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Ninja CREAMi Swirl Ice Cream Maker (NC300) vs Cuisinart Ice Cream Maker ICE-100

Buy the Cuisinart ICE-100 if you want real ice cream from a raw custard base, larger batches, and a machine that does not need pre-frozen bowls. Buy the Ninja CREAMi NC300 if you mostly make pint-sized low-sugar, protein, or sorbet mixes from pre-frozen tubs and want less counter space and weight. The CREAMi has ranged from $120.25 to $267.30 since October 29, 2026, so its price swings a lot; the ICE-100 is the steadier value for volume. Neither is a budget pick, but the Cuisinart's 1.5-quart compressor build justifies more per quart.

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Ninja
Ninja CREAMi Swirl Ice Cream Maker (NC300)

Ninja CREAMi Swirl Ice Cream Maker (NC300)

4.2· 2,600 ratings

Choose the Ninja CREAMi NC300 if you want single-serve pints, custom low-calorie or high-protein bases, and a lighter machine you can store in a cabinet.

Pros
  • Makes single-serve pints, so you can do different flavors at once
  • Works well for low-sugar, protein, and fruit-based mixes
  • Lighter and easier to move than a compressor machine
  • Automatic programs remove guesswork
    • Cons
    • Pint containers must be pre-frozen for about 24 hours
    • Small 0.5 qt batches
    • Standard rich custard bases can turn out dense or buttery
    • Price has swung from $120.25 to $267.30 since October 29, 2026
    Cuisinart
    Cuisinart Ice Cream Maker ICE-100

    Cuisinart Ice Cream Maker ICE-100

    Choose the Cuisinart ICE-100 if you want to cook a custard base and freeze 1.5 quarts at once without pre-freezing a bowl.

    Pros
    • No bowl pre-freezing; the compressor freezes as it churns
    • Large 1.5-quart batches suit families
    • 60-minute timer and 10-minute Keep Cool feature
    • 3-year limited warranty and stainless steel build
    Cons
    • Heavy at 28.7 lb and takes up counter space
    • Costs more upfront than simple freezer-bowl machines
    • Longer churn times for custard bases
    • Needs more cleanup between batches

    What separates them

    Ninja CREAMi Swirl Ice Cream Maker (NC300)Cuisinart Ice Cream Maker ICE-100
    Freezing methodRequires pre-frozen CREAMi pint containers (freeze 24 hours)Built-in commercial-quality compressor freezes on its own
    Capacity0.5 qt per pint (1 qt listed overall)1.5 quarts per batch
    Base typesBest with thick, low-fat, protein, or fruit mixes; standard custard can come out denseHandles cooked custard, cream, and gelato bases well
    ControlsAutomatic one-touch programs by dessert typeTouchpad with blue LCD and 60-minute countdown timer
    Keep CoolNone10-minute Keep Cool holds texture after churning
    Weight and footprintAbout 15.9 lb, 17 in wide, 7.75 in tall28.7 lb, 16.73 in long, 9.33 in tall
    Included paddlesOne Creamerizer paddleTwo paddles
    Warranty1-year limited (standard Ninja)3-year limited manufacturer warranty

    Price history

    $284.99$120.25
    Oct 29Oct 30
    • Ninja CREAMi Swirl Ice Cream Maker (NC300): lowest $120.25 on Oct 29 at eBay; $267.30 on Oct 30.
    • Cuisinart Ice Cream Maker ICE-100: lowest $284.99 on Oct 29.

    Prices at every store

    Ninja CREAMi Swirl Ice Cream Maker (NC300)

    • BrandsMart USACheck price at BrandsMart USA
    • eBayCheck price at eBay
    • WalmartCheck price at Walmart
    Prices and history →

    Cuisinart Ice Cream Maker ICE-100

    No priced offers right now.

    Prices and history →

    Specs compared

    SpecNinja CREAMi Swirl Ice Cream Maker (NC300)Cuisinart Ice Cream Maker ICE-100
    Capacity1 qt1.5 quarts
    Weight15.87 lb28.7 lb.
    OperationAutomatic—
    Food typeFrozen Yogurt, Gelato, Sorbet—
    Volume capacity0.5 qt—
    BrandNinja—
    Ice cream maker typeStandard—
    Color categorySilver—
    Power typeCorded Electric—
    Product lineCREAMi—
    ModelNC300—
    ColorSilver—
    Show all 23 specsShow fewer specs
    SpecNinja CREAMi Swirl Ice Cream Maker (NC300)Cuisinart Ice Cream Maker ICE-100
    Rec. useResidential—
    Dimensions—16.73"L x 12"W x 9.33"H
    Timer—60-minute countdown timer
    Keep Cool feature—10-minute Keep Cool feature
    Included paddles—2 paddles
    Material—Stainless steel
    Warranty—Manufacturer's limited 3-year warranty
    Compressor—commercial-quality compressor
    Controls—touchpad controls
    Display

    What reviewers say

    Ninja CREAMi Swirl Ice Cream Maker (NC300)

    Owners rate it 4.2 out of 5 across about 2,600 ratings. Most praise the texture and the ability to control ingredients; the common complaints are the 24-hour wait and cleanup.

    Pros
    • Ice cream comes out thick and scoopable, not icy
    • Easy to make low-sugar, dairy-free, or high-protein versions
    • Simple one-button processing
    • Mix-ins stay whole instead of being crushed
    Cons
    • Must plan a day ahead to freeze the pint
    • Bowl and lid need hand washing
    • Small batch size
    • Machine is bulky and heavy

    Cuisinart Ice Cream Maker ICE-100

    Owners of compressor ice cream makers like the ICE-100 for skipping freezer-bowl prep and for consistent freezing. Common complaints are its weight, counter footprint and price compared with simpler machines.

    Pros
    • No bowl pre-freezing needed
    • Reliable freezing and firm results
    • Timer and Keep Cool are useful
    • Sturdy stainless build
    Cons
    • Heavy and hard to move
    • Takes up counter space
    • Expensive next to bowl-style makers
    • Bowl and paddles are not dishwasher-safe

    Questions and answers

    Which makes better ice cream from scratch?
    The Cuisinart ICE-100. Its compressor churns a cooked custard base properly, while the CREAMi is tuned for thick, low-fat, or protein mixes and can make rich custard dense.
    Which is better for protein ice cream and low-calorie pints?
    The Ninja CREAMi. Its pint system and programs are built around protein shakes, yogurt, and fruit blends, which the Cuisinart handles less well.
    Do I have to pre-freeze anything?
    With the CREAMi, yes: the pint containers need about 24 hours in the freezer. The Cuisinart ICE-100 has a built-in compressor and needs no pre-freezing.
    How much ice cream does each make at once?
    The CREAMi makes 0.5-quart pints. The Cuisinart makes 1.5 quarts, three times as much per batch.
    Is the Cuisinart worth the extra money?
    If you want large batches of real custard ice cream and no bowl freezing, yes. If you only make single-serve healthy pints, the CREAMi covers that for less.
    Which lasts longer?
    The Cuisinart carries a 3-year limited warranty versus Ninja's standard 1-year coverage, and its compressor build is heavier duty. The CREAMi has more wear parts in its pint lids and paddle.

    More comparisons

    • Ninja Creami Deluxe 11-in-1 Ice Cream Maker vs Ninja CREAMi Swirl Ice Cream Maker (NC300)
    • Ninja Creami Deluxe 11-in-1 Ice Cream Maker vs Cuisinart Ice Cream Maker ICE-100
    —
    blue LCD display
    Model number—ICE-100