Ninja CREAMi vs Compressor Ice Cream Maker: Which to Buy?
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Last updated 21 October 2026. Prices and ratings checked on Amazon UK that day.
A Ninja CREAMi processes a base you have already frozen in a tub, so you plan ahead. A compressor ice cream maker has a built-in cooling system that freezes the mix as it churns, so you can make a batch the same day. Choose a CREAMi if you will plan ahead and want milkshake, sorbet, gelato-style and soft serve programmes, from £199.00 (NC300UK). Choose a compressor machine if you want ice cream on the day with no pre-freezing, from £149.95 (TZS First Austria, 1L) to £239.99 (Cuisinart ICE100, 1.5L). On Amazon UK on 21 October 2026 the seven machines compared here cost £149.95 to £369.00.
Quick rule: if you will freeze a base the day before and want soft serve, milkshakes or sorbet from one machine, pick a Ninja CREAMi. If you want to decide in the afternoon and eat in the evening, pick a compressor ice cream maker. Listings quote litres, tub sizes and programmes in ways that are hard to compare, and several contradict themselves, so this guide flags where they do. Prices and ratings change often, so confirm the current price on the product page.
Jump to: Quick picks · How each machine works · Side by side · Comparison table · Buying guide · How we compiled this shortlist · FAQs · Which to buy
Quick picks: Ninja CREAMi vs compressor ice cream makers
These labels describe what each machine is listed with. See how we compiled this shortlist for the method.
- Lowest-priced compressor machine (1L): TZS First Austria (£149.95)
- Lowest-priced CREAMi, three tubs: Ninja CREAMi NC300UK (£199.00)
- CREAMi with two 710ml tubs and 10 functions: Ninja CREAMi Deluxe NC501 (£209.99)
- Best-rated compressor machine, 1.5L: Cuisinart ICE100 (£239.99)
- 1.5L compressor with a dispensing system: Klarstein Sweet Sundae (£286.99)
- CREAMi with soft serve programmes: Ninja CREAMi Scoop and Swirl NC701UK (£294.90)
- Compressor machine with 12 hardness settings: Sage Smart Scoop (£369.00)
How each machine works: freeze first or freeze as you churn
Ninja CREAMi: you fill a tub with your base, freeze it, then put the frozen tub in the machine, which processes it. The NC300UK listing describes the steps as fill, freeze for 24 hours, then process in minutes. The listings tell you to freeze the base in a tub in your own freezer first, so you need freezer space for the tubs and you need to plan ahead. The listings for the CREAMi range describe a paddle (the Creamerizer) that processes the frozen base into ice cream, gelato, sorbet, milkshake and similar programmes.
Compressor ice cream makers: these have a built-in cooling system, like a small freezer, that chills the bowl while a paddle churns the mix. The TZS, Cuisinart and Klarstein listings say there is no need to pre-freeze a bowl: the Cuisinart ICE100 lists batches in as little as 40 minutes, the Klarstein within 45 minutes and the TZS 30 to 60 minutes. Because the machine freezes as it churns, you can make a batch whenever you decide to, and several listings mention a keep-cool function afterwards. The Sage Smart Scoop lists a pre-cool function that takes the machine down to -30°C before you add the mix.
A third type: pre-freeze bowl machines rely on a bowl you freeze in advance and then churn in, so they share the planning requirement of a CREAMi without the processing step. We have not included any here because the question is CREAMi vs compressor.
The trade-off: the CREAMi models here are listed at 6.4kg to 9.45kg and need advance planning. The compressor machines are spontaneous but listed at 7.9kg to 17.1kg (the Sage does not state a weight).
