The Bottom Line
The Marcato Atlas 150 is the best pasta machine for most home cooks, and it isn’t close. It’s the manual roller that Serious Eats, The Spruce Eats, and King Arthur Baking all name as their top pick, and the reasons are consistent: chrome-plated steel construction that lasts for decades, smooth and even rolling, and a thickness dial that produces sheets from lasagna-thick down to gossamer. If you want hands-off convenience or extruded shapes like penne and macaroni, an electric machine like the Philips 7000 Series is the alternative — but for rolled pasta done right, the Atlas is the answer.
Home pasta machines split into two fundamentally different tools that happen to share a name. Rollers (the hand-crank kind clamped to your counter) flatten and cut sheet pasta — fettuccine, tagliatelle, lasagna, ravioli dough. Extruders (usually electric) push dough through dies to make tube and specialty shapes like penne, rigatoni, and macaroni that rollers simply can’t produce. Most people picturing “homemade pasta” — silky fresh egg noodles — want a roller, and that’s where the Marcato Atlas 150 has dominated for decades. We compared the most-recommended rollers and extruders to sort out which one belongs on your counter.
Deeper Dive: Our Top Picks
Our Top Picks
Homemade Pasta Made Easy: Marcato Atlas 150 Manual Pasta Maker Machine in Chrome Steel
The Marcato Atlas 150 rolls fresh pasta sheets up to 150mm wide and cuts lasagna, fettuccine, and tagliolini with consistent thickness every time, thanks to precision chrome steel and anodized aluminum rollers made in Italy since 1930. Home cooks who want authentic Italian pasta without electric appliances will find this machine durable, expandable with 12 accessory attachments, and built to last for years of daily use.
Pros and Cons
Pros
- Anodized aluminum rollers produce consistently cut pasta that holds sauce well, a direct result of the precision engineering at Marcato's Campodarsego factory in Italy.
- The 150mm sheet width is wide enough for full lasagna layers without piecing sheets together, which saves prep time on larger dishes.
- Solid chrome steel construction means the machine stays anchored on the countertop under pressure and does not flex or shift mid-roll.
- Compatible with the Pastadrive motor, so the same machine works for solo cooks who want a hands-free option without upgrading to a separate unit.
Cons
- Not dishwasher safe and cannot be rinsed with water, so cleaning requires waiting for dough to dry fully before brushing off — a slower process if you are switching between dough types.
- Cutters for shapes beyond fettuccine and tagliolini are sold separately, meaning the out-of-box shape selection is limited to three without additional investment.
Philips 7000 Series Pasta Maker with ProExtrude Technology - 8 Discs
The Philips 7000 Series automates pasta making from mixing to extrusion in under 10 minutes, producing up to 8 portions with minimal cleanup thanks to dishwasher-safe components. Best for families who want fresh pasta variety without the manual labor of rolling and cutting dough.
Pros and Cons
Pros
- ProExtrude technology maintains consistent dough pressure for uniform pasta thickness across all 8 discs.
- 150W motor handles stiff doughs including whole wheat and gluten-free blends without stalling.
- Perfect Mixing Technology automatically adjusts mixing time based on flour type, removing guesswork from hydration ratios.
Cons
- No reviews available yet to verify real-world performance claims and durability over time.
- Machine requires dedicated counter space and cannot be easily stored in standard cabinets due to vertical extrusion design.
Sailnovo
Fresh Pasta at Home: Sailnovo 3-in-1 Manual Pasta Maker with 9 Thickness Settings for Spaghetti, Fettuccine & Lasagna
The Sailnovo pasta maker rolls and cuts fresh dough into spaghetti or fettuccine using 9 thickness settings and food-grade aluminum alloy rollers that resist rust and odor. Home cooks who want affordable, manual control over fresh pasta thickness — from 3mm sheets down to 0.5mm dumpling skins — will get reliable daily use from this machine.
Pros and Cons
Pros
- Food-grade aluminum alloy construction eliminates the metallic smell common in budget pasta machines.
- The adjustable knob moves through 9 discrete thickness positions, giving repeatable results across batches.
- One machine covers spaghetti, fettuccine, lasagna sheets, and dumpling wrappers without buying separate attachments.
- Manual operation means consistent dough feeding speed, which helps beginners avoid tearing thin sheets.
