Better Than Store-Bought: The Best Gear for Homemade Popsicles, Slushies, and Ice Cream

It’s officially summer, and prime time for ice cream, ice pops, slushies, and more. Making frozen treats at home lets you customize flavors and accommodate dietary restrictions, and having the right tools on hand can help make the process more fun.

Wirecutter senior kitchen editor Marilyn Ong walks us through the most reliable gear for every type of frozen treat, from $10 ice pop molds to an $800 gelato maker. Plus, she reveals Wirecutter’s take on popular gadgets like the Ninja Creami, Ninja Slushi, and KitchenAid shaved ice attachment.

We also hear from Wirecutter experts Lesley Stockton, Ciara Murray Jordan, and Kathleen Squires, who share their favorite treat recipes and tips for making great frozen treats.

This episode covers:

• Why DIY treats are worth making: You won’t necessarily save money on ingredients, but you will have total control over those ingredients. You can control the sugar content, dairy options, and flavor combinations.

• Popsicle molds that actually work: Our favorite ice pop molds are easy to fill and release with little effort. You can choose from kid-friendly shapes (think fun animal shapes) all the way to refined classic molds fit for adults.

• Shaved ice and slushie makers we like: The KitchenAid shaved ice attachment is a powerhouse for making Bingsu (a popular Korean-style shaved ice), while our kitchen team was surprised by how much they like the Ninja Slushi for making frozen drinks at home.

• Why we don't recommend the Ninja Creami: Despite its viral popularity for making healthier frozen treats, in our testing it resulted in burning smells and complaints of plastic shavings.

• Choosing an ice cream maker: Start by asking yourself how much you’re willing to spend and the texture you want to create. Our recommendations range from a $60 option that makes denser scoops, to an $800 machine that makes smooth, airy gelato.

Products we recommend:

• Traditional, easytomake popsTovolo Classic Pop Molds with Tray ()

• A colorful spin on the classicWilliams Sonoma Rainbow Pop Molds ()

• Best metal pop moldsEcozoi Stainless Steel Popsicle Molds ()

• Lieflat molds in cute shapesZoku Cat and Dog Ice Pop Mold ()

• Best pushpop style moldsChef’n Sweet Spot Ice Pop Maker ()

• Easy to tuck in a crowded freezerTovolo Classic Stackable Pop Molds ()

• For sweet treats, cocktails, and moreKitchenAid Shave Ice Attachment ()

• An athome frozen drink makerNinja Slushi ()

• The best ice cream makerCuisinart ICE21P1 ()

• A great compressor model for lightertexture ice creamWhynter ICM201SB ()

• A great compressor model for denser ice creamWhynter ICM15LS ( )

• The best of the best ice cream makerLello 4080 Musso Lussino ()

• An inexpensive slushie cupFrozen Magic Squeezie Cup ()

• A higherend slushie cup ZOKU Original Slush and Shake Maker ()

• Marilyn lovesBissell Little Green ()

The Wirecutter Show is executive produced by Rosie Guerin and produced by Abigail Keel.Engineering support from Maddy Masiello and Nick Pitman. Episodes are mixed by Catherine Anderson, Efim Shapiro, Rowan Niemisto, Sophia Lanman, and Sonia Herrero. Original music by Dan Powell, Marion Lozano, Elisheba Ittoop, Catherine Anderson, Rowan Niemisto and Diane Wong. Wirecutter’s deputy publisher and general manager is Cliff Levy. Ben Frumin is Wirecutter’s editor-in-chief. Hosted by Rosie Guerin, Caira Blackwell and Christine Cyr Clisset.

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