Ninja Creami vs Deluxe – which ice-cream maker should you buy?

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Read on to see how both the Creami and Creami Deluxe compare, and for a further look at the other models we've tested, discover our full guide to the best ice-cream makers.

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Ninja Creami vs Deluxe at a glance

Ninja Creami Ice Cream & Frozen Dessert Maker NC300UK, £160.00
Ninja Creami Deluxe 10-in-1 Ice Cream and Frozen Drink Maker NC501UK, £249.99

Ninja Creami vs Deluxe: main differences

Ninja Creami Ice Cream & Frozen Dessert Maker NC300UK

Ninja Creami Ice Cream and Frozen Dessert Maker review

Star rating: 4.5/5

Wattage: 800W

The original Ninja Creami first became available in the UK in 2022, and – before the launch of the Creami Deluxe – it was completely different to any other ice-cream maker on the market. Unlike other models, this appliance 'reverse creams' the ice cream to create a super-smooth texture in just a few minutes. You just need to ensure the mixture is frozen flat at least 24 hours the night before.

Among its seven functions are ice cream, gelato, smoothies, sorbet, light ice cream, milkshakes, and mix-ins like fruit, chocolate chips and nuts.

The total capacity is 1.4 litres across the three BPA-free tubs provided (473ml per tub), which you can use to store your mixture before fitting one of them into the machine for churning. This model doesn't have a numerical countdown timer, but there are progress lights on the front.

We loved using this machine in test, and though we found the long freezing period a bit of inconvenience, we were impressed by the exceptionally smooth ice-cream and gelato the Creami produced.

Ninja Creami Deluxe 10-in-1 Ice Cream and Frozen Drink Maker

Star rating: 5/5

Wattage: 800W

Much like the Ninja Creami, the Creami Deluxe – which launched in the UK in 2024 – relies on powerful blades to 'shave' and churn frozen mixtures into smooth ice cream in a matter of minutes. Again, the ice-cream base needs to be frozen flat for at least 24 hours.

Each of the three tubs is 709ml (2.1L total) and there are 10 functions overall, including ice cream, 'lite' ice cream, gelato, sorbet, milkshake, mix-in, frappe, frozen drink, 'slushi' and frozen yoghurt.

This model also features a countdown display, so you know exactly how long you'll have to wait before your ice cream is ready. For more unique ice-cream concoctions, you can add two flavours or mix-ins to one base by processing just the top or the bottom half of the tub, too.

This ice-cream maker was a joy to use, and all our creations were light, soft and well combined without any lumps or ice crystals.

Ninja Creami and Ninja Creami Deluxe compared

We tested the Ninja Creami and Ninja Creami Deluxe against the following criteria:

Ease of use
Overall quality of materials
Versatility
Packaging and sustainability
Results of ice cream

There are a few other factors to consider when deciding which of these ice-cream makers might be right for you.

Size

Countertop footprint is key when buying new appliances, especially if space is a luxury in your kitchen. Unless you plan on powering up your ice-cream maker every day, even throughout the winter, you also need to think about where you could store your gadget when it's not in use.

Ninja Creami Deluxe with three tubs — Ninja Creami Deluxe

The Ninja Creami and Creami Deluxe are tall, so it's worth considering the height of your cupboards and whether they'll be able to slot underneath easily. The Ninja Creami is slightly smaller at 40.5cm (H), where the Creami Deluxe is 42.2cm (H). Unlike a lot of other ice-cream makers, both appliances are relatively slimline but the Creami Deluxe is much wider (30.5cm, versus 16.5cm for the Creami).

If capacity is something you care about, the Deluxe offers more: 709ml per tub (2.1L overall), compared to 473ml per tub (1.4L overall) for the Ninja Creami.

Functions

A versatile appliance with lots of settings often signifies good value for money, especially when you plan on using all of them. But if a gadget comes with presets that are less helpful or appealing, it could be worth investing in a less expensive model with simpler functionality.

As the older of the two, the Creami has fewer settings but still offers a good range – including ice cream, gelato, smoothies, sorbet, light ice cream, milkshakes, plus mix-ins like chocolate chips, nuts and fruit.

With the Creami Deluxe, three additional presets are on offer – frappe, frozen yogurt, and 'slushi' – as well as 'top' and 'bottom' processing settings, which allow you to combine two different mix-ins or flavours into the same base.

Price

With an RRP of £199.99, the original Ninja Creami is the cheapest of the two ice-cream makers. The Ninja Creami Deluxe is more expensive at £249.99 RRP, but for this you get the three extra settings and a larger capacity.