Soft serve is ice cream that comes out of the machine still soft, in a ribbon you can swirl onto a cone. At home that usually means a machine with a handle or a dispensing lid, not a bowl you scoop from. The good news is that there are now several of them, from a freezer-bowl Cuisinart with topping dispensers to compressor machines that freeze a batch on demand and a countertop unit built for a snack bar.
This guide is the soft-serve branch of our broader guide to the best ice cream maker, which covers scooped ice cream, gelato and sorbet. Here we only look at machines that dispense soft serve or are sold for it, and we left the parent guide’s picks out so the two pages do not repeat each other. For each machine we give the capacity, how it freezes, how it dispenses, the settings and the warranty as the maker or Amazon listing states them, and “Not stated” where they do not.
Julia’s earns a commission on purchases made through links on this page, at no cost to you. Recommendations are based on what a restaurant kitchen looks for, product specifications and verified buyer reports.
Quick verdict: which soft serve machine to buy
For most homes, the best ice cream maker soft serve buyers can start with is the Cuisinart Mix It In Soft Serve Ice Cream Maker: a 1.5-quart freezer bowl, a pull-down handle that swirls straight into a cone, three mix-in dispensers and a three-year limited warranty. If you would rather freeze single pints and choose between scooped and swirled, the Ninja CREAMi Scoop & Swirl has six soft serve programs. If you want soft serve without freezing anything first, the compressor-driven Cuisinart 6-in-1 Slushy & Soft-Serve Maker makes 1.7 quarts, and the GreenPan Frost holds 2 quarts. For dairy-free soft serve from frozen fruit alone, choose the Yonanas Deluxe.
The table compares the five we would point most people toward, one for each kind of kitchen. All eight machines are reviewed in full after it.
Five soft serve machines side by side
Capacity, freezing method and dispensing for our five standout picks, as each maker or Amazon listing gives them.
| Machine | Best for | Capacity | How it freezes | Buy on Amazon |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Cuisinart Mix It In Soft Serve Ice Cream MakerBest overall
|
Cones with toppings at home | 1.5 quarts | Freezer bowl, frozen ahead | View on Amazon |
Ninja CREAMi Scoop & Swirl 13-in-1Best for pints
|
A different flavor each night | Two 2-in-1 pints | Base frozen in the pint, then spun | View on Amazon |
Cuisinart 6-in-1 Slushy & Soft-Serve MakerBest compressor
|
Soft serve with no planning | 1.7 quarts | Built-in compressor | View on Amazon |
GreenPan Frost Ice Cream Maker & Slushie MachineBiggest home batch
|
A family or a backyard party | 2 quarts (64 oz) | Built-in compressor | View on Amazon |
Yonanas Deluxe Frozen Fruit Soft Serve MakerBest for frozen fruit
|
Dairy-free fruit soft serve | As much fruit as you feed it | No freezing: uses frozen fruit | View on Amazon |
Product images from Amazon. Capacities and functions are as stated by each maker or listing; check the listing before you buy.
Our picks for the best ice cream maker soft serve
These eight machines cover the ways soft serve gets made at home: a frozen bowl that churns and dispenses, frozen pints that are spun smooth, compressor machines that freeze a liquid base on demand, a frozen-fruit chute, a single-serve mug and one commercial countertop unit. Each review says how the machine freezes and dispenses, what it holds, and one honest reason to skip it.
1. Cuisinart Mix It In Soft Serve Ice Cream Maker – Swirls Straight Into a Cone
This is the machine that looks and works most like a soft serve counter. A double-insulated freezer bowl churns 1.5 quarts of base in about 20 minutes, according to the Amazon listing, and when it is ready you pull down the handle to dispense a swirl directly into a cone or a bowl.
The “mix it in” part is three condiment containers on top. Pull one, two or all three levers and sprinkles, chopped nuts or chocolate chips drop into the soft serve as it comes out. A 4-ounce keep-warm cup sits on a small heating plate for fudge or caramel, which is a natural place for a spoonful of cajeta. A cone holder takes both flat and pointed cones, and the drip tray lifts out for cleaning.
