Frustrated with having no ice supply for you to cool off during those hot summer days (aside from enjoying ice creams or glasses of chilled smoothie); tired of rushing to your local store to buy cubes for drinks at your house party? These situations are a real pain your neck.
Imagine how stress-free your life can be if you’ll never face this nuisance anymore. You could enjoy parties or chill during those hot days without any worry that you would run out of cubes. With the best countertop ice maker, all these will become your reality.
And we’re glad to tell you that there exists kitchen equipment that is an answer to your problem. We will share with you all about cube makers and how to choose the right one for you. We have the best tabletop ice maker in our reviewed list. Talking about summer cooling, if you love them, you could find guides on how to make ice cream in a blender if you like making one on your own.
Best Countertop Ice Makers Top 7 Comparison Chart
Sentern Portable Clear Ice Maker by Merax
best value
Check PriceQuiet and portable
Rating: 10 / 10
1See Here
Magic Chef Portable
best price
Check PriceAffordable and lightweight
Rating: 9.8 / 10
2See Here
AI-100R Portable 28 Pounds Ice Maker by NewAir
Check Price28 pounds of cubes per day
Rating: 9.6 / 10
3See Here
AB-ICE26S Ice Machines by Avalon Bay
Rating: 9.5 / 10
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4
EFIC103 Heavy Duty Ice Machine by FRIGIDAIRE
Rating: 9.4 / 10
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5
ECI103 With Over-Sized Bucket by Igloo
Rating: 9.4 / 10
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6
WIMD332PCIS Portable Platinum by Avanti
Rating: 9.0 / 10
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7
1 place :
Sentern Portable Clear Ice Maker
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Merax' device makes crystal-clear ice that is harder and denser; their tool produces melt slowly and doesn’t dilute your drinks taste and quality. Also, it comes with sleek and compact design and user-friendly digital control panel - this machine has a stainless steel framework that ensures quality and durability.
Sentern is relatively quiet than those larger machines. This one could produce cubes in three varying sizes by adjusting its cooling time. Sizes are small, medium & large. But some customers have created beyond these three formats.
As it's portable and doesn’t need much space, it’s perfect at home or for small gathering use. It’s even suitable for motor home use during road trips. Best of all, this tool comes at an affordable price. Merax’ Sentern could be the best rated countertop ice maker for you!
pros +
Produces crystal clear cubes
Quiet during operation
Portable and compact design
Affordable price
Durable
Digital Control Panel
cons -
N/A
2 place :
Portable Countertop Ice Maker
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Magic Chef’s machine, despite being the cheapest one, comes in a compact desig that could fit easily in your countertops; it’s small enough to suit in any RVs, or motor homes use.
This product is lightweight and compact composition; quick in producing its first batch of cubes in just a few minutes, while making two varying cube sizes in a hollow-bullet shape, and comes with a small window for checking its production progress.
pros +
It’s a cheaply priced cube maker
Quick cubes production cycle
Lightweight and portable. And could easily fit in any countertops and RVs or motor homes
cons -
N/A
3 place :
AI-100R Portable 28-Pound
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AI-100R produces 28-pounds cubes in a day and could produce a single batch in just 15 minutes - it comes in a very convenient and chic design; it’s slightly larger than most portable ice machines. It doesn’t need any installation.
With its larger size, NewAir's AI-100R offers a bigger cube production capacity; it’s durable that could last in your service for many years. Their machine comes in a simplified cleaning process —after use, unplug and just drain water contents through its side mounted drain. It’s one of those best portable ice makers.
pros +
This machine produces 28 pounds of cubes in a single day
A single batch of cubes in just 15 minutes
Portable and has a large cubes production capacity
Easy to clean
cons -
N/A
4 place :
AB-ICE26S Ice Machines
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Avalon Bay’s machines could make cubes in just under 6 minutes and could produce 26 pounds of bullet-shaped cubes in a single day. They come with electronic control with LED indicator: you could select 2 different cube sizes from their electric panel and will get notified when not enough water or your batch is ready.
These machines include an ice basket and a scoop. But they come with problems: their cubes would clump up in and needs separation like chopping them up. And another serious issue is that their sensors would stop working in just a few months, so they wouldn’t show their tray’s correct capacity level.
pros +
These tools have an overflow protection feature
Quick cube production in just under 6 minutes
Two size options
These machines could produce 26-pounds cubes per day
They come with a scoop and an ice basket
cons -
These machines produce clumped up batches of cubes
Their indicators stopped working in just a few months
5 place :
EFIC103 Heavy Duty Ice Machine
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EFIC103 machine is a compact, portable, and stainless steel made; it doesn’t need much space, and when placed, it would make a stylish display. FRIGIDAIRE’s machine could finish a batch in 6 minutes with 3 size options; up to 26 pounds of cubes in a day. It comes with an over-sized cubes capacity at 2.2 pounds
Despite FRIGIDAIRE’s claims that their device produces sound fewer than 38 decibels, this cubes maker works very loud. Some complained that in just a few months, this device regularly makes loud noises; also, after a few months of use, it only produces large blocks of ice instead of small pieces.
