Black Friday 2026: Ninja deals
the CREAMi to buy now and what to wait on
Our best buy is the Ninja CREAMi XL Deluxe (NC501). Ninja’s CREAMi, SLUSHi, air fryers, Crispi and Luxe Café all show up in Black Friday searches. Amazon has not announced its 2026 dates, but you can plan now: here is what to buy, what to wait on and which model to skip.
How we picked: we shortlist by Amazon Best Seller rank and number of ratings, then compare published specs. We don't test these products hands-on.
By Jamilur Rahman, Founder & Editor · Updated October 18, 2026
- Owner reviews checked
- Features side by side
- Quick & easy compare
- Smarter purchase
The short answer
Black Friday 2026 is Friday, November 27 (Cyber Monday is November 30), but Amazon has not announced its 2026 sale dates yet. In past years its Black Friday deals started about a week before Black Friday and ran through Cyber Monday, so if it repeats the pattern, early Ninja deals would start around November 20. Today is October 18, so you have about six weeks to plan.
Amazon puts deal flags on its listings, so we used them. Buy the one Ninja that Amazon marked as a “90-day low” on October 18, the CREAMi XL Deluxe. Wait on the SLUSHi, the DualZone air fryer, the Crispi and the Luxe Café, which showed a smaller discount or none. Skip the CREAMi 7-in-1, because the older, smaller model costs more than the bigger XL Deluxe. Amazon’s Prime Big Deal Days already ran on October 6–7.
Flags change, so treat ours as a snapshot from October 18, 2026, not a promise. If a Ninja is a holiday gift you cannot miss, buy the CREAMi now and wait on the rest. The Luxe Café is the priciest Ninja here, so only a real discount makes it worth buying. Tap through to see today’s price.
Compare them side by side
Everything that matters, in one table. Swipe to see all 6.
| Product | Best Buy Now Ninja CREAMi XL Deluxe (NC501) 11-in-1 ice cream maker |  Best Slush Maker to Wait For Ninja SLUSHi Smart (FS351) Frozen drink maker (88 oz) |  Best Air Fryer to Wait For Ninja Foodi DualZone Smart XL (DZ550) 10 qt, 2-basket air fryer |  Best Small Kitchen Pick Ninja Crispi Glass Air Fryer (FN101) 4-in-1 portable air fryer with glass |  Biggest Saving Potential Ninja Luxe Café Premier (ES601) 3-in-1 espresso, drip and cold brew machine |  Skip This One Ninja CREAMi 7-in-1 (NC301) Ice cream maker with pint tubs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| BeastScore | 91 / 100 | 86 / 100 | 89 / 100 | 85 / 100 | 87 / 100 | 80 / 100 |
| Our call | Buy | Wait | Wait | Wait | Wait | Skip |
| Best for | Homemade ice cream, sorbet and gelato | Parties, frappes and frozen cocktails | Cooking a main and a side at once | Small kitchens and cooking for one or two | A daily latte habit | Only at a price well below the XL Deluxe |
| Typical price (checked October 18, 2026) | $190–$210 | $260–$280 | $210–$230 | $150–$160 | $590–$610 | $220–$240 |
| Model | CREAMi XL Deluxe NC501 (first generation) | SLUSHi Smart FS351 (2nd generation) | Foodi DualZone Smart XL DZ550 | Crispi FN101 (4-in-1) | Luxe Café Premier ES601 | CREAMi 7-in-1 NC301 (older) |
| Newer model out? | Yes, Gen 2 (NC601) costs more | No | A newer DZ950 (’26 release) is listed | No: Crispi Pro is a step up | Not stated | Yes, XL Deluxe models are out |
| Why it’s here | Amazon flagged it a 90-day low | Only a 30-day low flag | Discounted, but no 90-day low flag | Limited-time deal, no 90-day low flag | The priciest Ninja here, so waiting saves most | Costs more than the bigger XL Deluxe |
| Key features |
|
|
|
|
|
|
BeastScore here is our overall rating out of 100, based on published specs and Amazon owner reviews. Prices change daily, so tap "View on Amazon" for today's price. We may earn a small commission, at no extra cost to you. Learn more
Why each one made the list
What each pick does best, where it falls short, and the typical Amazon price when we checked.
- 1. Best Buy Now
Ninja CREAMi XL Deluxe (NC501)
BeastScore 91 / 100Typically $190–$210 on Amazon (checked October 18, 2026)The CREAMi XL Deluxe is our one buy-now Ninja. It turns a frozen base into ice cream, sorbet, gelato, Italian ice and more with 11 one-touch programs, and it comes with two 24 oz XL tubs, which the listing says hold 50% more than the original pint. Amazon marked the price as a 90-day low when we checked on October 18, the strongest deal flag it gives. This is the first-generation XL Deluxe: the Gen 2 (NC601) adds Dairy-Free, Smoothie Bowl and CreamiFit programs but costs more. If you want a CREAMi, buy this one.
