So, the bottom line is if you don't already own a Ninja CREAMi then it's definitely worth spending a little more to get the Ninja CREAMi Deluxe. The Ninja CREAMi Deluxe (left) is a tighter fit under the kitchen cabinets than the original CREAMi (right) 3. Operating Processes Italian Ice: This program turns sweetened, fruit-flavored water like lemonade into scoopable, frozen Italian Ice. The Ninja CREAMi is essentially a Pacojet at a tenth the cost and designed for occasional use in the home. The Pacojet was designed for use in a professional kitchen like a restaurant where durability and reliability during repeated constant use are important. Design-wise it’s a weird one. It looks a lot like a classic filter coffee machine and, as such, it’s a tad bulky. It measures 16.5 x 27 x 40.5cm (WDH) so you’ll need a lot of vertical space above it, and you’ll probably want to avoid lugging it around too much as it weighs nearly 6.5kg. If you do have the space though, it’s a good-looking machine and one you’ll be happy to have on display.

Once you start the CREAMi Deluxe it now asks you to select whether you’re processing the top half, bottom half, or full pint. From there you rotate the dial to select which program you want and press the dial to start the machine. One helpful convenience is that the Deluxe will tell you how many minutes a program will take before you run it and then count down the number of minutes left as it runs. By contrast, the original CREAMi had a simple four step progress indicator that let you know approximately how close the CREAMi was to being done but not how much actual time was left. Ninja Creami Deluxe (left) counts down the minutes for a program while the original Ninja Creami (right) does not Plus, once you’ve figured it out, it’s relatively simple to operate: pop your frozen ingredients in one of the supplied pint containers, freeze for 24 hours then drop into the outer container. This is then raised into place beneath the motor unit before being churned into ice cream.Upgrading to the Ninja CREAMi Breeze may be worth it if you have a small kitchen and want to save valuable kitchen counter space. With the Ninja CREAMi Breeze, you get all the features of the 7-in-1, but with a smaller footprint. All in all, the Ninja CREAMi 7-in-1 is a fantastic machine that has served me well. If you currently own a Ninja CREAMi 7-in-1 it may be worth upgrading to the Deluxe if you want to take advantage of the larger container size to make larger quantities of ice cream; it may also be worth upgrading to the Deluxe if the extra preset programs are worth it to you. Do keep in mind though that the Deluxe version of the Ninja CREAMi is missing the Smoothie Bowl program; otherwise, the Deluxe version contains all the same programs as the 7-in-1 and then some more. One of the common surprises with the CREAMi is how loud it gets when processing a pint. To our ears, the Deluxe does sound slightly different than the original CREAMi but both seem equally loud. Which Ninja CREAMi Should You Buy? The Ninja CREAMi 5-in-1 (sometimes labeled NC300) is hard to find and often sold with a steep discount.

I love my Ninja CREAMi. It makes homemade ice cream making a breeze! Not only is it easy to use, but it creates a dense and creamy texture that I have not been able to replicate on other consumer ice cream makers. Another extra that might sway you towards the Creami over traditional models is the variety. While most makers have settings for sorbet and gelato, this goes a few steps further offering settings for smoothie bowls and milkshakes. READ NEXT: Best freestanding dishwashers Ninja Creami Ice Cream and Frozen Dessert Maker review: What could be improved?One last thing to note about the Creami is that it’s easy to clean. The blades detach from the lid with relative ease and these, along with all the other detachable parts are dishwasher-safe. Even if you don’t own a dishwasher, the parts are still very easy to clean by hand.