7 Best Ninja Ice Cream Makers of 2026

This game-changing powerhouse delivers restaurant-quality frozen treats with a level of customization and convenience that redefines home dessert making. Boasting 800 watts of dual-drive motor power and 7 one-touch programs, the Ninja CREAMi effortlessly transforms frozen bases into luxuriously creamy ice cream, gelato, or sorbet—no churning guesswork required. Its standout feature? The Creamerizer Paddle technology, which precisely shaves and churns ice crystals for a velvety texture that rivals high-end parlors, while the mix-in function lets you layer in cookies, fruit, or chocolate at just the right moment for perfect distribution. For health-conscious families or keto enthusiasts, this machine is a dream—total ingredient control means no hidden sugars or preservatives.

In real-world use, the Ninja CREAMi shines when multitasking across textures and dietary needs. Whether you’re making a dense, custard-style gelato or a light, dairy-free sorbet, the 7-program automation ensures consistent results with minimal effort. We tested it with thick banana bases for soft-serve bowls and high-fat coconut milk for vegan ice cream—the machine handled both with ease, though very dense or icy bases occasionally required a re-spin to reach optimal creaminess. The 16 oz pints fit snugly in most freezers, and the included outer bowl keeps mess to a minimum during processing. However, the exclusive compatibility with NC299/NC300 series pints can be a limitation if you own older models or plan to expand your collection later.

Compared to the budget-friendly NC301, this bundle offers greater value with five pints, making it ideal for households that batch-prep or entertain often. It doesn’t add new programs or capacity like the Deluxe NC500 model, but it outshines the NC299AMZ by including extra storage containers, enhancing usability without bloating size. This is the perfect pick for families and frequent users who want reliability, versatility, and the ability to make multiple flavors at once. If you’re serious about homemade frozen treats but don’t need soft-serve dispensing, this model offers the best balance of features, capacity, and ease of use compared to other core CREAMi units.

Sleek, smart, and perfectly compact, the Ninja CREAMi NC299AMZ brings premium ice cream craftsmanship into smaller kitchens without sacrificing power or performance. With 800 watts of dual-drive motor strength and Creamify Technology, this model delivers incredibly smooth textures—think gelato-parlor silkiness or milkshake-thick blends—all at the press of a button. The 7 one-touch programs, including Lite Ice Cream and Smoothie Bowl, cater to health-focused users, while the Re-spin function adds precision for those who demand the perfect scoopable consistency. It’s a kitchen MVP for parents and keto cooks alike, turning frozen fruit or almond milk into decadent desserts with zero guilt.

During testing, the NC299AMZ proved remarkably consistent across a range of bases, from sugar-free sorbets to high-fat dairy blends. The Creamerizer Paddle excelled at breaking down ice crystals uniformly, avoiding the gritty texture common in lesser machines. We loved how the single 16 oz pint encouraged experimentation—try a new flavor each night without waste—while the top-rack dishwasher-safe components made cleanup a breeze. However, processing very hard or overly frozen mixtures sometimes required pausing for a re-spin, and the lack of extra pints in the base package limits batch-making unless you buy separately. Still, for daily treat makers who value precision and space-saving design, it’s a reliable performer.

When stacked against the NC301, the NC299AMZ offers identical power and programs but with a slightly more refined build and included recipe inspiration. It’s more streamlined than the 5-pint B0BHP3FWX8 bundle, making it better suited for smaller households or minimalist users. While it doesn’t offer the XL tubs of the Deluxe model or soft-serve flair of the NC701, it nails the essentials with a sleeker footprint and user-friendly interface. For those who want professional-grade results without clutter, this model delivers more sophistication per square inch than any other standard CREAMi.

With XL-sized 24 oz tubs and 11 one-touch programs, the Ninja CREAMi Deluxe is built for family-sized fun and serious dessert lovers who refuse to compromise on flavor or portion size. This machine doesn’t just make ice cream—it crafts feast-worthy frozen yogurt, Italian ice, and protein-packed smoothie bowls with a single spin, thanks to Advanced Creamify Technology and dual-processing capability. The 50% larger capacity means you can serve four in one go, and the dual mix-in zones let you create layered treats—say, cookie dough on bottom, caramel swirl on top—without cross-contamination or extra prep. For households with picky eaters or dietary diversity, this is a flavor freedom machine.

