Not all freezers are created equal. If you don't have the luxury of a built-in ice machine, you're probably tasked with filling up flimsy ice trays. As someone who does not have a fancy freezer, I've come to live a life without ice because I never remember to fill up the tray.
Enter: Countertop ice makers. These handy kitchen gadgets have been surging in popularity, reaching an all-time high on Google Search during the summer of 2024. And for good reason, ice makers are a fast and easy way to always have ice on hand. Greg Fetter, Associate Merchant at The Home Depot, tells Shop TODAY, "They're ideal for anyone who frequently uses ice and wants a convenient, portable solution without the need for professional installation."
So, whether you start your morning with a cold brew, host gatherings or enjoy the simple pleasure of a glass of ice-cold water, investing in an ice machine might be the best decision you could make for your kitchen.
To help pick the best ice makers on the market, I tested a total of nine ice machines for our Shop TODAY Ranked series and narrowed it down to five top choices based on several factors, including efficiency and noise volume.
What to look for in an ice maker
When looking for an ice maker, Fetter says you'll want to consider a few things based on your space and lifestyle, such as capacity, portability, convenience and ice types. For instance, some machines have options for small or large ice, and shape sizes like "nugget" or "bullet," with the latter being the more affordable option, notes Fetter.
“Since these units are designed to be moved around, they offer added flexibility with refillable reservoirs that eliminate the need for a dedicated water line," he adds. For convenience, you'll also want to look for options with ice storage baskets, which Fetter says can simplify scooping and cleaning.
During my testing, I noticed how important features are. Since I live in a small apartment, I need something compact. For someone who has ample counter space and a large family, they might be looking for one with a bigger tank capacity.
Best overall ice maker
Size rating: 4/5 | Efficiency rating: 5/5 | Volume rating: 5/5 | Ice capacity rating: 5/5 | Overall rating: 4.75/5
To be completely transparent, it was a tough decision choosing the winner for best overall since they all produce the same result. However, this option tipped the scale on a few factors. One factor was that this machine was the only option that provided ice bags, which I thought was clever if you wanted to store extra ice in the freezer or bring it to a party.
Size: This wasn't the smallest in the batch, but the machine is just over 9.5 inches wide, so I'd still consider it a good size for an average-sized kitchen.
Efficiency: Overall, the process from filling the water tank to scooping the ice was quick and easy to figure out. The interface is straightforward and offers options for small and large bullet ice, and depending on the size you choose, it takes about six minutes for the first cycle to complete. Each ice drop contains nine cubes, and filling the entire ice basket took about one hour.
Volume: This was one of the quietest machines I tried. It had a soft hum while it created the ice; I barely noticed that it was even on until I heard the ice dump. I also appreciated that the sound wasn't overbearing when you first turn on the machine; some others that I tested had a loud rumble.
Ice capacity: According to the brand, the Vivohome makes up to 26 pounds of ice per day. I would say the basket holds enough ice to fill about six drinks. Once you do the first scoop, it immediately gets back to work to create more and keep the basket full — until it runs out of water.
More ice makers, tested by the author
Most quiet:
Size rating: 3/5 | Efficiency rating: 5/5 | Volume rating: 5/5 | Ice capacity rating: 5/5 | Overall rating: 4.75/5
The Magic Chef was very similar in style and overall functionality to the Vivohome machine, with only a couple of differences to note.
Size: This machine has a similar size to the above machine, but a tad longer (even though website metrics say they're the same). It's a good option for an average-size kitchen, but it will take up a chunk of counter space.
Efficiency: The Magic Chef had the same interface as the Vivohome, with two ice options, too. From filling the tank to a full ice basket, each ice cycle took about seven to eight minutes and about an hour to completely fill. The window is smaller than the machines below, so you have less visibility of the process and capacity.
Volume: This machine was the quietest out of all the ice makers. machines I tried. The motor and fan are very faint while it's in use. Like the Vivohome, I barely noticed that it was on until I heard the ice dump. This machine was also very quiet when I first turned it on, too.
Ice capacity: According to the brand, the Magic Chef can make up to 27 pounds of ice per day, with a deep water tank and a basket that sits in it.
Best budget:
Size rating: 5/5 | Efficiency rating: 4/5 | Volume rating: 3/5 | Ice capacity rating: 5/5 | Overall rating: 4.25/5
Size: This ice maker is very compact at 8.6 inches wide and would be a good option for small kitchens and apartments. What sets it apart from the others (other than the affordable price) is that it has a handle for easy carrying around or out of the house.
Efficiency: While you only get one ice size option, this machine works just as fast and efficiently as the others. The cycle time is around six to eight minutes, and since it's a smaller ice basket, I found that it finished filling a little quicker than others.
