Are you looking for a fast and efficient countertop ice maker? Do you hate filling ice trays or your previous ice maker ditched you during a party? Worry no more!
You are just in time for our detailed review of the best countertop ice makers of 2019. These countertop ice makers will give you a lot of ice quickly, so you don’t have to wait around or rush to the market during a party.
We have scoured the market to filter the best possible options for you. Let’s have a look at them and investigate why they are worth your money.
Best Countertop Ice Makers
Comparison Chart
Best Countertop Ice Makers Reviews
1. IKICH Portable Countertop Ice Maker
Based in North America, IKICH is one of the leading manufacturers of kitchen appliances. Their motto is to couple simplicity with the latest technology to bring products that feature health, style, and convenience.
Striving hard to provide the smart kitchen appliances, IKICH brings one of the best ice makers for your countertop.
Product Highlights
The IKICH countertop ice maker is built to support a smart kitchen idea and has the following to offer:
- Ease of Use
One of the best features of the machine includes a large viewing window. It allows you to check the amount of ice without opening the lid.
That also makes the machine resistant to dirt and easy for you to clean. Additionally, the large flip-top lid and opening of the machine make water refilling and ice removal highly convenient.
- Functionality
The IKICH countertop ice maker makes nine pieces of ice every six minutes, and the ice cubes are in the shape of hollowed-out bullets. This shape is considered better than squared ice as it does not hurt your mouth and fits perfectly.
With this machine, you can make instant cold drinks even when you have a small time window. The unique design of ice makes it float in your drink without affecting the taste a bit.
- Insulation
Although the IKICH ice maker is not designed to store ice, it is installed with a high-density polyurethane foam layer to provide better insulation from outside heat. This feature retains the ice cubes for a longer time by slowing down their melting speed.
- Other Features
Other prominent features of the IKICH ice maker include rapid refrigeration, lower noise, and power consumption, saving you from loads of electricity bills.
Furthermore, this ice cube maker is equipped with nine pure copper evaporator columns with nickel plating, providing faster refrigeration and better erosion resistance.
The Good
Cleaning the IKICH ice maker is as simple as it gets. Simply switch it off, empty it, and rinse it carefully. Dry it with a clean towel and set aside until further use. For a quick clean up after every use, you can use the drain plug feature.
Another great feature of the IKICH ice maker is the use of infrared sensors. The machine stops automatically once the ice bucket is full and an LED indicator reminds you to refill the tank or empty the ice bucket.
The Bad
Although this ice maker exhibits an insulation feature, it is not very effective in keeping the ice cubes in shape for long. The outside temperature greatly affects their melting rate, so do not expect it to keep the stored ice frozen. Thus, quickly shift the ice to the freezer as soon as it is made.
Another issue raised by some users is the noise of this machine. While it is marketed as a quiet machine, according to some feedback, it is louder than a usual ice maker.
PROS
CONS
2. Vremi Countertop Ice Maker
Based in New York, Vremi started as a small kitchenware brand. It is now considered one of the top brands which provide high-quality, affordable, and user-friendly kitchen goods. Vremi’s countertop ice maker is where convenience meets style.
Product Highlights
This ice maker has the following features:
- Functionality
Vremi ice maker makes nine delicious, chewable, hollow ice bullets in less than ten minutes. In case there is a sudden plan to party, and you have no ice, don’t worry.
Vremi ice maker enables you to make up to 26 pounds of ice in one day. Each ice cube is beautifully made and weighs eight grams. You can add them to fancy drinks, margaritas, and even small water bottles.
- Portability
With the dimensions of 9.5 x 12 x 13.5 inches, Vremi easily fits anywhere in your kitchen. It is highly compact, lightweight, and portable.
With no water hookup dependence, the Vremi ice maker is a perfect choice for outdoor parties and BBQs. You can take it to literally every place. The only condition is the availability of electricity connection.
- Safety and Ease of Use
To ensure user-safety, the Vremi ice maker prevents overflowing using warning LED lights and an automatic shut-down feature. You will be notified as soon as the water needs to be refilled or the ice bucket is full.
Furthermore, the installation of Vremi’s ice maker is too easy. Simply set it upright and let it settle down for 24 hrs before use.
- Others
The Vremi ice maker is highly energy-efficient, running at 120 watts. It also features a 2.2-liter water tank under the ice bucket to reuse the melted ice water.
The Vremi ice maker is constructed with FDA-approved, food-grade material. It also comes with a plastic scoop and a 1.5-pound removable ice bucket.
The Good
The Vremi ice maker is highly energy-efficient and elegantly designed. Its compact design and lush finish allow it to be a part of your modern kitchen interior.
The translucent lid lets you check the ice bucket without opening it. This is quite helpful as the ice does not have to be exposed to the ambient temperature. The recycling feature is also quite helpful during long-hour parties when you don’t have time to refill the water again and again.
