Ninja Swirl Vs Ninja Creami – Which Ice Cream Maker Is Worth It In 2025?

Is the new Ninja Swirl worth the hype in 2025? We’ll compare it to the original Creami and Cuisinart Soft Serve to help you pick the perfect ice cream maker.

The Soft Serve Revolution Has Arrived…

As a long-time homemade ice cream enthusiast, I’ve experimented with everything—from slow-churned custards to banana-based smoothies and even Brussels Sprouts Ice Cream (yes, really!).

But I’ll admit, the Ninja Creami threw me for a bit. It flipped everything I knew about traditional ice cream-making on its head. No churning? Freeze first, blend later? It sounded all wrong… and yet it worked. Really well.

Fast forward to now, and Ninja has released the Ninja Swirl, their newest creation aimed squarely at soft-serve lovers. And naturally, the internet is in a swirl (sorry—couldn’t resist) wondering:

❓ Is the Swirl just a fancy Creami with a handle?

❓ Is it worth the upgrade?

❓And how does it compare to traditional soft-serve machines like the Cuisinart Soft Serve Ice Cream Maker?

In this article, we’ll break it all down – from features to functionality, quirks to costs, so you can decide if the Ninja Swirl is your next frozen obsession… or if the Creami still reigns supreme.

What Is the Ninja Swirl?

💡 Important Note (UK Readers)
The Ninja Swirl is currently only available in the US and has not yet been announced for UK release.

If you’re based in the UK and craving soft serve now, don’t worry — we’ve got a great alternative:
👉🏽 Read our full Cuisinart Soft Serve Ice Cream Maker review here

The Ninja Swirl is a countertop frozen treat maker with a key difference: it’s designed to produce real soft serve.

Yes, it still works like a traditional Creami – you prep your base, freeze it for 24 hours, then process it using a spinning blade (more drill than blender).

Now, you also have the option to turn that base into silky soft serve, dispensed from a classic ice cream shop-style lever.

But make no mistake – the Swirl isn’t just about soft serve. It has 13 programs, including Ice Cream, Sorbet, Gelato, Milkshake, Frozen Yogurt, and CreamiFit for high-protein, low-sugar creations. It’s versatile, powerful, and impressively customisable.

Ninja Swirl vs Ninja Creami – What’s Different?

Feature	Ninja Swirl	Ninja Creami
Price (RRP)	£272–£299	£199–£219
Functions	13 preset programs	7 preset programs
Soft Serve	✅ Yes (with lever dispenser)	❌ Not available
Pint Compatibility	Swirl-specific tubs only	Original Creami tubs
Re-Spin & Mix-In	✅ Yes	✅ Yes
Size	Larger footprint & taller height	Slim profile
Noise	Louder – ~96dB	Loud but short bursts
Cleaning	More parts to clean (dispensing system)	Fairly easy

Key Differences:

• Soft Serve Lever: The Swirl’s biggest selling point is its dispensing handle, allowing you to swirl ice cream into cones like you’re working in your own dessert parlour.
• Swirl-Specific Tubs: Unfortunately, these are not compatible with standard Creami tubs. So if you’re upgrading, you’ll need a whole new set.
• Bigger Footprint: The Swirl is taller and requires space to the right of the machine to pull down the soft serve lever.
• Price Point: The Swirl comes in at about £80–£100 more than the Creami.

How to Make Ice Cream – Traditional vs Creami Style

Traditional Method

1. Make a custard base (cream, egg yolks, sugar, flavourings)
2. Chill thoroughly
3. Churn in an ice cream maker for 20–30 mins
4. Transfer to freezer to firm up (2–4 hours)

✅ Best for rich, luxurious ice creams
⏳ Time: ~6–8 hours total
🧊 Texture: Scoopable, dense

Creami / Swirl Method

1. Mix your base (can be custard, yoghurt, protein shake, fruit)
2. Pour into Ninja pint tub
3. Freeze for 24 hours
4. Process using “Ice Cream”, “Soft Serve”, or another function
5. Re-spin or mix-in as needed

✅ Best for fast prep-on-demand, protein/healthy recipes
⏳ Time: 24-hour freeze, 3–5 mins processing
🍦 Texture: Smooth, customisable—soft serve or scoopable

What About Cuisinart’s Soft Serve Ice Cream Maker?

Let’s not forget the Cuisinart Soft Serve Ice Cream Maker, which brings retro charm and genuine soft-serve vibes (plus toppings dispensers and a cone holder!).

