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10 Best Soft Serve Makers 2025 in the United States

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Our Top Picks

#1

Winner

DASH My Mug Ice Cream Maker Machine (Aqua): Multi-Purpose Soft Serve Ice Cream Machine with (2) Bowls for Homemade Gelato, Sorbet, Frozen Yogurt, Built-In Ingredient Chute, Easy to Clean and Store

Rating
9.7
Chosen by1,240
Capacity
Freezing Method
Ease of Use

Most important from
1877 reviews

Capacity
If there's more than two of you, extra bowls are needed, and they require significant freezer space.
Freezing Method
Ensure the bowls are fully frozen for the best results – it's worth the wait for perfect ice cream.
Ease of Use
Produce gorgeous frozen yogurt on the first try; it's easy to clean and use.
Additional Features
Control what goes into your ice cream and enjoy delicious frozen desserts with ease.

The DASH My Mug Ice Cream Maker is a compact and versatile soft-serve machine, perfect for those who love personalized frozen treats. With a capacity of 0.5 pints, it’s designed for single servings, making it ideal for small households or individuals. The freezing method involves pre-freezing the base for 24 hours, which might require some planning ahead. However, it delivers quick results, turning ingredients into ice cream, gelato, sorbet, or frozen yogurt in just 20 minutes with its automatic operation.

The built-in ingredient chute allows you to mix in your favorite add-ins, adding a fun and personalized touch to your desserts. The machine's innovative design doubles as a freezable mug, adding convenience since you can enjoy your treat directly from the source. It’s quite user-friendly with its ease of assembly, use, and cleaning, although hand washing is recommended for product care.

Weighing just 4.81 pounds and with dimensions of 7.2 x 5.9 x 6.9 inches, it’s space-saving and suitable for kitchens with limited counter space. One potential downside is the need to pre-freeze the base for 24 hours, which might not be convenient for spontaneous cravings. Despite this minor drawback, the DASH My Mug Ice Cream Maker is a reliable and fun choice for those looking to make quick and personalized soft-serve treats at home.

Rating
9.7
Chosen by1,240
Capacity
Freezing Method
Ease of Use

Most important from
1877 reviews

Capacity
If there's more than two of you, extra bowls are needed, and they require significant freezer space.
Freezing Method
Ensure the bowls are fully frozen for the best results – it's worth the wait for perfect ice cream.
Ease of Use
Produce gorgeous frozen yogurt on the first try; it's easy to clean and use.
Additional Features
Control what goes into your ice cream and enjoy delicious frozen desserts with ease.
#2

Ninja Swirl by CREAMi Ice Cream and Soft Serve Maker, Sorbet, Milkshake, Frozen Yogurt, Low Calories Program & More, 13-in-1, Soft Serve Handle, (2) CREAMi Swirl 16oz Pints, For Kids & ALL ages, NC701

Rating
9.4
Ease of Use
Size and Weight
Noise Level

Most important from
464 reviews

Ease of Use
Its intuitive controls and one-touch programs make creating customized frozen treats straightforward and enjoyable.
Size and Weight
Despite its relatively compact size, the machine is solid and best suited for a permanent countertop spot.
Noise Level
Noise during blending and dispensing is noticeable but only lasts a few minutes and doesn't overshadow the overall experience.
Additional Features
The included soft serve handle adds a tactile, rewarding element that makes serving a delight, especially for kids.

The Ninja Swirl by CREAMi is a versatile soft-serve and frozen treat maker designed for home use, offering 13 one-touch programs including six specifically for soft serve and related styles like frozen yogurt and custard. Its 16-ounce capacity is modest, suitable for small batches or individual servings rather than large families. The machine uses an automatic freezing and mixing process, with a built-in motor base and a digital display that makes it easy to program and operate without complicated steps. Weighing about 21 pounds and measuring roughly 15x10x17.5 inches, it’s fairly compact but not lightweight, so it’s best placed in a permanent spot on the countertop.

Ninja’s focus on customization stands out—you can control ingredients to suit preferences such as low sugar, dairy-free, or high protein treats, which is great for health-conscious users or those with dietary restrictions. The included soft serve handle with three speed settings makes creating swirled cones interactive and fun, especially for kids. Cleanup is straightforward since many parts, including the pints and lids, are dishwasher safe. Additional perks include a pull-out drip tray to keep surfaces clean and over 30 recipes to try.

The relatively small capacity and heavier weight might limit convenience if you want larger quantities or portability. Also, with a price and complexity geared towards ice cream enthusiasts, casual users might find the range of settings more than needed. For anyone wanting a flexible, easy-to-use soft serve maker that offers health-conscious options and family-friendly fun, the Ninja Swirl remains a strong choice.

