Believe all the reviews you see about the ICE-70; it really is that good. From a technical perspective, the design of the scraper blades is such that there is minimal ice build up on the walls of the bowl, which is exactly what you need for the small particle ice crystals that deliver a smooth texture. That is only one small reason why this machine is best in its class. Sure, you have to plan ahead and put the bowl in the freezer, and if that doesn't make sense, then look into a machine with a compressor. But if you are looking for a very high quality, very highly regarded, and highly functional standalone ice cream (and gelato and sorbet) maker, this is the best one out there--for a very reasonable price. My only quibble is that I each too much ice cream now, and that certainly isn't a bad thing.