This slushie machine was a lifesaver during the New York City heat wave

New York City’s brutal heat wave last weekend had me craving a frozen drink almost every afternoon. This usually means sweating while walking to 7-Eleven to grab a drink. This time, though, I stayed home and put in the new one Ninja Slushy Twist For testing.

Ninja’s newest Slushie machine builds on the popularity of the original Slushie, but with a major upgrade. Instead of one mixing chamber, the Slushi Twist has two 48-ounce bowls that can make two completely different frozen drinks at the same time. In addition to classic slushies, it can also make frappes, milkshakes, frozen coffee, and smoothies — and because the two sides work independently, you can even keep one non-alcoholic one for mocktails while the other side mixes cocktails.

For entertainment, this machine solves a real problem. Instead of making multiple batches or asking everyone to agree on one flavor, both chambers work simultaneously, producing enough frozen drinks for a crowd. Ninja says it can make more than 10 drinks per batch, which is plenty for summer parties or family gatherings.

The standout feature is what Ninja calls “Dual SlushAssist” technology. In plain terms, the machine senses what is in each room and adjusts the freezing temperature for that side on its own. This means your creamy milkshake can remain smooth on one side while the fruit slushie freezes to the perfect icy consistency on the other side.

But my favorite feature is the twist-off diffuser. You can pour each drink individually or turn the dial on the drip tray to bring the flavors together in one cup, which is great for creating layered drinks that look more impressive than the effort.

Cleaning is easy too. Just press the rinse button and keep adding warm water until the water runs clear.

There are two things to consider before purchasing. The Slushi Twist is noticeably larger than the original model, so you’ll need to make sure you have enough table or storage space. At $399.99, it’s also a great investment. If you only make a frozen beverage occasionally, you may need a machine more than you need. But for larger families or anyone who likes to host, the double bowl design makes a strong case for itself.