Ninja Creami Models Compared: Which One Is Right for You? (With Side-by-Side Chart)

Ninja Creami Models

There are a couple of different versions. One is not necessarily better than the other. It is a matter of preference.

1. Original 5-1
2. Original 7-1
3. Breeze 5-1
4. Breeze 7-1
5. Deluxe 11-1
6. Swirl 13-1

Each model has different variations in the numbers and letters for the model.  The numbers and letters in the model number vary based on retailer, accessories, and color.  If you buy an original machine with 7 functions,  you’ll see many different model numbers, but the machine itself is the same; however, based on the model number, it might have 2 containers or 3 or 4.  It just depends on where you buy it. 

The breeze models are no longer available and accessories are very hard to find.  For this reason, the breeze won’t be taken into consideration in the following information.  

How to decide?

To determine which model is right for you, you need to ask yourself 3 questions.

1. How much ice cream do you want to make at one time?  The original machine and the Swirl machine can only make 16 ounces of ice cream at once.  The deluxe can make 24 ounces of ice cream at once.  Both models can make smaller portions, if you prefer (you don’t have to fill the container all the way up when making ice cream).
2. Do you NEED the extra functions that come with the deluxe machine?  Most functions can be "replicated" using a different function on the original and Swirl machine, with the exception of frozen drinks, slushi, and creamiccino. If you don't need to have those functions, then the original machine will work just fine. If those functions are "must haves" for you, then buy the Ninja Creami Deluxe.
3. Will you use the gelato or smoothie bowl functions? The original 5-1 and 7-1 are basically the same. The only difference is the 7-1 has the gelato and smoothie bowl functions. The original 5-1 is more difficult to find in stock as it is only sold at Walmart.
4. Do you want to turn your Ninja Creami ice cream into a softer version that can be swirled into an ice cream cone?  The Ninja Swirl by Creami allows you to turn ice cream that you have made using the Ninja Creami into a soft serve version that gets extruded through the left side of the machine.  It’s the same ice cream, just softer and now it can be swirled into a cone.  The Swirl machine does not freeze the ice cream.  You still need to make the ice cream base, freeze it, process it, and then process it again on the left side of the machine so that it is softer in consistency.  The Swirl cannot make frozen drinks like the deluxe can.  

You don't HAVE TO HAVE a frozen yogurt button to make frozen yogurt. You can use lite ice cream instead. You don't HAVE TO HAVE gelato to make a recipe that is similar to gelato. You can achieve that texture with different ingredients, using a different function. In my opinion, the ingredients are more important than the button that you press, in most cases.