We taste-tested 23 ice creams
These are the best ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­  
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The Recommendation

July 13, 2026

Today, our ultimate guide to all things ice cream. Including:

The best vanilla ice cream

A tray with three bowls of ice cream covered in sprinkles, chocolate syrup, whipped cream and cherries.
Ruthie Darling/NYT Wirecutter; food styling by Judy Haubert

We can’t make this email play ice cream truck music for you, but let the record state that if we could, we would.

In search of the best vanilla ice cream, our experts taste-tested 23 grocery-store pints, ranging from the rich and eggy to the light and marshmallowy. Ultimately, we decided on a few favorites for your cups, cones, sundaes, and milkshakes — including a creamy classic and a balanced, slightly salty version that would impress even vanilla haters.

We all scream for (vanilla) ice cream→

We independently review everything we recommend. When you buy through our links, we may earn a commission. Learn more ›

Plus: The best ice cream sandwiches

An array of ice cream sandwiches arranged next to each other on a yellow tray.
Ruthie Darling/NYT Wirecutter; food styling by Judy Haubert

Whether you’re craving the classic chocolate wafer that sticks to your fingers or a pair of brown-sugar-loaded chocolate chip cookies, we found eight delectable ice cream sandwiches well worth the freezer space.

Including a chocolate-lover’s dream and a tart, citrusy surprise→

For a perfect ice cream party

You deserve a great ice cream scoop

Save yourself from a lifetime of bent spoons with our favorite sturdy scoop→

Vegan ice cream sandwiches and bars on a silver platter next to a silver tray holding dessert glasses filled with scoops of multiple vegan ice cream flavors. An ice cream scoop and several spoons are resting nearby.

Vegan ice cream has come a long way

Our favorites include a nutty, chocolate-covered treat and a fresh, fruity option→

Our pick for best ice cream maker, shown with a bowl of homemade vanilla ice cream, an ice cream scoop, and a mini round cake.

Our favorite ice cream maker is easy enough for kids to use

Newsletters editor Isoke Samuel uses hers to make pints of caramel cashew crunch→

A bunch of popsicles in molds in a freezer.

Nearly 300 ice pops later …

These are the best popsicle molds→

Gift of the week: A colorful beach throw that does it all

The striped Kas Peshtemal beach throw from Sabah
Sabah

These bright striped cotton towels are handloomed in Turkey and finished with fringe. Beyond being just great beach towels, they’re also fabulous sarongs, scarves, or cover-ups on chilly summer evenings.

A great summery gift→

One last thing: This cup can make a slushy in 5 minutes

A person scooping cola-flavored slush from a Zoku Slush & Shake Maker.
Marilyn Ong/NYT Wirecutter

These icy cups are pretty magical. They sit in the freezer, waiting patiently for their turn to transform chilled beverages — lemonade, Sprite, whatever else you’re craving — into sweet, slushy goodness. All you have to do is fill it with your drink of choice, and wait for the sugar to start freezing. Et voilà: a very easy dessert for hot summer nights.

Dr Pepper slushies, anyone?→

Independent reviews, expert advice and intensively researched deals from Wirecutter experts.

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From our friends at NYT Cooking: An Orange Creamsicle Ice Cream Cake that’s “refreshing and citrusy yet creamy and sweet” — and incredibly easy to make.

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