Cons
- The blade attachments cannot be rinsed or dishwashed — dough residue must be removed dry with a brush or toothpick, which adds cleanup time.
- Two cutter widths cover the most common pasta shapes but leave out options like tagliatelle or pappardelle for cooks who want more variety.
Imperia
Pasta Maker Machine - 100% Made in Italy Manual Pasta Roller with 6 Thickness Settings
This Italian-made manual pasta machine rolls dough from 0.5mm to 2.5mm and cuts three shapes (fettuccine, tagliolini, lasagna sheets) with chrome steel rollers built to last decades. Buy it if you want restaurant-quality fresh pasta at home without electric components that break or need counter space.
Pros and Cons
Pros
- All-metal construction with chrome steel rollers handles stiff dough without flexing or jamming, a common failure point in budget models.
- Ships with cleaning brush, cotton storage bag, clamp, and crank handle so you can start making pasta immediately without hunting for accessories.
- Six thickness positions cover every pasta style from translucent ravioli wrappers to thick pappardelle without manual adjustment guesswork.
Cons
- Manual cranking requires steady two-handed effort for large batches, which tires arms faster than electric roller models.
- Cleaning between the rollers demands careful brushing since the unit cannot be submerged or disassembled for washing.
Electric Home Pasta Maker with Motor: Marcato Atlas 150 Atlasmotor 110V Chrome Steel Machine
The Marcato Atlasmotor combines the Atlas 150 pasta machine with a Pastadrive motor to roll sheets up to 150mm wide across 10 thickness settings, freeing both hands during use. Home cooks who make pasta regularly and want consistent results without manual cranking will get the most from this Italian-made set.
Pros and Cons
Pros
- Switching between manual handcrank and electric motor gives flexibility for different batch sizes or worktop setups.
- The 10-position adjustment knob has clear detents, so repeating a specific thickness across multiple sessions is reliable.
- Marcato's broad accessories ecosystem means the base machine expands well beyond the included fettuccine and tagliolini cuts.
- A 2-year manufacturer warranty against defects is strong coverage for a home pasta machine at this price tier.
Cons
- The machine is not dishwasher safe and cannot be rinsed, so cleanup requires waiting 30 minutes for dough to dry before brushing — a real constraint mid-session.
- Accessories for additional pasta shapes are sold separately, so the out-of-box shape range is limited to lasagna sheets, fettuccine, and tagliolini.
Editors' Picks
Homemade Pasta Made Easy: Marcato Atlas 150 Manual Pasta Maker Machine in Chrome Steel
Homemade Pasta Made Easy: Marcato Atlas 150 Manual Pasta Maker Machine in Chrome Steel
The Marcato Atlas 150 rolls fresh pasta sheets up to 150mm wide and cuts lasagna, fettuccine, and tagliolini with consistent thickness every time, thanks to precision chrome steel and anodized aluminum rollers made in Italy since 1930. Home cooks who want authentic Italian pasta without electric appliances will find this machine durable, expandable with 12 accessory attachments, and built to last for years of daily use.
$115.20 at AmazonEditors' Favorite
Brand Name: MARCATO Model Number: 8320 Included Components: Pasta Maker Manufacturer: MARCATO UPC: 739485263814 Global Trade Identification Number: 08000011002057 Manufacturer Part Number: MC002057 Item Type Name: pasta maker Unit Count: 1.0 Count Best Sellers Rank: #7,855 in Kitchen & Dining (See Top 100 in Kitchen & Dining) #2 in Manual Pasta Makers ASIN: B0009U5OSO Customer Reviews: 4.6 4.6 out of 5 stars (27,608) 4.6 out of 5 stars Color: Chrome Number of settings: 10 Operation Mode: Manual Is Electric: No Number Of Discs: 3 Minimum Sheet Thickness: 0.8 Millimeters Maximum Sheet Thickness: 4.8 Millimeters Material Type: Chrome Steel Blade Material Type: Aluminum Is the item dishwasher safe?: Yes Item Weight: 2.6 Kilograms Item Dimensions L x W x H: 8"L x 8"W x 7"H Brand: MARCATO Material: Chrome Steel Product Dimensions: 8"L x 8"W x 7"H Blade Material: Aluminum Is Dishwasher Safe: Yes
Shop NowPhilips 7000 Series Pasta Maker with ProExtrude Technology - 8 Discs
Philips 7000 Series Pasta Maker with ProExtrude Technology - 8 Discs
The Philips 7000 Series automates pasta making from mixing to extrusion in under 10 minutes, producing up to 8 portions with minimal cleanup thanks to dishwasher-safe components. Best for families who want fresh pasta variety without the manual labor of rolling and cutting dough.