pros +
Produces 26 pounds cubes per day
Compact, portable and stylish design
Space saver
3 different size options for cubes produced
Its bucket can hold 2.2 pounds of ice
cons -
Would produce large ice chunks after a few months
It makes loud noise during operation
6 place :
ECI103 With Over-Sized Bucket
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Igloo’s ICE103 is of stainless steel construction and comes with a stylish look. These materials ensure that this machine would last at your service for many years. Their machines hold 2.2 pounds of cubes and would produce 26 pounds in a single day. They could finish a batch in 6-15 minutes depending on size (it comes with small, medium, large).
With this machine, it would be easy. Beyond its beautiful features there are also drawbacks. First, the cube maker doesn’t have a power backup option - its settings would reset and must set them again when power is back. It’s a great feature for a countertop ice maker that keeps ice frozen even if unused. But this one doesn’t come with that mentioned feature. It means that unutilized cubes need transferring to a freezer to keep them solid. Otherwise, they would liquify again.
pros +
Easy to use
Stainless steel construction
Large bucket size that can hold up 2.2 pounds of cubes
Could finish a batch around 6-15 minutes depending on cubes size
cons -
No backup power option
No ice cooling capability for those remaining pieces of cubes to keep them in their solid state
7 place :
WIMD332PCIS Portable Platinum Ice Makers
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These machines from Avanti aren’t just ordinary portable ice makers. They are also water dispensing machines. They would produce 9 pieces of cubes per batch in just 8 minutes, and up to 25 pounds in a single day. These devices could hold up to 2 liters of water; there’s no need to refill them constantly. Also, they could dispense chilled water.
They come with an LCD control panel. And indicator lights to let you know you have to refill their water tank, or cubes are ready. But there are complains about these devices. These machines would randomly release cubes even though nobody is using them. Others have only used them in just a few months then they broke.
pros +
These are ice makers at the same time water dispensing machines
Produces 9 pieces of cubes in just 8 minutes
25 pounds of cubes per day
This machine comes with an LCD control panel and indicator lights
cons -
Would randomly spit out cubes when no one is using
Short life span
Buyer’s Guide: All You Need to Know About Home Countertop Ice Makers
For you to have the best home countertop ice maker, there are aspects of these machines you should be familiar with; features and types that you should know of. So, continue reading to get started.
Types of Countertop Ice Maker
There are two common types of cubes makers that you can choose from: both have the same primary purpose, which is to make cubes for your consumption — for fighting heat during summer or party drinks. But they differ significantly in the capacity they could produce, the shape and size of ice. Also, their cost is another stand-out difference.
Countertops
Pros: portable, less cost (no need for installation).
Cons: Smaller storage due to its size.
These types are small-sized and lightweight. They come in smooth design and don’t need any installation. And they are easy to use and portable. We have some countertop ice machine reviews of these types that you might want to browse through.
Under-Counters
Pros: hold and produce more cubes.
Cons: Heavyweight about 30 pounds. Cost more for installation. Fixed in one location.
Unlike the previous types, these ones could cost a lot of money for their installation. They are also bigger compared to above-mentioned countertops machine. Which means they have more storage space that could handle a large crowd.
What Makes the Best Countertop Ice Maker?
Before getting to your final decision of what cubes maker to buy, first, consider the things that influence your buying decision and all important features of this equipment.
Your Demand
Knowing your purpose of having one will help with the selection process of cubes makers. There are two common types of them to take note of: countertops and under-counters. You might what to check our countertop ice maker reviews for a budget-friendly one.
If you’re looking for a lightly-built and portable one, countertops cube maker is for you. Also, you could just easily bring these types on your camping or boating trips. But, if you’re seeking for a tool that could produce more cubes, then you need under-counter types, as they can handle large crowds’ needs, like in a party or family holidays. In case you will use it commercially —there is a commercial countertop ice maker for this purpose. They would produce a large number of cubes per batch and come with varying size options and shapes.
Your Budget
Having one of these will surely involve spending some money. And you can only have the one that you can afford. So, it’s recommended that you should look for those that would fit your budget.
Recent models of this equipment come at a higher price range, as well they are of the highest quality and with top performance. But, if your budget isn’t enough to buy those expensive ones, there are some affordably priced equipment. They still perform well, which produces cubes at a stable cycle.
