Best Shaved Ice Machine Reviews 2020

If you’re thinking, “Oh, I could never afford a shaved ice machine,” we’re happy to tell you that you certainly can! Long gone are the days when only businesses could afford to purchase commercial-quality shavers. For as low as about $35, you can get a machine that looks great, creates fluffy ice and even comes with some extras, like reusable coned-shaped cups or syrups.

But if you’re thinking, “Oh, I want to spend a lot of money!” we’re happy to tell you that you can do that, too! For about $400, you can find a machine that’s closer to what you’d find at a shaved ice kiosk or in a store that sells snow cones. If you’re mainly looking for something for your kids, we recommend going with a cheap shaved ice machine. They may not last 25 years like your more expensive units, but they’ll last long enough for your kids to grow a healthy dislike of shaved ice and snow cones.

It’s usually pretty easy to tell how one ice shaver differs from another on the outside, but it can be more difficult to figure out the differences for all the complex stuff on the inside. When you’re shopping around for your unit, we recommend taking a look at the following features:

• Storage Box: Some machines have a built-in box (usually acrylic) where the ice is deposited after being crushed or shaved. These boxes are sometimes quite large, which is great if you need to make a lot of cones, or if you’re making a lot of party drinks. As an added bonus, the box, when full of ice, actually does a lot to cool down a small room.
• Blades: These will almost always be stainless steel because stainless steel resists the formation of rust. Mainly, you’ll want to see if the blades are adjustable for creating finer or coarser ice. You’ll also want to check if they’re removable so, if needed, they can be sharpened or replaced over time. Most companies recommend changing your blades about once a year.
• Safety: The blades are generally housed inside the machine itself, so there’s no risk of getting cut. However, some machines don’t grind or shave the ice in a closed container. If you have little kids, we suggest looking for a unit that has a safety shield or closed grinding area to keep small hands safe.
• Type/Shape of Ice: Most machines can operate with regular cubed or crushed ice, but you’ll find ones that can shave ice whether it’s crushed, cubed, or molded. You’ll also find ones that can only operate with molded blocks of ice, so be aware of that as you shop.
• Countertop/Storage Friendly: This may seem like a strange feature, but, if you’re shopping online, it can be really difficult to tell how big a shaved ice machine actually is, especially if it has a super unique design. If you plan to leave the machine on your counter, measure out your space first. We recommend doing the same for cabinet space if you plan to store it.
• Weight: While some machines aren’t very heavy, others can weigh more than 50 pounds. If you aren’t going to use your machine all year round, or if you’ll need to store it in-between uses, make sure your storage space can withstand heavy weight.

These features will probably affect what type of shaved ice unit you buy. However, before you write off heavy machines, machines that can only shave blocks of ice and machines that are really large, we’ll explain why you may actually want these features.

Typically, a heavier machine means a larger, and more powerful, motor. Sometimes these bigger motors are commercial grade, which means they can shave hundreds of pounds of ice within a short window of time (typically an hour or less). If you’ve got a lot of people to serve, or no place to really store your shaver, you may want to buy a bulkier one, shave a lot of ice with it, and then just store your shaved ice in the freezer to use whenever.

Similarly, machines with more-powerful motors can usually shave blocks of ice in addition to shaving crushed or cubed. Blocks of ice may seem like a hassle to deal with, but they actually yield the fluffiest and softest shaved ice because the blades literally sheer the ice off the block. If you’re a hater of snow cones, but a lover of shaved ice, a unit that works with ice blocks may be your best option.

If you’re wondering, a larger machine doesn’t necessarily mean a larger or more powerful motor. In fact, if the ice shaver is quite large, it’s probably because it has a storage box built into it. These machines tend to be square whereas the non-storage box ones are smaller and more irregularly shaped (usually taller and not as wide). We recommend measuring out your counter and/or cabinet space specifically because these units have a lot of variation as far as shape. Luckily, regardless of their design, shaved ice machines all operate similarly and simply.

The best part about shaved ice and snow cone machines is that they’re extremely simple to operate. For machines that only take crushed or cubed ice, you just drop the ice in the hopper (the opening for your ice), flip the “on” switch, and let the machine work its magic! If you notice that it’s grinding or gets jammed, turn it off, unplug the machine, and either give the unit a small shake, or stick your hand in (even better—use a spatula or other rubber/bamboo tool) to remove the piece of jammed ice.

For units that use blocks of ice, there’s just a few more steps in the operating process. If your shaver came with ice molds, you just place your molded ice in the hopper, flip the “on” switch, and you’re just a few seconds away from tasty sweetness! If your machine didn’t come with an ice mold, you can cut a plastic jug in half and make your own. Once the ice is frozen, just place your block in the machine and let it go to work! Be aware that, most of the time, a block of ice will yield significantly more shaved ice. If you only want to make a small cup of ice, just remove your block and place it back into your freezer for later.

Some people recommend making multiple ice molds and storing them in plastic baggies to use later on. You can also purchase a shaved ice machine with a storage box that allows you to store your shaved or crushed ice in the freezer. This means you can make icy treats without needing to pull out the whole machine. We love this option, especially for kids, because you can easily scoop the ice out, pour some syrup on it and let your kids enjoy a yummy, refreshing summer snack in only a few minutes. It really doesn’t get sweeter than that!