Everyone loves a good frozen treat every once in a while, right? We sure do. But sometimes, store-bought ice cream just doesn’t cut it. Maybe you can’t find the flavours you want, or you have dietary limitations that make it impossible to find an ice cream that you can actually eat. Or maybe you’re just concerned about what’s really going into that ice cream.
No matter what reason you have for turning away from store-bought ice cream, an ice cream maker is going to be a perfect solution. They’re incredibly easy to use, can make a variety of different frozen treats, and will give you total control of what goes into each batch. Most of them even have dishwasher-safe parts for easy cleanup. Sounds like a sweet deal, right?
If you think so too, we’d love to help you find the best ice cream maker for your home. All of them will be unique with a different combination of features. Things like price, capacity, pre-set programs, ease of cleaning, and more will all affect how well you get on with your ice cream maker.
This comprehensive guide will investigate the best ice cream makers in Canada in 2024 and outline the criteria you should consider while making your purchase decision. Let’s dive right into our top five products.
The Best Ice Cream Makers Right Now
Top Pick: Ninja NC301C CREAMi Ice Cream Maker
Upgrade Pick: Breville BREBCI600XL Smart Scoop Ice Cream Maker
Versatile Pick:
Large Capacity Pick: Cuisinart ICE-70C Gelato, Ice Cream, and Sorbet Maker
Budget Pick: Cuisinart ICE-21C Frozen Yogurt, Ice Cream, and Sorbet Maker
Our Top Pick for The Best Ice Cream Maker
Ninja NC301C CREAMi Ice Cream Maker Review
What We Think of the Ninja NC301C CREAMi Ice Cream Maker
It won’t surprise anyone that we have a lot of great things to say about the Ninja NC301C CREAMi Ice Cream Maker. It is our top pick, after all. It’s dishwasher safe for all the people who prefer to avoid standing at a sink to wash dishes by hand, and all seven of the automated programs make it easy to try out new recipes and dessert types without any mishaps. You can even add mix-ins for extra fun!
Plus, if you prefer your ice cream to be extra creamy instead of hard, you can take advantage of the re-mix button to send the ice cream for an extra spin. Since the machine is also fairly compact and not overly heavy, it’s a great option if you need something that can be tucked away in a cupboard instead of living on your counter 24/7.
We don’t have any red flags to bring up with this one. We do have a couple of caveats to mention though. First, if you’re after something super affordable, this isn’t a great fit—while the price is reasonable for the quality, it still isn’t super budget-friendly. Second, the capacity is pretty small at only half a litre, so if you prefer to make treats in batches, you’ll want to keep browsing. That’s it!
All in all, the Ninja NC301C CREAMi Ice Cream Maker is the best all-around option for Canadians right now. It can make a variety of scoopable and drinkable treats, it’s easy to clean, and it’ll fit right into any kitchen. Things don’t get much better than that, do they?
Performance: 5/5
Usability: 5/5
Price: 4/5
Quality: 5/5
What Reviewers Are Saying About the Ninja NC301C CREAMi Ice Cream Maker
Reviewers have nothing but good things to say about the Ninja NC301C CREAMi Ice Cream Maker. Every type of frozen treat comes out exactly the way they want it, and it’s super easy to use. Many of them clean it by hand (also super easy), but they love the option of throwing the things in the dishwasher. They don’t have any trouble storing it in their kitchen cupboards, either.
Ninja NC301C CREAMi Ice Cream Maker Pros and Cons
Buy If…
You want versatile treat options
You don’t want to fuss with a time-consuming cleanup
It needs to be stored easily
Automated programs are a must-have
Don’t Buy If…
Small batches won’t cut it
You need something really budget-friendly
Ninja NC301C CREAMi Ice Cream Maker Specifications
Dimensions: 6.5” x 12.1” x 16”
Weight: 13 lbs
Colour: Grey
Capacity: 0.5 L
Programs: 7
Dishwasher Safe: Yes
Warranty: 1 year
Our Upgrade Pick
Breville BREBCI600XL Smart Scoop Ice Cream Maker Review
What We Think of the Breville BREBCI600XL Smart Scoop Ice Cream Maker
The Breville BREBCI600XL Smart Scoop Ice Cream Maker has so much going for it. It really is a smart machine. It can automatically detect the hardness of the ice cream so it knows when to stop mixing. Pretty cool, huh? It also has a compressor so it can self-cool…no more storing the ice cream bucket in the freezer or waiting ages for ingredients to cool down! What a relief.
