During the warmer months of the year, you’ve probably seen the vans with ice cream which are selling snow cones to the passers-by. The snow cones are created by using machines that are designed to cut ice cubes into small, chewable pieces. But have you ever heard that there are snow cone machines available for at-home use? Below, have a look at eight of the best machines sold online which will allow you to create delicious frozen treats for yourself or your family at any time. A comprehensive Buyer’s Guide will follow, ending on the brands recommended the most to consumers.
Best Snow Cone and Shaved Ice Machines for Home Use (Updated July, 2023)
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1. Nostalgia SCM502 – Best Vintage Snow Cone Maker For Home Use
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On the surface, the Nostalgia SCM502 has the appearance of a traditional-looking machine for making ice cream. But make no mistake, there’s nothing more elementary in the mechanics of its interior components. It weighs a little over four pounds, so if you’re looking for something that you can take with you outside, you should consider this as a good option.
Tradition Meets Modernity
Like many snow cone makers, this device performs best when the ice is solid frozen. You won’t have to place large chunks into the bowl at the top. Try to use the ice which is bought either at the stores or use the cubes placed in the freezer.
When the machine is turned on, the ice will come out in the form of small pieces, completely even, and small enough to copy what you would receive from an ordinary snow cone machine.
You can make about ten portions in total with a full reservoir, so there will be more than enough for multiple families during get-togethers.
Who it is Best For
It seems that many companies that produce kitchen appliances have done much to lower the decibel level of their products. The Nostalgia is no exception. It’s nearly is as loud as a standard blender. If you stay in an apartment, you’ll definitely want to close the kitchen doors whenever this is turned on. And the plug could also hinder outside use, as mentioned before. It’s only two feet long and may require an extension cord during such instances. The Nostalgia is not really a “shaver” in the purest sense either, meaning your ice won’t come out resembling snow. Mind you, the pieces of ice are small but just small enough to be used for a snow cone. Nevertheless, the SCM502 is most beneficial to people who will use the device seasonally, or limit it to special occasions.
- Produces shaved ice with no large pieces in a consistent manner
- Lightweight design is easy to carry and store temporarily during transport
- Holds enough ice to produce about 10 medium-sized snow cones
- During operation, the machine is noisy, almost to the level of a juicer or blender
- The AC power cord is only two feet long, making it difficult to use in areas far away from an outlet (without an extension cord)
- Although it can produce small ice shavings, they might not be fluffy enough for some consumers
2. Snowie Little Snowie 2 – Best Premium Ice Shaver
A Solidly Built Snow Cone Maker
The Snowie Premium Ice Machine should be a top choice for those who are fond of good design and speed. Parts are well made and as a whole, the machine will look nice on any kitchen countertop. There are also various flavors included with the box, something you can use as an indicator to purchase later on once you’ve become accustomed to the product itself. As you place cubes into the feeder, the grounded ice comes out almost immediately, so be sure to have your cup at the ready before it’s turned on.
What to Know Before You Buy
Still, the noise level is not to be ignored. This sort of sounds is like the racket emitted on a broken garbage disposal unit underneath a kitchen sink. There is no tray for you to place a cup or bowl under the spout, so anything that misses it will, unfortunately, end up on the table/counter, so expect a cleanup job when there’s a large amount of ice to be cut.
The only way to avoid it is by holding the cup directly over the spout as the ice is coming out.
You can receive the pieces of crushed ice which can be very small; it is possible only when cubes are solid. You’ll have to freeze a good amount of ice over a long time period (close to 24 hours) to achieve this. For making something else, such crushing of ice will cause a very quick melting. In any case, try the Snowie when you need something that will be with you through years and years of hot summers.
