What We Like
Practically silent
High output per batch
Makes ice quickly
What We Don't Like
Slightly bulky
We love this ice maker because it produces very clear, restaurant-quality ice. The machine has a 10-cup water capacity, which yielded the highest output per hour out of all the ice makers we tested (though it did take a while), and the noise level was silent. We also liked that the machine isn't obtrusively branded.
The unit has push-button controls and an LED display, and it alerts you to let you know when the ice collector is full or water is low. It's fairly big and bulky—not massive to the point where a fridge with an ice maker is a better option, but if you have a small kitchen, this machine may need a designated space other than your countertop. It requires no installation and comes with a scoop, owner's manual, and a one-year warranty. It's not the most budget-friendly option, but it's worth the money.
Model: Countertop | Ice Size: 1 size, cube ice | Speed: Roughly 20 cubes per 20 minutes | Dimensions: 11.13 x 14.25 x 13.88 inches | Weight: 25.3 pounds | Output: 28 pounds per day
What We Like
Sleek, light, and portable
Recycles melted ice to make new ice
Can make small or large cubes
What We Don't Like
Ice isn't clear
Ice isn't a consistent size
If you're looking for an ice maker that won't break the bank, this one is a great choice. It's sleek, portable, relatively light, easy to use, and doesn't clutter the counter; it's also very easy to set up and use. We love that you can choose between small or large ice cubes, and despite the lower price point, it still operates quietly.
For the machine being on the smaller side, it still has a decent water capacity and churns out a good amount of ice per hour. The ice came out somewhat cloudy and inconsistently sized, but we still like the fact that the machine recycles melted ice to make more ice.
It's important to note that you'll need to keep the ice maker in an upright position if you transport it or wait 24 hours before using it again if it wasn't kept upright (otherwise the refrigerant may not be properly settled in its reservoir after being moved, which could damage the compressor). The machine comes with a basket and an ice scoop. This is very sleek and nice-looking. We would be 100 percent OK with keeping it on the countertop.
Model: Countertop | Ice Size: 2 sizes, bullet ice | Speed: 9 cubes per 6 minutes | Dimensions: 12.3 x 8.7 x 12.5 inches | Weight: 15 pounds | Output: 27 pounds per day
What We Like
Large capacity
Makes ice quickly
Quiet
Self-cleaning feature and timer
What We Don't Like
Noisy
The NewAir Portable Ice Maker Pumps Out Plenty for Parties
This ice maker is huge and heavy, but it can produce up to a whopping 50 pounds of ice per day and 12 pieces in seven minutes. You can choose one of three different ice sizes and set the 18-hour timer to make ice on your schedule. Indicator lights let you know when you need to add water or when the removable ice bin is full, and an ice scoop is included for easy serving. Eventually, the ice will melt since the bin is not refrigerated, but it is better insulated than other smaller ice maker models we tried.
This machine doesn't require much maintenance (it has a self-cleaning mode) and produces ice really fast—leave it running for two hours on the small setting and you'll have a full bin. The bullet ice cubes were a bit cloudy and somewhat irregular in size, and the machine made a strong whirring noise during operation, but its performance made up for that. The machine can be tricky to drain since it's so big and heavy, so you may want to lay a dish towel underneath to pick up any dribbling during the draining process.
Model: Countertop | Ice Size: 3 sizes, bullet ice | Speed: 12 pieces per 7 minutes | Dimensions: 17.2 x 15.3 x 16.5 inches | Weight: 36.4 to 37.6 pounds | Output: 50 pounds per day or 12 pieces per 7 minutes
What We Like
Portable
Quiet
High output for small size
What We Don't Like
No self-cleaning feature
This machine is tiny for an ice maker, and although it looks a little on the cheaper side, it's very cute and great for dinner parties, RVs, small get-togethers, and road trips. For the size of the machine, it made an adequate amount of ice in an hour during testing.Since it's small and has a lower water capacity, you may have to refill it fairly often to keep up with its output, but it's easy to use and has clear, precise instructions.