With 12 hardness levels and four programs for ice cream types, you’ll be able to let the machine do its work no matter how you like your frozen treats. But, if you’re in the mood for it, you can also use the manual mode to create custom desserts. And that’s not all! Once your treat is done, the machine can keep it ready to serve for up to three hours.
One of the only things you might not love about this one is that all removable parts need to be washed by hand—no dishwashers! But it’s also easy to clean, so that should help make it more bearable. The only other potential issue is the price tag. This machine is expensive (understandably so), and might not be a reasonable option for everybody.
Overall, the Breville BREBCI600XL Smart Scoop Ice Cream Maker was an easy choice for our upgrade pick this year. It might be one of the more expensive options out there, but its versatile settings and user-friendliness do a lot to raise the value accordingly.
Performance: 5/5
Usability: 5/5
Price: 3/5
Quality: 5/5
What Reviewers Are Saying About the Breville BREBCI600XL Smart Scoop Ice Cream Maker
Reviewers have a very high opinion of the Breville BREBCI600XL Smart Scoop Ice Cream Maker. People have a lot of fun experimenting with the different hardness settings, and they love that the machine can pre-cool itself instead of needing to keep the bucket in the freezer all the time. It’s also super easy to clean, so most don’t mind that it has to be done by hand.
Breville BREBCI600XL Smart Scoop Ice Cream Maker Pros and Cons
Buy If…
You’d love precise control over the hardness of the ice cream
You want a mix of automation and manual control
You want to make your ice cream ahead of serving time
You don’t want to worry about hours of prep/chilling
Don’t Buy If…
You don’t want to wash by hand
You’re looking for something budget-friendly
Breville BREBCI600XL Smart Scoop Ice Cream Maker Specifications
Dimensions: 16.25” x 10.5” x 10.25”
Weight: 30.9 lbs
Colour: Silver
Capacity: 1.5 L
Programs: 4
Dishwasher Safe: No
Warranty: 1 year
Our Versatile Pick
Ninja NC501 CREAMi Deluxe 11-in-1 Ice Cream & Frozen Treat Maker Review
What We Think of the Ninja NC501 CREAMi Deluxe 11-in-1 Ice Cream & Frozen Treat Maker
When it comes to multifunctionality, ice cream machines don’t get better than the Ninja NC501 CREAMi Deluxe 11-in-1 Ice Cream & Frozen Treat Maker. It can make 11 different kinds of treats (six scoopable treats, four drinkable treats, plus a mix-ins option!) with preset programs, so there won’t even be any trial and error involved. You can even make two flavours from the same base at the same time. Neat, huh?
One of our favourite features is the display layout. It’s incredibly easy to change the type of treat you’re making and see what type of mix-in style it’s using. Plus, it has a countdown timer so you know when your snack will be ready. So useful. We’re also big fans of the re-mix option—if you want your ice cream extra creamy, it only takes a push of that button.
Honestly, there are very few things that could be considered negatives with this one. The capacity isn’t as high as other options, but that’s easily resolved by buying a few extra containers. Plus, it doesn’t take that long to make the treats. No biggie. The only other potential concern is the height of the machine—it’s pretty tall and might not fit in every cupboard. But it can live on the counter, right?
All in all, the Ninja NC501 CREAMi Deluxe 11-in-1 Ice Cream & Frozen Treat Maker is by far the best option for people who want to experiment with all kinds of different recipes. Whether traditional ice cream, slushies, or milkshakes are your thing, this machine will help you make them perfectly.
