I love my Ninja Creami, but Cuisinart's affordable handheld alternative just blew me away
The Fast Freeze is called the Freeze Wand in the U.K., and I think that's a much better name. There's nothing fast about it: you need to freeze your mixture overnight, just like you do with the Ninja Creami. However, it does perform a lot like a magic wand, turning your frozen mixtures into tasty desserts in minutes.
Best of all, this handheld ice cream maker comes with much smaller containers, which is a blessing for my over-filled freezer and penchant for single-serve frozen treats.
But after my first time using the Fast Freeze, I'm more than a little shocked by how easily it sliced through my frozen chocolate milk to make tasty, zero-effort ice cream. Here's how my first impressions went.
For $119, the FastFreeze comes with three half-pint containers for pre-prepping your ingredients, and has five churning settings.
Different name, same great idea. The Freeze Wand also has five settings, three containers, and costs under £100 for U.K. shoppers.
The FastFreeze has a spinning blade that slices through your frozen mix as you push the top of the wand down. It works a bit like an AeroPress, using your manual pressure to plunge down the blending compartment.
I pre-froze three mixtures for my test: a tropical fruit just to make a slushie, a strawberry yogurt to make fro-yo, and a low-fat chocolate milk to make a healthier alternative to gelato.
For my first impressions, I decided to start with my chocolate milk mixture, which couldn't have been easier to prepare.
Get instant access to breaking news, the hottest reviews, great deals and helpful tips.
You can choose between five settings on the blending wand before you churn your ice cream mix. You can twist the dial to switch between these settings, then press the 'Play' button, and gently press down the wand mechanism to process your mix.
Given how much noise my Ninja Creami kicks up when it's churning ice cream, I was expecting this to be a lot more noisy, and scary, than it really was. I thought I must've done something wrong when my wand's light turned red, but it turns out that just means you've finished blending. It took around a minute and made only a small fraction of the noise the Ninja Creami makes!
I was left with a cup of fully-churned ice cream. It looked a little grainy at first, which is largely on account of the low fat content of the milk as opposed to a fault of the FastFreeze, and once I gave it a good stir it came together in a thick, scoopable texture.
The half-pint cup (you can't fill to the top, so it doesn't leave you with half a pint of ice cream) was ideal for a single serving. But because the ice cream maker comes with three cups, you might find it's not ideal for catering to a crowd.
I can't see an option to buy more cups online, which feels like an oversight from Cuisinart, but hopefully they'll release some soon in order to allow customers to prep plenty of treats far in advance.
I'll be prepping a proper gelato recipe from Cuisinart's own recipe book to really put this ice cream maker through its paces, but like I said, the low-fat chocolate milk did result in a more frosty consistency that needed some mixing to form a scoopable texture.
However, once I served a scoop to my partner, he assumed I'd made it in the Ninja Creami, which felt like a real win considering how much more expensive the Creami is than the FastFreeze.
Aside from a tiny bit of crystallization around the exterior of the cup, the ice cream was super smooth and didn't have any lumps. It was super tasty, so from my first impression there's no obvious trade-offs if you opt for the Cuisinart over a Ninja machine. If anything, the reduced noise and size requirements could make it a much more tempting option for the average user.
I'll be writing my complete review, as well as a side-by-side comparison with my Ninja Creami, in the weeks to come. But if first impressions are anything to go by, the FastFreeze could be a real game-changer.