Rating
9.4
Ease of Use
Size and Weight
Noise Level

Most important from
464 reviews

Ease of Use
Its intuitive controls and one-touch programs make creating customized frozen treats straightforward and enjoyable.
Size and Weight
Despite its relatively compact size, the machine is solid and best suited for a permanent countertop spot.
Noise Level
Noise during blending and dispensing is noticeable but only lasts a few minutes and doesn't overshadow the overall experience.
Additional Features
The included soft serve handle adds a tactile, rewarding element that makes serving a delight, especially for kids.
#3

Nostalgia Electric Ice Cream Maker - Old Fashioned Soft Serve Ice Cream Machine Makes Frozen Yogurt or Gelato in Minutes - Fun Kitchen Appliance - Vintage Wooden Style - Dark Wood - 4 Quart

Rating
9.2
Capacity
Freezing Method
Ease of Use

Most important from
16365 reviews

Capacity
Its generous capacity lets you make enough ice cream to share with family or friends in one batch.
Freezing Method
Despite the non-rotating screen, the internal canister rotation ensures consistent, well-churned ice cream.
Ease of Use
The machine is extremely easy to use with clear, straightforward instructions that make the process simple for beginners.
Noise Level
The automatic churning mechanism works quietly and effectively without manual effort.
Additional Features
This maker inspires creativity with recipes and flavor variations, enhancing the homemade experience.

The Nostalgia Electric Ice Cream Maker is a charming choice for anyone wanting to make soft-serve, frozen yogurt, or gelato at home with a vintage touch. Its 4-quart capacity is generous, allowing you to serve a family or small group in one batch. The machine uses an automatic electric motor to churn the mixture, which means no manual effort is needed and the process is fairly quick—ice cream can be ready in about 20 minutes. This makes it quite user-friendly, especially for those new to ice cream making.

The unit weighs just under 10 pounds and is moderately sized (about 13" x 12" x 16"), so it’s portable enough to carry around using its convenient handle, ideal for parties or gatherings. The vintage wooden design adds a nostalgic aesthetic that fits well in kitchens with classic or rustic decor, but it might be bulkier than more modern, compact soft-serve makers. One downside is that cleaning requires hand washing, which some users may find less convenient compared to dishwasher-safe models.

This ice cream maker suits home users looking for a fun, easy-to-use appliance capable of making a variety of frozen treats with a classic look, but it may not be the best pick if you want something ultra-compact or with fully integrated freezing technology.

Rating
9.2
Capacity
Freezing Method
Ease of Use

Most important from
16365 reviews

Capacity
Its generous capacity lets you make enough ice cream to share with family or friends in one batch.
Freezing Method
Despite the non-rotating screen, the internal canister rotation ensures consistent, well-churned ice cream.
Ease of Use
The machine is extremely easy to use with clear, straightforward instructions that make the process simple for beginners.
Noise Level
The automatic churning mechanism works quietly and effectively without manual effort.
Additional Features
This maker inspires creativity with recipes and flavor variations, enhancing the homemade experience.

Buying Guide for the Best Soft Serve Makers

Choosing the right soft-serve maker can be a delightful yet challenging task. The perfect machine for you will depend on your specific needs, preferences, and the context in which you plan to use it. Whether you're looking to make soft-serve ice cream at home for family and friends or for a small business, understanding the key specifications will help you make an informed decision. Here are the essential specs to consider when selecting a soft-serve maker and how to navigate them.
CapacityCapacity refers to the amount of soft-serve ice cream the machine can produce in one batch. This is important because it determines how much ice cream you can serve at a time. For home use, a smaller capacity (1-2 quarts) is usually sufficient. For small businesses or larger gatherings, you might need a machine with a larger capacity (3-5 quarts or more). Consider how often and how much ice cream you plan to make to choose the right capacity for your needs.
Freezing MethodThe freezing method is how the machine chills the ice cream mixture. There are two main types: pre-freeze bowl and built-in compressor. Pre-freeze bowl machines require you to freeze the bowl ahead of time, which can take up to 24 hours. These are typically more affordable and suitable for occasional use. Built-in compressor machines can freeze the mixture on their own, allowing for continuous use and multiple batches without waiting. These are ideal for frequent use or commercial purposes. Choose based on how often you plan to use the machine and your convenience preference.
Ease of UseEase of use encompasses how simple the machine is to operate, clean, and maintain. Look for features like intuitive controls, clear instructions, and easy assembly. Machines with fewer parts are generally easier to clean. If you plan to use the machine frequently, ease of use becomes even more critical. Consider your comfort level with operating kitchen appliances and how much time you're willing to spend on maintenance.
Size and WeightThe size and weight of the soft-serve maker are important for storage and portability. If you have limited counter space, a compact and lightweight model will be more convenient. Larger, heavier machines may offer more features and capacity but require more space and effort to move. Think about where you will store the machine and how often you will need to move it when making your decision.
Noise LevelNoise level refers to how loud the machine is during operation. This can be an important factor if you plan to use the machine in a quiet environment or if noise is a concern for you. Generally, machines with built-in compressors tend to be noisier than pre-freeze bowl models. If noise is a significant concern, look for models that are specifically designed to operate quietly.
Additional FeaturesAdditional features can enhance your soft-serve making experience. These may include options like multiple flavor dispensers, automatic mix-in dispensers for adding toppings, digital timers, and consistency controls. While these features can add convenience and variety, they may also increase the cost and complexity of the machine. Consider which features are essential for you and which ones you can do without based on your usage and preferences.

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