Best Bubble Machines 2024 - Forbes Vetted

Bubbles are so joyful, but blowing them with a wand and solution can sometimes be tedious and messy, especially for toddlers and little kids. Instead, you can wow your kiddo with the ease and delight of a bubble machine. The best bubble machines allow parents and caregivers to relax, while kids can start having fun the moment a cloud of bubbles begins soaring out of the machine.

Turn up the fun with our best bubble machine picks.

Bubble machines are an affordable addition to backyard playtime and can set the stage for just about any party. “I love a bubble machine going when guests enter a party, especially if you have a theme of ‘Under the Sea’ or ‘Sharkboy and Lavagirl,’” says Michelle McKenna Shuey, owner of The Effortless Affair, a children’s party company in New Jersey. “I think they make a great visual impact, and the kids get really excited as if they know the party has started.” We found affordable and readily available bubble machines that get top marks from parents and kids. Here are the best bubble machines of 2024.

Amazon

Our top choice for best bubble makers, we love that this ultra-powerful bubble machine has six wands and claims it can produce more than 18,000 bubbles per minute. It comes with a powerful, two-speed motor, though we’re not sure any kids will ever want this machine to run at a slower speed. Perfect for parties or fun anywhere, this bubble machine allows you to plug in the short cord (use an extension cord if needed) or power the machine via six C batteries (not included).

The well can hold up to 12.5 ounces of bubble solution; there’s no solution included. A top handle makes toting the bubble machine to the backyard party or park a cinch. Parents should note that the one drawback of this bubble machine is that it’s not spill-proof, so you’ll need to keep it in a safe spot and warn younger kids not to touch or walk over the machine. Another bonus of the large reservoir is that it’s pretty easy to clean, especially compared to smaller machines, but it’s not removable, so you'll need to get inside the machine and clean.

This bubble machine is available in six colorways. Some solid options, like black, white and blue, are excellent if you’ll be using this for other adult parties, and some brighter options, like a blue/red combo, are perhaps more kid-friendly.

Amazon

A fun addition to your backyard that won’t break your budget, this wallet-friendly pick is a wonderful option. True to its name, this bubble machine immediately starts cranking out thousands of bubbles. The machine comes with a starter bottle of 4 ounces of bubble solution, which is how much the machine can hold—so you’ll want to purchase more solution before you start using the bubble machine.

It runs on four AA batteries, which are not included, so stock up on those, too. This machine works by attaching the included bubble solution jar to the machine upside down, letting the solution enter the reservoir. Make sure to follow the included directions. It’s best to keep and continuously refill that small bottle–that’ll make your life much easier. Fun for an inexpensive purchase, but continually replacing batteries and refilling bubble solution is a big trade-off.

Amazon

Bubble machines get high-tech thanks to this option that comes with a remote control. There’s also a version without a remote, but for $4 more, we recommend the remote. This pick is perfect for kids' parties for a few reasons. The reservoir capacity is 25 ounces, so you’ll unlikely need to refill the bubble solution. The plug-in machine is also a party plus, so there is no need to worry about dead batteries in the middle of the fete. With a remote control feature that works up to 32 feet, the party bubbles can quickly go on and off. Of course, if you’d rather not use the remote (or can’t find it), there’s also a manual on-and-off switch.

This machine is not spill-proof, so we recommend leaving it in a safe zone so kids won’t trip over it. With a remote control, you can even position this bubble machine high up on a deck or other out-of-reach area without worrying about how you’ll turn it on and off.

Amazon

A handheld option means your kiddos can have a blast shooting bubbles around. It requires four AA batteries (which are not included), so stock up. Once the batteries are loaded, to use these, pour the bubble solution into the tray, dip the wand into the tray, and push the power button to start the bubbles.

Unlike other handheld bubble machines that hold the whole bottle of solution, we like that this one has kids refill periodically on the tray. Those bottle-attached options tend to spill and can be heavy for little hands. Another nice feature of this handheld options is that it has spinning lights, so your kids can create cool effects in low light.

Amazon

A fun addition to a bathtub, this bath bubble maker can extend bath time and be an excellent lure for bath-adverse kiddos. Powered by two AA batteries (not included), simply use the suction cups to stick the crab onto the bath walls, add about two cups of a diluted and bath-friendly bubble solution into the crab’s claw, and switch the on/off button to see bubbles pouring out of the crab’s mouth.

This inexpensive addition is cute and engaging for little kids. Reviewers do say it’s a bit tricky to clean, and it’s recommended that parents create their bubble solution with a kid-friendly body wash and water rather than an actual bubble solution for outdoor bubbles.

Amazon

It should come as no surprise that our top pick for toddlers is a no-spill bubble machine. The machine runs on four AA batteries, so stock up before you set this bubble machine loose on your toddlers. This bubble machine comes with a 16-ounce bottle of bubble solution. The full reservoir holds about 20 ounces and can run for an hour at total capacity.

Because the machine's mechanism is stored over the reservoir, it’s all enclosed, so the well filled with bubble solution can’t spill. However, just because it doesn’t spill, it’s not dry and neat. Reviewers say the machine still gets quite wet and slippery, so move and refill it cautiously.

At Forbes Vetted, we’ve researched, tested and written about a wide range of baby and kids' gear. We offer intelligent shopping advice to parents on everything from the best stroller wagons to the best beach toys.

To find the best bubble machines, we looked for a range of relatively affordable, highly rated and readily available options.

The best bubble machine is one that you use and can easily clean. Our top pick, the Zerhunt Bubble Machine, is affordable and versatile since it can run on either battery or via the attached cord.

Shuey recommends a store-bought solution in whatever is in the biggest bottle. "No one wants to run out of bubble mix in the middle of the fun,” she says. We love this advice and recommend buying a big bottle (or two) of unscented, kid-safe bubble solution.

How long a bubble machine can run continuously depends on a few factors, include the reservoir size and the rate at which it generates bubbles. Most of the bubble machines on this list can blow bubbles for about 30 minutes before needing a refill, but that can vary widely by machine.

We replaced the best handheld bubble maker with a new top pick, and also answered frequently asked questions about bubble machines.