he summer can be quite hot, yes, we can all agree but with heat also comes dehydration. Having a shaved ice machine at home can not only help you keep cool, but can also keep you hydrated. It gives you the ability to prepare as many different flavors of shaved ice drinks as you want, without putting a strain on your budget.
However, choosing the best shaved ice machine on the market can be quite a task. Nevertheless, we got you covered, so here is a quick rundown of some of our top picks...
The Best Shaved Ice Machines Reviews
1. Little Snowie 2 Ice Shaver – Premium Shaved Ice Machine
Starting off the list is this premium ice shavings machine. Little Snowie 2 is a budget-friendly way to enjoy snowballs at any time. You get the exact taste and quality as though you were in an amusement park, concert, or local shaved ice shack.
This patented ice shaver has a slick build quality. And it is about the size of a coffee pot and should fit perfectly in your kitchen.
Safety first…
It also features a safety lid which must be closed completely before it can operate. The blade is designed for commercial precision, made from stainless steel. The electric motor has a power of 1000-watt.
Little Snowie 2 is a combination of power, durability, and speed. Additionally, you also get some add-on accessories which include six bottles of sample-sized flavored syrup at absolutely no additional cost.
PROS
- Budget-friendly.
- Superfast.
- Extra add-ons like syrup.
- Fits into most modern kitchens.
- One year warranty.
CONS
- It can be a bit too loud.
2. Great Northern Premium Quality Ice Cub Shaved Ice Machine
Next up, we have this high-end ice shaving machine, designed for commercial ice shavings. The Great Northern produces the finest grade of ice shavings. Although it may not fit perfectly into your kitchen setup, you can be sure of the smoothest ice shaves.
Built to last…
Great Northern premium ice shaving machine has stainless steel and brass construction alongside long-lasting fully adjustable stainless steel shaving blades. It is powered by a heavy-duty motor making it possible to shave up to 350lbs/hour. And weighs roughly 55lbs which is quite heavy but has a unique blend of style and durability.
Bear in mind that for ease of operation, you also get a four paged user guide. The Great Northern does not come with any additional accessories, but you get optimal performance, warranty, and durability.
Cleaning is also super easy and can be done with a damp piece of cloth. Always ensure it dries before putting in storage to prevent rust.
PROS
- Premium construction.
- Produces the softest ice on the planet.
- Clean up is straightforward and easy.
CONS
- The price is slightly on the high side.
3. Nostalgia Scm502 Vintage Snow Cone Maker
This top-rated budget-friendly snow cone maker brings the party indoors. Giving you a whole fun experience. Designed to hold about twenty cones (20 lbs) at once you can be sure of everyone getting a share.
Share and share alike…
There is love in sharing and sharing snow cones, especially with friends and loved ones during the summer shows that you truly care.
Nostalgia is a box-shaped snow cone producer with a unique build. It features a safety switch, 360 degrees viewing chamber, a side shelf to hold two cones as well as two (8 oz) reusable plastic cones alongside an ice scoop. The blades are made up of stainless steel.
PROS
- Suited for a large crowd.
- Produces different variants.
- Quiet and takes up space.
CONS
- None apart from no syrup, but we are being picky now.
4. Hawaiian Shaved Ice S900A Shaved Ice And Snow Cone Machine
Our next snow cone machine is the Hawaiian Shaved Ice, and Snow Cone Machine made for shaved ice lovers. It is super easy to assemble and use, and comes with two ice molds to freeze round ice blocks. This machine blends perfectly into the kitchen as it has a superb design.
Great for margaritas…
Hawaiian ice shaver innovative design also features a precision-cut stainless steel blade to give you enjoyable consistency and softness. It works perfectly for snow cones, as well as for margaritas and other fun drinks. The ice shaver is also easy to operate and does not require too much technical knowledge to produce results.
It is safe and durable; however, it is advisable not to use it to crush large quantities of ice to prevent overheating. It’s best to not leave it running for more than two minutes at any given time.
PROS
- Super easy to operate.
- Fits into the kitchen.
- Userfriendly.
- Perfect for wine slushes.
CONS
- It can easily overheat and is built for small ice quantities only.
5. Hawaiian Shaved Ice S900A Shaved Ice And Snow Cone Machine
Another one from the Hawaiian family is this super cool machine capable of crushing ice at 50lbs per hour. It is designed to make life fun and easy.
What’s in the box?
It comes with some useful accessories such as snow cups, spoon straws, double round ice mold, etc. And the instructions are straightforward, and if followed, you can be sure of the best results.
PROS
- Lots of useful accessories.
- Easy to operate and maintain.
- Shaves to any texture you want.
CONS
- Ice is usually leftover after use.
6. Zeny Commercial Industrial Quality Ice Shaver
This is another industrial ice shaver designed for large quantity ice shaving. It is very durable and features an all-round steel construction.
Although you do not get any accessories, you can be sure of productivity. It can generate 440 lbs of ice per hour which is so far the largest we have seen in this review. Considering how much it produces, it would be safe to assume it consumes more power right?
