The Best Portable and Countertop Ice Makers for the Money (2024)

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Last updated on June 5, 2024

The Best Portable and Countertop Ice Makers for the Money (1)

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The Best Portable and Countertop Ice Makers for the Money (2)

Look for the DWYM seal for products that are the best in a category.

Our Picks For The Top Ice Makers

View All Recommendations

Our Recommendations

  1. 1. Silonn Ultra Quiet User-Friendly Ice Maker
  2. 2. FRIGIDAIRE Countertop Transparent Window Ice Maker
  3. 3. AGLUCKY Quiet Multifunctional Ice Maker
  4. 4. Newair Fast Freezing Removable Tray Ice Maker
  5. 5. Vremi Portable Countertop Ice Maker With Ice Scoop And Basket
  6. 6. FRIGIDAIRE Portable Compact Countertop Ice Maker Machine
  7. 7. E EUHOMY Compact Countertop Ice Maker
  8. 8. Igloo Portable Automatic Ice Maker
  9. 9. Crownful Countertop Electric Ice Maker
  10. 10. Euhomy Automatic Water Recycling Ice Maker
  11. 11. Kismile Compact Ultra Quiet Ice Maker
  12. 12. TRUSTECH Portable Self Cleaning Ice Maker
  13. 13. Crownful Portable Stylish Ice Maker
  14. 14. FINVIE Bullet-Shaped Cubes Ice Maker

Product Overview

Key Takeaway

The Best Overall

The Best Portable and Countertop Ice Makers for the Money (3)

The Best Portable and Countertop Ice Makers for the Money (4)

Silonn

Ultra Quiet User-Friendly Ice Maker

It takes just 6 minutes for this ice maker to produce ice for your favorite beverage. The ice maker can hold up to 2.6 pounds of ice at any given time and since it has a self-cleaning feature, the unit is pretty much maintenance free. You can even get the ice maker in one of six different colors, such as black, red or silver.

Overall Take

Budget-Friendly PickYou'll love the economical price tag on this top-notch ice maker.

Runner Up

The Best Portable and Countertop Ice Makers for the Money (6)

FRIGIDAIRE

Countertop Transparent Window Ice Maker

This ice maker is designed to fit neatly on any countertop and works great in any home or office kitchen. It's also perfect for a home bar. You'll get nine ice cubes every 5 minutes, so you never have to wait long to cool your drink. Any unused ice is melted and recycled to produce new ice cubes the following day.

Overall Take

Chill Your DrinksWith this ice maker, you'll enjoy 2.6 pounds of fresh ice per day.

This compact ice maker fits neatly on any kitchen countertop or office desk. It's designed to run quietly and can produce up to 26 pounds of ice in just one day. The control panel is easy to use and offers the ability to choose between small and large ice cubes.

Overall Take

Best for Small SpacesYou'll find this sleek ice maker comes in a choice of red or silver.

Also Great

The Best Portable and Countertop Ice Makers for the Money (10)

Newair

Fast Freezing Removable Tray Ice Maker

With this handy ice maker, you'll always have ice cubes at the ready to keep your lemonade, iced tea or water cool and refreshing. There are three ice sizes to select from, each of which is produced and ready for use within 10 minutes. You can even get the machine in a choice of red, black or silver.

Overall Take

Insulated Storage CompartmentAlthough small in size, this mighty ice maker can produce up to 28 pounds of ice in a single day.

Buying Guide

The days of filling ice cube trays with water and waiting for them to freeze are long gone, thanks to built-in ice makers. But not everyone has a state-of-the-art freezer. Even if you have one at home, you may buy an RV or own a rental cabin that lacks ice-making capabilities.

For those situations, a portable ice maker is all you’ll need. Taking up minimal counter space, these appliances act as a handy addition to any modern kitchen. You’ll simply need to routinely add water to the reservoir, then wait for the container to begin to fill with ice. Although many ice makers require a full day to fill the container completely, many begin providing ice in less than 15 minutes.

