1. How many drinks per batch?
Batch size is the biggest difference between machines. Ninja quotes servings of 260 ml, which is a useful yardstick. These are the makers’ maximum liquid fills:
| Machine | Maximum fill | About how many 260 ml drinks |
|---|---|---|
| Tower Slush ’n’ Whip | 1,050 ml | 4 |
| Cuisinart Frost Fusion | 1,600 ml | 6 |
| Ninja SLUSHi / SlushAssist, Tower Slushie Fusion | 1,900 ml | 7 |
| Ninja SLUSHi Twist (two vessels) | 2 × 1,420 ml | 10 |
| Ninja SLUSHi XL | 2,840 ml | 10 |
| Ninja SLUSHi MAX | 3,310 ml | 12 |
A bigger batch also takes longer to freeze — Ninja says times depend on ingredients, volume and starting temperature.
2. One flavour or two?
The Ninja SLUSHi Twist runs two vessels at once. That is handy for two flavours, or for a children’s batch beside a grown-up one — as long as the cups are clearly different colours.
3. Frozen cocktails?
Most of the compressor machines here are made with frozen cocktails or frozen wine in mind, but only Ninja publishes alcohol limits: 2.8–16% ABV for the original SLUSHi and up to 20% for the XL, MAX and Twist. Tower and Cuisinart don’t publish a figure. See frozen cocktails and vodka slushies.
4. Presets or one button?
The original SLUSHi has five presets. The SlushAssist models sense what is in the vessel and adjust themselves; the XL and MAX offer both. If you like control, presets plus temperature levels are useful; if you just want slush, one button is simpler.
5. Slush and soft serve?
The Tower Slush ’n’ Whip and Cuisinart Frost Fusion switch between slush and soft-serve ice cream. They make smaller slush batches than the dedicated machines.
Other kinds of “slush maker”
- Freeze-first processors such as the Ninja CREAMi Deluxe have a Slushi programme but no freezer: you freeze the base in a tub first.
- Squeeze cups have no power at all: you chill the cup in your freezer, pour in a cold drink and squeeze. Fun for one drink; not a party machine.
- Commercial granita machines hold far more and are built for events — see our commercial machine guide.
Before you buy
- Check the model number. UK Ninja models end in “UK” (for example FS301UK); we found a US Ninja model listed on Amazon.co.uk in October 2026.
- Measure your worktop: Ninja lists its SLUSHi machines at roughly 41–53 cm tall and 12–16 kg.
- Compare up to three machines side by side on our compare page.