If you use ice pretty regularly, you are probably tired of having to constantly be refilling your ice trays, and having to wait for the water to freeze.
This is even more of an efficiency issue for people who take pride in their home bars.
This is why many people choose to invest in their own ice maker.
When it comes to ice makers, there are generally 2 different types which people go for, this is the countertop model which is designed to be smaller, and not too heavy, and then there is the built-in variety which will be under your counter and is usually built into a larger appliance.
When choosing if you want to buy an ice maker, you will want to consider a few different factors, like how quickly the ice is produced, and how much ice it will be able to hold at a time.
It is also worth putting a good amount of thought into your budget since some of these ice makers can get pretty pricey.
Because of the amount of thought which needs to go into choosing an ice maker, we thought it would be productive to gather some of our favorite ice makers, and explain how they work, and what we like and do not like about them.
So, if you are in the market for an ice maker, and want to know which will best suit you, make sure to look through all our options and you should find a perfect ice maker for you!
Our Favorite Ice Makers
All of these ice makers fulfill different needs and requirements and work in different ways to produce ice, so make sure to pay close attention to what kind of ice maker will suit your needs the best!
LUMA COMFORT CLEAR ICE CUBE MAKER
Why We Chose The Luma Comfort Clear Ice Cube Maker
This is the best overall option for a great ice maker, it is not very portable, however its performance is outstanding, and it has a good capacity too!
What We Love About The Luma Comfort Clear Ice Cube Maker
- Silent while it works
- Very good output per batch of ice
- Quick production time
What We Do Not Love About The Luma Comfort Clear Ice Cube Maker
- Ice sometimes needs to be broken up once it is made
Luma Comfort Clear Ice Cube Maker Product Overview
We loved this ice maker because the ice which it makes is that restaurant quality clear ice which most people love.
The capacity of the machine can take 10 cups of water, and it has a great output and good yield compared to other ice makers which were tested.
And while the machine is making ice, it is not that loud either. The branding on the machine is also obnoxious making it a sleek choice for your kitchen counter.
The machine has an LED display which gives you all the signals which you would need.
The machine is also not too bulky, so it does not take up masses of room, however, it is not very portable, and definitely still needs its own space.
You will not need anyone to help you with installation, and it also comes with a scoop, an owner manual, and a year warranty.
Luma Comfort Clear Ice Cube Maker Product Specifications
This is a countertop model which makes 1 size of cubed ice. It makes about 20 cubes every 20 minutes. The machine is 11.13 x 14.25 x 13.88 inches and weighs 25.3 pounds.
Silonn Countertop Ice Maker
Why We Chose The Silonn Countertop Ice Maker
This was chosen as our best budget option, because even when others are on sale, this option tends to be cheaper, and in spite of this, it still performs very well with a great capacity.
Best of all it is also portable!
What We Love About The Silonn Countertop Ice Maker
- Sleek and light design makes it portable
- Makes up ice from recycled melted ice
- You have the options for small or large cubes
What We Do Not Love About The Silonn Countertop Ice Maker
- The ice made is quite cloudy, and the sizing can often be inconsistent
Silonn Countertop Ice Maker Product Overview
If you want an ice maker, but you do not want to have to spend too much on one, then this product is a great choice for you.
If you are also looking for something portable, then this option is super simple to set up and get use out of anywhere.
Being able to get a choice of cube size is also impressive for such a budget friendly option.
The main issue testers had with this ice maker is that while you get a good quality output of ice, the ice made tends to be quite cloudy, and the size of cubes can be pretty inconsistent.
When transporting the machine, make sure you keep in upright, otherwise you will need to wait 24 hours before using it again because the refrigerant will be unsettled and could cause the machine to get damaged.
Silonn Countertop Ice Maker Product Specifications
This is a counter top model which makes 2 sizes of bullet ice. I can make 9 ice cubes every 6 minutes, and the product is 12.3 x 8.7 x 12.5 inches and weighs 15 pounds.
NewAir Countertop Ice Maker
Why We Chose The NewAir Countertop Ice Maker
If you are looking for a more premium product, then this is one of our favorites. It has the best performance and capacity, but do not choose this if you are looking for something portable!
What We Love About The NewAir Countertop Ice Maker
- The large capacity is perfect
- The ice is made quickly
- Has a self-cleaning option with a timer
What We Do Not Love About The NewAir Countertop Ice Maker
- The machine can be a little noisy
- Not a portable option being larger and heavy
NewAir Countertop Ice Maker Product Overview
This massive ice maker can make up to 50 pounds of ice every day at a rate of 12 pieces every 7 minutes.
There is the option of multiple ice sizes, and you can even set the timer to make ice on a schedule.
There are simple but effective indicator lights which let you know when to refill water, or if the machine capacity is full.
There is a scoop also included to make serving the ice simple. The bin is not refrigerated, however the insulation is good quality.
We also loved how the machine did not need any maintenance, with the self-cleaning option, and the ice production is some of the quickest available. While it is loud while working, the great performance covers for this.
The main issue is that it can be awkward to drain, but that is not needed that often anyway.
NewAir Countertop Ice Maker Product Specifications
This is a counter top model which makes 3 different types of ice as well as bullet ice. It makes 12 pieces every 7 minutes, and it is 17.2 x 15.3 x 16.5 inches and weighs up to 37.6 pounds
AGLUCKY Countertop Ice Maker Machine
Why We Chose The AGLUCKY Countertop Ice Maker Machine
We chose this ice maker because of how portable it is, having a super compact design, however it also has a great performance, but of course capacity can be an issue, but it often will be for a smaller machine.
