This article provides a first-glance comparison between the Pacojet and Ninja CREAMi ice cream maker with pint containers; two pieces of kitchen equipment that appear to be built and operate in a similar manner. I am hoping to provide a thorough Ninja CREAMi review once I get my hands on a unit.
I first learned about the Pacojet while reading Modernist Cuisine, which lists it as a top-ten “must-have tool for the modernist kitchen.”
The Pacojet is an expensive Swiss manufactured piece of commercial kitchen equipment, coveted by many professional chefs and food enthusiasts, that will quickly make incredibly smooth ice cream, sorbet, mousses, and sauces from frozen food. It works by freezing ingredients in a stainless steel canister; the canister is then attached to the machine and a very powerful blade spins at a 2,000 RPM and works its way to the bottom of the canister—a process that Pacojet calls “micro-pureeing” and “pacotizing”. This differs from traditional ice cream machines that rely on the churning method.
A big obstacle to obtaining the Pacojet for the home kitchen is the price tag of several thousand dollars, which is out of reach for many home cooks. That’s why I was pleasantly surprised when I learned about the Ninja CREAMi which appears to operate in a very similar way to the Pacojet.
The Ninja CREAMi advertises itself as an ice cream, sorbet, and milkshake maker and is reasonably priced. The Ninja CREAMi uses the same process as the Pacojet to turn canisters of frozen food into smooth and creamy creations. Ninja says the CREAMi can turn almost anything into an ice cream, sorbet, or milkshake; enabling you to make low sugar, keto, dairy-free, and vegan versions of your favorite frozen treats.
Ninja CREAMi vs. Pacojet
When you look at the blade system on the Ninja CREAMi and compare it to the blade on the Pacojet, you can see that they are very similar. Ninja labels one of their blades as a “smoothing blade” and another one of their blades as a “shaving blade”. When you compare this to Pacojet’s blades in the picture below, you can see that they are designed in a very similar way.
One has to wonder about the durability of Ninja’s blades compared to Pacojet’s blades because the Pacojet is built for the commercial kitchen while the Ninja is made for home kitchens.
Commercial quality can also be seen in Pacojet’s stainless steel containers, while the Ninja has plastic containers. Additionally, the Pacojet’s blades are advertised to spin at 2,000 RPM; I can’t find a published blade speed for the Ninja CREAMi. While these quality differences are obvious, I’m left wondering if the difference in quality is worth thousands of more dollars.
The Ninja CREAMi comes with 3 pint sized containers and lids. The containers, lids, and paddle are all dishwasher safe.
- 7-IN-1 ICE CREAM MAKER -- A FROZEN TREAT FOR EVERY CRAVING: Choose from 7 one-touch programs -- Ice Cream, Gelato, Sorbet, Milkshake, Smoothie Bowl, Lite Ice Cream, and Mix-In --each delivering the perfect combination of speed, pressure, and time for soft, creamy results.
- CREAMIFY TECHNOLOGY -- INCREDIBLY SMOOTH, CREAMY RESULTS: Ninja's exclusive Creamify Technology finely shaves through a uniformly frozen pint, transforming it into smooth textured frozen desserts in minutes.
- MAKE IT YOUR WAY -- TOTAL INGREDIENT CONTROL: Create protein-packed ice cream, low-sugar sorbet, dairy-free treats, and vegan options -- all from scratch with ingredients you choose. No preservatives, no fillers, just the flavors you love.
- MIX-INS -- BUILD YOUR PERFECT PINT: After processing, mix in your favorite mix-ins – chocolate chips, candy, nuts, fruit, cookies, and more -- to customize every scoop. The Mix-In program distributes add-ins evenly throughout your frozen treat.
- THREE STEPS TO YOUR PERFECT FROZEN TREAT: Prep your base, freeze for 24 hours, and process in minutes. The Re-spin function lets you process a second time for an even softer, creamier texture -- no guesswork.
Pricing last updated on October 15, 2026 - 11:53 MDT. Pricing and images from Amazon Product Advertising API. Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply to the purchase of this product.
NEW: Ninja CREAMi Deluxe
- ORIGINAL CREAMi XL DELUXE: The first-generation CREAMi XL Deluxe — 11 one-touch programs including ice cream, sorbet, gelato, Italian ice, and frozen yogurt.
- XL CAPACITY: Create family-sized treats with (2) 24 oz. XL Tubs — 50% more capacity than the original CREAMi pint.
- DUAL PROCESSING: Turn one frozen base into two separate mix-in flavors in the same tub.
- TOTAL INGREDIENT CONTROL: Dial in low-sugar, protein-packed, dairy-free, and other customized treats.
- EASY TO USE: Just 3 simple steps — prepare, freeze, process, and enjoy.
Pricing last updated on October 15, 2026 - 13:32 MDT. Pricing and images from Amazon Product Advertising API. Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply to the purchase of this product.
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December 2022 Update: Did you enjoy this comparison between the Ninja CREAMi and the Pacojet? Since writing this, I’ve gotten my hands on a Ninja CREAMi and have been thoroughly enjoying it! Be sure to read my detailed in-depth review of the Ninja CREAMi.
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