Image of the shaved ice

Which Is the Best Shaved Ice Machine In 2020?

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With the promise of summer coming every year, the importance of having an ice shaver machine in your kitchen cannot be overemphasized. Summers are getting hotter every year, and everyone is looking for new, refreshing ways of keeping cool. There is nothing that can beat that summer heat better than the taste of that chilled glass of crisp fresh ice.

There are many factors that come into play when crowning the best shaver in the market. Are you looking for a shaver that plays around with different flavors? Are you more interested in the speed and output of ice in an hour or one that consumes little power? There are other considerations, such as the built, make, and durability, which also forms an essential component of the ice shaver. Here is a breakdown of everything you need to know about the ice shavers.

BEST OVERALL
Little Snowie 2 Ice Shaver

The Little Snowie 2 Ice Shaver is a top-rated shaved ice machine that stands out from the rest. It is highly efficient backed with a high-speed mortar for the fast production of ice cubes. Additionally, it also has a unique blade cutting system that is highly resistant to rust. It is also easy to use at home with a portable handle fit. Put it lightly; this machine is one of the best offers today!

Types of Shaved Iced Machines

A home shaved ice machine is usually categorized into two classes based on the type of ice produced and the source of power.

  • The first class is based on the type of ice. Iced shavers usually either produce block ice or cubed ice. With block ice, it can be easily purchased at your local ice distributors or directly in your home. For cubed ice, it can be quickly produced from the comfort of your home. Portable ice shavers are best used for cubed ice.
  • The next class is based on how the machine is powered. This is either categorized into either manual or electric. The manual kind makes use of a hand crank, which can be turned on manually to produce shaved ice. The electric shavers provide ice at the press of a button. Even with the ease of use and user-friendly nature of manual shaved ice machines, they produce fewer servings compared to the electric kinds.

Comparison Table

Technical Details

Brand Name

SNOWIE

Item Weight

8 lb

Product Dimensions

 8 x 6 x 12 inches

Speed

Fluffy snow in 3 seconds

Special Features​​​​

Shape blades, big motor

Color

White

Type

Electric

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Technical Details

Brand Name

Hawaiian Shaved Ice

Item Weight

8 pounds

Product Dimensions

14.5 x 9.8 x 7.8 inches

Speed

No information

Special Features​​​​

Compact size

Color

White

Type

Electic

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Nostalgia SCM525WH

* Best Cheap Shaved Ice Machine
Image of Nostalgia SCM525WH Vintage Countertop Snow Cone Maker
Technical Details

Brand Name

Nostalgia

Item Weight

6.95 pounds

Product Dimensions

12 x 11 x 15.2 inches

Speed

No information

Special Features​​​​

Big capacity, side shelf

Color

White, gold

Type

Electic

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MANBA Manual Ice Shaver

* Portable Shaved Ice Machine
Image of MANBA Manual Ice Shaver and Snow Cone Machine
Technical Details

Brand Name

MANBA

Item Weight

1.85 pounds

Product Dimensions

7.3 x 5.1 x 7.9 inches

Speed

-

Special Features​​​​

Ice cube tray included

Color

Green, white

Type

Manual

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Costzon Ice Shaver

* Best Commercial Shaved Ice Machine
Image of Costzon Ice Shaver
Technical Details

Brand Name

Costzon

Item Weight

32 pounds

Product Dimensions

16.5 x 12.5 x 24 inches

Speed

440 lb/h

Special Features​​​​

High-efficiency crushing capacity

Color

Silver

Type

Electric

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Technical Details

Brand Name

VIVOHOME

Item Weight

11.55 pounds

Product Dimensions

16 x 14.2 x 8.2 inches

Speed

143 lb/h

Special Features​​​​

Stable base, water resist

Color

Silver

Type

Electric

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What Feature to Look Out for When Choosing the Best Ice Shaver Machine?

Before making your final decision on purchasing your personal shaved ice machine, there are various considerations that you should make a priority. It is hard to find snow shaved ice machine that blends perfectly flavors without wasting energy. Here are essential factors you should take note of:

Durability

It is essential to go for a shaved ice machine that can last a lifetime in your kitchen. Therefore, it is recommended to opt for a machine fitted with either a brass construction or stainless steel construction. Under proper maintenance, the materials are sturdy and guarantee a lifetime of service.

