Best Ice Makers

Review & Comparison, Last Update December 18, 2023
People associate ice cubes with holidays and summer. Having purchased an ice maker, you will always have an opportunity to bring conviviality to your life. This review of the best ice makers will help you make the right choice. ...Read more ...Read less
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BEST 2024
PROS
CONS
OUR VERDICT
TYPE OF ICE
ICE CUBE SIZE
DAILY ICE MAKING CAPACITY
ICE STORAGE CAPACITY
OPERATION CYCLE
WATER SOURCE
EXTRAS
CONVENIENCES
WEIGHT
ALERTS
Warranty
 
PROS

The device works almost silently both when generating ice and when maintaining the temperature in the ice container. Thanks to this, it can be placed just about anywhere as no noise will ever bother you.

CONS

It needs more time to produce large ice cubes. 

OUR VERDICT

If you need a portable ice maker for certain occasions such as picnics, BBQs, or even pool parties, the ice maker from HomeLabs is one of the best models you can get. It's durable, reliable, and quick-working.

detailed parameters
TYPE OF ICE

Bullet-shaped ice cubes

ICE CUBE SIZE

2 ice cube sizes

DAILY ICE MAKING CAPACITY

Up to 26 pounds

ICE STORAGE CAPACITY

Up to 1.5 pounds

OPERATION CYCLE

6-8 minutes

WATER SOURCE

2.3-Qt water reservoir

EXTRAS

Control panel with LED indicators

CONVENIENCES

Translucent window, Removable ice bucket, Ice scoop included, Convenient drain

WEIGHT

~ 19 pounds

ALERTS

Ice full indicator, Water shortage indicator, Automatic shut off

Warranty

2 years (6 more months after product registration)

PROS

The automatic five-step cleaning function makes maintenance and cleaning of the appliance as easy as possible. By removing scale and other impurities, it prolongs the lifespan of the machine and gives you only the purest ice.

CONS

The motor is a little on the noisy side.

OUR VERDICT

The iGloo ICEB26HNSS is a compact, modern-looking machine that is fantastic for indoor and outdoor use. It takes minimum counter space, comes fitted with a carry top handle, and uses only 105 Watts of power, which makes it ideal for RVs.

detailed parameters
TYPE OF ICE

Bullet-shaped ice cubes

ICE CUBE SIZE

2 ice cube sizes

DAILY ICE MAKING CAPACITY

Up to 26 pounds

ICE STORAGE CAPACITY

Up to 1.25 pounds

OPERATION CYCLE

7 minutes

WATER SOURCE

2-Qt water reservoir

EXTRAS

Control panel with LED-indicators, on/off and select buttons

CONVENIENCES

Translucent window, Carry handle, Removable ice bucket, Ice scoop included, Convenient drain

WEIGHT

19 pounds

ALERTS

Ice full indicator, Add water indicator, Power indicator, Automatic five-cycle cleaning function, Automatic shut off

Warranty

1 year

PROS

This ice maker is fitted with an extra-large see-through window allowing you to see the entire interior chamber without opening the lid.  Therefore, you'll always know at a glance whether your ice is ready or not. 

CONS

The plug on the bottom is a little cheap.

OUR VERDICT

The Frigidaire EFIC189 ice maker is produced by the #1 leader in refrigeration, so you can be sure you're getting the highest quality by purchasing it. The machine is very reliable and stylish, so it can become a great addition to any contemporary kitchen.

detailed parameters
TYPE OF ICE

Bullet-shaped ice cubes

ICE CUBE SIZE

2 ice cube sizes

DAILY ICE MAKING CAPACITY

Up to 26 pounds

ICE STORAGE CAPACITY

Up to 2.6 pounds

OPERATION CYCLE

6 minutes

WATER SOURCE

2-Qt water reservoir

EXTRAS

Control panel with LED-indicators, on/off and select buttons

CONVENIENCES

Large translucent window, Removable ice bucket, Ice scoop included, Convenient drain

WEIGHT

17.9 pounds

ALERTS

Ice full indicator, Add water Indicator, Automatic shut off

Warranty

Amazon's 30-day return policy

PROS

The interior is made of quality BPA-free plastic, so odd odors and flavors are less likely to lurk inside the unit. The plastic exterior is fingerprint-proof.

CONS

The see-through window is rather small.

