Gear guide
Best ice cream makers for dairy-free and vegan ice cream
Picked from Amazon listings, not hands-on tests. How we pick
Top picks at a glance
Compare all picks
Closest match for the job
Ninja CREAMi XL Deluxe Gen 2 with a Dairy-Free program
It is the only listing here with a dedicated Dairy-Free program.
See price on AmazonSee it on Amazon
Most for the money on paper
Ninja CREAMi 7-in-1 NC301: lowest-cost Creami with vegan use
Gelato is one of seven one-touch programs.
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Most complete listing
Ninja Creami Scoop & Swirl: vegan and nut-free soft serve
A dedicated Swirled Frozen Yogurt program is listed among six soft serve programs.
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Plant-based ice cream behaves differently from dairy. Coconut bases are rich in fat but can set hard, while oat and almond milk bases have less fat and freeze icy if they churn slowly. Two machine types handle this in different ways. A Ninja Creami freezes the base solid, then shaves it smooth, and a re-spin can fix a crumbly result. A compressor churner freezes liquid base while it mixes, which works best with richer coconut or cashew bases. Only one listing here, the Creami XL Deluxe Gen 2, names a dedicated Dairy-Free program; the others state dairy-free, vegan or plant-based support in their features. This guide compares them on machine type, capacity, exactly what the listing says about dairy-free use, the programs available and whether a base must be frozen ahead.
Compare the picks
- Ninja CREAMi XL Deluxe Gen 2 with a Dairy-Free program
- Type
- Ninja Creami
- Capacity
- 24 oz XL tub
- Dairy-free support
- Dedicated Dairy-Free program
- Programs
- 11
- Ninja Creami Scoop & Swirl: vegan and nut-free soft serve
- Type
- Ninja Creami with soft serve
- Capacity
- Not stated
- Dairy-free support
- Dairy-free, vegan and nut-free options stated
- Programs
- 13, incl. 6 soft serve
Ninja CREAMi Deluxe with four 24 oz tubs- Type
- Ninja Creami
- Capacity
- Four 24 oz XL tubs
- Dairy-free support
- Dairy-free and vegan options stated
- Programs
- 11
Whynter ICM-220SSY: 2 qt compressor, non-dairy yogurt- Type
- Compressor churner
- Capacity
- 2 quarts
- Dairy-free support
- Yogurt function with non-dairy milks stated
- Programs
- Ice cream, yogurt function
Oplace 1 qt compressor for plant-based mixes- Type
- Compressor churner
- Capacity
- 1 quart
- Dairy-free support
- Plant-based and fruit-based mixes stated
- Programs
- Ice cream, gelato, sorbet, frozen yogurt, soft serve, yogurt
- Ninja CREAMi 7-in-1 NC301: lowest-cost Creami with vegan use
- Type
- Ninja Creami
- Capacity
- Pint
- Dairy-free support
- Dairy-free treats and vegan options stated
- Programs
- 7
BLACK+DECKER Perfect Pint: Creami-style, dairy-free friendly- Type
- Freeze then spin pint maker
- Capacity
- Pint
- Dairy-free support
- Dairy-free desserts stated
- Programs
- Not stated; has Re-Spin
| Pick | Type | Capacity | Dairy-free support | Programs | Price | Link |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ninja CREAMi XL Deluxe Gen 2 with a Dairy-Free program | Ninja Creami | 24 oz XL tub | Dedicated Dairy-Free program | 11 | - | Amazon |
| Ninja Creami Scoop & Swirl: vegan and nut-free soft serve | Ninja Creami with soft serve | Not stated | Dairy-free, vegan and nut-free options stated | 13, incl. 6 soft serve | - | Amazon |
| Ninja CREAMi Deluxe with four 24 oz tubs | Ninja Creami | Four 24 oz XL tubs | Dairy-free and vegan options stated | 11 | - | Amazon |
| Whynter ICM-220SSY: 2 qt compressor, non-dairy yogurt | Compressor churner | 2 quarts | Yogurt function with non-dairy milks stated | Ice cream, yogurt function | - | Amazon |
| Oplace 1 qt compressor for plant-based mixes | Compressor churner | 1 quart | Plant-based and fruit-based mixes stated | Ice cream, gelato, sorbet, frozen yogurt, soft serve, yogurt | - | Amazon |
| Ninja CREAMi 7-in-1 NC301: lowest-cost Creami with vegan use | Ninja Creami | Pint | Dairy-free treats and vegan options stated | 7 | - | Amazon |
| BLACK+DECKER Perfect Pint: Creami-style, dairy-free friendly | Freeze then spin pint maker | Pint | Dairy-free desserts stated | Not stated; has Re-Spin | - | Amazon |
Facts are taken from each Amazon listing. Prices are checked daily and shown with their date.
The picks in detail
Pick 1 · Ninja
Ninja CREAMi XL Deluxe Gen 2 with a Dairy-Free program
See price on AmazonThe second-generation XL Deluxe Creami adds a dedicated Dairy-Free program to its 11 one-touch settings. The best fit for anyone making plant-based pints every week.
What the listing offers
- It is the only listing here with a dedicated Dairy-Free program.
