The Ninja Creami XL is the newest version of the Deluxe, and if you've been shopping for a Creami lately, the names probably confused you. Is it the Deluxe? A new model? Both?
Short version: it's the second-generation Deluxe. Same 24 oz tubs, same two-flavors-in-one-tub trick, but a different set of programs. Here's exactly what changed, and whether it's worth buying or upgrading.
The Ninja Creami mix-in button folds toppings into ice cream that's already been spun. It doesn't make ice cream from a frozen block.
Always spin (and respin if needed) first, then make a well in the center and add your mix-ins.
Sturdy, frozen, or chopped mix-ins hold up best. Soft cookies, hard candy, and sauces are the usual casualties.
Most of our tested recipes use around 1 to 2 Tbsp (10 to 25g) of mix-ins per standard pint.
For sauces and very fragile toppings, skip the button and fold them in by hand.
The Ninja Creami XL is Ninja's second-generation Deluxe, model NC601. It replaces the original Deluxe (NC501) with a redesigned body and an updated program lineup.
You'll see it sold under a few names depending on the store. Amazon calls it the "Creami XL Deluxe Gen 2," Best Buy calls it the "Creami XL," and Ninja's own site lists it as the "Creami Deluxe 11-in-1." If the model number is NC601, it's the same machine.
If you're still figuring out where it fits in the whole lineup, here's every Ninja Creami model compared.
| Difference | Deluxe Gen 1 (NC501) | Creami XL / Gen 2 (NC601) |
|---|---|---|
| Tub size | 24 oz XL tubs | 24 oz XL tubs |
| Total programs | 11 | 11 |
| 2 flavors, 1 tub | Yes | Yes |
| Shared programs | Ice Cream, Lite Ice Cream, Sorbet, Gelato, Milkshake, Frozen Yogurt, Mix-In | Same |
| Unique programs | Italian Ice, Frozen Drink, Slushi, Creamiccino | Smoothie Bowl, Frappe, Dairy-Free, CreamiFit |
| Best for | Frozen drinks and icy treats | Protein pints, dairy-free, and smoothie bowls |
So it's less of an upgrade and more of a shift in focus. Gen 1 leaned into drinks. Gen 2 leans into healthier, customizable pints.
The Creami XL added 4 programs: CreamiFit, Dairy-Free, Smoothie Bowl, and Frappe.
This is the big one if you make protein ice cream. Ninja built CreamiFit for lower-calorie, high-protein bases, and describes it as a one-spin program. It's also on the Scoop & Swirl, but this is the first Deluxe to have it.
Made for bases built on oat, almond, soy, or coconut milk. Plant-based bases freeze differently than dairy, so a dedicated program helps them come out smoother.
This one used to be an Original-only program. Now the XL has it too, so you can make thick, spoonable fruit bowls in a bigger tub.
A drinkable, blended frozen program. It's the one drink option the XL kept.
For a full rundown of what each program does and which base it's built for, here's our guide to CreamiFit and the other settings.
The XL dropped Italian Ice, Frozen Drink, Slushi, and Creamiccino. Those were the Gen 1 Deluxe's signature drink programs.
If you bought your Gen 1 for slushies or frozen coffee drinks, that's worth knowing before you upgrade. The XL can still do Milkshake and Frappe, but it's not the drink machine the Gen 1 was.
Probably not, if your Gen 1 works fine. Both machines use the same tub size and the same Creamify process, so your ice cream won't suddenly get better.
Upgrading makes sense if:
Stick with your Gen 1 if:
One thing to check before buying extra containers: confirm whether Gen 1 and Gen 2 XL tubs are interchangeable for your machines.
The Creami XL is a great pick if you share your ice cream. If it's mostly just you, the bigger tub might be more than you need.
A full 24 oz tub is a lot for one person. Leftovers can be refrozen and respun, but they don't come back quite as creamy as a fresh spin. You'll also use more base: with a premade mix, that's usually 3 scoops per tub instead of 2, and about 50% more of every mix-in. Here's how much mix-in an XL tub needs.
If protein ice cream is your main thing, you don't need CreamiFit to get a great pint. CRUSHS is a protein ice cream mix that works on every Ninja Creami on the Lite Ice Cream setting, with 23g of protein and 0g added sugar per serving. On an XL tub, just use 3 scoops instead of 2.
Still deciding? Compare the Original vs Deluxe if you're weighing tub size, or the Deluxe vs Scoop & Swirl if soft serve is on your wishlist. And whichever you get, grab a few extra tubs and accessories so you can freeze flavors ahead.
2 scoops for a standard pint, three for an XL tub. Real ice cream with 23g of protein and no added sugar, made for every Ninja Creami.
Try CRUSHS Today →The Ninja Creami XL (model NC601) is the second-generation Ninja Creami Deluxe. It uses 24 oz XL tubs, has 11 programs including CreamiFit and Dairy-Free, and can make two flavors from one tub.
It's the second generation of the Deluxe. The Creami XL (NC601) keeps the same 24 oz tubs as the original Deluxe (NC501) but swaps the drink programs for Smoothie Bowl, Frappe, Dairy-Free, and CreamiFit.
Yes. The Ninja Creami XL includes CreamiFit, a program designed for lower-calorie, high-protein bases. It's the first Deluxe model to have it.
It's worth it if you regularly make ice cream for two or three people or want CreamiFit and Dairy-Free programs. If you mostly make pints for yourself, the standard-size Original may be a better fit.
