What is the best frozen dessert maker?
Making frozen desserts at home can be a fun and delicious way to treat yourself and your loved ones. With the right appliance, you can churn out everything from creamy ice cream to fruity sorbet in your own kitchen. But with so many frozen dessert makers on the market, how do you know which one is the best? This comprehensive guide examines the top frozen dessert makers to help you find the perfect one for your needs and budget.
The Best Frozen Dessert Makers
After extensive research comparing features, performance, ease of use, and customer reviews, we’ve narrowed down the top frozen dessert makers:
| Frozen Dessert Maker | Key Features |
|---|---|
| Cuisinart ICE-70 | Large capacity, fully automatic, heavy-duty motor, timer |
| Breville Smart Scoop | Precise hardness and temperature control, auto and manual modes, fast freezing |
| Ninja Creami | Makes ice cream, gelato, sorbet, milkshakes, versatility |
| Hamilton Beach 68330N | Budget-friendly, simple to use, compact |
| Yonanas Classic | Turns frozen fruit into soft serve, no added sugar needed |
Factors to Consider
With a wide variety of frozen dessert makers available, it’s important to think about your needs and preferences to select the right model. Here are some key factors to consider:
Capacity
How much frozen dessert do you plan to make at a time? Large family or frequent entertaining calls for a machine with a bigger bowl. Smaller households can opt for more compact models.
Ease of Use
Look for appliances with simple controls and minimal parts to clean. Fully automatic options reduce hassle compared to manual cranking.
Noise Level
Churning frozen desserts requires a powerful motor which can be noisy. Check noise ratings if you need a quieter model.
Special Features
Certain makers offer specialized functions like mixing in cookies or candy, fast freezing, temperature control, or self-refrigeration to consider.
Budget
Frozen dessert makers can range from $30 to $500+ depending on capacity, features, and durability. Decide how much you want to spend.
Storage
Measure where you plan to store your appliance to ensure it will fit. Compact and cylindrical shapes are ideal for tight spaces.
Ease of Cleaning
Look for removable bowls, paddles, and parts that are dishwasher safe for simpler cleanup.
Top Frozen Dessert Makers Reviews
Now let’s dive into detailed reviews of the top frozen dessert makers highlighted above…
Cuisinart ICE-70 Electronic Ice Cream Maker
Capacity: 2 quarts
Type: Fully automatic
Key Features: Heavy-duty motor, timer, large capacity
Price: $$$$
With its powerful motor and generous 2 quart capacity, the Cuisinart ICE-70 is ideal for families or entertaining. It can churn up to 2 quarts of ice cream, frozen yogurt, or sorbet in as little as 25 minutes. The fully automatic operation, timer, and alerts make the process practically hands-free. Users love the consistently creamy, dense results thanks to the heavy-duty motor. The bowl requires pre-freezing but is easy to clean. This is one of the higher priced models but worth it for frequent frozen dessert making.
Breville Smart Scoop Ice Cream Maker
Capacity: 1.5 quarts
Type: Automatic and manual modes
Key Features: Precise hardness and temperature control, fast freezing
Price: $$$
The Breville Smart Scoop puts自动 and manual controls at your fingertips. Choose from 12 hardness settings and auto modes for ice cream, gelato, and sorbet. Or, take charge manually. The fast freezing compressor means ready-to-eat ice cream in under 40 minutes. The appliance intelligently senses ingredients to churn perfectly. Sensor alert bowl indicators eliminate guessing. Users rave about the well-thought out design from the LCD display to the seamless, automatic paddle integration. It’s not cheap but delivers excellent, customized results.
Ninja Creami Ice Cream Maker
Capacity: 1.5 quarts
Type: Automatic
Key Features: 7 one-touch programs, ice cream, gelato, sorbet, milkshakes
Price: $$
The Ninja Creami offers exceptional versatility for the price. It can expertly make ice cream, gelato, sorbet, shake, blend, and even lactose-free desserts at the touch of a button. The 7 programmed settings take out the guesswork. Just add ingredients and let the appliance churn and aerate for smooth, creamy results. The cylinder-shaped design saves space, and all parts are BPA free and dishwasher safe. Owners love the convenience and quality rivaling more expensive models. A great all-around value.
Hamilton Beach 68330N Automatic Ice Cream Maker
Capacity: 1.5 quarts
Type: Fully automatic
Key Features: Simple operation, compact design, budget-friendly
Price: $
For a basic auto ice cream maker under $50, the Hamilton Beach 68330N is a great choice. While capacity is smaller, it’s ideal for 1-2 people. No cumbersome paddle required – just add your ingredients and turn it on. The simple dial controls and audible alerts make it practically foolproof. The compact, upright barrel shape saves on storage space. While results may not be as creamy as pricier models, it’s impressive for the price. If you just want easy homemade ice cream without the bells and whistles, this is your machine.
Yonanas Classic Original Healthy Dessert Maker
Capacity: N/A
Type: Fruit soft serve maker
Key Features: All fruit, no added sugar, simple operation
Price: $$
The Yonanas is a unique frozen dessert maker that turns frozen bananas and other fruit into soft serve texture. There’s no dairy, added sugar or preservatives – just the natural sweetness of fruit. It provides a healthier dessert alternative without compromising taste or texture. The one-button operation couldn’t be easier – just load fruit and push. The chute design lets you add fruit while the appliance runs. Perfect for kids and those with dietary needs. For fruit-based “nice cream” with minimal fuss, Yonanas can’t be beat.
The Verdict
So which frozen dessert maker ultimately reigns supreme? Based on analysis of key features, performance, ease of use and customer satisfaction, we recommend the Cuisinart ICE-70 as the best overall value.
The Cuisinart produces consistently creamy and dense results that live up to the brand’s reputation. It’s fully automatic with a large 2 quart capacity, accommodating families and entertaining. The motor powerfully churns ingredients with minimal noise. One-button operation and alerts make it practically hands-free. While not the most budget-friendly, it’s durability warrants the price for serious frozen dessert lovers.
For small households, the compact Hamilton Beach 68330N gets the job done on a budget. And for health-conscious consumers, the ingenious Yonanas makes fruit soft serve easy and delicious.
Whichever model you choose, a frozen dessert maker is a fun addition to any kitchen. With so many options available, you’re sure to find one that suits your needs, budget and taste buds!
| Frozen Dessert Maker | Best For |
|---|---|
| Cuisinart ICE-70 | Best overall, families, frequent use |
| Breville Smart Scoop | Customizing texture and hardness |
| Ninja Creami | Versatility of dessert types |
| Hamilton Beach 68330N | Basic automation on a budget |
| Yonanas | Fruit-based, no added sugar |