Best ice cream makers July 2026
Making your own ice cream, sorbet, or slushie at home is a treat. This guide helps you compare the best ice cream makers on the market right now. Our independent ranking highlights the pros and cons of each model, so you can easily find the perfect fit for your kitchen.
Last updated: 23 June 2026
Ninja Creami NC300EU climbed 1 position
Ninja Creami Swirl climbed 3 positions
Ninja SLUSHi Professional Frozen Drink Maker dropped 3 positions
Ice Cream Makers: Top 5
1
Ninja Creami NC300EU
from £162.9912 stores
1
from £162.99
12 stores
2
Ninja Creami Swirl
from £254.9912 stores
3
from £254.99
12 stores
3
Ninja NC501UK
from £199.9915 stores
from £199.99
15 stores
4
Ninja SLUSHi Professional Frozen Drink Maker
from £299.0011 stores
3
from £299.00
11 stores
5
Sage Appliances Smart Scoop
from £348.954 stores
from £348.95
4 stores
The Ninja Creami NC300EU is a versatile machine that goes beyond just ice cream, offering modes for slushies, soft serve, and even yoghurt. It works by processing pre-frozen bases, which means you can have a dessert ready in minutes. However, some users report that it is very loud and may need several cycles to achieve the perfect creamy texture.
Pros
Versatile with multiple functions
Powerful 800 W motor
Includes a yoghurt function
Processes pre-frozen bases quickly
Cons
Can be extremely loud during operation
May require multiple cycles for smooth texture
Small 0.5 litre maximum volume
The Ninja Creami Swirl is another powerful 800 W model in the Creami lineup. It features three speed levels for more control and dishwasher-safe parts to simplify cleanup. Like other Creami models, it requires you to freeze your base ahead of time before processing.
Pros
Dishwasher-safe parts for easy cleaning
Features three different speed levels
Powerful 800 W motor
Includes a yoghurt function
Cons
Very heavy at 9.45 kg
Small 0.47 litre maximum volume
Requires pre-freezing ingredients
The Ninja NC501UK stands out with a larger bowl capacity than its siblings, allowing you to make bigger batches of ice cream. It maintains the powerful 800 W motor and convenient features like dishwasher-safe parts. This model is focused primarily on making ice cream.
Pros
Larger bowl capacity (0.709 litre)
Powerful 800 W motor
Dishwasher-safe parts
Built-in display for easy operation
Cons
Fewer functions than other Ninja models
Requires pre-freezing of ingredients
Unlike the other products on this list, the Ninja SLUSHi is a specialized machine designed specifically for making frozen drinks. If your main goal is to create perfect slushies at home, this is the appliance for that purpose, though it doesn't make traditional ice cream.
Pros
Specialized for making slushies
Available in a wide range of colours
Cons
Not an ice cream maker
Very limited functionality
The Sage Smart Scoop is a traditional ice cream maker with a modern twist. Its built-in compressor means you don't need to pre-freeze the bowl, allowing for more spontaneous dessert making. With a large 1-litre capacity, it's great for bigger households, but be aware that it is a very large and heavy machine.
Pros
Built-in compressor, no pre-freezing needed
Large 1 litre capacity
Keeps ice cream cold after churning
Cons
Extremely heavy and large (13.59 kg)
Longer preparation time (30 min)
Compare specifications
| Type | Ice cream machine, Slush machine, Soft serve ice cream, Yoghurt function | Ice cream machine, Soft serve ice cream, Yoghurt function | Ice cream machine | Slush machine | Ice cream machine, With compressor, Yoghurt function |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Power | 800 W | 800 W | 800 W | — | 200 W |
| Maximum ice cream volume | 0.5 litre | 0.47 litre | — | — | 1 litre |
| Preparation time | 0 min | 5 min | — | — | 30 min |
| Requires freezer | — | Yes | — | — | No |
How we built the list
The ranking is updated monthly and is based on data we collect from our own platform. Products that rank highly are popular with our users while also maintaining high quality according to editorial expert reviews. Specifically, we take into account how many users follow a product through price alerts or lists, how it is rated by experts and users, as well as how much traffic it generates to stores and how well it is represented in stores. No products are paid placements — the ranking is governed solely by data.
