A hand-cranked pasta machine is a simple tool: two steel rollers that press dough thinner with each pass, and a cutter that slices the sheet into noodles. Because the job is so simple, the entry model from a good maker does most of what the expensive one does. What changes as you move down a range is the number of thickness settings, whether the cutter comes off, which accessories fit, where the machine is made and how long the warranty runs. Knowing which of those you can give up is how you find the best value pasta maker for your kitchen.
This guide covers seven pasta makers, most of them entry-level, from Marcato, Imperia, KitchenAid, Starfrit, Sur La Table and Sailnovo. Six are manual machines that clamp to a counter; one is a roller that needs a KitchenAid stand mixer to drive it. We do not quote prices, because they change by the week. For each one we list the sheet width, thickness settings, cutters and warranty as the maker or the Amazon listing gives them, and we say plainly what each one leaves out.
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Quick verdict: which pasta machine gives the most for less
For most kitchens the best value pasta maker is the Marcato Atlas Pasta Machine: Italian-made, 150 mm sheets, ten thickness settings, a removable cutter you can swap for other shapes and a ten-year warranty, in the design most reviewers rate highest. If you want wider sheets and cutters built into the body, the Marcato Ampia 180 rolls to 180 mm. The Imperia Titania is the entry point to Marcato’s main Italian rival, the Starfrit Manual Stainless Pasta Machine adds ravioli stamps, and the KitchenAid Pasta Roller Attachment is the cheapest way to motor-driven sheets, as long as you already own a KitchenAid stand mixer.
The table compares the five we would point most cooks toward, one for each kind of buyer. All seven are reviewed in full after it.
Five budget pasta makers compared
Sheet width, thickness settings and cutters for our five standout entry-level picks, as each maker or Amazon listing gives them.
| Pasta maker | Best for | Thickness settings | Cuts included | Buy on Amazon |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Marcato Atlas Pasta MachineBest overall value
|
Most kitchens, with room to add shapes | 10, 0.6 to 4.8 mm | Lasagne, fettuccine, tagliolini | View on Amazon |
Marcato Ampia 180Widest sheets
|
Wider sheets and ribbon pasta, made in Italy | 10, on 180 mm sheets | Lasagne, fettuccine, tagliolini | View on Amazon |
Imperia TitaniaBest Italian alternative
|
A second Italian maker to compare | 6, on 150 mm sheets | Fettuccine 6.5 mm, tagliolini 2 mm | View on Amazon |
Starfrit Manual Stainless Pasta MachineBest with ravioli stamps
|
Noodles plus simple filled pasta | 9, 3 to 0.5 mm | Spaghetti, fettuccine, 2 ravioli stamps | View on Amazon |
KitchenAid Pasta Roller AttachmentBest for mixer owners
|
Hands-free rolling (mixer required) | 8, on 6-inch sheets | Sheets only, no cutter | View on Amazon |
Product images from Amazon. Specifications as stated by each maker or the Amazon listing; check the listing before you buy.
Our picks for the best value pasta maker
Every machine here is the entry model, or close to it, from a maker you can identify. One is a different color of a machine in our main guide, and we explain why. Each review covers who it suits, what the listing and maker confirm, and one honest reason to pass on it.
1. Marcato Atlas Pasta Machine – Ten-Year Warranty and Room to Grow
This is the Atlas, Marcato’s best-known machine, in a black finish. Our main best pasta maker guide recommends the chrome Atlas 150; we list the black version here because it is the same 150 mm machine, it was in stock when the chrome listing was running low, and its listing states the warranty and thickness range plainly. It is the most proven machine on this page.
The listing gives ten thicknesses from 0.6 to 4.8 mm and a 150 mm sheet. In the box are the machine, a cutter for lasagne, fettuccine and tagliolini, a hand crank, a clamp and instructions. The cutter comes off, and the listing says the Atlas takes the Pastadrive motor or any of 12 separately sold cutting accessories, from spaghetti to ravioli.
America’s Test Kitchen’s winning manual machine was an Atlas 150 model, praised for rolling thick and paper-thin sheets with equal ease and for a one-hand thickness knob. The black Atlas carries a ten-year manufacturer’s warranty, the longest stated on this page. Clean it with a dry brush or cloth, never water.
