Ninja Creami dupe: best budget-friendly alternatives to this viral ice cream maker
If you open TikTok and scroll long enough, you will surely find a video with Ninja Creami in it sooner or later. The stylish ice-cream maker has been going viral for quite some time, with dozens of influencers and casual users alike using it for their DIY desserts.
Ninja Creami is a tabletop dessert maker that offers a quick and easy way to prepare low-calorie, no-preservatives ice cream or frozen yogurt at home, so its popularity is no surprise. However, it’s still not without cons – the main one being its price.
Together with the Cybernews research team, I studied dozens of options on the market and came up with the 6 best Ninja Creami alternatives for different budgets and needs. In this article, I’ll compare the options against each other, explain why you may need them, and take a closer look at the potential cons of Ninja Creami.
Best Ninja Creami dupe – shortlist
- Whynter ICM-201SB – best ice-cream maker overall
- Cuisinart ICE-48 – best for creative ice-cream flavors
- Whynter ICM-200LS – best value-for-money
- Cuisinart ICE-21RP1 – best for users on a budget
- AIRMSEN A-SU-I82-WT – best for big families
- Elite Gourmet EIM916 – best for parties
The best Ninja Creami dupes compared
Before taking a closer look at all the Ninja Creami alternatives, it’s important to see how they compare against each other. Below are the key takeaways, based on factors like dimensions, capacity, and use cases:
| Price | Dimensions (length, width, height) | Capacity | Operation mode | Best for | |
| Whynter ICM-201SB | On the higher end | 14.25 x 12.5 x 14.25 | 2.1 quarts | Automatic | Custom ice cream, custard, and gelato |
| Cuisinart ICE-48 | Medium | 11 x 9.4 x 17.7 | 1.5 quarts | Automatic | Yogurt, sorbet, sherbet, frozen drinks, mix-ins |
| Whynter ICM-200LS | Medium | 16.75 x 11.25 x 10.25 | 2.1 quarts | Automatic | Classic ice-cream, gelato, sorbet, yogurt, custard |
| Cuisinart ICE-21RP1 | Affordable | 9.5 x 9 x 11.25 | 1.5 quarts | Automatic | Ice cream, sorbet, gelato, frozen yogurt, frozen drinks |
| AIRMSEN A-SU-I82-WT | Medium | 16.73 x 11.41 x 9.25 | 2.1 quarts | Automatic | Ice cream, frozen yogurt |
| Elite Gourmet EIM916 | Affordable | 12.75 x 6.25 x 21.75 | 6 quarts | Automatic | Ice cream, gelato, sorbet |
6 best Ninja Creami dupes – my detailed list
1. Whynter ICM-201SB – best Ninja Creami alternative
| Price: | High |
| Capacity: | 2.1 quarts |
| Best for: | Big families with different tastes, flavored ice cream |
Whynter is easily one of the best alternatives to Ninja Creami thanks to its self-cooling technology with no need to pre-freeze, an extended cooling function that prevents the ice cream from melting, and a motor protection function. It also makes ice cream in as little as 30 minutes, which is a great option for parties and hot summer days.
It’s a good option for making not just regular ice cream, but also sorbet, gelato, and custard, with the 2.1-quart size suitable for big portions and parties or family dinners. Unlike some options, this Whyner model won’t be able to make frozen drinks, but it’s still a reliable solution for a demanding household.
2. Cuisinart ICE-48 – best for experimenting with flavors
| Price: | Medium |
| Capacity: | 1.5 quarts |
| Best for: | Custom toppings, frozen drinks |
If you want to get creative with your dessert, Cuisinart is a great pick that lets you mix in whatever ingredients you want. For example, you can add hot fudge or caramel using the warming cup, and add crushed pretzels or chocolate chips through a built-in dispenser. Cuisinart can also conveniently hold both flat and pointed-bottom cones, as well as stack them for bigger portions.
The ice-cream making process usually lasts up to 30 minutes, with frozen drinks produced faster and desserts like yogurt taking a bit longer.
