Ever had that craving for a perfect swirl of soft serve on a hot day, but the line at the shop is way too long? What if you could whip up that creamy, dreamy treat right in your own kitchen? That’s the magic a good soft serve ice cream maker promises. It turns your home into a mini dessert parlor, letting you experiment with flavors whenever the mood strikes. No more settling for store-bought pints that just don’t hit the spot the same way.
But with so many models out there, finding the right one can feel overwhelming. We’ve tested the top machines to see which ones deliver that authentic, smooth texture and which ones might leave you with a icy disappointment. Let’s dive in and find your perfect match, so you can start serving up smiles by the cone-full.
Product Comparison Table: 10 Best Soft Serve Ice Cream Maker
| Image | Why We Like This Product | Editor’s Rating | |
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Ninja CREAMi Scoop & Swirl Ice Cream and Soft…
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9.7 |
Read Review |
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Cuisinart Ice Cream Maker Machine, 1.5 Quart Double Insulated…
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9.5 |
Read Review |
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Dash My Mug Ice Cream Maker – Makes Single…
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9.3 |
Read Review |
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Cuisinart Ice Cream Maker Machine, 2-Quart Ice Cream, Sorbet…
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9.1 |
Read Review |
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Yonanas Classic Frozen Fruit Soft Serve Maker for Healthy…
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8.9 |
Read Review |
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GreenPan Frost Ice Cream Maker & Slushie Machine, Soft…
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8.8 |
Read Review |
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GreenPan Frost Ice Cream Maker & Slushie Machine, Soft…
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8.6 |
Read Review |
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GreenPan Frost Ice Cream Maker & Slushie Machine, Soft…
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8.4 |
Read Review |
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Slushie Machine, 85oz Ice Cream Machine & Slushy Machine…
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8.2 |
Read Review |
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Cuisinart Soft Serve Ice Cream Machine- Mix It In…
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8.0 |
Read Review |
Quick Review For Top 10 Soft Serve Ice Cream Maker
Ninja CREAMi Scoop & Swirl Ice Cream and Soft Serve Maker, Sorbet, Milkshake, Frozen Yogurt, Low Calories Program & More, 13-in-1, Soft Serve Handle & (2) CREAMi 2-in-1 16oz Pints, NC701
The Ninja CREAMi NC701 is a versatile 13-in-1 frozen treat maker for your kitchen. It goes beyond basic ice cream to let you create a wide range of custom desserts right at home.
You have two main styles to choose from. You can make classic, scoopable pints or use the dedicated soft serve programs for a swirled treat.
The machine includes six specific soft serve options, like Frozen Custard and Fruit Whip, which operate at faster speeds to achieve that smooth, creamy texture you love from a shop.
One of it’s biggest advantages is complete control over your ingredients. You decide what goes in, making it easy to accommodate dietary preferences. Whether you want a low-sugar, dairy-free, high-protein, or vegan dessert, you can tailor the base to your needs.
The special CreamiFit program is engineered specifically for processing lower-calorie, high-protein mixes in just one spin.
Customization continues with mix-ins. After the initial processing, you can add your favorite candies, nuts, fruits, or chocolates to create unique flavors and textures. The automatic Soft Serve Handle has three speed settings, making it interactive and simple for anyone in the family to swirl their own cone.
Cleanup is straightforward.
Cuisinart Ice Cream Maker Machine, 1.5 Quart Double Insulated Machine, Sorbet and Frozen Yogurt Maker, Ready in 20 Minutes, ICE-21P1, White
The Cuisinart ICE-21P1 Ice Cream Maker is a straightfoward appliance designed to bring homemade frozen treats into your kitchen without the fuss. Its core function is simple: it lets you create ice cream, sorbet, or frozen yogurt in about 20 minutes from start to finish.
The machine uses a unique double-insulated freezer bowl that you store in your freezer ahead of time, so theres no need for ice or rock salt during the process.
You just take the pre-frozen bowl from your freezer, place it on the motor base, attach the mixing paddle, and pour in your ingredients. The easy-lock lid has a large spout, making it simple to add mix-ins like chocolate chips or fruit without stopping the machine or creating a mess.
The transparent lid lets you keep an eye on the consistency as it churns. When times up, you have up to 1.5 quarts of fresh, soft-serve style dessert ready to enjoy immediately or transfer to the freezer to harden.
This model is particularly user-friendly because it eliminates the traditional mess of ice and salt.
Dash My Mug Ice Cream Maker – Makes Single Serving of Gelato, Frozen Yogurt, Sorbet & More – Easy to Clean & Use – Aqua, 2 Bowls
The Dash My Mug Ice Cream Maker is a clever little appliance designed for making single servings of your favorite frozen treats right at home. It’s perfect for when you want just enough gelato, frozen yogurt, or sorbet for yourself without the fuss of a large machine.