But in recent years, ice makers have become popular even with those who have the capacity built into their freezers. Some dispense cylindrical ice, similar to what you get from a hotel ice machine. However, others offer that small, bullet-shaped ice similar to what you get at fast-food chains like Sonic. If you’re shopping for ice makers for that reason, pay close attention to the type of ice each one produces to make sure you’re getting what you want.

What to Look For

  • One thing to consider before buying a portable ice maker is that you’ll have to manually refill the reservoir on a daily basis to keep the ice going. Some ice makers can use melted ice cubes to make new ice, but once you’re out of water, new ice will no longer be produced.
  • It’s also important to consider the water capacity of the water reservoir. The smaller the reservoir, the more often you’ll have to fill it to keep the ice flow going.
  • If you’re concerned about your carbon footprint, look for an ice maker with eco-friendly options. Some can pull any melted cubes into the water reservoir to make fresh cubes. Still others draw less power, saving on electricity.
  • Noise is a consideration, particularly if you spend time near your kitchen. If this is a concern, look for an ice maker that boasts quiet operation.
  • Ice size is an important factor in the ice maker you buy. Some units come with multiple ice size options, letting you switch back and forth between larger and smaller cubes.
  • If you plan to only use your ice maker occasionally, note how long it will take to produce the first few cubes of ice from the time you insert water. Many start providing ice in less than 10 minutes, which can come in handy if you’re just occasionally firing up your machine.

Ice Maker Rankings

More to Explore

The popular habit of chomping on ice can actually be a sign of an underlying health issue, particularly if it’s become a habit. Known as pagophagia, compulsively chewing ice is a form of pica, which is a disorder related to eating items with no nutritional value. Studies have linked compulsive ice chewing to iron deficiencies, which are very common in pregnant women, and much more common in women overall than in men. By chewing ice, you send more blood to the brain, which helps improve thought clarity and alertness. But the habit can be dangerous for your teeth, not to mention the harm that can come from leaving an iron deficiency unchecked. If you can’t seem to stop chewing ice, it might be time to schedule a physical to make sure your habit isn’t a sign of underlying health issues.

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What is the DWYM Score?

DWYM simplifies the research process by aggregating the reviews of the top product review sites. The result is the DWYM Score which represents the overall true rating of a product based upon a 1-10 scale.

For the Ice Maker category, we analyzed 44 of the most popular reviews including reviews from Tiny House Design, Cosmopolitan, Best Reviews Guide, Popkh, Lifestyle Reviews, Portablly and more. The result is a ranking of the best Ice Makers.

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The Best Portable and Countertop Ice Makers for the Money (2024)

FAQs

The Best Portable and Countertop Ice Makers for the Money? ›

What are the benefits of having a countertop ice maker? Countertop ice makers produce ice more quickly than ice cube trays and free up space in your freezer. They also offer an opportunity to make different kinds of ice. There's no ice cube tray in the world (that I know of) that can produce soft, chewable nugget ice.

Are portable ice makers worth it? ›

What are the benefits of having a countertop ice maker? Countertop ice makers produce ice more quickly than ice cube trays and free up space in your freezer. They also offer an opportunity to make different kinds of ice. There's no ice cube tray in the world (that I know of) that can produce soft, chewable nugget ice.

Who makes the most dependable ice maker? ›

Compare
Capacity
Best Overall: Luma Comfort Clear Ice Cube Maker$271 at Amazon4
Best Budget: Silonn Countertop Ice Maker$90 at Amazon4
Best Splurge: NewAir Countertop Ice Maker$300 at Amazon5
Best Compact: Aglucky Countertop Ice Maker$40 at Amazon3
4 more rows
3 days ago

What is the life expectancy of a countertop ice maker? ›

Sadly, with every piece of equipment comes a lifespan. With proper cleaning, a quality ice machine will last around 4 to 5 years on average, sometimes even longer. So how do you know when it's time to replace your ice machine? The first thing you need to do is locate the problem.

