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The Best Portable Ice Makers

By The Deals Team
February 09, 2024
Updated:
February 09, 2024
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The Best Portable Ice Makers
(Left) Magic Chef MCIM22/HNIM27 (Right) NewAir NIM045SS00 (Illustration by the Epoch Times, Amazon)
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 ice as a chore ever again. Read on to find your optimal ice maker.
The Breakdown:

Magic Chef MCIM22/HNIM27

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.
$86.45 - $119.99 at Amazon (Price at Time of Publishing)
Pros
  • It’s easy to set up and only takes a couple of minutes to provide ice.
  • Its capacity is more than enough in case you don’t want to wait those few minutes.
  • It includes a removable ice basket and scoop, which make it more portable.
Cons
  • Some customers have complained about it being noisy.
  • The ice provided by the machine may not be cold enough.

Luma Comfort IM200

Luma Comfort IM200 Luma Comfort IM200
The Luma Comfort IM200’s ice cubes are clear because of the specific method it uses. A super-cooled ice tray freezes each layer of water poured on it.
When compared to other ice, clear ice shows its superiority in the quality of drinks it’s used in. Clear ice melts slowly, so you’ll have time to drink that tequila without getting it watered down.
Using BPA-free plastic is important for many customers. Fortunately, this ice machine does just that. It avoids any danger of harmful chemicals being adjacent to the ice you consume.
The ice machine only has one button to be turned on, and after you choose the size of ice you want, you’re good to go. There’s an indicator light that will inform you if you need more water.
The insulation of the ice machine will keep cubes in the ice machine cold for longer. In case you don’t want anything to go to waste, the water caused by ice cubes melting will be gathered for later use.
$463.81 at Amazon (Price at Time of Publishing)
Pros
  • Clear ice cubes improve the quality of drinks by melting more slowly.
  • BPA-free plastic keeps the water clean and safe to consume.
  • No water goes to waste, and every ice cube that melts will be used in the next round of ice-making.
Cons
  • Customer reviews have suggested that the ice machine might face maintenance problems.
  • No color options other than the default stainless steel
  • It’s in a higher price range compared to some of the other portable ice makers on this list.

GE Profile Opal 2.0 with Side Tank

GE Profile Opal 2.0 with Side Tank GE Profile Opal 2.0 with Side Tank
People who like to chew on their ice know there’s a difference between how crunchable cubes are. That’s why this ice machine serves chewable ice cubes for your pleasure.
The GE Profile Opal 2.0 can make a batch of ice in approximately 10 minutes after you turn it on. You can make 1.6 lbs of fresh ice every hour and keep 3 lbs in reserve.
The 38-pound capacity of this ice maker makes it so that you never run out of ice.
The built-in wifi allows you to monitor the status of your ice maker through the SmartHQ app. You can even schedule when you want your fresh ice to be served.
This portable ice maker can connect to Alexa and Google Assistant. It can be controlled through their voice control features as well.
A detachable water tank eliminates any need for an external water source. It also allows you to move the ice maker around freely and easily detach it for cleaning purposes.
The advanced cleaning system cleans the ice maker at regular intervals. This helps keep the machine at peak performance.
The LED display screen lights up when used. This way, you can use the machine in the middle of the night when you’re craving some ice without turning on the lights.
The melted ice in the ice maker is recycled into the system to be used the next time you want to make ice. This is thanks to the detachable water tank that is always available.
$429 at Amazon (Price at Time of Publishing)
Pros
  • Water isn’t wasted even when ice cubes melt in the ice maker since the water is used in the next cycle.
  • No need for an external water source as long as you have the detachable water tank with you.
  • With the right app, you can schedule ice to be ready ahead of time.
Cons
  • The water filter (P4INKFILTR) and cleaning kit (P4INKCLEAN) have to be bought separately.
  • One of the most expensive ice makers on this list.
  • Customer reviews suggest that only distilled water should be used. Otherwise, there will be maintenance problems.

