The best ice cream maker in NZ is a home machine that turns a flavoured base into scoopable ice cream, gelato, sorbet or soft serve in your own kitchen. A machine that makes ice cream is different from a slushie machine, which only chills drinks.
The main types are easy to tell apart. Pre-frozen tub machines such as the Ninja CREAMi shave and spin a base that you have frozen solid. Freezer-bowl churners such as the Cuisinart and Russell Hobbs models churn a liquid base in a pre-chilled bowl. Soft serve machines dispense directly into a cone. Stand mixer attachments use a mixer you already own. Portable and self-cooling machines skip the freezer bowl.
Most freezer-bowl and tub machines need 16 to 24 hours in the freezer before you can make a batch, so planning ahead matters more than motor power. Check the batch size, whether the bowl or tub needs pre-freezing, and whether you want soft serve or scoopable ice cream.
This guide compares nine home ice cream makers available in New Zealand, from the Ninja CREAMi to a soft serve machine and a KitchenAid attachment.
Best ice cream makers comparison
| Product | Best for | Key feature | Details | Rating |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ninja CREAMi NC300 | Best Overall | Pre-frozen tubs, 5 programs, Re-Spin | 3 x 470 mL tubs | 4.5/5 (496 reviews) |
| Ninja CREAMi Deluxe NC501 | Best Large-Capacity | 11 functions, 2-in-1 flavours | 2 x 709 mL tubs | 4.4/5 (262 reviews) |
| Cuisinart The Soft Serve 1.5L | Best Soft Serve | Pull-down handle, topping dispensers | 1.5 L bowl, 8 to 10 servings | 4.1/5 (9 reviews) |
| Russell Hobbs Chilluxe | Best Value Pint-Style | 7 auto functions, Re-Spin | 3 x 500 mL tubs | 4.0/5 (20 reviews) |
| Cuisinart Freeze Wand | Best Quick Single Serves | 5 presets, 5-minute results | 3 x 240 mL pots | 4.2/5 (24 reviews) |
| KitchenAid Attachment | Best for Stand Mixer Owners | Up to 1.9 L batches | 16 hour bowl freeze | 4.5/5 (426 reviews) |
| Avanti Portable Wireless | Best Portable | USB-C rechargeable | 500 mL bowl | 4.5/5 (10 reviews) |
| Ykgutilu 5-in-1 Granita | Best No Pre-Freeze | Built-in cooling, LED display | 2 L capacity | 5.0/5 (2 reviews) |
| Valdera Dual Tank | Best for Parties | Dual tanks, compressor | 2 x 68 oz tanks | No reviews yet |
1. Ninja CREAMi NC300 – Best Ice Cream Maker Overall
The Ninja CREAMi NC300 is the best ice cream maker overall for most homes in NZ. Instead of churning a liquid base, it shaves and spins a pre-frozen tub of ingredients into ice cream, gelato, sorbet, milkshakes, smoothie bowls and frozen yoghurt, so you can use almost any base you like.
It has five one-touch programs and a Re-Spin function that makes a result softer and creamier if the first spin comes out crumbly. Mix-ins such as chocolate, nuts and fruit are added after processing, and the box includes three 470 mL tubs with lids so several flavours can wait in the freezer.
It also suits dairy-free, vegan and low-sugar recipes, because the machine does not depend on a traditional custard base. It is the pick for anyone who wants variety rather than one style of ice cream.
Pros
- Five one-touch programs plus Re-Spin
- Works with dairy-free, vegan and low-sugar bases
- Three tubs with lids included for batch freezing
- Free delivery to New Zealand from Amazon AU
Cons
- Each tub of base must be frozen solid before processing, so it is not an instant dessert
- Single-serve sized tubs make small batches
- Takes up bench space when left out
Key specs: Pre-frozen tub system. 5 one-touch programs. Re-Spin function. 3 x 470 mL tubs with storage lids. Creamerizer paddle. Model NC300ANZ.