Why we like it
- Ten thicknesses from 0.6 to 4.8 mm, per the listing.
- Removable cutter; takes 12 extra accessories and a motor.
- Ten-year manufacturer’s warranty.
- Made in Italy.
Key specifications
| Model | 8320BK |
|---|---|
| Type | Manual roller and cutter |
| Sheet width | 150 mm |
| Thickness settings | 10 (0.6–4.8 mm) |
| Cuts included | Lasagne, fettuccine, tagliolini |
| Material | Steel, black finish |
| Made in | Italy |
| Warranty | 10 years |
Why we recommend it
It suits a cook who expects to make pasta often and wants a machine that can grow with extra cutters and a motor over the years.
Skip it if you only want lasagne sheets and fettuccine and would rather not store a separate cutter; the Ampia has them built in.
Pros and cons
Pros
- Longest stated warranty here
- Widest accessory range
- Independent reviewers’ favorite design
Cons
- Costs more than the budget manual picks
- Same machine as our main guide’s pick, in black
2. Marcato Ampia 180 – Wider Sheets With the Same Three Cuts
The Ampia is the plainer machine in the Atlas family, and this is its wider version. It rolls sheets up to 180 mm (about 7 inches) wide, against 150 mm on the Atlas and most other picks here, through ten clearly marked thickness positions. It is made and assembled in Italy, according to the listing.
The main difference from the Atlas is the cutter. On Ampia machines, the cutters are built into the body, according to Marcato’s help center, while the Atlas has a cutting head you can take off and swap for other accessories. That means fewer parts to lose, but less choice of shapes: you get lasagne, fettuccine and tagliolini. It does accept Marcato’s separately sold Pastadrive motor if you later want to stop cranking.
Resin scrapers clean the rollers as you work. Marcato says to let leftover dough dry for at least 30 minutes, then remove it with a dry brush; like any steel pasta machine, it should not go in water. The listing does not state the warranty.
Why we like it
- Made and assembled in Italy, according to the listing.
- Ten thickness positions on 180 mm sheets.
- Three cuts: lasagne, fettuccine and tagliolini.
- Takes the Pastadrive motor.
Key specifications
| Model | AM-180-CLS |
|---|---|
| Type | Manual roller and cutter |
| Sheet width | 180 mm (7 in) |
| Thickness settings | 10 |
| Cuts included | Lasagne, fettuccine, tagliolini |
| Material | Chrome steel |
| Made in | Italy |
| Warranty | Not stated |
Why we recommend it
It suits a cook who makes lasagne and ravioli sheets and wants more width per pass than a 150 mm machine gives.
Skip it if you want to add other pasta shapes later; the Atlas takes more accessories.
Pros and cons
Pros
- Widest sheets on this page
- Italian build
- Fewer loose parts than the Atlas
Cons
- Warranty not stated
- Bigger than the entry machines
- Fewer shapes than the Atlas
3. Imperia Titania – Italian Steel With a Wooden Handle
Imperia, part of Imperia & Monferrina, has made pasta machines in Italy since 1932, according to the listing. The Titania sits below the iPasta line that appears in our main guide. It rolls 150 mm sheets through six thicknesses and has built-in chromed steel cutters for 6.5 mm fettuccine and 2 mm tagliolini.
Six settings is fewer than the Marcatos’ ten, and America’s Test Kitchen noted that Imperia machines it reviewed had a slightly narrower thickness range and needed both hands to adjust. In return, the Titania accepts Imperia’s Duplex and Simplex cutters and the Raviolamp ravioli attachment, and the listing says it also rolls dough for flatbreads such as piadina.
In the box are the machine, a crank with a wooden handle, a non-slip base, a table support and a manual. Clean it with a damp cloth or the soft brush supplied. The listing describes the materials as food-safe but does not state the warranty.
Why we like it
- Made in Italy by a maker founded in 1932, per the listing.
- Built-in fettuccine and tagliolini cutters.
- Takes Imperia’s extra cutters and ravioli attachment.
- Non-slip base and table support included.