- Re-Spin after processing gives an even creamier result, useful when a low-fat oat or almond base comes out crumbly.
- 24 oz XL tubs hold 50% more than the original Creami pint, per the listing.
Limits to know
- Every base must be frozen in the tub ahead of time.
- The listing does not explain how the Dairy-Free program differs from the standard Ice Cream program.
Pick 2 · Ninja
Ninja Creami Scoop & Swirl: vegan and nut-free soft serve
See price on AmazonA Creami with 13 programs including Swirled Frozen Yogurt, which dispenses froyo as a soft serve swirl. The pick for shop-style froyo cups at home.
What the listing offers
- A dedicated Swirled Frozen Yogurt program is listed among six soft serve programs.
- It can dispense a swirl, which is how most people expect froyo to look.
- The listing supports low sugar, lower calorie and high-protein bases.
Limits to know
- The froyo base must be frozen ahead in the tub.
- Tub capacity is not stated on this listing.
Pick 3 · Ninja
Ninja CREAMi Deluxe with four 24 oz tubs
See price on AmazonThe 11-in-1 Creami Deluxe bundled with four 24 oz XL tubs, so several dairy-free bases can freeze at once. Suits households testing coconut, oat and cashew recipes side by side.
What the listing offers
- Four XL tubs let you freeze different plant-based bases at the same time.
- The listing names low sugar, protein-packed, dairy-free and vegan options.
- Dual processing makes two mix-in flavors from one base.
Limits to know
- No dedicated Dairy-Free program is listed for this model.
- Each base still needs to freeze overnight before processing.
Pick 4 · Whynter
Whynter ICM-220SSY: 2 qt compressor, non-dairy yogurt
See price on AmazonA 2 quart compressor machine that also makes fresh yogurt, with extended cooling after the churn and motor protection. Suits buyers who want one appliance for yogurt and ice cream.
What the listing offers
- A dedicated yogurt function works with dairy or non-dairy milks, according to the listing.
- Extended cooling keeps the finished batch from melting, and motor protection guards against overheating.
- The removable stainless bowl and BPA-free churn blade allow continuous use without pre-freezing.
Limits to know
- It sits right at the top of this budget, so the cheaper Whynter may be enough if you skip yogurt.
- The listing does not say how long extended cooling runs.
Pick 5 · oplace
Oplace 1 qt compressor for plant-based mixes
See price on AmazonA slim vertical compressor machine the listing describes as ideal for apartments, with modes for frozen desserts and homemade yogurt. Good for small kitchens that want variety.
What the listing offers
- Slim vertical body fits small countertops, according to the listing.
- Built-in compressor with no pre-freezing, plus a homemade yogurt option.
- Transparent lid for watching progress and detachable mixing parts.
Limits to know
- A lesser-known brand with no warranty terms stated.
- The listing describes it as lightweight but gives no weight or dimensions.
Pick 6 · Ninja
Ninja CREAMi 7-in-1 NC301: lowest-cost Creami with vegan use
See price on AmazonThe entry Creami with a Gelato program and Re-spin. A low-cost way to make single pints of gelato-style dessert at home.
What the listing offers
- Gelato is one of seven one-touch programs.
- Re-spin processes a second time for a softer texture.
- Lowest price among the gelato-capable machines here.
Limits to know
- Bases need 24 hours in the freezer, per the listing.
- Pint-size batches are small for a dinner party.
Pick 7 · BLACK+DECKER
BLACK+DECKER Perfect Pint: Creami-style, dairy-free friendly
See price on AmazonA Creami-style pint maker with Re-Spin Technology, listed for high-protein, keto and dairy-free desserts. Suits buyers who want the freeze-and-spin method from another brand.
What the listing offers
- The listing names protein, keto and dairy-free desserts as core uses.
- Re-Spin Technology is meant to avoid icy or grainy textures.
- It makes ice cream, gelato, sorbet, frozen yogurt and milkshakes, per the listing.
Limits to know
- The listing does not state the number of programs or wattage.
- Like the Creami, every pint must be frozen before spinning.
Read before you buy
- Ninja Creami vs Creami Deluxe: is the bigger pint worth itNinja Creami vs Creami Deluxe: 16 oz vs 24 oz tubs, 7 vs 11 programs, dual processing, Gen 2 changes and whether your old pints fit the Deluxe.
- Cream cheese, pudding mix and xanthan gum in Creami basesWhy Ninja Creami recipes use cream cheese, pudding mix and xanthan gum, how much to add per pint, and what to use when you want to skip them.
- Ninja Creami sorbet: fruit, juice and canned fruitHow to make Ninja Creami sorbet from canned fruit in syrup, fresh fruit with sugar, or juice, using the Sorbet program, with a blueberry sorbet base.
- Ninja Creami keto and sugar-free ice creamNinja Creami keto and sugar-free ice cream: allulose vs erythritol, why sugar-free pints freeze harder, a 16 oz base recipe and how to keep it scoopable.
- Ninja Creami dairy-free and vegan ice creamDairy-free and vegan Ninja Creami ice cream with coconut, oat, soy and almond milk bases, and how fat content decides which program to press.
More gear: Recipes by program
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