Follow Tom's Guide on Google News to get our up-to-date news, how-tos, and reviews in your feeds. Make sure to click the Follow button.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Tom's Guide
a day ago
- Tom's Guide
I love my Ninja Creami, but Cuisinart's affordable handheld alternative just blew me away
As soon as I discovered Cuisinart's Fast Freeze ice cream maker, I've been dying to try it. I'm obsessed with my Ninja Creami, but this Cuisinart dupe is only $119 / £99, and takes up a lot less counter space. The Fast Freeze is called the Freeze Wand in the U.K., and I think that's a much better name. There's nothing fast about it: you need to freeze your mixture overnight, just like you do with the Ninja Creami. However, it does perform a lot like a magic wand, turning your frozen mixtures into tasty desserts in minutes. Best of all, this handheld ice cream maker comes with much smaller containers, which is a blessing for my over-filled freezer and penchant for single-serve frozen treats. But after my first time using the Fast Freeze, I'm more than a little shocked by how easily it sliced through my frozen chocolate milk to make tasty, zero-effort ice cream. Here's how my first impressions went. For $119, the FastFreeze comes with three half-pint containers for pre-prepping your ingredients, and has five churning settings. Different name, same great idea. The Freeze Wand also has five settings, three containers, and costs under £100 for U.K. shoppers. The FastFreeze has a spinning blade that slices through your frozen mix as you push the top of the wand down. It works a bit like an AeroPress, using your manual pressure to plunge down the blending compartment. I pre-froze three mixtures for my test: a tropical fruit just to make a slushie, a strawberry yogurt to make fro-yo, and a low-fat chocolate milk to make a healthier alternative to gelato. For my first impressions, I decided to start with my chocolate milk mixture, which couldn't have been easier to prepare. Get instant access to breaking news, the hottest reviews, great deals and helpful tips. You can choose between five settings on the blending wand before you churn your ice cream mix. You can twist the dial to switch between these settings, then press the 'Play' button, and gently press down the wand mechanism to process your mix. Given how much noise my Ninja Creami kicks up when it's churning ice cream, I was expecting this to be a lot more noisy, and scary, than it really was. I thought I must've done something wrong when my wand's light turned red, but it turns out that just means you've finished blending. It took around a minute and made only a small fraction of the noise the Ninja Creami makes! I was left with a cup of fully-churned ice cream. It looked a little grainy at first, which is largely on account of the low fat content of the milk as opposed to a fault of the FastFreeze, and once I gave it a good stir it came together in a thick, scoopable texture. The half-pint cup (you can't fill to the top, so it doesn't leave you with half a pint of ice cream) was ideal for a single serving. But because the ice cream maker comes with three cups, you might find it's not ideal for catering to a crowd. I can't see an option to buy more cups online, which feels like an oversight from Cuisinart, but hopefully they'll release some soon in order to allow customers to prep plenty of treats far in advance. I'll be prepping a proper gelato recipe from Cuisinart's own recipe book to really put this ice cream maker through its paces, but like I said, the low-fat chocolate milk did result in a more frosty consistency that needed some mixing to form a scoopable texture. However, once I served a scoop to my partner, he assumed I'd made it in the Ninja Creami, which felt like a real win considering how much more expensive the Creami is than the FastFreeze. Aside from a tiny bit of crystallization around the exterior of the cup, the ice cream was super smooth and didn't have any lumps. It was super tasty, so from my first impression there's no obvious trade-offs if you opt for the Cuisinart over a Ninja machine. If anything, the reduced noise and size requirements could make it a much more tempting option for the average user. I'll be writing my complete review, as well as a side-by-side comparison with my Ninja Creami, in the weeks to come. But if first impressions are anything to go by, the FastFreeze could be a real game-changer. Follow Tom's Guide on Google News to get our up-to-date news, how-tos, and reviews in your feeds. Make sure to click the Follow button.