2. Ninja CREAMi Deluxe NC501 – Best Large-Capacity Ice Cream Maker
The Ninja CREAMi Deluxe NC501 is the best large-capacity ice cream maker here. It takes the same pre-frozen tub approach as the standard CREAMi but adds 11 functions and two 709 mL Deluxe tubs, which suits families who finish a pint in one sitting.
Its standout feature is the 2-in-1 flavour option. Using the Top and Bottom processing settings you can make two different flavours, such as cherry and vanilla, in one tub.
The function list goes beyond dessert, with frappe, frozen drink and slushi settings as well as ice cream, gelato, sorbet, light ice cream, milkshake, mix-in and frozen yoghurt. The parts are dishwasher safe, which keeps clean-up simple.
Pros
- 11 functions including two flavours in one tub
- Larger 709 mL tubs than the standard CREAMi
- Dual-drive motor
- Dishwasher safe parts
- Free delivery to New Zealand
Cons
- Larger and heavier than the standard CREAMi
- Only two tubs included
- More functions than many households will use
Key specs: 11 functions. Dual-drive motor. 2 x 709 mL Deluxe tubs with lids. 2-in-1 Top and Bottom flavour settings. Outer bowl with lid. Approx. 30.5 x 21.4 x 42.4 cm. Model NC501ANZ.
3. Cuisinart The Soft Serve 1.5L – Best Soft Serve Machine
The Cuisinart The Soft Serve is the best soft serve ice cream machine in this guide. It is a home machine with an easy pull-down handle that dispenses soft serve straight into a cone or cup, much like a small parlour machine.
You pre-chill the 1.5 litre freezer bowl overnight, mix a base from as few as four ingredients, pour it in and churn. Cuisinart says it makes soft serve in under 20 minutes and yields around 8 to 10 servings per batch.
Three condiment dispensers let you drop sprinkles, cookie crumbs or chocolate chips into the soft serve as it comes out, which is the feature kids tend to love most.
Pros
- Pull-down handle dispenses soft serve into cones and cups
- Three topping dispensers for sprinkles and mix-ins
- 1.5 litre bowl makes 8 to 10 servings per batch
- Free delivery to New Zealand
Cons
- The freezer bowl needs to be chilled overnight, so batches cannot be made back to back
- Few reviews so far
- A home machine, not a commercial unit for a business
Key specs: Soft serve and sundae machine. 1.5 L pre-chilled freezer bowl. Pull-down dispensing handle. 3 condiment dispensers. Makes soft serve in under 20 minutes.
4. Russell Hobbs Chilluxe RHICM2875 – Best Value Pint-Style Ice Cream Maker
The Russell Hobbs Chilluxe is a pint-style ice cream maker from a familiar kitchen brand, and it is the best alternative to the Ninja CREAMi for anyone who prefers a local brand name.
It has seven auto functions: ice cream, light ice cream, sorbet, gelato, frozen yoghurt, milkshake and mix-in. A Re-Spin function helps make the result extra smooth and creamy.
The workflow is simple. Fill the tub, freeze it for 24 hours, then put it back in the machine. Three 500 mL tubs with lids are included, and the removable BPA-free parts are dishwasher safe.
Pros
- Seven auto functions plus Re-Spin
- Three 500 mL storage tubs and lids included
- Dishwasher safe BPA-free parts
- Free delivery to New Zealand
Cons
- The tub must be frozen for 24 hours before use
- Fewer reviews than the Ninja models
- Fixed 500 mL tubs limit batch size
Key specs: Pint-style tub system. 7 auto functions. Re-Spin. 3 x 500 mL tubs with 3 lids. Dishwasher safe BPA-free parts. Model RHICM2875.
5. Cuisinart Freeze Wand – Best for Quick Single Serves
The Cuisinart Freeze Wand is the best pick for quick single serves. It comes with three 240 mL dessert pots, so you can make three different treats one after the other rather than one big batch.
There are five presets: ice cream, sorbet, milkshake, slushie and mix-ins. Cuisinart says results can be ready in as little as five minutes, and it lists the machine as low noise.
