Also included in the set are two reusable plastic cups and an ice scooper. With a full chamber of ice, this machine can make several 8-ounce snow cones in one go - up to 20 at a time. Load ice cubes into the shaving chamber and lock the lid in place to start the shaving process. As no sharp parts are exposed until you take it apart for cleaning and maintenance, kids can have an active role in making snow cones, too. Styled after the type of old-timey popcorn cart you may have seen at carnivals and fairs, this snow cone maker would be a hit at a kid’s birthday or pool party this summer. It got messy when we used the side door to scoop out the finished ice. Included: Little Snowie Max machine, six syrup mixes, two syrup bottles and spouts, eight reusable snow shovels.We really liked the consistency of the ice from this machine, as it fell somewhere between true block-shaved ice and a crunchy snow cone.

The chute also acts as a shaper, and we were able to mold snow cones into that rounded, recognizable shape by pressing the cone upwards as it filled. This machine worked very fast, making an 8-ounce cup of ice in about five seconds. While it runs on the loud side, the noise was comparable to a blender or even your best food processor on high. We loved that we could easily operate it with one hand, using the other hand to hold a cup or cone to catch the ice. The set also includes six syrup mixes and two bottles with pour spouts, so you can create your own snow cone station right on your counter. Modeled after Snowie’s commercial machines, the Little Snowie Max is as straightforward as these appliances come Right out of the box, we were able to load the hopper with up to 64 ounces of ice cubes and press down the lid to start creating fluffy snow cones. It’s fairly loud when it’s running, and it can be messy without the right vessel underneath.

Included: Snow cone maker, four reusable cones, 12 paper cones, recipes.

That said, if you love snow cones and have the space to store it, this machine is a nice, affordable option. While we did like the small size and crunchy consistency of the ice, we wish we had the ability to adjust the blade for other texture options. To top it off, this machine didn’t make a mess, as all the ice collected in the drawer below. It would be perfect for a kid’s party or serving a larger group at an event. We gave this machine high scores based on how easy it was to use and how quickly the machine ground ice cubes. We also like that its compact silhouette won’t require too much room on a countertop. The receptacle drawer pulls out, which let us easily scoop the ice into the included reusable or paper cones. The machine automatically stopped when we lifted the plunger, which is an excellent safety feature. Simply flip the switch to turn it on, load it with ice cubes, and gently press the plunger to start churning out snow cones - it made enough ice for four to five servings in under a minute. If you’re searching for a snow cone machine that offers performance at an easier price, this one from Cuisinart is a smart choice. It is on the bulky side, and only produces one texture of ice.

Included: Ice shaver, ice molds with lids, instruction manual, and tip card.

We also liked how stable the machine was when in use, and how easy it was to clean with a bit of soap and warm water.

While it took us a little time to figure out what blade height we preferred, we easily powered through several blocks of ice once we set it. A fully-raised blade yielded crunchy ice chips, while the lowest height made fluffy, soft shaved ice. This machine provided consistently excellent results, regardless of the blade setting. (If you’re more of a crunchy snow cone lover, you can opt for cubes instead.) Included in the package are five lidded ice molds so you can make ice blocks that fit perfectly into the machine for shaved ice. Just plug it into the wall and add ice cubes or an ice block (molds included), and use the single-touch button to start the process, catching the shaved ice in a container below. This machine features an adjustable blade that lets you make a variety of textures of ice. If you can’t decide between a snow cone or a shaved ice machine, you don’t have to - this model by Hawaiian Shaved Ice can do both. The blade settings don’t have marks, so we had to play around with its height to find our preferred settings.

Nostalgia retro snow cone maker