Ninja CREAMi Scoop & Swirl Review: Is This 13-in-1 Ice Cream Maker Worth It?
This dessert maker is a top seller. You see it a lot on social media. It can make 13 different kinds of treats. It makes ice cream and soft serve. It can make sorbet and gelato. It can also make frozen yogurt and milkshakes. But is it as good as people say?
This review will look at its parts. We will see how it works. We will talk about its price. We will look at what users say. We will list the good and bad things. This will help you know if you should buy it.
What Is the Ninja CREAMi Scoop & Swirl?
The Ninja CREAMi Scoop & Swirl is a special frozen dessert maker. It is part of the CREAMi family from Ninja. These machines take frozen bases and spin them. This makes them very smooth. Older CREAMi models made ice cream you can scoop. The Scoop & Swirl NC701 adds something new. It can make soft serve that swirls. It feels like you are at a real ice cream shop.
What makes this model special:
- It can make two textures: scoop and swirl.
- It has 13 easy programs for desserts.
- You can make treats for any diet. This includes keto, vegan, or low-sugar.
- It has a fun dispenser that families will love.
This machine is great for:
- Families that have kids.
- People who like to stay fit and healthy.
- People who love dessert and new recipes.
- Anyone who wants to control what they eat.
Key Features & Technical Specifications
The Ninja CREAMi Scoop & Swirl has many great parts. Let's look at what it can do.
13 One-Touch Programs
This machine has 13 set programs. They help you make perfect treats with one touch. The programs include:
- Ice cream
- Soft serve
- Gelato
- Sorbet
- Lite ice cream
- Frozen yogurt
- Milkshake
- CreamiFit low-cal desserts
- Mix-ins and re-spin modes
Each program changes the speed and push of the blade. This makes the texture just right. For example, soft serve mode makes it light and silky. Gelato mode makes it thick and rich. Sorbet mode makes fruit very smooth. This variety makes it feel like many machines in one.
Scoop vs. Swirl: What’s the Difference?
The best new part of the NC701 is that it can serve in two ways.
Scoop Mode
This mode makes ice cream you can scoop. It is great for a bowl or a cone. You can also store it in your freezer.
Swirl Mode
This mode pushes out soft ribbons of dessert. It uses a part called the Swirl Press. This is perfect for:
- Cones for kids.
- Dessert bars for parties.
- Sundaes with toppings.
- Your own fun treats.
This one feature makes it different from older models. It also makes it different from other ice cream machines.
Customization for Dietary Needs
You can make:
- Keto ice cream with cream and safe sweeteners.
- Vegan ice cream with oat or almond milk.
- Desserts with lots of protein from yogurt or powder.
- Low-sugar sorbets with real fruit.
- Treats that are safe for people with allergies.
This is a big deal for people who watch what they eat.
Build Quality & Design
The Scoop & Swirl is made well. Ninja uses strong parts. It has a nice metal look. It looks good on a kitchen counter.
Specs:
- Size: about 15.15" H x 10.03" W x 17.51" D
- Weight: about 20.8 lbs
- Parts are BPA-free.
- The base is strong for hard spinning.
It is a bit big. But it feels very strong and will last a long time.
Included Accessories
In the box, you will find:
- Two 16-oz Swirl pints
- A Creamerizer paddle
- A dispensing lid with a Swirl Press
- An outer bowl and lid
- Lids for storage
- A recipe book with over 30 ideas
Each part has a job. The pints hold your dessert. The paddle makes it smooth. The Swirl Press serves soft serve. The recipe book helps you start.
Ease of Cleaning
Cleaning up is very easy. The pints, lids, paddle, and Swirl Press can go in the dishwasher. You can wipe the base with a cloth. If you clean the Swirl Press well, it will work great for a long time.
How the Ninja CREAMi Scoop & Swirl Works
The machine is easy to use. But you do need to plan ahead.
Step-by-Step Process
First, make your dessert mix. Pour it into the pint. Freeze it for many hours or all night. Put the frozen pint in the outer bowl. Pick the program you want. Add mix-ins if you like. Use the Swirl Press to get soft serve. Put any leftovers back in the pint to store.
Why Freezing First Matters
You must freeze the base first. This lets the blade break up the ice. This makes the treat very smooth. It helps mix in items well. It creates a texture like a good ice cream shop. Normal ice cream makers churn a cold mix. The CREAMi works the other way. This gives you a good result with fewer items.
Performance Review: What We Loved
We looked at what people say and how it works. Here are the things we loved the most.
Excellent Texture Quality
The Ninja CREAMi NC701 makes treats that feel great to eat. It makes smooth, rich ice cream. It makes light soft serve. It makes thick gelato. It makes fresh sorbet. The texture is as good as a pro ice cream shop. This is why people love it so much.
Versatility
This is more than an ice cream machine. It is also a soft serve maker. It is a smoothie machine. It is a milkshake machine. It is a sorbet maker. It can make healthy treats, too. You can make a rich treat or a low-cal one. It does both very well.