Free Village Countertop Ice Maker

Frigidaire EFIC189-Silver Compact Ice Maker Frigidaire EFIC189-Silver Compact Ice Maker
The Countertop ice maker only takes six minutes to make its first nine ice cubes. If you give the machine 24 hours, you’ll have approximately 26.5 pounds of ice.
The ice cubes made by this portable ice maker are round, not squared cubes. Round ice cubes usually melt slower compared to other shapes of ice cubes.
A great portable ice maker for parties where you have to serve many guests in a short amount of time. If you run out of water, the machine will notify you.
The transparent window allows you to see the ice being made.  This makes that short six minutes fun to watch if you like seeing how ice cubes are made.
Ice makers are famously loud and noisy, but this one operates at less than 45 decibels. That’s quiet enough for it not to disturb or annoy anyone nearby.
It’s easy to carry because of its dimensions (8.7*11.6*11.4 inches) and weight (14.74 pounds). This makes it perfect for bringing to other people’s homes, picnics, and camping.
If you hold the on/off button for five seconds, the machine will clean itself.  This is important because it keeps the ice cube production at a high quality.
$159.99 at Amazon (Price at Time of Publishing)
Pros
  • Its dimension and weight make it a great choice to carry around to parties and picnics.
  • Round ice cubes will melt slower, so you don’t end up with a watered-down drink.
  • A cheaper option considering the other ice makers on this list.
Cons
  • Customer reviews tell us that the ice maker is noisy when dropping ice, whereas it’s quiet while making the ice.
  • It may not have a long life span of over 12 months, as some customers have suggested.

Frigidaire EFIC189-Silver Compact Ice Maker

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.
$99.99 - $133.58 at Amazon (Price at Time of Publishing)
Pros
  • Can make nine ice cubes in a mere six minutes or less.
  • 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
  • Bullet ice isn’t very fun to chew when compared to other shapes of ice cubes.
  • Takes up too much space on your counter top according to customer reviews.

NewAir NIM045SS00 Portable Countertop Clear Ice Machine

NewAir NIM045SS00 NewAir NIM045SS00
The ice maker freezes the water layer by layer in order to create clear ice. Clear ice is the best type of ice for consumption since it melts slowly and looks better.
This ice maker puts you in control by allowing you to choose different settings. You can speed up the ice-making process or make the ice cubes bigger.
The viewing window gives you a transparent view of the machine while it makes ice in front of your eyes.
The LCD of this ice maker will tell you immediately when you need to pour water in or if it’s full of ice cubes.
$299.99 at Amazon (Price at Time of Publishing)
Pros:
  • The LCD shows the settings you’ve chosen such as production speed and ice thickness.
  • The transparent view lets you see how the machine is working.
  • Clear ice tastes better, looks cleaner, and melts slower than unclear ice cubes.
Cons:
  • One of the pricier ice makers on this list.
  • One customer review says that the ice maker needs constant cleaning to work properly.

Chefman Ice Nugget Maker 

Chefman Ice Nugget Maker Chefman Ice Nugget Maker
The Chefman Ice Nugget Maker provides ice cubes ready for consumption. These ice cubes are as high-quality as the ice ready in restaurants.
This ice maker is specially marketed for party use. Guests can easily take ice from it for their drinks from the countertop since it takes up so little space.
There are two main ways you can add water to this ice maker. You can do it manually by pouring in 2.7L of water. You can also have it installed into a water line to make ice continuously.
Though the ice maker itself is small and portable, it can hold up to 3 lb. of round ice. The display of the ice maker is easy to use and nice to look at. Speaking of looking at things, it also has a viewing window.
This ice maker doesn’t need to be cleaned by you or anybody else. Instead, it has a self-cleaning feature that will take care of things itself.
$247.67 at Amazon (Price at Time of Publishing)
Pros
  • You can pour water manually into the machine or attach it to your main water line.
  • The ice maker cleans itself without the need for external help.
  • The ice maker can hold up to 3 pounds of round ice.
Cons
  • Some customer reviews suggest that the ice basket takes too long to fill.
  • The ice might start melting too soon, according to some customers.