Key specifications
| Model | Titania 2190 |
|---|---|
| Type | Manual roller and cutter |
| Sheet width | 150 mm |
| Thickness settings | 6 |
| Cuts included | Fettuccine 6.5 mm, tagliolini 2 mm |
| Material | Chromed steel |
| Made in | Italy |
| Warranty | Not stated |
Why we recommend it
It suits a cook who wants an Italian-made machine that is not a Marcato, with room to add a ravioli attachment later.
Skip it if you want the finest control over thickness; six settings is the fewest on this page.
Pros and cons
Pros
- Italian build
- Expandable with Imperia accessories
- Comes with a non-slip base
Cons
- Only six thickness settings
- Warranty not stated
4. Starfrit Manual Stainless Pasta Machine – Noodles and Ravioli Stamps
Starfrit is the kitchenware brand of Atlantic Promotions, a Quebec company, and its manual pasta machine is the most complete kit on this page. Besides the roller and a cutting attachment for 2 mm spaghetti and 6.6 mm fettuccine, it comes with round and square ravioli stamps, so you can make simple filled pasta without buying anything else.
The roller has nine thickness settings from 3 mm down to 0.5 mm, according to the listing. The roller and cutter are separate pieces, which the listing says makes storage and cleaning easier. The machine is stainless steel, measures 7.8 by 5.5 inches, and holds steady with a C-clamp and four non-slip feet.
What you give up is a stated warranty: Starfrit does not give one on the listing, and we found no independent review of this machine. The ravioli stamps are basic hand tools, not a ravioli attachment that feeds through the rollers.
Why we like it
- Nine thickness settings from 3 mm to 0.5 mm.
- Spaghetti and fettuccine cutter included.
- Round and square ravioli stamps in the box.
- C-clamp plus four non-slip feet.
Key specifications
| Model | 092706-002-0000 |
|---|---|
| Type | Manual roller with separate cutter |
| Sheet width | Not stated |
| Thickness settings | 9 (3–0.5 mm) |
| Cuts included | Spaghetti 2 mm, fettuccine 6.6 mm, ravioli stamps |
| Material | Stainless steel |
| Made in | Not stated |
| Warranty | Not stated |
Why we recommend it
It suits a family that wants noodles and the occasional tray of ravioli from one box, without paying for Italian manufacture.
Skip it if you want a published warranty or an independent review before you buy.
Pros and cons
Pros
- Most complete starter kit
- Separate cutter is easier to clean
- Stable on the counter
Cons
- No warranty stated
- No independent review found
5. KitchenAid Pasta Roller Attachment – Let the Mixer Do the Cranking
This one comes with a condition: it needs a KitchenAid stand mixer, sold separately, to work at all. If you already own one, the KSMPSA roller is the cheapest way into KitchenAid’s pasta attachments, and it frees both hands to feed and catch the dough, which is the hardest part of using a hand-crank machine alone.
It rolls 6-inch sheets with eight thickness settings on a stainless steel roller, and it fits all household KitchenAid stand mixers, according to the listing. A cleaning brush is included, and KitchenAid gives a one-year warranty. Our main guide covers the three-piece roller and cutter set; this is the roller on its own.
That is the catch. There is no cutter in the box, so out of the box it makes lasagne sheets and dough for hand-cut noodles. You can cut ribbons with a knife or add KitchenAid’s cutters later. If you do not have the mixer, this is not a budget buy; our guide to the best stand mixer covers that bigger purchase.
Why we like it
- Mixer-driven, so both hands are free.
- Eight thickness settings on 6-inch sheets.
- Fits all household KitchenAid stand mixers.
- One-year warranty, per the listing.
Key specifications
| Model | KSMPSA |
|---|---|
| Type | Stand mixer roller attachment |
| Sheet width | 6 in |
| Thickness settings | 8 |
| Cuts included | None (sheets only) |
| Material | Stainless steel roller |
| Made in | Not stated |
| Warranty | 1 year |
Why we recommend it
It suits a KitchenAid owner who wants smooth, even sheets for lasagne or hand-cut noodles without cranking.
Skip it if you do not own a KitchenAid stand mixer, or if you want noodles cut for you.