It suits high-protein, dairy-free, vegan and low-calorie recipes, which makes it a good fit for people making small portions rather than family tubs.
Pros
- Three 240 mL dessert pots included
- Five presets including milkshake and slushie
- Fast results in as little as five minutes
- Low noise
- Free delivery to New Zealand
Cons
- Small 240 mL portions
- Few reviews so far
- Not suited to serving a crowd
Key specs: 5 presets: ice cream, sorbet, milkshake, slushie, mix-ins. 3 x 240 mL dessert pots. Low noise. Model ICE-FD10XA.
6. KitchenAid Ice Cream Maker Attachment – Best for KitchenAid Stand Mixer Owners
The KitchenAid Ice Cream Maker Attachment is the best choice if you already own a KitchenAid stand mixer. It turns the mixer you have into an ice cream machine and does not add another motor to store.
It fits all KitchenAid tilt-head and bowl-lift stand mixers and makes up to 1.9 litres at a time, which is the largest single batch in this guide. KitchenAid says frozen treats take under 30 minutes, and the open bowl lets you add ingredients as it churns.
The freezer bowl needs about 16 hours in the freezer first, so plan ahead the day before.
Pros
- Uses your existing KitchenAid stand mixer
- Up to 1.9 litres per batch
- Open bowl for adding ingredients while churning
- Highly rated by buyers
- Free delivery to New Zealand
Cons
- Needs a KitchenAid stand mixer, which is sold separately
- The bowl needs about 16 hours in the freezer
- The freezer bowl takes up freezer space
Key specs: Stand mixer attachment. Fits all KitchenAid tilt-head and bowl-lift mixers. Up to 1.9 L batches. Under 30 minutes churn time. 16 hour bowl freeze.
7. Avanti Portable Wireless Ice Cream Maker – Best Portable Ice Cream Maker
The Avanti Portable Wireless Ice Cream Maker is the best compact option for small households and camping trips. It runs on a USB-C rechargeable battery, so you can make frozen treats without a power point.
It has a 500 mL bowl and churns ice cream, sorbet or frozen yoghurt in around 15 to 20 minutes. A clear lid lets you watch progress while the motor does the work.
The compact bowl fits in a freezer easily and the lightweight unit is simple to clean, which makes it the easiest of these machines to store.
Pros
- Wireless with a USB-C rechargeable battery
- Churns in around 15 to 20 minutes
- Compact and easy to store
- Free delivery to New Zealand
Cons
- Small 500 mL capacity
- Few reviews so far
- The bowl needs to be frozen first
Key specs: Portable freezer-bowl machine. 500 mL capacity. USB-C rechargeable battery. 15 to 20 minute churn. Clear lid.
8. Ykgutilu 5-in-1 Granita and Ice Cream Machine 2L – Best No Pre-Freeze Machine
The Ykgutilu 5-in-1 is the best pick if you do not want to freeze a bowl or tub in advance. Its built-in cooling, which the listing calls 3D Vortex cooling, freezes ingredients directly, so you can pour, press and wait.
It has a 2 litre capacity, an LED display and five preset modes for ice cream, fruit sorbets, coffee granitas, malts and frozen cocktails. A spiral spatula scrapes the bowl sides to keep the texture even.
It is the least proven machine here, with only a couple of reviews and a little-known brand, so treat the claims on the listing with some caution.
Pros
- No pre-freezing of a bowl or tub
- 2 litre capacity
- Five presets including granita and frozen cocktails
- Free delivery to New Zealand
Cons
- Only a couple of reviews so far
- Little-known brand
- Performance claims come from the listing and are unverified
Key specs: 2 L capacity. LED display. 5 preset modes. No pre-freeze needed. Spiral spatula. Model ICM-5in1-2L.
9. Valdera Dual Tank Soft Serve and Slushie Machine – Best for Parties
The Valdera Dual Tank is the closest thing to a commercial-style machine in this guide, and it is built for parties rather than a business. It has two 68 oz buckets with independent controls, so you can run a soft ice cream mix on one side and a slush on the other.