The Bad
Although the recycling melted ice water feature is praised by many, in some cases, the feature changes the taste of ice cubes. Hence, changing the water is better than using recycled water.
One big drawback of Vremi is that due to the recycling feature, it never stops. It keeps on running unless you force stop it.
Similarly, the Vremi ice maker is loud and noisy. Despite the claims of being a quiet machine, Vremi is quite the opposite according to the top critical reviews.
PROS
CONS
3. VIVOHOME Countertop Ice Maker
With the claims of providing ready-to-serve ice in less than six minutes, VIVOHOME brings an attractive and stylish ice maker. The machine is said to produce 26 lbs of ice in 24 hours.
Product Highlights
This ice maker by VIVOHOME comes with the following features:
- Portability
First things first, VIVOHOME ice maker is fairly lightweight and compact, making it highly portable. You can easily pick it up and take it anywhere you want.
VIVOHOME ice maker is perfect for all the places you need ice in including bars, kitchens, parties, boats, RVs, and more.
- Ease of Use
This ice maker runs on a plug-and-play operation. Simply connect the machine, add water, and get a bucket full of ice in under six minutes. Also, it is super easy to install.
The VIVOHOME ice maker also comes with inbuilt sensors. A red light indicator flashes when water goes below the required level. Similarly, another light indicator flashes when the ice bucket is full.
There are also two available sizes for ice cube: small and large. You can pick the one that suits you from the main console.
- Others
The machine features automatic overflow protection to ensure user-safety, a compressor cooling system for rapid refrigeration, and a see-through lid to provide full monitoring.
The Good
The VIVOHOME ice maker is a great buy for those who are in search of a quick ice maker. Six minutes is by far the best time we witnessed in an ice maker.
Another good thing is that the ice cubes are available in two sizes. You can pick the one that suits you. Small sizes are great for elegant drinks and fancy cocktails. The ice maker also comes with plenty of smart features that make it a modern device.
The Bad
Although the ice cube sizes are great for elegant drinks, in some cases, even the large size is not large enough. For example, you may find this size not good enough to cool the drink quickly. Hence, you might need to put in more ice cubes.
PROS
CONS
4. hOmeLabs Countertop Ice Maker
hOmeLabs take pride in their fast-paced and extremely efficient ice makers. They are known for their quick operation, affordability, and serenity. Designed for quick action, hOmeLabs ice maker brings you on-the-go ice in less than eight minutes.
Product Highlights
The things you'd expect from the hOmeLabs Countertop Ice Maker are:
- Functionality
The highlight feature of hOmeLabs ice maker is the delicious, bullet-shaped, and chewable ice cubes. While it can produce ice around 1.5 lbs at a time, this machine is capable of producing 26 lbs of ice in a day. It also has a 2.2-liter water tank.
The dimensions of hOmeLabs ice maker are 9.5 x 12.9 x 14 inches, making it compact enough to get fixed anywhere. It features two sizes for bullet-shaped ice cubes: small and medium. While the small ones are perfect for water bottles with smooth and cylindrical shapes, the medium ones fit best in fancy drinks and cocktails.
- Ease of Use
The device does not need installation. It features plug-and-play operation. Simply plug it in, fill the water tank, and the ice will be ready in a few minutes.
- Energy Efficiency and Safety
The hOmeLabs ice maker is equipped with an energy-efficient compressor. It does not require high energy to cool. Just like other top ice makers, it also features warning lights and an automatic shut-down feature if water needs to be replaced or the ice bucket is full.
The water reservoir under the removable ice bucket takes the melted ice water and makes more ice if needed. This ensures efficiency and avoids water wastage.
The Good
The product is popular for its smart features, compact design, and portability. The best feature of this machine is its rapid refrigeration. It will make ice before you know it.
The two sizes of ice it can produce are also great. That is because it can give you the freedom of making ice according to your needs.
The Bad
While the quick operation is exactly what we look for in an ice maker, sometimes the hOmeLabs ice maker makes the ice so quick that it melts before you can use it. As it does not feature a freezing ice bucket, the ice quickly melts and gets highly affected by the outer atmosphere.
PROS
CONS
5. Chilla Countertop Ice Maker
Chilla is the proud manufacturer of the highest quality ice makers. Being the core product, Chilla’s ice makers are the newest generation of ice makers. They are highly portable and perfect for indoor and outdoor use.
Product Highlights
As one of Chilla's best ice makers, this unit has the following features:
- Functionality
Chilla’s model # 25 represents the newest generation of countertop ice makers. While being the perfect choice for kitchen, RVs, and office, it produces 25 lbs of fresh, chewable, and tasteful ice bullets in 24 hrs.
It comes with a three-liter reservoir, so no water hookup is required. If there is any ice left in the bucket, it will melt and go back to the reservoir to make more ice when needed. This improves the overall efficiency of the system.