OUR VERDICT

For less than $100, you get a small yet efficient ice making machine perfect for 2-3 people. With this mini ice maker, a chilly portion of ice for your beverages will be ready in a matter of minutes. 

detailed parameters
TYPE OF ICE

Bullet-shaped ice cubes

ICE CUBE SIZE

2 ice cube sizes

DAILY ICE MAKING CAPACITY

Up to 26 pounds

ICE STORAGE CAPACITY

Up to 1.5 pounds

OPERATION CYCLE

6-13 minutes

WATER SOURCE

2.3-Qt water reservoir

EXTRAS

Control panel with LED indicators

CONVENIENCES

Translucent window, Removable ice bucket, Ice scoop included, Convenient drain

WEIGHT

17.5 pounds

ALERTS

Ice full indicator, Water Shortage indicator, Automatic shut off

Warranty

1 year

PROS

The high-performance 120W motor allows the device to produce up to 2.4lbs of ice per one cycle. With these numbers in mind, you can expect it to yield about 40 lbs per day, which is quite impressive.

CONS

There's no option to choose the size of ice cubes.

OUR VERDICT
The Frigidaire EFIC452 is a nice electric ice maker perfectly suitable for bars, parties, cafés, and home use. In addition to its super-quiet operation, it stands out for its excellent ice-making performance, allowing you to always have as much ice as you need on hand.
detailed parameters
TYPE OF ICE

Bullet-shaped ice-cubes

ICE CUBE SIZE

1 ice cube size (large)

DAILY ICE MAKING CAPACITY

Up to 40 pounds

ICE STORAGE CAPACITY

Up to 2.4 pounds

OPERATION CYCLE

less than 15 minutes

WATER SOURCE

2.3-Qt water reservoir

EXTRAS

Control panel with LCD screen with on/off, Timer and select buttons

CONVENIENCES

Translucent window, Removable ice bucket, Ice scoop included, Convenient drain

WEIGHT

‎26.1 pounds

ALERTS

Reservoir needs filling indicator and full bin indicator, Automatic shut off

Warranty

1 year limited

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hOmeLabs HME010019N

The Best Seller

Summer often means a lot of picnics and party opportunities. And the hOmeLabs Portable Ice Maker Machine is here to provide you with a constant ice supply. It's a sleek and highly-powerful countertop ice making machine that can change your kitchen's functionality. In just 6-8 minutes, it makes the first 9-piece batch of smooth bullet-shaped ice cubes. The basket gets full in less than an hour, which is perfect if you quickly need a large batch of ice. In general, it can produce up to 26 lbs of ice per day and store up to 1.5 lbs of ice at a time. You can choose between small and large-sized cubes. The smaller ice cones can even fit into a plastic water bottle.

The hOmeLabs ice maker is ready to use right out-of-the-box and is very easy to operate. You just need to set the machine on a flat surface (at least 4 inches from a wall), pour the water in, and keep the lid closed. That's it! The machine will swiftly generate fresh ice cubes for you. We would like to point out that the ice cubes come out "wet". So if you're going to remove them and freeze, they might all freeze together and you'll need to break them apart later.

The machine boasts a modern refrigeration technology and quiet compressor cooling, so it works almost silently. It's equipped with a convenient control panel and comes with a BPA-free plastic ice scoop and a removable ice basket. The unit is quite compact which makes it perfect for small kitchens, recreational vehicles, boats, patios and more. However, the feature that discerns this model from many similar ice makers is that it is able to turn itself off automatically once its ice basket is full which contributes to its usability and provides the user with a peace of mind. 

The hOmeLabs Portable Ice Maker Machine will come in handy when you are having parties or bar-b-ques and your beverages are being made constantly. The readily-made bullet-shaped cubes will definitely make every drink a pleasure to enjoy!

Review of hOmeLabs HME010019N Portable Ice Maker Machine

Useful Tips

Here're some useful tips which can make maintenance of this portable ice machine a bit easier:

  • The water mark is not so easy to see. So, it's better to additionally indicate it with a non-toxic market. It's somewhere about 2 inches down from the top of the back wall.
  • If it's very stuffy in your house, the hOmelabs machine might need up to 20 minutes to generate the first batch of ice. And the more often you will open the lid to check the process, the longer this will delay the ice. So, try not to open the lid during ice production.
  • We recommend you to remove ice cubes within a few minutes after they have been made, especially if the ambient temperature is very high. Shake ice a little to drip off excess water so that ice cubes won't stick together.
hOmeLabs HME010019N Portable Ice Maker Machine in the use

Additional Info

User Manual     Manufacturer

Last updated price $129.99
Stock In stock
ASIN B071J2LSQS

What customers say about this product

Features

There is 'basket full' sensor somewhere that turns the system OFF when the basket is full. This normally happens when the basket is (subjectively) is a little over three quarters full.

