Discover the top ice makers for your home bar or entertaining needs, with a comprehensive review of performance, capacity, and portability.
When it comes to entertaining regularly or maintaining a well-equipped home bar, the hassle of managing large bags of ice from the store or constantly refilling ice cube trays can be quite exasperating. To address this issue, there are two main types of ice makers available for household use: compact and portable countertop models, as well as built-in, under-counter models that can seamlessly blend in with other appliances like wine coolers. Our comprehensive evaluation encompassed the leading choices in both categories, focusing on factors such as performance, portability, and capacity. With this information at hand, you can easily discover the optimal ice maker for your space requirements.
Our Top Picks
Best Overall: Luma Comfort Clear Ice Cube Maker
Best Budget: Silonn Countertop Ice Maker
Best Splurge: NewAir Countertop Ice Maker
Best Compact: Aglucky Countertop Ice Maker
Best Overall: Luma Comfort Clear Ice Cube Maker
Our Ratings: Portability: 3.5/5 Performance: 5/5 Capacity: 4/5
What We Appreciate:
- Remarkably quiet operation
- Impressive output per batch
- Rapid ice-making capability
What We Find Less Favorable:
- Ice occasionally requires breaking up
We are particularly impressed with this ice maker due to its ability to produce crystal-clear, high-quality ice that rivals what you would find in a restaurant. With a generous 10-cup water capacity, it boasted the highest hourly ice output among all the models we tested, albeit with slightly longer ice-making cycles. Furthermore, its operation was virtually silent, ensuring a peaceful environment.
Another aspect we appreciated was the absence of excessive branding, allowing the machine to blend seamlessly with its surroundings. Equipped with convenient push-button controls and an LED display, it also features useful alerts for when the ice collector reaches its full capacity or when the water level is low. It is worth noting that the unit is relatively large and bulky, though not to the extent where a refrigerator with a built-in ice maker would be a more suitable alternative. If you have a small kitchen, it might be necessary to allocate a designated space for this machine, separate from your countertop.
Installation is hassle-free, requiring no complex setup procedures, and it comes with essential accessories such as a scoop, owner's manual, and a one-year warranty for added peace of mind. While it may not be the most budget-friendly option available, we firmly believe that the performance and quality justify the investment.
Price-$250 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
Best Budget: Silonn Countertop Ice Maker
Our Ratings: Portability: 5/5 Performance: 4/5 Capacity: 4/5
What We Appreciate:
- Sleek, lightweight, and highly portable design
- Efficiently recycles melted ice to produce new ice
- Versatility to create both small and large ice cubes
What We Find Less Favorable:
- Ice tends to be cloudy and inconsistently sized
If you're searching for an affordable ice maker option, this one is an excellent choice. It boasts a sleek design, exceptional portability, and relatively lightweight construction. It's user-friendly and won't clutter your countertop, providing a hassle-free setup process. We particularly appreciate the versatility of being able to select between small or large ice cubes, and despite its budget-friendly price, it operates quietly.
Although it falls on the smaller side, this machine still offers a decent water capacity and produces a commendable amount of ice per hour. The resulting ice may exhibit some cloudiness and inconsistency in size, but we found it noteworthy that the machine recycles melted ice to generate more ice, contributing to its overall efficiency.
It's crucial to keep the ice maker in an upright position during transportation, or if it has been moved, it's recommended to wait 24 hours before using it again. This allows the refrigerant to settle properly in its reservoir and prevents potential compressor damage. The machine comes equipped with a basket and an ice scoop, and its sleek and visually appealing design makes it suitable for countertop display.
Price: $110 Model: Countertop Ice Size: Two sizes, bullet ice Speed: Produces 9 cubes every 6 minutes Dimensions: 12.3 x 8.7 x 12.5 inches Weight: 15 pounds Output: Produces 27 pounds of ice per day
Best Splurge: NewAir Countertop Ice Maker
Our Ratings: Portability: 3/5 Performance: 5/5 Capacity: 5/5
What We Appreciate:
- Ample capacity for ice storage
- Rapid ice production
- Quiet operation
- Convenient self-cleaning feature and timer
What We Find Less Favorable:
- Noisy operation
- Large and heavy in size
While this ice maker may be characterized by its substantial size and weight, it compensates by delivering an impressive ice production capacity of up to 50 pounds per day and 12 pieces in just seven minutes. With three selectable ice sizes and an 18-hour timer, you have the flexibility to create ice according to your schedule. Convenient indicator lights signal when water needs to be added or when the removable ice bin reaches full capacity, and an included ice scoop simplifies serving.
Although the ice bin is not refrigerated, it exhibits better insulation compared to other smaller ice maker models we tested, resulting in slower ice melting. Maintenance is minimal thanks to the self-cleaning mode, and this machine excels at fast ice production. Running it for two hours on the small setting is sufficient to fill the bin.
The bullet-shaped ice cubes generated by this machine may appear slightly cloudy and exhibit some irregularity in size. During operation, a noticeable whirring noise can be observed, yet the exceptional performance of the ice maker outweighs this inconvenience. When it comes to draining the machine, the large size and weight can pose a challenge. Placing a dish towel underneath can help catch any dribbles during the draining process.
Price: $360 Model: Countertop Ice Size: Three sizes, bullet Ice Speed: Produces 12 pieces every 7 minutes Dimensions: 17.2 x 15.3 x 16.5 inches Weight: Ranging from 36.4 to 37.6 pounds Output: Generates 50 pounds of ice per day or 12 pieces every 7 minutes
Best Compact: Aglucky Countertop Ice Maker
Our Ratings: Portability: 5/5 Performance: 4/5 Capacity: 3/5
What We Appreciate:
- Excellent portability
- Quiet operation
- Impressive output considering its compact size
What We Find Less Favorable:
- Absence of a self-cleaning feature
Despite its compact size, this ice maker proves to be a valuable addition, especially for dinner parties, RVs, small gatherings, and road trips. While its appearance may lean towards the more affordable side, its adorable design adds charm to any setting. Despite its diminutive stature, it manages to produce a satisfactory amount of ice within an hour. Due to its small size and lower water capacity, it may require frequent refills to keep up with the ice output. Nevertheless, it is user-friendly and provides clear and precise instructions for effortless operation.
The Aglucky ice maker showcases the concept of "small but mighty," capable of generating up to 26 pounds of ice per day while occupying minimal counter space. Its operation is relatively quiet, with only a slight whirring noise from the fan. As the ice is consumed or melts, the machine promptly produces more. Additionally, it features a transparent window that allows you to monitor the amount of ice inside. The ice maker comes complete with an ice scoop and a basket for convenient ice retrieval and storage.
Price: $90 Model: Countertop Ice Size: Two sizes, bullet Ice Speed: Produces 9 pieces every 8 minutes Dimensions: 12.3 x 8.7 x 12.6 inches Weight: 16.8 pounds Output: Generates 26 pounds of ice per day