Comparison: Sporked Best Microwave Popcorn (Updated | Dec 8th)
Let’s be real—microwave popcorn should be easy, delicious, and not a science project. But with so many brands claiming to be the best, how do you know which one actually delivers? That’s why we turned to Sporked, the food experts who taste so you don’t have to, to break down their top picks. From buttery classics to bold new flavors, we’re diving into what makes each bag stand out. If you’re tired of burnt kernels and sad, soggy results, you’re in the right place—let’s find your next movie night favorite.
- Best for ultimate butter bulk: Orville Redenbacher’s Microwave Popcorn Value Size
- Best for mini theater bags: Orville Redenbacher’s Microwave Popcorn Mini Bags
- Best for movie theater bulk: Orville Redenbacher’s Microwave Popcorn
- Best for xtreme butter value: Act II Xtreme Butter Microwave Popcorn
- Best for real butter classic: Orville Redenbacher’s Microwave Popcorn
- Best for smartpop fat-free: Orville Redenbacher’s Microwave Popcorn SmartPop! Value Size
- Best for glass popper gourmet: Ecolution Patented Micro-Pop Microwave Popcorn Popper with Temperature Safe Glass
- Best for movie theater snack: Pop Secret Microwave Popcorn
- Best for simply salted light: Orville Redenbacher’s Microwave Popcorn
- Best for kettle corn sweet: Orville Redenbacher’s Microwave Popcorn
Product Comparison: Sporked Best Microwave Popcorn
Orville Redenbacher’s Microwave Popcorn Value Size, Ultimate Butter Flavor, 3g Fiber Per Serving, Movie Night Supplies, 3.29 oz., 12-Count
- Contains twelve (12) Classic Bags of Orville Redenbacher’s Ultimate Butter Microwave Popcorn
- Microwave popcorn packed with delicious flavor and loads of real butter
- Made from 100% whole grains and is a good source of fiber
- Ultimate Butter Popcorn is a gluten-free snack
- 0 g trans fat per serving
Orville Redenbacher’s Microwave Popcorn Mini Bags, Movie Theater Butter Flavor, 3g Fiber Per Serving, Movie Night Supplies, 1.5 oz., 12-Count
- Product Type:Grocery
- Item Package Dimension:21.59 cm L X16.51 cm W X8.128 cm H X
- Item Package Weight:1.35 lbs
- Country Of Origin: United States
Orville Redenbacher’s Microwave Popcorn, Movie Theater Butter Flavor, 3g Fiber Per Serving, Movie Night Supplies, 3.29 oz., 24-Count
- Contains (24) 3.29 oz. classic bags of Orville Redenbacher’s Movie Theater Butter Popcorn, offering a bulk supply of popcorn
Act II Xtreme Butter Microwave Popcorn, Movie Night Supplies, 2.75 oz., 12-Count Bags
- Contains twelve (12) 33.01-ounce bags ACT II Xtreme Butter Microwave Popcorn
- Microwave popcorn with high-impact flavor
- The best value in popcorn
- Gluten free
- 0 grams trans fat per serving
Orville Redenbacher’s Microwave Popcorn, Movie Theater Butter Flavor, 3g Fiber Per Serving, Movie Night Supplies, 3 oz., 6-Count
- Contains (6) 3.29 oz. classic bags of Orville Redenbacher’s Movie Theater Butter Popcorn
- Orville Redenbacher’s is the only leading popcorn brand that uses real butter (Select products contain real butter. See package ingredients for details.)