Key Specs

Ideal capacity for individuals or families. Not really enough if you ared hosting a crowd.

Size & Weight

I love that it is small enough to sit on the counter top because I can change it's location in our kitchen with no hassle at all.

Power

Really powerful little machine! It's whisper quiet.
 

iGloo ICEB26HNSS

Take it with You!

If you often go camping and can't imagine your adventures without nice, crunchy ice and refreshing beverages, you surely need a good, portable ice-making machine to take with you. The Igloo ICEB26HNSSWL may fit that bill perfectly. It's a very compact, stylish appliance that can keep your drinks nice and chilled wherever you go. Using just 105 Watts of power, it won't drain your RV generator noticeably. Moreover, it has a very small footprint and takes minimum space, so we believe it'll fit nicely onto the small countertops of most trailers. For easy transportation, it's fitted with a carry handle on the top.

Despite the great portability, the Igloo ice maker doesn't trail behind the competition when it comes to performance. With a 2-Quart water tank capacity, it makes 9 cylinder-shaped ice cubes in as little as 7 minutes. The machine offers you to alternate between small and large cubes for keeping fresh-squeezed lemonade, iced tea, mojitos, or other beverages chilly on hot, summer days. It doesn't matter what size you choose, you'll always get really good, soft ice.

Even if you're not tech-savvy, the machine is simple to understand and use owing to the straightforward control panel and LED lights informing you when you need to add more water or when the ice basket is full.
Review of iGloo ICEB26HNSS Portable Countertop Ice Maker With Handle

Simple Cleaning

Now, what really sets this ice making machine above the competition is the self-cleaning function. Rarely seen in other portable ice makers, the automatic five-cycle cleaning feature makes cleanups easy and effortless. With a one-click cleaning function, this ice maker can effectively remove scale, thus prolonging the service life of the machine and ensuring clean ice every time.

As for water emptying, the drain plug is located at the bottom right corner of the Igloo machine and you can see it from the inside as well. To empty the basket, you'll need to make sure you're over a sink or have a container ready to catch liquid and then pull the plug down.

All this makes the Igloo ICEB26HNSSWL a great machine that is easy to take care of and is easy to take wherever you go. It's extremely portable and works great for RVs.

iGloo ICEB26HNSS Portable Countertop Ice Maker With Handle in the use
Last updated price $0.00
Stock In stock
ASIN B09HJBXFQR

 

Frigidaire EFIC189

By the Leading Manufacturer

Frigidaire belongs to that rare type of US brands that produce "less but better". The company specializes solely in home appliances and offers a quite limited range of products. Actually, when you hear the name Frigidaire, you think of high-quality kitchen products, and the countertop Frigidaire EFIC189 ice maker is one of them. Everything about it screams high quality, so if you need the kind of ice maker that will last you a lifetime without problems, then keep on reading and discover more.

To begin with, it's a very stoutly-built machine that boasts a fully stainless steel construction (even the lid is made of stainless steel). Not only does this make the Frigidaire EFIC189 very durable but also it adds a more premium look and feel to it. So, it's the kind of thing you may want to display rather than hide.

When it comes to functionality, the unit is made with a compressor cooling system and can produce 9 cubes of ice every 7-15 minutes. It works extremely quietly, which means your party music will never be overshadowed by it. That is to say, it runs at less than 38 decibels and makes some noticeable noise only when the ice is emptied.

Review of Frigidaire EFIC189 Compact Ice Maker

Watch That!

Equipped with a LED display and controls on the top lid, the machine lets you choose the size of ice cubes between S and L. The smaller option works better for cocktails and coffee drinks, while the larger one is great for beer and Cola. After you set the preferable size, you can easily watch the magical process of ice making through the window on the lid. Unlike most other ice makers, this model boasts an extra-large see-through window, allowing you to clearly see the whole interior compartment without a need to open the top. By the way, the lid has a flip-top design, allowing for easy water refilling. And when you need to empty the ice maker, you can benefit from a convenient ice shovel (included in the box).