Because it is a freezer-bowl machine, you plan ahead: the bowl goes into the freezer before you make a batch (a UK listing for the same machine says overnight), and one frozen bowl makes one batch. Cuisinart also includes a mix-in gauge: anything that will not drop through it is too big and can clog the dispenser.
Why we like it
- Pull-down handle dispenses soft serve straight into cones or bowls
- Three mix-in dispensers plus a 4 oz keep-warm cup for warm toppings
- 1.5-quart freezer bowl, about 20 minutes per batch per the listing
- Removable drip tray and a cone holder
- Limited three-year warranty from Cuisinart
Key specifications
| Model | ICE-48 |
|---|---|
| Capacity | 1.5 quarts |
| Freezing | Double-insulated freezer bowl, frozen ahead |
| Dispensing | Pull-down handle, 3 mix-in dispensers |
| Settings | On/off dial |
| Power | Not stated |
| Cleaning | Removable drip tray; other parts not stated |
| Warranty | Limited 3-year |
Why we recommend it
It is the closest thing to a soft serve machine that still fits a home kitchen and a home routine: freeze the bowl, pour in a chilled base, and pull the handle when it is thick. The toppings and warm-sauce cup make it a good centerpiece for a birthday or a dessert table.
Skip it if you want back-to-back batches. One frozen bowl makes one batch, so a second round means a second bowl or another day in the freezer.
Pros and cons
Pros
- Real dispensing handle and cone holder
- Built-in mix-in and warm-topping stations
- Three-year limited warranty
Cons
- Bowl must be frozen before each batch
- Large mix-ins can clog the dispenser
- Wattage and parts care not stated in the listing
2. Ninja CREAMi Scoop & Swirl 13-in-1 – Scooped or Swirled From One Pint
The Scoop & Swirl works the way every CREAMi does: you freeze a base solid in a pint container, then the machine spins it smooth. Ninja’s CREAMi instructions call for freezing a pint for 24 hours. What this model adds is a dispensing lid with a swirl press and an automatic soft serve handle with three speed settings, so the same pint can come out as soft serve instead of a scoop.
There are 13 one-touch programs, six of them for soft serve: Soft Serve, Fruit Whip, Frozen Custard, CreamiFit, Swirled Frozen Yogurt and Lite Ice Cream. Ninja says the 2-in-1 pints, lids, paddle and swirl press are BPA-free and dishwasher safe, and a drip tray pulls out. The box includes two pints with nozzles and storage lids.
The pint format suits households that want variety more than volume. You can keep a mango sorbet base and a cajeta custard base in the freezer and decide on the night which to swirl. The parent guide reviews the plain CREAMi 7-in-1; this is a different model with the soft serve hardware the 7-in-1 lacks.
Why we like it
- Six dedicated soft serve programs among 13 in total
- Soft serve handle with three speed settings
- Pints, lids, paddle and swirl press are dishwasher safe
- Two 2-in-1 pints with nozzles and storage lids included
Key specifications
| Model | NC701BL (navy) |
|---|---|
| Capacity | Two 2-in-1 pints (470 ml each, per Ninja Australia) |
| Freezing | Base frozen solid in the pint, in your freezer |
| Dispensing | Dispensing lid with swirl press, 3-speed handle |
| Settings | 13 programs (6 soft serve) |
| Power | Not stated for the US model |
| Cleaning | Pints, lids, paddle, swirl press dishwasher safe |
| Warranty | Not stated in the listing |
Why we recommend it
It suits a household that eats a pint at a time and likes to switch flavors, and anyone who wants both scooped ice cream and soft serve from one machine.
Skip it if you want soft serve tonight from a liquid base. Each pint needs a full day in the freezer first, and a pint is a small batch for a party.
Pros and cons
Pros
- Scooped and swirled treats from one machine
- Most dedicated soft serve programs here
- Dishwasher-safe parts
Cons
- Needs a pint frozen for about a day
- Pint-sized batches
- Tall machine; listing gives 17.52 inches high
3. Cuisinart 6-in-1 Slushy & Soft-Serve Maker – No Bowl to Freeze
This Cuisinart has its own compressor, so there is no bowl to freeze and no pint to plan a day ahead. Pour in a chilled base, choose a preset and, according to Cuisinart’s listing, it makes up to 1.7 quarts in as little as 15 minutes and holds the batch at temperature.
