(Photography: Getty)
It feels like every few weeks, Kmart drops something new and shiny. Remember the novelty sprinkler? Suddenly, the internet goes wild, and everyone rushes to the nearest store.
But this time, things feel a little different.
When Oh So Busy Mum spotted Kmart’s latest addition—a $179 slushie maker—she shared it on Facebook, and things took off.
Kmart vs Ninja
At first glance, the Kmart version looks almost identical to the $499 Ninja SLUSHi. It features the same compressor-style design, built-in settings (Kmart 6, Nija 5), and even the same 10-kilo build. As for capacity, the Ninja slushie maker has a 2.6L vessel, while the Kmart version has a 2L vessel. Another major difference is that the Kmart slushie maker can also be used to make soft-serve style ice-cream.
| Feature | Kmart slushie maker | Ninja SLUSHi |
| Price | $179 | $499 |
| Capacity | 1.6 litres (Max fill) | Ice cream: 1 litre (max fill) | 2.6 litres |
| Maximum serves | Up to 5 serves | Up to 9 serves |
| Warranty | 1 Year Warranty | 2 Year Warranty |
| Settings | Ice cream, frozen cocktail, slushie, frappe, frozen juice, milkshake | Slush, frozen cocktail, frappe, milkshake and frozen juice |
| Time it takes to freeze liquid | 30-60 minutes | 30-60 minutes |
| Cleaning instructions | Hand wash detachable parts only | Dishwasher-safe components |
Despite the similarities, a scroll through the Facebook comments reveals that shoppers still favour the Ninja. The real difference lies in Ninja’s parts and brand trust (plus their two-year warranty). Even though this Ninja lookalike has already sold out online, it’s the comments from fiercely loyal Ninja owners that had me scrolling.
Kmart fans
Sure, there were plenty of optimistic shoppers cheering for the budget version:
“Would be great if it works, even if it lasts for the summer, especially while kids are on school hols,” wrote one person.
Another added: “Even if it just lasts till March.”
Is the Ninja Slushie machine worth it?
But even the most enthusiastic buyers couldn’t compete with the Ninja diehards.
As one person pointed out, “You can always get replacement pieces from Ninja. With Kmart and cheap stuff, you can’t. And Ninja is better than anything.”
Another shared, “Can’t beat the Mighty Ninja.”
“We love our Ninja products. I just bought their first-ever coffee machine here in Australia, and omg we love it,” crooned another.
“Still won’t get it, even though I can’t afford the Ninja. I have several mates who have the Ninja, and it’s fantastic. But I know there will be a bunch of people saying ‘It’s just as good as the Ninja, or even better’ (they’d be lying),” another shared.
Even the original poster admitted she’d still pick the Ninja, saying, “I’ve answered this 190000009 times. Ninja has a long-standing good name. I would definitely pick it over this if my budget allowed.”
She even shared a link to buy the Ninja slushie maker on Amazon. (FYI, it’s also on sale at The Good Guys right now.)
Have we finally hit peak dupe culture?
Kmart is known for selling cheaper versions of just about everything, but this time, the strategy has hit a wall: brand loyalty.
The slushie maker saga proves that while people love a good deal, they’ll back a brand they love. For many shoppers, the Ninja isn’t just another appliance; it’s a brand they trust, sitting firmly in Thermomix territory when it comes to cult-like loyalty.
While we love a Kmart bargain, it seems there are some brands you can’t compete with.
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