Bottom line, the Frigidaire EFIC189 ice maker is a reliable and stylish appliance that is produced by the #1 leader in refrigeration. It can become a good addition to your kitchen, supplying you with fresh ice for long years to come.

Frigidaire EFIC189 Compact Ice Maker in the use
Last updated price $120.99
Stock In stock
ASIN B075QP7SCP

 

Costway EP22769BK

Compact Yet Efficient

The Costway countertop ice maker machine is a good pick for those who need a compact and fairly efficient machine without paying 1000's bucks for a professional model. Unless they run a restaurant, of course.

This model isn't so big and heavy as most other ice makers offered on the market. It can be compared to a large toaster in size. It has a modest footprint, so you can even store it on a kitchen shelf. But although it's so small, it still can provide you with a decent amount of ice cubes in a relatively short amount of time. It prepares ready-to-serve ice cubes in about 7-8 minutes. The ice basket capacity makes 1.5lbs, which is more than enough for families of 2-3 members. And like many other standalone ice machines, this one can generate up to 26 lbs of clear ice per day. It can run non-stop for 24 hours to provide you with a readily available supply of ice. The machine can create large and small-sized ice tubes depending on your needs.

The ice bin fills in a couple of hours or so, and if you're not around to empty it, the ice will start melting. The melted water falls back into the water reservoir and is made into new ice bullets.

The unit has a see-through window to let you check the ice level and a "full" sensor" that alerts you to empty the tray so that more ice could be made. You'll also find another useful alert on a digital control panel that says when the water level in the reservoir is low and you need to refill it.

The Costway mini ice maker is equipped with the latest compressor cooling system and thus operates almost quietly. It has a chic design and is offered in four colors (black, white, red, and silver) to match your kitchen decor and hardware. Its portable design also enables you to use it for boat or RV trips, small parties, and other gatherings.

Review of Costway EP22769BK Ice Maker Machine

Stock Up on Some Ice

As we have just mentioned, this is a great portable ice machine which quickly makes a decent amount of ice for 2-3 people. But for a big party? You'll need to wait for about 5 hours before the ice bucket becomes full. Therefore, we suggest that you add water to the reservoir up to the max level before going to bed or leaving a camper. The next morning, you will have a full load of ice. For best results, pour cold water into the unit. Note that the ice bullets from the first few cycles might be not as big or thick as you expect. For food safety reasons, the manufacturer recommends you to empty out the water reservoir every 24 hours.

Costway EP22769BK Ice Maker Machine in the use

Additional Info

    Manufacturer

Last updated price $129.99
Stock In stock
ASIN B072BYZSBD

 

Frigidaire EFIC452

Serious Machine

Whether you're running your own café or looking to buy a great quality ice machine for home use, the Frigidaire EFIC452 Ice Maker will be your kitchen's biggest asset. This machine operates based on a powerful 120W motor that allows it to produce up to 40 lbs of clear ice cubes per day, with about 2.4 lbs after each cycle, which is nothing short of impressive. As a result, you can get a continuous supply of ice to keep up with your family's ice needs and keep the cold drinks flowing all day long.

Compared to the other ice makers we've reviewed, the Frigidaire Ice Maker makes some of the largest, thickest bullet ice. You won't be able to choose the exact size of the ice cubes, but you can set the ice making cycle in 1-min increments, allowing you to make thicker or smaller ice. Speaking of the ice, it's clear and shiny and has a much solid structure than that produced by most other ice makers. Thanks to this, it melts much more slowly, too. It is also remarkable that the unit has a rather wide opening, making scooping ice cubes pretty easy and quick.

Not only does the Frigidaire EFIC452 stand out for its great performance, but it also boasts a sleek, modern design. Encased in a heavy-duty stainless steel body with a black finish, it can become a perfect addition to the interior of any kitchen, home bar or even office. Also, it's relatively compact and portable, although at 26.1 lbs, you probably won't want to move it around too often.

Review of Frigidaire EFIC452 Ice Maker Machine

Additional Conveniences

Using the Frigidaire EFIC452 is quite easy. It features user-friendly digital controls, making the process of producing ice cubes quick and intuitive. There's also a large see-through window, which will let you watch your ice being produced without having to open the lid. In addition, the manufacturer has included a timer, so you can make fresh ice on a schedule and never run out of ice cubes.

What is also notable about the EFIC452 is that it works much quieter than most other ice makers out there. This is achieved thanks to the silent cooling function and the fact that the device enables the pump only when more water is added to the ice tray. This not only helps keep the operation of the device super quiet, but also more energy-efficient.

