Of course, you can use a blender if another bulky machine doesn't suit your budget or space, but there's no doubt a frozen drink machine makes a fun addition to any celebration. These are our top picks for the best margarita makers in 2020, based on our categorical expertise in this category and considering the most popular models:

This dedicated frozen drink machine has a far more approachable price tag than many other models, but still features dual-functionality to adjust the consistency of your drink. Use the snow setting for a smoother, creamier margarita; use the slush setting for a thicker, icier treat.

For the perennial hostess, a margarita maker capable of making three separate frozen drinks (a total of 72 ounces!) in a single cycle. Simply fill each pitcher with the appropriate ingredients, start the machine, and watch as the rotating ice chute sends premium shaved ice spinning into each canister, blending each concoction to perfection.

You might wonder, though: Can I save the money and use my blender instead? While similar in theory, a margarita machine and a blender do have inherent differences. "The appeal of margarita makers is the ability to blend just before serving to ensure the most homogenous mixture," says Nicole Papantoniou, senior testing editor in the Good Housekeeping Institute Kitchen Appliances and Technologies Lab. The most common margarita makers have a compartment for ice and work by shaving it into a jar that the user pre-fills with their desired drink mixture. Once the shaved ice dispenses into the jar, it’s blended with the drink mixture.

A separate extra-large ice reservoir (it holds enough to make up to 2.5 pitchers!) shaves ice, not crushes it the way a blender does. This ensures frozen drinks have the same creamy, homogenous texture as the beverages at your local watering hole. Just choose serving size — from one to three drinks — and the pre-programmed cycle does the rest.

This cocktail maker allows you to customize the alcohol. Pods contain just mixers and instead of a single water canister, the machine houses four tempered glass bottles that hold up to four preferred base spirits — whiskey, vodka, rum, gin, or tequila— and water. All you have to do is pop in a pod, select your drink strength, and press mix.

If you typically pop a bottle of rosé or grab an ice-cold brew from the beer fridge come five o'clock but wish you had more options at home, a frozen drink machine might be a nice addition to your home bar. A creamy, frosty margarita is a particularly welcome component to any backyard barbecue on a scorching hot day, especially while bars are closed.

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For on the go fun, a portable margarita maker that doesn't require any electricity or batteries. It's great for the beach or a picnic in the park — just pre-mix the ingredients and freeze. When ready to serve, squeeze the soft-sided canister to create a margarita that's similar in consistency to a frozen slushy.

This new and innovative machine churns out delicious margaritas, plus a host of other mixed drinks. There's little fuss in prep work, since all of the ingredients you need to make a drink are located in pods (similar to a traditional Keurig), with the exception of water, which is located in the water canister. Results are impressive, too. Our tester touted her drink as one of the best margaritas she's ever had.

Brigitt is a writer, editor and craft stylist with nearly 15 years of experience. She specializes in lifestyle topics, including home, health, parenting, beauty, style, food, entertaining, travel and weddings. She has written for Glamour, People, Good Housekeeping, Women's Health, Real Simple, Martha Stewart, Apartment Therapy, The Spruce, and more.

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When space is at a premium, opt for this blender over a traditional margarita maker. "A high-powered blender is ... able to crush through ice evenly and efficiently," says Papantoniou. In mere seconds, the powerful motor crushes ice to a smooth consistency that's perfect for frozen drinks. But that's not all this machine does — it also minces, dices, chops, and purees all types of food, smoothies, and drinks.