The best slushie machines are a recent phenomenon – bringing the tech of commercial-grade machines into the home for the first time – but they’re not going anywhere fast.
Endless fun for hosting and capable of turning any sugary drink into a full-blown occasion, these slushie machines are undeniably frivolous. But they also work spectacularly well, so you can replicate the frozen margarita from your favourite cocktail bar or blue raspberry slush from your youth without a hitch.
As Ideal Home’s Kitchen Appliances Editor, it’s been my fortunate job to test these slushie machines out over the past few years (one even featured at Ideal Home’s team Christmas party!). Alongside my panel of expert testers I’ve tried all variations of slushie makers, including multi-functional versions that also make soft serve. You can find them ranked below. If you’re looking for more ways to whip up frozen treats at home, you might also want to check out our roundup of the best ice cream makers.
Best Slushie makers of 2026
Best slushie machine overall
(Image credit: Future)
Sometimes the original really is best. That’s the case with the SLUSHi, which was first released by Ninja in 2024, inspiring a wave of at-home treat makers to be released by competitors.
If straightforward slush is what you’re after, you can’t beat the quality of the original SLUSHi (which is often subject to deals, too). From the ease of use, which is a hallmark of all Ninja air fryers too, to the array of programs which allow for frosé as well as alcoholic drinks this machine is a real treat from start to finish. The more affordable alternatives I tried were passable but they didn’t match the quality of the OG in terms of ease.
One thing worth noting about the SLUSHi (and all slushie makers overall) is that it requires sugar in order for its compressor element to suitably freeze your drink. So if you’re looking for a healthy treat maker, then this is not it – look at the Creami or Swirl instead.
While expensive, you’ll find you get what you pay for with the SLUSHi. The one thing that may disappoint is that it doesn’t have functionality for ice cream or desserts per se – that’s where other options on this list might entice you instead.
Best budget slushie maker
(Image credit: Future)
I tried this Amazon alternative to the SLUSHi side by side to the Ninja original and I was pretty impressed with what it had to offer. Its programs and design are essentially identical to the slushie machine that started the craze and it has the same capacity which will suit those who love to host.
Despite its obvious lookalike credentials, its not quite the same quality as the original. Its slightly less attractive (though its not as if you’d want the SLUSHi to live on your worktop full time), feels somewhat less sturdy and has less instructive materials to get you started. The programs can also be a little fiddlier to get perfect.
On the whole though, it is a worthwhile alternative to the Ninja if you want to spend £100 or so less (especially if you catch it on sale on Amazon Prime Day or similar). Just don’t expect the exact same quality!
Best multifunctional slushie maker
(Image credit: Future/Annie Collyer)
Packing more functionality into one appliance is ideal for those who want to save money and worktop space – the best multicookers are a shining example. That’s what Cuisinart’s Frost Fusion has going for it with the ability to freeze slushies alongside the capability to mix soft serve in under 30 minutes. You can use the same dispenser mechanism to whip up sorbet, frosé and frozen yoghurt too.
When our tester Annie tried this machine out she found that it excelled in the realm of frozen drinks. With it she made a frappé in just 14 minutes and enjoyed frosé and multiple rounds of margaritas in it too – all with great results.
Where it falls down is its capacity compared to the SLUSHi. It has a litre less space, so it’s not as capable for hosting. Annie also found it didn’t handle high alcohol content drinks as well as purely sugary ones.
However, for a do-it-all appliance it should be your go-to pick. The soft serve capability will dazzle any child in the vicinity while the drinks functions can be used for all sorts of events.
Our Cuisinart Frost Fusion review has the full details.
Best slushie machine for hosting
(Image credit: Future)
If the original SLUSHi is a flamboyance, it’s hard to find the words to accurately depict the ridiculousness of the SLUSHi Twist is. But after testing out every single function (and having a lot of fun while doing it) our expert reviewer couldn’t help but love this machine.
It’s simply the perfect iteration of a slushie machine for hosting. With two separate tanks for drinks to cater to all (by making one alcoholic and one not, say) as well as the ability to combine two flavours together as if you’re at the cinema, it’s a mightily impressive buy.
Our reviewer Helen was most impressed by the smart yet simple controls as well as how fast it churned out drinks. Quiet operation was a bonus too. All in all, while this is Ninja’s most expensive SLUSHi machine yet it’s also the most useful if you love to host.
Our Ninja SLUSHi Twist review has the full details.
How we tested these slushie machines
We know how important it is to have real, unbiased opinions about the products that we recommend to Ideal Home readers, which is why as part of our testing protocol, we’ve had hands-on experience with all of the products in this guide.
When testing slushies, we spend weeks evaluating these products in our kitchens. It starts with evaluating the unboxing and start up process and continues on as we look at the consistency of each drink dispensed. We try out all of the functions that each machine has to offer as well as thinking about how loud each machine is. We can’t forget clean-up either or how easy (or difficult) each machine is to store.
(Image credit: Future)
Below you can find out exactly who tested each of the appliances on this round up, and learn more about our testing process.
FAQs
Why do you need sugar in slushies?
The compressor element in a slushie machine requires sugar to prevent over-freezing. Without sugar or alcohol, your drink will become too frozen and could damage your machine.
Do you need to add ice to a slushie machine?
No. The compressor inside your slushie machine is doing all of the work to make your drink frozen and change its texture. Adding ice to the tank of a slushie machine is not recommended.
How long does the slushie process take?
In our tests the process of creating slushies took between 15-45 minutes. It varies from drink to drink and can differ depending on room and drink temperature.
Read the full article here