If we're all being honest with ourselves, ice cream is an essential part of life. Imagine a warm summer night without savoring a bowl for dessert? It just doesn't add up. Enjoying a banana split after a major accomplishment, adding a scoop to warm pie, or taking a spoon to a pint while standing in the chill of the freezer: they're all magical moments. But if you don't feel like dishing out top dollar at the local artisan ice cream shop or watching your ice cream melt on the drive home from the store, why not make it at home?
Adding an ice cream maker to your collection of kitchen appliances will never, ever disappoint. Making ice cream at home gives you unlimited flavor possibilities while also nailing any dietary restrictions. Go dairy-free, gluten-free, and nut-free while making your own personal flavor creations to the exact level of sweetness you prefer.
We absolutely love the Ninja Swirl (and the Ninja Creami, too). Mashable Shopping Reporter Samantha Mangino's review of the Ninja Swirl awarded it a prestigious Mashable Choice honor. "There's nothing I love more than leaving the house on a late summer evening to indulge in a cone of soft serve. It's something you can't get at home, unlike a pint of ice cream you buy at the grocery store. But now, with the Ninja Swirl, I don't have to leave the house for soft serve," said Mangino in her review.
That said, we don't love the price, and the best Ninja Swirl alternatives offer a more affordable way to get your homemade ice cream fix.
While the Ninja Swirl serves up both soft serve and hard, scoopable ice cream, it's hard to get past the $348 price tag. The machine also tends to sell out and is super rare to find on sale. Mangino also notes the machine takes up some serious real estate on your kitchen counter.
Since National Ice Cream Day is just around the corner on Sunday, July 20, why not treat yourself to an ice cream maker that will supply endless joy and a refreshing dessert? Here are some of our favorite Ninja Swirl alternatives that might work better for your kitchen and your budget.
Best overall ice cream maker
Why we like it
Consistently making excellent ice cream, the Cuisinart Ice Cream Maker Machine produces 1.5 quarts of perfection with each use. It's a versatile machine that can make ice cream, sorbet, gelato, frozen yogurt, sherbet, and even frozen drinks. All of that for under $90 feels like this is the ultimate summer treat-maker that sticks to a budget-friendly price. This model is currently on sale for under $70 at Amazon.
Mashable Tech Editor Timothy Werth says, "This is the ice cream maker my mom has been using for years, and it's awesome. I highly recommend finding a good chocolate malt recipe and making a pint with your mom." You can make ice cream in 20 minutes or less with this ice cream maker. Just pour ingredients into the feeding spout, press the "on" button, and the powerful motor and mixing paddle will take care of the churning. Cuisinart also includes a recipe book to help you get started, but a major benefit of making ice cream at home is coming up with your own creations.
Best upgraded ice cream maker
Why we like it
Making four pints with each batch, the 2-quart Cuisinart Ice Cream Maker Machine is perfect for feeding a crowd or a family who likes to have Friday night ice cream parties. It uses a simple on-off dial and a double-insulated freezer bowl to churn out perfect ice cream in under 30 minutes. If ice cream is not your thing, this machine can also whip up frozen drinks, sherbet, frozen yogurt, or gelato. All you'll need to do is all your favorite ingredients (or follow a recipe from the included book of inspiration) and turn the machine on. When it comes time for cleaning, you'll be in good hands — the freezer bowl easily lifts out. Plus, the brushed stainless steel design looks pretty great on a countertop.
Best stand-mixer ice cream attachment
Why we like it
If you already have a KitchenAid Stand Mixer, you can actually just grab some add-ons to transform your mixer into an ice-cream production factory. The KitchenAid Ice Cream Maker Attachment churns up to two quarts of your favorite frozen dessert, and is compatible with most KitchenAid mixers except Mini models. This set includes all three accessories to make ice cream, including the ice cream bowl, the dasher, and the hub assembly piece.
To make awesome ice cream with your KitchenAid, you'll need to stick the ice cream bowl in the freezer for at least 24 hours before use. After that, you'll be able to add in your desired ingredients, churn for under 30 minutes, and then enjoy. KitchenAid redesigned the dasher with this model to ensure your ingredients and add-ins are fully incorporated. After enjoying the best ice cream you've ever had, the KitchenAid bowl is easy to hand-wash once it's up to room temp.
Best Swirl alternative from Ninja
Why we like it
The original Ninja ice cream maker is still a popular gift, though it's getting harder to find. While it's low in stock at both Amazon and Walmart, it's currently on sale at the latter, where you can pick it up for $169. Our reporter Samantha Mangino also enjoyed the Creami in her review for Mashable. "The Ninja Creami has taken over our social media feeds, and maybe for good reason. Besides the 24-hour freezing time, it creates creamy, smooth ice cream in just minutes with the press of a button (or two). But beware: it's loud as hell."
Best ice cream maker for small kitchens
Why we like it
What happens if you want homemade ice cream but are short on kitchen space or really don't want another kitchen appliance? No need to cry over a lack of ice cream since you can go with the Cuisinart FastFreeze Ice Cream Maker. Its compact design is perfect for kitchens that don't have extra counter space for another appliance, and it can easily be stored in a drawer, cupboard, or the pantry. It whips up half a pint of ice cream in just three minutes. Although it's worth mentioning that you'll need to use pre-frozen ingredients, so some prep is necessary for the FastFreeze.
If you're craving a different type of chilled treat, the Cuisinart FastFreeze can also make milkshakes, slushies, and sorbets. You'll be able to select one of these options on the handle and then all you need to go is press "go" to be on your way to frozen delight. Did we mention the FastFreeze clocks in at under six pounds? Cuisinart includes three half-pint containers and lids with this model.
Best budget ice cream maker
Why we like it
Dash makes some incredibly fun and functional kitchen appliances, and they're all offered at an affordable price. That's all true of the Dash Deluxe Gelato & Ice Cream Maker, which makes two quarts of your favorite flavors — that's the equivalent of four pints. Dash lists this model's MSRP at $59.99. Say a pint of Ben & Jerry's comes in at $6.99, you'll only need to make 8.5 pints in the Dash to break even, which is about two batches.
To use the Dash, you'll want to freeze the included bowl for at least 24 hours and get your desired ingredients into the freezer, too. Once you add those frozen ingredients into the bowl, switch the machine on, and watch it churn until it reaches your desired consistency.