- Ease of Use
The dimensions of the Chilla ice maker are 95 x 11.5 x 13.5 inches, making it a perfect choice for limited countertop space. The function of this ice maker is highly straightforward.
Simply fill in the reservoir and switch on the machine. Wait for a few minutes to get a bunch of fresh ice bullets ready-to-go. Once the ice gets ready, you can put it in the free five reusable drawstring ice bags and stock them in the freezer.
Cleaning this ice maker is also easy. You can simply empty the reservoir using the drain plug and wipe it clean using a clean towel.
The Good
The Chilla ice maker is highly compact, making it an ideal choice for summer parties, pool parties, and anywhere you can find a connection. The three-liter reservoir is what we love most about it. That is because it allows you to make as much ice as you want and stock it in the reusable bags that come along with the purchase.
The Bad
Chilla ice makers work perfectly but are a little noisy than you might have thought. Also, none of the ice bullets can be considered a large size.
PROS
CONS
Buyer’s Guide
With so many great options available in the market, it can be a tricky decision to choose the best product. However, we can help you with that.
While buying an ice maker, look for the following features to make sure that you pick the best unit for your kitchen counter:
1. Production Capacity
The production capacity of an ice maker refers to the amount of ice it can produce in a day. For instance, if the production capacity of an ice maker is 24 lbs, it will produce one pound in an hour. This is the most important feature which will be defined by your needs.
If you need it for you and your partner, you can settle for an ice maker with a production capacity as low as 20 lbs. If you are buying one for a bar, though, you will need an ice maker with a high production capacity.
2. Storage Capacity
The storage capacity of an ice maker refers to the amount of ice it can hold in the ice bucket before stopping. This is the ice it can make in one cycle.
Different ice makers have different storage capacities. This feature is also defined by your needs. Ice makers with a small storage capacity make ice up to 1.5 lbs while those with a large capacity can hold up to 2 to 2.5 lbs of ice.
3. Portability
When buying an ice maker, do not just look at the word "portable" and make the decision. Instead, look at the weight specifications. The lightest portable ice makers weigh around 20 to 21 lbs while the heaviest can weigh up to 28 lbs.
If you are planning to carry your ice maker a lot, it is better to get the lightest one. If not, you can opt for a heavier one. Keep in mind that even the heaviest ones can get picked up and carried around. Thus, it is better to make a decision based on your exact needs.
4. Underside Drain Plug
While picking an ice maker, make sure that the drain plug of that particular ice maker is on the bottom and not on the side. It is a must step to empty your reservoir after every use as molds can formulate on the inside. With a bottom drain plug, it is easy to empty the reservoir.
5. Affordability
Another important feature of an ice maker is its cost. Make sure that its price falls between $100 and $300, depending on the specifications.
6. Warranty
It is better to be safe than sorry. Hence, try to pick an ice maker which comes with at least one to two years of warranty so that you can claim if there is any damage.
A warranty shows the amount of trust a company has in its product. Be very clear on the terms and conditions. Simply put, the longer the warranty period, the safer your investment is.
Countertop Ice Maker FAQs
1. How Does a Countertop Ice Maker Work?
Countertop ice makers run on a simple operation. The water reservoir pumps the water onto the rotating ice tray.
Next, the compressor and the fan rapidly freeze that water into ice. This ice is then dropped in the ice bucket using a warm refrigerant.
2. Do Countertop Ice Makers Keep Ice Frozen?
No, they do not. The storage area of the ice makers is not cool enough to maintain the temperature of the ice cubes. They usually start melting after a few minutes.
As such, it is advised to shift the ice to the freezer from the ice bucket as soon as it is made. This will help you in storing the ice for longer use.
3. Do Countertop Ice Makers Use a Lot of Electricity?
No, countertop ice makers are highly energy-efficient. This can differ with the brand and model, so check the specifications of each model to be sure.
4. Is a Drain Must-Have in a Countertop Ice Maker?
While it is not a must, it is better to have a drain plug in the ice maker. A drain plug will help you quickly clean the unit after every use to ensure thorough cleanliness and avoid mold formation.
Pro-tip: Look for an ice maker that has a drain plug on the bottom. It works better than the one on the side.
5. Which is the Best Countertop Ice Maker?
While there are many options available in the market, an ice maker is considered best if it is durable, easy to use and clean, has safety features, and energy-efficient.
Conclusion
You are now all set to buy the best countertop ice maker for all your ice making needs. We hope that this guide serves you big time in all your ice ventures. Just make sure to go through all the essential factors before deciding on a certain machine.
If you are still confused, we can help you with that. All the above-mentioned ice makers are the top ones on the market right now, but the hOmeLabs ice maker is the best among these. It is a quiet, efficient, and extremely quick machine that will cater to all your icy needs.