- Construction is well made, having no small pieces that break easily
- Comes with samples of different flavors inside the box
- Can produce a full cup of grounded ice very quickly
- Very noisy, loud enough to be heard in another room
- The ice does not come out in a snow-like consistency
3. Hawaiian Shaved Ice Machine – Best Cone Maker For Parties
An Ice Machine with Incredible Adjustments
The Hawaiian Shave Ice Machine has everything you’ll need for a snow cone party. There are three kinds of syrups, straws, and two ice molds. When you need ice that’s white, snowy, and fluffy, this product is made by one of the machines which are most capable of doing that job. But even if you need ice that’s a little larger, it is easy to adjust the cutter and it allows you to produce everything from slushies to fine-textured beverages like blended Frappuccinos. Snow cones are special treats. In fact, the qualitative blade will churn out shavings that are arguably better than that one what you might have had at a local snow cone machine.
Preparing Your Ice
Yet with all the great features and additions, there remains room for improvement of future models.
Normal bagged ice and ice cubes cannot be used with this machine.
Only the ice molds included with the product can be matched. You’ll have to place them in the freezer and wait until the ice will have been frozen to use.
If you need more molds, those additional ones can be acquired separately, so keep this in mind if the product is something you intend to use multiple times during the day. And occasionally large chunks of ice will linger at the bottom near the blades, requiring that you tip the machine over to pull it out. This tends to happen most often when your machine finishes shaving, however. Overall, a great purchase for anyone that wants to buy everything needed to make snow cones in one go but doesn’t mind looking for additional trays when two aren’t enough.
- Ice comes out snowy and fluffy
- The blades are adjustable when larger pieces of ice are preferred
- Includes accessories (cups, several flavors, straws) with the device
- The dispensing tray is small; limited room and space for the ice which when falling needs another cup
- Ice from your home freezer is incompatible with the device; only the containers sold with it can be used for freezing
- Sometimes, chunks of ice will become stuck at the bottom, requiring it to be moved by tipping the machine upside down
4. Paragon Simply-A-Blast – Best For Commercial Use
The Paragon – Manufactured Fun ice shaver looks like something that you would see in a coffee shop or ice cream restaurant. It’s pretty large but small enough to fit in a standard-sized kitchen. And even if you have a small kitchen, the machine can be carried around the flat if it is stored in a garage or closet.
Industrial in Size and Strength
But before you consider this machine to be bought take a good look at the specifications. It’s pretty heavy, weighing about 50 pounds total. But what it lacks in mass is made up for in the quality of ice that is produced.
The texture of the ice changes based on how you set the blades, so if you want it to come out in flakes, adjust to the lowest point.
Move it upwards to create larger blocks for your snow cones. And don’t worry about ice cubes; they are suitable for being used with the Paragon.
How to Use the Storage Box
Of course, you would like to avoid ice blocks. Although it does resemble a shaver that could accommodate them, attempting to use any ice above the ice of cubes will render the machine inoperable. And the large box below the motor features no temperature controls. As such, ice will melt fast when left in the container. Try to use it only when you know that the demand for ice will exceed its storage capacity. Anyhow, the Paragon is recommended for use in either commercial or residential spheres. It can dispense hundreds of pounds of ice in a very short time, so its use could double as a great machine to break out for nearly any beverage that requires ice.
- Ice size can be changed by moving the blade to correspond to the desired texture
- Freezer-sized ice cubes can be used with the machine
- Can produce up to 500 pounds of ice per hour
- Although industrial in size, cannot cut through ice blocks
- Heavy; weighs about 50 pounds total (22.6 kilograms)
- The box does not keep the ice frozen and will melt quickly if left inside
5. Nostalgia RSM602 – Best Retro Crushed Ice Maker
Make Fast and Easy Snow Cones with the RSM602
The second Nostalgia product on the list, the RSM602, is of ruby color in appearance and it will stay on your countertop perfectly with its compact size. Everything that’s on the previous model is presented here, save for the little wheels and pillars.
The entire base sits firmly on the surface and holds enough ice for about 20 snow cones.
There are also plastic cups included with a flat base that will allow you to place the cone on a table without worrying about it tipping over. A tray table is also featured, although there are only two slots. It’s suggested for singles or small families.