New York Post
2 days ago
- New York Post
10 Ninja kitchen products we tested (and now refuse to live without)
New York Post may be compensated and/or receive an affiliate commission if you click or buy through our links. Featured pricing is subject to change. There's no shortage of kitchen gadgets claiming to 'change your life' — and no shortage of them ending up in your donation pile a month later. But Ninja has managed to build a product line that not only survives Post Wanted's test kitchens but earns a permanent place on our countertops, patios, and even on our camping trips. From blenders that know exactly how to pulverize our acai bowls without turning our chia seeds to dust, to outdoor ovens that crank out wood-fired pizza in under 7 minutes, Ninja's product lineup somehow nails performance, design, and usability across the cutting board. These aren't just gimmicky 'TikTok buys.' They're well-built, thought-through appliances that do what they promise (and then some). Our team put a range of Ninja products to the test. We grilled, blended, churned, crisped, dehydrated, and carbonated. Below, you'll find our honest results: what wowed us, what could be improved, and the details you'll want before adding to cart. Why is Ninja so good? Ninja has built its reputation by doing two things exceptionally well: combining multi-functionality with intuitive design, and delivering pro-level performance at a consumer-friendly price. Unlike brands that focus on one specialty (like just blenders or just air fryers), Ninja excels in nearly every appliance category — from countertop cookers to portable coolers. Their gear often packs multiple functions into a single appliance — air fryers that also roast, bake, and dehydrate; blenders that automatically adjust speed and time; ovens that flip to save space. And crucially, Ninja's control layouts are simple enough for first-time users to master without a manual. The brand also doesn't skimp on build quality: from thick insulation in their FrostVault cooler to metal gears in their blenders, Ninja gear feels sturdy and lasts. Our favorite Ninja appliances Amazon Pros: Custom flavor and mix-in control Creamify Technology for smooth texture Multiple dessert modes Cons: Requires 24-hour base freeze The CREAMi turns pre-frozen bases into creamy, customizable ice cream in minutes. Ideal for dietary restrictions or adventurous flavors, it's as much a creative tool as it is a dessert maker. 'Essentially, the Ninja CREAMi works in reverse from all of the other major ice cream makers because it requires a completely frozen base, whereas the other ones start with a liquid mixture,' explained commerce streaming reporter Angela Tricarico. Instead of freezing your ice cream maker's bowl and refrigerating a base, the CREAMi uses proprietary Creamify Technology to shave away at the pre-frozen block and mix it into the creamy texture we recognize as ice cream. Angela Tricarico 'I've been using the Ninja CREAMi for about three weeks [editor's note: now months!], and in that time, I haven't even wanted to get ice cream from the grocery store or my local ice cream shops. It's that good. As someone who's spent the last few years getting more and more comfortable in the kitchen, I've really enjoyed getting to mix my own bases, creating flavor combos with mix-ins like strawberry cheesecake with graham cracker pie crust, Froot Loops milk with cereal mix ins, cinnamon bun, orange creamsicle, chocolate with Italian rainbow cookies, and my entire family's personal favorite so far: a classic mint chip. Angela Tricarico 'If you've seen any Ninja CREAMi videos on TikTok, you'll already know everything there is to know about the machine by the time it arrives at your door. It's that easy to use. There's no real learning curve. The appeal of the CREAMi, to me, is the ability to get creative with flavors and mix-in combinations. 'It's a steep price, but for people who either need to make customizations for food restriction reasons (dairy and gluten intolerances, for example) or who just want to know what exactly goes into the ice cream they're eating, it's well worth it. Even if you think you'll only be frequently using one or two programs on the appliance, we recommend adding the Ninja CREAMi to your cart.' Modes: Ice Cream, Sorbet, Gelato, Mix-In, etc. | Capacity: 1 pint Ninja Pros: Makes tofu, veggies, and more come out perfectly crisp without being greasy Easily fits in tight spaces like my New York countertop Fits up to a 12-inch pizza or 4 pounds of ingredients Cons: Gets hot quickly, so handle with care Don't overstuff it with food, or it won't cook evenly Perfect for small kitchens, this space-saving toaster oven/air fryer combo flips upright when not in use. It delivers crispy, evenly cooked results in minutes and offers a variety of functions for everything from quick breakfasts to light dinners. 'As they say, when you enter church, 'skeptics welcome.' That was me when it came to air fryers,' said commerce reporter Emma Sutton-Williams. 