The Aglucky is small and mighty, making 26 pounds of ice per day while taking up minimal counter space. While this ice maker operates relatively quietly, there's a slight whirring noise from the fan. As the ice is used or melts, it makes more. This machine has a clear window to let you see how much ice is inside and comes with an ice scoop and basket. You'll have to clean it out yourself since this machine doesn't have a self-cleaning feature.
Model: Countertop | Ice Size: 2 sizes, bullet ice | Speed: 9 pieces per 8 minutes | Dimensions: 12.3 x 8.7 x 12.6 inches | Weight: 16.8 pounds | Output: 26 pounds per day
Best Nugget Ice
GE Profile Opal Countertop Nugget Ice Maker
What We Like
Makes chewable nugget ice quickly
Easy to use and clean
Sleek design
Connects to Wi-Fi
What We Don't Like
Noisy
FirstBuild Opal Nugget Ice Maker Review
If you're not familiar with nugget ice, it's a soft and chewable type of ice that's best used for blended drinks like smoothies, frozen margaritas. Nugget ice is also great for blended cocktails, as it will keep your mixture cooler for a longer period of time and won't dilute the flavors. This machine produces restaurant-quality ice that's not wet, so it's easy to separate if stuck.
This sleek-looking stainless steel ice maker produces 1 pound of ice nuggets per hour, and the bin can hold up to 3 pounds. The clear, illuminated bin lets you see how much ice you have available and is easy to pull forward when scooping ice (a scoop is included). You can open the bin while ice is still being made, and while the bin is open, any ice that is made just falls into the water reservoir. The bin is also insulated to keep the ice cold, but as it inevitably melts, the machine automatically makes more.
The GE Opal connects to Wi-Fi, so you can control it when you're not home. It also comes with an extra water reservoir so you don't have to have to refill the water as often during larger get-togethers.
When we tested the brand's previous model, we loved how easy it was to chew the ice no matter what kind of drink it was in—from soda, to cocktails, to a copycat recipe of Sonic's cherry limeade. We were particularly impressed that the ice didn't soak up the drink's flavor. However, we don't love the noise level it produces.
Note: The original model we tested is featured in the full review link above and pictures below. The brand improved and updated the product to a lighter 2.0 model with Wi-Fi connectivity, which is featured in this roundup.
Model: Countertop | Ice Size: 1 size, nugget ice | Speed: 1 pound per hour | Dimensions: 17.5 x 13.43 x 16.5 inches | Weight: 38 pounds | Output: 24 pounds per day
Best for Bullet Ice
Frigidaire Countertop Ice Maker
What We Like
Large, thick ice bullets
Three sizes of ice
Portable
Very quiet
What We Don't Like
Ice storage isn’t refrigerated
Frigidaire EFIC103 26 lb. Freestanding Ice Maker Review
Bullet ice, also sometimes called hollow cube ice, is more cylindrical in shape than nugget ice and works great in everything from soda to mixed drinks. This Frigidaire model makes some of the largest, thickest bullet ice we've found from a countertop ice maker, and it does it quickly.
The Frigidaire EFIC103 can churn out 26 pounds a day, and in our tests, it made a batch of nine in just eight minutes. Because the ice is so large and thick, a little goes a long way. This machine produced hollow, bullet-shaped ice as thick and as fast as brands that cost twice the price. It was also so quiet that we forgot it was even on.
This ice maker can store 2.2 pounds of ice at a time. While this one isn't as well-insulated as some higher-end models, we still found it adequate. In terms of customization, you have your choice of three ice sizes, and the size corresponds to thickness rather than length. Please note, though, that the ice storage isn't refrigerated, so you'll want to move it as it's produced.