Important Design Features
The primary complaint with this machine is the door. In the pictures, you’ll notice that the ice dispenser sits very close to the opening or hatch that has to be pulled out when you’re ready to scoop up ice. It’s almost guaranteed that some ice will come out when attempting to do this unless you’re only shaving enough for yourself. Leaving any ice inside during operation will cause a buildup that gets annoying really fast when you’re trying to open it up, so be prepared to clean water off the countertop. Or place a tray table underneath to absorb what would have melted. In short, try the RSM602 for small-scale snow cone that will be perfect for you or your loved ones.
- Has a tray table with two slots to place spare snow cones
- Can hold enough ice for nearly 20 cones in all
- Sold with plastic cones that can be placed on a flat surface
- Makes lots of noise when attempting to shave ice cubes
- The machine will not cut ice cubes properly and could break
- When the side door is opened, ice will fall out of the box (when it is full); does not have dividers
6. ZENY Ice Shaver Machine – Best Slushie Maker
Steel in Build, Strong in Cutting Power
The Zeny Electric Ice Machine is made completely of stainless steel and has a rugged appearance. It might not be as pretty as some of the others mentioned but does a great job and shaving ice nonetheless. This also makes it a breeze to clean and the parts can simply be wiped over with a cloth when you have done your job. Use either bagged or cubed ice; it should all come out shaved, very small and compact, even if the ice is not completely solid. Granted, your ice will be crushed better when frozen, but this device manages to stave off melting when it’s been in the freezer for a shorter amount of time (5 hours or more).
Using the Product Safely
Just remember that the angle is situated on the spout. It’s slanted and will spit out ice particles directly at the area that’s positioned in front of its center. That means you will have to turn on the machine and see where it’s going to avoid anything getting on your countertop. And when you’re almost finished, it has a tendency to throw ice out all over the place, so it’s almost unavoidable. Try having a towel or washcloth nearby to prevent things from getting messy on whatever surface the product is being used.
Try not to use this machine when small children are nearby.
The design is easy for anyone to place their fingers close the blades, which are very sharp. But none of these issues make the Zeny a bad product. In fact, its design might be favored since the steel parts could blend in with your kitchen decor better than the other contenders.
- Because of the varieties of ice sizes the machine can cut, lots of drink styles can be created
- Normal ice cubes can be used with the product
- The stainless steel build is easy to clean out with a simple rinse
- The ice is dispensed at an angle that sometimes misses the tray table, resulting in a messy cleanup
7. Hawaiian Shaved Ice S700 – Safe Maker For Kids Use
A Child-Friendly, Powerful Ice Shaver
If you have a child that loves helping out when you’re in the kitchen, think what the best way to award them is. For sure, it’s having a machine that gives them a treat at the same time. The Hawaiian Kid-Friendly Snow Cone Machine is designed to be used by children, having numerous safety features that will prevent them from injuring themselves when placing ice inside the feeding and dispensing. How is it done? Simply put, it’s a completely automatic snow cone maker.
There are no manual controls to speak of.
Many ice shaving products have to be used by forcing the ice towards the blades by pressing down on the top portion of the device, in a similar vein to juicers that use tampers to ground up the solid parts into a liquid. The only thing required is to place ice in the top and lock the lid into place, where children cannot access it.
How Loud Is It?
The negatives are few but they should be noted. The design, while good, makes it easy to tip over if care is not taken to notice the back portion of the device. It sort of looks like a slim coffee maker, but the base is a lot larger than the part leading up to the spout. It’s easy for anyone to use this machine, but use caution not to cut your hands or arms on the shaver. And the decibel level is pretty high, so if you don’t want to wake up anyone when shaving ice, try to limit your use during the evening hours. Other than that, the Hawaiian is a remarkable machine that performs well and is simple to use, even for curious kids.
- No manual controls featured; operation is completely automatic
- The Ice doesn’t need to be pressed towards the blade when used
- Easy to disassemble and clean
- Easy to tip the dispenser over when brushed
- Makes a high pitched sound that amplifies when crushing hard ice
8. VIVOHOME Electric Dual Blades Ice Crusher – Best For Snack Bars, Cafes And Restaurants
An Ice Machine that Cuts Through Ice Like Paper
Last on the list is the VIVOHOME Heavy Duty Ice Shaver. There are five different varieties to choose from, including the popular all stainless steel/chrome design that has a steel tray table at the bottom to hold a bowl, of which is included with the product.
