We Tasted Vanilla Ice Cream from 5 Ice Cream Makers (Cuisinart, Ninja CREAMi, Whynter) | Gear Heads
Blade Style (Ninja CREAMi, Cuisinart Fast Freeze): Quick and convenient but can be noisy, producing a softer, sometimes gritty texture that requires specialized recipes.
Canister Style (Cuisinart): Budget-friendly and churns in 20 minutes, though the coolant bowl must be pre-frozen for 24 hours.
Self-Refrigerating Style (Whynter): Premium built-in compressor models that eliminate pre-freezing and allow for back-to-back batches.
The Blender Alternative: A quick, machine-free hack using a standard kitchen blender, heavy cream, sweetened condensed milk, and corn syrup for a rich, customizable dessert.
Top Recommendations: The budget-friendly Cuisinart Frozen Yogurt, Ice Cream, and Sorbet Maker (Best Canister) and the convenient Whynter 2.1-Quart Upright Automatic Compressor (Best Self-Refrigerating).
What actually makes a great ice cream maker, and why do some expensive models leave you with icy, clumped-up desserts? Hannah Crowley and Lisa McManus tested 11 home ice cream makers to reveal the key components that leave you with perfect results. If you want a lightweight, reliable value option, the Cuisinart Canister model delivers premium thickness, while the heavy-duty Whynter Compressor stands out for continuous, no-prep batch production. No room on your kitchen counter? Skip the hardware entirely and try our viral blender method for a fast, velvety-smooth homemade treat that rivals any gourmet creamery.
The Best Ice Cream Makers:
Cuisinart Ice Cream Maker:
Whynter Ice Cream Maker Machine:
Ninja CREAMi Ice Cream Maker:
Cuisinart Ice Cream Maker:
KitchenAid Ice Cream Maker:
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I have that Cuisinart that I bought in 2005 for $25 and I'm still using! It makes delightfully creamy ice cream. I often use 2% milk and cream to produce a healthier, yet creamy and delicious desert. It is a "best buy"!
I wish you had a dairy free ice cream recipe.
I habe the kitchen aid. Works great as long as batch is small. Perfect. No ice.
I would love a link to the ice cream storage containers you use 🙂
Wish that I knew you used different recipes before wasting 12 minutes on the video
Peach ice cream made with perfectly ripe peaches is my favorite. My FIL used to allow everyone 1 pass at it, then he confiscated the remainder. ☺
Great review. Would also like to see the ankersrum ice cream bowl tested
Been nice to compare to a standard Old Fashion as a litmus.
These tests were really stupid because you can’t run a proper experiment when you’ve got different recipes in different machines. Didn’t you even think of that? So the results are a wash.
Gave a dislike because your intro is so long I died waiting to get to the making of the ice cream.
Yes I agree. Ive seen all those internet reviews for the creami and I just couldnt see why everyone raved about it. I store my cuisinart canisters in freezer so they are always ready. I wasnt impressed that Id have to freeze it first and those little containers when I have four people waiting for their icecream. So Im keeping my very reliable cuisinart canister icecream maker. Theres enough for all of us at one time. I dont mix in anything I just put them on top.
If there are ice crystals in my ice cream, it gets dumped.
I'll stick to Tillamook's Strawberry ice cream.
If you didn't use the same recipe I don't see how you can say some didn't taste as good…. that's not necessarily the machines fault.
Love that we got a head to head taste test at the end!
13:47
Just shows you can’t rush a good thing. ☺ I’ve always been very happy with my Cuisinart canister machine.
I maintain my weight on about 1400 calories a day. I have no room for ice cream except maybe 1 serving per month.
This video comes out 11 days after food scientist Anne Reardon of “How to Cook That” releases the same video? Seriously? Couldn’t come up with a unique idea?
This is bias bs against the Creami. You are not limited to their recipes. There are custom recipes everywhere online.
My Cuisinart has been sitting in storage downstairs for years now as I don't have the spoons (IYKYK) to make ice cream myself. I've found the Costco Kirkland brand Premium Ice Cream is incredible, plus it comes in a two pack of half gallons – true 2 qt/64 oz/1.9 L, not like the grocery store shrinkflation of 1.5 qt/48 oz/1.4 L.
Would love to see a vegan recipe for your blender method!