In practice, the Deluxe model handles heavy-duty tasks with confidence. We tested it with thick Greek yogurt bases and frozen banana blends—the dual-drive motors applied steady pressure, ensuring complete churning without stalling. The Re-Spin function fine-tuned textures beautifully, turning a slightly icy sorbet into a scoopable delight. However, the larger tubs require deeper freezer space, and the exclusive compatibility with NC500 accessories means it won’t work with older pints—no backward integration. Also, while the four XL tubs are great for hosting, they’re overkill for singles or couples, leading to potential waste if not shared quickly. Still, for entertainers or big families, the capacity and customization are unmatched.

Compared to the standard CREAMi models, the Deluxe trades compactness for serious volume and expanded programming, adding five new settings that open up more culinary possibilities. It’s not as portable or space-efficient as the NC299AMZ, nor does it offer soft-serve dispensing like the NC701, but it dominates in batch-making power. If you’re tired of making multiple rounds for your kids or guests, this model eliminates that hassle. It delivers far more frozen fun per cycle than any other Ninja model except the Scoop & Swirl, making it the top pick for high-volume homes where dessert is a daily event.

This soft-serve superstar transforms your kitchen into a custom dessert parlor, delivering swirled cones, creamy custards, and protein-rich frozen treats with the pull of a handle and the tap of a button. With 13 one-touch programs—including 6 dedicated soft-serve options like Frozen Custard and Fruit Whip—it goes far beyond traditional ice cream makers, offering instant gratification without the wait. The innovative Soft Serve Handle with 3 speed settings lets kids and adults swirl their own cones, making it a joyful centerpiece for family nights and parties. Plus, the 2-in-1 CREAMiFit program is a breakthrough for health-focused users, engineering high-protein, low-calorie pints into smooth, satisfying servings in one spin.

Real-world testing revealed impressive speed and texture control—we went from frozen base to soft-serve swirl in under two minutes, with a consistency rivaling commercial machines. The Creamify Technology adapted seamlessly between scooped and swirled outputs, and the mix-in function allowed for candy-studded creations without clogging. We appreciated the pull-out drip tray and BPA-free, dishwasher-safe components, which kept cleanup stress-free. However, the larger motor base and dispensing system take up significant counter space, and the learning curve for optimal soft-serve timing means early attempts might be too runny or too stiff. Still, once dialed in, it delivers parlor-quality treats at home with unmatched interactivity.

Compared to the NC299AMZ or NC301, the NC701 isn’t just an upgrade—it’s a category leap. It doesn’t just make frozen pints; it dispenses them like a pro machine, adding entertainment and convenience. While the Deluxe model wins on batch size, this one wins on versatility and experience, especially for families with kids or soft-serve addicts. It’s the most feature-rich Ninja CREAMi, though the premium price reflects its specialty role. If you want the thrill of a soft-serve machine with full ingredient control, this model offers more fun and function per spin than any other in the lineup.

For those who want premium performance without the premium price, the Ninja NC301 is a budget-savvy champion that brings the full CREAMi experience to cost-conscious dessert lovers. With the same 800-watt dual-drive motor and 7 one-touch programs as its pricier siblings, it delivers smooth, creamy ice cream, sorbet, and milkshakes with zero compromise on texture. The Creamify Technology ensures even churning, while the Re-spin function gives you control over final consistency—perfect for getting that gelato-grade silkiness. Best of all, it’s incredibly user-friendly, making it ideal for teens, college students, or parents introducing kids to homemade treats.

In daily use, the NC301 proved reliably consistent across a variety of bases, from frozen yogurt to vegan cashew cream. The two included 16 oz pints allow for flavor rotation, and the top-rack dishwasher-safe parts make cleanup effortless. We found it handled most mix-ins well, though very hard inclusions like frozen fruit sometimes required pre-chopping to avoid strain. The compact footprint fits neatly on most countertops, but the lack of extra pints or XL capacity means frequent users will likely need to purchase accessories separately. Still, for first-time owners or light users, it’s a no-frills path to gourmet desserts.

Stacked against the NC299AMZ, the NC301 offers nearly identical features but at a lower entry price, making it the best value for basic CREAMi functionality. It doesn’t have the soft-serve flair of the NC701 or the family-sized tubs of the Deluxe model, but it covers all the essentials with proven Ninja reliability. If you’re new to homemade frozen treats and want to test the waters without overspending, this model delivers more bang for your buck than any other in the lineup—proving that great ice cream doesn’t have to cost a fortune.