'Are they really all that? After watching them go viral during the pandemic, I always assumed the hype would die down. But the Ninja Flip Toaster Oven & Air Fryer turned out to be the kitchen upgrade that I'll be using even on extremely hot days, as it made my meals taste so much better. 'The setup was plug-and-play. As someone who has never used an air fryer before, I expected a learning curve or complicated controls. Instead, I found it intuitive and refreshingly easy to operate. I was shocked to discover it preheats in under a minute, so make sure your ingredients are prepped and ready to go before you even turn it on. Emma Sutton-Williams 'For my first test run, I air-fried some breadcrumb-coated tofu and broccoli for a quick rice bowl lunch. The tofu came out crispy, not soggy or rubbery like it does when I bake it forever in a conventional oven. 'As a New Yorker living in a small apartment with limited kitchen space, the flip design, which doesn't take up counter space and slides under cabinets, was a chef's kiss. It has 8 functions, including air fry, toast, pizza, broil, bake, and even dehydrate. I'd argue that some of the functions are the same, like 'bagel' is not a function, that fit should fit under the category of 'toast' or 'pizza' under the category of 'bake,' but potato, po-tah-toe.' Functions: Air Fry, Toast, Bagel, Pizza, Broil, Bake, Reheat, Dehydrate | Preheat: <1 min Ninja Pros: Powerful blending Smart sense technology does all the work at the push of a button Simple assembly and ease of use Great value with 3 cup sizes Dishwasher safe for easy cleanup Cons: Large appliance can take up valuable storage space Relatively heavy appliance This isn't your standard smoothie maker — it's an all-in-one blending powerhouse. The BlendSense Technology automatically detects what's in your container and fine-tunes the speed, time, and power to get the perfect texture, whether you're pulverizing frozen fruit for smoothies or blending silky soups. The included 72-oz pitcher is ideal for batch drinks, while the 24-oz single-serve cups are perfect for grab-and-go mornings. 'I'm blown away by the smart technology and power of this blender every time I use it,' Meaghan Roche, commerce SEO manager, said. 'Its BlendSense Technology automatically adjusts power, speed, and time based on any ingredients you toss in, so all the work is done for you with up to 1800 watts cutting through even the toughest ingredients. 'Plus, it comes with a huge 72-ounce full-size pitcher (hello batch made frozen margs) and two 24-ounce single-serve cups (for the green juice you and your partner need post-margaritas). I love using just the single cup for a post-workout treat with less cleanup, but as a bonus, all the containers, lids and even blades are safe for the top rack of the dishwasher.' Motor: 1800 watts | Accessories: 72-oz pitcher, 2× 24-oz cups with spout lids | Dishwasher safe: Yes (top rack) Pros: 6-in1 cooking capabilities No preheating Large capacity Smart cooking with optional separate heating zones Easy cleaning Cons: Larger appliance that may command permanent residence on your kitchen counter The DualZone design means you can air fry salmon in one basket while roasting veggies in the other — and they'll finish at the same time thanks to Smart Finish. The 8-quart capacity is great for family meals, and the no-preheat feature shaves serious time off dinner prep. 'Air frying, roasting, broiling, dehydrating, and more — this Ninja air fryer can replace half of your kitchen appliances while cooking in half the time,' said Roche. My highlights include no preheating time, smart finish capabilities so that your whole meal is ready at once, dishwasher-safe plates, and a large capacity. 'If you've been thinking about finally getting an air fryer or upgrading to a higher-tech appliance, this is the one for you. It's easy to use, while also still having all the impressive bells and whistles that will wow you as much as the tasty dinners you'll make with it.' Capacity: 8 quarts (2 baskets) | Functions: Air Fry, Roast, Broil, Bake, Reheat, Dehydrate | Dishwasher safe: Yes (crisper plates) Amazon Pros: Two texture modes (drinkable/spoonable) Preset programs for different recipes Handles frozen ingredients with ease Cons: Smaller capacity than full-size blenders Designed for precision texture control, the TWISTi offers drinkable and spoonable settings with targeted presets. It blends thick smoothie bowls as effortlessly as thin sauces, with blades that cut through frozen ingredients without overheating. 'The Ninja TWISTi is a super smooth product to use, pun very much intended,' mused former commerce reporter Sophie Cannon. 