A snow cone machine is an appliance that turns ice cubes or chunks into a snow-like substance. You can then add a syrup flavoring to it in a cone and eat it like an ice cream. Snow cones are popular at fairs, circuses, special events, and carnivals. Now, however, they are common at home.
The market is full of commercial and home use snow cone machines that tick all the boxes for their users. Check out these options and considerations below to ensure you get the right one for your needs.
9. Paragon Commercial Snow Cone Machine
If you thought circus fun at your fundraiser event or school was impossible, then this affordable snow cone machine shows you otherwise. Bring the fair to your event by offering traditional snow cones.
This machine is portable, lightweight, affordable, and you can buy more than one at a time. What’s more, it’s commercial grade, meaning it will handle the pressure of a lot of use. It features aluminum materials, comes with a hardy 1,725 RPM motor, and packs a punch with half a horsepower.
That’s not all you’ll like about this snow cone machine either. It comes with a generous three-year warranty for peace of mind, it’s made in the USA, and has a range of safety and convenient features such as a slated drain deck, tempered glass panels, and a safety switch.
All you need to do now is buy your cones, straws, and flavoring, and you’re ready to make a lot of children happy.
Features
- One, three, and five-pack options
- Commercial-style machine
- Aluminum construction
- ⅓ horsepower
- 500 pounds of ice per hour
- 1,725 RPM motor
- 50 pounds
- Made in the USA
- Three-year warranty
- Removable slated drain deck
Pros
- Generous warranty
- You can buy more than one at a time
- Lightweight
- Made for the commercial market
- Reliable motor
- It can make a lot of ice
- Easy to move around
- Affordable to buy
Cons
- Challenging to operate with one hands
- No door where you scoop the ice out
- Requires some assembly
8. Cuisinart Snow Cone Maker
If you want a taste of nostalgia in your home, then how better to get it than from a Cuisinart snow cone machine. This fun and funky unit is one you can have in your home and bring out of storage at a moment’s notice.
It comes with a recipe book for use with both adult and child slushies, and can create up to five snow cones every minute. If you have a lot of people over, that speed is going to impress. All food-touching components are BPA free, while the professional blade and motor will show you that this snow cone machine means business.
When this snow cone machine arrives in the post, it will immediately impress. Its sleek red color scheme stands out from the crowd, and you can start creating snow cones with ice cubes straight away. You even get four reusable plastic cones and 12 paper cones included in your purchase price. Put them in the fold-down cone holder and enjoy the fun of creating snow.
This snow cone machine is ideal for home use, affordable to buy, and boasts a traditional styling that’s bound to appeal. If you want to experience a lot of fair-like fun at home, then now’s the time to buy this machine from Cuisinart.
Features
- Recipes included
- 4-5 snow cone capacity per minute
- BPA-free food contactable parts
- Red color scheme
- Fold-down cone holders
- 12 paper cones and four reusable plastic included
- Interlock safety feature
- Professional blade and motor
Pros
- You can use standard ice cubes
- It offers some recipes to start
- You get cones with it
- It can create a lot of snow cones in a minute
- Sleek style
- Safe to use
- All parts that come into contact with food are BPA-free
- You can use it for adult and children drinks
- Affordable to buy
Cons
- It creates crushed ice, not shaved ice
- Better for slushies than snow cones
- Quite bulky for home use
7. Hawaiian Shaved Ice Machine
The next time you hold a party or children’s birthday, consider buying this special snow cone machine for the event. Your child’s birthday party, or even your own, can be a standout among friends and family once they see the offerings you have.
When you buy this snow cone machine, you get either three or six quality syrup flavors, cones, straws, bottle pourers and ice molds. The machine also has a non-skid mat for added safety, and a solid stainless-steel blade.
As you create your snow cones, the quality will impress. You can adjust the type of “snow” you get, for it to be more of a chunky ice or shaved. Some people think the ice is still too chunky, but the snow cone effect is fairly traditional.
What’s more, because all accessories come with this machine, you don’t have to delay in starting your party proceedings. Plug it in and immediately get to work making snow cones. It might only create a couple at a time, but the magic is in the making process as well.
Features
- Three or six flavor options
- S900 model
- Snow cone cups, straws, and ice molds included
- Black bottle pourers come with it
- Non-skid mat
- Stainless-steel blade
- Cylindrical ice blocks
- Texture adjustable
Pros
- It comes with a whole lot of accessories
- Ideal for home use
- Suitable for parties
- Affordable to buy
- Easy to use
- The blade is sharp
- You get fine and fluffy snow
- Premium syrups
- You can adjust the shaving style
Cons
- Only makes enough for two cones
- The ice is too chunky
- It overheats
6. Zeny Ice Shaver Machine
This snow cone machine can make a mess and doesn’t shave ice as finely as others, but that’s where the bad points stop. In all other ways, it’s most likely going to fulfil your needs nicely and make for a positive snow cone making experience.
