10 Best Soft Serve Ice Cream Machines 2025 in the United States

The Ninja Swirl (NC701) is a versatile soft-serve and ice cream maker designed for home use, especially great if you enjoy experimenting with different frozen treats. It offers a 16-ounce capacity per pint, which is perfect for small batches, making it ideal for families or individuals rather than large gatherings. This model shines with its 13 one-touch programs, including six dedicated to soft serve varieties like Frozen Yogurt and Swirled Frozen Yogurt, giving you lots of flavor and texture options. The built-in CreamiFit program is a nice feature if you're looking for lower-calorie or high-protein options. The machine’s automatic soft serve handle with three speed settings makes swirling cones easy and fun for all ages.

Its compact size (about 15 by 10 by 17.5 inches) and 20.8-pound weight mean it fits comfortably on most kitchen counters but is a bit heavy to move around frequently. The cooling system is built-in and efficient for quick freezing, but the 16-ounce capacity limits making larger quantities at once. Power-wise, it plugs into a standard home outlet with automatic operation and a built-in timer, so it’s user-friendly with minimal fuss. Cleaning is simplified by dishwasher-safe parts, including the pints and paddles, which helps reduce post-use hassle.

The smaller capacity and need to prepare in batches might not suit those wanting to make large amounts quickly. Also, while it’s versatile, it may take some practice to master the swirl settings perfectly. If you want a fun, customizable soft-serve maker that doubles as an ice cream and sorbet machine with health-minded options, the Ninja Swirl is a solid choice that balances ease of use with creative control.

The GreenPan Frost Ice Cream Machine is a versatile home appliance ideal for families who want a variety of frozen treats without needing a freezer beforehand. It boasts a family-friendly 4-pint capacity, making enough soft serve and drinks for several people at once. With 15-in-1 functionality and 6 modes including soft serve, slushies, milkshakes, and even frozen cocktails, it caters well to those looking for variety beyond just ice cream.

The built-in compressor means you don’t need to pre-freeze bowls, and it can prepare treats in about 15 minutes quietly, which is a big plus for home use. You can also adjust the texture across 7 settings, so you can customize how soft or firm you want your dessert. The size and weight (about 25 pounds and roughly 17x9x17 inches) mean it’s not the most compact, so it needs a dedicated spot in the kitchen.

Cleaning is made easy with a self-cleaning mode that uses warm water and soap, saving effort after use. Power requirements are typical for kitchen appliances with a built-in cooling system that operates quietly and efficiently. This machine suits families or enthusiasts who want a broad range of frozen treats and appreciate convenience and texture control, though its size and weight might be a consideration for those with limited space.

The GSEICE Commercial Soft Serve Ice Cream Machine is a solid choice for businesses like cafes, bakeries, or fast food outlets that need a reliable and efficient machine. It has a good capacity, producing 26 to 32 liters (about 7 to 8.4 gallons) of soft-serve ice cream per hour, which can serve roughly 300 customers. The machine’s dual system allows you to make two flavors independently or combine them, offering flexibility to meet different customer tastes. The 10-inch LCD touch screen is user-friendly and lets you control the texture of the ice cream, making it softer or harder as you like. The pre-cooling feature helps improve the taste by allowing mix preparation ahead of time, and the one-click self-cleaning function is a big plus for easy maintenance.

Its cooling system is effective and energy-efficient, using a quiet compressor and environmentally friendly refrigerant that lowers noise (68 decibels) and running costs by about two-thirds compared to standard models. In terms of size, it’s fairly compact for a commercial machine (around 28 by 16 by 28 inches) but quite heavy at 293 pounds, so it’s best suited for semi-permanent setups. Cleaning is made easier with a detachable drip tray and stainless steel parts, though hand washing is still required.

While it has many strengths like versatility, capacity, and energy efficiency, it might be a bit large and heavy for very small spaces or occasional use. This machine is a powerful, flexible, and efficient option tailored for businesses that want to serve multiple soft-serve flavors with relatively easy operation and cleaning.