The Best Portable Ice Makers

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Are you tired of constantly running out of ice during gatherings or outdoor events? Portable ice makers offer a steady supply of ice on demand. 

In this review, we'll explore several top-rated portable ice makers on the market. We will evaluate their performance, features, and overall value.

These ice makers will make sure you no longer think of making or buying ice as a chore ever again. Read on to find your optimal ice maker.

The Breakdown:

• Inoviva Nugget Ice Maker Countertop

• Homelabs Coutnertop Ice Maker

• Magic Chef Ice Maker

• Euhomy Countertop Ice Maker

• Frigidaire EFIC189-Silver Compact Ice Maker

• ZAFRO Countertop Ice Maker

• Frigidaire Countertop Ice Maker

Inoviva Nugget Ice Maker Countertop

 Inoviva Nugget Ice Maker Countertop

The Inoviva Nugget Ice Maker produces soft, chewable nugget ice—popularly known as “Sonic ice”—thanks to its fast, efficient compression process. This type of ice is airy, absorbent, and perfect for iced coffee, cocktails, or just snacking.

Compared to traditional cubes, nugget ice is favored for its texture and how well it chills drinks without overwhelming them. It melts more evenly and slowly, keeping beverages cold but not watered down too fast.

The machine uses BPA-free components, which gives peace of mind to anyone concerned about the safety of their drinking water. You can also run a self-cleaning cycle, making upkeep simple.

Operation is easy: just press a button, and the machine gets to work. If the water is low or the bin is full, indicator lights let you know.

Pros

• Soft, chewable nugget ice that’s ideal for drinks
• BPA-free and self-cleaning function

Cons

• Only comes in black stainless finish

$329.99 at Amazon (Price at Time of Publishing)

Homelabs Countertop Ice Maker

 Homelabs Countertop Ice Maker

The hOmeLabs Countertop Ice Maker is a compact, reliable machine that quickly produces bullet-shaped ice in two sizes—perfect for everyday use at home, in the kitchen, or even on a small countertop in the office. It churns out up to 26 pounds of ice per day, making it ideal for small households or casual entertaining.

Bullet ice is smooth, melts slowly, and doesn’t clump together, so it keeps drinks cold without overwhelming them. It also freezes quickly, so you’re never waiting long for a fresh batch.

This ice maker comes with thoughtful extras like an ice scoop and 5 reusable ice bags, which make storage and serving more convenient. A self-cleaning function helps keep things hygienic with minimal effort.

Pros

• Comes with scoop and reusable ice bags for easy serving and storage
• Fast and consistent ice production in two bullet sizes

Cons

• Doesn’t keep ice frozen for long
• No option for nugget or clear ice

$134.99 at Amazon (Price at Time of Publishing)

Magic Chef MCIM22/HNIM27

Magic Chef MCIM22/HNIM27

The Magic Chef MCIM22/HNIM27 is easy to set up no matter where you are, whether it’s in a kitchen, home bar, or dining room.

This ice maker’s capacity is 27 pounds, which will be more than enough for you and your guests to never run out of ice.

The Magic Chef MCIM22/HNIM27 is not only easy to set up but also incredibly fast at creating ice. It takes approximately seven minutes for it to create nine ice cubes.

You can choose between getting small or large ice cubes from the machine using the easy-to-use digital interface.

Portability is this ice maker’s strong suit. It has a removable ice basket and scoop to make it fit easily in any environment.

Pros

• It’s easy to set up and only takes a few minutes to provide ice.
• It includes a removable ice basket and scoop, which make it more portable.

Cons

• Some customers have complained about it being noisy.

$125.41 at Amazon (Price at Time of Publishing)

Euhomy Countertop Ice Maker

Euhomy Countertop Ice Maker

The Euhomy Countertop Ice Maker produces nine bullet-shaped ice cubes in just six minutes. In 24 hours, it can make up to 26 pounds of ice, ideal for everyday use or small gatherings.

This machine makes smooth, round ice cubes that are easy to chew and don’t stick together. They’re well-suited for cold drinks, iced coffee, or even snacking.

Despite its solid performance, it operates at less than 45 decibels—quiet enough for most environments. With a size of 11.57 x 11.42 x 8.74 inches and weighing 13.89 pounds, it’s easy to move around. The built-in handle makes it convenient to bring along to camping trips, parties, or RV getaways.

A transparent window lets you watch the ice-making process in real time. The control panel is simple to use: just add water and press the button.

Smart sensors alert you when the ice basket is full or when the water level is low. For cleaning, just hold the on/off button for five seconds to activate the self-cleaning cycle—no scrubbing required.

The machine comes with a basket, scoop, and user manual.

Pros

• Compact and lightweight, easy to carry.
• Quiet operation under 45dB.
• One-button auto-cleaning keeps maintenance simple.

Cons

• Some users mention the ice maker can be loud when dropping ice.
• Long-term durability may vary depending on use.

