Which Ninja CREAMi Should You Buy? Two Questions Before Program Count

Seven programs. Eleven. Thirteen. When you're choosing a Ninja CREAMi, that number is the wrong place to start. Two questions narrow it down: do you want soft serve, and how much do you make at once? Question one: scoops or soft serve? Of the three current models in this guide, Ninja describes only the NC701 Scoop & Swirl as making both scooped treats and soft serve. The NC351 and the NC601 are for scooped treats only. Question two: how much at once? The NC351 and the NC701 come with two 16-ounce pints. The NC601 Deluxe comes with two 24-ounce XL tubs. Ninja pitches the NC351 at one or two people, and the NC601 at households of three or four. Only then compare programs. Ninja lists seven on the NC351 and eleven on the NC601. Both include Smoothie Bowl, and the NC601 adds four more, including CreamiFit and Dairy-Free. Already own the original Deluxe, the NC501? Both list eleven programs, and Ninja sells its XL tubs as compatible with NC500 and NC600 series machines. They differ by four program names on each side, so upgrade only if one of the NC601-only programs, like Smoothie Bowl, is one you'd actually use. Whichever you pick, plan ahead. Ninja recommends freezing the base for 24 hours before you spin, so owners often prep extra bases in spare containers. HGTV's reviewer called the machines incredibly loud. And Tasting Table warns that the hump on a frozen pint should be leveled first, or it can damage the machine. So: soft serve, the NC701. Scoops for one or two, the NC351. Bigger scooped batches, the NC601. We haven't tested these machines; the specs come from Ninja's comparison page. The comparison table and links are right below this video. KitchenCog may earn commissions from links on our site.