10 Best Ice Cream Brands in the USA in 2026: Top Picks for Every Taste

There is something about ice cream that never really gets old. You can eat it on a hot summer afternoon, enjoy it while watching a movie, bring it home for the family, or open a pint at midnight when you simply want something sweet.

And if you live in the United States, you have more choices than ever. Walk into almost any supermarket freezer aisle in 2026, and you will find dozens of brands competing for your attention. Some promise rich and creamy premium ice cream. Others are packed with cookie dough, brownies, caramel, and candy pieces. Then there are organic options, low-calorie choices, dairy-free alternatives, and premium brands with flavors that sound more like restaurant desserts.

Some people want simple, rich vanilla ice cream. Others want a pint loaded with chocolate chunks and cookie dough. Some shoppers are loyal to regional brands such as Blue Bell or Tillamook, while others are willing to spend more on premium brands such as Jeni’s or Van Leeuwen.

Still, a few names continue to stand out in American freezers.

Based on brand popularity, consumer demand, regional loyalty, premium quality, and the variety of products available, here are some of the best ice cream brands in the USA in 2026.

Recent 2026 ordering data from Instacart found that Häagen-Dazs was the leading ice cream brand on its platform, followed closely by Ben & Jerry’s, with Breyers in third place.

1. Haagen-Dazs – Best for Classic Premium Ice Cream

Häagen-Dazs remains one of the first names many people think of when they hear the words premium ice cream.

The brand does not need enormous amounts of cookie pieces or unusual ingredients to stand out. Its appeal is often much simpler than that.

It focuses on richness.

If you are someone who prefers a smooth, creamy scoop of vanilla, chocolate, coffee, or another classic flavor, Häagen-Dazs is likely to appeal to you.

Its texture is one of the reasons it has developed such a loyal following. Many people describe the experience as dense, rich, and indulgent compared with lighter supermarket ice creams.

That is also reflected in recent consumer data. Instacart’s 2026 analysis placed Häagen-Dazs at the top among ice cream brands ordered on its platform.

2. Ben & Jerry’s – Best for Big, Loaded Flavors

Ben & Jerry’s takes a completely different approach.

While Häagen-Dazs is often associated with smooth and classic indulgence, Ben & Jerry’s is all about going big.

Cookie dough.

Brownie chunks.

Caramel swirls.

Chocolate pieces.

Peanut butter.

The brand is known for turning a pint of ice cream into something that feels closer to a full dessert.

For many fans, the mix-ins are the main attraction.

You do not buy Ben & Jerry’s because you want the most basic scoop possible. You buy it because you want every spoonful to contain something interesting.

That personality has helped make the brand one of the best-known and most widely consumed ice cream brands in America. Recent consumer research has also continued to place Ben & Jerry’s among the country’s most popular brands.

3. Tillamook – Best for Creamy Family Ice Cream

Tillamook has built an especially strong following among people who love traditional, creamy ice cream.

The Oregon-based dairy brand has become particularly popular in the western United States. Instacart’s 2026 data showed Tillamook standing out strongly across the West, demonstrating the powerful regional loyalty the brand has developed.

Tillamook is a good choice for families because its products feel familiar.

You will find classic flavors, rich textures, and larger containers that work well when more than one person is sharing.

It does not try to make every flavor strange or experimental.

Instead, Tillamook has built much of its reputation around making classic ice cream feel especially satisfying.

4. Blue Bell – America’s Regional Favorite

Blue Bell is more than just an ice cream brand in many parts of the United States.

It is a tradition.

The brand has particularly strong loyalty in the South, where many families have been eating Blue Bell for years.

Instacart’s 2026 analysis found that Blue Bell remained a standout regional favorite across Southern states.

Blue Bell’s popularity comes partly from familiarity.

Its flavors often feel nostalgic. They remind people of childhood, family gatherings, summer holidays, and trips to the grocery store with their parents.

That kind of connection is difficult for newer brands to copy.

The company also offers a wide range of flavors, from simple classics to more indulgent combinations.

5. Jeni’s Splendid Ice Creams – Best Premium Craft Brand

Jeni’s is one of the brands that helped change the way many Americans think about premium ice cream.

This is not the kind of ice cream you necessarily buy because you want basic chocolate or vanilla.

Jeni’s is for people who enjoy discovering something new.

The brand is known for interesting flavor combinations and a more craft-focused approach to ice cream.

Over the years, it has developed a strong following among consumers who are willing to spend more for unusual flavors and premium ingredients.