It’s main features are;

• Requires pre-freezing the bowl for 12–24 hours
• Dispenses true soft-serve directly
• Costs around £90–£110 (much cheaper!)
• Is perfect for families and fun weekend treats

So if soft serve is your main goal, but your budget’s tight, the Cuisinart is still a great alternative.

💡 Want the full breakdown? Check out our Cuisinart Soft Serve Ice Cream Maker Review

Who Is the Ninja Swirl Best For?

✅ Soft Serve Fanatics
If you love your ice cream light, swirled, and dispensed into cones, this is your dream machine.

✅ Healthy Eaters
With CreamiFit programs and protein/yoghurt compatibility, the Swirl is ideal for high-protein, low-sugar creations.

✅ Families & Entertainers
It’s fun, interactive, and perfect for summer garden parties or post-dinner treats.

Who Might Prefer the Creami (or Something Else)?

• If space is limited: the Swirl is tall and needs quite a lot of elbow room
• If you already have the Creami: the soft serve upgrade might not justify the cost unless you really want that swirl
• If you love traditional churned ice cream: a compressor machine might give better results for rich, slow-churned custards

Quick Pros & Cons Recap

👍 Pros	👎 Cons
✔ Real soft serve at home	❌ Pricey
✔ 13 versatile frozen treat settings	❌ Larger & louder than Creami
✔ CreamiFit health-focused options	❌ New tub system = extra cost
✔ Fast, customisable results	❌ Not true instant – still requires 24-hour pre-freeze

Want to see the original Creami in action before you swirl? Read our full Ninja Creami 2025 review here – and see how it holds up two years on!

Ninja Swirl Overview

The Ninja Swirl is a bold, fun, and slightly futuristic leap into the world of homemade frozen treats. It’s not perfect—no machine is—but it adds a real sense of theatre and indulgence to your soft serve sessions.

Whether you’re creating protein-packed smoothie bowls or vanilla bean cones with rainbow sprinkles, the Swirl delivers big on texture and customisation.

That said, if you’re tight on space, watching your budget, or already own the original Creami, you might find it hard to justify the upgrade, unless you’re fully committed to going full-on Mr Whippy in your kitchen.

Is the Ninja Swirl Coming to the UK?

At the time of writing (April 2025), the Ninja Swirl is only available in the United States, and Ninja has not officially announced a UK release date.

While it’s generating a lot of excitement overseas, UK customers may need to wait a little longer to get their hands on it, or find a way to import it (though keep in mind the voltage and warranty differences).

💡 Looking for a great soft serve machine you can buy now in the UK?
The Cuisinart Soft Serve Ice Cream Maker is widely available and delivers that swirly Mr Whippy magic — complete with toppings dispensers and cone holder — at a more budget-friendly price point.

The Final Scoop

The Ninja Swirl is an exciting new player in the frozen treat game — with its soft-serve lever, expanded presets, and extra bells and whistles, it’s definitely a treat for the senses.

But here’s the scoop – It’s not available in the UK. Not yet, anyway.

So if you’re reading this from a British kitchen, you’ve got two excellent, more accessible options right now:

Go with the Original Ninja Creami if:

• You want the smoothest, most versatile frozen desserts with zero faff
• You love experimenting with healthy bases like protein shakes or fruit purees
• You want to prep ahead and spin on-demand
• You like your gadgets compact and countertop-friendly

👉🏽 Read our full 2025 Ninja Creami review here

Or try the Cuisinart Soft Serve if:

• You’re craving true soft serve vibes with cones and sprinkles
• You want something fun for the family (kids love it)
• Budget is a concern, and you want a more affordable option

👉🏽 Read our full Cuisinart Soft Serve review here

Should You Hold Out for the Ninja Swirl?

If you’re completely sold on soft serve dispensing and happy to be patient (or adventurous with US imports), then sure — the Swirl may be worth the wait.

But if you’re ready to serve up creamy deliciousness now, there’s really no need to pause your dessert dreams. There’s plenty of availability of alternatives in the UK.

While the Swirl might be the new scoop on the block, the Creami and Cuisinart are still serving up now, one pint, cone, or sprinkle at a time.

Over to You!

👉🏽 Would you upgrade to the Ninja Swirl? (If and when it becomes available in the UK) Have you used the original Creami or Cuisinart Soft Serve and want to share your thoughts?

👇🏽 Drop a comment below – we’d love to hear your frozen flavour faves and if this swirly new soft serve machine has you tempted!

We hope that you have enjoyed our article – Ninja Swirl Vs Ninja Creami – Which Ice Cream Maker Is Worth It In 2025? – and that we have given you some food for thought on Ninja’s newest addition to the Creami family.

If you have any questions, please drop us a comment below, and we will be happy to get back to you.

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