The Best Slushie Machines for No-Fuss Frozen Treats at Home, According to Testing
Frozen margaritas just got a whole lot easier.
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Slushie makers are having a major moment, especially since Ninja's viral slushie machine helped kick off the trend. From frozen sodas and milkshakes to margaritas—some can even make soft-serve—these appliances make it easy to whip up fun frozen treats for kids and adults alike.
Our top picks:
- Best overall: GreenPan Frost Classic Ice Cream and Frozen Drink Maker
- Best large capacity: Ninja SLUSHi Frozen Drink Maker
I’m a contributing writer and analyst in the Good Housekeeping Institute Kitchen & Cooking Lab, and I've spent the last few years sipping frozen margaritas and Coke slushies in the name of research, testing slushie and soft-serve makers. Alongside our experts, including Kitchen Lab Director Nicole Papantoniou, we find the models that are easy to use, perform consistently, and are actually worth buying.
Pros
- Can make soft-serve ice cream and sorbet in addition to slushies
- Delivered the best texture for frozen drinks out of the machines we tested
- Available in multiple colors making it great for entertaining
Cons
- Need to remove handle in order to take off the slushie container
This GreenPan machine can do way more than just make slushies, which is why we recommend it. It makes the kind of fluffy frozen drinks you'd want for pool days and parties, but it can also whip up soft serve, sorbet, and milkshakes when you're in the mood for dessert.
It has five preset programs: Slushie, Spiked Slushie, Soft Ice Cream, Sorbet, and Milkshake, which are simple to use, so you can choose between icy cocktails and dessert whenever the craving strikes. Plus, it comes in several fun colors like Berry Blue or Strawberry Pink, so you can match the theme of your kids' birthday party or kitchen decor.
HOW IT PERFORMED IN OUR TESTS: In our tests, it delivered some of the best results, producing tasty, fluffy frozen drinks and thick, creamy soft-serve that held its shape well after dispensing.
TAKE NOTE: Removing the slushie container requires disassembling the handle, which I found inconvenient.
| Presets | Slushie, Soft Ice Cream, Spiked Slushie, Sorbet, Milkshake, and Clean |
| Capacity | 64 oz |
| Dimensions | 17.24" x 8.74" x 17.36" |
| Keep cool time | Up to 2 hours (with automatic shut-off) |
Pros
- Larger capacity than other machines
- Easy to use
- Makes sippable slushies
Cons
- Can be picky about ingredient ratios, so you'll need to follow recipes closely for frozen cocktails
If you’ve been looking for a slushie maker, chances are you’ve come across the viral Ninja Slushi. With its generous 88-ounce capacity, it’s especially great for entertaining, family movie nights, kids’ parties, or anyone who wants to whip up a large batch of frozen drinks without making them one at a time.
It’s straightforward to use with clearly labeled buttons and preset settings for Slush, Spiked Slush, Frappe, Milkshake, and Frozen Juice.
HOW IT PERFORMED IN OUR TESTS: I found it easy to make slushies with Coke and frozen cocktails like margaritas and frosé. The alcoholic drinks came out a bit looser compared to the GreenPan, which produced a thicker, firmer frozen texture. It’s a great option for anyone who prefers their frozen drinks less icy and more sippable.
TAKE NOTE: The machine stopped a few times while making frozen margaritas because the recipe proportion wasn’t quite right for this model. Frozen drinks require the proper balance of sugar, alcohol, and water to achieve the right texture on any machine, but the Ninja proved more sensitive than most. For the best results, it’s worth sticking closely to Ninja’s recommended recipes.
| Presets | Slush, Spiked Slush, Frappe, Milkshake, Frozen Juice, and Clean |
| Capacity | 88 oz |
| Dimensions | 16.92" x 16.28" x 6.52" |
| Keep cool time | Up to 12 hours |
Other slushie machines we tested
• Cuisinart 6-in-1 Slushy and Soft-Serve Maker: While it isn’t a bad machine, this slushie maker didn’t perform as well as our top pick, the GreenPan.
• Iceman by Chefman Slush-Ease Max: This was not quite as good as the GreenPan or Ninja SLUSHi, and it’s just as expensive at the regular price. When dispensing Coke slushie, liquid often came out before the frozen mixture. Additionally, water can gush from the dispensing handle when flushing the machine during the rinse cycle if you’re not careful. However, we spotted the white Slush-Ease Max on sale, and it’s decent enough to recommend if you don’t want to spend over $200 on a slushie maker.