Can I leave my portable ice maker on all the time? ›

Most ice makers can be left on all the time in order to ensure that you always have a fresh supply of ice. Like refrigerator ice makers, these appliances are typically designed to run constantly.

Do countertop ice makers use a lot of electricity? ›

The answer to this question depends on a few factors, such as the brand and model of the ice maker, and the frequency of use. However, in general, portable ice makers do not use a lot of electricity. Portable ice maker mostly use 2.5–3 amps and 110–120 volts,for example, Gevi ice makers require 360 watts.

How do I choose a countertop ice maker? ›

What To Look For When Buying A Portable Ice Maker
  1. 1) Ice Production.
  2. 2) Type of Ice.
  3. 3) Ice Size. ...
  4. 4) Look & Style.
  5. 5) Type of Ice Maker. ...
  6. 6) Insulation and Storage Options. ...
  7. 7) Innovative Features: ...
  8. Use Filtered Water.

What is the difference between an ice maker and an ice machine? ›

Ice makers produce a moderate volume of ice cubes, and are generally perfect for most families. An ice machine, on the other hand, is a smaller version of a full-scale machine you'd see at a restaurant or in a hotel. They do not attach to a fridge or freezer, rather standing alone and existing only to make ice cubes.

How do I know which ice maker to buy? ›

To do so, you need to consider two different criteria: the speed of ice production and the storage capacity of the machine. If you use lots of ice on a regular basis, an ice maker's production rate will be more important than the size of its ice bucket.

Do portable ice makers need a water line? ›

No. Portable ice makers do not require a water line. Instead, you only need to pour water into the unit's reservoir and turn it on in order to start the ice production process.

How often should you clean your countertop ice maker? ›

Your ice machine works hard, but over time things like mineral deposits and even bacteria can build up inside, leading to ice that tastes less than fresh. Experts say ice machines should be cleaned about once every 9 months, or more frequently if you live in an area with hard water or high humidity.

Why do countertop ice makers stop working? ›

The water supply line is the most important part of your ice maker. Check that it's not shut off or restricted by a bracket, and ensure you have enough pressure in there! If you don't maintain your filters, they will get clogged and stop working properly. Make sure to check them every month or two.

Do portable ice makers get moldy? ›

Regular Maintenance After Trips

One thing that is really important with a portable ice maker is keeping everything clean and dry. Any moisture will attract and grow mold and mildew. When we are packing up from the campground, I drain the ice maker completely.

What are the pros and cons of portable ice makers? ›

One of the advantages of a portable ice maker is that it doesn't require any plumbing or installation, making it easy to set up and use. However, one of the downsides of a portable ice maker is that it has a limited ice production capacity, which may not be sufficient for larger gatherings or events.

What is the best water to use in a countertop ice maker? ›

Since not all ice makers include filters, we recommend using filtered or bottled water for better taste and better drinks. It'll also keep the machine clean and free of limescale.

How long does it take for a countertop ice maker to make ice? ›

Countertop ice makers make ice at an alarmingly fast rate. Many will churn out the first cubes (or nuggets) in less than 10 minutes. Ice makers that are built into a freezer, on the other hand, can take days to completely fill the built-in bin.

Do portable ice makers keep ice frozen? ›

Ice Makers with Modest Freezing Capability: Some ice makers have a small freezer compartment to slow down melt. Look for descriptions like "ice storage basket" or "mini freezer". However, the ice won't stay truly frozen for extended periods.

Are ice dispensers worth it? ›

They're also incredibly convenient. How great is it to get water and ice without even touching the inside of your fridge? You don't need to monitor your ice supply or fill ice trays manually; you can just put the ice from the freezer's ice dispenser into your glass and enjoy an ice-cold beverage.

Is an ice vending machine a good investment? ›

Ice vending machines can be lucrative additions to your existing business, a stand-alone business, or a helpful supplement to income after retirement. Regardless of your ice vending machine arrangement, it's important to accurately estimate the income you can expect from your investment.

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