'As someone who was very used to smoke coming from my $20 blender every time I tried to crush ice or fruit, this was a dream. The TWISTi knows exactly what is needed from a blender — the ability to create perfect consistencies when blending up a juice vs. a smoothie bowl and a sauce vs. a delicious oil. That's where both the settings and the unique cap come into play. Sophie Cannon 'The blender itself has two different options: drinkable and spoonable. From there, choose an option like extract, smoothie or frozen or go for spread or bowl. Then, the blender knows exactly what to do, with a built-in preset and timer, making for a practically hands-free experience. To put this to the test, I made both a bowl and a drinkable juice to test their 'total texture control' claim on the front of the blender. I was impressed by how well the blades easily cut through a completely frozen block of acai and hunks of ginger, while also knowing not to totally pulverize the chia seeds. 'One more thing to mention: when using the larger 34-ounce high-speed pitcher, the cap at the top twists — maybe a nod to the name TWISTi? — and pushes everything down to the blades to ensure an even blend, leaving no chunks or lumps to be found.' Modes: Drinkable, Spoonable | Programs: Extract, Smoothie, Frozen, Spread, Bowl Amazon Pros: Compact size is perfect for small kitchens Easy to store Removable grill plat and lids for ease of cleaning Even and quick heating Grease catcher reduces mess Cons: Nonstick grill grates can be tough and cumbersome to clean Indoor grilling without the smoke — Ninja's grill delivers even heat from edge to edge, producing juicy proteins and crisp vegetables. The smoke-control lid and removable plates make cleanup easier, and the flat griddle plate expands its versatility for breakfast favorites. 'This is one of my favorite wedding registry gifts that has truly transformed home-cooking in my NYC apartment,' raved Roche. 'Nothing beats fresh-grilled meats and veggies in the summer, and now I don't have to escape the five boroughs to enjoy them. 'Ninja's countertop indoor grill fits enough to feed a family (or meal prep for the week). Its perforated lid controls smoke and messy grease, while the edge-to-edge heating cooks food quickly and evenly. I have yet to use the flat top griddle plate, but I look forward to using it for pancakes and bacon on the weekends. The lid and grill are removable to allow for easier cleanup, but I do recommend getting a small grill brush to scrub off grease and residue.' Cooking surface: Family-size capacity | Functions: Grill, Griddle | Dishwasher safe: Yes (lid and grill plate) Amazon Pros: Woodfire flavor with minimal pellets High heat for charring and fast cooking Multiple cooking modes Cons: Larger footprint for outdoor space From Neapolitan-style pizzas to charred steaks, this outdoor oven delivers real wood-smoke flavor with just a handful of pellets. The wide temperature range supports baking, roasting, and searing — all in one durable outdoor appliance. 'I'm not going to lie, I dove right into trying the Ninja Woodfire. Totally cool, retro-inspired look aside, it has a slew of unique features worth noting,' said commerce reporter Victoria Giardina. 'For one, there are some suggested recipes to follow inside its manual that make the entire package a nice touch, especially for beginner pizza-makers and outdoor grillers. Victoria Giardina 'With a range of 105-700°F, the Ninja Woodfire can add that coveted, authentic wood-fire flavor (making this outdoor appliance aptly named) to anything you decide to divvy into its durably coated frame. Impressively, it does it all with just a 1/2 cup of pellets (which are included upon purchase), thanks to its unique technology. 'It's also compatible to cook a 12-lb turkey, 9-lb pork shoulder, 12-lb prime rib dinner with veggies (perhaps by ordering from our best meat delivery services guide), a full sheet-pan meal, and a standard 8×11 casserole dish. It's pretty incredible — and, as a result, you'll want to have all of your meals outside. And, because of its high temperature threshold, the Ninja Woodfire is said to make high-heat char on steaks in less than seven minutes, helping to make full meals (as you would indoors) up to 40% faster. Victoria Giardina 'Ninja truly thought of everything. In just 30 minutes, I had two filling, fresh, aromatic, and rustic Italian-inspired pies. Overall, the Ninja Woodfire 8-in-1 Outdoor Pizza Oven is well worth the splurge. Not only does it enhance your outdoor dining experience tenfold, but it allows you to try your hand at savory, tasty, and truly scrumptious pizza (among other dishes, which I have yet to try).' Temp range: 105–700°F | Fuel: ½ cup pellets (included) | Capacity: Fits 12-lb turkey or full sheet-pan meal Amazon Pros: Multiple cooking styles in one unit Crisping tray for texture control Easy switch between modes Cons: Bulky size The Speedi can crisp fries, steam veggies, or bake a souffle in under 25 minutes. Its simple switch toggles between rapid cooking and air frying, while the crisping tray adjusts for different recipes. 'This device seriously turns up the heat,' commented Cannon. 