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The Ninja Slushi makes vacation-worthy frozen drinks, and I highly recommend it (especially on sale)
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Save $90: The Ninja Slushi 88 oz machine is on sale for $260 (that's 26% off and $90 savings) at Amazon and Walmart. This is the best price we've seen the Ninja Slushi sell for since Prime Day in June, where it dropped to its lowest ever price of $200.
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I've had the chance to test the Ninja Slushi for several months, and it's been an impressive upgrade to my kitchen appliance repertoire. While it's certainly not a necessity, it's fun and easy to use, and can turn nearly any drink into a frozen treat in under 30 minutes.
The Ninja Slushi previously sold out at multiple retailers while it was last on sale for Prime Day, so don't wait too long if you're considering this machine for frosty fun the rest of the summer -- the savings (or the stock) may be gone soon.
There are a few different capacity options for the Ninja Slushi, spanning from 72 to 150 ounces. I tested the Slushi Max model, which has a maximum liquid fill capacity of 112 oz. The Max model shares most major features with the smaller-capacity options, but it also features Ninja's SlushAssist system, which automatically adjusts temperature for the perfect slush, depending on your liquid of choice, and a few more advanced settings.
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Besides this button, the machines generally all function the same way, with the liquid max capacity and some slush modes being the only thing that sets most of them apart. Essentially, the larger you go in terms of liquid capacity, the more features become available. The Ninja Slushi features a few quick pieces that assemble and disassemble for easy cleaning.
When you're ready to slush, simply add your drink of choice and select your slush mode (you have five options: Slush, Spiked Slush, Frappe, Milkshake, and Frozen Juice). You can also adjust the slushie to be colder or warmer to your preference. The Ninja Slushi comes with a recipe book, which I've tried several recipes from, including frozen mimosas, chocolate shakes, and more, or you can freestyle your frosty however you'd like. The Ninja Slushi claims it can turn nearly any drink into a frozen treat, which, in my experience, is fairly true.
However, there are a few exceptions. The machine needs liquids with at least 4% sugar content, either by natural composition or by manual addition via simple syrup, sugar, or other specific sugar supplements, recipe-dependent. The maximum alcohol content for a liquid mix to be slushed is 20% ABV.
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Generally, I had no issues while following the recipe book or recipes online with either mocktails or cocktails (or other treats), but if you are someone who likes to be their own barista, keep in mind there are some functional limitations. It took me about 25 minutes to slush the frozen mimosa mix, and then I had to adjust the temperature to make it a bit more frozen. All in, in about 30 minutes, I had a slushie for around 8-12 people, and it was the perfect cool treat for a get-together.
The pros: In a quick glance, the Ninja Slushi easily whips up frosty drinks that are perfect for parties, hot summer days, or just whenever you'd like. I find it extremely easy to use and clean, though you have to be meticulous about letting the pieces dry completely before reassembling or storing.
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The cons: The most notable cons of the machine are that it's super heavy (I imagine the smaller models are still pretty hefty) and that it's extremely loud while in use. Since you have to keep the system churning to keep your slushie cold, the noise can be overwhelming in a small space or at an intimate gathering. Some reviews across the web have also reported mold growth in the liquid chamber, but I haven't experienced this thus far and do recommend towel- and air-drying the pieces extensively before storing.
How I rated this deal
At 26% off, this deal gets a 3/5 editor's rating. It's not the lowest price I've ever seen, but it is the best price in over a month, and the most savings I've seen offered since Prime Day.
When will this deal expire?
Deals are subject to sell out or expire anytime, though ZDNET remains committed to finding, sharing, and updating the best product deals for you to score the best savings. Our team of experts regularly checks in on the deals we share to ensure they are still live and obtainable. We're sorry if you've missed out on this deal, but don't fret -- we're constantly finding new chances to save and sharing them with you at ZDNET.com.
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