My boys and I love ice cream, and over the years, we’ve sampled just about every brand we could find at the supermarket. But with so many options in the freezer aisle, we decided to put some of the most popular ice cream brands to the test and see which one truly delivers the best taste, texture, and value for the money.

The Ice Cream Brands We Reviewed

We chose five well-known ice cream brands that you’ll likely find at your local grocery store:

1. Häagen-Dazs – Known for its ultra-creamy, rich flavors with minimal ingredients.
2. Ben & Jerry’s – Famous for its chunky mix-ins and creative flavor combinations.
3. Tillamook – A growing brand praised for its smooth texture and high-quality dairy.
4. Breyers – A classic supermarket favorite with a more budget-friendly price.
5. Talenti Gelato – A premium gelato brand that offers intense flavors with a smooth, dense consistency.

The Taste Test Criteria

We judged each ice cream brand based on these factors:

✔ Creaminess & Texture – Is it smooth and luxurious, or does it have an icy, airy consistency?
✔ Flavor Intensity – Does it deliver bold, satisfying flavors or fall flat?
✔ Mix-ins (if applicable) – Are the mix-ins well-distributed, or do they feel like an afterthought?
✔ Overall Value – Is it worth the price based on the quality and experience?

After multiple scoops (and a bit of a sugar rush!), here’s what we found.

1. Häagen-Dazs: The Classic Creamy Indulgence

⭐ Rating: 9.5/10

Best for: Pure, high-quality flavor and texture

Häagen-Dazs is a go-to premium ice cream brand for a reason. Their flavors are rich, creamy, and indulgent, made with minimal ingredients. When we tasted their Vanilla Bean and Chocolate Peanut Butter, we could immediately tell the difference in quality.

✅ What we loved:

• Smooth, velvety texture that melts perfectly.
• Intense, real flavors (no artificial aftertaste).
• Simple, high-quality ingredients (milk, cream, sugar, eggs, natural flavors).

❌ Downsides:

• Higher price point compared to some brands.
• No crazy mix-ins for those who love chunky ice cream.

Final Verdict:

Häagen-Dazs delivers restaurant-quality ice cream straight from the supermarket. If you love pure, rich flavors without gimmicks, this is a top pick.

2. Ben & Jerry’s: The Chunky, Fun Favorite

⭐ Rating: 9/10

Best for: Unique flavors with plenty of mix-ins

Ben & Jerry’s is all about bold flavors and texture, and they definitely didn’t disappoint. We tried Half Baked (a mix of chocolate chip cookie dough and brownie chunks) and Cherry Garcia (cherry ice cream with chocolate flakes).

✅ What we loved:

• Generous mix-ins in every bite.
• Fun and creative flavor combinations.
• Rich, creamy base that holds up well.

❌ Downsides:

• Can be overly sweet for some.
• Price is on the higher side.

Final Verdict:

Ben & Jerry’s is perfect for mix-in lovers who want a fun, indulgent treat with tons of texture. If you love chunks of cookie dough, brownies, or candy in every scoop, this is the brand for you.

3. Tillamook: The Underrated Creamy Favorite

⭐ Rating: 8.5/10

Best for: Smooth, well-balanced flavors with a creamy texture

Tillamook is often overlooked, but this brand surprised us. We tried Oregon Strawberry and Chocolate Peanut Butter—both had rich dairy flavor and a super smooth texture.

✅ What we loved:

• Incredibly creamy and smooth (great dairy quality).
• More affordable than Häagen-Dazs or Ben & Jerry’s.
• Well-balanced flavors that aren’t overly sweet.

❌ Downsides:

• Fewer flavor options compared to competitors.
• Lacks the “wow” factor of mix-ins like Ben & Jerry’s.

Final Verdict:

Tillamook is a solid choice for those who want premium texture without premium prices. The quality of the dairy makes a noticeable difference in creaminess.

4. Breyers: The Budget-Friendly Pick

⭐ Rating: 6.5/10

Best for: An affordable, light ice cream option

Breyers is a grocery store staple, but when compared to the others, it fell short. The Natural Vanilla and Cookies & Cream flavors were tasty but lighter in texture, almost airy rather than creamy.

✅ What we loved:

• More affordable than most brands.
• Good classic flavors that are easy to find.

❌ Downsides:

• Not as creamy—tends to be icy and airy.
• Contains stabilizers and gums, which affect texture.
• Mix-ins (like cookies) weren’t as rich or evenly distributed.

Final Verdict:

Breyers is a budget-friendly option, but if you’re looking for true premium ice cream, this won’t satisfy the same way as Häagen-Dazs or Tillamook.

5. Talenti Gelato: The Silky Italian-Inspired Treat

⭐ Rating: 9/10

Best for: Ultra-smooth, intense flavors

Talenti isn’t traditional ice cream—it’s gelato, meaning it has less air and more dense creaminess. We tried Sea Salt Caramel and Double Dark Chocolate, and both had an incredibly smooth, melt-in-your-mouth texture.

✅ What we loved:

• Silky, dense, and smooth—feels luxurious.
• Bold, concentrated flavors.
• Comes in a reusable, screw-top jar!

❌ Downsides:

• Smaller portions than traditional ice cream tubs.
• On the expensive side for the amount you get.

Final Verdict:

Talenti is a great option for gelato lovers who want dense, flavorful ice cream. It’s not as chunky as Ben & Jerry’s but offers a gourmet experience in every bite.

Which Brand is the Best?

🏆 Best Overall Premium Ice Cream: Häagen-Dazs – Classic, creamy, and rich flavors.
🏆 Best for Fun & Chunky Mix-Ins: Ben & Jerry’s – Loaded with mix-ins for texture lovers.
🏆 Best Creaminess at a Lower Price: Tillamook – Underrated, but incredibly smooth.
🏆 Best Budget Option: Breyers – Light, affordable, but lacks richness.
🏆 Best Silky Gelato Experience: Talenti – Smooth and intense, but pricey.

Which Ice Cream Brand Do You Prefer?

We had a blast trying all these ice creams, and we’d love to hear your thoughts!

🍦 Which brand is your favorite?
🍦 Do you prefer creamy or chunky ice cream?
🍦 Are there any other brands you’d love for us to review?

Drop your recommendations in the comments, and we’ll happily take on the challenge!