This ice cream maker works with a simple concept. The included mug and lid are designed to be frozen ahead of time. You just pop them in your freezer overnight.
When your ready, you pour your pre-chilled ingredients into the frozen mug, attach the lid, and the mug’s walls instantly start freezing your mixture. In minutes, you’ll have a creamy, single-serving dessert. It’s really that straightforward, and theres no need for ice or rock salt.
Its compact size is a major plus. The Dash My Mug takes up minimal counter space and stores easily in a freezer or cabinet. This makes it ideal for small kitchens, dorm rooms, or even RV living.
You can have a personal frozen dessert anytime without needing a dedicated appliance taking up precious room.
Cleanup is just as easy as use. The mug and lid disassemble completly and are dishwasher safe for quick washing. Since you’re only making a single portion, there’s never a big, messy bowl or paddle to deal with afterwards.
Cuisinart Ice Cream Maker Machine, 2-Quart Ice Cream, Sorbet and Frozen Yogurt Machine, Fully Automatic Double-Insulated Freezer Bowl Makes Frozen Desserts in Under 30 Minutes, ICE30BCP1, Silver
The Cuisinart ICE30BCP1 Ice Cream Maker is a fully automatic machine designed for making homemade frozen desserts quickly and easily. It’s a 2-quart unit, which is a great size for families or for having friends over. You can use it to make ice cream, frozen yogurt, sorbet, sherbet, and even frozen drinks.
Its core component is the double-insulated freezer bowl. This bowl needs to be frozen for about 24 hours before you use it.
The double insulation is key because it helps the bowl stay cold long enough to freeze your mixture thoroughly. You simply pour your prepared ingredients into the bowl, turn on the machine, and in under 30 minutes, you’ll have a fresh, soft-serve consistency dessert ready to enjoy or firm up in your freezer.
The machine itself has a sturdy, brushed stainless steel housing with a heavy-duty motor that handles the freezing process automatically.
There’s no need for you to manually churn or monitor it closely. A convenient feature is the large ingredient spout on the lid. This lets you add in your favorite mix-ins, like chocolate chips, fruit, or nuts, partway through the cycle without making a mess.
For storage, it has a retractable cord to help keep your counter or cabinet tidy.
Yonanas Classic Frozen Fruit Soft Serve Maker for Healthy Vegan and Dairy-Free Treats, 200W Silver Machine with 36 Recipes, BPA Free, Easy to Clean, Quick and Simple to Use
The Yonanas Classic Frozen Fruit Soft Serve Maker is a dedicated kitchen tool for creating healthy, dairy-free desserts. It turns frozen bananas and other frozen fruits into a soft-serve consistency that resembles ice cream or sorbet. The process is straightforward, requiring no pre-chopping or added liquids.
You simply feed chunks of frozen fruit through the chute, and the machine’s 200-watt motor does the work. It presses and blends the fruit into a creamy texture.
You get a treat within minutes, and it’s made from 100% fruit with no added fats, sugars, or preservatives. This makes it a great option if your looking for a vegan, paleo, or allergen-friendly dessert.
Its versatility is a key feature. While banana-based “nice cream” is the classic, you can experiment with countless combinations. Try berries, mango, pineapple, or even avocado.
The included recipe book offers 36 ideas to get you started, from simple servings to more elaborate parfaits and pies. You can make a single serving for a quick snack or process enough fruit for several bowls to share with family.
Cleanup is designed to be simple. The parts that come into contact with food—the chute, plunger, and blade—are all removable and safe for the top rack of your dishwasher.
GreenPan Frost Ice Cream Maker & Slushie Machine, Soft Serve, Sorbet, Margaritas, Milkshakes, Frozen Yogurt, No Pre-Freezing, Ready in 15 Mins, 6 Modes, 7 Textures, Self-Cleaning, Family Size, Blue
The GreenPan Frost Ice Cream Maker & Slushie Machine is a versatile countertop appliance designed to make frozen treats simple and fast. It’s built around a quiet, integrated compressor, so there’s no need to pre-freeze a bowl or use your freezer. You can go from ingredients to finished dessert in about 15 minutes.
Its 15-in-1 capability means it handles far more than just ice cream.
You can create classic soft serve, refreshing slushies, thick milkshakes, smooth sorbet, frozen yogurt, and even frozen cocktails or mocktails. The machine accomodates various diets, allowing you to use dairy-free milks, Greek yogurt, or protein powder for healthier options.
Operation is straightforward. You choose from six dedicated modes: Slushie, Soft Ice Cream, Spiked Slushie, Sorbet, Milkshake, and an Extrude/Clean function.
Within those modes, you can select from seven texture settings, ranging from soft and creamy to firm and thick. The included recipe booklet provides suggested settings for each creation.
