her readers become more comfortable and efficient in the kitchen. You can find more of her product reviews in Food & Wine, FoodNetwork.com, Forbes Vetted, and Better Homes and Gardens. For this article, Laura poured over our PEOPLE Tested results from our test kitchen and used her own experience to inform our top picks.
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