Model: Countertop | Ice Size: 3 sizes, bullet ice | Speed: 9 pieces per 7 to 15 minutes | Dimensions: 14.44 x 11.69 x 14.88 inches | Weight: 24.03 pounds | Output: 26 pounds per day
What We Like
Very portable
Five-cycle cleaning function
High speed and output for small size
What We Don't Like
Needs water refills often
This attractive countertop ice maker has a handle for easy portability and comes in an array of color options. For its size, it works at an impressive speed, producing 26 pounds of ice per day and approximately nine cubes every seven minutes. The ice maker lets you choose between two sizes of cylinder-shaped ice and is overall very easy to use; the LED control panel lets you know when the water reservoir needs to be filled as well as when the collector bin (which can hold 2 pounds of ice at a time) is full. The machine pauses its production when the bin is full to prevent overflow.
The fan is somewhat noisy, but not egregiously so. Since the machine is portable and on the smaller side, it needs more frequent water refills than machines with huge water reservoirs, but its size and capacity are perfect for your typical home bar. Best of all, this machine has a thorough cleaning function that just requires you to add water and cleaning solution to the water reservoir.
Model: Countertop | Ice Size: 2 sizes, cylinder ice | Speed: 9 pieces per 7 minutes | Dimensions: 13.9 x 10.51 x 15.28 inches | Weight: 19.3 pounds | Output: 26 pounds per day
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Best for Fast Ice
Arctic-Pro Portable Bullet Ice Maker
What We Like
Compact and portable
High outputs in short timeframes
Very quiet
What We Don't Like
Huge brand logo makes machine less attractive
This is another portable and compact ice maker that would be a great addition to a home bar or RV, and it offers particularly fast and quiet operation. The bullet ice comes in two sizes and comes out very evenly at a rate of roughly nine ice cubes per eight minutes. Operation is easy: Just fill the water reservoir, choose your ice size on the LCD digital control panel, and press the on button. You can set a timer to preset the machine if you want it to start making ice while you're away, and there's another button to operate the self-cleaning function.
One downside of this machine we noticed during testing is that since the water tank has just a 7.5-cup capacity, we had to refill it often. That said, the high yield did impress us, so we think it's well worth it for the output and low noise level alone. The machine comes with a removable ice tray and scoop. We aren't huge fans of the design of this one, though—with the logo being quite large, but we can overlook it thanks to its list of pros.
Model: Countertop | Ice Size: 2 sizes, bullet ice | Speed: 9 pieces per 7 minutes | Dimensions: 12.5 x 8.8 x 11.5 inches | Weight: 17.5 pounds | Output: 26 pounds per day
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What We Like
Three ice sizes
Relatively lightweight
Can change settings with an app
What We Don't Like
Small capacity
Until this ice maker landed, we never thought that a smart ice maker was something we wanted, but we have to admit that we’ve become fond of the app. Some of the information—like how many ice cubes we’ve made and how much they weighed—is interesting but not necessary. On the other hand, having the app remind us to clean the ice maker isn’t a bad thing, and being about to set the ice size from the app is handy.
This makes three different sizes of ice cubes. We wouldn’t call any of them particularly tiny, but we do like the smallest ones when we’re tossing them into a blender where they need to get blitzed up. The largest are nice for cooling drinks when we don’t want the ice to melt as fast. Like all the other settings, the ice cube sizes can be changed from the app.
Unlike most ice makers that are either on and making ice, or totally off, this ice maker has a "do not disturb" setting that turns off the ice-making on your schedule, whether it’s to silence it at night or to only make ice at certain times of the day. It makes sense. The dropping cubes can be noisy, so we like turning it off when we know we won’t need any ice.
There’s an internal light that illuminates the ice bin, and it also is an indicator for different functions, like when it’s working, full, or water is needed. The light colors can be changed to suit your own color scheme, and the brightness of the light can also be adjusted.
Our one quibble is that the bin capacity is a bit small. However, it does make ice quickly. This may not be the perfect choice for large parties or for filling the cooler. But if you plan in advance, you can transfer the ice into the freezer ahead of time to have enough for occasional events. Because of how fast it makes ice, it works well for our needs at home.