With a family-size 2-quart (64 oz) capacity, it makes enough for everyone. The clear-view bowl lets you watch the chilling process, and the fountain-style handle ensures easy, precise dispensing.
GreenPan Frost Ice Cream Maker & Slushie Machine, Soft Serve, Sorbet, Margaritas, Milkshakes, Frozen Yogurt, No Pre-Freezing, Ready in 15 Mins, 6 Modes, 7 Textures, Self-Cleaning, Family Size, Gray
The GreenPan Frost Ice Cream Maker & Slushie Machine is a versatile countertop appliance designed to bring the frozen treat shop directly to your kitchen. It’s built around a quiet, integrated compressor, meaning there’s no need to pre-freeze a bowl or juggle seperate containers. You can decide to make a treat and have it ready in about 15 minutes.
Its 15-in-1 capability is a core feature.
This single machine handles classic soft-serve ice cream, thick milkshakes, refreshing sorbet, frozen yogurt, and even slushies or frozen cocktails. Whether your preference is dairy, vegan, or a protein-packed healthy alternative, the Frost provides a foundation for countless recipes. You can easily use ingredients like almond milk, Greek yogurt, or fresh fruit to match your diet.
Operation is straightforward.
You choose from six dedicated modes—Slushie, Soft Ice Cream, Spiked Slushie, Sorbet, Milshakes, and a Clean mode. Then, fine-tune the outcome with seven texture settings, ranging from soft and creamy to firm and thick. The clear-view bowl lets you watch the chilling process, so you know exactly when it’s ready.
Serving is part of the fun. A fountain-style handle allows for easy dispensing, and an included star tip attachment helps create those perfect, swirly soft-serve peaks.
GreenPan Frost Ice Cream Maker & Slushie Machine, Soft Serve, Sorbet, Margaritas, Milkshakes, Frozen Yogurt, No Pre-Freezing, Ready in 15 Mins, 6 Modes, 7 Textures, Self-Cleaning, Family Size, Green
The GreenPan Frost Ice Cream Maker & Slushie Machine is a versatile countertop appliance designed to bring the frozen treat shop to your kitchen. It’s built around a quiet, integrated compressor, meaning you don’t need to pre-freeze a bowl or have special containers taking up space in your freezer. You can go from ingredients to a finished dessert in about 15 minutes, whenever the mood strikes.
This machine’s strength is it’s incredible versatility.
It functions as a 15-in-1 creator, letting you make classic soft-serve ice cream, refreshing sorbets, creamy frozen yogurt, and thick milkshakes. It’s also perfect for slushies, both the kid-friendly and “spiked” adult versions, along with frozé, smoothies, and protein shakes. You have full control with 6 dedicated modes and 7 texture settings, allowing you to customize your treat from soft and creamy to firm and scoopable.
The included recipe booklet gives suggested settings for perfect results everytime.
With a family-sized 2-quart (64 oz) capacity, it makes enough for everyone. The clear-view bowl lets you watch the chilling process, so you know exactly when it’s ready. Serving is easy and fun with the fountain-style handle for precise dispensing, and the included star tip helps you create those perfect, swirly soft-serve shapes.
Slushie Machine, 85oz Ice Cream Machine & Slushy Machine for home, with LED Display, 6 Preset Programs for Margaritas, Frappés, Milkshakes, and Soft Serve, Automatic Cleaning, No Ice Needed
The Azmsary Slushie Machine is a versatile countertop appliance that lets you create a wide range of frozen treats right at home. It combines an 85oz ice cream maker and slushy machine into one compact unit, so you don’t need multiple gadgets cluttering your kitchen.
One of it’s biggest advantages is the no-ice-needed design. Using quick-freezing technology, it chills your ingredients directly.
You just pour in your base—like juice, soda, coffee, or even wine—and the machine handles the rest. There’s no need to pre-chill bowls or deal with ice and rock salt. Depending on what your making, your frozen dessert can be ready in 15 to 45 minutes.
Operation is straightforward thanks to the LED display and six preset programs. These modes are tailored for specific treats: soft serve ice cream, frappés, milkshakes, margaritas (spiked slush), frozen juice, and regular slush.
Each program adjusts the mixing and freezing to get the ideal texture, from a creamy scoop to a refreshing icy drink. You get consistent results everytime with just a button press.
The large 85oz capacity is perfect for sharing. It makes enough for the whole family or a small gathering of friends. Plus, once your treat is ready, the machine can keep it cold for up to 12 hours, so you can enjoy it at your own pace.
Cleanup is designed to be simple.