'Although not literally, as this multifunctional rapid cooker and air fryer phenomenon didn't get too hot to the touch, even when dehydrating fruit for eight hours or grilling up juicy burgers on a high heat setting. That was just the first feature I fell in love with. 'The next was the ease of use, once you understand the mechanics. There is really only one switch, flipping from its air fryer capabilities to the rapid cooker settings, and once you know what you want to cook, the rest is self-explanatory. The only other addition is the crisping tray inside, which can be propped up or flattened down depending on what's cooking. New York Post 'For my tests, I wanted to try as many settings as possible, making sure the fryer yielded crunchy french fries, the steam and bake settings were up to snuff to bake a fluffy souffle and tried my hand at dehydrating just for fun. Even as an amateur chef, I don't think I could have made a more professional-looking (and tasting) souffle if I tried, moreover in less than 25 minutes. New York Post 'The one downside to this machine is simply the sheer size of it. Since it really does replace the need for other appliances like a steamer, a frying pan, a dehydrator, and honestly an entire oven range, I do think it is worth the money, if you can find the counter-space, of course.' Functions: Air Fry, Steam, Bake, Dehydrate, Grill | Capacity: Family-size This heavy-duty cooler keeps ice cold for days while offering a dry compartment for snacks or raw proteins. With rugged construction and lockable lids, it's built for serious outdoor use. Amazon Pros: Dry storage compartment Ice retention up to 5 days Durable build Cons: Pricier than budget coolers 'This cooler offers a separate compartment that keeps select drinks and snacks dry at food-safe temperatures, meaning that you can grab your favorite items hassle-free without opening the cooler lid,' stated Miska Salemann, commerce reporter. 'Upon testing this out, I was very impressed with how cool the items stayed in the dry storage zone, but I should also note that items stay even cooler for longer when placed on ice. Plus, you won't have to subject your hands to digging through freezing ice just to find what you need. Miska Salemann 'This separate area is also ideal for adults looking to keep alcoholic drinks in a separate area for family-friendly use. Or, use it to keep raw protein out of the way. It's exceptionally convenient. The ice storage section holds ice for up to five days. This is ideal for people planning longer trips, as there is no need to worry about constantly changing out the ice. I hardly noticed any condensation or sweating after a day of packing this cooler with ice and drinks. If you're looking for a sturdy cooler that can withstand some blows, tumbles, and drops, you've found it. Miska Salemann 'The Ninja FrostVault Cooler is worth the splurge. You may be spending more money on this cooler than you would for something from Amazon, but you're paying for high-quality, long-lasting materials, durability, convenience, and security. Not to mention, Ninja offers a five-year limited warranty, so you can be reimbursed if you run into any issues. Between that, free shipping, and a surprise gift, this cooler certainly gets the check from me.' Sizes: 30-quart (48 cans) or 50-quart (80 cans) | Insulation: Up to 3″ | Warranty: 5 years Amazon Pros: Adjustable carbonation Mixes flavors during carbonation Multiple drink sizes Cons: Water tank needs chilling before use The Thirsti turns still water into sparkling flavored drinks in seconds, with adjustable fizz levels and mix-in flavor pods. It's perfect for seltzer fans or anyone bored of plain water. 'I've been using the Ninja Thirsti since October, and it's been a lot of fun to whip up new drink combinations quickly and easily,' Tricarico said. 'Because all of the functions are spelled out on the appliance's buttons, it's easy to get it up and running, and there's not much of a learning curve. Angela Tricarico 'The Thirsti gets its water from an attached water tank, similar to coffee makers like Nespresso and Keurigs. Still, the major difference here is that the Thirsti doesn't change the temperature of the water at all. Whatever temperature the water is when you add it to the tank is how it'll dispense after the CO2 and flavoring processes. To combat this, Ninja recommends storing the tank inside your refrigerator or filling it with water and ice. There's a handy indicator inside the tank that turns a bright blue when the water reaches an optimal temperature for carbonation. 