We Tested the Best Whipped Cream Dispensers for Sweet Treats (2024)

Once upon a time, whipped cream required a sturdy arm and a lot of stirring. It’s little wonder grocery store options (and even the stuff in a tub), took off. But if you’re limiting yourself to cans from the store, you’re missing out. Homemade whipped cream is not only way tastier, but it’s also more versatile. While you can whip cream by hand or with an electric mixer, by far the quickest way to whip cream at home is with a dispenser.

Many dispensers go way beyond just whipped cream: Depending on the model, you can also put other liquids in the canister to make foams, whipped icing, mousse, and more. For fans of fine dining, a single canister can open up a world of foods once only available at five-star restaurants. But even if you just want to make your ice cream sundaes a little more special, a whipped cream dispenser is worth adding to your kitchen tools.

A good whipped cream dispenser comes down to the whipped cream it produces, so we tried out the top-rated options in our home kitchens, to evaluate each on quality, performance (including the taste and texture of the final product), ease of use, ease of cleaning, and extra features.

How We Tested

We tested these whipped cream dispensers in regular home kitchens so that we could rate each one on quality, performance, ease of use, ease of cleaning, and any other additional features. We spent hours with the dispensers, making batches of both plain whipped cream as well as flavored concoctions and even nitro cold brew, disassembling them, cleaning them, and filling them back up again. We then wrote up feedback on everything we liked and didn't like.

What to Look for in a Whipped Cream Dispenser

Capacity

Many whipped cream dispensers will hold about a pint of liquid, though you can find half-pint canisters as well. Once a canister is discharged into the dispenser, you cannot refill it, though you can save some for later. If you only want occasional whipped cream for hot cocoa, a half-pint canister will probably suit your needs and keep you from having to pour out old cream. However, if you have bigger projects or a larger household, the pint might be perfect. If you’re not sure which makes sense, think about how long it typically takes you to work through a can of whipped cream from the store. Most store-bought canisters contain a little under half-pint of whipped cream. Keep in mind a pint of cream will make far more than a pint, by volume, of whipped topping once the nitrous oxide is added.

Material

Dispensers are typically made of metal, though they may have plastic or other materials on the exterior. Stainless steel is preferred for longevity and ease of cleaning, though aluminum can be a budget-friendly option. You can also find insulated canisters if you need to keep the contents warm or cold; these use a double-walled vacuum seal that helps the contents maintain their temperature longer. This is a nice-to-have feature but not strictly necessary unless you anticipate needing to keep the contents cold outside of the fridge for a long time, such as while you're decorating. If you plan on using the dispenser for warm foams, insulation will also keep the outside of the canister cool to the touch.

Ease of Use

There are a few things to consider when thinking about ease of use: how easily a new cartridge of nitrous oxide is to insert, how quickly it can be whipped (sometimes in as little as four shakes), and how easy the handle is to squeeze and guide. If you want to use a dispenser to decorate, not just to add some creamy topping, you’ll certainly want to consider the comfort of the handles, bottle, and arm lever.

Versatility

In addition to whipped cream and other chilled toppings, some dispensers can also whip warm toppings to make foams and whips. If you want to experiment with more than just whipped cream, look for a dispenser that is safe to use with both hot and cold liquids.

Storage

Depending on the material and design, some canisters are designed to hold a charge for up to two weeks. Others only guarantee to maintain pressure for a few days. If you want to have whipped cream on hand for regular use, consider one that can be stored longer.

Price

A whipped cream dispenser will eventually pay for itself with regular use, but it can still be a sizable investment. Higher-end, restaurant-grade whips can be pricey, but budget-minded ones made from aluminum are also available for less.

Maintenance

Dispensers need to be cleaned between uses. Many are dishwasher-safe and can be cleaned that way. If you don’t have a dishwasher, you may want a bottle brush to really clean it. Smaller parts, like the tips, may also need to be hand-washed. Cleaning the nozzle may also require removing the smaller parts, like the gasket, to get it fully cleaned. These can be hand-washed with soapy water or placed in the dishwasher inside somewhere safe, like in a silverware basket, to keep it from getting lost. Once the cleaned parts are dried, you can reassemble your dispenser and store it for future use.

Accessories

Tips

Tips for whips work much the same way tips on an icing bag work: They influence the size and shape of the dispensed foam or whip. Some dispensers come with additional tips, and companies may also sell tips that fit onto the dispenser.

Cartridges

You can’t use a whip without a nitrous oxide (N20) cartridge. These tiny cartridges have gas under high pressure that is released into the dispenser. Refill cartridges vary in price, depending on how many you buy. In general, they’re cheaper bought in bulk. Made from steel, they can be recycled after each use.

Cleaning Kits

Some dispensers come with a bottle brush or smaller brushes for cleaning the nozzle. If not, you may want to consider getting some brush heads to clean the canister between use, especially if you don’t have a dishwasher.

FAQs

How do you use a whipped cream dispenser?

In general, using a whipped cream dispenser is pretty straightforward. Simply, pour the cream into the can, add the nitrous oxide cartridge, and dispense the cream after a few shakes.

How do whipped cream dispensers work?

Whipped cream canisters work much the same way as disposable grocery store cans do: Nitrous oxide gas in the canister is forced into the cream under pressure, creating a whipped texture. But instead of discarding the can when you are done, you simply load in a new cartridge of nitrous oxide.

How do you make nitro cold brew with a whipped cream dispenser?

Making nitro cold brew at home is easy with a whipped cream dispenser and N2O cartridges. It won't be quite as dense as a nitro cold brew from the coffee shop, though, because coffee shops use industrially pressurized nitrogen tanks and cold brew kegs to create that luxuriously creamy cold brew. Still, you can get pretty close at home. Make sure to dilute your concentrated cold brew first, then pour 1 cup to 1 pint of cold brew into the canister. Charge with one N2O cartridge and shake the canister vigorously for 30 seconds to a minute. Slowly dispense into a glass and enjoy! For best results, prepare and chill your cold brew the night before you want to infuse it.

Why Trust The Spruce Eats?

Donna Currieis the author of the cookbook"Make Ahead Bread"and specializes in product reviews and kitchen gadgets for The Spruce Eats. In fact, she personally tested three of the whipped cream dispensers in this roundup, giving theiSi Gourmet Whiptop marks for how fun and versatile it is to use.

This round-up was updated byJenny Kellerhals, a pastry chef, food writer, and baking expert for The Spruce Eats. She personally tested five whipped cream dispensers for this roundup.