Ninja CREAMi vs compressor ice cream maker: side by side
| Ninja CREAMi (pre-frozen tub) | Compressor ice cream maker | |
|---|---|---|
| Needs pre-freezing? | Yes, the base is frozen in a tub first (NC300UK, NC501 and NC701UK listings say 24 hours) | No (TZS, Cuisinart and Klarstein listings) |
| Time once ready | Processing takes minutes | 30 to 60 minutes (TZS), as little as 40 (Cuisinart), within 45 (Klarstein) |
| Batch size | NC300UK up to 1.4L across its tubs; NC501 2 x 710ml (680ml in spec); NC701UK 2 x 480ml | 1L (TZS, Sage) to 1.5L (Cuisinart, Klarstein) |
| Programmes and extras | 7 to 13 programmes; milkshake, mix-ins, soft serve (NC701UK) | Ice cream, sorbet, frozen yoghurt; Sage 12 hardness settings; Cuisinart two paddles |
| Price on 21 Oct 2026 | £199.00 to £294.90 | £149.95 to £369.00 |
| Listed weight | 6.4kg to 9.45kg | 7.9kg to 17.1kg (Sage not stated) |
Ninja CREAMi vs compressor makers compared: price, capacity and weight
| Model | Type | Price (21 Oct 2026) | Amazon rating (number of ratings) | Listed capacity | Listed weight | Listed time or method | Listed warranty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| TZS First Austria | Compressor | £149.95 | 4.4 (346) | 1L | 7.9kg | 30 to 60 minutes | Not stated |
| Ninja CREAMi NC300UK | Pre-frozen tubs | £199.00 | 4.4 (1,152) | Up to 1.4L (3 tubs) | 6.4kg | Freeze 24 hours, process in minutes | 1 year (spec); 2-year on registration (bullet) |
| Ninja CREAMi Deluxe NC501 | Pre-frozen tubs | £209.99 | 4.4 (602) | 2 x 710ml tubs | 7.3kg | Tub method, 10 functions | 2-year guarantee on registration |
| Cuisinart ICE100 | Compressor | £239.99 | 4.6 (1,544) | 1.5L | 10.2kg | As little as 40 minutes | Not stated |
| Klarstein Sweet Sundae | Compressor | £286.99 | 3.7 (315) | 1.5L | 17.1kg | Within 45 minutes | Not stated |
| Ninja CREAMi Scoop and Swirl NC701UK | Pre-frozen tubs | £294.90 | 4.4 (348) | 2 x 480ml tubs | 9.45kg | Tub method, 13 programmes | 2-year guarantee on registration |
| Sage Smart Scoop | Compressor | £369.00 | 4.2 (193) | 1L | Not stated | Pre-cool, keep cool up to 3 hours | 2-year repair or replacement |
Capacities, weights, times and warranties are manufacturer claims taken from each Amazon UK listing. The listings give batch capacities in different ways (total litres, tub sizes, tub counts), so they are not directly comparable. Ninja and CREAMi are trademarks of their owners and are used here descriptively.
How to choose: Ninja CREAMi vs compressor ice cream maker
Planning and freezing time
This is the biggest difference. A CREAMi needs the base frozen first, and the NC300UK, NC501 and NC701UK listings all say to freeze the tub for 24 hours. A compressor machine needs none: the listings give 30 to 60 minutes (TZS), as little as 40 minutes (Cuisinart) and within 45 minutes (Klarstein) from mix to ice cream. If you decide on dessert after dinner, a compressor machine is the one that suits.
Texture: ice cream, gelato, sorbet and soft serve
The TZS, Cuisinart and Sage listings list ice cream, sorbet and frozen yoghurt, and the CREAMi listings list ice cream and sorbet. The CREAMi listings add gelato, milkshakes, mix-ins and, depending on the model, smoothie bowls (NC300UK), frappe and frozen drinks (NC501) and soft serve programmes (Scoop and Swirl). The Cuisinart ICE100 lists two paddles, one for ice cream and one for gelato and sorbet, and the Sage lists 12 hardness settings with a mix-in alert.
Capacity
Batch size depends on the machine. The compressor machines here list 1L (TZS and Sage) or 1.5L (Cuisinart and Klarstein). The CREAMi NC300UK lists up to 1.4L across three tubs, the Deluxe NC501 two 710ml tubs, and the Scoop and Swirl two 480ml tubs. The NC501 bullet says 710ml tubs, while its specification table and components list say 680ml, so the figures do not agree. The listings describe placing one frozen tub in the machine to process, so a single run appears to be one tub.
Noise and size
Only two listings give a noise figure: the TZS lists 54dB and the Klarstein lists operating volume below 60dB. The CREAMi listings do not. Weights run from 6.4kg (NC300UK) to 17.1kg (Klarstein), so think about where you will store a machine that you will only use now and then. Check each manual for where the machine can be placed while it runs.