Cuisinart Soft Serve Ice Cream Machine- Mix It In Ice Cream Maker for Frozen Yogurt, Sorbet, Gelato, Drinks 1.5 Quart, White, ICE-48
The Cuisinart ICE-48 Soft Serve Ice Cream Machine is a versatile countertop appliance designed to make creating frozen desserts straightforward and fun. It’s a fully automatic machine with a double-insulated freezer bowl, so you don’t need to use ice or rock salt. You can have about 1.5 quarts of fresh soft-serve style ice cream, frozen yogurt, or sorbet ready in roughly 20 minutes.
One of it’s standout features is the built-in system for adding mix-ins.
It comes with three condiment containers for things like sprinkles, chocolate chips, or crushed cookies. There’s also a separate 4-ounce Keep Warm Cup with a heating plate for warm sauces like fudge or caramel. You simply pull the corresponding levers to add your chosen toppings directly into the ice cream as it dispenses, creating that classic swirled soft-serve look right at home.
Operation is very intuitive.
You prepare your base mixture, pour it into the machine, and turn it on with the power dial. When it’s ready, pull down the handle over a cone or bowl to dispense. The machine includes a handy cone holder that fits both flat-bottom and pointed cones, and a removable drip tray for easy cleanup. A helpful tip: use the mix-in gauge to check the size of your add-ins; pieces that are to large can clog the dispenser.
Beyond ice cream, this unit can also make frozen drinks.
Soft Serve Ice Cream Maker Buying Guide
Imagine having that classic, creamy swirl at home anytime. A soft serve ice cream maker lets you do just that, turning a simple mix into your favorite frozen treat. The key is finding a machine that fits your kitchen rhythm and budget. Here’s what to look for.
Capacity and Batch Size
Think about how much you’ll make at once. Smaller units are great for a couple of servings, while larger ones can handle a family gathering. If you host often, a bigger capacity saves you from making multiple batches. But remember, a larger machine also needs more counter space.
Freezing Method
This is the big one. Some models have a built-in compressor, so they freeze on their own—just plug and play. Others require you to pre-freeze a bowl for 24 hours. Compressor models are more convenient but usually cost more. The bowl type is simpler and quieter, but you gotta plan ahead.
Ease of Cleaning
You’ll use it more if it’s easy to wash. Look for parts that are dishwasher safe. Machines with fewer nooks and crannies are a breeze to clean by hand too. Sticky, hard-to-reach parts can be a real deterrent after a long day.
Speed and Consistency
How long are you willing to wait? Some machines can give you soft serve in as little as 20 minutes, while others take closer to an hour. The best ones produce a smooth, consistent texture without icy crystals. Read reviews to see if the output matches that classic soft serve feel.
Noise Level
These machines aren’t silent. If you have a open-plan living space or young kids napping, a quieter model matters. Compressor units tend to hum, while bowl-based ones are often more quite. It’s a small detail that affects when you’ll feel like using it.
Frequently Asked Questions About Soft Serve Ice Cream Maker
What is a soft serve ice cream maker?
It’s a kitchen appliance that freezes and churns your ice cream mix. It dispenses it as that classic, creamy soft-serve texture right at home.
How does it work?
You pour a pre-chilled liquid base into teh machine’s freezing cylinder. A dasher inside spins to freeze and aerate the mix. Then, you pull a lever to dispense the soft serve.
Do I need a special mix?
Yes, you typically use a liquid soft serve mix. Some machines can handle thicker custards, but always check your manual. Using the wrong consistency can cause issues.
Is it hard to clean?
Most parts are dishwasher safe, which makes cleanup pretty simple. You should clean it soon after use before any residue hardens.
How long does it take to make soft serve?
It’s usually pretty quick! After pre-freezing the bowl (if your model needs it), the churning process itself often takes just 20 to 30 minutes.
Can I make other frozen treats?
Absolutely. Many people use them for frozen yogurt, sorbet, or even slushies. It’s a versatile machine for cold desserts.
Where should I store the machine?
If it has a freezer bowl, you’ll need to keep that in your freezer so it’s always ready. The main unit can be stored in a cupboard.
What’s the difference from a regular ice cream maker?
A regular maker produces a harder, scoopable ice cream. A soft serve machine makes a smoother, aerated dessert meant to be eaten immediately, similar to what you get at a shop.
Closing Thoughts
So, is a machine like this right for you? Think about how often you’d actually use it. If you just want ice cream once in a while, a store run is probably easier. But if you love teh idea of a fresh, customizable treat at home, it’s a different story. You control the ingredients. You pick the flavors. That’s a pretty nice feeling on a warm day.
Owning a soft serve ice cream maker is about making simple fun. It’s not a complicated kitchen gadget. It invites you to try new things, like adding fruit swirls or a bit of cocoa powder. The best part is sharing the results. A spontaneous dessert can turn an ordinary evening into a small celebration. Really, it’s hard to beat that.