I tested the Ninja Creami and its top rivals to find the best ice cream maker for National Ice Cream Day

True ice cream is a labor-intensive process that requires double boilers to make custard, on top of all the churning time. But innovation has brought convenience to the kitchen. Instant ice cream machines like the TikTok-famous Ninja Creami make ice cream easy for anyone to make at home

These appliances take a hint from blenders and spin a blade through a frozen mix, which breaks it up and mixes it up into a creamy, fluffy ice cream texture. These ice cream makers are even back on trend in 2026 as proteinmaxxing has people focused on their macros and sneaking protein in wherever they can, which means even in dessert. Right now, TikTok is full of Ninja Creami recipes that involve protein powders.

I've been using the Ninja Creami and Ninja Slushi for years, and I also tested the buzzy new Ninja Creami Scoop & Swirl. But in honor of National Ice Cream Day, I wanted to find the best ice cream maker for your countertop, too. So, I tested three buzzy models to find out if they're really worth it, and if the Ninja Creami is still king of the kitchen.