Ninja's frozen-dessert machines have transformed how we make ice cream, gelato, sorbet, milkshakes and frozen cocktails at home — no ice-and-salt churner, no hours of waiting, and far cheaper than shop-bought tubs or café drinks. But the range now spans four very different machines: the CREAMi NC300, the CREAMi Deluxe NC501, the Swirl NC701UK and the SLUSHi FS301. This guide explains exactly what each one does, how they compare on programs, tub sizes, price and running cost, and which is the right choice for your household.
Short on time? Use our free Homemade Ice Cream & Frozen Drink Savings Calculator to see how much you'd save versus shop-bought and how fast each machine pays for itself.
At a glance: the Ninja frozen range
| Model | Type | Programs | Capacity | Best for | Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| CREAMi NC300UK | Scoopable desserts | 7 | CREAMi pint tubs | First-timers & budget | £229 |
| CREAMi Deluxe NC501 | Scoopable + frozen drinks | 10 | 710ml (50% larger) tubs | Families & variety | £199 |
| Swirl NC701UK | Soft serve + scoopable | 13 | 2× 480ml tubs | Soft-serve lovers | £329 |
| SLUSHi FS301 | Frozen drinks & slushies | 5 | 2.5L vessel | Drinks, frappés & cocktails | £274.98 |
Ninja CREAMi NC300UK — the original 7-in-1
The Ninja CREAMi NC300UK is the machine that started the home frozen-dessert craze. You freeze a tub of your own base solid overnight, then its Creamify Technology shaves it into a smooth, scoopable texture in minutes.
- Programs (7): Ice Cream, Sorbet, Gelato, Milkshake, Smoothie Bowl, Lite Ice Cream and Mix-In.
- Strengths: simplest to use, compact, the lowest learning curve — ideal if you mainly want classic scoopable ice cream and sorbet.
- Bear in mind: no frozen-drink or slushi programs, and smaller tubs than the Deluxe.
- Best for: first-time buyers and smaller households who want the essentials.
View the Ninja CREAMi NC300UK →
Ninja CREAMi Deluxe NC501 — more programs, bigger tubs
The CREAMi Deluxe NC501 builds on the original with 10 programs and 50% larger 710ml tubs, and crucially adds Frozen Drink and Slushi modes the NC300 doesn't have.
- Programs (10): Ice Cream, Sorbet, Gelato, Frozen Yoghurt, Lite Ice Cream, Milkshake, Smoothie Bowl, Frozen Drink, Slushi and Mix-In.
- Strengths: the most versatile CREAMi — bigger batches plus frozen beverages from one machine, often at the keenest price in the range.
- Best for: families and anyone who wants maximum variety and value.
View the Ninja CREAMi Deluxe NC501 →
Ninja Swirl NC701UK — soft serve and scoopable
The Ninja Swirl NC701UK is the first CREAMi that dispenses café-style soft serve as well as classic scoopable ice cream, via a 3-speed soft serve handle.
- Programs (13): six soft serve (Ice Cream, Light Ice Cream, Fruiti, Frozen Yoghurt, Soft Serve Gelato, CreamiFit), six classic scoop (Ice Cream, Light Ice Cream, Gelato, Sorbet, Frozen Yoghurt, Milkshake) and Mix-In.
- Strengths: the only model that makes proper swirled soft-serve cones; CreamiFit setting for protein treats under 150 kcal.
- Best for: households that love the soft-serve experience and want the widest choice.
Want a deeper look? Read our Best Ice Cream Maker UK 2026: Ninja Swirl Review and Is the Ninja Swirl 13-in-1 worth it?, or view the Swirl NC701UK →
Ninja SLUSHi FS301 — frozen drinks, no ice needed
The Ninja SLUSHi FS301 is a dedicated frozen-drink maker. Its RapidChill compressor freezes any liquid — juice, coffee, cordial, mocktails or cocktails — into smooth slush in as little as 30 minutes, with no ice and no blending, and holds it at the perfect texture for up to 12 hours.
- Programs (5): Slush, Spiked Slush, Frappé, Milkshake and Frozen Juice — each adjustable thicker or thinner.
- Capacity: 2.5L vessel (1.9L / 64oz max liquid fill) — great for parties.
- Best for: slushies, frappés and frozen cocktails, especially in summer. (It does not make scoopable ice cream — choose a CREAMi or Swirl for that.)
How much can you save?
A premium tub of ice cream or gelato in the UK typically costs £4–£6, and a café frappé or soft-serve cone £3.50–£5. The same portion made at home costs roughly £0.50–£1.00 in milk, cream, fruit and sugar. For a household enjoying five treats a week, that's the difference between roughly £1,040 a year shop-bought and about £180 at home — a saving near £860 a year, paying back most of these machines in well under six months. Plug in your own numbers with the savings calculator.
How CREAMi and SLUSHi technology works
The CREAMi and Swirl use Creamify Technology: you freeze a base solid for around 24 hours, then a fast-spinning blade shaves it into a smooth, creamy texture — no ice crystals and no churning. If a first spin looks crumbly, just run the Re-spin program. The SLUSHi instead uses a RapidChill compressor that freezes liquid directly in the vessel, so no pre-frozen ice is needed. In every case you choose the ingredients, so you control sugar, calories and allergens — making lite, dairy-free, vegan and high-protein recipes easy.
How to choose
- Classic scoopable ice cream on a budget? The CREAMi NC300UK.
- Most variety and bigger batches? The CREAMi Deluxe NC501.
- Soft-serve cones? Only the Swirl NC701UK.
- Slushies, frappés and cocktails? The SLUSHi FS301.
Tips for the best results
- Freeze your base on a level shelf for a full 24 hours for the smoothest texture.
- Don't overfill past the max line — the base expands as it freezes.
- If the first spin is powdery, use Re-spin rather than adding liquid.
- Add chunky extras (chocolate, biscuit, fruit) using the Mix-In program after the main spin.
Frequently asked questions
What's the difference between the Ninja CREAMi and the Swirl?
The CREAMi makes scoopable frozen desserts; the Swirl adds café-style soft serve via a 3-speed dispensing handle, alongside scoopable programs.
Is the CREAMi Deluxe NC501 better than the NC300?
The Deluxe has 10 programs (including Frozen Drink and Slushi) and 50% larger 710ml tubs, versus 7 programs and standard tubs on the NC300 — better for variety and bigger batches.
Does the Ninja SLUSHi make ice cream?
No — the SLUSHi is a frozen-drink maker for slushies, frappés, milkshakes and frozen cocktails. For ice cream, choose a CREAMi or the Swirl.
Do I have to freeze the base first?
For the CREAMi and Swirl, yes — freeze for about 24 hours, then run your program in minutes. The SLUSHi needs no pre-freezing.
Are Ninja ice cream makers cheaper than buying tubs?
Yes — homemade portions cost roughly £0.50–£1.00 versus £4–£6 for a premium tub, so the machine usually pays for itself within months. See the savings calculator.
Can I make low-sugar, dairy-free or high-protein treats?
Yes — because you choose the ingredients, you can make lite, vegan, dairy-free and high-protein recipes; the Swirl even has a CreamiFit setting for treats under 150 kcal.
All models are UK versions supplied with a 3-pin plug (220–240V), with fast UK & EU delivery from Tiny Lux.