What We Love About The AGLUCKY Countertop Ice Maker Machine
- Our most portable option
- Quiet while running
- Gives you a high output in spite of being small
What We Do Not Love About The AGLUCKY Countertop Ice Maker Machine
- Does not self-clean
AGLUCKY Countertop Ice Maker Machine Product Overview
As well as being a good portable option, this machine is also pretty cheap as well. So, if you want something which is easy to travel with, this is a great option.
AGLUCKY Countertop Ice Maker Machine Product Specifications
This is a counter top model which makes 2 sizes of ice, as well as bullet ice. It makes 9 pieces every 8 minutes, and is 12.3 x 8.7 x 12.6 inches weighing 16.8 pounds.
Professional Series Clear Bullet Ice Maker 33-lb
Why We Chose The Professional Series Clear Bullet Ice Maker 33-lb
We absolutely loved the design of this product, and while it is not that portable, it has a great performance and a good capacity!
What We Love About The Professional Series Clear Bullet Ice Maker 33-lb
- The ice it produces is clear and melts very slowly
- The design is adorable and minimalist
- Makes a great output of ice
What We Do Not Love About The Professional Series Clear Bullet Ice Maker 33-lb
- Needs manual cleaning.
Professional Series Clear Bullet Ice Maker 33-lb Product Overview
If you are looking for a machine which makes beautiful bullet ice which doesn’t bubble or get cloudy, this is a good option. The machine has a good capacity as well, and a sleek design we love!
Professional Series Clear Bullet Ice Maker 33-lb Product Specifications
This is another counter top model which has 2 sizes of bullet ice, it makes every batch in 11 minutes and it is 13.5 x 11.75 x 14.75 inches weighing 21 pounds.
GE Opal Nugget Ice Maker
Why We Chose The GE Opal Nugget Ice Maker
This is our favorite nugget ice maker and it has a great performance as well.
What We Love About The GE Opal Nugget Ice Maker
- Great nugget ice production
- Design is simple and easy to use
- Sleek minimalist design
- Wi-Fi connectivity options
What We Do Not Love About The GE Opal Nugget Ice Maker
- Quite noisy
- Pretty expensive compared to others
GE Opal Nugget Ice Maker Product Specifications
This is a counter top model that makes 1 size of nugget ice at a pound of ice an hour, it is 17.5 x 13.43 x 16.5 inches weighing 38 pounds.
Buyer’s Guide
While the guide is great at showing you all the different options, and letting you know how they work, if you have never bought an ice maker before, you might not know all the factors which you will want to take into account when buying one.
This section will go through all the main considerations which should be made when purchasing an ice maker, and should narrow down your choices for you.
Size Of Ice
You will want to consider what size of ice your ice maker will be making. This seems like a simple one, but a lot of people end up buying an ice maker which makes ice they do not like using.
For example, some people love nugget ice, while others prefer ice with a wider surface area. So, make sure to check that you are getting a machine which makes the type of ice which you prefer.
Speed Of Production
Some ice makers are incredibly quick and will be ensuring that you have a constant supply of ice which is perfect for if you love hosting, or get through your ice incredibly quickly.
However, if you are using the machine for personal use, you might not want to pay the premium which comes with the faster production speed.
Make sure you are not paying more for a faster production which is unnecessary.
Storage Capacity
You want to ensure that your ice machine is able to store enough ice to work with your needs.
Some smaller ice machines will end up producing too much ice and you will need to empty them because they do not have a big enough capacity.
This is also a case of knowing how much ice you will need at a time.
Product Size
When it comes to ice makers, they come in all different shapes and sizes. You will first want to decide if you want a countertop or a built-in ice maker.
A counter top option will be cheaper and less effort, but it might end up getting in the way. While a built-in option is more practical at first, but you need to prepare a space for it to go.
Also, you can get quite small or quite big counter top ice makers, so ensure that you are getting the type which suits you and your space best.
Frequently Asked Questions
How Do Countertop Ice Makers Produce Ice?
All different models of ice makers work in slightly different ways, however, the general method an ice maker uses, especially if it is a countertop, is that the machine pumps the water supply into ice molds, and then freezes them.
The machine monitors the progress of the freezing, and when it is finished it will slightly heat the ice so it will slip right into the storage compartment so you can access it.
This will repeat until you run out of water supply, or storage space.
Do Portable Ice Makers Need A Water Line?
If you are using a portable ice maker, these will generally not need a water line and will instead have a reservoir which you will want to fill up with water instead.
However, bigger commercial, or built-in ice makers, will often require a water line.
This information can be received from the specific manufacturer, so if you cannot find this information on the product page, try contacting the manufacturer.
What Is Nugget Ice?
Nugget ice is flakes of ice which have been compacted into bigger pieces to make a nugget shape.
This means that when you bite into it, the ice will shatter and not be hard, whereas if you bite into shattered ice of a similar size, it will still be hard and crunchy.
What Is Bullet Ice?
Bullets of ice are a cylinder shape and will have one end which is rounded which is why they are described as bullets.
They will nearly always be hollow. This is because it gives the ice more surface area.
This means that it will chill your drink faster, but it also means that it will melt faster.
Bullet ice is also usually white, or cloudy, this means it is not as attractive, but it is more practical in most cases.
Do These Ice Makers Keep The Ice Frozen?
Most ice makers which work on a countertop do not actually have a freezer compartment which stores the ice, instead the bin which stores the ice will be insulated, this means that while the ice will still melt, it will melt slowly.
Once melted, the water will drain into the storage reservoir where it can be refrozen. If you have a bigger ice maker, the storage compartment is usually frozen.
Summary
So, hopefully this guide has given you all the information you need on what ice maker will be the best choice for you, If you are unsure on which ice maker will be the best choice for you, go back to the list after reading through the buyer’s guide, and this should give you the information you need to make an informed decision on which ice maker is best for you!
