Shopping for an ice cream maker gets confusing fast, because three very different machines all get sold as “ice cream makers” and they work in completely different ways. The type you pick decides how much planning you need, how much you spend, and what you can actually make. Here is the plain version.
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Freezer-bowl churners
The cheapest and most common type. A bowl with cooling liquid sealed inside lives in your freezer. When you want ice cream, you slot it in, pour your mix on top, and a paddle churns it for about 20 minutes. They are cheap and simple, but the bowl hogs freezer space, you only get one batch before it needs re-freezing, and you have to remember to freeze it in advance. The Cuisinart ICE-21 is the classic example.
Freeze-then-process machines (the Ninja CREAMi)
A newer idea, and the one that went viral. You freeze your whole base solid in a tub overnight, then the machine shaves the frozen block into ice cream, gelato, sorbet or a milkshake in a couple of minutes. It is brilliant for variety and for dietary swaps like protein or dairy-free, and single portions are easy. The trade-offs are the overnight freeze and the noise while it runs.
Compressor machines
The premium option. These have a built-in freezer, so there is no bowl to pre-freeze and no overnight wait, and you can make batch after batch on demand. Many also do soft serve and slushies. The catch is size, weight and price, since a good one costs about as much as several cheaper machines. The Cuisinart Frost Fusion is a typical all-rounder.
Which should you buy?
To spend the least, a freezer-bowl churner. For the most versatility for the money, the Ninja CREAMi. For no planning and frequent use, a compressor machine. And if it is really only slush you are after, a dedicated slushie machine beats them all. We compare specific models in our guide to the best ice cream and slushie makers.
Common questions
Do I need to freeze the bowl overnight?
Only with a freezer-bowl churner, where the bowl needs 12 to 24 hours in the freezer first. A Ninja CREAMi needs the mixture frozen overnight instead, and a compressor machine needs no pre-freezing at all.
Which ice cream maker is best for dairy-free or protein ice cream?
The Ninja CREAMi. It processes a fully frozen base and copes with the thicker, lower-fat mixes that can defeat a simple churner.
Are compressor machines worth the extra money?
If you make ice cream often and hate planning ahead, yes. If you make it a few times a summer, a churner or a CREAMi is better value.
Can these machines make slushies too?
Compressor machines like the Cuisinart Frost Fusion usually can. Basic churners cannot. If slushies are all you want, a dedicated slushie machine is simpler and cheaper.