Best Pasta Makers for Fresh Pasta — 2026 Guide

Making fresh pasta at home transforms your carbonara and Italian pasta dishes. The right pasta maker makes the process easier, faster, and more enjoyable. This guide reviews the best options for every budget and skill level.

Last Updated: February 2026

Our Top Picks at a Glance

Product	Best For	Price	Rating
Marcato Atlas 150	Best Overall Manual	$80-100	★★★★★
KitchenAid Pasta Attachment	KitchenAid Owners	$100-130	★★★★☆
Philips Pasta Maker	Automatic Option	$200-250	★★★★☆
Imperia Pasta Machine	Budget Option	$50-70	★★★★☆

What to Look for When Buying a Pasta Maker

Type: Manual vs. Electric vs. Attachment

Manual Pasta Makers:

• ✅ Affordable
• ✅ Portable
• ✅ Full control
• ❌ Requires effort
• ❌ Learning curve

Electric Pasta Makers:

• ✅ Hands-free
• ✅ Fast
• ✅ Easy to use
• ❌ Expensive
• ❌ Large footprint

Mixer Attachments:

• ✅ Works with existing mixer
• ✅ Hands-free
• ✅ Consistent
• ❌ Requires mixer
• ❌ Limited to mixer owners

Construction Quality

Look for:

• Stainless steel — Durable, easy to clean
• Heavy base — Stays stable during use
• Smooth rollers — Prevents sticking
• Adjustable settings — Multiple thickness options

Thickness Settings

Most pasta makers offer 6-9 thickness settings:

• Thin (1-2): For delicate pasta, filled pasta
• Medium (3-5): For fettuccine, tagliatelle
• Thick (6-9): For pappardelle, lasagna

More settings = more versatility

Attachments Available

Common attachments:

• Fettuccine cutter — Most common
• Spaghetti cutter — For long pasta
• Linguine cutter — Flat pasta
• Ravioli maker — For filled pasta

Check compatibility before buying attachments.

Best Pasta Makers: Our Detailed Reviews

1. Marcato Atlas 150 — Best Overall Manual

Price: $80-100

The Marcato Atlas 150 is the gold standard for manual pasta makers. Made in Italy with stainless steel construction, it’s built to last generations.

Why it’s best:

• Classic Italian design — Time-tested, reliable
• Durable construction — Stainless steel, lifetime warranty
• 9 thickness settings — From paper-thin to thick
• Wide rollers — 6 inches wide, efficient
• Attachments available — Fettuccine, spaghetti, linguine cutters

How it works:

1. Clamp to counter (included)
2. Set thickness (1-9)
3. Feed dough through rollers
4. Adjust thickness gradually
5. Use attachments for cutting

Best for:

• Serious home cooks
• Those who want quality
• Making pasta regularly
• Traditional pasta making

Pros:

• Durable, lifetime warranty
• Multiple thickness settings
• Wide rollers (efficient)
• Attachments available
• Classic Italian design

Cons:

• Manual operation (requires effort)
• Learning curve
• More expensive than budget options

Verdict: The best manual pasta maker. If you’re serious about fresh pasta, this is the one.

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2. KitchenAid Pasta Roller Attachment — Best for KitchenAid Owners

Price: $100-130

If you already own a KitchenAid stand mixer, this attachment transforms it into a pasta-making machine. Hands-free operation with consistent results.

Why it’s great:

• Hands-free operation — Mixer does the work
• Consistent results — Even thickness every time
• Multiple attachments — Roller, fettuccine, spaghetti cutters
• Works with existing mixer — No new machine needed

How it works:

1. Attach to KitchenAid mixer
2. Set thickness (1-8)
3. Feed dough through (mixer powers it)
4. Use cutting attachments

Best for:

• KitchenAid mixer owners
• Those who want hands-free operation
• Making large batches
• Consistent results

Pros:

• Hands-free operation
• Consistent results
• Multiple attachments available
• Works with existing mixer
• Easy to use

Cons:

• Requires KitchenAid mixer (expensive if you don’t have one)
• More expensive than manual
• Limited to mixer owners

Verdict: Perfect if you have a KitchenAid mixer. Makes pasta making effortless.

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3. Philips Pasta Maker — Best Automatic Option

Price: $200-250

The Philips Pasta Maker is a fully automatic machine that mixes dough and extrudes pasta. Just add ingredients and it does the rest.

