Barry Lewis's Ninja Swirl Review

Ninja · Frozen Treats & Drink Makers · Reviewed by Barry Lewis · Published 2026-05-14

Rating 4.5/5Source quality 100/100Evidence 15Claims 10Q&A 6Pros 8Cons 5Frozen Treats & Drink MakersIndependent creator

Based on a review by Barry Lewis (accessed 2026-05-14).

This page converts Barry Lewis's review of the Ninja Ninja Swirl into structured evidence — timestamped claims, pros & cons, and buyer questions. It is not the original review and does not replace watching or reading the full source.

Product Evidence hub pending. This is currently the only analysed source for this product. A full evidence hub becomes available once a second qualifying source is processed.

Source verdict

The reviewer concludes that despite being loud and expensive, the Ninja Swirl "might actually be better" than the Creami. He found the ice cream quality to be exceptionally delicious, though the soft serve consistency was sometimes runny, and questioned if the upgrade cost is truly worth it for the soft serve mechanism which primarily pushes ice cream into shape.

About this source

Barry Lewis reviews the Ninja Swirl, a new kitchen gadget compared to the Ninja Creami. He tests its performance with homemade ice cream recipes, including a Häagen-Dazs style cookies and cream and blueberry soft serve, examining its features, usability, and the quality of the frozen desserts it produces.

Review notes

The Ninja Swirl is a surprisingly effective upgrade for soft serve enthusiasts, despite its high price and significant noise output. While the machine produces a "train-like screeching" during operation, the reviewer found the homemade cookies and cream ice cream to be "upgraded Häagen-Dazs" and "one of the nicest ice creams" he had ever had, achieving a "creamy, rich, velvety, and very very moorish" consistency on the first spin. If you prioritize authentic soft-serve style frozen treats and are willing to invest in a premium, loud appliance, the Ninja Swirl is a strong contender. However, if noise and cost are major concerns, a standard Creami might suffice for good quality ice cream.

What the reviewer liked

  • Produces incredibly creamy, rich, velvety, and moorish ice cream
  • Creates upgraded Häagen-Dazs style consistency
  • Dishwasher-safe parts (paddle, lid, tubs)
  • Locks in tubs and paddle very well
  • No re-spin often needed for a good texture on initial scoop
  • Ability to dispense soft serve with a piping nozzle effect
  • Retract button for soft serve can be useful
  • Includes a drip tray for soft serve

What the reviewer criticised

  • Extremely loud, producing a "train-like screeching" noise
  • Expensive, adding significant cost compared to a Ninja Creami
  • Soft serve can be runny initially and not scoopable
  • Not truly soft serve, but rather extruded ice cream
  • Requires 24 hours of freezing for base mixes

Structured claims

The Ninja Swirl is fundamentally a Ninja Creami but with an additional soft serve attachment that significantly increases its price.

comparison_claimmoderate

The Ninja Swirl is significantly more expensive than the standard Creami due to the added £150 soft serve attachment.

measurement_claimmoderate

The Ninja Swirl is available in a cheaper platinum silver version, with limited edition colors costing an extra £50.

specification_claimstrong

The Ninja Swirl retains all the functionalities of the original Ninja Creami, such as making frozen yogurt, milkshakes, and sorbets, in addition to its new soft serve feature.

specification_claimstrong

The Ninja Swirl includes new features such as a retract button and a drip tray, which are useful for soft serve preparation and managing drips.

specification_claimmoderate

The Ninja Swirl uses redesigned tubs that feature a removable lid and a piping nozzle for dispensing, differing from the locking mechanism of standard Creami tubs.

comparison_claimmoderate

The Ninja Swirl generally receives positive customer ratings, with averages of 4.6 out of 5 stars on the Shark Ninja website and 4.3 out of 5 stars on Amazon.

specification_claimstrong

The Ninja Swirl produces exceptionally creamy, rich, and delicious ice cream with excellent texture, comparable to or better than premium store-bought options like Häagen-Dazs.

reviewer_claimstrong

The Ninja Swirl operates very loudly, is louder than the standard Creami, and its soft serve function primarily extrudes ice cream into shape rather than creating a true soft serve texture, leading to customer complaints of it being an "overpriced dispenser."

reviewer_claimstrong

The Ninja Swirl can produce ice cream with a runny or droopable consistency, making it less scoopable, despite its high-quality taste.

reviewer_claimmoderate

Evidence items

Ninja Swirl is a Creami with £150 attachment

reviewer_claimneutralt=0:34–0:41

The reviewer states the Ninja Swirl is essentially a Ninja Creami but with an additional £150 attachment on the side, raising questions about its value.

