Ninja Slushi Review

When I was a kid there was nothing quite like an ice-cold blue raspberry convenience store Slurpee to get me through the day. (It’s tough being a five-year-old.) That blue, saccharine slushie was almost creamy, with a fizzy tang from the neon syrup mixed in. It was a huge treat since my parents were staunchly anti-junk food, save for the occasional box of mac and cheese. 

I still love a good slushie, and while blue raspberry will always hold a place in my heart, I’ve also developed a liking for more adult frozen treats: icy margaritas, frosé, or a luscious, creamy piña colada. While these are usually reserved for restaurant orders, the Ninja Slushi has been making waves online for its ability to whip up tasty frozen treats at home. So, in the spirit of my five-year-old self, I gave it a try, using it to make frozen juice, a slushy, a frappé, and a cocktail to see if it was any good. 

The Tests

• Frozen Juice Test: I used the Frozen Juice function to turn orange juice into an icy mixture, noting how easy it was to fill and dispense from the machine. I also evaluated the final texture and taste, and if the machine was easy to clean. 
• Slushie Test: I made an apple cider slushie using the Slushie function. I noted how long it took to freeze, the resulting texture, and if the machine was easy to use and clean. 
• Frozen Cocktail Test: I followed a Ninja recipe for a frozen Painkiller. I wanted to see how the Ninja Slushi performed when making an alcoholic beverage since alcohol can inhibit freezing. 
• Frappé Test: I followed a Ninja recipe for a pumpkin spice frappé to see how the machine handled a dairy-based drink. 

What We Learned 

It Was Easy to Use, and the Results Were Surprisingly Good 

I went into testing expecting to have to pore over the manual. But the Slushi proved easy to use. I just poured liquids into the tank, turned the machine on, and then selected the function (slush, spiked slush, frappé, milkshake, or frozen juice) and freeze level (one to 10). The auger inside started spinning, splashing the liquid over a chilled metal cylinder, slowly freezing it into cold, crystalline pieces. Once it reached the proper consistency, the machine beeped to let me know it was finished. 

While not exactly as smooth and silky as a drink made with an industrial machine, all of the treats I made were frosty and delicious. The cider slushy was frozen into small, even flakes, while the pumpkin spice frappe had a chunky but flaky texture that was easy to sip through a straw. I was most impressed with the Painkiller spiked slush, which had a near-creamy texture with very fine ice flakes. Overall, whether it was juice, a dairy delight, or a frozen cocktail, the Ninja successfully froze everything I put in it. 

A quick note about alcoholic drinks: Since alcohol inhibits freezing, a spiked slushie made with the Ninja can only be gently alcoholic. Ninja’s Painkiller recipe called for a quarter cup of rum, and the drink served two to three people, which shakes out to a little over a tablespoon of rum per person (way less than the customary two ounces). 

It’s Big—But Quiet 

The slushie machines I’ve seen in restaurants and convenience stores are large; they have to be since they hold gallons of slush ready to serve all day. While the Ninja Slushi is far from as big as its industrial cousins, it still takes up a good amount of counter and storage space. It’s 16.3 by 6.5 by 17 inches and has an 88-ounce-capacity tank (about 11 cups), meaning if you have low cabinets, it might not fit. I luckily had cabinets that were tall enough to accommodate it, but storage proved more difficult. I wound up relegating it to the basement after use. So, if you really want the Ninja Slushi, be ready for its large size. 

Considering how big it was and how long it ran when chilling liquids, the Slushi was surprisingly quiet. Think dishwasher-running background noise—hardly the screech of the Ninja Creami, another icy treat machine. 

It Can Take a Long Time 

The manual notes that “creating drinks can take up to 15–60 minutes depending on ingredients, volume, and starting temperature.” I’d err on the side of caution here, especially if you’re planning to serve a group. When I made a cider slushie with the Slush function on level six (the frozen-level range is from one to 10), it took about an hour for the 2.25 cups of juice to become a cohesive slush. While the frozen Painkiller came together in about 45 minutes, the cider slushie kept churning for another 30, which was puzzling. The machine didn’t beep and instead automatically shut off when the mixture became too thick. (I’m not really sure what happened here.) The frappé bucked the longer timeline trend and took a mere 18 minutes to coagulate into a slurpable treat. 

In addition to planning your recipe ahead of time, Ninja recommends keeping the machine “upright for at least 2 hours before first use.” This is its natural state, so it should be easy enough to do. 

The Verdict 

The Ninja Slushi machine was easy to use and produced nicely textured frozen drinks. It worked well with a variety of ingredients, even dairy and alcohol. The machine is large, though, so if storage or counter space is an issue, be warned. 

Pros

The Ninja Slushi does its namesake task well. It successfully made frosty frozen juice, slurpable slushies, and frothy frappés. I liked how easy it was to use: Just open the latch on the tank, add your ingredients, select your function and freeze level, and the machine will start whirring. The rinse function was helpful, too, making it easier to fully clean the tank of any sugary residue. 

Cons 

It’s not all fun and games with the Ninja Slushi—there are a few pitfalls. First, its large stature makes it difficult to store, and if you have low cabinets, good luck fitting it on your countertop. Second, the dispenser isn’t super efficient—you have to keep the machine running to serve slushies, which plop and glop into a glass rather than stream smoothly. The texture of the frozen drinks, while good, wasn’t quite as silky as ones made by an industrial machine. It was a little messy to clean too. Some liquid collected in the catch basin beneath the tank and spilled everywhere when I removed it. Finally, it’s expensive considering it likely won’t be used daily—unless you’re a slushie fiend. 

Key Specs 

• Dimensions: 16.3 x 6.5 x 17 inches
• Weight: 24.25 pounds
• Wattage: 200 watts
• Tank capacity: 88 fluid ounces (11 cups)
• Functions: Slush, spiked slush, frappé, milkshake, and frozen juice
• Cleaning: Run rinse cycle to clean nooks and crannies. Then, remove the tank and wash with warm, soapy water. Rinse thoroughly and allow to air dry. 

Why We’re the Experts

• Grace Kelly is an editor at Serious Eats, where she specializes in all things kitchen gear. 
• She’s been reviewing kitchen equipment for about three years. 
• She worked in restaurant kitchens and bars and has been a journalist for nearly 10 years.  
• For this review, Grace tested the Ninja Slushi by indulging her childhood hankering for slushies and testing nearly every function.