Accessories

To ensure that you get the value of your money back from the machine, you should capitalize on the accessories present with the machine. Several added accessories which are accompanied with the machine include cone cups, straws, and ice syrups.

Ease of Use

Hawaiian Shaved Ice S900A

Many people opt for shave ice machines over block ice machines, mainly due to the ease of use.  The machine should feature simple to use procedures from turning it on to pressing the handle. The parts should also be removable with use for cleaning.

Effective Functioning

The effective functioning of the machine can be judged by the amount of ice the machine can produce in an hour. It is important to note that the horsepower of the machine is related to the shaving speed and output of the machine.

Cost

You should be able to draw the line for the use of the machine for either commercial purposes or home use. After that, you can proceed to match the quality of the device with the price tag.

Safety of Use

As part of the setup of the machine, it should feature a safety operation. This is important, especially in preventing electrical incidents when operating the machine. The on and off switch should be located quickly and covered with waterproof material.

Storage Space

Ice shavers are not bulky devices; hence the consumption of space should not come as a problem. However, it is recommended to check on the countertop space occupied with the machine before making the purchase.

Top 6 Rated Shaved Ice Machines in the Market

Getting a top rated shaved ice machine is made easy by a comprehensive review. Below is a list of quality machines that are making waves in the market. Each machine is packed with salient features that differentiate it from others.

Best Electric Shaved Ice Machine Overall : Little Snowie 2 Ice Shaver

Technical Details

Brand Name

SNOWIE

Item Weight

8 lb

Product Dimensions

 8 x 6 x 12 inches

Speed

Fluffy snow in 3 seconds

Special Features

Shape blades, big motor

Color

White

Type

Electric

Pros

  • Superfast speed motor;
  • Highly portable;
  • Packed with additional accessories;
  • Takes up little space.

Cons

  • Produces noise during operation.

If you are looking for a simple to use electric ice shaver for home use, the small-sized Little Snowie 2 is the best option. The shaver features a high-speed motor for creating those fluffy snows in a matter of seconds. The automatic shaved ice machine also has a clamp handle for natural movements around your home and making it easier to clean. Attached to the shaver are six free sample-sized syrup cups with additional eight washable party spoons.

You will be delighted with the lightweight nature of the ice shaver, which is additionally easy to carry around from your kitchen to your porch, office, or for outdoor functions. The shaver also makes use of the standard-sized ice cubes, which saves you from the worry of making individually sized cubes. Snowie 2 sits at 12 inches by 13 inches by seven inches wide; hence, it does not consume a lot of the countertop space. While weighing at around 11 pounds only, it can be stored easily.

Based on the manual, the Snowie 2 can hold up close to half a gallon of ice in a single time. The amount can translate to up to nine eight-ounce cups for your shaved ice. The blade for the ice shaver is made from hardened stainless steel, which is highly resistant to corrosion and showing increased tenacity through the sheer strength showcased.

Features

Listed as one of the best electric ice shave machine in the market, the Little Snowie 2 has a pack of exciting features including: 

  • Convenient size;
  • Proper space for storage;
  • High capacity;
  • Stainless steel cutting blade.

Technical Details

Brand Name

Hawaiian Shaved Ice

Item Weight

8 pounds

Product Dimensions

14.5 x 9.8 x 7.8 inches

Speed

No information

Special Features

Compact size

Color

White

Type

Electic

Pros

  • Lightweight nature;
  • Very affordable;
  • Sturdy and durable construction;
  • Easy maintenance.

Cons

  • Not meant for commercial purposes.

When it comes to convenient home use for ice shavers, the Hawaiian S900A is a worthy contender in the market. Also, the price tag makes for a suitable appliance for your kitchen, especially when you are a beginner with ice shavers. The S900A is also explicitly made for a number of home uses.

The countertop surface features a sleek design that makes it easy to fit perfectly into your kitchen without clearing out much space. The design is also sturdy, giving off a firm feel when carrying it around your home for different purposes.

