Ah, homemade ice cream makers… I have to say, I've always had a soft spot for them. A long time ago, when I was little, my mother had an ice cream maker . I can still remember the sound it made while turning, a bit like an old car engine. We used to have fun making sorbets as a family, and I remember a grapefruit sorbet we made. The taste was amazing, super refreshing, but… the texture wasn't really all that great. There were always those ice crystals that spoiled the experience. At the time, we thought it was normal, but looking back, it was far from perfect!
Now that I've tried the Ninja Creami , I can really see the difference. I had the chance to compare it with traditional ice cream makers, and frankly, it's a completely different experience. So, I'm going to tell you everything you need to know to choose between the two.
1. Ease of use: Ninja Creami, the friend of lazy people (like me!)
Let's start with ease of use, because let's be honest, nobody wants to spend hours struggling to make ice cream. With my mother's ice cream maker , you had to freeze the bowl 24 hours in advance, and we often forgot… Result: goodbye ice cream that day. You also had to keep an eye on it while it was churning, hoping the ice cream would set properly.
With the Ninja Creami , everything is so much simpler. You prepare your mix, put it in the little containers, freeze it, and that's it. When you're ready, you take your container, insert it into the machine, press a button, and voilà, a few minutes later, your ice cream is ready. No bowls to freeze for hours, no need to stand by to check if it's working properly. It makes all the difference. Honestly, for someone like me who loves ice cream but has zero patience, it's absolutely fantastic.
2. Preparation time: a little anticipation on both sides
I have a pretty clear memory of the sorbets we used to make at home. The grapefruit sorbet we made took a good half hour to churn in the ice cream maker, but the longest part was really waiting for the bowl to be ready. And like I was saying, we often forgot to freeze it beforehand…
With the Ninja Creami , you still have to prepare your mixture in advance and freeze it, so yes, you do need to plan ahead a bit. But once that's done, the ice cream is ready in minutes. You don't have that "oh no, I forgot to freeze the bowl" feeling, which, for me, makes all the difference. In terms of planning ahead, it's pretty much the same, but the Creami is just more convenient when you want ice cream right now.
3. Texture: here, Ninja Creami crushes the competition
Okay, let's talk texture. As I mentioned earlier, the grapefruit sorbet I made in my mom's ice cream maker tasted good, but the texture wasn't great. There were always ice crystals , which made the sorbet grainy. Actually, that's a common problem with most traditional ice cream makers. Even when you follow the instructions carefully, it's difficult to achieve that smooth, creamy texture we all love.
With the Ninja Creami , on the other hand, you've hit the jackpot. The machine uses "reverse turbine" technology (it sounds very technical, but basically, it works incredibly well!) which breaks down ice crystals, resulting in an ultra- creamy texture alone , the Creami is clearly superior to traditional ice cream makers.
4. Versatility: the Ninja Creami is the Swiss Army knife of frozen desserts
What can you make with a regular ice cream maker? Ice cream and sorbet, that's about it. It's not bad if that's all you want, but with the Ninja Creami , you can do so much more. In addition to ice cream and sorbet, you can make frozen yogurt , smoothies , and even protein ice cream (okay, I admit I'm still struggling to find the right recipe for that one, but I'm persevering!).
If you like to mix things up and try new things, this is a huge plus . You're not limited to one type of frozen dessert; you can really explore tons of different options. For me, that's a major selling point because, let's be honest, we get tired of eating the same thing all the time!
5. The price: the traditional ice cream maker for small budgets
Okay, we also need to address the elephant in the room: the price . Traditional ice cream makers are generally much more affordable. For around a hundred euros, you can get a good quality machine. The Ninja Creami , however, is more expensive. We're talking 150 to 200 euros depending on the model. So, yes, it's a significant investment, but as I was saying, with the Creami, you get professional quality and many more features.
So, if your goal is simply to make ice cream occasionally without any fuss, a standard ice cream maker will do the trick. But if you want a versatile machine that lets you do just about anything , the Ninja Creami is a worthwhile investment.
Conclusion: Which one to choose?
Ultimately, it all depends on what you're looking for. If you want something simple and inexpensive to make homemade ice cream occasionally, a classic ice cream maker will do the trick. But if you're looking for a machine that gives you an amazing texture , with much wider possibilities (and no ice crystals!), then the Ninja Creami is clearly the best choice.
Honestly, after trying both, I have to say I'd never go back to a regular ice cream maker. The Ninja Creami gives me such great results, and without all the hassle. It's a real game changer for homemade ice cream lovers.
