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Ninja CREAMi Scoop & Swirl NC701 Review: Is the Dual-Function Ice Cream Maker Worth It?

After making 20+ batches of ice cream, soft serve, and frozen yogurt with the Ninja CREAMi Scoop & Swirl NC701, here's what worked, what didn't, and who should buy it.

By Nina Cho
Ninja CREAMi Scoop & Swirl NC701 Review: Is the Dual-Function Ice Cream Maker Worth It?

Pros and cons

Pros

  • 13 one-touch programs cover ice cream, sorbet, gelato, milkshake, frozen yogurt, and soft serve in one machine
  • Soft Serve Handle with 3 speed settings makes cone-swirling interactive and mess-free with the drip tray
  • CreamiFit 2-in-1 program processes lower-calorie and high-protein bases into genuinely creamy pints
  • 2-in-1 pints with nozzles allow direct-to-cone dispensing without transferring
  • Dishwasher-safe components make cleanup quick after sticky bases like peanut butter

Cons

  • Requires overnight freeze before each batch—no same-day ice cream possible
  • Bulkier than the CREAMi Classic due to the larger outer bowl for soft serve
  • At $229 retail, costs $50+ more than the standard CREAMi for features you may not use

If you've been weighing whether to buy the Ninja CREAMi and keep going back and forth because you want both scooped ice cream and soft serve, Ninja heard you. The CREAMi Scoop & Swirl NC701 adds soft serve capability directly to the original CREAMi formula, so you're not choosing between the two—you get both in one machine. After running 20+ batches over four weeks—vanilla bean, chocolate peanut butter, mango sorbet, frozen yogurt, and a few experimental high-protein pints—here's the honest rundown.

Quick verdict

The Ninja CREAMi Scoop & Swirl NC701 is the most versatile home frozen dessert machine Ninja has made. If you want both classic scooped ice cream and soft serve from one appliance, this delivers. At $229 retail, it costs more than the CREAMi Classic, but the Soft Serve Handle, extra programs, and 2-in-1 pint system make the premium worthwhile for families or anyone serious about homemade frozen treats. Check the current Amazon price for the Ninja CREAMi Scoop & Swirl NC701

Who is this for?

This machine is for households that want maximum flexibility in their frozen desserts without buying two separate machines. Parents making custom low-sugar or dairy-free pints for kids will appreciate the 13 one-touch programs. Fitness-minded cooks who want high-protein frozen treats without the chalky texture will find the CreamiFit program genuinely useful. If you only want basic scooped ice cream and won't use soft serve, the less expensive CREAMi Classic covers that job fine.

Key features

13 one-touch programs

The NC701 runs 13 distinct programs: 7 CREAMi Classics (Ice Cream, Sorbet, Gelato, Milkshake, and more) plus 6 new Soft Serve programs (Soft Serve, Fruit Whip, Frozen Custard, CreamiFit, Swirled Frozen Yogurt, Lite Ice Cream). You pick the program, lock in the pint, and press start. No guessing, no manual speed adjustment.

Soft Serve Handle with 3 speed settings

The included Soft Serve Handle screws onto the machine and dispenses swirled soft serve into cones or bowls. Three speed settings let you control the air incorporation—slower for dense, premium-style swirls, faster for lighter, fluffier results. The pull-out drip tray catches drips, which matters when kids are running the machine.

CreamiFit 2-in-1 program

Ninja built a dedicated program to handle lower-calorie, high-protein bases—cottage cheese, Greek yogurt, protein powder blends—that typically freeze into icy blocks in regular machines. The NC701's faster spin and Creamify Technology process these lighter bases into genuinely creamy pints without the gritty or chalky texture you get from just freezing them. If you track macros, this program alone justifies the upgrade.

2-in-1 pints with nozzles

The two included pints have built-in nozzles and come with both storage lids and a dispensing lid. Prep a pint, freeze it overnight, then either scoop from it directly or attach the dispensing lid and swirl directly into cones. Less transferring, less mess.