Source location: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=03rutbLn1FA

Platinum silver version is cheaper, colors cost more

specification_claimneutralt=0:50–0:57

The reviewer notes that the platinum silver version of the Ninja Swirl is the cheaper option, while limited edition colored versions cost an extra £50.

Source location: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=03rutbLn1FA

Retains Creami functions and adds soft serve button

specification_claimneutralt=1:10–1:20

The Ninja Swirl has a dedicated 'soft serve' button to activate that area, but also retains all the original Ninja Creami options like frozen yogurt, milkshakes, and sorbets.

Source location: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=03rutbLn1FA

Includes retract button and drip tray

specification_claimneutralt=1:29–1:39

The reviewer points out that the Ninja Swirl features a new retract button and a drip tray, which he expects to be useful for soft serve.

Source location: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=03rutbLn1FA

New tubs with piping nozzle vs. Creami feet

visual_inspectionneutralt=2:13–2:38

The reviewer compares the new Swirl tubs, which have a lid and a piping nozzle, to the standard Ninja Creami tubs that have feet for locking into place.

Source location: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=03rutbLn1FA

Positive customer ratings cited

specification_claimneutralt=2:48–3:02

The reviewer states the Ninja Swirl has an average of 4.6 out of 5 stars on the Shark Ninja website and 4.3 out of 5 stars on Amazon.

Source location: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=03rutbLn1FA

Customer complaints about noise and soft serve quality

reviewer_claimmixedt=3:55–4:15

The reviewer highlights negative customer feedback describing the Swirl as 'so loud' and criticizing that it 'doesn't actually make true soft' serve, merely pushing ice cream into shape, a point the reviewer partially agrees with.

Source location: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=03rutbLn1FA

Dishwasher safe components

specification_claimneutralt=5:17–5:18

The reviewer mentions that all components of the Ninja Swirl, similar to the Creami, are dishwasher safe.

Source location: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=03rutbLn1FA

Ninja Swirl is louder than Creami

comparisonnegativet=5:48–5:55

During operation, the reviewer notes that the Ninja Swirl is "slightly louder than the Creami," correcting his initial thought that the Creami was quieter.

Source location: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=03rutbLn1FA

Fantastic cookies and cream texture without re-spin

hands_on_demopositivet=6:07–6:18

After the first spin of the homemade cookies and cream ice cream, the reviewer expresses his satisfaction, noting the fantastic texture and that it didn't require a re-spin.

Source location: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=03rutbLn1FA

Cookies and cream taste like 'upgraded Häagen-Dazs'

reviewer_claimpositivet=6:53–7:12

The reviewer describes the cookies and cream ice cream as looking "absolutely identical to the real stuff" (Häagen-Dazs) and tasting like "upgraded Häagen-Dazs"—creamy, rich, velvety, and very moorish.

Source location: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=03rutbLn1FA

Runny cookies and cream consistency

hands_on_demonegativet=7:15–7:20

Despite the great taste, the reviewer observes that the cookies and cream ice cream has a "a little bit runny" consistency, making it "not scoopable" but rather "droopable" and effectively a "puddle."

Source location: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=03rutbLn1FA

Loud operation and potential overheating smell during soft serve

reviewer_claimnegativet=10:35–10:48

During the blueberry soft serve process, the reviewer states the machine is "very, very loud," "definitely louder than the Creami," and smells "slightly like it's overheating."

Source location: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=03rutbLn1FA

Blueberry ice cream has amazing color and marbling

visual_inspectionpositivet=10:52–11:06

After processing, the blueberry ice cream reveals marbling and is praised for its "amazing color" and "really good color."

Source location: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=03rutbLn1FA

Demonstrates soft serve lid and nozzle setup

hands_on_demoneutralt=11:07–11:30

The reviewer demonstrates attaching the special soft serve lid, aligning markers, and opening the nozzle, preparing the machine for dispensing soft serve.