To sum up, the Frigidaire EFIC452 is a nice electric ice maker perfectly suitable for bars, parties, cafés, and home use. It's very quiet and makes clear and shiny ice of the solid structure that doesn't melt too quickly. On top of that, it offers ample space to produce up to 2.4 lbs of ice per each cycle, which will allow you to always have as much ice on hand as you need.

Frigidaire EFIC452 Ice Maker Machine in the use
Last updated price $0.00
Stock In stock
ASIN B07YN8QFDG

 

Infographics

Comparison of Ice Makers

What Is an Ice Maker?

If you’ve ever held any cocktail party or gone through a hot day without a cold drink, you know how important having some ice at hand could be. This is where buying an ice maker can solve several problems in one fell swoop. ice maker is capable of producing ice of different shapes and sizes, suitable for multiple purposes. The variety of ice makers is vast so that everyone can find the best pick for their particular needs. It’s even possible to take an ice making machine on a trip (provided it’s compact and light). You’d only need to plug it in 110V power socket and nicely chilled beverage is guaranteed. Some portable ice makers require usage of power adapters to connect to 12V. Hopefully, our review helps you find an ice maker with the right specifications to fit your day routine and bring some chillness in hot, exhausting summer days.

Those who can’t live without partying may also want to buy outdoor & camping grills, handy outdoor cooking stoves to enjoy barbecue evenings with friends and family. Car cooler bags will come in useful during long trips, maintaining the chillness of your favorite drinks.

What Features to Compare

Type of Ice

You should pay attention to the type of ice that can be made. In general, ice makers can produce cloudy or clear ice.

Regarding cloudy ice, it not only chills beverages but also absorbs them. Thus, you can chew such ice even after you have drunk up your cocktail. As a rule, cloudy ice is thimble-shaped since it is made in portable ice makers with low-temperature metal pegs. During the ice-making process, these pegs are immersed in water. Thus, they accumulate some layers of ice and produce ice cubes which resemble thimbles with rounded ends. It should be noted that the length of such ice cubes is about an inch and a quarter, but you can always adjust their diameter. Large ice cubes are 1" in diameter while medium and small ones are 0.9" and 0.8" respectively. Besides, stationary and embedded ice makers produce crescent-shaped cloudy ice cubes, but you have to connect such devices to a water pipe. Furthermore, if you don't want to chew this cloudy ice, you can make it harder. Just take it out of an ice maker and put into a freezer for some hours.

As for clear ice, it has a solid structure due to a completely opposite freeze technology. In order to get clear ice cubes, you should use flowing water of 27° F - 32° F. Flowing water is deprived of various impurities. As a result, your ice is clear. It should be noted that clear ice melts slower than cloudy ice. That’s why it is widely used in restaurants and bars.

Ice Production

Ice production is the second important criterion you should take into consideration. This criterion is defined by a maximum amount of ice made per day, ice storage capacity, and operation cycle. If an ice maker produces about 22 pounds of ice per day, such ф device is considered to be powerful enough for household use. As for ice storage capacity, it indicates the amount of ice which can be stored without emptying an ice bin. Operation cycle length implies the timespan needed for making a batch of ice.

Conveniences and Alerts

Consider the conveniences and alerts of ice makers that make the maintenance of the device very comfortable. If you wish to make some ice, you will have to plug the device in, select the required setting, and then switch it on. That's all!

For the extra convenience, some ice makers are fitted with additional features. Note that such accessories as an ice bin and an ice scooper can even simplify the process of ice making. As for cleanup, a side drain will help you significantly. By the way, most ice makers recycle water for further ice making. It is also cool if your ice maker has an Auto Shut-Off function because when the ice bin is full the ice maker automatically shuts off and no more ice is made. Besides, some models can also alert you when an ice bin is full of ice. Finally, most of the portable ice makers have a low water alert. To sum up, ice makers are very convenient and simple in maintenance.

Sources:

1. Kristen Hicks The Ultimate Guide to Buying a Portable Ice Maker, CompactAppliance.com. October 5, 2016.

2. Ice Maker Buying Guide, eBay. March 3, 2016.

3. Portable Ice Makers: Value and Convenience, Air & Water.

4. Ice Maker, Wikipedia.

5. Tom Harris How Icemakers Work, HowStuffWorks.

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