Apart from making ice for you and your family, the ice shaver can also be used for producing refreshed snow cones and shaved ice. Additionally, it can be used in producing slushies and smoothies for you and your family. In addition to the stainless steel construction, which is combined with cylindrical ice blocks for ensuring there are fluffy snow and fine servings when using the shaver.

The tray at the bottom of the shaver is also non-skid to ensure there are no incidents in the kitchen when working with the shaver. This is a simple addition to the two-block ice models. The shaver is accompanied by three ice flavors, including grape, blue raspberry, and cherry. You can choose to either use a single flavor or use all of the three flavors at once.

Features

Apart from the price tag, a major intriguing feature of the S900A is the steel construction making it perfect for producing snow cones. Other features include:

  • Sleek design;
  • High usability;
  • Compact construction;
  • Non-skid mat;
  •  3 shaved ice flavors.

Best Cheap Shaved Ice Machine : Nostalgia SCM525WH

Technical Details

Brand Name

Nostalgia

Item Weight

6.95 pounds

Product Dimensions

12 x 11 x 15.2 inches

Speed

No information

Special Features

Big capacity, side shelf

Color

White, gold

Type

Electric

Pros

  • Attractive vintage design;
  •  Easy maintenance;
  • Packed with high capacity;
  • Fast production of ice.

Cons

  • The plastic construction can break easily.

The vintage rolling cart design is one of the salient features that distinguished the Nostalgia SCM525WH from other ice shavers. The shaver is packed with several amazing features to ensure you are able to get the snow cones from the ice cubes in a more efficient manner. It additionally features a built-in shelf, which creates extra convenience when operating from the machine.

This feature makes for an effective and efficient machine that can cut cubes efficiently. It ensures that you can get the snow-shaped ice cubes in a matter of time. The machine features a chamber that is clear from all the views. This makes for easy maintenance of the shaver since you can view from each side when the ice starts to pile up. This ensures that the shaver is not filled with ice blocks, which reduces the functionality of the shaver.

When you want to add your favorite type of syrup, you can use the side of the snow cone for the side shelf to act as a prep station. This ensures the end product is fully put together. There is an additional use of two reusable snow cones that comes together with an ice scoop, which can be used to easily serve the cones. This makes for a perfect serving with ease.

The ice shave has a unique countertop size which can fit perfectly in any kitchen countertop. It has a small-sized fitting downside size, which can be laid on a small table to make it easier especially when serving the snow cones.

Features

The standout feature for the SCM525WH is undoubtedly the in-built shelf for added efficiency when using the product. Other intriguing features include:

  • Stainless steel blade;
  • All-round view;
  •  Featured side shelf;
  • Accessories;
  • Perfect countertop size.

Portable Shaved Ice Machine : MANBA Manual Ice Shaver

Technical Details

Brand Name

MANBA

Item Weight

1.85 pounds

Product Dimensions

7.3 x 5.1 x 7.9 inches

Speed

-

Special Features

Ice cube tray included

Color

Green, white

Type

Manual

Pros

  • Bonus ice cube tray;
  • Easy to use;
  • 4 precise blades.

Cons

  • Needs human effort.

To top of the list of the diverse manual shaved ice shavers are the MANBA brand. The handheld ice crushed is a preference for many people to get the precise ice cubes. It has a simple design for a simple handheld shaved ice device. Another added advantage of the hand shaved ice machine that it is highly portable and makes it a perfect fit for home and office uses.

It is manufactured from high-quality blades, which makes the shaver long-lasting and very durable. Additionally, the blades are highly resistant to rust. It has more precise cuts for faster shaving of ice cubes faster, which is more efficient compared to the conventional blade system. Even children in your home can efficiently operate this.

It has a smooth hand operating design, which is easy to use to get that shaved ice. The design also makes it simple for creating snow cones even when you are outdoors without the need for electricity. It features an adjustable ice cube tray that helps you in getting up to fifteen pieces of the perfect ice blocks size, which caters for all drinks in your home. With the press of a finger, the ice cubes can be released while using a simple twist.

This prevents any incidents happening when operating the shaver. All you need to do to get the crushed ice or the finely shaved ice is through using the different pressure placed on the lid.

