Comparing Ninja Creami with Leading Ice Cream Makers

In 2023, NBC Select reporter Zoe Malin reviewed the Ninja Creami after its launch. The appliance became popular quickly, with many stores unable to keep it in stock. Today, it is readily available, and the brand has expanded its line with models like the Ninja Slushi and Ninja Creami Soft Serve Maker. Despite new competition, the original Ninja Creami remains a favorite among consumers, largely due to its versatility.

Many competitors have emerged, offering alternatives at lower price points. Brands such as Cuisinart, KitchenAid, and Nutribullet now offer similar products, some of which are $30 to $50 cheaper. Some newer models, like the GreenPan Frost, offer unique features such as not requiring overnight freezing. To assess how these products stack up against the Ninja Creami, my colleague and I spent several weeks testing various appliances.

Ninja Creami vs. Competitors

We tested the Cuisinart Fast Freeze, Cuisinart Ice Cream Maker, KitchenAid Ice Cream Maker Attachment, Nutribullet Chill, and the GreenPan Frost. Here’s what we found in our tests.

Best Overall Ice Cream Maker

I started by testing the Ninja Creami, using its recipe booklet to make ice cream with a cream cheese base. Like most home ice cream makers, it requires the base to freeze for at least 24 hours ahead of time. The device is user-friendly with a quick-start guide, and its ice cream has a creamy, smooth texture. However, one downside is its noise level, comparable to that of a blender or vacuum.

Cory Fernandez appreciates the Ninja Creami’s numerous pre-sets for ice cream, gelato, sorbet, and more.

The Cuisinart Fast Freeze offers a compact alternative with a different ice cream-making process. While the base still needs to freeze in advance, it requires manual effort with a handle on top. Despite this, its ice cream was almost identical in texture and creaminess to the Ninja Creami. This device is affordable and suitable for small living spaces.

Cory Fernandez enjoys the lightweight design and quick mixing of the Cuisinart Fast Freeze.

The KitchenAid Ice Cream Maker Attachment, used with a KitchenAid Stand Mixer, is ideal for occasional ice cream making. Unlike others, it requires an additional KitchenAid appliance and lacks the pre-sets found on the Creami and Fast Freeze. However, it’s perfect for those who already own a KitchenAid mixer.

Zoe Malin utilized KitchenAid’s stand mixer with the frozen bowl attachment for mixing.

The traditional Cuisinart Ice Cream Maker, simple in design, excels in creating ice cream with a tempered egg base. It uses an insulated bowl and a rotating base to create smooth, store-bought-like ice cream within 20 minutes.

The Cuisinart Ice Cream Maker is ideal for traditional egg-based ice cream, forming quickly.

The GreenPan Frost, known for its groundbreaking non-toxic cookware, introduces an innovative ice cream maker with built-in freezing capabilities. This appliance excels in making soft-serve ice cream without requiring pre-frozen ingredients, offering customizable textures and easy cleaning features.

Cory Fernandez appreciates that the GreenPan Frost produces soft-serve style ice cream without pre-freezing.

The Nutribullet Chill Ice Cream Maker, smaller and quieter than the Creami, provides a compact option for soft sorbet and frozen treats. The sorbet texture was excellent, yet the ice cream was much softer, appealing more to those who prefer softer desserts.

Zoe Malin prepared sorbet using frozen fruit in the Nutribullet Chill Ice Cream Maker.

Testing Criteria

During our tests, we considered setup ease, usability, and ice cream texture. All tested appliances were relatively simple to set up, with the Cuisinart FastFreeze requiring some manual effort. The Ninja Creami offered easy-to-understand guidance and broad customization options.

The most critical factor was ice cream texture. The Ninja Creami and Cuisinart FastFreeze produced the smoothest textures, closely resembling store-bought ice cream. In contrast, the GreenPan and Nutribullet created softer textures, appealing to soft-serve enthusiasts.

Choosing the Right Ice Cream Maker

Deciding the best ice cream maker depends on your preferences:

• Ninja Creami: Offers versatility, but is notably loud.
• Cuisinart FastFreeze: Affordable and ideal for compact spaces.
• KitchenAid Ice Cream Maker Attachment: Best for existing KitchenAid mixer owners.
• Cuisinart Ice Cream Maker: Excels in traditional ice cream-making.
• GreenPan Frost: Great for soft-serve and quick preparation.
• Nutribullet Chill: Ideal for sorbet and soft dessert lovers.

The Ninja Creami stood out in our tests due to its texture and ease of use, though the Cuisinart FastFreeze was a close second. Each alternative has distinct features suitable for various ice cream preferences.