The Best Countertop Ice Makers We Tried Are a Great Alternative to Ice Cube Trays, and They Start at Under $100 (2024)

Our Top Picks

The Luma Comfort Clear Ice Cube Maker was the hardest worker of the bunch, according to our testers. It produced 24 ice cubes per batch, which added up to more than 1 pound of ice. Given that this machine has a high water capacity and a high output over one hour, we estimate a greater volume over a longer period as compared to the other models we tested.

The ice came out in a cube shape, rather than the bullet shapes we saw with many of the machines. The Luma was also practically silent in its ice production, which is a definite perk.

While the Luma made the most ice in an hour of all the machines wetested, producing more cubes per batch than the other models, it took a long time to do so. It's a fairly big and bulky machine, too, so count on it taking up space on your countertop.

Water Capacity: 10 cups | Number of Cubes Per Batch: 24 | Time to Produce: 23 minutes, 22 seconds | Dimensions: 11.3 x 14.8 x 14.1 inches | Weight: 25.5 pounds | Ice Type: Clear cubes

Compared to our overall winner, the Silonn produced a more moderate amount of ice. In just under eight minutes, it made eight cubes (12.25 ounces), so it's less productive. This is a smaller machine, so we still thought the ice production was adequate.

This model was a lot noisier than the Luma. The ice was also bullet-shaped and inconsistently sized. But the Silonn beat many of its competitors in terms of its portability rating. Testers noted that it's very sleek and would be a welcome addition to their countertops.

The Silonn had the lowest price of all 15 ice makers we tested, so if you're curious about a portable ice maker but don't want to make a more sizable investment, this is a good bet.

Water Capacity: 9 cups | Number of Cubes Per Batch: 8 | Time to Produce: 7 minutes, 42 seconds | Dimensions: 12.3 x 8.7 x 12.5 inches | Weight: 15 pounds | Ice Type: Bullet

Our tester was most impressed by the Igloo's quick drop time for being a small machine and by its handle, making this model the most easily portable. The cylinder-shaped ice cubes appear in the back of the machine and automatically move to the front for maximum scoopage. And it's a nice touch to be able to choose between "small" and "large" ice sizes. The small cubes should even fit inside your insulated water bottle.

The machine's fan is quite loud, but not annoying, while the ice production itself is very quiet. It made a decent amount of ice in an hour, and we were impressed by this machine’s performance. Given the lower water capacity, however, this is likely not your best choice for high-volume settings, like a party with frequent refills.

Water Capacity: 8 cups | Number of Cubes Per Batch: 9 | Time to Produce: 9 minutes, 23 seconds | Dimensions: 13.9 x 10.51 x 15.28 inches | Weight: 17.9 pounds | Ice Type: Cylinder

Here's a portable ice maker that you'll want to live on our countertop since it dispenses both water and ice. The compact and narrow shape means it won't encroach on your other appliance's real estate, either. For those who drink a lot of water daily, the water capacity could be an issue — it only holds eight cups at a time.

While other noisy machines that we tested were loud but not annoying, this one made a jarring sound. Still, the two-in-one functionality makes this purchase worthwhile. Plus, the price for this dual-duty ice maker isn't too bad, either.

Water Capacity: 11 cups for ice maker (8 cups water capacity) | Number of Cubes Per Batch: 9 | Time to Produce: 8 minutes, 35 seconds | Dimensions: 10 x 15.5 x 14 inches | Weight: 21 pounds | Ice Type: Bullet

If you’re looking to recreate the ice of your favorite fast-food joints like Chick-fil-A and Sonic, this Euhomy ice maker is for you. It produces up to 34 pounds of small, chewable nugget ice daily. Reviewers love the slim size of this ice maker, along with the ease of setup and use. Plus, whereas some ice makers have been known to grow mold in hard-to-reach places, this model is super easy to keep clean.

The verdict’s still out on this ice maker’s noise level. While some reviewers say it’s a very quiet machine, others say the noise bothers them at times. We haven’t had a chance to try it out for ourselves, so if you’re looking for a super quiet ice maker, you might prefer our tried-and-true Luma pick.

Water Capacity: 5 cups | Number of Cubes Per Batch: 8 | Time to Produce: 6-8 minutes | Dimensions: 9.5 x 12 x 13 inches | Weight: 20 pounds | Ice Type: Nugget

This versatile Frigidaire ice maker features a sleek design, LED controls, and the luxury of choice. It creates bullet ice cubes in two sizes, perfect for those who want large ice and a chewable alternative. Reviewers love how easy this machine is to operate, the low noise level, and how quickly it makes ice. As one reviewer put it, “This ice maker has become the life of every party I've hosted.”

We haven’t had the chance to test this ice maker, but with over 5,000 five-star ratings,shoppers swear by it. So, we recommend it for those who want a super sleek design, as well as anyone with a variety of ice-making needs.

Water Capacity: 9 cups | Number of Cubes Per Batch: 9 | Time to Produce: 7 minutes | Dimensions: 13 x 13 x 9 inches | Weight: 17 pounds | Ice Type: Nugget

When it comes to high-end features, it doesn’t get better than this GE ice maker. It has the largest water capacity on our list, along with a 3-pound ice bin, so you’ll simply fill the tank and return to a mountain of ice. You can also remotely control the machine via an app or a voice-controlled system like Alexa, which means you can schedule ice at any time. Reviewers noted that this machine needs a bit more maintenance (GE recommends cleaning once per week and descaling every three weeks).

Thanks to its larger capacity, it is also the biggest ice maker on our list, so get ready to clear some counter space. We haven’t had the chance to test this ice maker yet, but we just couldn’t deny its unique features and party-accommodating capacity. We’re recommending this for large families and anyone who loves to host.

Water Capacity: 12 cups | Number of Cubes Per Batch: Not specified | Time to Produce: 10 minutes per batch | Dimensions: 17.5 x 13.5 x 16.5 inches | Weight: 38 pounds | Ice Type: Nugget

Frequently Asked Questions

• What's the difference between an ice machine and an ice maker?

  The terms ice machine and ice maker are often used interchangeably to describe a machine that makes ice. These include portable ice makers as well as those that are included in many home refrigerators and freezers.

• Can you leave countertop ice makers on all the time?

  It depends on the individual ice maker, but generally, no. Portable ice makers are intended to make ice, not to be used as freezers to keep ice cold. These units need to be turned off when they are not making ice, so they have a chance to defrost between cycles.

• Should you use distilled water in a countertop ice maker?

  Check the instructions for your particular machine. Some ice makers recommend using only filtered water, and others suggest distilled water. Both are preferred over tap water, which can result in cloudy ice cubes and mineral deposit buildup in the machine.

• Do countertop ice makers make sheets of ice or individual cubes?

  Most ice makers produce individual ice cubes, and some make a sheet of cubes that are broken apart (similar to an ice cube tray).

• How do you drain a countertop ice maker?

  Most portable ice makers have a removable drain plug on the bottom or back of the machine for draining. Set the machine over the sink or bucket and open the drain plug until all water is removed.