Snow Cone Machine Showdown

Snow cone machines (and the snow cones they make) are not created equal. From coarse, chunky pieces of ice to smooth and creamy shavings – the quality of the ice depends on the quality of the machine.

We tested four popular options, prices ranging from $16 – $1,780. And we found ourselves with four very different icy treats. Keep reading to learn more about these four machines.

Sno-Kones Machine

This iconic machine has been providing icy treats to fairs, carnivals, and festivals for decades! Built-to-last, the Sno-Kones Machine is heavy-duty and sturdy.

ICE USED: cubed ice
ICE QUALITY: coarse & crunchy
PRICE: $549.99
SIZE OF MACHINE: extra large (67 lbs)
EASY OF USE: easy, clean, mess contained
USE: commercial or home use

Hand-Powered Ice Shaver

For many years, this was the only option available for homemade icy treats. The tricky part of the Hand-Powered Ice Shaver is that you must use the prefrozen disks. Cubed ice will not work, limiting the amount of snow cones you can make. If you’re desperate for a snow cone, this works.

ICE USED: ice disks
ICE QUALITY: flakey and crunchy
PRICE: $16.99
SIZE OF MACHINE: extra small
EASY OF USE: requires two sets of hands, can only make small cups
USE: home use only

Snowie Max

Snowie has been in the commercial snow cone industry for 15 years. The Snowie Max is a newer offering – providing a commercial quality ice shaver for home use. Using cubed ice from your freezer or from the grocery store, you are not limited on the amount of snow cones you can make.

ICE USED: cubed ice
ICE QUALITY: soft & fluffy
PRICE: $199.99
SIZE OF MACHINE: Medium
EASY OF USE:
USE: home use only

Snowie 1000

The Snowie 1000 is the smallest commercial unit from the Snowie brand of ice shavers. This is a good option for snow cone experts who are looking to up their game. This machine has a 1000 watt motor, meaning it can withstand a full day of use – whether at a large party or family reunion or even a large carnival or fair.

ICE USED: cubed ice
ICE QUALITY: fine & firm
PRICE: $1780.00
SIZE OF MACHINE: large
EASY OF USE: includes convenient foot pedal, drip spout, and protection shield
USE: commercial & home use

Results

Our favorite snow cone was made with the Snowie Max machine. The texture was far superior, especially when syrup is added. The flavor is suspended in the ice, creating a soft and creamy texture. This is the perfect canvas for a wide variety of icy treats.

We also liked the texture of the Snowie 1000. The ice as a bit more firm then the Snowie Max, but not too noticeably. The price of this machine is warranted if you’re needing an option for commercial use. If operating at home, save your money and stick with Snowie Max.

The Sno-Kones machine is great for large crowds, as it produces the crushed ice very quickly. The coarse texture melts slowly, allowing the snow cones to be made in advance. For this reason, you’ll find this type of snow cone at sporting events and concerts. We prefer the softer texture from the Snowie Max, but most people won’t turn down this delicious treat.

The hand-powered ice shaver should be used as a last resort. It is fussy and harder to use. The ice texture is less desirable and the amount of cones you can make is limited by the amount of ice disks you have pre-frozen. If it’s the only option, this could work in a pinch. But, we recommend making a small investment in the Snowie Max machine.

MACHINE	ICE QUALITY	TYPE OF ICE	PRICE OF MACHINE*
SNO-KONES	coarse & crunchy	cubed ice	$549.99
ICE SHAVER	flakey	frozen disk	$16.99
SNOWIE MAX	soft & fluffly	cubed ice	$199.99
SNOWIE 1000	fine & firm	cubed ice	$1,780.00