Pros and cons
Pros
- Hands-free rolling
- Uses a motor you may already own
- Stated warranty
Cons
- Requires a KitchenAid stand mixer
- No cutter included
6. Sur La Table Va Bene Manual Pasta Maker – A Colorful Hand-Crank Machine
Sur La Table, the US cookware retailer, sells this hand-crank machine under its Kitchen Essentials line. It is a stainless steel roller in a Juniper Green finish, with a detachable shaper that cuts fettuccine and spaghetti, a removable handle and a counter clamp.
The listing describes adjustable settings numbered from 0 to 9 for rolling dough to the thickness you want, and says it handles sheets for lasagna and dumpling skins as well as noodles. The handle fits both the roller and the cutter, so you move it from one to the other as you go.
The listing is short on numbers. It does not give the sheet width, the exact thickness range, where the machine is made or the warranty, and the care note is simply “hand wash only”. Most steel pasta machines should be kept out of water, so follow the manual that comes with it. We include it as a cheerful, retailer-backed alternative to the plain chrome machines above.
Why we like it
- Detachable cutter for fettuccine and spaghetti.
- Settings numbered 0 to 9, according to the listing.
- Stainless steel with a colored finish.
- Sold under a US retailer’s own line.
Key specifications
| Model | 143823.01 |
|---|---|
| Type | Manual roller with separate cutter |
| Sheet width | Not stated |
| Thickness settings | Numbered 0–9 |
| Cuts included | Fettuccine, spaghetti |
| Material | Stainless steel |
| Made in | Not stated |
| Warranty | Not stated |
Why we recommend it
It suits a cook who wants a basic hand-crank machine that looks good left out on a shelf.
Skip it if you want the specs and warranty spelled out; this listing gives the fewest numbers here.
Pros and cons
Pros
- Two noodle cuts included
- Colored finish
Cons
- Sheet width and thickness range not stated
- Warranty not stated
7. Sailnovo 3-in-1 Pasta Maker – A Light Machine for a First Try
Sailnovo’s 3-in-1 machine is the kind of basic hand-crank roller many people buy for their first try at fresh pasta. It has a stainless steel body with aluminum rollers, nine thickness settings and a cutter for two widths, 2.0 mm and 4.5 mm.
The listing says the thickest setting is 3 mm and that repeated passes get dough as thin as 0.5 mm, thin enough for dumpling wrappers. The machine measures 9.4 by 11.8 by 7 inches with its parts. Sailnovo warns against washing the cutter in water or the dishwasher, because moisture dulls the blades; use a brush or a wooden stick to clear dough instead.
What you give up is everything the Italian machines bring: a long record, a clear warranty and published accessory support. The listing offers customer service but no warranty length. Treat it as a low-commitment way to learn whether you will make pasta often enough to justify a Marcato.
Why we like it
- Nine thickness settings, up to 3 mm.
- Two cutter widths, 2.0 mm and 4.5 mm.
- Stainless body with aluminum rollers, per the listing.
Key specifications
| Model | A2021 |
|---|---|
| Type | Manual roller and cutter |
| Sheet width | Not stated |
| Thickness settings | 9 (up to 3 mm) |
| Cuts included | 2.0 mm and 4.5 mm widths |
| Material | Stainless steel body, aluminum rollers |
| Made in | Not stated |
| Warranty | Not stated |
Why we recommend it
It suits a cook who wants to try fresh pasta or thin dumpling wrappers before committing to an Italian machine.
Skip it if you plan to make pasta every week; a Marcato or Imperia is built for that.
Pros and cons
Pros
- Nine settings and two cuts
- Clear cleaning guidance on the listing
Cons
- No warranty length stated
- No accessory range
How to judge value in a cheap pasta machine
With pasta machines, a lower price mostly buys you fewer options, not worse noodles. These are the points worth weighing.
What you give up against the premium picks
The machines in our main best pasta maker guide include motorized rollers and electric extruders that mix, knead and push out shaped pasta. Everything on this page is a roller: none of them makes tube or spiral shapes like penne or fusilli, which need an extruder. Among the rollers, cheaper machines tend to have fewer thickness settings, fixed cutters, thinner listings and shorter or unstated warranties.