Dishwasher-safe cleanup

Pints, lids, paddle, and swirl press are all BPA-free and top-rack dishwasher safe. After spinning a peanut butter base, the cleanup takes 3 minutes of rinsing and one dishwasher cycle.

Real-world performance

Over four weeks, I ran vanilla bean, double chocolate, mango sorbet, Greek yogurt with honey, and two batches using the CreamiFit program. The standard ice cream base (cream, milk, sugar, vanilla) froze solid overnight and respun in under 2 minutes into a scoopable, dense texture. Folded in chocolate chips during the mix-in cycle—they distributed evenly without getting crushed.

The mango sorbet came out lighter than expected, almost fluffy, because the Fruit Whip program adds air during the spin. If you want a denser, more intense sorbet, stick with the Sorbet program instead.

The Soft Serve Handle worked well once I learned to let the base freeze solid first—the soft serve program reprocesses a frozen pint into a swirlable consistency, so you can't shortcut the overnight freeze. The three speed settings made a noticeable difference: low speed produced a dense, almost custard-like swirl; high speed gave something closer to commercial soft serve.

The CreamiFit program turned a cottage cheese and whey protein base into something I'd actually eat. Still slightly different from full-fat ice cream, but nowhere near as grainy or icy as I expected. For a post-workout treat, it works.

The one real limitation: you need freezer space for the outer bowl and overnight time before each batch. Making ice cream on impulse isn't possible.

Pros and cons

See the structured breakdown in the right rail.

Verdict & price check

The Ninja CREAMi Scoop & Swirl NC701 earns its place if you genuinely want both scooped and swirled desserts and will use both regularly. The extra programs, Soft Serve Handle, and CreamiFit capability justify the step up from the CREAMi Classic for families or anyone managing dietary restrictions. If soft serve isn't on your radar, save the $50 and go with the standard model. See if the Ninja CREAMi Scoop & Swirl NC701 is on sale on Amazon

Frequently asked questions

What's the difference between the Ninja CREAMi Scoop & Swirl NC701 and the CREAMi Classic?
The NC701 adds 6 soft serve programs and includes the Soft Serve Handle for swirled desserts. It also has the CreamiFit 2-in-1 program for high-protein, lower-calorie bases. The CREAMi Classic handles 7 programs focused on scooped desserts. If you don't need soft serve, the Classic saves you $50 or more.
Does the Soft Serve Handle work as well as a commercial soft serve machine?
For home use, yes. The texture won't match a commercial machine that runs at precise sub-zero temperatures with compressed air injection. But for homemade soft serve into cones at home, the NC701 produces satisfying results, especially on the medium or high speed settings. The base must freeze solid first—about 24 hours in a standard freezer.
Can I make dairy-free or vegan ice cream with the NC701?
Yes. The machine doesn't require dairy. Use coconut milk, oat milk, or cashew-based bases. Keep in mind that higher-fat bases generally produce creamier results, so full-fat coconut milk works better than lite versions. The customization programs let you adjust for low-sugar, nut-free, or vegan options.
How long does a batch take from start to finished dessert?
The actual processing spin takes 1–3 minutes depending on the program. The catch is the overnight freeze: most bases need 24 hours in a standard freezer to freeze solid before you can spin them. Plan ahead if you want ice cream for a party or gathering.
Is the Ninja CREAMi Scoop & Swirl worth the extra cost over a basic ice cream maker?
If you want both scooped ice cream and soft serve without buying two machines, yes. Compared to a basic compressor ice cream maker, the CREAMi trades the ability to make ice cream on demand (no overnight freeze) for much more program variety and a lower price point. The NC701 specifically earns its cost if you use the CreamiFit program or the soft serve function regularly.

Final verdict

Ready to add the Ninja CREAMi Scoop & Swirl Ice Cream Maker, Soft Serve Desserts, Sorbet, Milkshakes, Frozen Yogurt and More, 13-in-1 Programs, Includes Handle and Two 16 oz 2-in-1 Pints, NC701 to your kitchen? Use the link below for the latest Amazon price.

Check Price on Amazon