Six presets cover soft-serve ice cream, sorbet, slushies, cocktails, frappés and frozen wine. Cuisinart’s Smart Dispense Control sets the speed and direction of the mixer as you dispense, which is meant to give a smooth, even ribbon. The listing also describes the motor as ultra-quiet.
Because the same machine makes slushies and frozen drinks, it does double duty in summer. A batch of frozen limonada or a frozen margarita base runs through the same bowl as the evening’s soft serve; just clean it between the two.
Why we like it
- Built-in compressor: no pre-freezing
- Up to 1.7 quarts in as little as 15 minutes, per Cuisinart
- Smart Dispense Control for smoother dispensing
- Six presets including soft serve, sorbet and slushies
Key specifications
| Model | ICE-200 |
|---|---|
| Capacity | 1.7 quarts |
| Freezing | Built-in compressor |
| Dispensing | Dispenser with Smart Dispense Control |
| Settings | 6 presets |
| Power | Not stated |
| Cleaning | Not stated in the listing |
| Warranty | Not stated in the US listing |
Why we recommend it
It is the pick for people who decide on dessert at 7 p.m. and want soft serve at 7:30, and for anyone who also wants a slushy machine without buying a second appliance.
Skip it if counter space is tight. Compressor machines are bigger and heavier than freezer-bowl ones, and the US listing does not give dimensions or a warranty term to plan around.
Pros and cons
Pros
- No freezing ahead
- Larger batch than the Mix It In
- Makes slushies and frozen drinks too
Cons
- Dimensions, power and warranty not in the US listing
- No topping dispensers
- Needs cleaning between drinks and dessert
4. GreenPan Frost Ice Cream Maker & Slushie Machine – Two Quarts on Tap
The Frost holds the most of any home machine here: a 2-quart (64-ounce) bowl, frozen by a built-in compressor that GreenPan describes as quiet. It serves through a fountain-style handle, and an included star tip gives the ridged swirl most people picture when they think of soft serve.
Instead of one soft serve setting, the Frost has six modes (Slushie, Soft Ice Cream, Spiked Slushie, Sorbet, Milkshake and Extrude/Clean) and seven texture settings from soft and creamy to firm and thick. GreenPan says frozen treats can be ready in as little as 15 minutes. The bowl is clear, so you can watch the base thicken.
Cleanup uses the same machinery: the Extrude/Clean mode pushes out what is left, then you add warm water and a drop of soap and let the blades run, repeating once or twice. The box includes cleaning brushes, two swirl extrude covers and two spare extrusion-head gaskets.
Why we like it
- 2-quart bowl, the largest home capacity in this guide
- Fountain-style handle and star tip for a classic swirl
- Six modes and seven texture settings
- Self-cleaning Extrude/Clean mode
Key specifications
| Model | CC009822-001 (Berry Blue) |
|---|---|
| Capacity | 2 quarts (64 oz) |
| Freezing | Built-in compressor |
| Dispensing | Fountain-style handle, star tip |
| Settings | 6 modes, 7 textures |
| Power | Not stated in the US listing |
| Cleaning | Extrude/Clean self-cleaning mode |
| Warranty | Not stated (retailers differ) |
Why we recommend it
It suits a family that goes through soft serve quickly, or a host who wants one machine to make frozen drinks for the adults and soft serve for the children at the same party.
Skip it if you need a clear warranty before you buy: retailer listings we found give different terms, and the Amazon listing does not state one.
Pros and cons
Pros
- Biggest home bowl here
- Adjustable texture
- Self-cleaning cycle and spare gaskets
Cons
- Warranty term unclear
- Large footprint on the counter
- No topping dispensers
5. Whynter 7-in-1 Soft Serve Ice Cream & Slushy Machine – Firmness You Can Set
Whynter has made compressor ice cream makers for years, and this is its soft serve model. A built-in compressor freezes a 1.6-quart batch with no pre-freezing, and Whynter says the soft serve dispenses straight from the front handle, with no scooping.