Thickness range and settings
America’s Test Kitchen found that a wide range of thickness matters more than the number of settings, and that a one-hand knob showing the current setting makes rolling easier. Ten settings, as on the Marcatos, gives fine steps; six, as on the Titania, means bigger jumps between passes.
Sheet width
About 150 mm, or 6 inches, is the standard home width, and it is what the Marcato Atlas, Imperia and KitchenAid picks roll; the Ampia 180 goes wider, to 180 mm. Narrower rollers mean more hand-rolling before the dough fits, so check the width if the listing gives it.
Cutters and accessories
A removable cutter, like the Atlas’s, lets you add spaghetti, ravioli and other heads later. Fixed cutters, like the Ampia’s and Titania’s, are simpler but limit you to the shapes in the box. Separate cutters, like the Starfrit’s and Sur La Table’s, are easier to clean but are one more piece to store.
Warranty and cleaning
The warranty is the clearest promise a maker gives. On this page it runs from ten years (Marcato Atlas) and one year (KitchenAid) to not stated. Care matters just as much: keep steel rollers out of water, let dough dry and brush it off. Clamp the machine to a sturdy counter, and keep a bench scraper handy for dividing and lifting dough.
Raw flour and dough safety
The FDA calls flour a raw food that can carry harmful bacteria, and notes that many doughs also contain raw eggs. It advises never eating or tasting raw flour, dough or batter, washing your hands with soap and running water after handling them, and cleaning bowls, utensils and counters with warm, soapy water. Cooking is what makes fresh pasta safe to eat.
Recalls
We searched the US Consumer Product Safety Commission’s recall database for every brand on this page and for pasta machines. We found no recall of any product reviewed here; the only pasta machine recall we found was a 1997 lid replacement on another brand’s machine.
How we picked these seven pasta makers
We started from what a working kitchen asks of a roller: even sheets, a thickness range wide enough for lasagne and thin noodles, a steady clamp and a maker you can reach. We then looked at the entry models of identifiable brands sold on Amazon in the United States, kept only those showing as in stock when we checked, and left out unbranded sellers and the machines already reviewed in our main guide, with the one color exception noted above.
Specifications come from the Amazon listings and, where named, the makers. Comparisons with the Atlas and notes on Imperia’s thickness range come from America’s Test Kitchen’s review of manual pasta machines, and flour safety comes from the FDA. We have not used these machines for this guide; everything here comes from the makers, the listings, those sources and our kitchen’s view of what a pasta machine needs to do.
Budget pasta maker questions, answered
What is the best pasta maker on a budget?
For most people, the Marcato Atlas, because it brings Italian build, ten thickness settings, room to add shapes and a ten-year warranty. If you want wider sheets, the Marcato Ampia 180; for a full kit with ravioli stamps, the Starfrit.
Is a cheap pasta machine good enough for fresh noodles?
Yes. Any of these rolls even sheets and cuts ribbon pasta. The differences are in how many settings you get, how the cutter attaches and how long the maker stands behind it.
Do I need a stand mixer for a pasta maker?
Only for the KitchenAid roller, which runs off a KitchenAid stand mixer. Every other machine here is hand-cranked and clamps to a counter.
Can a manual machine make penne or macaroni?
No. Tube and spiral shapes need an extruder, which pushes dough through a shaped disc. Our main pasta maker guide covers electric extruders.
How do I clean a manual pasta machine?
Let leftover dough dry, then brush it off. Marcato suggests waiting at least 30 minutes. Do not wash steel rollers or cutters in water unless the maker says you can.
Our final pick for pasta on a budget
Buy the Marcato Atlas for Italian build, a ten-year warranty and room to add cutters. Choose the Marcato Ampia 180 for wider sheets, the Imperia Titania for a second Italian maker, the Starfrit for ravioli stamps in the box, the KitchenAid roller if you own the mixer, the Sur La Table for a colored finish and the Sailnovo for a low-commitment first try.
If you can spend more for a motor or an extruder, our main best pasta maker guide covers the step up. A good kitchen scale makes flour and egg ratios repeatable, and our guide to the best colander for pasta covers draining. Or let us do the cooking: see the menu or call to order.