7 Best Ice Cream Makers of 2026

The Ninja CREAMi NC300 takes a different approach from traditional churn-style makers by shaving and transforming a frozen pint base into a smooth dessert in minutes. According to market research and verified owner sentiment, that system consistently delivers dense, creamy ice cream, sorbets and milkshakes with minimal hands-on effort once the base has frozen overnight. The plastic housing with automatic operation feels straightforward rather than premium, but owners praise the simple controls, built-in timer and re-spin function for rescuing crumbly first spins. Daily utility is strong for households who like to prep ahead, with two 16oz pints and storage lids supporting rotation and portion control plus vegan and dairy-free flexibility. Ergonomics are mixed, as the unit is heavier than expected at around thirteen pounds and occupies counter space. Satisfaction skews high for texture and ease of cleaning, with criticism focused on planning required and small batch size rather than performance.

The NC300UK takes a different approach from traditional churners by shaving and creaming an already frozen base, and verified owners say this is why it handles low sugar, dairy free, high protein and fruit only recipes with unusual consistency. The motor base feels substantial for the forces involved, with a tall narrow footprint, simple dial controls and dishwasher safe tubs, paddle and lids that owners describe as easy to rinse after frequent use. Seven presets covering ice cream, gelato, sorbet, light ice cream, smoothie bowl, milkshake and mix in plus a re spin function give useful flexibility, especially for adding chocolate, nuts or fruit without pulverising them. Daily practicality is strong once you batch freeze tubs ahead, though first spins can come out crumbly and need an extra cycle, operation is notably loud for a couple minutes, and a small but consistent minority flag blade assembly wear and reliability concerns.

Positioned as the flagship of the CREAMi family, this Scoop and Swirl model pairs a sturdy motor base with stainless accents and a tall dispensing tower aimed at both scooped desserts and piped soft serve. Verified owner sentiment across 280 ratings points to genuinely smooth, dense textures from fruit sorbets and Greek yogurt to custard ice cream and protein bases when bases are frozen solid for a full day. Daily use centers on freezing ahead, then a quick few-minute spin and lever dispense, which families find fun and straightforward, with dishwasher-safe tubs, outer bowl and paddle easing cleanup. Ergonomics are mixed: reviewers praise clear labelling and solid feel, but note considerable noise and vibration, substantial counter height and weight, and a fiddly side-nozzle tub that traps some product and needs brush cleaning. Polarization around soft-serve hold reflects recipe sensitivity rather than outright failure. Overall versatility outweighs planning trade-offs for enthusiasts.

The Freeze Ease ICE90U sits in Cuisinarts compact compressor range with a 950ml metal-bodied design, touchscreen panel and three presets for ice cream, sorbet and frozen yoghurt. Market positioning focuses on spontaneity, removing the need to freeze a bowl overnight and adding a keep-cool mode for serving flexibility. Across verified owner sentiment, dessert texture earns consistent praise, described as dense, creamy soft-scoop that firms well with a short rest in the freezer, including dairy, lactose-free, vegan and high-protein bases. Day-to-day ergonomics sound straightforward, with simple controls, a mix-in opening in the transparent lid and a paddle assembly that separates for quick hand washing. Trade-offs are practical rather than deal-breaking. At seven kilograms with a two-toaster footprint it suits batch-and-store use rather than permanent counter display, and operation is a steady hum that rises near the end of the cycle. Isolated quality reports around lid tabs and uneven freezing underline the value of checking fit on arrival.

The Scoop and Swirl builds on Ninja’s Creamerizer platform with a metal-accented motor base, tall 44.5cm footprint, and 13 automatic programs covering scooped ice cream, gelato, sorbet, frozen yogurt, lite and protein-style bases plus dedicated soft-serve modes with mix-in handling. Verified owner sentiment points to genuinely thick, scoopable texture that many compare favorably to compressor churners, especially for low-sugar, high-protein and diabetic-friendly recipes, with straightforward assembly and dishwasher-safe tubs, outer bowl, paddle and dispensing parts easing daily use. Trade-offs are real: bases need a full 24-hour freeze, so spontaneity suffers and freezer space for the 480ml tubs is essential, while noise during the short spin cycle, counter height, 9.45kg heft and occasional learning curve around assembly and lid alignment draw comment. Reliability reports are mostly positive but include isolated bowl-jam and noise-escalation cases, which explains the polarized rating profile. Best results come from prepping multiple tubs ahead for family rotation.

Built around a stainless-steel housing with 180W compressor cooling, this 2-litre maker removes the familiar pre-freeze routine and shifts straight to churning. Four automatic programmes cover dense ice cream, lighter frozen yoghurt, sorbet and yoghurt fermentation, which gives it broader weekly utility than single-function bowls. Verified owner sentiment consistently highlights straightforward operation, reliable freezing in around 30 to 60 minutes, and a practical ingredient hatch for adding mix-ins mid-cycle, followed by keep-cool hold to preserve texture if serving is delayed. The removable bowl plus included scoop and measuring cup simplify serving and cleanup. Trade-offs reflect the compressor format: at nearly 12kg with a sizable countertop footprint it is not a store-away-easily appliance, and noise perception varies, with some owners finding it quiet and others noting hum during freezing. Guidance for recipes and yoghurt dryness also requires a short learning curve, but overall satisfaction remains strong for families wanting flexible batch capacity.

Positioned as a spontaneity-first hybrid, the EasyFreezy pairs a built-in compressor with vertical mixing to deliver soft-serve style ice cream, sorbet, slushies, frappes, milkshakes and frozen cocktails without pre-freezing a bowl. Market research shows owners value that on-demand workflow most, producing smooth, creamy batches in around half an hour to just over an hour once mixed. The tall, narrow countertop footprint saves width while the touchpad, digital temperature readout and five texture levels invite experimentation across seven programmes. Day-to-day ergonomics are mixed. Assembly is straightforward and the self-clean rinse helps, yet verified sentiment flags fiddly corners around the dispense shutter and mixer paddle, plastic staining, and product left behind that needs scraping. Output suits small households rather than parties, precision with sugar and fat ratios matters for proper set, and firmer results generally need the highest texture setting plus chilled bowls to slow melting. Noise is noticeable and completion is indicated only by stopping.