The LCD touch panel has five firmness levels and an audible timer, so you can stop at a loose, just-set swirl or keep going for something stiffer. After the cycle, an automatic cooling hold keeps the batch at serving consistency. Whynter’s FAQ says most batches take 20 to 40 minutes from liquid to frozen, faster if the base is chilled first.
The seven modes are soft serve, slushy, cocktail slushy, wine slushy, coffee slushy, cold drink and juice; the last two only chill. Whynter lists 210 watts and dimensions of 18.2 by 6.7 by 17.8 inches. It is narrow, which helps on a crowded counter.
Why we like it
- Five adjustable firmness levels
- Cooling hold keeps a finished batch ready to serve
- Dispenses from a front handle
- Self-cleaning mode and dishwasher-safe removable parts
Key specifications
| Model | ICS-167 |
|---|---|
| Capacity | 1.6 quarts |
| Freezing | Built-in compressor |
| Dispensing | Front handle |
| Settings | 7 modes, 5 firmness levels, timer |
| Power | 210 W |
| Cleaning | Cleaning mode; removable parts dishwasher safe |
| Warranty | 1-year limited |
Why we recommend it
It suits a cook who cares about texture and wants to set it, and a narrow counter that cannot take a wide machine.
Skip it if you want a longer warranty: Whynter gives one year, against three from Cuisinart on our top pick.
Pros and cons
Pros
- No pre-freezing
- Adjustable firmness and timer
- Slim footprint
Cons
- One-year warranty
- Batches can take up to 40 minutes
- No topping dispensers
6. Yonanas Deluxe Frozen Fruit Soft Serve Maker – Soft Serve From Fruit Alone
The Yonanas is not an ice cream maker in the usual sense. There is no base, no churning and no freezing: you push frozen fruit down a chute with a plunger, a spinning blade turns it smooth, and it comes out the front as a soft serve or sorbet-like treat. Yonanas says it adds no fats, sugars or preservatives, because there is nothing in it but the fruit you put in.
Frozen bananas are the classic base, and they give the creamiest result. Frozen mango, strawberries or pineapple work too, which makes it a quick way to a dairy-free mango soft serve with a pinch of chile and lime. The Deluxe comes with a 75-recipe booklet, runs at 200 watts and carries a one-year limited warranty.
It is small and simple. Yonanas says the chute assembly, plunger and blade are top-rack dishwasher safe and the base wipes clean. How much it makes depends on how much frozen fruit you feed it, from one bowl to enough for a family.
Why we like it
- Makes soft serve from frozen fruit alone, no dairy needed
- No bowl to freeze and no churning time
- Chute, plunger and blade are top-rack dishwasher safe
- 75 recipes included
Key specifications
| Model | IC0988BK13 (Deluxe, black) |
|---|---|
| Capacity | Not stated; as much fruit as you feed it |
| Freezing | None: uses fruit you have frozen |
| Dispensing | Fruit pushed through a chute, out the front |
| Settings | Push-button on/off |
| Power | 200 W |
| Cleaning | Chute, plunger, blade top-rack dishwasher safe |
| Warranty | 1-year limited |
Why we recommend it
It suits anyone who wants a dairy-free, fruit-only soft serve, and households with a habit of freezing overripe bananas.
Skip it if you want ice cream. It cannot churn a custard or a cream base; it only works with fruit that is already frozen.
Pros and cons
Pros
- Fruit-only, dairy-free results
- Instant: no waiting for a batch
- Compact and easy to clean
Cons
- Frozen fruit only, no ice cream bases
- No swirl tip or cone holder
- One-year warranty
7. Dash My Mug Ice Cream Maker, 2-Pack – One Serving, Eaten From the Mug
Dash’s My Mug is the smallest machine here: a half-pint freezer mug with a small motor that sits on top and churns one serving of soft serve in about 20 minutes. You eat it straight from the mug. This bundle comes with two mugs, so one can stay in the freezer while the other is in use.
The mugs need 24 to 48 hours in the freezer, according to Dash, so this is a plan-ahead machine like any freezer-bowl model. A built-in ingredient chute lets you add chocolate chips, sprinkles or fruit near the end of churning. Dash says the machine comes apart in seconds for hand washing, and everything nests inside the mugs for storage.
