6 Best Ice Cream Maker Brands to Buy in 2026

Unlock homemade frozen treats directly from your existing appliance with the KitchenAid Ice Cream Maker Attachment. This clever accessory leverages the power of your KitchenAid stand mixer, transforming it into a dedicated dessert machine capable of whipping up thick, creamy ice cream, gelato, or sorbet in small batches. It’s designed to integrate seamlessly, addressing the pain point of needing yet another bulky appliance on your counter if you already own a compatible KitchenAid mixer.

Performance is swift, churning a full 2-quart capacity batch in under 30 minutes once your base is prepped and the bowl is sufficiently frozen. The redesigned dasher ensures thorough incorporation of ingredients, promoting even freezing for that coveted smooth texture. While its performance is reliable for standard recipes, the requirement to pre-freeze the bowl means spontaneous cravings need planning, and continuous batches aren’t feasible without a second bowl.

Compared to standalone units like the Cuisinart ICE-30BCP1, this KitchenAid attachment offers significant space savings by utilizing a tool you likely already have. However, it demands specific mixer compatibility, unlike dedicated machines which are self-contained. It’s the ideal choice for KitchenAid owners seeking convenience and quality without adding another large appliance footprint, offering excellent value if your mixer is compatible.

Dive into the world of homemade frozen desserts with the Cuisinart ICE-30BCP1, a straightforward and dependable machine that makes creating ice cream, frozen yogurt, or sorbet incredibly accessible. Its fully automatic operation and heavy-duty motor take the guesswork out of the process, allowing you to simply add your ingredients and let the machine do the work. This model is particularly appealing for those seeking a budget-friendly entry point into frozen treat making without compromising on core functionality.

Capable of producing a full 2 quarts of your favorite dessert in as little as 20 minutes, this unit is both efficient and convenient. The large ingredient spout is a practical touch, making it easy to add mix-ins like chocolate chips or nuts towards the end of the churning cycle. While it performs admirably for standard churned recipes, like other freezer bowl models, it requires the bowl to be frozen solid beforehand, limiting spontaneity and back-to-back batches unless you have freezer space for a spare bowl.

Positioned as a great value option, the Cuisinart ICE-30BCP1 delivers reliable performance comparable to more expensive freezer bowl models like the Cuisinart ICE-70P1, albeit with fewer bells and whistles like a digital timer. It’s a perfect fit for beginners or budget-conscious users who want simple, fast, and delicious results. For those prioritizing ease of use and capacity at a lower cost, this model offers substantial performance.

Prepare to reinvent your frozen dessert experience with the Ninja NC301 CREAMi. This innovative machine uses unique Creamify Technology to transform a solid frozen base into an incredibly smooth and creamy texture, offering a fundamentally different approach than traditional churners. With 7 one-touch programs, it goes far beyond simple ice cream, tackling everything from gelato and sorbet to milkshakes and smoothie bowls, making it a incredibly versatile tool for the modern kitchen.

Operation involves preparing your liquid base, freezing it solid in the included 16-oz pint containers (two are provided), and then processing it in the machine. This method allows for unparalleled ingredient control and customization, perfect for crafting low-sugar, keto, dairy-free, or vegan options. While the overnight freezing step requires planning, the processing itself is quick, and the Re-spin function is excellent for achieving the perfect consistency. It’s worth noting the 800-watt motor can be quite loud during processing.

Unlike traditional churners such as the Cuisinart ICE-30BCP1 or ICE-70P1 which churn liquid, the Ninja CREAMi processes frozen blocks, offering unique texture possibilities and dietary flexibility. While the batch size is smaller per pint, the ability to make diverse creations and customize endlessly makes it ideal for adventurous dessert lovers or those with specific dietary needs. It stands out for its innovation and range of programs, offering a different kind of value than standard freezer bowl machines.

Elevate your homemade frozen treats to an entirely new level with the Ninja Swirl by CREAMi NC701, the ultimate machine for variety and fun. Building on the revolutionary Creamify Technology, this model boasts an impressive 13-in-1 functionality, adding specialized soft serve programs and a unique dispensing handle to the mix. It’s designed to be the best overall choice for families and entertainers, providing both classic scoops and delightful soft serve swirls right from your countertop.

This machine excels in offering maximum customization and versatility. Beyond standard ice cream and sorbet, you can create frozen custard, fruit whips, and even use the innovative CreamiFit program for single-spin, lower-calorie, high-protein treats. The included Soft Serve Handle and specialized Swirl Pints make dispensing cones a fun, interactive experience, perfect for all ages. Like other CREAMi models, it requires pre-freezing your base overnight, but the processing is fast and results in a remarkably smooth texture.

Compared to the base Ninja NC301 CREAMi, the NC701 expands the program count significantly and adds the unique soft serve capability, making it far more versatile for different dessert styles. While the Cuisinart ICE-48 also offers soft serve, the Ninja NC701 utilizes the CREAMi’s freeze-then-process method, potentially offering a different texture and greater program diversity beyond just soft serve. It’s the premium choice for those who want the absolute widest range of frozen creations and the added novelty of homemade soft serve.

Step up your homemade dessert game with the Cuisinart ICE-70P1, a machine that combines dependable performance with enhanced control features. Positioned as a mid-range champion, it offers a significant upgrade from basic models by incorporating a clear LCD screen and a countdown timer with auto shutoff, allowing for more precise dessert crafting. This unit is perfect for users who appreciate convenience and want repeatable results without constant monitoring.

Producing 2 quarts of ice cream, gelato, or sorbet in approximately 20 minutes, the ICE-70P1 is both fast and efficient. The improved paddle design is engineered for faster processing and better ingredient incorporation, contributing to smoother results. It also features multiple speed settings tailored for different dessert types, although like other freezer bowl models, the need to pre-freeze the bowl overnight is a limitation for spontaneous use.

Compared to the more basic Cuisinart ICE-30BCP1, the ICE-70P1 justifies its position with the valuable addition of the digital timer and variable speeds, offering greater control and ease of use. While it doesn’t offer the unique processing method or program variety of the Ninja CREAMi models, it provides a reliable, high-capacity churning experience with modern conveniences. It’s the ideal machine for home cooks who want quality results and helpful features in a traditional churning format.

Bring the nostalgia of the ice cream parlor home with the Cuisinart ICE-48 Soft Serve Ice Cream Machine. This unit is designed specifically for creating classic soft serve with the added fun of built-in mix-in dispensers. It’s a dedicated machine that focuses on delivering that familiar swirl and texture, making it a hit for families and anyone who loves customizing their dessert with toppings.

The machine features a double-insulated freezer bowl that churns 1.5 quarts of soft serve in about 20 minutes. Its standout feature is the trio of condiment containers positioned above the dispenser, allowing you to automatically drop mix-ins like sprinkles or mini chocolate chips directly into your swirl as it dispenses. While the soft serve function is excellent, the 1.5-quart capacity is slightly smaller than other Cuisinart models, and it requires the standard pre-freezing of the bowl.

Unlike the Ninja NC701 Swirl which offers soft serve alongside many other programs via its unique processing method, the Cuisinart ICE-48 is a dedicated soft serve churner with a focus on the dispensing experience and mix-in integration. It’s less versatile for making different types of frozen desserts compared to the Ninja CREAMi or even other Cuisinart churners like the ICE-70P1, but it excels at its specific purpose: providing a fun, easy way to make and customize soft serve at home.