Features

The hand-held design of the MANBA ice machine shaver makes for a highly efficient manual ice shaver machine. It also packs:

  •  Stainless steel blade;
  • 4 blade system;
  • Portable hand crank;
  • Flexible tray;
  • In-built non-slip bottom.

Best Commercial Shaved Ice Machine : Costzon Ice Shaver

Technical Details

Brand Name

Costzon

Item Weight

32 pounds

Product Dimensions

16.5 x 12.5 x 24 inches

Speed

440 lb/h

Special Features

High-efficiency crushing capacity

Color

Silver

Type

Electric

Pros

  • Can turn ice to snow;
  • Highly profitable for businesses;
  • Handle commercial uses efficiently.

Cons

  •  Poor positioning of the drain.

This tops the list of the best commercial ice shaver machine in the market. It can prove to be a bit hard to keep up with the pace when operating a business where you need a reliable shaved ice machine.

Even though some of the other shavers are reliable, they are specially meant for home uses. The professional shaved ice machine makes for a perfect heavy use machine that can sustain the power for commercial purposes.

The Costzon ice shaver features sturdy construction with a healthy machine body. It also comes with a dual blade system that runs on a high-speed motor, which makes the shaver highly efficient to work in heavy commercial use. The dual blade system also ensures that efficiency is increased double. This ensures there is a massive production of ice with minimum efforts.

The best shaved ice machine for business features a simple casing for ensuring the shaved ice remains cool in addition to a drain hole with a pipe used for releasing water from the machine. The design is completed with a water-resistant on and off switch. This makes it safe to operate, especially when working with wet hands without any incidents.

The design of the shaver features both a concave and convex handle in addition to the high-pressure downward movement for ease with usability. To increase efficiency, the dual blade system makes for a high ice crushing capacity. The bottom of the shaver features four rubber feet to ensure that your floor is protected at all times. It also features a drain hole for ensuring that there is the release of all buildup water.

The shaver can be used in bars, restaurants, offices, canteens, parties, and other gatherings. This makes for a multipurpose ice shaver for both domestic and outdoor functions.

Features

The sturdy construction of the Costzon ice shaver is a standout feature for the product. Other standout features include:

  • Stainless steel construction;
  • The high efficient blade system;
  • Ergonomic design;
  • Anti-skid handle;
  • Drain hole with rubber feet.

Technical Details

Brand Name

VIVOHOME

Item Weight

11.55 pounds

Product Dimensions

16 x 14.2 x 8.2 inches

Speed

143 lb/h

Special Features

Stable base, water resist

Color

Silver

Type

Electric

Pros

  • High level of safety and hygiene;
  •  Highly resistant to rust;
  • Suitable for both domestic and residential use;
  • Produces less vibration during operations.

Cons

  • Hard to understand operations.

If you are looking for an industrial shaved ice machine, which is perfect for the production of fluffy ice cubes. It also has an easy to use design which you only need to plug in the device, while adding cubes and you can have a refreshing shaved ice in a matter of seconds. The shaver is specially meant for home purposes and ensures a lifetime of service.

The shaver is manufactured from food-grade stainless steel, which is additionally resistant to corrosion. It is also fitted with rust-free and hygiene conditions for ensuring enhanced food safety.

The shaver also features a waterproof on and off switch for enhanced convenience and safety. To avoid any incidents with the blades, when you press the off switch, the hopper handle opens up to stop the blade from rotating.

The shaver has a dual blade system for ensuring high precision when cutting through the ice cubes and fluffier snow ice. The shaver has a bright appearance in addition to the elegant design, which makes it one of a kind.

Features

The addition of the food-grade stainless steel blade system makes for a hygienic and healthy product. Other green lights with the product include:

  • Sturdy construction;
  • Ergonomic design;
  • Dual blade system;
  •  Attractive design.

How to Use a Shaved Ice Machine

The first step includes the use of ice. In case you need to use ice molds, which are accompanied by the shaved ice machines, it is recommended to store it in a refrigerator earlier. You can also decide to take some of the ice out from the fridge and place it into the compartment of the shaver. You should put a bowl at the opening of the shaver to catch the shaved ice when it is ejected.

