I have always loved living in Chicago.
After the first couple months of freezing temps, you grow a shell. You no longer notice the brisk winds, you no longer care about anyone who complains about snow storms or the cold weather in general. It’s almost as if you have become one of those guys with a short haircut, large hats and several layers of thick clothing standing alone on the corner of State and Madison in the middle of January.
Are you that guy?
Unfortunately for you, I’m not.
I take a double double (coffee with foamed milk) just like anyone else on a cold day, but I don’t hold a coffee in my hands (outside, no less!) for any longer than I have to, nor do I feel like the drink has warmed me up in any way after I finish it.
I am what you may call a fair weather friend.
Life is different for me when I step out of my apartment. My friends (the guys who went through basic training together with me while we were stationed in South Korea) aren’t happy in the cold, but we’ve never really had any issues with each other’s differences.
I love them just the same.
| Name | Category | Product |
|---|---|---|
| hOmeLabs Portable Ice Maker Machine | Best Overall |  |
| Magic Chef 27-Lb. Portable Countertop Ice Maker in Silver | Budget Pick |  |
| Opal Countertop Nugget Ice Maker | Upgrade Pick |  |
1. hOmeLabs Portable Ice Maker Machine
Pros:
- Affordable price
- Easy to use
- Convenient and space saving design
(HIM05S)
HOmeLabs is a new company on the market for making and importing this 10 lbs portable ice maker machine. Already, it ranks among the top five in the best portable ice makers reviews.
It provides you ice cubes with a quick and convenient way. It takes only 8 minutes to make the shape of ice cube with this machine. The size of the ice cube is small and fits in your glass properly. If you use this ice cube machine for a long time, you do not need to worry about the storage space as the storage bin is designed for your convenience.
2. Opal Countertop Nugget Ice Maker
Pros:
- Fast
- Easy to use
- Makes consistently shaped ice cubes
- Quiet, high quality
- Can be used in commercial settings
- Large capacity
The Opal from Ice-O-Matic is one of the most popular ice makers on the market, and it’s a top pick because it’s fast, easy to use, and makes consistently shaped ice cubes. It’s also commercial grade and can be used in settings like hospitals, casinos, and homes where ice needs to be produced consistently and quickly.
The design of the Opal is simple and straightforward. Just fill up the internal reservoir with water, turn on the machine, and wait for the cubes to drop into the storage bin. The machine has no controls or settings – you simply put it on the kitchen counter, and it does all the work.
The machine is very quiet and doesn’t vibrate or move around. It’s also made from high-quality materials, and the build quality is excellent. It’s solid and sturdy – nothing feels cheap.
3. Frigidaire EFIC103 Ice Maker Machine Heavy Duty
Pros:
- Uses R134a refrigerant
- Comes with a double-insulated hose kit
- Can be used as a source of water for cooking
- Large reservoir
- Operates with a 120-volt outlet
- Durable and reliable
- Fast ice production
- Easy Controls
Cons:
- Minimalist design
- Smaller ice capacity than other models
- Only produces 8 cubes at one time
- Does not produce crushed ice
- Buyers beware – some units are more refurbished than brand new
The Frigidaire EFIC103 is one of the best portable ice makers on the market. It produces 120 pounds of ice in one 24-hour period. It will automatically begin producing ice when it requires more ice and will stop when there is no further need.
This ice maker includes a compressor and evaporator and produces 5-25 pounds of ice every 24 hours. Some customers have reported that it will run continually for over three days and produce over 160 pounds of ice. You can also use its convenient storage bucket to cool items in the refrigerator or transport drinks and meals to your picnic without losing ice. Its vertical ice bucket will accept a bag of ice that you can simply fill each time the bucket gets filled.
The Frigidaire EFIC103 is also built to endure a lot of use over long periods of time.
4. EdgeStar Portable Ice Maker
Pros:
- Can make up to 26lbs of ice per day
- 2.5lb full bin indicator
- 24-hour electronic timer
Cons:
- Loud
- Cannot lower ice size
- Cheap plastic
The EdgeStar Portable Ice Maker is a top seller, and if you’re looking for fast ice production this is a good option to consider. This ice maker produces 26lbs of ice every day, enough to keep your drinks cold for an entire party of 6.