A built-in compressor chills the liquid mix directly, so there is no pre-freezing. There are seven presets, including Soft Ice Cream, Milk Slush and a Custom mode that saves your settings, and a 15 minute self-clean cycle.
The listing says each side takes up to 34 oz of ice cream or milkshake mixture. It is a large, slush-first machine, so it suits entertaining more than everyday ice cream making.
Pros
- Two independent tanks for two flavours at once
- Built-in compressor, no pre-freezing
- Seven presets including Soft Ice Cream
- Self-clean cycle
- Free delivery to New Zealand
Cons
- Large and designed mainly as a slushie machine
- No customer reviews yet
- Not a true commercial machine for a business
Key specs: Dual 68 oz tanks (135 oz total). Built-in compressor. 7 presets including Soft Ice Cream and Custom. 15 minute self-clean. Up to 34 oz of ice cream mixture per side.
How to choose an ice cream maker in NZ
Start with the style you want. Choose a CREAMi-style machine for variety and dairy-free recipes, a freezer-bowl churner for classic ice cream, or a soft serve machine if you want a cone straight from the handle. Then check how much freezer space you have, because every pre-freeze system needs room for a bowl or tubs.
Think about batch size and cleaning. A 500 mL bowl suits one or two people, while the 1.5 to 1.9 litre options suit families. Look for dishwasher safe parts, and check that the machine has a power plug suited to NZ before you order.
For more kitchen guides, see our best slushie machines, the best yogurt makers and the best stand mixers.
Verdict
The Ninja CREAMi NC300 is the best ice cream maker for most homes in NZ, with five one-touch programs, a Re-Spin function and three tubs included. The CREAMi Deluxe is the best larger choice, and the Cuisinart The Soft Serve is the best soft serve machine.
The Russell Hobbs Chilluxe is the best value pint-style alternative, the Freeze Wand suits quick single serves, and the KitchenAid attachment is the smart choice if you already own a stand mixer. The Avanti is the portable pick, the Ykgutilu skips pre-freezing, and the Valdera suits parties.
FAQs
What is the best ice cream maker in NZ?
The Ninja CREAMi NC300 is the best ice cream maker overall for most homes, with five one-touch programs, a Re-Spin function and three tubs included. The Ninja CREAMi Deluxe is the best larger option, and the KitchenAid attachment is best if you already own a stand mixer.
What is the best home ice cream machine?
For most homes the Ninja CREAMi range and the Russell Hobbs Chilluxe are the easiest to use, because you freeze a tub of base and the machine does the rest. If you want a traditional churned ice cream, the KitchenAid attachment makes up to 1.9 litres per batch.
What is the best soft serve ice cream machine for home use?
The Cuisinart The Soft Serve 1.5L is the best home soft serve machine here, with a pull-down handle and three topping dispensers. The Valdera Dual Tank also has a Soft Ice Cream preset and is better suited to parties.
Is there a commercial ice cream machine for business in this guide?
No. Every machine here is made for home use. A business serving customers needs a commercial soft serve or batch freezer, which is a different class of equipment. The Valdera Dual Tank is the largest and closest in style, but it is sold as a home entertaining machine.
Do I need to freeze the bowl or tub first?
Most of these machines do. The CREAMi and Russell Hobbs systems need a tub of base frozen solid, with the Russell Hobbs listing recommending 24 hours, and the KitchenAid bowl needs about 16 hours. The Ykgutilu and Valdera use built-in cooling, so they do not need pre-freezing.
What is the difference between a CREAMi and a traditional ice cream maker?
A traditional ice cream maker churns a liquid base while it freezes in a pre-chilled bowl. A CREAMi shaves and spins a base that you have already frozen solid in a tub. The CREAMi style gives more flexibility with dairy-free and low-sugar recipes, while churning is closer to classic ice cream.
Can I make dairy-free or vegan ice cream at home?
Yes. The Ninja CREAMi range, the Cuisinart Freeze Wand and the Cuisinart soft serve machine are all marketed for dairy-free and special-diet recipes, using bases such as fruit, plant milks and protein shakes.