Common Questions About Shaved Ice Machines

We have rounded up some of the most asked questions on the internet in regards to shaved ice machines.

Which snow cone machine is the best?

There are different brands and models of ice shavers in the market. Each shaver serves a specific purpose with various features. Some shavers are meant for home use, while others are specifically meant for commercial use.

Can you buy shaved ice?

Yes. There are local stores that sell shaved ice.

What is Hawaiian Style Shave Ice?

Hawaii shaved ice ranks as one of the popular forms of shaved ice desserts. The shave ice from the Hawaiian shaved ice machine resembles the fluffy snow, which is further topped off with flavored syrups. This is quickly absorbed into the dessert which makes for the powdery nature of the ice.

Nostalgia SCM525WH Vintage Countertop Snow Cone Maker

What is the difference between Shaved Ice and snow cones?

There is a little confusion by many people with regards to shaved ice, shave ice, snow cones and snowballs. All these terms are dependent on the texture and the place where you live. When it comes to shaved ice, it mainly consists of smooth and fluffy ice, which sticks to the syrup cup.

On the other hand, snow cones are produced from hard and crunchy ice. When you add the syrup to the ice, it immediately runs down to the bottom of the cup. Different people have different terms for these standard terms, which are times are used interchangeably.

How do you make homemade snow cone ice?

Place ice in a blender and ensure it is pureed and finely chopped. Place the ice in paper cones while flavoring it at the top with soda or drinks.

How much ice does a snow cone machine need?

Wondering how the shaved ice machine cost? This depends on the nature of the snow cone machine. There are brands that need constant maintenance, while others are very durable. The lower the cost and higher the functionality makes for a proper ice shaver.

Can you freeze shaved ice?

Yes. All you need to freeze the ice in your freezer slowly to produce excellent ice blocks.

What is chewy ice?

This is made from carbonated water or club soda, which has been frozen with crushed ice cubes in it.

What are the most popular shaved ice flavors?

There are popular flavors for shaved ice, such as blue raspberry, grape, cherry and many others.

Is shaved ice healthy?

Eating too much-shaved ice is bad for your health since it high in terms of added sugars. It can lead to serious health conditions.

VIVOHOME Electric Dual Blades Ice Crusher Shaver

Why Do Hawaiians call it shave ice?

It bears its origin from Taiwan from Japanese workers who brought it to America. It was later brought to Hawaii as part of the sugar plantations.

What’s the difference between shaved ice and Italian ice?

None. Both Italian and shaved ice are frozen treats. The only difference is how both treats are made.

Why is crushed ice used for snow cones?

This is because of increasing the surface area that helps in dissolving the more flavoring. Temperature cannot be increased while melting the ice.

How do you crush ice for slushies?

Fill an ice cube tray with cold water and leave it in a freezer. Let the tray stay in the fridge for up to two hours and hit it with a bit of block to break the ice.

How do you make a slushie?

This is made by mixing sugar and water to make a mixture. Color and flavor are added to the mixture of sugar water and cups of ice and blended at high speed.

Does adding salt to ice make it last longer?

Yes. A sure way of ensuring that ice in the chest lasts longer is by adding rock salt.

Final Thoughts of Shaved Ice Machines

From the above reviews on the best shaved ice maker in the market, you gain a clue on what to look for. Despite the resemblance in the functionality, there are salient features that you should be on the lookout for. When purchasing your preferred option for a shaved ice machine, you should look into the ease of usability, durability, capacity, size, and portability.

Do you have any experience using a shaved ice machine? We would like to hear more about that from you. Use the knowledge of the above shaved ice machine reviews to guide your next buying decision. You should ensure that you go for a long-serving shaved ice machine that is appropriate for either domestic or commercial purposes.

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About the Author Yvonne Ferguson

Yvonne Ferguson is a culinary enthusiast and dedicated cooking tech reviewer. She’s constantly looking for the most up-to-date products and information to share with IceMakersHub readers. Yvonne enjoys making family-friendly recipes while sharing tips on choosing handy appliances for a healthy life.

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