This compact countertop ice maker is quick, quiet, and puts out about 20 lbs of ice per day, though it lacks the fancier ice of competitor machines.
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Whether you want fancy “nugget” ice, clear ice, or you just need a lot of it each day, a standalone ice machine is an excellent investment compared to buying 10-pound bags of the cheap stuff. Though these ice machines aren’t proper commercial models, they can output a large batch of ice quickly, quietly, and offer fancier kinds of ice, such as chewable “nugget” ice like you get from Sonic, or clear ice cubes.
With all the ice makers we’ve tested, GE Opal’s excellent “nugget” ice maker is hands down our favorite pick. The best ice makers tend to do the obvious things well: they make high-quality ice, they allow for fast ice production, and they don’t make a huge racket. To find the rest of the picks in our list, we looked over thousands of reviews to find the ones that best exemplified those qualities.
One thing we found consistently: most ice makers that get used continuously, even “commercial” ones, need to be well-maintained or they will break down over time. Treat your ice maker right, or even browse for one with a decent cleaning cycle feature, and you’ll be living the good life with a glass of on-demand ice in no time.
Here are the best at-home ice makers you can get online right now.
Best Ice Machine
GE Profile Opal 2.0
Dimensions: 17.5 x 13.43 x 16.5 inches
Ice shape: Nugget ice
Capacity: 3 pounds
The GE Opal Nugget Ice Maker 2.0 is another one of the best standalone ice makers we’ve ever used. Its hallmark is its ability to make so-called “nugget” ice, also known as chewable ice or—if you’re feeling fancy—the “good ice.”
The Nugget Ice Maker certainly does that, but it also excels in all the other ways we expect: it makes ice quickly and quietly. It’s also an attractive machine. You’ll need a large kitchen or bar area to accommodate it, but it’s a statement piece that you’ll be happy to have in your home.
This Frigidaire countertop ice maker is an excellent addition to your kitchen or bar, producing up to 40 pounds of clear ice per day. It makes your standard square ice cubes, with the ability to output 24 ice cubes in a little over 15 minutes, storing a few pounds of ice for use later.
The biggest hallmark of this machine—other than its slick retro design—is the clear ice. You typically need to pre-boil water for ice to come out clear, but this machine gives you that with minimal trouble. It’s a great ice machine if you like standard cubes and don’t mind the price.
For a quick and easy-to-use ice machine that produces clear, consistent cubes, check out this one by Luma Comfort. This ice maker produces 28 pounds of ice per day, and every 15 minutes, you’ll always have a large amount of ice handy for your drinks, cooler, smoothies, and more. According to reviews, it's a pretty reliable ice making machine other than the fact that it isn’t super cold, meaning the ice may not stay frozen all day. In addition, some claim that its noise level is fairly low, which is always nice.
This ice machine requires no installation—simply just plug it in and add water to the dispenser.
If you just need a basic, compact ice maker for countertop use, this is it. It makes a little over 25 lbs of ice per day, but it’s ideal for someone that just likes to have ice regularly but doesn’t have an ice maker in their fridge. It’s a small enough unit that it can live in most kitchen or bar areas without taking up too much space, it’s stylish, and has an attractive price point.
The main thing reviewers noted here is the small capacity of about a half-pound. It makes ice quickly, but if you are looking to fill a cooler with ice it won’t replace the need to buy big bags of ice unless you’re continuously emptying it. For most people, though, this is a great alternative to an in-fridge unit.
Another good basic ice cube maker is the Euhomy ice maker. This ice machine uses a smart indicator panel to select sizes and has a clear start and stop button for easy use. This indicator panel also includes easy to see lights to alert the user that the machine is full, or needs more water.
Sitting at just under 18-pounds, this ice maker is a good solution for those looking for a portable ice maker to sit atop their kitchen counter. It’s suitable for daily use or occasional use, and if you’re an entertainer, this would be a good addition to your arsenal.
The 2.2-liter water reservoir delivers up to 26-pounds of ice a day. This means you can set up your refreshment area with everything guests might need- and won’t have to worry about sending the last minute “can you bring ice,” texts.
One drawback to a portable ice maker with no water line hook up is that you will have to take refilling it into account. If you plan on using your ice maker in a kitchen, this won’t be a problem but it may be less convenient than models that have the option to connect to a water line.
Reviews mention that when faced with quality issues, customers receive quick responses and that the company is good at providing solutions for any issues that may arise. That being said, we might go with an option that doesn’t have issues to begin with. Overall, we think you get what you pay for with this budget ice machine.
We evaluate the best ice machines to see how well they perform.
We evaluate the best ice machines through a few different methods. When possible, we perform repeatable, scientific tests here in our Cambridge labs. We measure how long it takes to produce a pound of ice, look for consistent ice shapes, and monitor for any downsides, like loud production or leaking.
In order to keep our guides up-to-date with all the best ice machines on the market, we also make a few additional recommendations based on research. We look at user reviews from owners, examine product specifications, and compare price points to find the best options to suit every need and budget.
Prices were accurate at the time this article was published but may change over time.
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TJ is the former Director of Content Development at Reviewed. He is a Massachusetts native and has covered electronics, cameras, TVs, smartphones, parenting, and more for Reviewed. He is from the self-styled "Cranberry Capitol of the World," which is, in fact, a real thing.
Ceara Perez-Murphy is a staff writer at Reviewed. In her free time she likes trying out new recipes in the kitchen, exploring new restaurants and spending time outdoors with her dogs.
Lily Hartman is a staff writer who also enjoys writing magazine articles about health and outdoor recreation. In her free time, she likes to hike, camp, run, and lift weights.
Our team is here for one purpose: to help you buy the best stuff and love what you own. Our writers, editors, and lab technicians obsess over the products we cover to make sure you're confident and satisfied. Have a different opinion about something we recommend? Email us and we'll compare notes.