Source location: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=03rutbLn1FA

Quick answers

  • Is the Ninja Swirl worth the upgrade if I already own a Ninja Creami? The Ninja Swirl is essentially a Ninja Creami with an additional £150 soft serve attachment.
  • How does the Ninja Swirl compare to the original Ninja Creami? The Ninja Swirl is fundamentally a Ninja Creami, sharing many internal components like the paddle and lid.
  • What is the quality of ice cream produced by the Ninja Swirl? The reviewer was highly impressed with the ice cream made by the Ninja Swirl, describing it as tasting like "upgraded Häagen-Dazs" – creamy, rich, velvety, and moorish.
  • Is the Ninja Swirl a loud appliance? The reviewer explicitly states that the Ninja Swirl is "very, very loud" and "definitely louder than the Creami." He also cites customer reviews that describe it as "so loud" and making "train-like screeching" noises.

Buyer questions answered

Is the Ninja Swirl worth the upgrade if I already own a Ninja Creami?

The Ninja Swirl is essentially a Ninja Creami with an additional £150 soft serve attachment. While it retains all the original Creami functions and makes excellent regular ice cream, the reviewer questions if the added cost for primarily a shaping mechanism is truly worth it for existing Creami owners.

How does the Ninja Swirl compare to the original Ninja Creami?

The Ninja Swirl is fundamentally a Ninja Creami, sharing many internal components like the paddle and lid. Its main difference is the added soft serve dispensing mechanism and a drip tray. The reviewer found the Swirl to be noticeably louder than the Creami during operation.

What is the quality of ice cream produced by the Ninja Swirl?

The reviewer was highly impressed with the ice cream made by the Ninja Swirl, describing it as tasting like "upgraded Häagen-Dazs" – creamy, rich, velvety, and moorish. It often achieved fantastic texture without needing a re-spin. However, he noted that the cookies and cream ice cream came out "a little bit runny" and "not scoopable."

Is the Ninja Swirl a loud appliance?

The reviewer explicitly states that the Ninja Swirl is "very, very loud" and "definitely louder than the Creami." He also cites customer reviews that describe it as "so loud" and making "train-like screeching" noises. He also noted a slight smell of overheating during use.

Does the Ninja Swirl make true soft serve ice cream?

The reviewer references customer complaints that the Swirl "doesn't actually make true soft at all," but "just pushes the ice cream into shape." He partially agrees with this assessment, questioning if users are simply "paying over the odds just to have your ice cream shaped."

What are the key features and accessories of the Ninja Swirl?

The Ninja Swirl features a dedicated soft serve button, a useful retract button, and a drip tray to catch spills. It comes with new tubs that include a special lid with a piping nozzle for dispensing. It also maintains all the capabilities of the standard Ninja Creami, such as making frozen yogurt, milkshakes, and sorbets.

Specs mentioned in this review

Platinum silver version is cheaper, colors cost more
The reviewer notes that the platinum silver version of the Ninja Swirl is the cheaper option, while limited edition colored versions cost an extra £50
Retains Creami functions and adds soft serve button
The Ninja Swirl has a dedicated 'soft serve' button to activate that area, but also retains all the original Ninja Creami options like frozen yogurt, milkshakes, and sorbets
Includes retract button and drip tray
The reviewer points out that the Ninja Swirl features a new retract button and a drip tray, which he expects to be useful for soft serve
Positive customer ratings cited
The reviewer states the Ninja Swirl has an average of 4
Dishwasher safe components
The reviewer mentions that all components of the Ninja Swirl, similar to the Creami, are dishwasher safe

Not covered in depth by this source

  • Not covered: Fit & Sizing
  • Not covered: Ride Feel
  • Not covered: Durability
  • Not covered: Stability
  • Not covered: Traction
  • Not covered: Weight
  • Not covered: Breathability

Why this source is included

100/100 source quality

  • ✓ Independent of the brand
  • ✓ Hands-on demonstration
  • ✓ Specific testing or measurements
  • ✓ Clear sponsorship / relationship disclosure

Transcript summary

In this video, Barry Lewis puts the viral Ninja Swirl to the test, comparing it to the Ninja Creami and assessing if its £150 soft serve attachment is a worthwhile upgrade. He prepares several homemade ice cream bases, including a Häagen-Dazs style cookies and cream and blueberry soft serve, evaluating the machine's noise levels, ease of use, and the final texture and taste of the frozen treats. While praising the deliciousness of the ice cream, he notes the machine is significantly louder than the Creami and observes that the soft serve function primarily extrudes rather than creates a traditional soft serve texture.

Full transcript is not redistributed here to respect the original creator’s rights.

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