Bests & Worsts Reviews from Amazon

Works very well. Creates very finely shaved ice when using the molds (as others have noted, the finest shavings come if you let the molds sit at room temperature for a while, as instructions recommend). Ability to use ice cubes is nice alternative, especially if someone prefers crunchier ice bits. Can be a little noisy, unlike the manual shaver I used to use, but shaves ice quickly, so the noise doesn't last long. For syrup, I use highly concentrated Kool Aid: I add 6 or 7 ounces of water to a packet of unsweetened Kool Aid and a cup of sugar. Creates the consistency and sweetness of regular snow cone syrup (you need to mix it quite a bit--a jar with a tight lid is useful, so you can shake it vigorously).