3. Whynter ICM-200LS – best price-to-quality balance
| Price: | Medium |
| Capacity: | 2.1 quarts |
| Best for: | Desserts beyond ice-cream, big families |
This Whynter model is a great pick if you want a wide dessert selection, big portions, and advanced features like a compressor freezer or extended cooling without the overly high price of Whynter ICM-201SB. It can make up to 2 quarts of ice cream per batch, with different toppings added and dessert types available, from gelato to frozen yogurt.
The cooking process is also incredibly straightforward and can even be managed through a mini-controller included in the package. And while some users have been complaining about the machine’s noise level, most also pointed out that it wasn’t critical.
4. Cuisinart ICE-21RP1 – best affordable option
| Price: | Affordable |
| Capacity: | 1.5 quarts |
| Best for: | Users on a budget, smaller households |
If you want a reliable ice-maker that won’t hurt your budget, this model is a great option – especially for non-intense use and smaller households. While it won’t produce the same amounts of ice cream as Whynter, it will still be enough for 6 servings in one go, with desserts produced within 20 minutes. It also doesn’t limit your dessert selection, being perfectly fitting for yogurt, sorbet, and frozen drinks alike. And a double-insulated freezer bowl eliminates the need for ice.
However, there is no self-cooling technology, which means you’ll need to either constantly keep your bowl in the freezer or at least put it there at least 16 hours before making the ice cream. This may be a huge disadvantage if you’re trying to save time and want to keep the process simple.
5. AIRMSEN A-SU-I82-WT – best for big ice-cream amounts
| Price: | Medium |
| Capacity: | 2.1 quarts |
| Best for: | Big portions and families |
AIRMSEN is a great option for making big batches of ice cream, with 16 scones made in 40-60 minutes and a pre-freezing feature to save time. It also lets you store the ice cream for up to 72 minutes, which is pretty helpful for parties and family gatherings.
Easy to use and clean, it’s a balanced option for different ice-cream types, with reviewers praising AIRMSEN gelato quality and smooth dessert texture. However, many users also criticized the machine for being too difficult to scoop, which may become a slight inconvenience.
6. Elite Gourmet EIM916 – best for big events
| Price: | Affordable |
| Capacity: | 6 quarts |
| Best for: | Parties and other gatherings |
Elite Gourmet stands out among the models due to its minimalistic wooden design, which makes it a good fit for dinner parties, barbeques, and picnics. It has the biggest capacity out of all options, with up to 46 scones made in one go and production taking up 30 to 60 minutes.
It is also incredibly easy and quick to set up, use, and clean up, which is great for busy users. There is even a hand crank for manual ice cream production, but considering that the model is best suited for big dessert amounts, I found that feature a bit of an overkill.
How I chose the best Ninja Creami dupes
To find the best alternatives to the Ninja Creami that deliver similar results, I reviewed product information, user feedback, and retailer data for dozens of options to select the most reliable ones. Here are the criteria I focused on:
- Functionality (40%). I looked for machines that could handle different frozen desserts, such as ice cream, smoothies, custard, yogurt, and more. Extra points went to options that were fit for mixing in toppings and additional ingredients, prepared the desserts quickly, and had a capacity suitable for bigger households.
- User feedback and reviews (25%). I paid close attention to real users’ feedback to see which pros and cons they point out most often. Complaints about the ice cream texture, noise, and breakdowns mattered the most.
- Ease of use and cleaning (15%). My priority was beginner-friendly machines that were easy to assemble, use, and clean (preferably in the dishwasher), requiring just a few simple steps.
- Affordability and value (20%). I looked for the best price-to-quality balance and specifically included several budget-friendly options for buyers who want something more affordable than Ninja Creami.
What is a Ninja Creami and how does it work?
Ninja Creami is a tabletop ice cream maker that operates similarly to a blender, using dual-drive motors. These motors break down and cut through the frozen liquid, creating the dessert, which is not limited to the classical ice cream and may include sorbet, gelato, frozen yogurt, smoothies or frappes, and custard. Its Deluxe model even lets you put different flavors on top of each other, using the half-and-half function.