It does not dispense or swirl. We include it because it is sold for soft serve and it is the simplest way to get a single soft, freshly churned serving without committing to a large appliance.
Why we like it
- Half-pint, single-serving batches
- Two freezer mugs in this bundle
- Ingredient chute for mix-ins
- Parts nest inside the mugs for storage
Key specifications
| Model | DMIC200GBAQ04 (aqua, 2-pack) |
|---|---|
| Capacity | Half pint per mug, 2 mugs |
| Freezing | Freezer mug, frozen 24 to 48 hours |
| Dispensing | None: eat from the mug |
| Settings | One-touch |
| Power | Not stated in the listing |
| Cleaning | Hand wash |
| Warranty | 1 year (Dash) |
Why we recommend it
It suits one or two people, a dorm room or a small kitchen where a full-size machine would sit unused most of the year.
Skip it if you want cones or more than two servings: it makes one half-pint per frozen mug.
Pros and cons
Pros
- Very small and easy to store
- Two mugs for back-to-back servings
- Simple to use
Cons
- One half-pint at a time
- No dispensing or swirl
- Mugs need up to two days in the freezer
8. VEVOR Commercial Countertop Soft Serve Machine – Built for a Snack Bar
This is a real commercial soft serve machine, the kind a snack bar or food stand would use, sized to sit on a counter. VEVOR rates it at up to 10 liters (10.6 quarts) an hour from a 4-liter hopper and a 1.6-liter freezing cylinder. The first freeze takes about 15 minutes, and VEVOR says later batches are ready in six minutes or less, serving four to six 80-gram portions at a stretch.
It runs on a 1,000-watt compressor and has a touch panel with automatic cooling, one-touch cleaning, a timer and a display of production time and remaining quantity. The body is SUS201 stainless steel and the cylinder is food-grade SUS304 stainless. VEVOR says it works in rooms from 41°F to 89.6°F, which matters for an outdoor event in a Houston summer.
It is a single-flavor machine. It is also a commercial appliance, so think about counter space, weight and where it will be cleaned before you buy one for home.
Why we like it
- Up to 10.6 quarts an hour, per VEVOR
- Follow-on batches in about six minutes
- Stainless steel body and SUS304 cylinder
- One-touch cleaning and automatic cooling
Key specifications
| Model | BQL-9200ST |
|---|---|
| Capacity | 4 L hopper, 1.6 L cylinder; up to 10 L an hour |
| Freezing | Built-in compressor |
| Dispensing | Single-flavor dispenser |
| Settings | Touch panel, timer, auto cooling |
| Power | 1,000 W |
| Cleaning | One-touch cleaning |
| Warranty | Not stated in the listing |
Why we recommend it
It suits a church fair, a school event, a food truck or a small café: anywhere one batch at a time is not enough.
Skip it if you are buying for a family kitchen. It is far more machine than a household needs, and the listing does not state a warranty.
Pros and cons
Pros
- Commercial output
- Fast follow-on batches
- Stainless steel construction
Cons
- One flavor at a time
- Large and power-hungry for a home
- Warranty not stated
How to choose a soft serve machine
Every machine here makes something soft and swirlable. What separates them is how they freeze, how they dispense and how much they make.
1. How it freezes
Freezer-bowl machines (the Cuisinart Mix It In, the Dash) are simple and quiet, but the bowl has to be frozen first and makes one batch per freeze. Frozen-pint machines (the Ninja) need a base frozen solid for about a day. Compressor machines (the Cuisinart 6-in-1, GreenPan, Whynter and VEVOR) freeze on demand, cost more and take more space. The Yonanas skips freezing altogether and uses fruit from your freezer.
2. Whether it really dispenses
If the swirl matters, choose a machine with a handle or a dispensing lid: the Mix It In, Ninja, Cuisinart 6-in-1, GreenPan, Whynter and VEVOR all dispense. The Dash serves from the mug, and the Yonanas pushes fruit out of a chute.
3. Batch size
A pint or a half-pint suits one or two people. A 1.5- to 2-quart batch serves a family. For a party, either plan several freezer-bowl batches or choose a compressor machine that can start again straight away.
