Ninja Creami NC300EU – 7-in-1 Ice Cream Maker

The Ninja NC300EU doesn't work like a traditional ice cream maker. No compressor, no coolant, no hours of waiting while the machine runs. Instead, you freeze the base yourself – 24 hours ahead – and process it into ice cream, gelato, sorbet or milkshake in minutes. The result is creamy, but the method requires planning. This isn't an appliance for spontaneous cravings. It's a machine for those who think ahead and want full control over ingredients and flavours.

The NC300EU has seven preset programmes: ice cream, gelato, sorbet, smoothie bowl, light ice cream, milkshake and 'Mix-ins'. Each programme differs in spin speed and duration – intelligently programmed, says Ninja. A Re-Spin function helps with extra-cold bases that don't achieve the right texture immediately. The blades move from top to bottom through the frozen base. That's the core principle. It works, but it also means you need to freeze the base solid. If your freezer doesn't reach -18°C, it becomes difficult.

The preparation time per serving is short. Three minutes, according to the specs. But the freezing time is 1440 minutes – exactly 24 hours. If you want ice cream today, you should have started yesterday. That's not a drawback if you know about it, but a surprise if you don't.

Under the hood

• Power – 800 W, enough to drive the blades through a hard-frozen base.
• Number of programmes – 7, each with its own speed and duration for a specific dessert type.
• Capacity per tub – 1.4 litres total across three tubs, enough for three different flavours at once.
• Noise level – 70 dB, audible but not intrusive in an average kitchen.
• Housing material – Plastic, with a non-slip base for stability during spinning.

At 165 cm wide and 405 cm tall, the NC300EU isn't a small kitchen appliance. Its weight of 6.70 kg gives it a solid presence. The housing is plastic, and control is via a touchscreen with buttons and a progress bar. No dials, no analogue timers. The screen shows how long the programme has left – a small but practical addition. The cable length of 0.80 m is short; the appliance needs to be close to a socket. No cable tidy, so the cord remains visible.

The included accessories: two ice cream tubs with lids, an outer bowl with lid, a blade set and an instruction manual. The pot, lid and blade are dishwasher-safe. Hand washing is also possible. The recipe booklet that comes with it offers ideas – from classic vanilla ice cream to vegan 'nice cream' with frozen banana. The tubs are BPA-free, which matters if you store food for longer periods.

The NC300EU suits those who like to experiment with ingredients and diets. Low-sugar, lactose-free, ketogenic, vegan – the machine makes it all possible because you decide what goes into the base. The 'Mix-ins' function adds chocolate pieces, nuts or cookies after spinning and distributes them evenly. You can also use it to mix shop-bought ice cream. That's handy, but the primary application remains freezing and spinning your own.

The machine isn't for anyone who wants a scoop of ice cream quickly without preparation. No cooling element, no compressor – it's freeze or nothing. The 24-hour freezing time is non-negotiable. Accept that, and you get a broad flavour palette in return: from milkshake to sorbet, from gelato to frozen yoghurt. The smoothie bowl function combines fruit, honey and yoghurt into a creamy breakfast. The light ice cream setting works with sugar substitutes for keto or paleo recipes.

The ice cream maker type is 'without cooling element' – that's correct, because the cooling happens in the freezer, not in the appliance. The CE mark is visible, the manufacturer's warranty is two years with a carry-in repair type. Signs of use are not covered by the warranty.

The noise level of 70 dB was measured during spinning. That's comparable to a vacuum cleaner on a low setting. The timer and automatic shut-off are standard. There's no warning signal – the appliance simply stops when the programme finishes.