- Orville Redenbacher’s is also the only leading brand of microwave popcorn with no artificial preservatives, flavors, or dyes in all of our products—so grab your favorite popcorn bowl, pop it up in a jiffy, and have a jolly time pretending like you’re at the movies
- In 1952, Orville Redenbacher hand selected a small group of farmers to grow his exclusive kernel, and our family farmers still grow our special kernels today
- Serve our buttery popcorn packs alongside your favorite sweet snacks to add a pop of fun (and flavor) to every occasion
Orville Redenbacher’s Microwave Popcorn SmartPop! Value Size, Butter Flavor, 4g Fiber Per Serving, Movie Night Supplies, 2.69 oz., 12-Count
- Contains (12) 2.69 oz. classic bags of Orville Redenbacher’s SmartPop! Butter Popcorn
- These popcorn packs are 94% fat free and made with 0 g trans fat per serving so you can enjoy alongside your favorite sensible sweet snacks for a pop of fun (and flavor)
- Orville Redenbacher’s is the only leading popcorn brand that uses real butter (Select products contain real butter. See package ingredients for details.)
- Orville Redenbacher’s is the only leading brand of microwave popcorn with no artificial preservatives, flavors, or dyes in all of our products-so grab your favorite popcorn bowl or bucket, and enjoy this gluten-free snack
- In 1952, Orville Redenbacher hand selected a small group of farmers to grow his exclusive kernel, and our family farmers still grow our special kernels today
Ecolution Patented Micro-Pop Microwave Popcorn Popper with Temperature Safe Glass, 3-in-1 Lid Measures Kernels and Melts Butter, Made Without BPA, Dishwasher Safe, 3-Quart, Red
- FAST GOURMET POPCORN: Choose beautiful, durable temperature safe borosilicate glass for better popcorn popping experiences. No oil or butter needed. Hot air circulates preventing burning. Melt butter with the dual function lid for gourmet results. Dishwasher safe for easy cleaning. A fun gift idea
- PREPARING AND SHARING: Great for a healthy snack, movie night, the big game or recipes including popcorn. Simply use the dual-function lid to measure the desired serving size, pour into the Micro-Pop and place in microwave for 3-minutes or less. Hundreds of fun and healthy snack recipe possibilities for your popcorn enjoyment.
- MONEY WELL-SPENT: Make homemade popcorn as an alternative to buying expensive single use prepackaged bags containing unwanted chemicals, ingredients, and calories.
- WHY GLASS IS BETTER: Watch your popcorn popping for perfect results. Temperature safe glass resists wear-and-tear and will not absorb acids or chemicals typically produced during use. Glass is made without BPA, hypoallergenic, and thermal shock resistant. Wide-mouth design and ergonomic handle add versatility and ease-of-use.
- USE AND CARE: For use with microwaves with turntables only. Only use popcorn popper in a clean, fully functioning microwave oven with unrestricted, rotating turntable. Do not use popcorn button or setting on your microwave. Make sure to use fresh popcorn kernels. Nontoxic way to make popcorn
Pop Secret Microwave Popcorn, Movie Theater Butter Flavor, 1.75 Oz Snack Bags, (Pack of 12)
- Movie theater taste: bring the movie theater home with this classically rich buttery flavor and airy popcorn crunch
- Delicious any time: a delicious snack for movie night, TV watching, family game time, or any time!
- Warm popcorn: delicious hot popcorn with n irresistible aroma and flavor, ready in minutes
- Ingredients to feel good about: non-GMO corn and no artificial preservatives, flavors, fructose corn syrup or trans fats
- 12 single-serve snack bags: box of 12 means there are plenty of microwave popcorn bags to go around
Orville Redenbacher’s Microwave Popcorn, Naturals Light Simply Salted Popcorn, 3g Fiber Per Serving, Movie Night Supplies, 2.7 oz., 6-Count
- Contains six (6) 93.3 g Classic Bags of Orville Redenbacher’s Naturals Simply Salted Popcorn
- Orville Redenbacher’s Naturals Popcorn is whole grain, and its delicious, buttery flavor is topped off with a hint of salt
- Orville Redenbacher’s Naturals Popcorn is made from 100% whole grains and is gluten free
- Orville Redenbacher’s Naturals Popcorn pops up in minutes to give you a delicious, whole-grain popcorn snack that is perfect anytime
- Naturals Popcorn has 0 grams of trans fat per serving
Orville Redenbacher’s Microwave Popcorn, Kettle Corn, 3g Fiber Per Serving, Movie Night Supplies, 3.3 oz., 6-Count
- Contains (6) 3.28 oz. classic bags of Orville Redenbacher’s Kettle Corn Microwave Popcorn
- Grab your favorite popcorn bucket, and enjoy the salty and sweet snack that tastes like the state fair in popcorn form
- Orville Redenbacher’s is the only leading brand of microwave popcorn with no artificial preservatives, flavors, or dyes in all of our products
- In 1952, Orville Redenbacher hand selected a small group of farmers to grow his exclusive kernel, and our family farmers still grow our special kernels today
- Add these microwaveable, gluten-free popcorn packs to your pantry for a flavorful twist on your family’s favorite snack
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon.com at the time of purchase will apply to the purchase of this product.