Mueller Countertop Nugget Ice Maker

Mueller Countertop Nugget Ice Maker Mueller Countertop Nugget Ice Maker
The Mueller Countertop Nugget ice maker can provide up to 30 pounds of ice every day. You can either fill the ice maker with water yourself or you can connect it to a water supply. Either way, it is highly portable.
The ice maker will stop making ice when it senses that its ice basket is full. It also stops when there’s not enough available water. This is done because of infrared sensing technology.
In case ice starts melting, it will melt into water that goes back into the reservoir of the ice maker. It can be used to make a fresh batch when ice production restarts.
The machine’s ice basket has a capacity of 4.4 pounds. In case you want to see how full it is, you can easily see through the viewing window installed in the ice maker. There’s no need for you to clean the ice maker because it has a self-cleaning function itself.
$599 at Amazon (Price at Time of Publishing)
Pros
  • The self-cleaning function helps this ice maker create quality hygienic ice. The food-grade material used in the build also helps.
  • The ice basket’s 4.4-pound capacity is more than enough for many use cases.
  • Stops making ice when the basket is full and recycles melted ice cubes, both of which avoid unnecessary wasting of water.
Cons
  • Some customer reviews have suggested that the ice maker doesn’t have a long lifespan, specifically over a year.
  • It has been reported that it’s noisy while making ice.

Portable Ice Maker Reviews

Magic Chef MCIM22/HNIM27

Reviews on Amazon say that the Magic Cheft ice maker is extremely easy to set up though users might need to clean water deposits that build up. Though users have mentioned that it can be noisy, it comes in nifty packaging and does exactly what it has been marketed.

Luma Comfort IM200

Most reviews agree that considering the price of the Luma Comfort ice maker, it has enough capabilities to make it worth purchasing.

Some customers have complained that after a while, maintenance becomes a problem, and parts start failing.

GE Profile Opal 2.0 with Side Tank

The GE Profile Opal 2.0 ice maker is more noisy than some customers expected and it seems like running the ice maker for over 16 hours does cause some problems.
Customers love the ice quality though the setup seems quite extensive compared to simpler ice makers.

Countertop Ice Maker

The Countertop portable ice maker has its small size on its side and customers love how easy it is to use.
Since it’s very small, it also fills its capacity too soon for many consumers, which can be a hassle.

Frigidaire EFIC189-Silver Compact Ice Maker

Customer reviews love the ice on demand that the Frigidaire ice maker provides but warn that the ice melts soon so it has to be used right then and there.

Its portability isn’t as much as one would like, according to some customer reviews, since it’s difficult to move and attach to other water sources.

NewAir NIM045SS00 Portable Countertop Clear Ice Machine

Clear ice always has fans, and this is also the case in the customer reviews of this ice maker.
The NewAir NIM045S00 ice maker produces more ice compared to average ice makers, but it’s a bit slower on average as well.

Chefman Ice Nugget Maker

People love the taste and size of the ice nuggets produced by the Chefman Ice Nugget Maker. Specifically, they refer to the “flavor of liquid,” which seems so simple yet is lacking in many ice cubes.
Some customer reviews have mentioned that the ice is already wet when taken out of the ice basket. So it will freeze together into a large block when put in a freezer.

Mueller Countertop Nugget Ice Maker

Some users have reported leakage after using the Mueller ice maker though this hasn’t been a universal experience, far from it.
Users love self-cleaning and this ice maker isn’t an exception. Customer reviews also mention the large amounts of ice created as a positive feature of this ice maker.

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.

Conclusion

In conclusion, the best portable ice makers offer ice on demand. Ideally, this ice doesn’t melt easily and is clear and if your guests are into it, chewable.
Among the products we reviewed, two stand out for their performance and features. First is the Magic Chef MCIM22/HNIM27.  
The Magic Chef model impresses with its easy setup, fast ice production, and portability. 
The second model that stands out is the Mueller Countertop Nugget ice maker. The Mueller ice maker offers exceptional capacity, self-cleaning functionality, and efficient water usage.
Overall, investing in a portable ice maker can enhance your ice-making experience. It provides convenience and quality ice whenever you need it.