4. Cleaning
Soft serve machines have more parts than a plain churn: a dispensing head, gaskets and sometimes a spout. Look for dishwasher-safe parts (Ninja, Whynter, Yonanas) or a cleaning cycle (GreenPan, Whynter, VEVOR), and clean the dispensing path every time, because dairy left in it spoils.
5. Space and storage
Compressor machines live on the counter. Freezer-bowl machines need a flat space in the freezer for the bowl. Only the Dash and the Yonanas fit easily in a cupboard.
How we chose these eight soft serve machines
We searched Amazon US for machines that dispense soft serve or are sold for it, kept only those from identifiable makers, and checked each one’s stock with Amazon’s product data before writing; all eight were in stock. Specifications come from the makers’ own pages where we could reach them (Whynter), from the brand’s Amazon listing, and from Ninja’s and other retailers’ published listings where the US listing was silent, and our notes record which. We left out machines from sellers with no identifiable maker, several near-identical slushie and soft serve machines, a Nostalgia soft serve machine that was down to its last units, and bucket-style machines sold as “soft serve” that are the same ice-and-salt design our parent guide already covers. We also left out every machine in our main ice cream maker guide, including the plain Ninja CREAMi 7-in-1, so this page adds options rather than repeating them. We checked the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission’s recall list for each brand and found no recall of any machine named here. We have not used these machines ourselves; where we describe how a machine works, it is from the maker or the listing.
Making a soft serve base that swirls
A soft serve machine can only work with what you pour in. A few habits help any of them:
- Chill the base thoroughly. Whynter notes that a pre-chilled base freezes faster, and the same is true of a freezer bowl, which has a fixed amount of cold to give.
- Keep mix-ins small. Cuisinart includes a gauge for the Mix It In for this reason: chunks that are too big clog the dispenser.
- Serve straight away. Soft serve is at its best as it leaves the machine. Leftovers set hard in the freezer and become scooped ice cream.
- Try Mexican flavors. A cajeta swirl, a cinnamon-and-vanilla base or a mango base with lime are all at home in a soft serve machine. Our guide to cajeta versus dulce de leche explains the two caramels, and Mexican desserts explained has more ideas.
Soft serve machine questions, answered
What is the best ice cream maker with soft serve?
For most homes, the Cuisinart Mix It In Soft Serve Ice Cream Maker: it dispenses into cones, adds mix-ins as it pours and has a three-year limited warranty. If you would rather not freeze a bowl, choose a compressor model such as the Cuisinart 6-in-1 or the GreenPan Frost.
What is the best soft serve ice cream maker for home?
It depends on how many you serve. One or two people do well with the Dash My Mug or the Ninja Scoop & Swirl; a family is better served by a 1.5- to 2-quart machine such as the Mix It In or the GreenPan Frost. The VEVOR commercial machine is for events, not everyday home use.
Is soft serve just ice cream that has not frozen yet?
Broadly, yes. Soft serve is served straight from the machine at a softer, warmer temperature than hard-frozen ice cream, which is why it pours in a ribbon. Put leftover soft serve in the freezer and it firms into scoopable ice cream.
Do I need a compressor machine for soft serve?
No. The Cuisinart Mix It In uses a freezer bowl and dispenses real soft serve. A compressor only saves you the step of freezing a bowl and lets you make batches back to back.
Can I make dairy-free soft serve?
Yes. The Yonanas makes it from frozen fruit alone, and Ninja lists dairy-free and vegan options for the CREAMi Scoop & Swirl. Compressor and freezer-bowl machines will also churn a dairy-free base made with plant milk.
Our final pick for soft serve at home
Buy the Cuisinart Mix It In Soft Serve Ice Cream Maker if you want the soft serve counter experience at home, with toppings that drop in as you pour. Choose the Ninja CREAMi Scoop & Swirl for single pints and lots of flavors, a compressor machine from Cuisinart, GreenPan or Whynter if you want soft serve without planning ahead, and the Yonanas for soft serve made from fruit alone.
If you want scooped ice cream, gelato or sorbet rather than a swirl, our main guide to the best ice cream maker covers freezer-bowl, compressor and ice-and-salt machines. And if you would rather someone else made dessert tonight, see the menu or call to order.