It seems like every new home improvement product has the word "efficient" attached to it nowadays.
However, if you are truly serious about efficient ice production, you’ll want to look for countertop ice makers that can crank out cubes quickly and efficiently.
For most people, adding an ice maker to their kitchen is the perfect addition to make their home feel like a home. The ice cubes can be used in cocktails, to keep drinks cold, to freeze food items or simply as refreshment.
However, you may not have a ton of countertop space, so your search for an ice maker that works well is a bit limited. The square footage needs to fit the ice maker, which in many cases will mean it’s going to go on the counter.
It may be tempting to buy a portable ice maker, but most are not great at producing ice especially the tiny versions that are inexpensive and can be easily moved from room to room.
I have an entire review on this, but if you’re looking for the best countertop ice maker, then read on below.
| Name | Category | Product |
|---|---|---|
| hOmeLabs Portable Ice Maker Machine | Best Overall |  |
| PORTABLE DIGITAL ICE MAKER MACHINE by Arctic-Pro | Budget Pick |  |
| Opal Countertop Nugget Ice Maker | Upgrade Pick |  |
1. hOmeLabs Portable Ice Maker Machine
Pros:
- Portable and easy to install
- Can make up to 26 lbs of ice in 24 hours
- Makes clear ice cubes
- Easy to clean
- Affordable
Cons:
- Requires 24-hour ice-making operation
- Ice cubes are heavy
- Power cord doesn’t wind up for storage
- Stainless steel used is quite flimsy
- Noisy
Our top choice is this portable countertop ice maker from hOmeLabs that promises a production of up to 26 lbs of ice in 24 hours. There are a number of reasons why we’ve chosen this as the best ice maker on the market today, including superior ice-making capacity, fast ice production, convenience, usability, and affordability.
One of the most important factors to consider when you’re looking for ice makers is the capacity. With the hOmeLabs countertop ice maker, you can make up to 26 lbs of ice in a 24 hour period. This is ideal if you intend to use your ice maker for parties and other functions.
2. Opal Countertop Nugget Ice Maker
Pros:
- Simple, compact, and pocket-friendly
- Makes 2 pounds of ice every 12 minutes
- Energy-efficient
- Durable design
- Easy to maintain
- Produces ice within 8 minutes of startup
- Affordable
If you’re looking for something that’s reasonably priced and won’t break the bank, then the Opal Countertop Nugget Ice Maker might just be your perfect solution.
The incredibly convenient, simple, and compact design makes this ice maker easy to use regardless of its intended function. It’s also incredibly durable and has a small footprint, so it won’t take up too much space.
Another impressive feature is that you’re able to choose the consistency of the ice in your ice maker. So, if you’re looking for something soft to help save your teeth, or something hard and sharp for optimal performance, you should have no problem changing the setting.
3. PORTABLE DIGITAL ICE MAKER MACHINE by Arctic-Pro
Pros:
- Heavy-duty body
- Compact in size
- Ultra-efficient
- Great customer service
- Ice scoop makes it convenient to collect ice
- Compact design fits easily on most countertops
- Large ice batch – 26 pounds in one day
Cons:
- Some complain about it being noisy
- Some units don’t last long (due to warranty issues)
This countertop ice maker by ArcticPro is a consumer favorite for one simple reason: it churns out a whopping 26 pounds of ice in one day. This equates to about 9–10 full ice trays. What makes this possible is that it has a surprisingly large and heavy-duty design that will actually replace your countertop ice tray!
One thing about the ArcticPro countertop ice maker that I personally love is how it eliminates the need for ice trays altogether. It comes with an ice scoop and a large storage bin for the ice, so you can just pull out a big block of ice as needed.
4. Frigidaire EFIC115 Extra Large Ice Maker
Pros:
- Great for medium to large gatherings and parties
- Uses the traditional bucket and blade system
- Handles countertop space well
- Reasonably priced
Cons:
- Extremely slow
- Produces brittle ice
- Slow ice production means more wasted water
- Requires a bit of maintenance to keep working
This futuristic-looking countertop ice maker from Frigidaire is the perfect choice for anyone who wants to enjoy clean, fresh ice in their home. It’s considered one of Frigidaire’s premium models that features a bucketless design and makes a whopping 48lb daily – in addition to being extremely quiet. It’s also stylish which makes it a smart choice for your countertop.
The design of this water-testing ice maker is efficient. With a total of four inches in width, this countertop design takes up little counter space, while its height-of-three inch design means it’s perfect for a kitchen counter. The blade mechanism works quickly, making this an ideal choice for any homeowner. Unfortunately, this model is quite pricey, but the production time is faster so an investment in this model is worth it.
5. Igloo ICEB26RR Automatic Portable Electric Countertop Ice Maker Machine
Pros:
- Features a rectangular 27L storage bin
- Perfect for small and medium-sized parties
- Extremely easy to operate, clean and maintain
- Perfect for homes with just 1-2 people
- Makes enough ice for up to 10 hours when left on full time
- Has a convenient drain spout
- Built to prevent fishy ice taste by removing water impurities through its R.O. System
- Features a removable tray to collect ice cubes that are ready
- Can make up to 26 pounds of ice per day
Beautiful Black.
The Igloo ICEB26RR is a rather expensive auto ice making machine, but it is worth it for one simple reason: the performance..
Despite the stunning features, I should mention it is a bit on the small side. It only makes enough ice to keep you supplied for 10 hours, but that’s a lot of ice!
