Ice cream loyalties run deep and the freezer aisle is crowded. From small-batch churns to liquid-nitrogen wizardry, today’s best ice cream brands compete on texture, bold flavors, and ingredient integrity. We sifted through company stories, customer buzz, and product standouts to spotlight who’s really scooping greatness. You’ll see classics, upstarts, and a few wild cards—each with a clear reason they deserve a spot in your bowl.
Smitten’s Space-Age Smoothness
Smitten freezes ice cream in about 90 seconds using its liquid-nitrogen BRRR machine, forming ultra-tiny ice crystals for impossibly silky texture. The on-demand process dodges freezer burn and keeps flavors vivid, from Banana Toffee to Chocolate Ganache. It’s made fresh, handed over immediately, and that just-spun texture is the draw. Limited to Bay Area shops and shipping, but the smoothness makes the pilgrimage worth it.
Graeter’s French-Pot Legend
Since 1870, Graeter’s has hand-packed small batches in French-pot canisters, which whip in less air and preserve higher butterfat for lush scoops. That old-school method delivers dense, creamy pints with huge chocolate chips and fully loaded mix-ins. Seasonal drops keep things exciting while staples like Buckeye Blitz and Midnight Snack prove why fans stay loyal. It ships nationwide and shows up in many upscale grocers for easier access.
Gelato Fiasco’s Maine Obsession
College buddies turned gelato pros built a cult following with meticulous technique and playful flavors. Pints like Sunken Treasure and Mint Brookie balance richness with texture—think browned butter notes and truffle surprises. Daily shop rotations and a “Hall of Lost Flavors” keep super-fans engaged. It’s widely available across New England and select markets, plus pints ship for those outside the region.
Whitey’s Midwest Thick-Shake Icon
Since 1933, Whitey’s has pushed dairy innovation—early cookie-dough mix-ins, no-sugar lines, and famously thick shakes. Grocery pints and nationwide shipping extend the Quad Cities staple beyond the Mississippi. Community-minded flavors like Sgt. Camo have even raised funds for veterans. Dense texture and nostalgic flavors earn Whitey’s a “worth-the-hunt” badge.
Gifford’s Simple Done Spectacular
Maine-based Gifford’s wins when scoops stay simple: Cannoli, Pink Peppermint Stick, or Maine Wild Blueberry let the dairy shine. Sports-themed flavors (hello, Dough Your Job) add regional swagger, but the creaminess does the heavy lifting. Family recipes and long dairy heritage show up in the clean finish. When ice cream is this balanced, it doesn’t need candy overload.
Sassy Cow’s Dairyland Purity
Wisconsin family farmers run Sassy Cow with an animal-first philosophy and two farms—traditional and organic. The result is clean, creamy texture across 70 flavors made from milk they know intimately. Fans love the farm-store experience and prices, but the quality translates anywhere you can find it. Respect for cows equals respect for your scoop.
Hood’s New England Creamery Richness
A 170-year dairy veteran, Hood still experiments—its New England Creamery line leans into higher cream ratios for indulgent body. Classic New England flavors meet modern fat-forward satisfaction. If you want lighter options, the brand portfolio still covers you without losing flavor. Broad regional availability makes it an easy repeat buy.
Frozen Farmer’s Waste-Less Sweetness
Launched from a family farm and boosted by “Shark Tank,” Frozen Farmer turns “misfit” produce into bright sorbets and Frobert (sorbet-dairy blends). Sustainability is the story, but flavor seals the deal, with pints often clocking notably low calories. Farmers recoup value, landfills see less waste, and you get vibrant fruit desserts. It’s conscious indulgence that actually tastes great.
Jeni’s Splendid, Indeed
Jeni’s sources milk from family dairies and keeps standards sky-high as a Certified B Corp. Texture is plush, flavors are imaginative, and mix-ins are thoughtfully engineered—Sweet Cream Biscuits & Peach Jam is a clinic in balance. From Salty Caramel to Blackout Chocolate Cake, pints feel chef-crafted. Pricey, yes, but consistently “special-occasion” quality.
