Bravo Italia machines are my favorite for making slushies, but they are currently unavailable. Many users of SlushyObsessed.com have been asking me about a reliable alternative slushy machine option to consider.
That’s when I came across the Ninja Slushie Machine – a great, home-friendly frozen drink maker. It doesn’t require ice and offers preset options for slushies, spiked slushies, frappe, milkshakes and frozen juices.
You can count on it for daily personal use, weekend hangouts, and even small get-togethers.
I have already reviewed the Bravo Italia 2 Bowls Machine here. Let’s now dive into the Ninja Slushi Maker and take a look at what it has to offer and do a quick comparison with the Bravo 1 and 2 Bowl models and the Margherita Grill Machine.
Start Here: What to Read First?
Ninja Slushie Machine at a Glance
I found the Ninja Slushie Maker to be a surprisingly good performer especially for home use even after trying it out with multiple drinks and presets.
While it can’t be used for heavy-duty commercial purposes like the Bravo Italia 2 Bowls, its features like ice-free operation, rapid chill technology, smart presets, and impressive drink consistency make it a really good alternative option.
It’s perfect for personal frozen drink recipes and small group entertaining. Even though the unit takes some time but that depends on the recipe and preset you’re using.
Who Makes the Ninja Slushie Maker?
Ninja is a popular brand mostly known for its kitchen appliances and this machine comes from the SharkNinja LLC and features its own RapidChill technology that eliminates the need for ice.
The company has added five different preset options to the machine and has whisper-quiet operation to bring a new experience to the slushie-making process.
Who Can Benefit from This Machine?
In my opinion, this Ninja Slushie Maker is a great option for:
- Users who want to easily make slushies and frozen drinks at home.
- Parents who want to serve fun drinks like soda and juice slushies to kids.
- People who don’t want the noise and mess of a traditional blender.
Note: This Slushie machine is not intended for use in commercial events or bars but it works well for home needs and small gatherings.
Key Features of Ninja Slushie Maker
The Ninja machine is packed with some really cool features that a good slushi machine should have. They are focused more on ease of use, versatility, and home use rather than industrial capacity.
Here are the features that really caught my attention and made me recommend it to my audience:
No Ice Required
The machine has a built-in auger and chilling cylinder system (RapidChill Technology), which means there is no need to add or blend ice separately.
Five Preset Drink Programs
You can prepare different drinks with same results every time in just one button:
- Slush
- Spiked Slush
- Frappe
- Milkshake
- Frozen Juice
Note: Each preset is programmed for temperature and texture time but there is also the option to control the temperature separately.
➤ Read more about the Ninja Slushie Machine Recipes here
Custom Texture Control Dial
You can manually increase or decrease the thickness of your drink in addition to the preset options. A higher number means a thicker, spoonable drink and a lower number for a more drinkable texture.
Quiet WhisperChill Compressor
Most compressor-based machines are very loud, but this one is actually very quiet in operation and can maintain freezing temperatures for up to 12 hours.
88 oz XL Capacity
The 88 oz XL capacity typically holds about 11 cups of beverage per batch, which is more than enough for 2-4 people.
Dishwasher Safe Parts
This slush maker is very easy to clean. You just need to fill the vessel with hot water after use and let it run and clean. You can also easily disassemble all the parts to clean in the dishwasher. You can also see how to clean a slush machine here.
Pour Handle & LED Indicators
Dispensing drinks is easy just like any other slush machine, just pull the handle. In addition, there are LED indicators that let you know when the drink is ready.
Things to Be Aware of When Buying Ninja SLUSHi
Although I really liked the Ninja Slushie Maker and its features and performance, there are a few things you should know first:
Price Is a Bit High
The machine is definitely not cheap and that is an important point to keep in mind when considering. But for someone who will use it regularly, it is definitely a good investment.
Sugar Content is Necessary
Another important point is that this machine will not freeze properly like most without the sugar content. This means that it is difficult to prepare sugar-free recipes unless you add something extra.
High Thickness Settings Took Longer
I also have noticed that if you adjust the texture dial to a thicker level like 5 for example, the freezing time can increase.
How To Use the Ninja Slushie Maker
Step 1: Clean the Unit First
Before first use, make sure to take some time and disassemble parts such as the lid, auger, drip tray and wash them with hot water.
Step 2: Pour in Your Drink Mix
Open the lid and pour your mix directly into the container. Make sure not to exceed the maximum fill line as indicated on the container.
Step 3: Select Preset Mode
Press the power button and choose one of 5 presets: Slush, Spiked Slush, Frappé, Milkshake, or Frozen Juice depending on whatever mix you add.
Step 4: Adjust Texture (Optional)
You can also change the texture manually by adjusting the dial from 1 to 5. Lower for sippable, and higher for thicker.
Step 5: Wait for Drink to Be Ready
Depending on your setting and ingredients, the slush recipe can take anywhere from 15 to 60 minutes to make.
Step 6: Dispense the Drink
Use the handle to pour your slushie into the cup. That’s it!
How To Clean the Ninja Slushie Machine
First pour some hot water into the vessel and press the “Rinse” button along with “Spiked Slush.” Fill and dispense a few times until all the frozen drink is clear.
Afterwards, you can disassemble the vessel, auger, and lid and wash them by hand or place them in the dishwasher but it is recommended to avoid drying with heat. Also clean the drip tray and condensation catcher under the vessel.
Other Options for Slush Machines
Here are some other options compared to the Ninja Slushie Machine:
Ninja vs Bravo Italia 1 Bowl & 2 Bowls
The Ninja Slushie Maker is designed for home use. Unlike the Bravo Italia 2 bowl specifically which is more suitable for commercial purposes but the 1 bowl is a good option for home use.
The Bravo Italia 1 bowl has a capacity of 3.2 gallons of frozen drinks and has a self-freezing design. The Bravo is just as easy to set up as the Ninja and comes with a feature to shift between DAY/NIGHT mode.
Ninja vs Margarita Girl Machine
The Margarita Grill is a commercial-grade unit but can still be considered for home party use with its large 3.2-gallon bowls and LED lids. The Margarita Grill has two bowls of 6 liters each and comes with a two-year parts warranty. Both bowls have separate controls and separate removable drip trays.
Ninja Slushie Reviews: What Are Others Saying?
Upsides 👍
- Amazing drink consistency
- Easy to use with 5 presets
- Hassle-free quick cleaning
- Much quieter than expected
- Handles various drink types
Downsides 👎
- Price is bit higher
- Issues with sugar-free mixes
Ninja Slushie Maker FAQs —
Can I make sugar-free drinks?
Yes, but for consistency you need to use a sugar substitute like allulose or add xanthan gum.
Can you operate smaller batches?
Of course, but remember that the minimum fill is about 12 oz so it works fine with 1-2 cups.
Can I use this for commercial events?
Not recommended. It’s great for home use, but it doesn’t have heavy-duty power or capacity.