Best Home Ice Maker – Buyer’s Guide

There is nothing like a drink that is meant to be cold having perfectly formed ice cubes within it.
Unfortunately, obtaining ice can sometimes be a challenge if you don’t have a refrigerator with an automatic ice maker. In addition, putting ice in a drink can be even more difficult if you’re tailgating, BBQing, or in a place where having a refrigerator and a cold drink in the same place isn’t possible.

What is The Best Home Ice Maker?

Last update on 2021-01-21 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API

Fortunately, portable home ice makers exist. You can make the ice at home and transport it in a cooler or you can take the ice maker with you when constant ice is needed. The following is a rundown of portable ice makers that make it possible to have ice wherever it is needed.

After conducting a thorough review of the different home ice makers, the following are our top 6 picks with everything you need to know to make an educated choice.

1. EDITOR’S CHOICE: Arctic-Pro Portable Digital Ice Machine – Ice in Minutes

Last update on 2021-01-21 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API

The Arctic-Pro Portable Digital Ice Maker Machine produces the first ice in just 8 minutes and will create up to 26 pounds daily. This unit can be used on the countertop, bars, tailgating parties, BBQs, and any occasion when ice is needed. There are two different ice cube sizes that can be produced all day or on a timer. The digital screen shows exactly what is going on with the machine and includes a self-cleaning button.

This ice maker is the editor’s choice because of its speed and the fact that it is very lightweight at 17.2 pounds. Batteries are not required, so an electrical outlet is needed to power the unit.
Recommend: Yes

2. Igloo ICEB26RR 26-pound Portable Ice Cube Maker – Designed for Convenience

Last update on 2021-01-21 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API

The IglooICEB26RR 26-pound Portable Ice Cube Maker was designed for convenience. Not only does it sit on the countertop, but it is also compact and portable. The 26-pound ice making capacity keeps the ice coming all day long, which is made possible by the 3-quart water tank. Up to 2 pounds of ice can be stored at any time and it takes 7 minutes to make 9 ice cubes.

Lastly, the transparent lid on this retro ice maker allows you to see the ice cube capacity. When you need to remove large amounts of ice, the ice basket is removable. An ice scoop is included so small containers can be easily filled. If water needs to be drained, the drain plug is easy to remove.
Recommend: Yes

3. Frigidaire EFIC108 Blue Portable Ice Maker – Compact and Convenient

Last update on 2021-01-21 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API

The Frigidaire EFIC108 Blue Portable Compact Maker makes up to 26 pounds of ice daily in two ice sizes. Up to 1.5 pounds of ice can be stored at a time. The water reservoir holds 2.3 quarts. Plus, the LED controls make operation a cinch.
The total weight is 19.8 pounds, making the unit one of the heavier portable machines. It’s made out of plastic, uses electricity, and comes in a beautiful blue. The see-through window makes it easy to see the ice basket so you know how much ice is left.
Whether you are having a family BBQ or need ice to go camping, the overall capacity is there. While it can take several runs to fill a cooler with ice, it is possible to make enough.
Recommend: Yes

4. Yongtong 26 LB Ice Maker – Sleek, Fast, and Quiet

Last update on 2021-01-21 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API

The Yongtong 26lb ice maker is not only fast, but the compressor is quiet. Not much energy is needed to keep the ice-cold. However, it is best to store the ice in the freezer if it isn’t being immediately used because it will melt. The unit is portable and doesn’t require a water hookup because of the water reservoir. The easy-to-use LED display lets you select from two different ice cube sizes.

The unit weight is 17.55 pounds for easy portability, so you can take it to the park, campground, or anywhere that has an electrical outlet. It’s made of stainless steel, putting durability on its side.
Recommend: Yes

5. COSTWAY Ice Maker for Countertop – Fast and Quiet

Last update on 2021-01-21 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API

The COSTWAY Ice Maker makes a little more ice in 24 hours than the rest on the list at 26.4 pounds. It takes just 6 minutes to have 9 ice cubes ready, making it one of the fastest. However, it can take up to 13 minutes to create 9 bullet-shaped ice cubes depending on the size. In the end, the amount of ice produced in a day can fill 266 glasses.

Included with the unit is a detachable ice basket for when you need to extract a large amount of ice at once. If you simply need a glass of ice, the ice scoop is a perfect size. The design is stylish and the overall operation is simple.
Recommend: Yes

Buyer’s Guide

Ice is nice to have on-hand. It doesn’t have to be a hot summer to enjoy a cold beverage. If your refrigerator doesn’t make ice and you’re tired of buying heavy bags at the store, it’s worth looking for a portable ice maker that meets your ice demands.
Before you jump on just any ice maker, though, it’s best to pay close attention to your options. No two ice makers are the same. One might have features that suit you better than the next one.
The following are some questions you want to ask yourself before you start the buying process:

The answers to these questions will help you determine which portable ice maker is best for you.

What Is the Purpose of a Portable Ice Maker?

The primary purpose of a portable ice maker is to create ice when you have no other means to do so or you need ice on the go. Not every refrigerator has an ice maker and not everyone likes to buy and break up large bags of ice.
Because portable ice makers use electricity and not batteries, you will need to ensure that you have access to an electrical outlet. This means that you can use the unit when tailgating, camping, in the RV, BBQing, or in your kitchen.

Things to Consider When Shopping

There are some important considerations when shopping for a portable ice maker. The following is a breakdown of those factors to help you make an informed decision.
Capacity
Most portable ice makers are rather small, which is why they are portable. You must consider the size because of how much space will be taken up on a countertop or other area. Most ice makers don’t hold more than 2 pounds of ice at a time with water reservoirs that can range between 1.5 and 3 quarts.
Because most portable ice makers sit on a kitchen countertop in a boat or RV, space must be measured. The manufacturers provide the dimensions so you know how much space the ice maker consumes.
However, if you plan on taking the ice maker from place-to-place or you want to use it only when having a party, the weight of the unit becomes more important. You should be comfortable carrying it when it’s empty.

Something else to keep in mind is that, while the ice makers will keep ice-cool, they don’t usually keep it cold enough to hold the ice for long periods of time. Ice that is made now and needed later should be moved to a freezer. If the ice is allowed to melt, most units will recycle the water from the melted ice.
Speed
While 26 pounds of ice in a day is enough for most occasions, the speed in which the ice is created is important. Some units can produce 9 cubes in as little as 7 or 8 minutes or as long as 10 to 20 minutes. If you need ice fast, this factor is important. When you’re having a party, the last thing you want is for your party guests to have to wait for the ice maker to refill.

Appearance
If your ice maker will be sitting on your countertop, you want to consider the look. You’ll notice that portable ice makers come in many different colors and designs. If you want one that matches the décor in your kitchen or simply reflects your personality, then this is something that will be important while shopping.
Operation
Another crucial aspect of buying a portable ice maker is how easy it is to use. Most of them have intuitive LED displays and controls. The instructions are basic, there’s no installation unless you choose a unit that connects to a water line, and most come with sensors that tell you what to do.

If easy cleaning is something that concerns you, a unit with a plug and a cleaning button might be what you need. Most of the time, cleaning a portable ice maker is very simple with or without the cleaning button.
Construction
For some consumers, durability is a factor. Not only should a unit have ice-making components that last, but the exterior construction needs to be tough. There are two materials that are primarily used in the construction of portable ice makers and they are plastic and stainless steel.

Extra Features to Consider

Extra features you might want to consider are:

FAQs

Conclusion