Van Leeuwen’s French-Style Luxury
Extra egg yolks give Van Leeuwen’s “French ice cream” a naturally custardy body. Earl Grey Tea delivers fragrant depth without bitterness, while Honeycomb surprises with crunchy caramel candy (no honey needed). Shops, grocers, and nationwide shipping make it accessible. Premium pricing matches the rich, clean ingredient list.
Salt & Straw’s Flavor Adventures
Salt & Straw maxes butterfat and sources milk from cows never treated with growth hormones or antibiotics for a luxe base. Then come the inventive flavors: Honey Lavender, Arbequina Olive Oil, and the cult-favorite Pear & Bleu Cheese. Quirky? Yes—but balanced enough to win skeptics. Shops on both coasts and nationwide delivery keep the party going.
McConnell’s Slow-Churn Masterclass
California’s McConnell’s controls every step—ingredient sourcing to slow-churn technique—for body and creaminess you can taste. Sea Salt Cream & Cookies is rich without cloying; Eureka Lemon & Marionberries is bright and refreshing. Some report occasional iciness, but hits outnumber misses. Local delivery, clubs, and shipping bring Santa Barbara to your freezer.
Talenti’s Gelato Crowd-Pleasers
Talenti sources globally for flavors that taste “true,” then nails texture across jars. Double Dark Chocolate leans complex with vermouth hints, while Caramel Cookie Crunch mixes dulce de leche and chocolate cookies into sweet-cream gelato. Mini bars add convenience, though some say they eat more like ice cream. Price can be higher, but the spoon-speed says “worth it.”
Ben & Jerry’s Mix-In Royalty
Legend status comes from fully loaded pints where label promises equal spoon payoffs—Half Baked, Cherry Garcia, Phish Food. The brand caters to gluten-sensitive and dairy-free fans, broadening the love. Limited runs like Marshmallow Sky spark chatter; its blue hue comes from spirulina extract. Not every release is universal gold, but the batting average is high.
Magnum’s Crack-Into-It Drama
Magnum nails the theater of dessert with a thick chocolate shell you must crack to reach the ice cream core. Double bars add caramel or raspberry layers for extra indulgence. Non-dairy options broaden appeal without losing the signature snap. Downsides: smaller bars over time and higher prices—but the experience keeps fans loyal.
Häagen-Dazs’ Scoop-Shop Silk
In shops, Häagen-Dazs’ fresh scoops deliver that dependable, premium creaminess people expect. Classics like Chocolate Chip Cookie Dough spread mix-ins so you get bites of base between chewy chunks. Occasional grocery pints get icy, but new flavors—New York Strawberry Cheesecake or Vanilla Caramel Pecan—show the brand still has moves. When you want straight-up dairy richness, this is a safe hand.
So Delicious, Sans Dairy
So Delicious covers almond, cashew, oat, coconut, and soy bases, giving dairy-free dessert real range. Fans rave about the cashew-milk line for its dairy-like creaminess—Salted Caramel Cluster is a standout. Certified vegan and Non-GMO, it’s a go-to for restricted diets without feeling like a compromise. Not every dairy lover converts, but plant-based eaters call it top-tier.
Tillamook’s Store-Shelf Workhorse
Certified B Corp Tillamook brings cheese-maker cred to its creamery line, with pints, tubs, and sandwiches. Some flavors hit creamy and clean, though a few fans want bigger mix-in payoffs (think Rocky Road almonds or Waffle Cone chunks). When it clicks—Sea Salt Honeycomb Toffee, for example—it’s an easy weeknight win. Simple ingredients and wide availability make it a reliable grab.
Ample Hills’ Baked-Goods Magic
New York’s Ample Hills folds house-made treats—Ooey Gooey Butter Cake, peppermint patties, peanut butter cups—right into the churn. Banana Pudding and Ooeyer & Gooeyer showcase texture play that keeps each bite new. Lines move fast, and nationwide shipping helps non-locals. Some say sweetness has crept up, but the baked-in goodies still steal the show.
Your Turn to Pick a Favorite
From nitrogen-spun silk to French-pot density and fruit-first sorbets, each brand here brings a clear reason to splurge. Maybe you chase inventive flavors, obsess over texture, or care most about sourcing and sustainability. Now it’s your spoon. Did your favorite make the cut—or did we miss a pint you swear by? Drop your go-to brand and flavor in the comments so we can all add to our must-try list.
