Bahamas vs Key West (DM0500 vs DM1000)
Both have a 36 oz jar. Pick the Key West if you want a glass jar and a 1/2/3-drink dial that sizes the ice for you; pick the Bahamas if you prefer a simpler one-button machine and are happy to control thickness with the manual toggle.
| Bahamas DM0500 | Key West DM1000 | |
|---|---|---|
| Jar | 36 oz (material not specified in manual) | 36 oz heavy-duty glass |
| Batch sizing | By liquid amount + manual toggle | Number of Drinks dial: 1, 2 or 3 × 12 oz |
| Reference margarita (3 drinks) | 13 fl oz liquid | 9¾ fl oz liquid |
| Manual controls | Shave Only / Blend Only toggle | Shave Only / Blend Only toggle |
| Best for | Couples and small households who want restaurant-style texture without a lot of buttons. | People who like a glass jar and want the machine to size the ice for 1, 2 or 3 drinks automatically. |
All figures from the manufacturers’ user manuals. We have not run side-by-side tests of these machines; this comparison is about specifications and features only.
Bahamas DM0500
The compact, single-jar starter machine: one automatic Shave ’n Blend™ button plus a manual Shave Only / Blend Only toggle.
Key West DM1000
The original Key West: heavy-duty glass jar and a Number of Drinks dial for 1, 2 or 3 twelve-ounce drinks.
Check on Amazon: Key West DM1000 (paid link)
How to decide
- How many people do you usually serve? A 36 oz jar makes about three 12 oz drinks per batch; larger machines save you from running back-to-back batches.
- Do you want the machine to size the ice? Dial models (Key West, Fiji) shave for 1, 2 or 3 drinks automatically; others rely on the recipe volume and the manual toggle.
- Mostly margaritas, or a bit of everything? Drink-type programs (Fiji, Tahiti, Bali) adjust the cycle for fruit, cream and ice-cream drinks.
See the full Best Margaritaville Machine guide.