Performance: 5/5
Usability: 5/5
Price: 4/5
Quality: 5/5
What Reviewers Are Saying About the Ninja NC501 CREAMi Deluxe 11-in-1 Ice Cream & Frozen Treat Maker
Reviewers are blown away by the Ninja NC501 CREAMi Deluxe 11-in-1 Ice Cream & Frozen Treat Maker. Most of them had to buy extra containers because they wanted to store a bunch of different treats and flavours at the same time. The programs make it really easy to use, and each type of treat comes out perfectly. They have nothing bad to say about this one at all.
Ninja NC501 CREAMi Deluxe 11-in-1 Ice Cream & Frozen Treat Maker Pros and Cons
Buy If…
You want a single machine that makes every kind of frozen treat you could want
You want the option to have hard and creamy ice cream
An intuitive display is a must-have
You have multiple tastes to cater to at once
Don’t Buy If…
You’re short (literally) on storage space
You want to make large batches
Ninja NC501 CREAMi Deluxe 11-in-1 Ice Cream & Frozen Treat Maker Specifications
Dimensions: 7” x 13” x 16.75”
Weight: 14.4 lbs
Colour: Grey
Capacity: 0.7 L
Programs: 11
Dishwasher Safe: Yes
Warranty: 1 year
Our Large Capacity Pick
Cuisinart ICE-70C Gelato, Ice Cream, and Sorbet Maker Review
What We Think of the Cuisinart ICE-70C Gelato, Ice Cream, and Sorbet Maker
The Cuisinart ICE-70C Gelato, Ice Cream, and Sorbet Maker is a pretty well-rounded choice. Its large 2-litre capacity means you can make ice cream for a large group all at once—no one has to be left waiting. And it still only takes twenty minutes or less thanks to the higher-end mixing paddle.
One of the things we like most about this option is the countdown timer. As soon as you select a mode (gelato, ice cream, or sorbet), the machine will start mixing your ingredients and the timer will start counting down—you’ll never have to guess when the ice cream will be ready. Since you’ll also get a recipe book with the machine, you’ll be able to get off to a delicious start with confidence.
One of the only things you might not love about this ice cream maker is its limited versatility—it’s only useful for three types of frozen treats (gelato, ice cream, and sorbet). If you’re looking for more options, you’ll have to consider a different ice cream maker. Also, the removable parts aren’t dishwasher safe, and that might bum you out. Some people just aren’t wash-by-handers, and that’s okay.
All in all, the Cuisinart ICE-70C Gelato, Ice Cream, and Sorbet Maker is the best large-capacity option right now. It’s easy to use, can make two litres of ice cream at once, and will be very easy to keep clean. What more could you ask for?
Performance: 5/5
Usability: 4.5/5
Price: 4/5
Quality: 5/5
What Reviewers Are Saying About the Cuisinart ICE-70C Gelato, Ice Cream, and Sorbet Maker
Reviewers have tons of good things to say about the Cuisinart ICE-70C Gelato, Ice Cream, and Sorbet Maker. The included recipe book is super helpful for trying out new things, and the simple digital buttons make it really easy to know what’s going on with the machine. The larger capacity makes it perfect for larger households, too.
Cuisinart ICE-70C Gelato, Ice Cream, and Sorbet Maker Pros and Cons
Buy If…
You want to know exactly when your treat will be ready
You don’t want to wait a long time for the ice cream to be ready
You’re new to ice-cream-making
You want to make large batches
Don’t Buy If…
You aren’t concerned about limited versatility
You’re not interested in washing it by hand
Cuisinart ICE-70C Gelato, Ice Cream, and Sorbet Maker Specifications
Dimensions: 12.5” x 12.9” x 18”
Weight: 3 lbs
Colour: Silver
Capacity: 2 L
Programs: 3
Dishwasher Safe: No
Warranty: 3 years
Our Budget Pick
Cuisinart ICE-21C Frozen Yogurt, Ice Cream, and Sorbet Maker Review
What We Think of the Cuisinart ICE-21C Frozen Yogurt, Ice Cream, and Sorbet Maker
We really like the Cuisinart ICE-21C Frozen Yogurt, Ice Cream, and Sorbet Maker. It’s one of the most straightforward machines out there—it’s got a simple on and off button, and that’s it. Plus, it’ll automatically shut off once the ice cream is ready. And that’ll only take twenty minutes or so. Yup, it’s fast!