'As for the flavors, I find that I like the Vitamins and Hydrate lines best, partly because I try to curb my caffeine intake as the day goes on and because the Splash flavors aren't bold enough most of the time. If I want just the hint of a flavor, I'll use a Splash pod, and it ends up tasting like a flavored seltzer, but most of the time, I want a more substantial flavor. Angela Tricarico 'This, to me, is what makes the Thirsti worth the money; I'm able to customize my drinks on demand by making new flavor combinations. Some of my favorites so far are Orange Tangerine + Summer Strawberry, Watermelon Lime + Lemonade, Strawberry Kiwi on its own, and Tart Lemon + Summer Strawberry for a subtly sweet blend. But, for what it's worth, I've also used the Thirsti to make plain, unflavored sparkling water for my seltzer-loving grandma, and she prefers it to the canned stuff now!' Functions: Sparkling, Still, Flavored Drinks | Drink sizes: 4 options | CO2 compatible: Yes How we tested Our Post Wanted team didn't just unbox these Ninjas and call it a day — we put them through weeks (in some cases, months or years) of everyday use, in real kitchens, apartments, and backyards. Each tester was either assigned a product and asked to use it exactly how they would if they'd bought it themselves — no staged recipes, no test-lab perfect conditions — or they actually did buy it themselves (which was generally the case). This meant blenders got fed everything from frozen acai bricks to fibrous ginger, air fryers handled weeknight chicken thighs and last-minute frozen fries, and the Woodfire oven went from homemade pizza to pizza to pizza in a single weekend. We tracked how intuitive each product was to set up, how well it delivered on its promised functions, and whether it actually earned permanent counter or storage space. We also paid attention to the little things: cleanup time, noise levels, countertop footprint, durability of parts, and whether the included accessories were useful or just filler. And because our testers live in a mix of small NYC apartments and suburban homes, we could assess how each appliance fits into different lifestyles — whether that means folding up to slide under a cabinet or withstanding a full weekend camping trip. The result? Only the Ninja products that proved their worth made this list. Check out New York Post Shopping for more content. This article was written by Kendall Cornish, New York Post Commerce Editor & Reporter. Kendall, who moonlights as a private chef in the Hamptons for New York elites, lends her expertise to testing and recommending cooking products – for beginners and aspiring sous chefs alike. Simmering and seasoning her way through both jobs, Kendall dishes on everything from the best cookware for your kitchen to cooking classes that will level-up your skills to new dinnerware to upgrade your holiday hosting. Prior to joining the Post's shopping team in 2023, Kendall previously held positions at Apartment Therapy and at Dotdash Meredith's Travel + Leisure and Departures magazines.
Yahoo
2 days ago
- Yahoo
ATO- One of My Favorite Utilities in a Booming Market
Second-quarter earnings results and guidance updates are all in for CUI Portfolio recommendations. The big takeaway: The best-in-class are not just crushing it as businesses. They're setting up for even better to come over the next few years. One of my favorite names is Atmos Energy Corp. (ATO), writes Roger Conrad, editor of Conrad's Utility Investor. To get more articles and chart analysis from MoneyShow, subscribe to our .) Not every utility stock I track has made money so far in 2025. But the average return for stocks of the 41 companies represented in the portfolios is 13.4%, well ahead of the Big Tech-burdened S&P 500 Index (^SPX) year-to-date. (Editor's Note: Roger is speaking at the 2025 MoneyShow/TradersEXPO Orlando, scheduled for Oct. 16-18. Click HERE to register.) Atmos Energy Corp. (ATO) Utilities are providing the 'picks and shovels' for the ongoing Artificial Intelligence (AI) gold rush. There's reason to doubt some of the more expansive projections for future electricity demand. But actual company results and guidance show clearly that growth is already the fastest since the 1950s. The lowest-risk investments are in the regulated power and natural gas grid. These days, Capex is pre-approved by regulators and investment is usually recovered as incurred in rate riders. That's a huge change from the 1970s and 80s, when utilities did all the work and spending before regulators decided (with 20-20 hindsight) how much cost recovery to allow in rates as 'prudent.' It can take years to build a major power transmission line or natural gas pipeline. But most grid projects are completed in months, which means companies can keep tight control of costs. It adds up to extraordinarily predictable and robust earnings growth. Unfortunately, finding an energy distributor trading at a good entry point has been challenging the past couple years. See also: Gold: Why This "Least Techie" Asset is Surging in a Tech Boom My favorite in the sector is ATO. It just boosted its FY2025 (ending Sept. 30) earnings guidance for the third time this year. It's a great company. But if you buy the stock now, just know you're going to get a yield of barely 2%. More From SPX: Why No One Seems to Care About Tariffs Anymore HD: A Housing Sector Bellwether that Offers Solid Value Market Minute 8/12/25: Wall Street Breathes Easier After CPI