6. EdgeStar Portable Countertop Ice Maker Machine
Pros:
- Portable and compact
- Easy to use
- Great for parties, tailgates, etc.
Cons:
- Produces small pieces of ice
- Can freeze the actual ice tray
This portable and compact countertop ice machine will meet your needs when it comes to party planning or tailgating. Although it has a smaller tray, it still manages to produce about 22 lbs of ice every 24 hours, so it’s plenty for your needs.
An auto-shutoff feature is built in to avoid overheating, and the machine is easily cleaned with a brush. The lid and tray are removable, and the machine is convenient since it doesn’t require plumbing.
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7. Aicok Portable Ice Maker
Pros:
- Small & compact
- Affordable
- Auto-stop function
- Doesn’t make a lot of noise
- Easy to clean and store
- Makes lots of ice
- Filters and recycles the water
- Good customer service through their website
The Aicok portable ice maker is one of the best countertop ice makers that money can buy you. Priced affordably and weighing less than 15 pounds, you can put this little baby anywhere in your house. As a result, you never have to resort to iced drinks when the weather isn’t cooperating.
The Aicok ice maker produces high-quality and clear ice with no odd tastes. All you have to do is pour in the water and wait a few minutes for it to start pouring out the ice. With an ice-making capacity of 11 lbs per day, this machine will produce all the ice you need. It is equipped with an auto-stop function for safety. Thus, it will turn off automatically when the water in the reservoir is low.
8. Kealive Ice Maker Machine
Pros:
- 28lbs of ice in 24 hours
- Cuts ice production time in half
- Durable and easy to clean
- No 90-degree utensils needed, just a spoon
- Can accommodate parties of various size
- Won’t make too much ice
Cons:
- Timer doesn’t carry over to another day
- You have to cut the ice if you want to use it right away
- Lacks a backlit LCD control panel
The Kealive countertop ice maker machine is reasonably priced and makes 28lbs of ice in 24 hours, with about 13 minutes of ice production time. It’s compact, easy to use, and guarantees efficient ice production for a variety of occasions.
The Kealive measures at 16.4” in height, 13.7” in width, and 9” in depth. It’s not exactly small, but it’s not that big either. It can fit space-constrained kitchens well. The product has an attractive silver finish that will surely enhance your kitchen decor.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
What are the best countertop ice makers?
While much of the ice produced today is made in large warehouses for freezing and distribution, there are many people who still like to have ice made in bulk and stored in their own refrigerator. This is very nice when you need to make ice in small batches for a specific event so that your ice is always fresh and ready to go. Sadly, there are many countertop ice makers that simply can't deliver. They work fine for a while then start leaking coolant or freezing up entirely.
To help you find a good one, we have rounded up the absolute best countertop ice makers that make at least 32 pounds of ice every 24 hours. They all have great reviews and we've read plenty of them. In fact, there is a certain model which proved to be shockingly bad. If you're interested in learning more about it, you can find our article titled: Worst Countertop Ice Maker
Do countertop ice makers use a lot of electricity?
Mine doesn't, and most of the countertop units we reviewed in this guide didn't either. In fact almost all the models we reviewed use less than 1 kilowatt of electricity per hour; that is less than the continuous use of a nightlamp on the same circuit.
You may think that countertop ice makers have a huge electrical draw because they are plugged in 24 hours a day, but this isn't true. Most of the ice makers in our tests take between 15-30 minutes to run a cycle. That means the cooler will only be using electricity while it is making ice.
Is there a countertop ice maker that keeps ice frozen?
You can make ice all day and never lose a single piece to melting but it would be impossible for an entire bucket of ice to remain frozen. The reason for that is the outside ice is being exposed to room temperature (or cooler) air which causes it to begin melting at a higher rate than the submerged ice. However, this doesn't mean the outside ice is going to melt away completely.
As long as the bucket is sealed well, most of the lost ice will be replaced by ice that forms from extruded water running down the sides. The benefit to this is that the ice that's formed by water that runs down the sides will often freeze in sections. This can look a little strange, but it is not a problem.
Do countertop ice makers work?
Although you might think that -30 degree weather outside is the only time you'll need some ice, you'll be surprised at how useful it can be. If you don't think it will come in handy, then you'll be surprised how many situations you run into where it's useful.
Once you have a piece of quality ice, the options are endless. You might be surprised how many drinks you have throughout the day that can be improved with some great tasting ice. You might also think that tasting ice is a luxury, but it isn't.
It can (and probably will) improve the taste of the drink, but that's not all it improves.
Have you ever had a drink that had a fuzzy flavor? It was probably caused by the fact that the ice melted and slightly watered down or otherwise changed the flavor of the drink? That problem can be avoided by using a quality ice maker and using a smaller ice tray that fits into your drink.
Conclusion
With the best countertop ice makers, you don’t even need to worry about adding water to be able to make ice as they make them straight through the ice maker’s purified water reservoir. However, you may want to consider using purified water, or our free home water purification guide if you’re looking for the best tasting ice.
Our Recommendation
| Name | Category | Product |
|---|---|---|
| hOmeLabs Portable Ice Maker Machine | Best Overall | |
| PORTABLE DIGITAL ICE MAKER MACHINE by Arctic-Pro | Budget Pick | |
| Opal Countertop Nugget Ice Maker | Upgrade Pick | |