Volume: This was one of the loudest out of the list, however, I don't think it's a deal breaker when choosing.
Ice capacity: According to the brand, this machine will make up to 26 pounds of ice per day. Another hand feature of the ice tank is that it has a larger window, so it's easier to see how much ice is in the tray.
Most compact:
Size rating: 5/5 | Efficiency rating: 3/5 | Volume rating: 3/5 | Ice capacity rating: 5/5 | Overall rating: 4/5
Size: The Cuisinart ice maker was the smallest out of the bunch. If you have a small apartment with minimal counter space, this is a perfect option as it can easily tuck into a corner or be stored in a cabinet. In my opinion, this compact design boasts the sleekest style, too.
Efficiency: Since this ice maker is very compact, it only creates eight cubes at a time, but overall, the timing of each cycle to ice full was consistent (if not quicker) with the others. However, I will say there was a learning curve to using it. To turn on and choose an ice size, you have to hold down the power button for a certain number of seconds, then toggle through the options. I recommend keeping the user manual handy, since this option isn't as straightforward as the others. It did get a bonus point because it has a self-cleaning feature!
Volume: This is another loud machine with a loud start-up noise. But the compactness and efficiency of it outweigh the noise.
Ice capacity: Despite its compact size, the Cuisinart also makes up to 26 pounds of ice within 24 hours. And the entire lid is clear plastic, which gives you a full view of the ice amount and process.
Best for large households and gatherings:
Size rating: 2/5 | Efficiency rating: 5/5 | Volume rating: 4/5 | Ice capacity rating: 5/5 | Overall rating: 4/5
Size: If you live in a big household, host many gatherings or just have ample kitchen counter space, this is a great option since it has a 2.5-quart water tank and holds up to two pounds of ice at a time in the tray.
Efficiency: Despite its large size, this machine is quick and very easy to use with its straightforward interface. I found the ice machine to have the fastest ice drop out of the whole list, with around five minutes for small cubes.
Volume: You can expect this machine to be very quiet. It probably was as quiet as the Magic Chef. In fact, through my testing process, I noticed the larger machines are quieter than the smaller ones, so if that's a deciding factor in your decision, you might want to opt for a bigger ice maker.
Ice capacity: This ice maker is great for big gatherings or large households; it can cycle up to 33 pounds of ice per day, says the brand. Like the Cuisinart, the lid is entirely clear plastic, so you can easily see the ice amount and whether or not you need to add more water.
Frequently asked questions
According to Jen and Brian Boyle, owners of MaidThisCleaning, you don’t have to clean your ice machine as often as you think. “If you use the ice machine more than two to three times a week, cleaning the inside of the machine once a month will be sufficient,” says Jen Boyle.
They also suggest using filtered water to help prevent limescale buildup.
You can simply use dish soap and a microfiber towel to wipe the exterior and interior of your ice maker, says the cleaning experts.
However, they note you’ll want to completely rinse the machine to avoid dish soap-tasting ice. For a deeper clean that should be done every three to six months, they suggest using a 50% white vinegar and 50% water solution, then leaving it in your machine for up ot 24 hours. After, you should flush the machine with water to avoid a vinegar taste.
Fetter says there are a few things to keep in mind to safely and efficiently run your countertop ice machine.
You'll want to place the machine on a level surface and keep the air vents clear to avoid overheating or shutting down. Also, he says to make sure you're not overflowing the water tank to prevent leaks and malfunctions, and warns not to connect it to a water line.
"Countertop models are designed for manual refills only. Using a direct hookup can damage the unit and void the warranty," says Fetter.
How we tested countertop ice makers
I [Garlin] evaluated each countertop ice maker machine on a scale of 1 to 5, with 1 being the worst and 5 being the best. During my testing process, I tested a total of nine ice makers and then narrowed down to the best five. When analyzing each ice maker, I noted four key features below:
- Size: How much countertop space does it take up?
- Efficiency: How fast is each cycle? How long does it take to completely fill? Is it easy to use?
- Volume: How loud is the system?
- Ice capacity: How much ice does it make?
Why trust Shop TODAY
Shannon Garlin is an associate editor for Shop TODAY. She has been with the team for nearly three years, covering a wide range of topics in lifestyle. Garlin thoroughly tried each ice maker over the course of each month, running each ice maker for a full day. She independently conducted the testing and named the superlatives based on her personal experience with the ice makers.
Meet our experts
- Greg Fetter is an associate merchant at The Home Depot.
- Jen Boyle and Brian Boyle are the owners of MaidThis Cleaning and Members of the Thumbtack Pro Advisory Board.
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Fiesta Americana Bicycle Classic Rim Luncheon Plate (9 Inch)
Fiesta Americana Bicycle Classic Rim Luncheon Plate (9 Inch)