One of the Ninja Creami’s biggest selling points is the ice cream quality, which is praised for its firmness and smoothness, ensured by the re-spin feature. It’s also usually ready to eat immediately, unlike traditional ice cream makers, which usually require you to put the ice cream into the freezer for at least one hour after preparation.
Last but not least, Ninja Creami is incredibly compact and countertop-friendly and won’t take up much space in your kitchen.
Reasons to look for Ninja Creami dupes
While Ninja Creami can be a lifesaver for your dessert recipes and dinner parties, it’s still not for everyone. Some users will seek a better price tag, while others might need a machine for preparing desserts in bigger batches.
Here are a few reasons to consider an alternative:
- Budget. If you’re trying to save money and want similar results for less, it’s worth looking for another model. Luckily, there are plenty of affordable models that offer a similar, even if slightly more limited, feature set.
- Commitment. Paying $250 for an ice cream maker that you’re not sure you’re going to use is quite a commitment. You’re new to DIY desserts, consider a cheaper and simpler alternative first.
- Needs. Ninja Creami has plenty of mods, but you might not need them after all. Consider your goals, and select a machine based on them.
- Noise level. If noise levels are a deal-breaker for you, there are a few quieter models that might suit you better.
- Availability. Ninja Creami can be sold out or backordered quite often due to the high demand. It’s always worth having a plan B for such a scenario.
Are there any real Ninja Creami dupes?
While many models offer a feature set similar to Ninja Creami, there’s no such thing as a 1:1 alternative, and the texture of your dessert might be similar but not identical. Most machines will also slightly differ in terms of pricing, capacity, or preparation process, although a few options come pretty close.
Whynter ICM-201SB is one good option that lets you make a wide selection of desserts of different textures and flavors. While it may be slightly more expensive than Ninja Creami, it stands out due to its self-cooling feature, which means you won’t need to pre-freeze your ice cream mixture.
Another reliable pick is Cuisinart ICE-48, which is great for customizing your ice cream with different toppings and mix-ins. It’s also a more affordable option than Ninja Creami, although some users criticize its soft serve quality.
Other reviews you might be interested in:
Final word on the best Ninja Creami dupe
While you won’t find a Ninja Creami alternative that’s completely identical to the original, there’s still more than one option to consider depending on your lifestyle and kitchen space.
If you’re looking for a high-quality ice cream texture and don’t mind the noise level or high price, consider sticking with Ninja Creami. But if you’re aiming to save money, need a quicker preparation process, or simply want to give DIY desserts a try without devoting, try going for a different model, such as Whynter ICM-201SB or ICM-200LS.
Trendy doesn’t necessarily mean the best for your goals, so consider your budget, needs, and priorities, and go for an option that suits you best.
FAQ
Is there a cheaper version of the Ninja Creami?
Yes, there are a few, although they won’t be completely identical in features. Some options like Cuisinart ICE-21RP1 will be more budget-friendly, while a model like Whynter ICM-201SB will even include some advanced features like self-cooling.
Do Ninja Creami dupes require freezing the base in advance?
This depends on the specific ice cream maker. Some machines, like Whynter models, don’t require pre-freezing the bowl, which ensures a quicker preparation process. Meanwhile, a model like Cuisinart ICE-21RP1 won’t have a self-cooling feature, operating similarly to Ninja Creami.
Do any dupes have a “re-spin” feature like the Creami?
No, the re-spin mode is unique to the Ninja Creami line, which is the key to its signature creamy texture. Some alternatives may allow multiple churn cycles or manual remixing, but none have the automated re-spin option.
Are Ninja Creami alternatives good for protein ice cream?
Yes, depending on the machine. While Creami is good at whipping protein shakes into an ice cream texture due to the re-spin feature, the protein powder may clump with other machines. The texture may also be icier.
