The Costco Gadget That’s Taking On Ninja’s Ice Cream and Drink Maker at Once
Homemade ice cream used to mean an all-day project with rock salt and patience. Now it's an arms race. TikTok's flooded with countertop experiments, Ninja's Creami still dominating feeds, Target's Dash My Mug turning single-serves into instant satisfaction, and high-end picks like Cuisinart's Stainless-Steel Electric Ice Cream Maker or GreenPan's Frost competing for kitchen real estate. Everyone wants the magic combo: small footprint, quick churn and scoop-shop results.
Costco, never one to sit out a craze, just stepped into the ring. The warehouse giant quietly dropped the Gourmia 2-Quart Automatic Soft Serve and Frozen Drink Maker, and it's already stirring up comparisons. The machine claims to do what two of Ninja's best-sellers—the Creami and the Slushi do, but for a lot less money.
Gourmia 2 Quart Automatic Soft Serve Ice Cream and Frozen Drink Maker, $199 at Costco
Costco
At $199, the Gourmia undercuts Ninja's lineup by a solid margin, and it doesn't skimp on versatility. The stainless-steel machine churns out soft serve, sorbet, slushies, and frozen cocktails with one-touch presets. Even better, it skips the pre-freeze step that's long been the bane of at-home ice cream making. It's a small but crucial win for anyone who has ever lost freezer space to another plastic drum.
Space might actually be the Gourmia's biggest win. Most at-home ice cream and slushie setups require two separate machines, equating to two counter spots. The Gourmia folds both into one compact base that's smaller than most air fryers. It's an easy fit for small kitchens, apartments, or anyone who's maxed out their counter space but still wants frozen drinks and soft serve without the appliance sprawl.
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The early buzz has been strong. Delish called it "a cross between the Ninja Creami and Slushi—and it's half the price." Allrecipes described it as "the perfect middle ground between soft serve and smoothie." Even Reddit users, never shy about Costco commentary, are asking, "Is there a reason not to get this?"
More than anything, this appliance aligns with Costco's pattern of offering affordable and practical innovations. While Ninja leans on influencer hype and gadget aesthetics, Costco continues to find ways to deliver similar products at affordable prices. The Gourmia feels like it checks all the boxes: reliable, straightforward and built for the kind of weeknight indulgence that doesn't require a recipe spreadsheet.
Will it dethrone Ninja? Probably not. But it's a smart move for anyone who wants frozen desserts and slushy drinks without the $250 price tag. Because when the difference between homemade gelato and frozen margaritas is a single button press, sometimes the best option is the one stacked between the air fryers and the bulk snacks.