Updated on Oct. 15, 2024
Chill out: If your freezer keeps leaving you on thin ice, a countertop ice maker may be just what you need to ensure you always have icy cold drinks.
Our editors and experts handpick every product we feature. We may earn a commission from your purchases.Learn more.
Refrigerator ice makers come with a lot more options than they used to: slimmer in-door options that don’t gobble up shelf space, dual ice makers you can access from the door or from a freezer bin and versions that will turn out craft ice “spheres” for cocktails. But sometimes even those may not be enough to churn out all the ice you need—especially if you throw a lot of parties, shake up a lot of cocktails or your refrigerator’s unit simply doesn’t work well enough or fit your needs.
That’s when countertop ice makers, also called portable ice makers, come in handy. They come in a range of prices, from $100 to $600. Plus, they produce several styles of ice, from chewy ice pellets to “bullet” cubes with holes in the center and clear ice that stays hard longer so it doesn’t dilute your drink.
Instead of rushing out for another bag of ice from your nearest convenience store, take a look to see if one of the best countertop ice makers will help you keep your cool.
via merchant
This ice maker from Frigidaire hits the sweet spot between price and features. It has a self-cleaning program and a convenient drain on the side instead of underneath. Plus, it makes two sizes of clear bullet ice. It also has a high output, so you’re not waiting around for ice to get the party started. The Frigidaire can churn out a batch of ice in just six minutes, and it can make up to 26 pounds of ice per day!
This model has modern, easy-to-use functionality, yet its blue and red colors give off a classic vibe that will match the rest of your retro-looking Frigidaire appliances. Don’t fret, the stainless steel and black options will seamlessly blend in with any contemporary kitchen appliances.
Pros
Cons
via merchant
At a wallet-friendly price, this portable ice maker has many features of more expensive ice makers, including two sizes of bullet ice and a self-cleaning function. This ice maker is less than 1 foot tall and less than 9 inches wide, so it’s more compact than many countertop ice makers. It also has a handle so you can carry ice wherever you need it—to the backyard, over by the pool, downstairs to a basement bar. It’s very quiet at less than 35 decibels (dB), and can make 9 cubes in six minutes and up to 26 pounds in 24 hours. It automatically senses when the ice bin is full, so it stops making ice on its own. It even comes with an ice scoop.
Pros
Cons
via merchant
The GE Profile is an investment, but you get a lot for your money. With built-in Wi-Fi and voice-activated commands, you can monitor the machine and even schedule when you want it to make ice. It also has an LED touchscreen that allows you to control the ice maker’s settings with the most precision.
It makes the popular nugget, or pellet, ice, the compacted “chewy” ice that’s common in restaurants and cocktail bars in less than 10 minutes. The bin can hold up to 3 pounds a time, so you’ll always have plenty for your water, iced coffee and cocktail.
Pros
Cons
via merchant
Ice connoisseurs know that not all ice is the same. While most home ice makers make cloudier “bullet” ice with a hole in the center, some machines make a superior “clear” ice that’s harder and melts more slowly. That superior ice doesn’t dilute your drink or create more foam when you top it with a carbonated beverage.
The Luma Comfort clear ice maker works more slowly, taking 15 minutes to create a batch, but it will make 28 pounds in 24 hours. It has a side-mounted drain so it’s easier to empty excess water without making a mess.
Pros
Cons
via merchant
If you throw big parties or need to fill coolers and bins with lots of ice, this Silonn ice maker can make up to 45 pounds of ice in one day. Plus, you have your choice of three sizes, including thin (for smoothies), medium (for keeping foods cool) and thick (for cooling drinks). It also has two ways to add water: You can either pour it in from the top or attach up to a 2-gallon water bottle to keep it going.
This large-capacity ice maker has a self-cleaning function and an easy-to-use LCD screen to display whatever ice-making mode it’s in. When the machine runs out of water, it will automatically alarm for refilling.
Pros
Cons
via merchant
If shaved ice makes you feel like you’re on a tropical vacation, this two-in-one high-capacity machine will take you there. It makes up to 44 pounds of bullet ice in 24 hours, but you can also feed the ice into an optional shaved ice maker on the side. Hello, margaritas for the adults and snow cones for the kids!
This ice maker makes 18 cubes of bullet ice in just 11 minutes and can hold 6.6 pounds of ice at a time, so it’s high-capacity is ideal for parties and gatherings. You can fill it with water manually or attach a water line to it.
Pros
Cons
Countertop ice makers come in a variety of sizes, capacities and ice styles. If you don’t have much space in your kitchen or your cabinets come down very low, you’ll need to measure carefully to make sure the small appliance will fit with space around it to keep the machine from overheating.
Ice styles are also important: Less expensive machines typically make bullet cubes (hollow on the inside) that will keep drinks cold, but may melt more quickly. You’ll pay more for premium options, like clear, restaurant-quality ice or chewy pellet ice, but the ice may melt more slowly.
Finally, cleaning options, like self-cleaning functions, are important. Mold and mildew can build up if you don’t clean the ice maker regularly. Look for things like a side drain for emptying water when you’re not using the machine vs. drains that are located under the machine and are more difficult to access.
As shopping experts, our only job is to help you find a winning product. We start with the research and reporting basics—what products are made of, what they look like and how much they cost—to ensure that we’re only recommending the buys that are worth your time and money. Then, we research the features that speak to the product’s quality, taking advice from industry insiders and subject matter experts on what makes a product a smart value (or worthy of a splurge). Finally, we do the work of combing through user reviews to see how real people interact with the product, and if it stands up to the test.
The machines are electric and need access to a grounded plug. Most need to be filled with water manually, although there are versions that can be attached to a waterline or can handle a 1- or 2-gallon water bottle in the top.
If your freezer doesn’t have an ice maker, or it has a small one that often leaves you without enough ice for a party or to fill coolers for trips, a countertop ice maker is worth the investment to keep from repeatedly having to buy and store bags of ice.
Most ice makers only make ice and aren’t designed to store it for long. While many are insulated for short-term storage, you’ll need to remove the ice to a bag or bin and put it in the freezer to keep it longer. However, one handy feature is that if you leave the ice in the ice maker, it will melt and the water will return to the tank, so it will freeze again.