Check PriceGreat Value
Brand Name: Philips Model Number: HR2660/03 Included Components: Cleaning tool, Measuring cup Manufacturer: Philips Kitchen Appliances Manufacturer Part Number: HR2660/03 Item Type Name: 7000 series Pasta maker Best Sellers Rank: #10,693 in Kitchen & Dining (See Top 100 in Kitchen & Dining) #1 in Electric Pasta Makers ASIN: B0CB9DJL71 Item Weight: 20 Pounds Item Dimensions L x W x H: 12.87"L x 9.02"W x 12.68"H Number of settings: 8 Operation Mode: Automatic Is Electric: Yes Number Of Discs: 8 Minimum Sheet Thickness: 1 Millimeters Maximum Sheet Thickness: 1.5 Millimeters Material Type: Metal, Plastic Blade Material Type: Stainless Steel Is the item dishwasher safe?: Yes Color: White Brand: Philips Material: Metal, Plastic Product Dimensions: 12.87"L x 9.02"W x 12.68"H Blade Material: Stainless Steel Is Dishwasher Safe: Yes
Shop NowSailnovo Fresh Pasta at Home: Sailnovo 3-in-1 Manual Pasta Maker with 9 Thickness Settings for Spaghetti, Fettuccine & Lasagna
Sailnovo
Fresh Pasta at Home: Sailnovo 3-in-1 Manual Pasta Maker with 9 Thickness Settings for Spaghetti, Fettuccine & Lasagna
The Sailnovo pasta maker rolls and cuts fresh dough into spaghetti or fettuccine using 9 thickness settings and food-grade aluminum alloy rollers that resist rust and odor. Home cooks who want affordable, manual control over fresh pasta thickness — from 3mm sheets down to 0.5mm dumpling skins — will get reliable daily use from this machine.
$39.99 at AmazonBrand Name: Sailnovo Model Number: Machine1 Included Components: Pasta Maker Machine, Clamp, English Manual Manufacturer: Sailnovo UPC: 727955960493 Manufacturer Part Number: A2021 Unit Count: 1.00 Count Best Sellers Rank: #2,225 in Kitchen & Dining (See Top 100 in Kitchen & Dining) #1 in Manual Pasta Makers ASIN: B07DP15B53 Customer Reviews: 4.4 4.4 out of 5 stars (3,140) 4.4 out of 5 stars Item Weight: 5.5 Pounds Item Dimensions L x W x H: 11.81"L x 7.09"W x 9.45"H Number of settings: 7 Operation Mode: Manual Is Electric: No Number Of Discs: 7 Minimum Sheet Thickness: 0.5 Millimeters Maximum Sheet Thickness: 3 Millimeters Number of Blades: 1 Material Type: Aluminum, Stainless Steel Blade Material Type: Aluminum Is the item dishwasher safe?: No Color: Silver Brand: Sailnovo Material: Aluminum, Stainless Steel Product Dimensions: 11.81"L x 7.09"W x 9.45"H Blade Material: Aluminum Is Dishwasher Safe: No
Shop NowImperia Pasta Maker Machine - 100% Made in Italy Manual Pasta Roller with 6 Thickness Settings
Imperia
Pasta Maker Machine - 100% Made in Italy Manual Pasta Roller with 6 Thickness Settings
This Italian-made manual pasta machine rolls dough from 0.5mm to 2.5mm and cuts three shapes (fettuccine, tagliolini, lasagna sheets) with chrome steel rollers built to last decades. Buy it if you want restaurant-quality fresh pasta at home without electric components that break or need counter space.
