Looking for a convenient way to keep the refreshments coming when you’re hosting parties and gatherings? You’ve come to the right place. Countertop ice makers offer a simple solution to having a steady supply of ice, and in this comprehensive guide, we’re going to showcase some of the best ice makers on the market. We’re providing full reviews and breaking down all of the facts. Read on for the full list of reviews.
Best Countertop Ice Maker Reviews
Silonn Countertop Ice Maker
Starting us off is this simple, elegant ice maker from Silonn. It comes in a variety of shades for you to choose from, allowing you to pick the one that best suits your personality and home decor style. With its high capacity and competitive price, it’s a difficult option to turn down.
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If you need an ice maker that’s going to be able to churn out perfect ice cubes at a rapid pace, then Silonn has you covered. Their countertop ice maker takes just six minutes to produce nine bullet-shaped ice cubes. Simply fill the water tank to capacity with two liters of water and you’ll have 26 pounds of ice in just a day. Perhaps the best feature of the Silonn countertop ice maker is that you can choose between two different ice cube sizes. Set the ice maker to produce small cubes when you want to chill seafood and make sure it stays fresh. Or, if you’re hosting a party and want to keep the drinks cool, you can set the ice maker to produce larger cubes, all with the touch of a button. However, we would have liked this machine better if it only produced one consistent ice cube size. Instead, the cubes tend to come out in various sizes, no matter which setting you choose. It’s not a massive flaw, but it can be frustrating. You won’t have to worry about this ice maker being obtrusive. When the Silonn ice maker produces ice cubes, it outputs noise that is quieter than 35 decibels. That’s about the same level of noise as a working refrigerator – practically silent! There’s a transparent lid that allows you to monitor the capacity of the machine at any time, which helps to prevent overflowing. What’s more, the control panel is remarkably easy to use and understand. Simply fill the machine with water, press the “ON” button, choose the cube size you want, and wait. When the machine runs out of usable water, or the ice basket has reached its full capacity, you’ll receive an alert.
Pros
- Very quiet
- Self-cleaning feature
- Easy to use
- Rapidly produces ice cubes
Cons
- Ice cubes often come out in different sizes
AGLUCKY Portable Ice Maker
Next is this nifty little machine from AGLUCKY, which not only sits nicely on most countertops but is super portable as well. You’ll be able to take it with you on your vacations and camping trips. The best part? It’s available in three vibrant, distinct colors.
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With its compact form factor, you’ll be able to take this portable ice maker pretty much anywhere. It’s small enough to fit into most luggage bags and could easily be perched atop a counter in your kitchen or dining room to provide a constant, convenient supply of ice to you and your guests. It’s easy to carry and operate, and has a great production capacity. If efficiency and silence are what you’re after, then the AGLUCKY ice maker may be your perfect match. It’s able to produce nine large ice cubes within just eight minutes, and if you leave it running for a day, you’ll have 27 pounds of ice at your disposal. As for the quiet factor, the ice maker is equipped with a quiet cooling system. Not only does this save energy, but it keeps the machine at a quiet noise level. Adding to its convenience is the fact that this ice maker offers multiple functions, thanks to its basket and ice scoop. There’s a light-up indicator at the top of the machine that reminds you when it’s time to remove ice from the tray, as well as when you need to add water to the tray. The scoop – which comes with the machine – makes it easy to fish ice out of the tray and add it to your drinks. Like the Silonn ice maker, AGLUCKY’s model is able to produce two different ice cube sizes: small and large. Both sizes are bullet-shaped and rounded, which makes them easy to scoop and gentle on the hands. However, it does make them a little more difficult to handle, since they tend to slide around and over one another, which can make scooping a real challenge sometimes.
Pros
- Highly compact form factor
- Easy to transport
- Great ice-making capacity
- Comes with a convenient scoop
Cons
- Rounded ice shape can make scooping difficult
Frigidaire EFIC189 Countertop Ice Maker
If you know anything about Frigidaire, you’ll know that they make some top-quality home appliances like air conditioners, refrigerators, and more. So, it should come as no surprise that their countertop ice maker is one of the best on the market. It might not be the most affordable option out there, but it’s well worth the price.