Why it’s unique:

• Fully automatic — Mixes and extrudes
• Multiple shapes — Spaghetti, fettuccine, penne, fusilli
• Easy to use — Just add ingredients
• No manual work — Machine does everything

How it works:

1. Add flour and water (or eggs)
2. Select pasta shape
3. Machine mixes and extrudes
4. Cut to desired length

Best for:

• Those who want convenience
• Making pasta shapes (not just sheets)
• Beginners
• Large families

Pros:

• Fully automatic
• Multiple pasta shapes
• Easy to use
• No manual work
• Consistent results

Cons:

• Expensive
• Large footprint
• Less control over process
• Can’t make filled pasta easily

Verdict: Best for convenience. If you want hands-off pasta making, this is it.

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4. Imperia Pasta Machine — Best Budget Option

Price: $50-70

The Imperia Pasta Machine offers solid performance at an affordable price. Perfect for beginners or occasional pasta makers.

Why it’s great:

• Budget-friendly — Affordable entry point
• Durable construction — Stainless steel
• Easy to use — Simple design
• Good for beginners — Straightforward operation

How it works:

1. Clamp to counter
2. Set thickness (6 settings)
3. Feed dough through
4. Use attachments for cutting

Best for:

• Beginners
• Occasional pasta makers
• Budget-conscious buyers
• Trying fresh pasta

Pros:

• Affordable
• Durable
• Easy to use
• Good for beginners
• Attachments available

Cons:

• Fewer thickness settings (6 vs. 9)
• Basic design
• Narrower rollers
• Less premium feel

Verdict: Great budget option. Perfect for trying fresh pasta without big investment.

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Comparison Chart

Feature	Marcato Atlas 150	KitchenAid Attachment	Philips Pasta Maker	Imperia
Price	$80-100	$100-130	$200-250	$50-70
Type	Manual	Attachment	Automatic	Manual
Thickness Settings	9	8	N/A	6
Width	6 inches	6 inches	N/A	4.5 inches
Attachments	Yes	Yes	Built-in	Yes
Ease of Use	Medium	Easy	Very Easy	Easy
Durability	Excellent	Excellent	Good	Good
Best For	Serious cooks	Mixer owners	Convenience	Beginners

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How to Use a Pasta Maker

Basic Process

1. Make pasta dough — Flour, eggs, salt
2. Rest dough — 30 minutes minimum
3. Set thickness — Start thick, go thinner
4. Feed through rollers — Gradually reduce thickness
5. Cut with attachments — Or use by hand

Tips for Success

• Start thick — Don’t go straight to thin
• Flour generously — Prevents sticking
• Work in batches — Don’t overwork dough
• Keep dough covered — Prevents drying
• Practice — Gets easier with time

Learn more: How to Make Fresh Pasta

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Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need a pasta maker?

No, but it makes the process much easier and produces more consistent results. You can roll by hand, but it’s labor-intensive.

What’s the difference between manual and electric?

Manual requires hand-cranking, electric does it automatically. Manual is cheaper and more portable, electric is easier but more expensive.

Can I make all pasta shapes?

Most pasta makers make sheets (for lasagna, filled pasta) and long pasta (spaghetti, fettuccine). Some electric models make short shapes (penne, fusilli).

How hard is it to use?

Manual pasta makers have a learning curve but aren’t difficult. Electric models are easier but less control.

Do I need attachments?

Attachments make cutting easier and more consistent. You can cut by hand, but attachments are recommended.

How much pasta can I make?

Depends on the model. Manual makers can make 1-2 pounds per batch. Electric models can make more.

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The Bottom Line

For most people: The Marcato Atlas 150 is the best choice. Durable, versatile, and reasonably priced.

For KitchenAid owners: The KitchenAid Pasta Attachment makes pasta making effortless.

For convenience seekers: The Philips Pasta Maker does everything automatically.

For beginners on a budget: The Imperia Pasta Machine is a great starting point.

Fresh pasta elevates carbonara and Italian dishes. Choose the pasta maker that fits your budget, skill level, and how often you’ll use it.

Related Content

• How to Make Fresh Pasta — Complete guide
• Pasta Cooking Techniques Guide — Master cooking
• Classic Spaghetti Carbonara — Use fresh pasta
• Best Pans for Pasta — Complete your setup

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Reviews based on testing and research — All pasta makers have been researched and compared based on construction, ease of use, results, and value. Choose based on your needs and budget.