One of our favourite features of this ice cream maker is the large spout in the lid. It makes it super easy to add ingredients to your ice cream while mixing without making a mess or delaying the moment when you get to eat it. And, since it’s pretty compact, you won’t have any trouble finding a home for it in your cupboard when it’s off-duty.
One of the only complaints we have with this option is the quality of the mixing blade—it’s not the highest quality, so it might let you down a couple of years into your ownership. Also, since this isn’t a very sophisticated ice cream maker, your frozen treats are limited to ice cream, frozen yogurt, and sorbet. If you’re looking for more variety, this won’t be the best fit.
Overall, the Cuisinart ICE-21C Frozen Yogurt, Ice Cream, and Sorbet Maker is our favourite budget-friendly option right now. It’s not as high-tech as some of our other picks, but it sure gets the job done.
Performance: 5/5
Usability: 4/5
Price: 5/5
Quality: 4.5/5
What Reviewers Are Saying About the Cuisinart ICE-21C Frozen Yogurt, Ice Cream, and Sorbet Maker
Reviewers have a great opinion of the Cuisinart ICE-21C Frozen Yogurt, Ice Cream, and Sorbet Maker. They’re very happy with its price tag, and it works very well with all of their recipes. They love how simple it is to use and clean, and so far, there haven’t been any issues with performance. A couple of people did mention that the mixing blade feels a bit cheap, though.
Cuisinart ICE-21C Frozen Yogurt, Ice Cream, and Sorbet Maker Pros and Cons
Buy If…
You love a simple and straightforward machine
It needs to be easy to store in your cupboards
You’d love to avoid a hassle when adding ingredients
You want a quick and easy ice-cream-making process
Don’t Buy If…
You’re interested in trying out a ton of different frozen treats
You’ll want to use it frequently over multiple years
Cuisinart ICE-21C Frozen Yogurt, Ice Cream, and Sorbet Maker Specifications
Dimensions: 10.8” x 10.8” x 16”
Colour: White
Capacity: 1.5 L
Programs: None
Dishwasher Safe: No
Warranty: 3 years
How to Properly Choose Your Ice Cream Maker
Price
Some ice cream makers will be as affordable as $60, others can cost $500 or more. And with a lot of variability in price comes variability in quality and performance. Generally, more expensive ice cream makers will have larger capacities, more automated programs, and maybe even extra features like built-in compressors.
Capacity
The average ice cream maker will have a capacity between 1 and 1.5 litres, but some will be as large as 2 litres and others as small as 0.5 litres. The smaller capacities will be perfectly fine for individuals, couples, or small families, but a 1.5- or 2-litre machine will better serve a higher ice cream demand.
Programs
Most ice cream makers come with automated programs to make your life a lot easier. Some will only have two or three programs; others will be able to make more than 10 different frozen treats with the push of a button. Your preference for desserts will determine how many programs you need to look for.
Dishwasher Safe
Ice cream maker parts can sometimes be tricky to wash by hand, and that’s why many people prefer to choose ones that are dishwasher safe. The market is split pretty evenly between dishwasher-safe and wash-by-hand machines, so you should be able to find one you like no matter what you prefer.
Disclaimer: The prices displayed are accurate at the time of publication. We’ll do our best to keep them as up-to-date as possible, but you may see slight changes. The products in this list are ranked by independent third parties. Rankings are based on both reviews and independent testing.