Kid-Friendly & Family Friendly
Kids love the soft serve swirl part. It is fun to use. It is great for parties or a family night. Adding your own mix-ins is fun for everyone.
Value for Price
Think about what it would cost to buy other machines. A normal ice cream maker. A soft serve machine. A yogurt maker. The CREAMi Scoop & Swirl does all of these jobs. For all it can do, it is a good deal. It is an even better deal when on sale.
User Experience
The touch screen is easy to use. The setup is simple. The buttons are clear. It is not hard to learn. New users can make great desserts on the first day.
Where the Ninja CREAMi Scoop & Swirl Falls Short
No machine is perfect. Here are some of the bad things people say.
Requires Pre-Freezing
You need to plan to use the CREAMi. You can't make ice cream right away. You need to have a frozen pint ready to go.
Limited Batch Size
Each pint holds 16 oz. This is not a lot for a big family. It is not great for large parties. You may need to freeze many pints at once.
Bulky & Heavy
The machine is large. This can be a problem if you have a small counter. It is not easy to move around.
Process Can Be Noisy
The machine makes noise when it spins. It sounds like a blender. The noise is not too bad, but you will hear it.
Can Be Pricey Without Discounts
Ninja items can cost a lot. The normal price may seem high. But sales and deals make it much better.
Price, Discounts & Deal Insights
Regular Price vs. Sale Price
The normal price can change. A good deal is often 10% to 30% off the full price. Sometimes deals also include extra items.
Historical Price Patterns
The Scoop & Swirl is often on sale during big shopping days. These include Prime Day and Black Friday. It may also be on sale for holidays. You can use tools to watch the price. This will help you find the best time to buy.
Is the Current Deal Worth It?
A good deal means the price is lower than usual. It also means many people are buying it. If it is a Top Deal on Amazon, the price is likely very good.
What Customers Are Saying
Positive Feedback Themes
Most people love it. They say good things about the great texture of the desserts. They like that it is easy to clean. They love that it can make so many things. They enjoy making their own recipes. The swirl press is a big hit with kids.
Critical Feedback Themes
Some common complaints exist. People say it is loud when it runs. They do not like that they have to freeze the mix for a long time. They wish it could make more at one time. A few users say they need to spin it more than once.
Overall Rating Snapshot
Most people give it a very high rating. They love the quality of the treats. They find it easy to use. They like to get creative. And they like that it works for many diets.
Who Should Buy the Ninja CREAMi Scoop & Swirl?
Perfect For:
- Families that have kids.
- People who host parties at home.
- People who want to eat healthy.
- Athletes who track their food.
- Dessert fans who like to make their own recipes.
- Anyone with food limits.
Might Not Be Ideal For:
- People who want dessert right now.
- Small kitchens with not much room.
- Large homes that need big batches of dessert.
- People who want very few kitchen tools.
Alternatives to Consider
Other Ninja CREAMi Models
If you want a smaller or simpler machine, look at the first Ninja CREAMi or the Ninja CREAMi Deluxe. The NC701 is better at making soft serve. But it may cost more.
Classic Ice Cream Makers
Good things about them are they can make more at once. They are often less money. Bad things are they have fewer programs. They do not have a swirl feature. They offer less control.
High-End Soft Serve Machines
Good things are they make soft serve right away. The quality is like a pro shop. Bad things are they cost a lot of money. They are also very big. The Ninja offers a good mix of price, function, and ease.
Final Verdict
The Ninja CREAMi Scoop & Swirl NC701 is a great machine. It has 13 easy programs. It has a soft serve dispenser. You can make your own recipes. The texture is top quality. It makes dessert at home a great time.
You do have to freeze the base first. The machine is a bit large. But it can do so much. It is very fun to use. It is a great buy, especially if you find it on sale. For families, dessert lovers, or people with diet needs, the Scoop & Swirl is worth the money.
Conclusion
The Ninja CREAMi Scoop & Swirl is not just an ice cream maker. It is a full dessert system. It turns simple items into treats that taste like they are from a shop. It can make rich soft serve. It can also make healthy sorbets. This puts it in a class of its own.
If you want a fun new tool for your kitchen, this is a great choice. It adds flavor and new ideas to your desserts. The Ninja CREAMi Scoop & Swirl is a great buy, especially when on sale.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need to freeze the mixture before using the Ninja CREAMi Scoop & Swirl?
Yes. You must freeze the mix all night or for a few hours. This is key for the right texture.
Can I make dairy-free or vegan desserts with this machine?
Yes, you can. It works great with coconut milk, oat milk, and almond milk.
How loud is the machine during operation?
It is a bit loud, like a strong blender. But it only runs for a short time.
Is this machine good for large families or gatherings?
It makes 16 oz at a time. For big groups, you will need to freeze more than one pint.
Does the Ninja CREAMi Scoop & Swirl clean easily?
Yes. Most of the parts that come off can go in the dishwasher. Clean up is fast and simple.
