Review and Comparison of Popular Ice Cream Makers

In 2023, NBC Select reporter Zoe Malin tested and reviewed the Ninja Creami when it first launched and was in high demand at stores like Costco and Best Buy. It’s easier to find now, with new versions like the Ninja Slushi and Ninja Creami Soft Serve Maker available. The original Ninja Creami remains popular, despite numerous competitors offering cheaper alternatives.

Malin and I tested several ice cream makers to compare with the Ninja Creami: Cuisinart Fast Freeze, Cuisinart Ice Cream Maker, KitchenAid Ice Cream Maker Attachment, Nutribullet Chill, and GreenPan Frost. Here’s what we found.

Ninja Creami vs. Competitors

Many of these ice cream makers have strong reviews on Amazon. Here’s a summary of our experience with each.

Best Overall Ice Cream Maker

The Ninja Creami, which I tested, has a cream cheese-based ice cream recipe that doesn’t require tempering, unlike traditional egg-based recipes. The freezing takes 24 hours, after which the ice cream is ready in about 10 minutes. The texture is creamy and smooth. Despite its loudness, it’s easy to set up and wash. It offers pre-sets for ice cream, gelato, sorbet, and more.

Cuisinart FastFreeze

This lightweight and compact appliance requires manual effort, which may appeal to those in small spaces. The results were surprisingly creamy, much like the Ninja Creami, though not better in performance. It has multiple pre-sets and is less expensive.

KitchenAid Ice Cream Maker Attachment

This attachment uses an insulated bowl and requires a KitchenAid mixer. It’s ideal for occasional ice cream makers with limited space. While the texture was good, it lacks pre-sets found in the Ninja Creami and FastFreeze.

Cuisinart Ice Cream Maker

Best for traditional ice cream with an egg base, it makes creamy ice cream in about 20 minutes. It’s intuitive and ideal for those not keen on complex kitchen tasks. However, it lacks pre-sets and customization options.

GreenPan Frost

This appliance excels in making soft-serve ice cream without prior freezing. It also cleans easily and offers texture customization. Perfect for soft serve lovers but not suitable for traditional ice cream texture.

Nutribullet Chill Ice Cream Maker

Compact and efficient for making soft sorbets or fruit-based desserts. It works similarly to Nutribullet blenders, making it a great option for small spaces.

Choosing the Right Ice Cream Maker

Your choice depends on your preferences:

• Ninja Creami: Versatile with excellent texture and pre-sets.
• Cuisinart FastFreeze: Compact with multiple pre-sets, manual effort required.
• KitchenAid Attachment: Ideal for existing mixer users, lacks pre-sets.
• Cuisinart Ice Cream Maker: Perfect for store-bought style ice cream, simple use.
• GreenPan Frost: Best for soft serve and frozen drinks, no freezing required.
• Nutribullet Chill: Wonderful for fruit-based desserts, compact design.

For best texture and speed, Ninja Creami stands out, but each has unique offerings based on your needs.

Frequently Asked Questions

Alternatives to the Ninja Creami vary in price and function. If you prefer soft serve, GreenPan Frost is suitable. If you want traditional ice cream, Cuisinart Ice Cream Maker fits best. For sorbets, Nutribullet Chill excels.

Why Trust NBC Select?

As a commerce editor at NBC Select, I cover home and kitchen appliances extensively. With eight years in food and kitchen appliance journalism, I’ve tested courtesy ice cream makers with colleague Zoe Malin, providing insights for informed choices.