Making a splash in the US market on July 11th, the Ninja SLUSHi™ quickly sold out. It’s nowhere to be seen on supermarket shelves, but everywhere on social media. My feed is filled with lucky people whipping up refreshing slushies and frappuccinos in their shiny new Ninjas.
So, what makes the Ninja Slushi so special? It's all about the RapidChill Technology, which can reportedly frost your drinks in as little as fifteen minutes – no ice needed. There are five exciting settings – slush, spiked slush (think: frozen cocktails), frappe, milkshake, and frozen juice. Ninja says it can keep drinks cold for up to twelve hours, too.
It sounds speedy, user-friendly, and utterly delicious. There's just one snag: you'll have to join a waitlist to get your hands on one. You're not alone; I'm also patiently waiting to test and review this cool new gadget.
In the meantime, if your cravings can't wait, I've got some Ninja Slushi alternatives for you. While Ninja’s machine does boast cutting-edge features, some of the best blenders on the market can also crush ice to make slushy, frozen treats. They might be a tad less fun to use (and you might not go viral for using them) but on a hot summer's day, the results are just as delightful.
The Quick List
If you want to get your frozen fix immediately, my top Ninja Slushi alternatives are right here. Further down the page, I go into more detail on their pros, cons, and how to use them.
Best for frappuccinos
Famous for making ice cream and gelato, this machine can make the creamiest frozen frappuccinos, too. You just need to prep the blends 24 hours in advance.
Best for frozen cocktails
The Breville blitzes ice cubes into the smoothest frozen margaritas. Perfect for spontaneous cocktail nights. If you want to add fruit (fresh or frozen), this model can handle it.
Best for frosé
Equipped with a pitcher capacity of 2 liters and versatile settings, you can make a large batch of frozen rosé for your next backyard party.
1. Ninja Creami Deluxe
When we tested the Ninja Creami Deluxe, it made the most luxurious ice cream and gelato. Some Ninja fans are confused over which machine to buy, because the Creami Deluxe also excels on frozen drink and slushie settings.
The main distinction between the Ninja Slushi and the Ninja Creami lies in speed and ability to keep your drinks cold. The Ninja Creami requires a bit of foresight, needing 24 hours of preparation – not ideal for spur-of-the-moment slushies or impromptu Friday night cocktails. However, it's a winner for coffee-lovers, who can predict their need for a caffeine fix every morning.
If that sounds like you, you'll love the 'creamiccino' setting. Simply freeze your cold brew blend the day before, and whip up a fresh frappuccino the next morning. You'll get a Starbucks-style drink, without the drive-thru.
For more details, read our full Ninja Creami Deluxe review.
2. Breville Super Q
The Breville Super Q isn't just a powerhouse blender; it’s a game-changer for frozen cocktails. Our testers were blown away by the ice crush setting, which effortlessly transforms ice cubes into a soft, snow-like powder. We found it perfect for making slushy frozen margaritas (and non-alcoholic slushies, too).
One of the greatest advantages of using a blender for slushies or frozen cocktails is convenience. There's no need to pre-prepare ingredients in advance (except for ice cubes, of course). You can effortlessly toss fresh fruit, such as mango or chopped watermelon, directly into the pitcher for a fun, tropical flavor. This blender handles it all with ease – there will be no unpleasant chunks of ice or unevenly blended fruit.
During our testing, we also loved the included spatula, which helps to scoop ice from the edges of the pitcher, so everything gets thoroughly mixed and evenly distributed.
Pro tip: Chill your cocktail glasses in the freezer before serving. This will help to keep your drinks cold and icy. Nobody likes a watery cocktail!
For more details, read our full Breville Super Q review.
3. Vitamix Ascent A2300
The Vitamix Ascent A2300 is another standout choice for crushed ice. We actually named it the ‘best blender for ice’, even though it doesn't have a specific ice setting. We tossed a tray of 14 ice cubes into the pitcher, set the speed to 4 and pulsed 18 times. It took roughly 18 seconds to achieve beautifully even, snowy crushed ice without any pesky chunks. Performance-wise, this blender can turn its hand to anything – definitely a more solid investment if you’re looking for more than a slushie maker.
The large pitcher capacity would be ideal for serving frozé for a crowd. Vitamix has a frozé recipe on their website, which involves blending a bottle of rosé with strawberries and sugar on the puree setting, then pouring the mixture into a deep roasting tin to freeze overnight. Just before your party starts, you can re-blend the frozen mixture until it reaches the perfect slushy consistency.
Pro tip: Keep an eye on the blending time. The spinning blades generate heat, so it’s best to blend in short, sharp bursts to avoid melting the ice. Luckily, this Vitamix has a built-in digital timer to help you.
Final Thoughts
If you’re after instant gratification and spontaneous frozen drinks, the Ninja Slushi looks like your go-to gadget. Its rapid chill technology supposedly takes your drinks from zero to frozen in as little as fifteen minutes and keeps them that way for twelve hours. It sounds ideal for entertaining. Once I’ve tested it (it's on route to me right now), I’ll report straight back.
However, with the help of a powerful blender or ice cream maker, you can still enjoy frozen drinks this summer. Or at least, while you wait for the Ninja Slushi to become available again.
FAQs
What’s the difference between the Ninja Creami and Ninja Slushi?
According to Ninja’s website, their Slushi model is their fastest offering for making slushies and frozen beverages. Also, the Whisperchill™ compressor can keep your treats at a frosty temperature for up to 12 hours. It seems more suitable for serving a crowd. I’m going to test this product shortly, and I’ll report back on its success.
We’ve already tested the Ninja Creami Deluxe, and found it needs preparation 24 hours ahead as you have to process the blend twice. Whilst this creates dreamily creamy results, it might not suit more spontaneous people. Also, there’s no vessel that will keep your ice cream or frozen drink cold.
When will the Ninja Slushi be back in stock?
I don’t have any intel right now. Ninja are keeping us on our toes. Your best bet is to join their email waiting list. As soon as I hear anything, I’ll let you know.
Can ice cubes damage my blender?
Yes, ice can potentially damage your blender, especially if the blade isn’t designed to handle hard, frozen ingredients. This would be an expensive mistake to make. To minimize the risk, make sure your blender is has an 'ice-crushing' feature. You can refer to our guide to the best models on the market for support.
