Ninja CREAMi vs. Deluxe: Which Is Right for You?
The Ninja CREAMi has been a viral hit ever since Ninja created the easy-to-use ice cream maker back in July of 2021. Since its launch, tons of people have had fun with the original ice cream machine, whether they've crafted sorbets, light ice creams, milkshakes or something completely new, then added their favorite mix-ins for a perfect treat. But it's not the only ice cream maker they've made. The Ninja CREAMi has had many versions, from the original to the Scoop & Swirl soft serve machine to the Ninja CREAMi Deluxe. So, what's the big difference between these two, and which is better for your needs? We'll examine that in our comparison: the Ninja CREAMi vs. Deluxe. Whether you're part of a family hoping to make dessert for all the kids, an influencer ready to share your recipes or a home chef interested in trying some all-natural ice creams, you can do it all with these two ... but one may be better for you than the other. It's the Ninja CREAMi vs. Deluxe.
Different Desserts, Drinks & Settings
The biggest difference in our comparison of the Ninja CREAMi vs. Deluxe is easy to see if you take a look at the machines' controls. The classic CREAMi only has 7 settings, while the Deluxe has 11 options. With the CREAMi, you can whip up ice cream, sorbet, lite ice cream, a smoothie bowl, gelato, or milkshakes, and add mix-ins to any of your recipes. Homemade vanilla with chocolate chips, anyone? Then there's the Deluxe. This ice cream maker has all the capabilities of the CREAMi, plus it can make frozen yogurt, Creamiccino frozen coffee drinks, frozen drinks, slushies and Italian ice. Six of the 11 functions here are called "scoopable", while four are "drinkable". If you're more of a beverage person, keep the Ninja CREAMi Deluxe at the front of your mind as we discuss the Ninja CREAMi vs. Deluxe. That being said, don't forget that the original model does have a milkshake mode, and you can get pretty creative with the milkshake setting. A final note: the Deluxe gives users a bit more control when it comes to crafting and eating ice cream. The top, bottom and full settings allow you to spin just a part of the container at once—split a container into two different flavors, treats, textures or mix-ins if you like. You can even eat half now and save the second half for later.
How Do They Work?
So, how do they work, and are there any major differences that make one better than the other? It's the Ninja CREAMi vs. Deluxe, so which works best? With the classic CREAMI, users add and mix their ingredients, freeze them for 24 hours, then the blade spins the mix into a frozen treat with Creamify technology. The Deluxe works similarly, but you can choose whether you want to process the full pint, the top half or the bottom half. Both models use a dual-drive motor to cut through that solid block of icy ingredients and turn it into a treat. The main difference in functionality here is in the Deluxe. Here, you can choose whether you want to process the full or half pint, as well as the different settings you can choose from for desserts and beverages.
Sizes: Do You Have Enough for Everyone?
Anyone who's used a Ninja CREAMi before can tell you that if they've made their favorite ice cream, it's a great treat that's meant to be shared. That being said, you'll want to choose between the ice cream machines based on how many people (or servings) you want to get out of every batch. Pints for the original CREAMi are made to hold 16 oz at most, while the larger Deluxe model can hold up to 24 oz at once. A 16 oz pint can be shared between two to three people, but if you're hoping to make dessert for a family, that extra eight ounces sounds appealing, and it's why the larger version earns the Deluxe moniker. So, which wins the Ninja CREAMi vs. Deluxe battle when it comes to size? The 24 oz Deluxe is a great choice for families, but which wins depends on your goals and how many people you're hoping to share treats with. Keep in mind that you can't swap different-sized containers between machines.
If You Own a CREAMi, Is It Worth the Upgrade?
Now, if you already have the Ninja CREAMi, chances are that you already love everything that this machine can do ... so is it worth upgrading to the Deluxe? In the comparison of the Ninja CREAMi vs. Deluxe, the main differences are size and settings. If you want those extra settings to create frozen coffee drinks and slushies with ease, plus larger containers for making family-sized faves, then the Deluxe could be worth the upgrade. That being said, the Ninja CREAMi has a cult following for a reason, and that's because you can do so much with it. Creatives know that fewer functions don't have to be a limiting factor if you're willing to put the extra work into it. There are all kinds of recipes out there for making coffee drinks and other beverages in the regular CREAMi ... but they won't be at the same quality you'd find from the specialized settings from the Deluxe.
So, Which Is Right For You?
So, if you're buying your first ice cream machine, which is right for you? In the battle of the Ninja CREAMi vs. Deluxe, things are pretty affordable, without a big jump in price between the two. The base model is $229.99, while the Deluxe is $249.99. You're getting a lot for that extra $20 when you choose the Deluxe, too: four new types of treats, as well as the ability to prep just the top or just the bottom of the container. Even better, the containers are larger. That makes this a great choice for large families who want to share treats with everyone. That being said, it takes up a bit more room on the counter, and not everyone can eat 24 ounces of ice cream. If it's just you and one other person, the classic Ninja CREAMi and its sharable pints may be a better option. Whichever one you choose, find it here at Abt. Order yours online for quick delivery, or reach out to our team of specialists at 800-860-3577 if you have questions. We even have a Ninja CREAMi recipe that'd be great for your new ice cream machine. If you get the Deluxe, you'll want to adjust the ingredients to fit the 24 oz containers.
Ninja CREAMi vs. Deluxe FAQs
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The Ninja CREAMi Deluxe works similarly to the classic CREAMi. Begin by freezing your treat base for 24 hours ahead of time, whether you're making ice cream or a beverage, in the Deluxe container. Using a different-sized container will not work. Next, you'll lock the container in, insert the Creamerizer paddle, choose your setting, then watch your Ninja CREAMi Deluxe create a treat. If it isn't as smooth as you'd like it, select the "respin" setting for the perfect consistency.
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Unlike classic ice cream makers, the Ninja CREAMi freezes your ingredients in a single pint, then shaves and whips everything inside with the Creamerizer paddle.
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Definitely. The frozen treats are amazing, and you can get creative with making your own recipes. Whether you want to upgrade to the Deluxe is your choice, but we'd recommend it for larger families and those who'd like to make beverages like slushies and coffee drinks.