Jeni’s also represents a larger trend in the American market.

Ice cream is no longer just a cheap dessert bought in a large tub.

For many consumers, premium ice cream has become an experience.

They want to try new flavors, give pints as gifts, and enjoy products that feel more carefully made.

6. Van Leeuwen – Best for Modern Premium Flavors

Van Leeuwen has become one of the most interesting names in the premium ice cream market.

The brand offers traditional dairy ice cream alongside plant-based options, making it attractive to a wider range of consumers.

Its growth is also worth noting.

Instacart’s 2026 report identified Van Leeuwen among the faster-growing premium and better-for-you brands in the U.S. ice cream market.

The brand has a more modern personality than many traditional supermarket names.

It is popular with people who enjoy creative flavors, premium ingredients, and products that feel slightly different from the standard freezer aisle experience.

7. Breyers – Best Everyday Ice Cream Brand

Not every ice cream purchase needs to feel like a special occasion.

Sometimes you just want a reliable tub of ice cream in the freezer.

That is where Breyers remains a popular choice.

The brand has a long history in American households and is widely available across supermarkets.

In Instacart’s 2026 brand analysis, Breyers ranked behind Häagen-Dazs and Ben & Jerry’s, showing that it continues to have strong demand among everyday shoppers.

Breyers is particularly appealing to families because of its accessibility and familiar flavors.

You know what you are getting.

Vanilla, chocolate, cookies and cream, and other classic choices are easy to find.

8. Talenti – Best for Gelato Lovers

If regular ice cream feels too ordinary, Talenti offers something slightly different.

The brand is particularly well known for gelato and layered frozen desserts.

Talenti has built a following among people who enjoy richer textures and more dessert-inspired flavors.

One of its biggest strengths is variety.

Some products focus on classic gelato flavors, while others include layers of sauces, cookies, chocolate, and other ingredients.

The clear containers have also become instantly recognizable in American supermarket freezers.

9. Blue Bunny – Best for Families and Frozen Treats

Blue Bunny has become a familiar name in American households, especially for families.

The brand produces more than traditional tubs of ice cream. Its range also includes cones, bars, sandwiches, and other frozen treats.

That variety makes it convenient for households where everyone wants something different.

One person may want a cone.

Someone else may want a frozen bar.

Another person may want a bowl of ice cream.

Blue Bunny gives families plenty of choices.

Instacart’s regional analysis also showed particularly strong Blue Bunny loyalty across the Plains states.

10. Halo Top – Best for Lighter Ice Cream Options

Halo Top changed the conversation around ice cream when it became popular for offering a lighter alternative to traditional premium pints.

For people watching calories or looking for a different nutritional profile, Halo Top remains one of the most recognizable brands in the lighter ice cream category.

It is important to understand that lighter ice cream offers a different experience from traditional premium ice cream.

If your main priority is maximum richness and creaminess, you may prefer Häagen-Dazs or Tillamook.

But if you want to enjoy ice cream while paying closer attention to calories and other nutritional considerations, Halo Top may be worth considering.

What Is the Most Popular Ice Cream Brand in the USA in 2026?

The answer depends on how popularity is measured.

Brand recognition, regional loyalty, grocery sales, and online orders can all produce different results.

This is one reason it is difficult to name only one “best” brand.

America’s ice cream preferences are highly regional.

Someone in Texas may strongly prefer Blue Bell, while someone in Oregon may have Tillamook in their freezer. In another part of the country, Häagen-Dazs or Ben & Jerry’s may be the first choice.

That regional loyalty is part of what makes the American ice cream market so interesting.

Conclusion

The best ice cream brands in the USA in 2026 offer something for almost everyone.

If you love rich and classic ice cream, Häagen-Dazs remains a strong choice. If you prefer wild flavors and generous mix-ins, Ben & Jerry’s is difficult to ignore.

Tillamook and Blue Bell continue to benefit from incredibly loyal regional followings, while Jeni’s and Van Leeuwen represent the growing popularity of premium and craft-style ice cream.

Breyers remains a familiar choice for everyday family desserts, Talenti gives gelato lovers another option, and Halo Top serves consumers looking for a lighter alternative.

At the end of the day, choosing the best ice cream is not really about finding the most expensive brand or following what everyone else buys.

It is about finding the flavor and texture that makes you happy.

Some people will always choose simple vanilla.

Others will never buy a pint unless it contains brownies, cookies, caramel, and chocolate chunks.

And honestly, that is the beauty of the American ice cream market.

There is room for everyone.