• Ninja SLUSHi Twist: We haven’t tested this yet, but can’t wait to try Ninja’s new slushie machine. We love that it can make two flavors at once, letting you mix them for a fun dual-flavored drink.
How we test slushie machines
The Good Housekeeping Institute Kitchen & Cooking Lab tested four slushie makers. Each slushie machine was tested in the Lab by our team of engineers and product analysts for performance, ease of use, and taste. Our Test Kitchen has also experimented with a few of its own recipes to give us feedback.
✔️ Performance: We test slushie makers with Coke, rosé, and margaritas to see how well each machine handles the different ingredients and textures. For the GreenPan, we also tested the soft-serve feature with a vanilla ice cream base. We taste-test each one to evaluate texture and taste.
✔️ Ease of use: We assess how easy each machine is to set up, operate, and clean, and any additional features. We also note how simple each machine is to clean after sticky, sugary, and alcoholic drinks.
What to look for when shopping for the best slushie machines
✔️ Presets: Consider whether you're primarily a frozen-drinks person or want something that can double as a dessert maker. Some machines are geared specifically toward drinks such as frozen cocktails, slushies, and frappes, while others offer fewer frozen drink settings but offer presets for spoonable treats like soft serve and sorbet.
✔️ Capacity: Consider how many servings you'll typically make at once. Smaller machines are ideal for personal use or small households, while larger-capacity models are better suited for parties, family gatherings, or entertaining.
✔️ Dimensions: While many slushie makers have a relatively slim profile, their height can make storage tricky. Be sure to check they'll fit your counter and storage space.
✔️ Keep-cool time: Check the keep-cool time before you buy. Some slushie machines shut off after a few hours, while others keep drinks frozen for up to 12 hours. A longer hold time is best for all-day parties, but a couple of hours may be enough for casual use.
✔️ Cleaning: Most slushie makers have a rinse or self-cleaning cycle, which helps flush out the machine after use. That said, I found that these cycles don't always remove all of the leftover drink from inside the machine. To really get it clean, especially if you’re switching flavors, you'll still want to take the removable drum parts apart and wash them by hand.
Fun ways to use your slushie machine
There are so many fun ways to use your slushie machine. Our top pick, the GreenPan, has settings for soft-serve and sorbet, so you can also make chocolate-shell-dipped soft-serve cones or root beer floats. The GreenPan and Ninja have dedicated settings for frappes or milkshakes, so you can experiment with all kinds of frozen drinks and treats. GH Senior Food Editor Susan Choung loves making Pimm's Cup and pickle lemonade slushies (even better with gin, she says!) Here are some creative ways to get even more use out of it.
• Frozen mocktails or cocktails like Shirley Temples, piña coladas, and strawberry daiquiris
• Fruit juice slushies for an after-school treat
• Dole Whip-inspired treats made with pineapple juice and vanilla ice cream
• Frozen coffee drinks like espresso martinis, iced mochas, vanilla lattes (and don't forget frozen matcha!)
• Wine slushies using rosé, sangria, or Prosecco
• Smoothie-style drinks using yogurt and fruit juice
• Frosty “hot” chocolate finished with a generous dollop of whipped cream
• Sports drink slushies that kids will love after games and practices
• Frozen lemonade or limeade topped with your favorite fruit purée
• Sweet tea or Arnold Palmers served extra-chilly with a slushie texture
How to clean your slushie machine
It’s best to clean your slushie machine shortly after use so sticky residue doesn’t dry inside. Many models have a self-cleaning cycle, but you’ll still need to add soapy water and run a few rinse cycles. Removable parts like the lid, drip tray, and dispenser can usually be hand-washed or put in the dishwasher.
Why trust Good Housekeeping?
Jamie Ueda is a consumer products expert with nearly two decades of experience in product testing, development, and manufacturing. She has tested and written about kitchen items such as soft-serve ice cream makers, sparkling water makers, and other drink-related products.
Nicole Papantoniou is the director of the Good Housekeeping Kitchen & Cooking Lab, where she oversees product testing and content. She helped develop the methodology for the slushie machine test.
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