TLDR Review: Ninja CREAMi NC701 Ice Cream Maker
Verdict
The Ninja Swirl by CREAMi is a fun, versatile gadget perfect for anyone who loves crafting customizable, creamy soft serve and frozen treats at home—especially if you enjoy controlling ingredients or need low-calorie options. However, keep in mind it won’t magically freeze your dessert from liquid to ice cream; you need to pre-freeze your base for about a day, and its small portion size and loud operation might be a deal-breaker for some. If you want a true ice cream maker with built-in freezing or larger capacity, you might want to explore other options or consider KitchenAid attachments for more multifunctional use. Otherwise, it’s a solid choice for creative home dessert lovers who don’t mind the wait and noise.
- Top pro:
- Produces smooth, creamy, restaurant-quality soft serve ice cream and other frozen treats like sorbet, gelato, and milkshakes with consistent texture.
- Top con:
- Does not actually freeze the ice cream mixture; users must prepare and fully freeze their base beforehand—this is more of a processor than an ice cream maker with built-in cooling.
Pros
- •Produces smooth, creamy, restaurant-quality soft serve ice cream and other frozen treats like sorbet, gelato, and milkshakes with consistent texture.
- •Versatile 13-in-1 functionality allows making low-calorie, protein-enriched, and customizable desserts for all ages.
- •Clear and easy-to-follow instructions make it fun and simple to use.
- •Durable, well-made design with a secure pint container that clicks reliably into place.
- •Great for ice cream enthusiasts looking to experiment with homemade treats tailored to their taste and dietary preferences.
- •Slushy function adds extra variety, working well for more texture options.
- •Produces creamy fruit whips and protein shakes with excellent consistency.
- •Soft serve handle allows choosing between classic scooped or swirled textures.
Cons
- •Does not actually freeze the ice cream mixture; users must prepare and fully freeze their base beforehand—this is more of a processor than an ice cream maker with built-in cooling.
- •Requires about 24 hours of pre-freezing, making it less ideal for spontaneous ice cream cravings.
- •Portion size is small, usually only enough for about two people without purchasing extra pint containers separately.
- •Operates very loudly during blending cycles, which can be intrusive in quiet or small spaces.
- •Sometimes needs repeated cycles or removing and reseating the pint to start properly, which can be frustrating.
- •Blades may develop an unusual oily residue occasionally, and the mixing cups lack insulation, causing the ice cream to melt relatively quickly once served.
- •The 'Swirl' version’s smaller portion size can feel limiting compared to standard or deluxe models, reducing value for larger families or gatherings.
- •Overall, it may seem redundant or less practical for users who already own a Ninja ice cream maker or prefer one with a built-in freezing function.
- •KitchenAid mixers with appropriate attachments can be a more cost-effective and multifunctional alternative, especially for those wanting to avoid pre-freezing steps.
We may earn a commission when you buy through these links, at no extra cost to you. How ShopSavvy makes money
How we researched this
About this review: it summarizes the professional reviews and customer ratings ShopSavvy collected for this product, alongside prices from ShopSavvy's price data.
Download ShopSavvy App
Compare prices across tens of thousands of stores, set price alerts, watch for deals by keyword, and much more.
Install ShopSavvy Browser Extension
Compare and track prices automatically while you shop online at thousands of websites.
