Is the Zoku that much better than cheaper popsicle makers?

[citymama]

I'm not getting all the excitement over Zoku - and I want to. How is it better than the $10 popsicle makers at Target, Walmart or IKEA? I'd love to know so I can join the mad rush! Thanks for any info.

[Melaine]

I'd like to know also. Keeping in mind that I bought the ice cream maker we were all raving about and have used it like twice.

[blisstwins]

It's novel and instant gratification. We used it for a week and now it is buried in a closet.

[amldaley]

The Zoku freezes popsicles in just a few minutes vs putting them in the freezer and trying to get your toddler to wait a couple of hours.

It is more than making popsicles, it becomes a family activity. We love sitting together at the table, making concoctions and then the waiting for them to freeze.

It actually works and your precious creations don't get caught inside.

You can make cool things like filled pops and layered pops.

When you mention a $10 popsicle maker, I have to think you mean the plastic kind you pour to fill and then put in a freezer. We tried umpteen different ones of those and they were always a PIA to get the popsicle free especially if using chunks of fruit in the pop as well.

There are some other threads that compare the Zoku to the cheaper knock off from Hamilton Beach which I think was in the $30's and did not reportedly do well. The Zoku has won multiple awards for design, function and value even at it's normally lofty price tag.

[TwinFoxes]

I don't have mine yet, I'm keeping my fingers crossed mine ships. What appeals to me is you can make pops super fast, and use the unit more than once before re-freezing. (which is good, because DH loooves Popsicles, DDs would have to scramble to get one!) And I am hoping it turns into a family activity, like pizza making night has been for us.

I've never used a cheap one that makes me want to ever use it again.

[MSWR0319]

I have the HB knockoff that I found for $10 at Walmart this summer. It has worked just fine for us, but I have no comparison with the Zoku.

[AngelaS]

We love our zoku!

[wellyes]

I have the walmart one that was $10 last summer. It works great. We've used it a dozen times, maybe (some failures... cholocate milk, sadly). I do not think we'd have used a more expensive one more, or gotten more pleasure from it.

[maybeebaby08]

I ve had the Zoku for over a year, and we use it a lot 2-3 times a week. I keep ours in the freezer all the time. I make frozen yogurt pops all the time for DD and add in veggies or fruit. We actually don't make that many sweet pops it's more smoothy or healthy fruit pops. I'm also excited to use it for DD2 when she starts teething I'll be able to instantly freeze things to put in the mesh feeder things. I also like that it's nearly impossible to find Popsicles without HFCS in them and now I can just make my own in under ten minutes.

[peanut520]

I ve had the Zoku for over a year, and we use it a lot 2-3 times a week. I keep ours in the freezer all the time. I make frozen yogurt pops all the time for DD and add in veggies or fruit. We actually don't make that many sweet pops it's more smoothy or healthy fruit pops. I'm also excited to use it for DD2 when she starts teething I'll be able to instantly freeze things to put in the mesh feeder things. I also like that it's nearly impossible to find Popsicles without HFCS in them and now I can just make my own in under ten minutes.


I am hoping it to eliminate cr@p popcicle ingredients such as hfcs that is virtually in all popcicles i have found (except tj's). i love the idea of using them for teething, i might just have to pick another one up for my gf that is due in sept.

[katydid1971]

Its all about instant gratification, DC ask for a pop and get it right away. I think the knock offs that Walmart had last summer are probably as good, its just a matter of finding them, I don't think that Walmart carries them anymore. I got my Zoku for my birthday a couple years ago and love it. I'm glad I have it. I have paid more for things I use a lot less. If the $25 deal is still good, that is an awesome price (extra sticks and a book are included).

[AnnieW625]

I have the HB knockoff that I found for $10 at Walmart this summer. It has worked just fine for us, but I have no comparison with the Zoku.

We have that one two and it works okay for the first round of Popsicles, but the second ones are not as successful.

I would love a Zoku, but honestly DH will kill me if I bring another small appliance in the house.

[calv]

another HUGE fan of the $10 score from walmart. quality has been excellent and NO complaints.