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RateLab Kitchen & Dining Ice Makers

Best Countertop Ice Makers

Updated

We evaluated countertop ice makers across ice production speed, ice type (bullet vs nugget), daily output, noise level, storage capacity, self-cleaning ease, and how well each unit performs on a hot day when demand spikes. Countertop ice makers do not connect to a water line, so you refill the reservoir manually. That is a minor inconvenience in exchange for portability and easy installation.

The most important decision is bullet ice versus nugget ice. Bullet ice is what most portable machines make: hollow cylinders that are good for drinks but melt quickly. Nugget ice (also called pebble or chewable ice) is softer, crunchier, and what you get at gas stations and hospitals. Nugget machines cost more but the experience is noticeably different. If you have ever chewed ice at a Sonic or Chick-fil-A, that is nugget ice.

For most buyers the EUHOMY Nugget Ice Maker is the best all-around pick because it makes nugget ice at a mid-range price. If you just need basic bullet ice for parties or camping, the Frigidaire EFIC189 has been the benchmark for years and has a large buyer base to back it up. Budget shoppers should look at the EUHOMY Countertop before anything else.

Quick picks

Use this table for the fastest answer, or jump into the full review cards below.

Pick Best for Verdict Review
Best Nugget IceEUHOMY Nugget Ice Maker Nugget ice fans who want the Sonic or Chick-fil-A ice experience at home, Regular home bartenders and entertaining hosts Buy Read review
Most Trusted BrandFrigidaire EFIC189 Buyers who want a trusted appliance brand over an unfamiliar one, Parties, camping, and RV use for reliable bullet ice Buy Read review
Best Budget PickEUHOMY Countertop Ice Maker Budget buyers who need reliable bullet ice, Campers and party hosts who need a portable ice machine Buy Read review
Best Mid-Range PickSilonn Ice Maker Buyers who prefer a non-EUHOMY option at the mid-range, Those who use self-cleaning as a must-have feature Consider Read review
Budget Nugget PickKismile Nugget Ice Maker Budget buyers who specifically want nugget ice, Buyers who find the EUHOMY Nugget too expensive Consider Read review

Best Nugget Ice

Best Nugget Ice

EUHOMY Nugget Ice Maker Countertop with Handle

The EUHOMY Nugget Ice Maker earns best overall because it makes soft chewable nugget ice in 7 minutes with consistent, decent feedback from a large number of buyers. Nugget ice is noticeably better than bullet ice for drinks, cocktails, and chewing, and EUHOMY delivers it at a mid-range price that other nugget makers cannot match.

Buy
TL;DR

Makes soft chewable nugget ice in about 7 minutes

Pros

  • Nugget ice absorbs drink flavor and stays chewable longer than bullet ice
  • Largest buyer base among nugget ice makers at this price
  • Carry handle makes it easy to move for parties or travel

Cons

  • Costs significantly more than basic bullet ice machines
  • Requires manual refilling of the water reservoir
Verdict: Buy Full Review Check current price

Best Brand Name

Most Trusted Brand

Frigidaire EFIC189 Compact Portable Ice Maker

The Frigidaire EFIC189 is the most trusted name-brand portable ice maker in this category. It makes 26 pounds of bullet ice per day, has solid feedback from a large number of buyers, and Frigidaire's appliance reputation backs its long-term reliability in a way that newer brands cannot.

Buy
TL;DR

Solid feedback from a large buyer base, from a major appliance brand

Pros

  • Frigidaire brand adds reliability confidence that smaller brands lack
  • Two ice size options for different drink needs
  • Compact footprint fits standard countertops

Cons

  • Makes bullet ice only, not nugget ice
  • Ice melts in the basket if not used within a couple hours
Verdict: Buy Full Review Check current price

Best Budget

Best Budget Pick

EUHOMY Countertop Ice Maker Machine with Handle

The EUHOMY Countertop Ice Maker is the best budget pick because it delivers 26 pounds of bullet ice per day with a large buyer base at one of the lowest typical prices in this category. The carry handle adds portability for camping or parties, and EUHOMY's track record across multiple models gives it more credibility than unreviewed budget alternatives.

