Ninja vs Cuisinart
Based on tests by America's Test Kitchen (Jun 2026). How we score
Save $139Depends. The Cuisinart for most people.
Buy the Ninja if you want high-protein ice cream or frozen-fruit sorbets.
From 1 tester: America's Test Kitchen
From 1 tester: America's Test Kitchen
Amazon prices as of Sep 29, 11:26 PM EDT (details)
What the testers found
America's Test Kitchen's Best Canister-Style Ice Cream Maker, with desserts tasters called "even-textured," "velvety," and "delightful," and simple one-button operation. You freeze its bowl ahead of time, much as you freeze a Creami pint, but each batch makes 1.5 quarts to the Creami's pint. ATK didn't test long-term durability; its warranty is 3 years, and the Creami's listing doesn't state one.
| Criterion | Ninja | Cuisinart |
|---|---|---|
| Performance | 1.5/3 | 3/3 |
| Ease of use | 2/3 | 3/3 |
From America's Test Kitchen: The Best Ice Cream Makers (updated June 11, 2026)
Specs side by side
| Spec | Ninja | Cuisinart |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $207.99 | $69.31 |
| Cost per year | — | — |
| Warranty | — | Limited 3-year |
| Style | Blade-style (freeze the base about 24 hours first) | Coolant-lined canister (freeze the bowl first) |
| Capacity | 1 pint per container | 1.5 qt |
| Processing time | 1 min 40 sec (measured by America's Test Kitchen) | — |
| Weight | 13 lb | 7 lb, 5 7/8 oz |
| Churning time | — | 17 min average (measured by America's Test Kitchen) |
Sources: America's Test Kitchen: The Best Ice Cream Makers (updated June 11, 2026), Manufacturer specs via Amazon listing