Pros- Amazon flagged the price as a 90-day low on October 18
- Two XL tubs, so you can make a big batch or two flavors
- Control over sugar, protein and dairy-free recipes
Cons- You must freeze each base for hours before you spin it
- The Gen 2 (NC601) adds programs, for a higher price
- A single-purpose machine: it only makes frozen treats
- 2. Best Slush Maker to Wait For
Ninja SLUSHi Smart (FS351)
BeastScore 86 / 100Typically $260–$280 on Amazon (checked October 18, 2026)The SLUSHi Smart is Ninja’s redesigned second-generation frozen drink maker. The listing says SlushAssist technology senses what is in the vessel and adjusts the freeze with one button, and the 88-oz vessel makes about 7 servings a batch for sodas, frappes, margaritas and mocktails. Amazon flags the price as a 30-day low, a weaker signal than the 90-day low on the CREAMi. The original SLUSHi (FS301) is listed for more, so skip it. Wait for a Black Friday price, and buy now only if you have a party to host.
Pros- One-button operation: SlushAssist adjusts the freeze for you
- A big 88 oz vessel for about 7 servings
- Handles sodas, juice, coffee and frozen cocktails
Cons- Amazon flags only a 30-day low, not a 90-day low
- A single-purpose machine at a high price
- Hard to justify unless you host often
- 3. Best Air Fryer to Wait For
Ninja Foodi DualZone Smart XL (DZ550)
BeastScore 89 / 100Typically $210–$230 on Amazon (checked October 18, 2026)The Foodi DualZone Smart XL is a 10-quart air fryer with two independent baskets, so you can cook a main and a side two ways and finish them together with Smart Finish. This version adds a built-in Smart Thermometer for doneness, six cooking programs and a PFAS-free nonstick surface with dishwasher-safe crisper plates, per the listing. Amazon already shows a discount, but not the 90-day low flag. Ninja also lists a newer DZ950 (’26 release) at a similar price, so compare both before you buy. Wait for Black Friday.
Pros- Two baskets finish a main and a side at the same time
- Smart Thermometer takes the guesswork out of meat
- Dishwasher-safe crisper plates and a PFAS-free coating
Cons- A 10-quart, two-basket air fryer needs a lot of counter space
- A newer DZ950 is listed at a similar price
- Priced well above a basic single-basket air fryer
- 4. Best Small Kitchen Pick
Ninja Crispi Glass Air Fryer (FN101)
BeastScore 85 / 100Typically $150–$160 on Amazon (checked October 18, 2026)The Ninja Crispi is the odd one out: a small air fryer “PowerPod” that sits on top of glass containers. The kit includes a 4-quart and a 6-cup borosilicate glass container with two snap-lock lids, so you can cook, store and reheat in the same dish. The glass is PFAS-free, and the 6-cup container crisps a single meal in about 7 minutes, the listing says. Amazon shows a limited-time deal today but no 90-day low flag. It suits a small kitchen or a gift. Wait, unless a gift deadline forces you.
Pros- Glass containers that go from air fryer to fridge
- The listing says it crisps a single meal in about 7 minutes
- Compact: no big basket taking up the counter
Cons- Glass is heavier and breakable compared with a basket
- The 4-qt container is smaller than a DualZone
- No 90-day low flag when we checked
- 5. Biggest Saving Potential
Ninja Luxe Café Premier (ES601)
BeastScore 87 / 100Typically $590–$610 on Amazon (checked October 18, 2026)The Luxe Café Premier is the biggest-ticket Ninja here, and the one where waiting can save the most dollars. It is a 3-in-1 machine for espresso, drip coffee and cold brew with a built-in conical burr grinder (25 settings), a hands-free frothing system and Barista Assist technology that guides each step, per the listing. Amazon shows no discount flag today. Ninja’s cheaper Luxe Café Mini Plus skips cold brew. Wait for a Black Friday price, and only buy if you will use it every day.
Pros- One machine for espresso, drip coffee and cold brew
- Built-in grinder and automatic milk frothing
- Barista Assist guides each step
Cons- The most expensive Ninja in this guide
- More to clean and maintain than a drip coffee maker
- Amazon showed no discount flag when we checked
- 6. Skip This One
Ninja CREAMi 7-in-1 (NC301)
BeastScore 80 / 100Typically $220–$240 on Amazon (checked October 18, 2026)The CREAMi 7-in-1 is the older CREAMi: seven one-touch programs and standard pint tubs that you freeze for 24 hours first. But the listing is priced above the newer CREAMi XL Deluxe, which has 11 programs and two XL tubs holding 50% more. When an older, smaller model costs more than a bigger one, it is not a deal. This is the clearest skip in the Ninja range right now. If the NC301 ever drops well below the XL Deluxe, it would be fine. Otherwise buy the XL Deluxe.
Pros- Does the core job: ice cream, gelato, sorbet and milkshakes
- Pint tubs are easy to store in a freezer
- Sold by Amazon.com when we checked
Cons- Costs more than the bigger XL Deluxe
- Only 7 programs and smaller pint tubs
- The older design: newer XL models are out
All 6 compared, in one look
See every pick on one chart, or tap one to put it head to head with Ninja CREAMi XL Deluxe (NC501). Ratings out of 10 are our estimates from published specs and Amazon owner reviews, not hands-on tests. Bigger shape = better.