Price and running costs
The seven machines cost from £149.95 to £369.00 on 21 October 2026. Watt ratings are listed for only two machines: the TZS lists 100W of cooling power and the Klarstein lists 250W in its title but 200W in its description. A compressor cycles on and off, so a rating does not equal the energy used per batch. A CREAMi also needs freezer space for the tubs.
Cleaning
The NC300UK listing says the tubs and removable parts are dishwasher safe. The TZS lists a removable aluminium container and stirrer, and the Klarstein lists easy cleaning with removable parts and a dispensing system. Follow each maker’s cleaning instructions.
TZS First Austria 1L: the lowest-priced compressor machine
Price: £149.95 | Amazon rating: 4.4 from 346 ratings
The TZS is the cheapest self-cooling machine in this guide. The listing describes a 1L container, an integrated compressor with 100W of cooling power, ice cream, frozen yoghurt and sorbet in 30 to 60 minutes, push buttons with an LCD display, a post-cooling function, an automatic shut-off if the mix becomes too firm and 54dB operation. It is listed at 7.9kg. The listing does not state a warranty, so check the seller’s terms.
Check the TZS First Austria on Amazon UK
Ninja CREAMi NC300UK: the lowest-priced CREAMi
Price: £199.00 | Amazon rating: 4.4 from 1,152 ratings
The NC300UK is the cheapest CREAMi here and has the most ratings of the three. The listing describes seven programmes (ice cream, gelato, milkshakes, sorbet, smoothie bowls, light ice cream and mix-ins), three tubs with lids that make up to 1.4L (the title says two included tubs, but the bullets and specification list three), a Creamerizer paddle and dishwasher-safe removable parts. It is listed at 6.4kg. The specification table says a one-year warranty, while a bullet mentions a two-year guarantee on registration with Ninja (UK and ROI only). The listing’s model name field says “Deluxe”, but the title and model number are NC300UK, which is a different model from the NC501 Deluxe below.
Check the Ninja CREAMi NC300UK on Amazon UK
Ninja CREAMi Deluxe NC501: bigger tubs and 10 functions
Price: £209.99 | Amazon rating: 4.4 from 602 ratings
The Deluxe is the family-sized CREAMi. The listing describes 10 functions, two 710ml Deluxe tubs, top and bottom processing settings that let you make two flavours in one tub, and dishwasher-safe parts. This Stone Gold colour is listed as an Amazon exclusive with a free two-year guarantee on registration with Ninja. It is listed at 7.3kg. The bullet says 710ml tubs, while the specification table and included-components list say 680ml.
Check the Ninja CREAMi Deluxe on Amazon UK
Cuisinart ICE100: the best-rated compressor machine
Price: £239.99 | Amazon rating: 4.6 from 1,544 ratings
The ICE100 has the highest rating of any machine in this guide with more than a thousand ratings. The listing describes a 1.5L capacity, a professional compressor with no pre-freezing, batches in as little as 40 minutes, two paddles (one for ice cream and one for gelato and sorbet) and the option of eating it soft-serve or leaving it for a firmer finish. It is listed at 10.2kg in stainless steel. The listing does not state a warranty length.
Check the Cuisinart ICE100 on Amazon UK
Klarstein Sweet Sundae: 1.5L with a dispensing system
Price: £286.99 | Amazon rating: 3.7 from 315 ratings
The Klarstein is the only compressor machine here with a dispensing system, which portions the finished ice cream into a cup or cone like a soft-serve machine. The Ninja Scoop and Swirl also has a dispensing lid, but it works from a pre-frozen tub. The listing describes a 1.5L capacity, a self-cooling compressor, ice cream within 45 minutes, a refill opening in the lid with a funnel and an LCD timer. It has the lowest rating in this guide (3.7) and is the heaviest at 17.1kg. The title says 250W, while the description says power consumption of 200W, and it lists operating volume below 60dB.
Check the Klarstein Sweet Sundae on Amazon UK
Ninja CREAMi Scoop and Swirl NC701UK: soft serve programmes
Price: £294.90 | Amazon rating: 4.4 from 348 ratings
The Scoop and Swirl adds soft serve to the CREAMi range. The listing describes 13 programmes, six classic CREAMi functions plus six soft serve functions and mix-in, two 480ml tubs with nozzles and a dispensing lid, a drip tray and a CREAMiFIT programme for lower-calorie, protein-based recipes. It is listed at 9.45kg with a free two-year guarantee on registration. The tub method still applies, so you need to freeze the base first.