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The most notable feature of the Frigidaire countertop ice maker is its modern design, which boasts a large transparent window at the top of the machine. This allows you to monitor the ice being made at all times, so you’ll always know when it’s time to scoop out some ice. The window flips open easily, giving you full access to the inner chamber when you want to take some ice out. Frigidaire also made this ice maker extremely compact, with dimensions of just 15” x 11” x 14.5”, making it one of the smallest ice makers on the market. It’s portable and lightweight, so you’ll have no problem moving it around your home or even taking it with you on your trips to have on-demand ice on the go. Just make sure you have a power outlet nearby! Each six-minute cycle of this ice maker produces nine uniform ice cubes. Leave it running for 24 hours and you’ll have a whopping 26 pounds of ice to use as you please. The best part? If you leave unused ice in the chamber to melt, the machine will recycle the water and use it to produce a fresh batch of ice. This can save you a lot on water and also makes this machine highly environmentally friendly. When the ice chamber reaches its maxim capacity, the Frigidaire countertop ice maker will stop producing ice and will indicate that it’s time to take some ice out. What’s more, when the machine is running low on water, you’ll get an alert letting you know that it’s time to pour some more in. Like the previous two ice makers, this machine is capable of producing two different cube sizes: small and large. Both sizes are bullet-shaped, which makes scooping and handling them a little easier. However, we would have liked the Frigidaire model more if it came with a scoop, especially since it has such a large capacity.
Pros
- High-quality build
- Very compact
- Large capacity
- Alerts streamline the ice-making process
Cons
- Does not come with a scoop
GE Profile Opal 2.0 Countertop Ice Maker
For a machine that stands out amongst the competition, consider the GE Profile Opal 2.0 ice maker. It boasts a unique visual appeal that makes it instantly distinguishable, as well as a range of cutting-edge features that make it one of the most advanced ice machines on the market. Definitely worth your consideration!
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One of the most interesting things about the Opal 2.0 is the type of ice it makes. Rather than producing your standard cubes, it creates chewable nugget ice that is easy to use and retains its flavor, unlike traditional hard cubes. It creates ice from compacted ice flakes and the cubes it produces are perfect for drinks. If cleaning is not your thing, then we think you’ll love the GE Profile ice maker. It allows you to skip out on all that annoying scrubbing thanks to its high-tech self-cleaning system that keeps the inner chamber free of mildew and mold. When combined with your favorite high-power cleaning solution, this machine will be as good as new with every clean. What’s more, if you need a lot of ice each day, then you’ll be happy to know that the Opal 2.0 is able to produce 24 pounds of ice a day. Within just 20 minutes, the machine can create a full batch of ice, and with the large capacity of the inner chamber, you’ll be able to enjoy a pound of ice every hour. That’s more than enough for any gathering or party. One of the most advanced features of any ice machine is a part of the Opal 2.0. It boasts integrated Wi-Fi and voice control features, allowing you to instantly pair your machine with the SmartHQ app. Doing so will allow you to monitor the status of the device, as well as receive automatic software updates. However, the app can be quite finicky when it comes to actually pairing with your machine, which can get quite frustrating. The LED display screen offers you precise control over your machine. The screen lights up when in use, and when idle for a few minutes, it will darken again to save power.
Pros
- Advanced features
- Wi-Fi compatible
- Producing large quantities of ice
- Unique form factor
Cons
- Smart app can be finicky
Igloo Automatic Portable Ice Maker
And finally, we have this cute little ice maker from Igloo. It’s highly portable and was designed to take with you on your adventures. It comes in a range of beautiful pastel colors and is complete with a convenient carrying handle.
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With its compact, convenient size, this stainless steel ice maker from Igloo looks good on pretty much any countertop in your house. It’s capable of producing more than enough ice for any kind of party and gathering, whenever you need it, thanks to its quick-freezing ability that rapidly produces ice. The ice basket is also completely removable, which adds yet another layer of convenience to this ice machine. Rather than having to fish into the chamber to retrieve your ice, you can simply take the whole chamber out and have ice ready to scoop from your hands. When you’re done, just place the basket back into the machine and it will continue to produce ice. As we’ve already mentioned, there is a built-in carrying handle at the top of this machine. So, when it’s time to move it around, you can unfold the handle, pick the machine up, and carry it with you. The handle folds back into place when not in use, keeping the entire machine streamlined and unobtrusive. Our favorite feature of the Igloo ice maker is that it boasts an automatic five-cycle cleaning function. This allows for an effortless, thorough cleaning every time – simply activate the cleaning mode and the machine will do the rest. However, we do recommend giving the inner chamber a wipe-down after each use, as this cleaning function, while convenient, is not the most effective. The Igloo countertop ice maker is able to produce over a pound of ice at a time, allowing you to keep your drinks cold at all times. This might not be the largest capacity of any ice-making machine, but if you’re looking for something lightweight and portable, then the Igloo does the trick.
Pros
- Extremely compact
- Highly portable
- Built-in carrying handle
- Comes in a range of pastel colors
Cons
- Fairly low capacity
Wrapping Up
If you want an ice-making machine, but don’t want a clunky, industrial-sized appliance, then these countertop ice makers serve as the perfect solution. They’re compact, easy to move, and even easier to use, making them great for any host. Our favorite option is the Frigidaire EFIC189 Countertop Ice Maker thanks to its high-quality build and compact design. It also has a large capacity and the alerts make the ice-making process streamlined.
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