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The original Ninja CREAMi changed the game for home ice cream. It took the concept of a $5,000 Pacojet and put it in our kitchens for under $200. Suddenly, protein shakes could be turned into premium ice cream. But there was one thing missing: the swirl.
You could make delicious ice cream, but you couldn’t dispense it into a cone like at Dairy Queen. You had to scoop it out with a spoon like a caveman. The Ninja CREAMi Scoop & Swirl (NC701) aims to fix that. It features a new “Soft Serve Handle” that promises to dispense swirls straight from the pint. But does it work, or is it a gimmicky mess that gets clogged instantly? I cleared some freezer space and bought a box of cones to find out.
What Makes the NC701 Different?
If you already own a CREAMi, you are probably wondering if this is worth the upgrade. Here is what is actually new:
- The Dispenser Handle: This is the headline feature. The machine has a lever on the front. When you pull it, a mechanism pushes the ice cream down and out through a star-shaped nozzle, theoretically giving you that perfect swirl.
- 13-in-1 Programs: It has significantly more settings than the original model, including specific modes for “Fruit Whip,” “Frozen Custard,” and “CreamiFit” (designed for low-cal/high-protein mixes).
- 2-in-1 Pints: The pints are redesigned. They have a hole in the bottom (covered by a removable seal) that allows the ice cream to be pushed out. Note: Old CREAMi pints will NOT work in this machine for dispensing.
- Dual Mode: You can choose to process the pint normally (Scoop Mode) or process it for dispensing (Swirl Mode).
Hands-On Experience: The Soft Serve Test
I tested the machine with two classic scenarios: a high-protein “healthy” ice cream and a decadent chocolate custard.
The Prep
Just like the original, you have to freeze your base for 24 hours. There is no shortcut here. I prepped a vanilla bean base and froze it solid.
The Swirl
The moment of truth. I loaded the frozen pint, selected “Soft Serve,” and let it spin. It’s loud—very loud. Once the cycle finished, the “Dispense” light came on. I held a cone under the nozzle and pulled the handle.
To my surprise, it actually worked. A thick, structured swirl of ice cream came out. It wasn’t runny soup; it held its shape perfectly. I was able to make three decent-sized cones from one pint before the texture got a little too soft. The “Creamify” technology does an incredible job of shaving ice crystals into something velvety.
The Cleanup
This is the downside. The dispensing mechanism adds more parts to clean. You have the pint, the lid, the paddle, the nozzle, and the dispensing plunger. It is all dishwasher safe, which saves it, but if you are hand-washing, it takes twice as long as the original model.
Pros and Cons
After a week of testing (and a lot of brain freeze), here is the honest breakdown.
| What I Loved (Pros) | What Could Be Better (Cons) |
|---|---|
| Real Soft Serve: The texture is legitimate. It feels like a commercial machine product. | Noise: It sounds like a jet engine taking off in your kitchen. |
| Versatility: You can scoop it OR swirl it. You aren’t forced to use the dispenser every time. | Proprietary Pints: You cannot use your old CREAMi pints for the swirl function. You have to buy new ones. |
| CreamiFit Mode: The dedicated mode for protein shakes works wonders on icy, low-fat mixtures. | Cleanup: The dispensing nozzle has nooks and crannies that require a good rinse before the dishwasher. |
| Fun Factor: Kids absolutely lose their minds over pulling the handle themselves. | Leftovers: You can’t really re-freeze a half-dispensed pint easily. You have to commit to eating it. |
Comparison: Which CREAMi is For You?
Ninja now has a whole lineup. Here is how the NC701 compares to the others.
| Feature | Scoop & Swirl NC701 (This Review) | CREAMi Deluxe (NC501) | Original CREAMi (NC301) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Dispenser 🍦 | ✅ Yes (Handle) | ❌ No (Scoop only) | ❌ No (Scoop only) |
| Pint Size 📏 | 16 oz (Specialized) | 24 oz (Deluxe) | 16 oz (Standard) |
| Programs ⚙️ | 13 (Includes CreamiFit) | 11 Programs | 7 Programs |
| Best For 🎯 | Soft Serve Lovers | Large Families | Budget / Basics |
Verdict: Should You Buy It?
If you are obsessed with the texture of soft serve or if you have kids who want the “ice cream shop” experience at home, the Ninja CREAMi Scoop & Swirl is absolutely worth the investment. The ability to pull a lever and get a perfect swirl of frozen yogurt or protein ice cream is a party trick that never gets old.
However, if you are happy just scooping your ice cream from a bowl and don’t care about cones, you can save money by getting the Original CREAMi or the Deluxe. The core technology that makes the ice cream creamy is the same; you are paying extra here for the dispensing mechanism and the advanced programs.