You can buy it in orange or silver – depending on your home decor, and immediately get to work creating snow cones. It’s as solid as a tank, takes minimal effort to care for and clean, and takes regular ice cubes. You don’t have to worry about special molds or making ice in advance.
This snow cone machine is also stainless-steel to last a long time, waterproof for safety, and can produce over 140 pounds of shaved ice every hour. That’s more than enough for any party or event.
The commercial blade coupled with the cast iron base and stainless-steel bowl make this a snow cone machine you won’t have any problem using for several years.
If you don’t trust the workmanship and quality of plastic snow cone machines, then set your sights on this beauty from Zeny. It’s bound to be a head turner.
Features
- Silver or orange color scheme
- Stainless-steel construction
- Waterproof
- 143 pounds of shaved ice per hour
- Commercial blade
- Cast iron base
- Ergonomic design
- Stainless-steel bowl
Pros
- Affordable to buy
- Easy to clean
- It produces a lot of snow cones
- High-quality parts
- Easy to use
- It has a safe design
- You can choose the color you prefer
- You can use it with regular ice cubes
Cons
- It’s messy to use
- It doesn’t shave the ice as finely as other machines
5. Costzon Electric Snow Cone Ice Shaver
If you need a snow cone machine for a party, special event, business, or even for around the house, this one from Costzon might be the answer. It’s affordable – albeit a bit more expensive than other models – and has everything you need to make the perfect snow cone.
What many people love about this snow cone machine is its commercial presentation. It has lovely graphics on the front – making it ideal for use at a fun fair or a fundraiser. However, it’s the operational components that will win you over the most.
Instead of a single cutter head, this one comes with two. Therefore, it can produce an incredible 440 pounds of shaved ice every minute. It’s also water-resistant, available in three models, and doesn’t require any special molds for ice.
The frame materials are also a drawcard of this snow cone machine. Stainless steel is in the blades, overall construction, and the frame. You don’t have to worry about the durability at all. You can also adjust the way it shaves the ice, but some people say it’s still not fine enough to be a “true” snow cone.
This well-presented unit is an ideal accompaniment to any other food stand, but doesn’t have the hefty price tag you would expect. It’s easy to clean, effortless to care for, but does take some time to drain due to the location of the plug. All in all, this snow cone machine is one that should feature near the top of your “must have” list.
Features
- Double cutter head
- Commercial model
- 1,400 runs per minute
- 201 stainless-steel construction
- Stainless-steel blades
- 440-pound crushing capacity per minute
- Water-resistant
- Stainless-steel frame
- Three model options
Pros
- You can use it at home, for events, or commercially
- It produces a lot of snow every minute
- It has a generous crushing capacity
- It takes minimal effort to clean
- High-quality parts
- Premium blade construction
- Affordable to buy
- You can choose a model to suit
- Well-presented for commercial use
- You can adjust the shavings type
Cons
- The drain location is not convenient
- It doesn’t shave the ice fine enough
- It spits out ice from the top
4. Nostalgia Retro Snow Cone Maker
Not everyone needs a commercial snow cone machine for use at home, but that’s often all you seem to find on the market. However, Nostalgia is a game changer, offering a nostalgic and retro snow cone machine that reminds you of days gone by. It looks and acts like a commercial machine, but without the bulk, capacity, and price tag of one.
This machine is bound to add much flair and zest to your kitchen. The kids will love the funkiness of it, while you’re sure to appreciate the function. It comes with stainless-steel blades, works with standard ice cubes, and even comes with two reusable cones and a scoop. All you need to do is prepare the ice and buy the syrup, and you’re ready to go.
It’s effortless to clean and use, takes up minimal space in your cupboards and on your bench, and will put a smile on any child’s face.
However, it does have a few problems – largely to do with the fact it’s not commercial quality. It can make a lot of noise, creates a mess, and vibrates – even with suction cups on the bottom. If you prepare yourself for having to do a bit of cleaning, you’ll likely still decide to buy this snow cone machine anyway. Treat the kids and put a smile on their face.
Features
- Retro design
- Red color scheme
- Stainless-steel blades
- Ice cube compatible
- Reusable plastic cone included
Pros
- Easy to clean
- Effortless to use
- Lovely color scheme
- Nostalgic design
- Affordable to buy
- Comes with two reusable cones and a scoop
- Doesn’t take up a lot of space
- Ideal for home use
- Fun design
Cons
- Very loud
- Vibrates
- It can make a mess
- It takes a long time to create the ice
3. Zeny Commercial Ice Shaver
It can be a challenge to find the perfect snow cone machine. Home use ones tend to be too weak or small to satisfy your snow cone cravings, while commercial ones can often be too bulky for home use. Zeny meet the consumer in the middle with a commercial quality unit you can use for home use.
You won’t have any problem selling snow cones from this machine, but you can also have it at home – storing it in your pantry when you don’t need it. It has the price tag of a home use snow cone machine, but without any of the weaknesses. Once you try this unit, you’ll struggle to use anything else.