Check the Ninja CREAMi Scoop and Swirl on Amazon UK
Sage Smart Scoop: 12 hardness settings
Price: £369.00 | Amazon rating: 4.2 from 193 ratings
The Smart Scoop is the most expensive machine here. The listing describes 12 automatic hardness settings, a pre-cool function, a mix-in alert, a keep-cool function of up to 3 hours, manual or automatic operation and a 1L capacity, with a two-year repair or replacement warranty. It does not give a weight in the information we read. The 1L capacity is the same as the much cheaper TZS.
Check the Sage Smart Scoop on Amazon UK
How we compiled this shortlist
This is a research-based shortlist. Everything above comes from Amazon UK listings and manufacturer claims on those pages, checked on 21 October 2026, apart from the general buying advice.
We started with Amazon UK, where most British buyers will shop, and looked at Ninja CREAMi machines and ice cream makers with a built-in compressor. We left out freeze-the-bowl machines, frozen drink and slush machines, accessories such as extra tubs, German-language and non-UK listings, and listings with very little detail or very few ratings. We compared each listing’s stated specifications, the manufacturer’s own claims on that page, and the customer rating and number of ratings shown at the time, and included three CREAMi models and four compressor machines from £149.95 to £369.00. The shortlist does not cover every model of either type.
Ratings move over time, and the number of ratings matters: the Cuisinart ICE100 (1,544) and the CREAMi NC300UK (1,152) have the most, while the Sage (193) has the fewest. Prices were accurate on 21 October 2026 and change frequently, so use the links to see the current price. We will update this guide when prices, ratings or availability change.
Ninja CREAMi vs compressor ice cream maker FAQs
Is a Ninja CREAMi better than a compressor ice cream maker?
Neither is better for everyone. A CREAMi works from a base you freeze in advance, which takes planning, and compressor machines churn and freeze in one go with no pre-freezing. The CREAMi NC300UK is cheaper than the compressor machines here apart from the TZS, and the Cuisinart ICE100 is the best-rated at 4.6.
Does the Ninja CREAMi need to be pre-frozen?
For most programmes, yes: you freeze the base in the tub first, and the NC300UK listing says to freeze for 24 hours and then process in minutes. The NC501 listing says a milkshake needs no freezing.
Do compressor ice cream makers need pre-freezing?
No. The TZS, Cuisinart and Klarstein listings say they cool themselves, so you do not pre-freeze a bowl. The Sage listing describes a pre-cool function and keep-cool rather than using the word compressor. The Cuisinart lists batches in as little as 40 minutes and the Klarstein within 45 minutes.
Which makes more ice cream at once?
The Cuisinart ICE100 and the Klarstein list 1.5L, although the Klarstein description says up to 900g of ice cream. The CREAMi NC300UK lists up to 1.4L across its tubs, but the listings describe processing one frozen tub at a time in the machine.
Are ice cream makers noisy?
Only the TZS (54dB) and the Klarstein (below 60dB) give noise figures. Decibel figures are not always measured the same way, so treat them as a guide.
How much does an ice cream maker cost in the UK?
On Amazon UK on 21 October 2026, the three CREAMi models here cost £199.00 to £294.90 and the four compressor machines £149.95 to £369.00.
How long does each type take?
A CREAMi needs the base frozen first (24 hours in the NC300UK, NC501 and NC701UK listings), then processes it in minutes. The compressor listings give 30 to 60 minutes (TZS), as little as 40 minutes (Cuisinart) and within 45 minutes (Klarstein).
Can a Ninja CREAMi make soft serve?
The NC701UK Scoop and Swirl lists six soft serve functions and a dispensing lid. The other CREAMi listings here do not list soft serve.
Which should you buy: a Ninja CREAMi or a compressor ice cream maker?
If you are happy to plan ahead and want the lowest price, start with the Ninja CREAMi NC300UK, and move up to the Deluxe NC501 for larger tubs or the Scoop and Swirl for soft serve. If you want ice cream on the day without pre-freezing, the Cuisinart ICE100 is the best-rated compressor machine, the TZS is the cheapest, the Klarstein adds a dispenser and the Sage lists the most hardness settings at the top of the price range. Check the capacity, weight and warranty on the product page before you order.
Prices, ratings and specifications in this article were taken from Amazon UK listings on 21 October 2026 and may have changed.