$114.99 at AmazonBrand Name: Imperia Model Number: 4100 Included Components: PACKAGE CONTENTS: Pasta machine, natural cotton pouch for storage, manual crank handle, synthetic bristle brush for roller cleaning, non-slip base, table support, and a user manual. See more Manufacturer: Imperia & Monferrina Spa Manufacture Year: 2024 Global Trade Identification Number: 08005782041007 Manufacturer Part Number: 4100 Item Type Name: Imperia IPASTA Classic Line Pasta Machine 4100 Unit Count: 1.0 Count Best Sellers Rank: #27,281 in Kitchen & Dining (See Top 100 in Kitchen & Dining) #12 in Manual Pasta Makers ASIN: B0CMQT339Y Customer Reviews: 4.5 4.5 out of 5 stars (6,909) 4.5 out of 5 stars Number of settings: 6 Operation Mode: Manual Is Electric: No Number Of Discs: 4 Minimum Sheet Thickness: 2 Millimeters Maximum Sheet Thickness: 150 Millimeters Material Type: Alloy Steel Blade Material Type: Steel Is the item dishwasher safe?: Yes Item Weight: 3.66 Kilograms Color: Chrome Brand: Imperia Material: Alloy Steel Blade Material: Steel Is Dishwasher Safe: Yes
Shop NowElectric Home Pasta Maker with Motor: Marcato Atlas 150 Atlasmotor 110V Chrome Steel Machine
Electric Home Pasta Maker with Motor: Marcato Atlas 150 Atlasmotor 110V Chrome Steel Machine
The Marcato Atlasmotor combines the Atlas 150 pasta machine with a Pastadrive motor to roll sheets up to 150mm wide across 10 thickness settings, freeing both hands during use. Home cooks who make pasta regularly and want consistent results without manual cranking will get the most from this Italian-made set.
$269.95 at AmazonBrand Name: MARCATO Model Number: MCATMOT110VUL Included Components: pasta machine Manufacturer: Marcato Manufacturer Part Number: 11030310 Item Type Name: pasta maker Unit Count: 1.0 Count Best Sellers Rank: #46,742 in Kitchen & Dining (See Top 100 in Kitchen & Dining) #9 in Electric Pasta Makers ASIN: B07MX5G2ZW Customer Reviews: 4.4 4.4 out of 5 stars (1,099) 4.4 out of 5 stars Item Weight: 9.5 Pounds Item Dimensions L x W x H: 13.39"L x 8.27"W x 7.19"H Number of settings: 10 Operation Mode: Manual Is Electric: Yes Number Of Discs: 10 Minimum Sheet Thickness: 1.5 Millimeters Maximum Sheet Thickness: 1.5 Millimeters Number of Blades: 10 Material Type: Alloy Steel, Aluminum Blade Material Type: Aluminum Is the item dishwasher safe?: No Color: Chrome Brand: MARCATO Material: Alloy Steel, Aluminum Product Dimensions: 13.39"L x 8.27"W x 7.19"H Blade Material: Aluminum Is Dishwasher Safe: No
Shop NowHow We Evaluated These Picks
This guide is research-based, not a hands-on test. We did not buy, cook with, or measure the products above. What we did compare: manufacturer specifications, materials and construction, capacities and wattages, and the patterns that repeat across large volumes of verified owner reviews — especially the complaints that only surface after weeks of use, like coatings failing, motors weakening, controls drifting, or a design proving awkward to clean and store.
Where this page describes how something performs, it is reporting what the specifications state and what owners consistently report — not a result we produced ourselves. Prices and availability change constantly, so check the current listing before buying. We earn a commission on purchases made through links on this page, which never affects which products we include or how we rank them.
How We Compared
Rather than claim hands-on testing, we synthesized the evaluation criteria that professional test kitchens consistently apply to pasta machines, cross-referenced against the live consensus from Serious Eats, The Spruce Eats, Food Network, and King Arthur Baking — outlets whose pasta-maker rankings overlap heavily on the same top pick. We weighted build quality and longevity (pasta machines are a buy-once item if chosen well), rolling evenness and the range of thickness settings, ease of clamping and cranking, the availability of cutter attachments, and the practical distinction between rolled and extruded output. Price was considered relative to expected lifespan, where a durable manual machine often outlasts several cheaper ones.
The Picks
Five machines cover the realistic range of home pasta making, from the heirloom-grade manual roller most people should buy, to electric extruders for shaped pasta, to a budget roller for the curious.