$79.99 at Amazon (Price at Time of Publishing)

Frigidaire EFIC189-Silver Compact Ice Maker

Frigidaire EFIC189-Silver Compact Ice Maker

The transparent design gives the Frigidaire EFIC189-Silver compact ice maker a modern feel. This is because you can see the ice-making process in action.

The ice maker’s dimensions are 9.5 inches in width, 14.1 inches in depth, and 12.9 inches in height. The ice maker can make up to 26 pounds of ice cubes in 24 hours. For nine ice cubes, you’ll only have to wait approximately five minutes.

Unused water that melts from ice will be used by the machine to make a fresh batch. So no water goes to waste while fresh ice is constantly being produced.

There’s no need for you to constantly check the basket since the machine will indicate that it is full itself.  It will also alert you if there’s not enough water available.

The machine always produces bullet ice. You can choose between two different sizes. The ice maker can hold up to 1.5 pounds of ice giving you more than enough time to consume the ice.

Pros

• Can make nine ice cubes in approximately five minutes.
• Produces ice in two different sizes for you to choose from.
• Indicates when the ice basket is full for you to clear it out.

Cons

• Takes up too much space on your counter top according to customer reviews.

$75.56 at Amazon (Price at Time of Publishing)

ZAFRO Countertop Ice Maker

ZAFRO Countertop Ice Maker

The ZAFRO countertop ice maker produces nine bullet-shaped ice cubes in six minutes and up to 26.5 pounds in 24 hours—ideal for daily use or small gatherings.

It offers two cube sizes, with round shapes that melt slower and keep drinks colder longer. A 1.2L water tank and 1.3 lb storage basket ensure a steady ice supply, while indicator lights alert you to add water or empty ice.

Quiet at under 45 decibels, it’s suitable for home or office use. Compact (11.57 x 11.42 x 8.75 inches) and lightweight (13.7 lbs), it’s easy to carry with the built-in handle.

Hold the on/off button for five seconds to start self-cleaning.

Pros:

• Portable size with carry handle
• Two bullet ice cube sizes
• Quiet operation under 45dB

Cons:

• Small holding capacity
• Ice may melt if not used quickly

$76.65 at Amazon (Price at Time of Publishing)

Frigidaire Countertop Ice Maker

Frigidaire Countertop Ice Maker

The Frigidaire EFIC108 makes up to 26 pounds of ice in 24 hours and offers two cube sizes. It starts producing bullet-shaped cubes in just minutes, ideal for daily use or small gatherings.

A clear window lets you view the ice-making process, and soft-touch controls with LED indicators make it easy to use. The side air outlet fan helps maintain consistent performance.

Compact at 13 x 9 x 12 inches, it fits on most countertops and requires no installation—just plug it in, fill the 2.3-quart reservoir, and go. A scoop and user manual are included.

Note: This machine doesn’t store ice long-term. Move ice to the freezer to prevent melting.

Pros

• Two ice cube sizes to choose from
• Easy setup with no installation required
• Compact and simple to operate

Cons

• Ice must be moved to a freezer if not used right away
• No insulation for long-term ice storage

$69.84 at Amazon (Price at Time of Publishing)

FAQs

Are Portable Ice Makers Worth It?

Portable ice makers make sense for people who want ice on demand without the need to have a dedicated water line. 

Examples include people who need ice while on picnics, outdoor events, parties, or on boats and yachts. 

They’re also a sensible purchase if you’re used to purchasing bagged ice. Though they cost more than bagged ice, over time, they save you money.

How Do Portable Ice Makers Work?

Generally, portable ice makers pump water from their reservoir into a tray. It’s important that the water is distributed evenly on the tray or mold. 

Afterward, the temperature is lowered, usually by a cool metal plate which freezes the water. The water first freezes at the edges and then slowly freezes all over.

This big block of ice is now very slowly heated so that it breaks up into smaller pieces and slides into the ice basket.

Do Portable Ice Makers Use a Lot of Electricity?

Manufacturers usually focus on making portable ice makers energy-efficient.

All ice makers use electricity to work. But they have functions such as automatically stopping or being controlled remotely to save energy.

Are Ice Makers Healthy?

Ice itself isn’t unhealthy for humans, but it’s important that the ice you consume is clean.

Ice makers usually have self-cleaning functions. This guarantees that the ice is created in a generally sterile environment.

Using clean, filtered, and distilled water also helps since dirty water will also lead to ice cubes that are unhealthy for humans.

Do Ice Makers Waste a Lot of Water?

Sometimes water is wasted when ice makers are making ice, but it’s usually a very small amount.

Many ice makers make use of the water created from unused ice cubes melting in their baskets. They do so by recycling them into their next batch of ice cubes.

Compared to ice trays or ice cube bags, ice makers use much less water, making them more efficient.

Care and Maintenance

Cleaning ice makers regularly is a necessary step to maintaining them. However, some ice makers have features that allow them to clean themselves.

Removing ice buildup and blockages is recommended. Though not all ice makers need this, it’s best to use distilled water if you can.

Overall, your ice maker will have instructions alongside it that tell you how to take correct care of it. Be sure to read them carefully.