5 Best Ice Cream Makers to Buy in 2025

Experience a paradigm shift in frozen treat creation with the Ninja NC301 CREAMi. This isn’t your grandmother’s ice cream maker; it utilizes unique Creamify Technology to transform fully frozen bases into incredibly smooth, creamy desserts. It tackles the common pain point of inconsistent texture, offering seven distinct one-touch programs for everything from traditional ice cream and gelato to sorbet, milkshakes, and even healthy smoothie bowls, providing unparalleled versatility right on your countertop.

Performance is where the NC301 truly shines, processing frozen pints in mere minutes after the required 24-hour freeze time. The 800-watt motor and specialized paddle finely shave and churn ice particles into a delightful consistency, a stark contrast to conventional churning methods. While it requires specific pint containers and a dedicated spot in your freezer for the base, its compact footprint (8.15″ L x 12.17″ W x 16.5″ H) makes it manageable for most kitchens. The Re-spin function is a clever addition, perfect for achieving an even softer texture if desired.

Positioned as a highly versatile, modern alternative, the Ninja NC301 is ideal for those who prioritize dietary control and variety, easily handling dairy-free, keto, or vegan recipes. Compared to classic freezer-bowl models like the Cuisinart ICE-30BCP1, it offers a wider range of textures beyond just ice cream and yogurt, though it demands pre-planning due to the overnight freeze. Its feature set and unique technology offer a distinct value proposition compared to simpler, budget-focused options like the Nostalgia bucket style.

Unlock a world of frozen possibilities with the Ninja CREAMi NC299AMZ, a powerful 7-in-1 appliance designed to make creating custom frozen treats effortlessly simple. Leveraging innovative Creamify Technology, this machine transforms frozen ingredients into exceptionally smooth and consistent textures, addressing the common frustration of icy results from less advanced methods. It empowers users to craft everything from rich gelato and sorbet to thick milkshakes and healthy smoothie bowls using their own controlled ingredients.

In terms of performance, the NC299AMZ delivers rapid results once your base is frozen solid, typically requiring about 24 hours in the freezer beforehand. The 800-watt motor and unique paddle mechanism work quickly to break down the frozen block, achieving a perfectly “creamified” consistency in just a couple of minutes per pint. Its operation is straightforward, making it accessible for the whole family, though like other CREAMi models, it does require investing in compatible pint containers for additional batches and takes up freezer space for pre-freezing.

This Ninja CREAMi model stands out as a top contender for overall performance and ease of use within the CREAMi line, sharing the same core technology and versatility as the NC301. It’s particularly well-suited for users who want maximum control over ingredients for dietary needs or creative flavor combinations. While requiring more patience upfront (due to the freeze time) than quick-churn models like the Cuisinart ICE-70P1, its ability to produce a wide array of textures and handle diverse ingredients provides a compelling advantage for those seeking flexibility over instant gratification.

Step back in time with the Nostalgia Electric Ice Cream Maker, offering a charming, old-fashioned approach to homemade frozen desserts with modern convenience. This 4-quart machine brings the classic bucket style into the electric age, eliminating the need for manual churning and focusing on simplicity and speed. It’s designed to evoke a sense of fun and tradition, making the process as enjoyable as the outcome, and is particularly good at producing large batches perfect for family gatherings.

Operation is quick and straightforward, promising delicious ice cream, frozen yogurt, or gelato in as little as 20 minutes, significantly faster than machines requiring overnight pre-freezing. The electric motor handles all the work, churning your mixture within the ice and salt (or freezer mixture) filled bucket. While its texture might not reach the velvety smoothness of advanced ‘creamifying’ machines like the Ninja CREAMi or the consistent results of double-insulated freezer bowls, it reliably produces a pleasingly classic, scoopable consistency. The convenient carrying handle makes it easy to transport for parties.

Positioned as the best budget-friendly option, the Nostalgia maker is ideal for casual users, families, or anyone who loves the traditional ice cream-making experience without the physical effort. Its large 4-quart capacity is a major plus compared to the 1-2 quart limits of most freezer-bowl or CREAMi models. While it requires the added step of ice and salt (or a specific freezer mixture) and takes up more counter space during operation than compact models, its low cost and high capacity offer significant value for those prioritizing fun, tradition, and serving a crowd.

Discover the dependable performance of the Cuisinart ICE-30BCP1, a classic fully automatic ice cream, frozen yogurt, and gelato maker built for speed and ease of use. Featuring a double-insulated freezer bowl, this machine eliminates the need for ice and salt, providing a cleaner, more convenient churning process. It’s engineered to deliver consistent, delicious results for traditional frozen desserts, focusing on straightforward operation that bypasses complex settings found on more feature-rich models.

Performance is centered around the 2-quart double-insulated freezer bowl, which must be frozen completely (typically 12-24 hours) before use. Once the bowl is ready, the machine churns your mixture to perfection in as little as 20 minutes, a rapid turnaround time for spontaneous treat making. The large ingredient spout is a practical touch, allowing for easy addition of mix-ins like nuts or chocolate chips during the churning process. While you are limited to one batch until the freezer bowl is refrozen, its consistent churning action ensures reliable texture every time.

This Cuisinart model stands out as a solid, classic choice for users who want simple, automatic operation and consistent results without fuss. It’s a step up in convenience from the Nostalgia bucket style, eliminating the messy ice and salt. Compared to the feature-rich Cuisinart ICE-70P1, it offers the same core churning performance and 2-quart capacity but lacks the digital timer and multiple speed settings, making it slightly less versatile but more intuitive for basic use. It provides excellent value for those seeking reliable, no-frills frozen dessert making using the popular freezer bowl method.

Elevate your homemade frozen dessert game with the Cuisinart ICE-70P1, a feature-rich ice cream maker designed for those who appreciate precision and convenience. Building on the reliable freezer-bowl concept, this model adds an intuitive LCD screen, multiple speed settings, and a countdown timer with auto shutoff, offering greater control and a more polished user experience. It addresses the desire for both quality results and modern functionality in a single appliance.

Performance is a strong suit for the ICE-70P1, capable of producing two quarts of frozen treats in just 20 minutes thanks to an improved paddle design and efficient motor. Like other freezer bowl models, the double-insulated bowl requires pre-freezing (usually overnight) before churning can begin. The LCD screen and timer take the guesswork out of the process, ensuring optimal consistency, while the integrated measuring cup in the ingredient spout simplifies adding mix-ins. Its ability to produce consistent ice cream, frozen yogurt, gelato, and sorbet makes it a versatile choice within the traditional churning category.

Positioned as the best feature-rich option among classic churners, the Cuisinart ICE-70P1 is ideal for users who want more control and modern conveniences than basic models provide. It offers enhanced functionality compared to the simpler Cuisinart ICE-30BCP1, including the valuable timer and speed options, which can subtly impact texture. While it shares the limitation of requiring freezer space for the bowl and being restricted to one batch at a time, its combination of speed, capacity, and digital features provides a compelling balance of performance and user-friendliness for enthusiasts.