Size
This is crucial to your purpose of buying one. Select the tool whose size fits a location where you’re going to place it. If you’re going to use it on your motor, you need those portable and smaller cubes makers, which produce ice faster than those bigger ones; they also keep ice colder.
Speed
This feature is an important indicator of a high-quality cubes maker. You should check length of tools production cycle to know speed of a device. A smaller size of these equipment produces a batch of cubes quickly than those of larger one. They could make a batch in just under 6 minutes; others will take around 15-20 minutes.
Ice Shape
Most of these devices produce cubes that are bullet-shaped with hollow interiors. Others make a batch of dice-shaped ice. The structure of the cubes allows them to melt in their compatible rates. Their shapes will directly affect taste of your drink. You better add this feature in your decision making if you want to achieve a certain flavor of your beverage.
Performance Capabilities
The best countertop ice maker could produce around 24 pounds of cubes in a day. This amount is more than enough to handle needs of people in a moderate house party. This is a device that you, definitely, should have at your disposal.
Cleaning and Maintaining
Even though this equipment doesn’t really need daily maintenance and cleaning, but it’s still good for the tool you buy if it has its own mesh filter. In addition to the mesh filter, it would be great to have a self-cleaning cycle. These features are an advantage for you, and they’re cost-effective.
Frequently Asked Questions
How Do Countertop Ice Makers Work?
How these equipment works are pretty simple: much like the cubes markers that are in most freezers and refrigerators — pumping water into their cube tray. Then refrigeration process cools off the water. The excess heat from the compressor will release the cubes they just made.
And here’s how you can operate them.
You need to plug them in a standard 115v outlet.
Take out a tray and fill it with water up to a threshold line; for most tools, it would take around 8-10 cups of water to fill a tray. The best thing about these tools is that they don’t need a separate water supply line.
Then put its tray back inside and close its lid.
To start it, push the “ON” button and choose the size you want it to produce; the default size for most of this equipment is “Large”. Many of these tools are quick and efficient in producing cubes, which means you could have a single batch in just a few minutes. Most countertop ice makers are very easy to use.
What Is the Best Countertop Ice Maker?
Finding the best countertop ice machine for you would be subjective. There’s no exact answer to this question, as you need to look for something that fit your purpose, needs, and personal taste. Back these up with your research on features and brands and its corresponding price and you’ll find your match!
How to Clean Countertop Ice Maker?
Countertop cube makers are relatively easy to clean. But, each machine has its way to be maintained. Instructions to clean them are in their manuals; you could even download it from the manufacturer’s website. If, for some reasons, you couldn’t get a copy of its manual, here are some steps you may follow to wipe your cube maker.
First, unplug your device.
If there are any cubes in it, remove them. For cube that has melted, drain water contents.
Remove the detachable parts inside the bucket. This includes ice tray, water filters, scoop, etc. The parts will vary depending on the type and model.
Pour some warm water into the machine.
Using a soft cloth paired with a mild detergent, clean it inside thoroughly. Make sure to get to every corner. For some hard to remove stains use tap water mixed with vinegar. Or a mixture of water and baking powder. If your machine comes with water filters, use a toothbrush or some Q-tips to clean them.
Rinse it thoroughly once done; make sure that no trace of detergent left inside it.
Give it some time to dry well. You can use a soft cloth to wipe the water inside; this will help to dry quickly.
Once it has dried, place back the parts that you have removed. Make sure that they’re completely dry before returning back.
What Is the Energy Draw of an Igloo Countertop Ice Maker?
Now, a compressor of igloo’s machine is more efficient. Needs only 120 watts to run. You wouldn’t even notice that it’s working, as a side fan is all you could barely hear; but defrost cycle of Igloo’s machine would produce noise, which is not even louder than your refrigerator’s ice machine. Check out our countertop ice maker reviews. We have this brand on our list. Or you can check other igloo countertop ice maker reviews for more information.
What Caused a Countertop Ice Maker to Lock Up?
There are times that your machine wouldn’t eject or even make ice at all. Here are some common causes of these problems.
If it’s not releasing any ice, a control arm might have been set to an off position.
If it’s not making ice at all, a clog by frozen water is making this happen.
A Must-Have for 2019
Summing it all up, countertop ice machines are portable, compact, and easy to use. They could prevent the situations where you have to run to your local store because there is no ice for drinks at your house party. Other than having the best shower system in your house or motor home to cool off the heat in summer, the best tabletop ice maker would also help you to chill out during hot days.
With this best countertop ice maker 2019 guide, you’ll have a high chance of choosing the best countertop ice for you. Browse through our mykitchenadvisor best rated countertop ice maker section and you might find the one you like to have. Just consider all aspects and features listed here, make sure to select that handles your purpose, needs, and personal preference, and you won’t be disappointed!
