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Best sorbet makers for fruit and Italian ice

Picked from Amazon listings, not hands-on tests. How we pick

Top picks at a glance

Compare all picks

  • Closest match for the job

    Cuisinart ICE-100: 1.5 qt compressor, sorbet listed

    The second paddle made specifically for gelato is unique among the picks under $300.

    See price on AmazonSee it on Amazon

  • Most for the money on paper

    Ninja Creami XL Deluxe NC501: sorbet and Italian ice programs

    Frozen yogurt is one of the 11 one-touch programs listed.

    See price on AmazonSee it on Amazon

  • Most complete listing

    Ninja Creami Scoop & Swirl NC701: Fruit Whip soft serve

    A dedicated Swirled Frozen Yogurt program is listed among six soft serve programs.

    See price on AmazonSee it on Amazon

Sorbet has no cream or eggs to keep it smooth. A fruit base needs to freeze quickly while it churns, or it turns icy. That makes a built-in compressor or a Creami-style processor the safer choice over a slow freezer bowl. Listings also differ on whether they offer a dedicated sorbet setting, how long they hold a finished batch cold, and how much they make at once. Fruit-only bases are where a named sorbet program helps most. This guide compares seven machines that name sorbet, Italian ice or fruit whip in their listings: compressor churners from Breville, Cuisinart, Whynter and Martha Stewart, and Ninja Creami models that process frozen fruit bases. Each is ranked on how directly the listing supports sorbet.

Compare the picks

Facts are taken from each Amazon listing. Prices are checked daily and shown with their date.

The picks in detail

Pick 1 · Cuisinart

Cuisinart ICE-100: 1.5 qt compressor, sorbet listed

See price on Amazon

Cuisinart's compressor model with two paddles, one for ice cream and one for gelato, plus a 60-minute timer. The most complete package under $300 for cooks who want gelato too.

What the listing offers

  • The second paddle made specifically for gelato is unique among the picks under $300.
  • The listing states a limited 3-year warranty, the clearest coverage term in this group.
  • Touchpad controls with a large LCD and a 60-minute countdown timer keep operation simple.

Limits to know

  • At 1.5 quarts it makes less per batch than the 2 to 2.1 quart machines here.
  • Keep Cool runs only 10 minutes after the timer ends, according to the listing.
See it on AmazonListing title: Cuisinart 1.5-Quart Ice Cream Maker and Gelato Machine, Makes Frozen Y...

Pick 2 · Ninja

Ninja Creami Scoop & Swirl NC701: Fruit Whip soft serve

See price on Amazon

A 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.
See it on AmazonListing title: Ninja Creami Scoop & Swirl 13-in-1 Ice Cream and Soft Serve Maker, NC7...

Pick 3 · Breville

Breville Smart Scoop: sorbet hardness preset, 3-hour hold

See price on Amazon

A stainless churner that senses the hardness of the mix for the frozen yogurt setting you choose and holds it for up to 3 hours. Suits cooks who want froyo stopped at the same texture every time.

What the listing offers

  • Frozen yogurt is one of the listed hardness settings, so the machine decides when it is done.
  • Keep Cool holds the froyo chilled and churned for up to 3 hours.
  • Full manual mode is available if you want to stop softer.

Limits to know

  • Capacity is not stated in the listing, so batch size is unknown.
  • It is the most expensive pick in this guide.
See it on AmazonListing title: Breville BCI600XL Smart Scoop Ice Cream Maker, Brushed Stainless Steel

Pick 4 · Ninja

Ninja Creami XL Deluxe NC501: sorbet and Italian ice programs

See price on Amazon

The first-generation XL Deluxe Creami with 11 programs including frozen yogurt and two 24 oz tubs. Suits froyo fans who prefer a scoopable texture and like prepping pints ahead.

What the listing offers

  • Frozen yogurt is one of the 11 one-touch programs listed.
  • Two 24 oz XL tubs hold 50% more than the original Creami pint.
  • Re-Spin runs a second cycle for a softer, creamier finish on a crumbly froyo base.

Limits to know

  • Each tub needs a fully frozen base before processing.
  • No soft serve dispensing; froyo comes out scooped.
See it on AmazonListing title: Ninja NC501 CREAMi XL Deluxe 11-in-1 Ice Cream and Frozen Treat Maker,...

Pick 5 · Cuisinart

Cuisinart 1-qt compressor with a Sorbet preset

See price on Amazon

A compact Cuisinart with Quick Freeze Chill Technology, four presets and an integrated cord wrap for storage. Suits small kitchens where the machine goes back in a cabinet after use.

What the listing offers

  • Integrated cord wrap makes it tidier to store, per the listing.
  • One-touch presets for ice cream, frozen yogurt, sorbet and Keep Cool.
  • Built-in ingredient funnel for adding mix-ins while churning.

Limits to know

  • Dimensions and weight are not stated despite the compact claim.
  • 1-quart batches are small for larger families.
See it on AmazonListing title: Cuisinart Ice Cream Maker Machine, Automatic, No Pre-Freezing, 1-Qt

Pick 6 · Whynter

Whynter ICM-201SB: 2.1 qt upright for big sorbet batches

See price on Amazon

An upright Whynter that keeps a 2.1-quart batch in a smaller footprint than horizontal machines. For small kitchens that still feed a family.

What the listing offers

  • Upright stainless housing designed for a smaller counter footprint.
  • 2.1-quart capacity, the largest in this compact guide.
  • No bowl in the freezer, so it saves freezer space too.

Limits to know

  • Taller and heavier than the 0.8 to 1.28 quart picks, though the listing gives no figures.
  • No preset programs are listed, only an LCD timer.
See it on AmazonListing title: Whynter Upright Automatic Ice Cream Maker, 2.1 Qt, ICM-201SB

Pick 7 · Martha Stewart

Martha Stewart 1 qt compressor with Sorbet mode

See price on Amazon

A 1-quart compressor machine with three modes and a backlit display. A small-batch option for cooks who want named modes over a plain timer.

What the listing offers

  • 1-quart batch makes up to 8 servings, per the listing.
  • Built-in compressor means no freezer space for a bowl.
  • Three modes and an easy-turn dial keep it simple.

Limits to know

  • The listing makes no footprint or compact claim, and gives no dimensions.
  • Costs about the same as the Cuisinart 1-qt, which adds a cord wrap and Keep Cool.
See it on AmazonListing title: Martha Stewart Ice Cream Maker Machine, 1QT Fully Automatic, 3 Modes, ...

Read before you buy

More gear: Churned ice cream and gelato

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