MARCATO Atlas 150 Classic Manual Pasta Maker, Chrome Steel (Highly Recommended)
The default recommendation and the machine the most outlets independently land on as their top pick. Made in Italy from chrome-plated steel, the Atlas 150 rolls a 150mm-wide sheet through ten thickness settings, from thick lasagna sheets down to nearly translucent. The build is the headline: it’s a genuinely buy-once tool that owners routinely keep running for 20-plus years, and Marcato sells a wide range of cutter attachments (fettuccine, tagliolini, and more) plus a separate motor if you later want to automate the crank. The hand crank gives you full control over feed speed, which matters for delicate dough. The only real limitation is inherent to all rollers — it makes flat and ribbon-cut pasta, not extruded tubes. For the overwhelming majority of home cooks who want fresh egg pasta, this is the buy.
Philips 7000 Series Pasta Maker with ProExtrude Technology (Recommended (for shaped pasta))
The pick when you specifically want what a roller can’t do: extruded shapes. This fully automatic electric extruder mixes, kneads, and pushes dough through interchangeable discs to make penne, spaghetti, macaroni, and more — you add flour and liquid, and it does the rest, including the kneading. The 150W ProExtrude motor and the perfect-mixing system are built for genuinely hands-off operation, which is the appeal for people who find the manual process tedious or want shapes beyond ribbons. The trade-offs are price (it’s substantially more than a manual roller), counter footprint, and more parts to clean. If extruded pasta or total convenience is the goal, it’s the standout; if you want silky rolled sheets, the Atlas does that better for far less.
Sailnovo 3-in-1 Pasta Maker, 9 Thickness Settings, Aluminum Alloy (Recommended (budget))
The entry-level roller for testing whether pasta making sticks before committing to the Marcato. It’s a 3-in-1 manual machine — a roller plus two cutters (typically spaghetti and fettuccine) — with nine adjustable thickness settings, built from aluminum alloy. It does the core job of flattening and cutting sheet pasta at a fraction of the Atlas’s price. The compromises show up in the material (aluminum versus the Atlas’s chrome-plated steel), longevity, and the polish of the rolling action, which owners describe as serviceable rather than smooth. A reasonable starting point or occasional-use machine, but the kind of tool people often replace with an Atlas once they’re hooked.
Imperia Pasta Maker, 100% Made in Italy, Heavy-Duty Steel (Recommended)
The closest direct rival to the Marcato and the other Italian-made steel roller with a serious following. Imperia builds a heavy-duty steel machine with an easy-lock dial for thickness adjustment, and it shares the Marcato’s reputation for durability and even rolling — it’s a legitimate buy-once roller. Choosing between the two often comes down to attachment ecosystem and personal preference on the crank feel; Marcato’s broader range of available cutter attachments and the optional add-on motor give it a slight edge for most buyers, but an Imperia owner is not missing out on much. A strong alternative if you find a better price or prefer its dial.
MARCATO Atlasmotor 110V Electric Pasta Machine, Chrome Steel (Recommended (hands-free rolling))
For people who love the Marcato roller but don’t want to hand-crank — this is the Atlas with the work automated. The set pairs the same chrome-steel Atlas roller with an electric motor that turns it for you, so you get identical rolling quality and feed both hands to guide and catch the dough. It’s the right pick if you make pasta in volume, have a hand or wrist issue that makes cranking hard, or simply prefer to be hands-free. Note that this still produces rolled and ribbon-cut pasta, not extruded shapes — it automates the crank, not the format. Costs more than the manual Atlas, and you can also buy the motor separately to add to an Atlas you already own.
What to Look For
The first decision is roller versus extruder, and it’s not about quality — it’s about output. A roller makes flat sheets and ribbon cuts (fettuccine, tagliatelle, lasagna, the base for ravioli); an extruder makes tubes and shapes (penne, macaroni, rigatoni). Picture the pasta you actually want to eat and that decides the category. Within rollers, build material is the single biggest longevity factor: chrome-plated or heavy-duty steel (Marcato, Imperia) lasts decades, while aluminum budget machines are serviceable but shorter-lived. Look for a wide thickness range — the better machines offer roughly nine to ten settings spanning thick sheets to near-translucent — and a stable clamp that locks firmly to your counter, since a wobbling machine ruins even rolling. Check the attachment ecosystem too: a roller is far more useful with the right cutters, and the option to add a motor later is a nice hedge. For extruders, prioritize the motor’s ability to handle stiff dough and the range of included dies.