Model: Countertop | Ice Size: 3 sizes | Speed: 9 pieces in 6 minutes | Dimensions: 12.52 x 9.45 x 13.11 inches | Weight: 16.8 pounds | Output: 26 pounds per day
Final Verdict
We picked the Luma Comfort Countertop Clear Cube Ice Maker as our favorite by far because it makes high volumes of ice quickly and without a sound. For a compact model that's both efficient and quiet, the Aglucky Countertop Ice Maker is a great choice (and it comes in multiple colors!)
How We Tested Ice Makers
We tested 15 ice makers side by side in our Lab and evaluated their portability, performance, and capacity. We gathered data on each machine's speed of batch production, quantity of ice produced per hour, noise level, and ice quality (taking note of bubbles and impurities that could cause the ice to melt more quickly). We also took note of how easy each machine was to use, whether there was any mess or dripping, how well-insulated each machine was to keep ice from melting, and whether or not each machine was self-cleaning. We've also tested some models in the kitchens of our experienced at-home product testers. Using the same methods as our official testing Lab, they paid close attention to speed, sound, and quality of each ice maker.
Learn More About How We Test Products
What to Look for in an Ice Maker
Size
Ice makers come in a wide variety of sizes, from small countertop models to some that require significant floor space. Do you want to set up that countertop model in the kitchen every time you need to fill drinks for the family, or do you prefer to keep a large unit operating at all times in the garage?
Speed
How quickly do you need your ice made? Whether you prefer to make a lot of ice ahead of time or want a constant supply flowing will determine how important speed is. Some machines can supply the first ice quickly, so you can get the party started, but if you don’t have sufficient storage space for ice, it’s wise to get an ice maker that can keep up with hourly demand.
Capacity
If your ice maker can produce a lot of ice quickly but can’t hold much, you’ll need to keep removing the ice and storing it elsewhere. That’s great if you’re planning ahead and can check the machine regularly, but a machine with a larger storage capacity could hold enough ice that you won't need to unload it to make more room.
FAQs
How do countertop ice makers work?
While models are different, in general, the ice makers start by pumping water into the molds that make the ice. The ice maker monitors the freezing progress and when the ice in the molds is frozen, the molds are heated slightly so the ice releases easily and can be ejected into the storage bin. The process repeats for as long as there is water available and/or space in the bin for more ice.
What is the average lifespan of an ice maker?
The industry standard is that a commercial ice maker should last about 10 years, a reasonable estimate for home ice makers is around four to five years.
Do any countertop ice makers keep ice frozen?
Most countertop ice makers do not have a freezer compartment for ice storage. While the bins may be insulated, the ice will still eventually melt. The water then drains back into the water reservoir so it can be frozen again. Larger and more expensive ice makers may include a freezer section that will keep ice frozen.
Do countertop ice makers use a lot of electricity?
It depends on the model, but ice makers do not typically use a lot of power. The draw can vary depending on what the ice maker is doing—freezing, pumping, or heating the molds—and the range is fairly wide, from 50 to 160 watts, with an average of 100 watts per hour.
Can I leave my countertop ice maker on all the time?
Yes, although you don't need to. If the machine is turned off, the ice will melt and the water will return to the reservoir. If you need ice on a pretty consistent basis throughout each day, it may be wise to leave the machine running unless you go out of town. If you need ice more sporadically, it can save power to turn it off during the stretches when you won't need it.
Why Trust The Spruce Eats?
Donna Currie is a cookbook author, as well as a writer and product tester for The Spruce Eats, specializing in all the latest kitchen gadgets. She's tested over 90 products for the brand. She interviewed Andy Currie, mixologist at Hopleaf Bar in Chicago, as part of her research for this roundup.
This roundup was updated by Katya Weiss-Andersson, a writer and editor with almost a decade of experience as a professional chef, and Katrina Munichiello, a writer and editor who specializes in the tea and food industries.
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