5 Disadvantages Of Using A Ninja CREAMi

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The Ninja CREAMi debuted in 2021 and quickly became a viral sensation on Instagram and TikTok, which helped make it arguably the best known home ice cream machine on the market. Reviews of the Ninja CREAMi are overwhelmingly positive, and it's hard to deny that it's a really good ice cream maker. But just because something is good, maybe even the best, doesn't make it flawless. The Ninja CREAMi is not without its downsides.

In Tasting Table's review of the Ninja CREAMi, we gave it a very thorough test run to see how well it handled multiple tasks. It was impressive, but we also felt like it was very much a niche product. To identify some of the unique disadvantages of the Ninja CREAMi, we checked through a number of online reviews and social media commentary from people who own or have used the machines. We looked for issues that were either specific to the Ninja CREAMi or more noticeable with Ninja's machines. Other brands may have similar drawbacks, but they're either less frequent or manifest differently. We're not suggesting the Ninja CREAMi is a bad product — just that there are problems that may arise when you use one. So keep these issues in mind if you're in the market to buy a Ninja CREAMi.

In review after review, the Ninja CREAMi has texture problems. Ice cream comes out dry and crumbly looking rather than as the smooth, solid blend characteristic of most ice creams. This is not an insurmountable issue, nor is it even unexpected. Ninja included a function called RE-SPIN specifically to deal with textural issues.

Many people who try to make ice cream, sorbet, or other frozen desserts end up with a crumbly mix on their first try. The RE-SPIN function blends it a second time and usually fixes the texture issues, resulting in the creamy ice cream you're expecting. But the fact it happens so much that the manufacturer included a function to address it does seem like a problem. It doesn't ruin things, but it adds an extra step, and that's a nuisance.

Ninja's FAQ says it may be because your ingredients are too cold, but since they have to be frozen for a day to make the ice cream, it's hard to avoid. It can also be caused by having a base without enough fat or overmixing. Some Ninja CREAMi recipes call for pudding mix to be included because it helps bind the mix and prevent it from turning crumbly or grainy.

You expect machines like blenders and food processors to make noise. It comes with the territory. Every ice cream maker on the market is also going to make some amount of noise, but when people say the Ninja CREAMi is loud, they're not exaggerating. Comparison reviews note that the Cuisinart FastFreeze is much quieter, and more than one review compared the CREAMi to a jet engine.

What does that mean in practical terms? "You won't be able to play music, hear the TV or phone calls, or talk over it," wrote NBC News in an otherwise positive review of the CREAMi. Another review from Kitchenware Compare said it sounds "like a power drill going through ice." It also noted that this is the number one complaint that Ninja CREAMi owners have.

TechRadar measured the CREAMi at 88.4 decibels, which is louder than the average vacuum cleaner or even a garbage disposal. The cycles are short so you won't endure the sound for long, but it's still jarring. If you have to use RE-SPIN once or twice, then the sound may become a real nuisance, especially if you have thin walls or sleeping family members.

The time it takes to make ice cream with a Ninja CREAMi is a big drawback, but it's not technically unique. The Cuisinart FastFreeze also requires you to freeze your base for at least 24 hours before use. But the Cuisinart ICE-21 only requires at least eight hours of freezing, and the booklet for the ICE-70c model says freezing the bowl generally takes 12 to 24 hours. If you want ice cream without any pre-freezing, the Whynter ICM-220SSY promises ice cream in 25 to 40 minutes. Other compressor models that provide their own cooling offer similar time frames for making ice cream.

The units that take as much time as the Ninja CREAMi are generally more affordable models. The Cuisinart FastFreeze is considerably cheaper than the CREAMi, while the Whynter is only a little bit more expensive for much faster results. Models like the Breville Smart Scoop may come at a premium price, but the Chefman Iceman Trio Ice Cream Maker also makes ice cream with no pre-freezing at a price not much greater than the Ninja's. The CREAMi occupies a curious niche between the fast, high-end models and the more affordable, slower models, combining a relatively long wait with a relatively high price.

Building off of our previous point, the price tag of the Ninja CREAMi is one of the biggest drawbacks for many shoppers, especially since it's a niche gadget. It has proven to be a unitasker that's worth the cost for many, but if you're not planning to make frozen treats frequently, you may not be able to justify the price. Many comparable ice cream makers on the market cost less than the CREAMi. In the Ninja CREAMi's defense, it often proves itself to be the best model in direct comparisons, so it's not like the company is overcharging for an inferior product. However, like the expense of a luxury car or a house with a pool, it may be more than your budget allows.

Some reviews acknowledge the high price but argue that the CREAMi's diverse range of frozen treats makes the machine worth the cost. While that may be true, it doesn't change the fact that the machine is expensive compared to similar models. As TechRadar pointed out, it's not worth buying if you're on a budget, especially "when you consider it requires the same level of preparation as a freeze-first machine, which can be found for a quarter of the price of this model."

Nothing lasts forever, but it's always frustrating when you invest money in a gadget like the Ninja CREAMi and it breaks down. Complaints about parts breaking are common on social media. On Walmart's site, reviews are generally positive, but of the nearly 400 one-star reviews, multiple mention blades breaking off or metal shavings in the mix. Reviews on Shoppers Drug Mart have similar complaints, including broken blades and smoking motors. A few also describe difficulties getting Ninja to repair or replace a broken machine. The negative reviews on Amazon describe many of the same problems, including broken parts and difficulties getting replacements.

There are posts on Reddit about the Ninja CREAMi Deluxe having problems and being asked to cut the power cord only to receive replacement models that have the same issue. One customer said they were told to physically cut the cord, but then Ninja was unable to send a replacement because it was out of stock.

Despite these complaints, the Ninja CREAMi is still very highly rated on sites that aggregate user reviews. The overall rating on Amazon is 4.5 stars after more than 4,200 reviews, so the issue with breaking blades and other parts happens in a minority of cases. But the fact that the same complaints appear repeatedly across multiple platforms makes it clear that this is a real problem, even if it affects only a minority of users.