At a Glance
| Machine | Type | Material | Thickness Settings | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Marcato Atlas 150 | Manual roller | Chrome-plated steel | 10 | Most home cooks (top pick) |
| Philips 7000 Series | Electric extruder | Plastic/steel | n/a (dies) | Shaped pasta, hands-off |
| Sailnovo 3-in-1 | Manual roller | Aluminum alloy | 9 | Budget / first-timers |
| Imperia | Manual roller | Heavy-duty steel | Multiple (lock dial) | Marcato alternative |
| Marcato Atlasmotor | Electric roller | Chrome steel | 10 | Hands-free rolling, volume |
Buying Tips
Buy the machine that matches the pasta you’ll actually make, not the one with the most features. If you want classic fresh egg noodles and sheets, a manual Marcato Atlas 150 is the buy-once answer and the safest purchase on this list. Only step up to the electric Atlasmotor if cranking is a genuine obstacle or you make pasta in real volume; only choose an extruder like the Philips if you specifically want tube and specialty shapes. Skip the temptation to over-buy: a $300 extruder gathering dust is worse than a $90 roller you use weekly. And factor in attachments — budget a little extra for the cutters you’ll want, since the roller alone only makes sheets until you add them. Finally, fresh pasta needs good dough, so pair the machine with a reliable kitchen scale for consistent flour-to-egg ratios.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the best pasta machine for a beginner?
The Marcato Atlas 150 manual roller is the most-recommended choice for beginners and experts alike — it’s simple, nearly indestructible, and produces excellent results once you learn the basic feed-and-fold rhythm. If you want to spend less while you test whether pasta making sticks, a budget roller like the Sailnovo 3-in-1 covers the basics, though many people upgrade to the Atlas once they’re hooked.
What’s the difference between a pasta roller and a pasta extruder?
A roller flattens dough into sheets and cuts ribbon shapes like fettuccine, tagliatelle, and lasagna — it’s what most people mean by a ‘pasta machine.’ An extruder pushes dough through shaped dies to make tubes and specialty shapes like penne, macaroni, and rigatoni, which a roller cannot produce. Rollers are usually manual and affordable; extruders are usually electric and pricier. Choose based on the pasta shapes you actually want.
Is a manual or electric pasta machine better?
For rolled pasta, a manual machine like the Marcato Atlas 150 gives you fine control over feed speed and lasts for decades, which is why test kitchens favor it. Electric is better if cranking is physically difficult, you make pasta in large volume, or you want a fully hands-off extruder for shaped pasta. Quality of the finished pasta comes down to the machine and your dough, not whether it’s powered.
Can you put a pasta machine in the dishwasher?
No — almost all pasta rollers, including the Marcato and Imperia, should never go in the dishwasher or even be washed with water, because moisture causes the steel rollers to rust and can strip lubrication. Clean them by letting dough dry, then brushing out the residue with a dry brush or cloth. Electric extruders usually have removable parts that are washable, but check the manual for which components can get wet.
How long do pasta machines last?
A quality steel manual roller like the Marcato Atlas 150 or an Imperia can last 20 years or more with basic care — these are genuinely buy-once tools, and many are passed down between generations. Aluminum budget machines and the more complex electric extruders have shorter practical lifespans due to lighter materials and more moving parts. Investing in a durable steel roller usually costs less over time than replacing cheaper machines.
Final Take
For nearly everyone, the best pasta machine for home is the Marcato Atlas 150 — a manual steel roller that produces beautiful fresh pasta and lasts long enough to outlive most of your other kitchen tools. Step up to the electric Atlasmotor only if you want hands-free cranking or high volume, and choose an extruder like the Philips 7000 only if tube and specialty shapes are the goal. The Imperia is a worthy alternative if the price or dial suits you better, and the Sailnovo is a fine low-risk way to find out whether pasta night becomes a habit. Whatever you pick, good dough matters as much as the machine — see our guides to the best mixing bowls for working dough, the best stand mixer for kneading, and the best kitchen scale for nailing your flour-to-egg ratio every time.
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