The upsides of having an ice maker is that you don’t have to buy ice or run to the store every time you run out. The downside is that you’ll have to fill the machine with water each day. Another downside is that the ice maker produces large, ice cubes that can’t be made any smaller.
This ice maker features an electronic programmable timer. It comes with an indicator that can tell you when you need to refill the bin with water. The machine measures 8.5 x 15.12 x 11.6 inches, and it weighs 23 pounds, making it a good fit for a home bar or small office.
5. Portable Ice Maker Machine Countertop
Pros:
- Makes lots of ice very quickly
- Use for mixed drinks
- Compact, portable
- Easy to fill, easy to use
- Easy to activate
- Great for picnics
Cons:
- Can’t handle a lot of ice at once
- More expensive than other models
This little countertop machine is aptly named because it can make ice quickly, and it can even be used for parties, as the name suggests. This is the best model for making ice fast, and its compact size will work well in any party scenario, whether you’re serving an event at home or in business. You can have ice at parties ready for your guests to enjoy mixed drinks and ice cold beverages; this ice maker will work to make sure your supply never runs out.
This ice maker machine has a rating of 4.7 out of 5.0 from Amazon from approximately 160 reviews. Many reviewers claim that it is a quiet machine, some saying it is quieter than a normal refrigerator.
The unit has a sleek black design, and it has both an ice basket and an ice scoop so that you can easily use the ice to make custom shots of your favorite mixed drinks. It makes approximately 26 lbs of ice within a day and has a fast filling reservoir. The reservoir is accessed from the top of the unit, and it is also removable.
6. Magic Chef 27-Lb. Portable Countertop Ice Maker in Silver
Pros:
- Fast production speed
- Easy to use
- Energy-efficient
- Competitive price point
- Can store up to 27 lbs. of ice per cycle
- Easy to use and clean
Cons:
- Produces a little noise.
The Magic Chef portable ice maker is rated highly for its overall performance and budget friendly price. The cube production time is 35-40 minutes, which is decent and will surely come in handy if you’re hosting a party or barbeque or if you need an emergency pack to keep in the car. The more ice packs you fill, the more you can expect to pay. However, owing to the fast loading system, you can add more ice packs without significant delay.
This unit features an innovative pump system which ensures to deliver a consistent temperature. This helps to prevent icing or freezing if it’s not used for a certain time frame. It uses a splash guard design for safe operation and friendly use. The water reservoir is removable and can store up to 27 lbs. of ice per cycle.
A handy feature is the built-in drain pump and tubing that allows you to drain the water without having to touch it. This is good for use in places where you’re not allowed to have the tap running, like offices or retirement homes.
7. RCA Ice Makers
Pros:
- Low/no electricity consumption
- Unique compact design
- Safe, durable, and reliable
- Produces up to 5 lbs of ice per day
- High value
- Easy to use
- Attractive color options
Cons:
- Takes about 15 minutes to completely make the ice
- Built-in plastic basket makes removal of ice difficult
- Sometimes the ice freezes onto the blade instead of freezing in the tray
- In the long run the electricity cost might be significantly higher than a freezer
- Can be bulky if space is limited
(Amazon Review)
The RCA Ice Makers are well-designed, energy-efficient machines that provide a quick, convenient way to produce a large quantity of ice.
They can be used to make ice for parties and other large gatherings. If you have to deal with someone who loves his or her cocktails, you know how messy it can get. By using the RCA Ice Makers, you can prevent this by making a big batch of ice ahead of time.
8. NewAir, AI-100CB
Pros:
- Fabulous customer service and great online reviews
- Automatic shut off feature
- Two ice sizes
- Produces ice very fast – produces 7 ice cubes per minute
- Cool Halo function
- Easy to pour spout
- Great for parties and get-togethers
- Option to connect to reverse osmosis system
- Easy to clean
- Compact and lightweight
Cons:
- Produces slightly smaller ice cubes
- Slightly more expensive than average ice machines
Your search for the best ice machine ends here with the NewAir 35 pound portable countertop ice maker. It has almost 5 stars on Amazon and customers would definitely recommend it to others. If you love to entertain, then you definitely need one of these in your household! I’m sure you’ve been to parties where you’ve seen a bunch of ice piled up in the ice bucket and everyone is scrambling to get ice.