Buying Guide
FAQs
What should I consider when choosing between bulk packs and single‑serve popcorn bags?
Bulk packs, like the 12‑bag value sizes from Orville Redenbacher or Act II, give the lowest cost per ounce and are great for frequent popcorn eaters. Single‑serve bags, such as Pop Secret’s 12‑bag box, offer convenience and portion control for occasional snacking. Check the weight per bag and any added ingredients, like real butter versus artificial flavor, to match your taste and health preferences.
Which brand provides the most authentic movie‑theater butter flavor?
Orville Redenbacher’s Movie Theater Butter flavor is marketed as using real butter and has a strong buttery taste that many shoppers compare favorably to theater popcorn. Act II’s Xtreme Butter also delivers a bold butter flavor but relies on butter‑flavored oil rather than real butter. If authentic butter is your priority, the Orville Redenbacher options generally win out.
How do the health‑focused options differ in nutrition and ingredients?
The SmartPop! Butter line from Orville Redenbacher’s is 94 % fat‑free and contains 0 g trans fat per serving, making it a lower‑calorie choice. Pop Secret’s Movie Theater Butter bags are non‑GMO and free of artificial preservatives, flavors, and trans fats, while still offering a buttery taste. Both provide whole‑grain popcorn, but SmartPop! emphasizes reduced fat content, whereas Pop Secret focuses on clean‑label ingredients.
Is a reusable microwave popper a better value than pre‑packaged bags?
The Ecolution Micro‑Pop glass popper lets you pop plain kernels without oil or butter, eliminating the recurring cost of bagged popcorn and reducing waste. While the upfront price is higher, you can buy bulk kernels for a fraction of the per‑bag cost and customize seasonings. For frequent popcorn consumers who value sustainability and control over ingredients, the reusable popper often proves more economical over time.
Which product offers the best gluten‑free guarantee?
All of the listed Orville Redenbacher’s varieties, including Ultimate Butter, Movie Theater Butter, SmartPop!, and Naturals Simply Salted, are labeled gluten‑free. Act II Xtreme Butter also carries a gluten‑free claim. If you need a certified gluten‑free snack, any of these options meet the requirement, but checking the packaging for any cross‑contamination warnings is still advisable.
How does price per ounce compare across the top-selling butter flavors?
Orville Redenbacher’s 12‑bag Ultimate Butter pack (12 × 3.29 oz) and Act II’s 12‑bag Xtreme Butter pack (12 × 2.75 oz) both provide a low cost per ounce, typically under $0.10 per ounce. Pop Secret’s 12‑bag single‑serve bags are slightly higher in price per ounce due to the smaller bag size. When budgeting, the larger bulk packs from Orville or Act II give the most savings.
What are the key flavor differences between classic butter, lightly salted, and kettle corn options?
Classic butter varieties, like Orville Redenbacher’s Ultimate Butter and Movie Theater Butter, focus on a rich, creamy butter taste. The Naturals Simply Salted option provides a subtle salty finish with a lighter butter profile, appealing to those who prefer less richness. Kettle Corn from Orville adds a sweet‑and‑salty coating that mimics fair‑ground popcorn, offering a distinct flavor experience compared to the pure butter selections.