Here’s a concise, 2025-curated list of top ice‑cream brands in the United States, grouped by category (premium, artisanal, grocery/pint classics, gelato/sorbet, bars & novelties, and best for plant‑based). I’ve highlighted what each brand is best known for so you can pick by flavor, texture, availability, or dietary need.

Premium / widely loved

• Ben & Jerry’s — bold, chunky mix‑ins and creative flavors; widely available nationwide. (flavor365.com)
• Häagen‑Dazs — dense, high‑fat pints with classic, straightforward flavors (vanilla, chocolate, salted caramel). (flavor365.com)

Artisanal / chef-driven

• Jeni’s Splendid Ice Creams — inventive flavors, top‑quality dairy, strong artisanal reputation. (brandradar.org)
• Van Leeuwen — rich, French‑style pints and excellent plant‑based options; known for high‑quality ingredients. (thetop3list.com)
• Salt & Straw — small‑batch, adventurous flavors and rotating seasonal releases (popular in foodie circles). (brandradar.org)

Grocery‑store classics / value & crowd‑pleasers

• Tillamook — creamy, high‑milkfat pints and recent seasonal flavor drops that get strong praise. (allrecipes.com)
• Breyers / Blue Bell / Dreyer’s (Edy’s) — widespread availability and familiar, nostalgic flavors. Blue Bell remains a regional favorite in the South. (flavor365.com)

Gelato / Italian‑style

• Talenti — gelato and sorbettos in clear jars; smooth texture and strong grocery presence. (flavor365.com)
• Gelato Messina (where available) — highly regarded artisan gelato brand from Australia with cult‑favorite flavors. (brandradar.org)

Bars & novelties

• Magnum — chocolate‑coated bars with premium chocolate shells and indulgent flavors. (medium.com)
• Novel Ice Cream (shops) — standout local shop recognition (Yelp’s 2025 top shop list highlights creative shop experiences). (axios.com)

Best for plant‑based / lower‑dairy options

• Van Leeuwen (vegan line) — cashew/oat bases that are rich and creamy. (thetop3list.com)
• Talenti & many grocery brands now offer quality sorbet/vegan pints for dairy‑free diets. (flavor365.com)

Notes on choosing

• If you want ultra‑creamy, high‑butterfat richness: look to Häagen‑Dazs, Jeni’s, Van Leeuwen. (flavor365.com)
• For creative, seasonal, or small‑batch flavors: Salt & Straw, Jeni’s, Gelato Messina, and local shops often deliver the most novel options. (brandradar.org)
• For widest availability and budget options: Ben & Jerry’s, Breyers, Tillamook, Dreyer’s/Edy’s, Talenti. (flavor365.com)

If you want, I can:

• Narrow this to “best for cones,” “best low‑sugar options,” or “best vegan pints” and list top 5 in that category with where to buy.
• Find specific best flavors to try from each brand (and where to buy them near you).

Which would you like next?