- Value todayNinja CREAMi XL Deluxe (NC501) · 9.4/10
- Easy to useTie
- VersatilityNinja Luxe Café Premier (ES601) · 9.4/10
- CapacityNinja Foodi DualZone Smart XL (DZ550) · 9.4/10
- Sale upsideNinja Luxe Café Premier (ES601) · 9.0/10
Which one should you buy?
Find your situation below. That's your pick.
BuyAmazon marked the price as a 90-day low on October 18. A deeper Black Friday cut is possible, but this is the Ninja least worth waiting on.
- You want homemade ice cream or sorbet
- You want a big batch or two flavors
- You like a price Amazon flags as a 90-day low
WaitOnly a 30-day low flag, so a better price is not ruled out. Wait unless you have a party to host.
- You host parties
- You want frozen cocktails or frappes at home
- You can wait for a bigger cut
WaitDiscounted today but not at a 90-day low. A newer DZ950 is also listed, so compare both on Black Friday week.
- You cook a main and a side together
- You want a built-in thermometer
- You will compare it with the newer DZ950
WaitA limited-time deal today, but not flagged as a 90-day low. Wait unless you need a gift before the sale.
- You have a small kitchen
- You want to cook and store in glass
- You cook for one or two people
WaitNo discount flag today and the highest price here, so a Black Friday cut saves the most. Wait, and only buy if you will use it daily.
- You drink lattes every day
- You want espresso, drip and cold brew
- You will only buy at a real discount
SkipThe older, smaller model costs more than the XL Deluxe. Skip it unless the price falls well below the XL Deluxe.
- The price falls well below the XL Deluxe
- You want the smaller pint tubs
- You only need the basics
Ninja CREAMi XL Deluxe (NC501)
The one Ninja Amazon marked as a 90-day low on October 18, with XL tubs and 11 programs. The least worth waiting on.
- 11 one-touch programs
- Two 24 oz XL tubs
- Flagged a 90-day low
Quick tips before you buy
Amazon marks some listings “90-day low price” or “Limited time deal.” A 90-day low is a much stronger signal than a plain discount. Flags change, so check again before you buy.
Ninja sells several generations at once: CREAMi NC301, NC501 and NC601, SLUSHi FS301 and FS351, and DualZone DZ302, DZ550 and DZ950. The model number is in the title.
CREAMi XL tubs hold 24 oz, 50% more than the original pint. The Crispi suits one or two people, and a DualZone suits a family.
Each CREAMi base freezes for about 24 hours before you spin it. Make room for a few tubs, or you will not use it.
Quick answers
When does Black Friday 2026 start on Amazon?+
Black Friday is November 27, 2026, the day after Thanksgiving on November 26. Amazon has not announced its 2026 sale dates yet. In past years its Black Friday deals started about a week before Black Friday and ran through Cyber Monday, which is November 30.
Will the Ninja CREAMi be cheaper on Black Friday?+
Maybe. On October 18, Amazon marked the CREAMi XL Deluxe (NC501) as a 90-day low, so it is already near its recent best. A deeper cut is possible but not promised. If you want one, buying now carries little risk. The Gen 2 (NC601) costs more.
Is it better to buy a Ninja now or wait for Black Friday?+
Buy the CREAMi XL Deluxe now if you want it, since Amazon flagged it as a 90-day low. Wait on the SLUSHi, DualZone, Crispi and Luxe Café, which showed a smaller discount or none. Skip the CREAMi 7-in-1, which costs more than the bigger XL Deluxe.
Will the Ninja SLUSHi be on sale for Black Friday?+
Possibly. The SLUSHi Smart (FS351) showed only a 30-day low flag on October 18, so a better price is not ruled out. The original SLUSHi (FS301) was listed for more than the Smart, so skip it unless the price drops a lot.
What are the best Black Friday Ninja air fryer deals?+
Look at the DualZone range, which cooks two foods at once. We would wait for Black Friday on the DualZone Smart XL (DZ550), and compare it with the newer DZ950. For a smaller kitchen, the Crispi suits one or two people. See our air fryer guides for the full lineup.
Will the Ninja Crispi be cheaper on Black Friday?+
It might be. Amazon showed a limited-time deal on the Crispi FN101 on October 18, but not a 90-day low flag. If you are buying a gift and the deal ends before the sale, buy it. Otherwise wait and watch the flag.
Is the Ninja Luxe Café worth buying on Black Friday?+
Only if you make espresso drinks every day. The Luxe Café Premier is the priciest Ninja here, and Amazon showed no discount flag on October 18, so waiting can save the most money. The cheaper Luxe Café Mini Plus skips cold brew.
Why don’t you list prices?+
Ninja prices and deal flags change several times a day. We show typical price bands checked on October 18, 2026. Tap “View on Amazon” to see today’s price and flag.
