The Ultimate Ranking Of Dairy-Free Ice Creams, From "The Best" To "Still Pretty Freakin' Good"

No moo for you!

Whether you're dairy-free by choice, by bodily need, or out of solidarity for a loved one, ice creams are some of the best and worst dairy-free foods. This is the definitive ranking of your options from a 5-year lactose-free gal. The next time you're strolling down the frozen treat aisle, you'll know exactly what to buy and what to run from.

1. The Best: Ben and Jerry's Non-Dairy Pints

Ben & Jerry's

Although these are the more calorie-indulgent options, they are an exact replica of traditional ice creams. You would never even know they're non-dairy. On an even better note, they sell many of these flavors in stores, so we dairy-free folk also have options while shopping on the promenade. Unfortunately, these are not super inclusive for those with nut allergies, because they use almond milk as their base.

Base: Almond Milk or Sunflower Butter

Flavor Options: 17

Cost Per Pint: $3.15 on Amazon

2. NadaMoo!

Amazon / Via amazon.com

This underground brand is shockingly accessible, as they are sold in most stores and go unfortunately unnoticed. They are a fantastic and lighter option than others, so they also function well for anyone looking to simply eat a little lower calorie. However, they are limited by only having a few flavors easily found in stores, so they're great if you're more of a traditional flavor person. I personally LOVE(!!!) mixing the chocolate and strawberry flavors to make the perfect little sundae.

Base: Coconut Milk

Flavor Options: 17

Cost Per Pint: $5.99 on Amazon

3. Häagen-Dazs

Amazon / Via amazon.com

Again with the uber-indulgent options, Häagen-Dazs is a longtime favorite of most ice cream eaters. This was a great transition ice cream, when little 6th grade me was struggling with switching to a lactose-free lifestyle. They have a good number of flavors that keep the tried-and-true creaminess of the original ice creams. However, because they are a popular brand, your friends and family will want to try it and you have to buy quite a few pints. Unfortunately, the price point of this is firmly in the LUXURY category, but if you can afford it than pop off queen.

Base: Changes based on flavor

Flavor Options: 7

Cost Per Pint: $8.40 on Amazon

4. Ripple

Ripple

This one is still a bit of a mental struggle for me, because of the pea protein, but if you can get past that the flavors are actually incredible. I discovered Ripple when looking at milk alternatives but their ice cream is the true star. It's a solid middle option because it lacks some of the creaminess found in milk-based competitors, but is still really strong on the actual flavors. However, this is the ice cream of choice in my household because it's not only dairy-free, but also gluten-free, vegan, and soy-free. Yet again, there are not many flavors so it's good as a staple rather than a treat.

Base: Coconut Oil and Pea Protein

Flavor Options: 5

Cost Per Pint: Varies by location, but their website has a Ripple locator to find them near you.

5. Halo Top

Amazon / Via amazon.com

As much as I want to love Halo Top, it is somehow too light and fluffy for me. Part of the ice cream experience is being full and sugary to the brim of possibility, however, because Halo Top is so light I end up eating multiple pints before feeling satiated. This is better as a cold treat rather than parading around like ice cream. It's somehow better in the middle of the day than it is at night.

Base: Coconut Milk

Flavor Options: 7

Cost Per Pint: $4.99 on Amazon

6. So Delicious

Amazon / Via amazon.com

This is where the texture becomes an issue for me. These ice creams are so thin and watery tasting that they freeze like rocks and you have to let them defrost. And as someone who likes their lips to freeze off, that doesn't exactly work for me. The newer flavors made with oat milk are quite an improvement, but that change has not made its way to all of the flavors, so it doesn't change my ranking. However, this is one of my favorite brands overall and their better products lie in their cheeses and yogurts rather than the ice cream. Luckily, So Delicious has some of the most flavors with a variety of milk bases, so if you're willing to give it a second chance — unlike me — you might love it.

Base: Coconut Milk, Oat Milk, Soy Milk, or Cashew Milk

Flavor Options: 27

Cost Per Pint: $5.99 on Amazon