Buy
TL;DR

A large verified buyer base at a budget-friendly typical price

Pros

  • Typical pricing is among the lowest for well-reviewed options in this guide
  • Carry handle makes it genuinely portable
  • Large buyer base at a budget price

Cons

  • Makes bullet ice only
  • Small basket holds limited ice before it begins melting back
Verdict: Buy Full Review Check current price

Best Mid-Range

Best Mid-Range Pick

Silonn Ice Maker Countertop with Self-Cleaning

The Silonn Ice Maker earns consider because it has solid self-cleaning functionality and a decent buyer base, but the EUHOMY Countertop delivers similar bullet ice at a lower price with more buyer validation. Best for buyers who specifically want a brand other than EUHOMY at a mid-range price.

Consider
TL;DR

Solid feedback from verified buyers

Pros

  • Self-cleaning is simple and effective
  • Clear LED status indicators reduce guesswork
  • Consistent, solid feedback across its buyer base

Cons

  • More expensive than EUHOMY for similar bullet ice output
  • No carry handle for portability
Verdict: Consider Full Review Check current price

Best Nugget Budget

Budget Nugget Pick

Kismile Nugget Ice Maker Countertop with Portable Handle

The Kismile Nugget Ice Maker earns consider because it delivers chewable nugget ice at a lower price than the EUHOMY Nugget model. With solid feedback from a decent number of buyers it is a credible option, but the EUHOMY Nugget has a much larger buyer base.

Consider
TL;DR

Solid feedback for nugget ice

Pros

  • Lower price than EUHOMY for soft nugget ice
  • Makes soft nugget ice, the same ice type as the pricier EUHOMY
  • Carry handle adds portability

Cons

  • Smaller buyer base than the EUHOMY Nugget model
Verdict: Consider Full Review Check current price

All Ice Makers reviews

The grid is generated from product data and is ready to paginate once the subcategory passes 20 products.

Kitchen / Ice Makers Buy

EUHOMY Nugget Ice Maker Countertop with Handle

The EUHOMY Nugget Ice Maker earns best overall because it makes soft chewable nugget ice in 7 minutes with consistent, decent feedback from a large number of buyers. Nugget ice is noticeably better than bullet ice for drinks, cocktails, and chewing, and EUHOMY delivers it at a mid-range price that other nugget makers cannot match.

Read review →
Kitchen / Ice Makers Buy

Frigidaire EFIC189 Compact Portable Ice Maker

The Frigidaire EFIC189 is the most trusted name-brand portable ice maker in this category. It makes 26 pounds of bullet ice per day, has solid feedback from a large number of buyers, and Frigidaire's appliance reputation backs its long-term reliability in a way that newer brands cannot.

Read review →
Kitchen / Ice Makers Buy

EUHOMY Countertop Ice Maker Machine with Handle

The EUHOMY Countertop Ice Maker is the best budget pick because it delivers 26 pounds of bullet ice per day with a large buyer base at one of the lowest typical prices in this category. The carry handle adds portability for camping or parties, and EUHOMY's track record across multiple models gives it more credibility than unreviewed budget alternatives.

Read review →
Kitchen / Ice Makers Consider

Silonn Ice Maker Countertop with Self-Cleaning

The Silonn Ice Maker earns consider because it has solid self-cleaning functionality and a decent buyer base, but the EUHOMY Countertop delivers similar bullet ice at a lower price with more buyer validation. Best for buyers who specifically want a brand other than EUHOMY at a mid-range price.

Read review →
Kitchen / Ice Makers Consider

Kismile Nugget Ice Maker Countertop with Portable Handle

The Kismile Nugget Ice Maker earns consider because it delivers chewable nugget ice at a lower price than the EUHOMY Nugget model. With solid feedback from a decent number of buyers it is a credible option, but the EUHOMY Nugget has a much larger buyer base.

Read review →

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