The others do not possess this feature and instead, leave a gap in the area where the bowl should be placed.
This machine is especially good at cutting through very hard ice that’s been frozen for an extended time period.
It’ll go through it with ease, dispensing out fine shards of snow that’s compact and won’t melt as soon as it’s placed out of the bowl.Maintenance and Upkeep
And while it is stainless steel, some of the parts may succumb to rust easily. It is actually that only water is touching the interior parts, try to make sure that everything is completely dry whenever you’re done using the snow cone maker. And at times, ice makes leave the spout in random directions that leave a mess on your counter. It’s likely to happen more often when ice is being used that’s only partially frozen.
Try to form a habit of storing ice early in advance when anticipating later use of the machine. All things considered, this VIVOHOME appliance is a great tool to use for fans of thin-cut ice that comes out at lightning speed.
- Being that the bowl (and other components) of the machine are stainless steel, the ice won’t melt quickly
- Can cut through dense, solid pieces of ice like butter
- Dozens of snow cones can be produced in less than five minutes
- As the interior might rust easily, it should be cleaned and dried immediately after use
- When shaving the ice, the spout tends to shoot ice in random directions, resulting in tedious cleanup
Buyer’s Guide
Here are some helpful tips to assist you in picking the best snow cone maker for your home.
Family Size
Your snow cone machine should be chosen in spite of the fact whether you have a large or a small family. There are also machines that are better suited for single or couples that don’t plan on using the product for any special occasion. Oftentimes this can be known by simply viewing the machine itself. The size of the container that holds the ice after it’s shaved is a big indicator as well. Most manufacturers will list the amount of ice their machine is able to output within the span of an hour, so allow a device’s speed to correspond to the number of people you think will use it. The faster the speed, the more suitable it is for a larger number of people.
Kitchen Size
If you have a small kitchen, take note that some snow cone makers are more difficult to use in confined spaces. The dimensions tend to go all over the place with each machine, with some able to fit on any kitchen countertop and others that will practically cover up an entire table.
Since most of these products are devices that you will probably use on occasion (meaning not every day of the year), having a proper storage area is a plus, especially if you plan to purchase an ice shaver that’s large. And don’t forget about power cords either; some machines, even the big varieties, may require that you move other kitchen accessories around just to plug it in and have space left over.
Is it Child Safe?
Many children love to help out around the kitchen, so long as it’s something that will reward them with a dessert they enjoy eating. Snowcone shavers happen to be one of those items. But remember that some of these products should not be used around kids. The reason is due to the blades and how ice is placed in the container that houses them. Some are exposed, leaving little safety features for your hands.
Others are operated automatically, requiring that you only add ice into the feeder without pressing down on it for everything to crush. Pay close attention to what the manufacturer’s recommendation is. Fortunately, most machines that are child-friendly will boldly say so in their description, so use that as an index for picking one that’ll keep you and anyone else from getting nicks.
What Accessories are Included?
It may have happened to you more than one occasion: buying an item and expecting it to work immediately, than later on finding out that there’s more needed for you to use it. In order for snow cone makers to be used to their full potential, it’ll require cones, straws, and syrups, things that could be looked over easily.
Fortunately, many companies that produce these machines will add a limited supply of all the items mentioned. However, there are some that won’t include anything. And there are others that might not have the right amount of parts you need, such as ice molds. Please, double-check to be sure that you already obtain or don’t need anything more that’s not shipped alongside the device you order. You don’t want to miss anything important when your snow cone maker arrives at your door.
Conclusion
After having looked through the list of all the snow cone makers reviewed, you probably have an idea of what brand you want to add to your kitchen. If not, the Nostalgia, Snowie, and Hawaiian Ice Machines are the most recommended in terms of strength and ease of use. But that doesn’t rule out the others that were evaluated. They all possess certain advantages that you could be looking for among the others. As shown in the buyer’s section, getting the best machine has its share of factors to consider. So long as you understand the benefits, be sure that you will end up purchasing a good snow cone machine.