But that is not the case as this high-end commercial ice shaver uses a quarter of the energy Little Snowie 2 (the first product we reviewed) uses. Yes, it runs on 250-watts only.
Just like real snow…
Zeny produces ice shavings as perfect and consistent as snow. It is so far the best value on the market delivering, quality, and quantity within a short time frame. And it is very easy to use and does not require any technical knowledge.
It is also safe, highly efficient, and energy-saving. And you do not need a warranty for this product as the build speaks for itself. It is also lightweight, weighs almost 18 lbs.
PROS
- Incredible build.
- Energy-saving.
- Super easy to use and clean.
CONS
- Quite loud.
7. Waring Pro Scm100 Professional Snow Cone Maker
Waring Pro is a unique blend of style and durability. It is going to cost you a bit more; however, you can be sure of the quality. It features a pull-out serving tray, professional motor and blade with the interlock safety feature. And it is also durable enough to withstand any amount of ice.
That’s not all…
The Waring Pro comes with four reusable BPA-free plastic cones. It is kid-friendly and ideal for your home, coupled, with the speed you deserve.
PROS
- Lightweight and compact.
- Perfect for normal usage.
- Useful accessories.
CONS
- Price is a bit on the high side.
- The plastic build makes it look a little cheap.
8. Time For Treats Avalanche Electric Ice Shaver Snow Cone Maker VKP1100
This top-value avalanche electric ice shaver is all you need to get the best stylish slushies, party drinks, and frozen treats. It does not require any special ice molds as it uses any regular ice cube. And features an adjustable stainless steel blade. It is also quite easy to operate, but you must ensure the lid is closed during operation.
Here’s why…
Unfortunately, it doesn’t come with the default setting in which the lid must be shut before it works. Therefore extra precautionary measures must be set in place. On the other hand, it makes less noise and is very home friendly. It can shave to a small size and produces great results.
PROS
- Does not make much noise.
- Easy to operate and use.
CONS
- Can operate without the lid being fully closed.
- Time-consuming.
- Designed from plastic.
9. Costzon Electric Ice Crusher, Stainless Steel Ice Shaved Machine
This is a must-have for every ice shave lover as it fits perfectly into your home. It comes with advanced shaving blades which makes it quite efficient, allowing it to cut off about 27 lbs per hour. Although that may not be a lot for some people, it should be more than enough.
It has a funnel-like design that takes in any kind of ice regardless of the mold.
PROS
- Waterproof switch.
- Works for home and commercial use.
CONS
- The drainage is not very efficient.
10. 200w Electric Snow Cone Maker Ice Shaver Machine
Finally, we have this outstanding product which is bound to exceed your expectations. This highly efficient electric snow cone maker will give you the best desserts imaginable. It features shaving blades, hoppers, and an ice bowl with all-round stainless steel construction. The solid motor can prepare up to 143 lbs of shaved ice within the hour.
How can you actually use this?
Well, to use this machine all you need is to flip the switch, add the ice hoppers and then push the hand to begin use. Sounds straightforward right? Indeed it is easy to use. You can be guaranteed of your safety as the switch is waterproof and the machine automatically goes off if you open the hopper handle.
You might not find it super easy to clean and maintain and its style might not blend into your kitchen perfectly, however, it does get the job done with high efficiency.
PROS
- Easy to operate.
- Safe and durable.
- Very efficient.
- Rust resistance.
CONS
- Not so easy to clean as it is somewhat uneven.
Best Shaved Ice Machine Buying Guide
There are a couple of important things to check out when you are looking to buy an ice shaving machine. The convenience of preparing your ice drinks any time you want sounds great. However, it will be short-lived if the wrong choice is made. Below are some of the things you should consider…
Durability
Getting a durable product is always recommended. The best shaved ice machine should be durable enough to handle your needs. It is, therefore, preferable to stick with stainless steel builds. Taking it a step further, if the material is designed with rustproof stainless steel, it will make it easy to clean and maintain.
Safety
Nothing beats the convenience, fun, and excitement of having ice shavers! Especially during the summer, but it is not worth the safety of you or your loved ones. Look out for those who go the extra mile to guarantee safety. One of which is ensuring that it features a safety switch. Also, making sure there are warning signs if something is not set properly.
Accessories
Some manufacturers like to include accessories. These make it super convenient as you won’t need to purchase additional items.
Ease Of Use
When you buy fun equipment, you shouldn’t need an expert to show you how to use it. Whether it is a simple or an industrial ice shaving machine, it should be as simple as possible to use. It’s especially important that kids also find it easy to use.
Efficiency
This is vital, and you should favor a durable and efficient ice machine. Efficiency is measured by the quantity it can produce per hour. Therefore these machines produce more in less time.
Warranty
The strength of a warranty shows how confident a manufacturer is with their product. So bear this in mind when choosing a product.
So What’s The Best Shaved Ice Machine?
Hopefully, having gone through this review, you are now much more confident in knowing which is the best shaved ice machine for your particular needs.
Our favorite is the…
ZENY Commercial Industrial Quality Ice Shaver
It has a combination of power, durability, and efficiency and is superb for both home and commercial use.
Happy ice-shaving!