It features full stainless-steel construction for longevity, a waterproof cover for the on and off switch for safety, and has a heat sink with a rear opening. If that’s not enough to convince you, then the double-ended stainless-steel blades and the ice creation capacity will. This machine can produce around 440 pounds of ice per minute, an impressive amount given its size.
It uses a robust motor, has high-quality parts, and will not take a lot of time to clean either. It’s also exceptionally easy to use, meaning you’ll rarely need the instruction manual at all. It can be quite noisy and the ice can be grainy and hard, but they are small problems in the scheme of things. This snow cone machine is at the pointy end of quality, so try it out for yourself.
Features
- Stainless-steel construction
- 440 pounds of ice per minute
- Waterproof cover for the on/off switch
- 2,500 runs per minute
- Heat sink with rear opening
- Double-ended stainless-steel blades
Pros
- Ideal for commercial or home use
- Affordable price tag
- Easy to use
- Effortless to clean
- Sleek design
- High-quality and durable parts
- All stainless-steel for longevity
- Produces a lot of snow quickly
- Robust motor
Cons
- The ice can be grainy and hard
- Noisy to operate
2. Nostalgia Electric Snow Cone Maker
If you want a taste of nostalgia at home, without having to go to a local fair, then consider purchasing this electric snow cone machine from Nostalgia. While it has all the colors and retro appeal of an old-style snow cone machine, it works smoothly and effortlessly – exactly what you want for home use.
You can shave ice from ice cubes at the touch of a button, operate it on 110 voltage, and enjoy the premium stainless-steel cutting blades as well. These blades work quickly to prepare at least two snow cones for the kids. When you prepare the ice, you also get to enjoy the convenience of a cup holder that keeps your snow cones in place.
This machine is effortless to clean, use, and affordable to buy. It may not be up to the operational standards necessary for commercial use, but it’s an excellent option for fun at home with the family.
Features
- One-button shaving function
- Stainless-steel cutting blades
- Cup holder included
- Ice cube-compatible
- 110 voltage
Pros
- Easy to clean
- Lovely style
- Ideal for home use
- Affordable to buy
- Children love it
- Bright and colorful
Cons
- It doesn’t come with the snow cone cups, straws, or syrups
- The ice is thick
- It can overheat
1. Throwback Chrome Ice Shaver
Let this snow cone machine take you back to memories of circuses, carnivals, and holidays to Hawaii. It may be more expensive than other snow cone machines, but it’s worth every penny. It’s well made, ideal for a lot of people, and will easily produce ten snow cones in a minute.
There’s much to love about this large capacity ice shaver. It comes with four BPA-free reusable cones, 12 paper ones, and a stand that will hold four at a time. It also has a stainless-steel shaper, a drip tray to reduce mess, and it’s of a sleek color scheme that appeals to many.
You still need to buy the syrup, and its price tag can put a lot of people off, but there are many reasons why this unit should be at the top of your wish list.
Features
- Heavy-duty construction
- Large capacity ice shaver
- Ice cube compatible
- Ten cone capacity per minute
- Four BPA-free reusable cones included
- 12 paper cones included
- Four cone stand
- Stainless-steel shaper
- Drip tray
- Chrome and silver color scheme
Pros
- Sleek and elegant styling
- Makes a lot of cones in a minute
- Comes with all the accessories you need
- Easy to use
- Effortless to clean
- Has a drip tray to prevent mess
- You only need to use ice cubes
Cons
- Syrup not included
- Expensive to buy
Considerations for Purchasing a Snow Cone Machine
Anyone looking for a taste of nostalgia is going to start searching for a snow cone machine they can use at home. However, as soon as they see the several hundred options that come up, they might decide it’s all too hard.
Fortunately, there are ways to narrow down the options. Here are a few of the many things to consider before you pick a new snow cone machine.
- Price
The price tag for a snow cone machine can differ quite a lot. Some can be around the $50 mark, while others are several hundred. The price normally reflects the quality and capacity of the machine. The less you pay, the more suitable it is for a house rather than in a commercial setting.
- Materials
The materials matter a lot when you buy a new snow cone machine. You want it to last the distance, without the constant moisture causing it to succumb to rust or corrosion. Always buy a snow cone machine with stainless-steel parts. It will last far longer than something without it.
- Capacity
Not every snow cone machine is fast. Home models typically produce enough snow for up to four cones, and take a while to crush it. Commercial models will produce ten times as much to keep up with demand at events. Read the comments and refer to manufacturer instructions to find out what the one you’re looking at can achieve.
- Ice Type
The ice type for any snow cone machine can differ. Some produce fine, soft shavings not dissimilar to snow. Others tend to have hard, large chunks that resemble a slushie. Consider what you prefer. Some machine offer an adjustable blade to suit, but most don’t.
- Commercial or Home Use
Do you want to use your snow cone machine at home or in a commercial setting? Commercial units are bigger, sometimes have graphics, and produce more snow. They are also more expensive. Home units are compact, affordable, and don’t take up much space in your kitchen.