9. DELLA Compact Electric Ice Maker Machine -up to 26lbs Capacity per day Cube Countertop Cubes Makers
Pros:
- Easy to use
- Budget-friendly price
Cons:
- Kitchen space will be limited
- You’ll need to refill it every 3-4 hours
The Della Compact Electric Ice Maker is a table-top ice maker that’s super convenient to use. It’s perfect for smaller kitchens and can make enough ice for six people in just a few hours. The durable construction and sleek design contributes to its budget-friendly price.
Being a small, compact unit, it will take up little kitchen space, leaving room for other items. It’s also super easy to use. Just fill the ice reservoir with water and turn it on, and you’ll have ice cubes in no time. There are countertop-friendly controls that allow you to customize the size of the cubes.
Another thing to note is that it’s not loud enough to disturb anyone sleeping or reading or working in their dorm. It does make a slight humming sound though, so you’ll need to place it somewhere where it won’t bother anyone.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
What is the best portable ice making machine?
The best solution for those that don't already have a fridge with an in-door ice maker is a 24 hour portable ice maker. These small kitchen appliances can easily be transported from home to away and are perfect for bbqs, pool parties, and tailgating.
Most of these ice making models are self-contained and only need to be plugged in to begin creating ice for you. Most are capable of producing ice in less than 10 minutes. Some models even have special features like alarm notifications and automatic shutoff timers to keep things safe.
What are the best countertop ice makers?
There are many different types of countertop ice makers on the market. There are a few differences that you should know about before buying one.
The average countertop ice maker will make 12 pounds of ice in 24 hours. This is a good amount to have on hand to keep your fridge stocking well. But there are a few machines that will make a little more or less depending on your needs.
The next thing to consider is the size of the machine. Most of these units are around 1.5 feet square and a little over two feet tall. This makes them relatively small, and they don't require a lot of room on the counter.
The final thing to consider is the price and whether or not it's worth the cost of any extras. Most of the time, the price difference is a bigger difference than you will see in the functionality of the machine.
What is the best ice maker for home use?
If you want to make ice at home and not have to worry about running to the nearest gas station, then you will need an ice maker. An ice maker creates ice cubes out of water and it can store them until needed.
Though ice makers were historically relegated to home bars and restaurants, they have become more popular in home kitchens. Today you can find a variety of ice makers suitable for most homes, kitchens, and even offices. Some models are free-standing while others will need to be mounted on a counter or purchased with a built-in space. Whichever model you go for, be prepared to spend extra time carefully choosing your model as there are many to choose from.
How can I speed up my ice maker?
The sad fact of life is that your portable ice maker probably won't produce much ice in a day. Actually, the manufacturers claim that you shouldn't expect more than 5 lbs of ice a day.
This is why it's a really good idea to purchase two portable ice makers if you need more than 10 lbs a day. If you buy the maximum amount of ice your portable ice maker can make in one day, that means you'll always have a fresh unit ready to go. When the full batch is done, just transfer the ice into the freezer, empty and clean the water basin, and you're back in business.
It's also a good idea to keep your ice maker in the shade in hotter climates. This will let you keep the water cooler, and it also means your ice maker will be less likely to freeze up in colder climates.
Conclusion
The market has plenty of portable ice makers. We've got several types that vary in pricing, ease of use and compactness. So we've highlighted the top picks and explained why each of these models is great for your needs. Whether you're making ice for cocktails or an office meeting, we think there is an ice maker here for you.
Our Recommendation
| Name | Category | Product |
|---|---|---|
| hOmeLabs Portable Ice Maker Machine | Best Overall | |
| Magic Chef 27-Lb. Portable Countertop Ice Maker in Silver | Budget Pick | |
| Opal Countertop Nugget Ice Maker | Upgrade Pick | |