ice makers
Best Countertop Ice Makers
We reviewed the top countertop and portable ice makers across all price ranges. Here are the best machines for home use, entertaining, RV travel, small kitchens, and nugget ice lovers.
Published February 10, 2024
Table of Contents
Best Overall: EUHOMY IM-01 Countertop Ice Maker
After evaluating over a dozen countertop ice makers across all price ranges, the EUHOMY IM-01 stands out as the best overall pick for most households. It combines full 26 lbs/day production, fast 6-minute cycles, a built-in carry handle, and self-cleaning — at a price that's hard to argue with.
Pros
- 26 lbs/day — more than enough for most households
- 9 ice cubes ready in just 6 minutes
- Built-in carry handle for true portability
- Self-cleaning mode for easy maintenance
- Two ice cube sizes (small and large)
- Amazon's Choice with 12,000+ reviews
- Excellent value under $100
Cons
- Bullet ice only (not nugget ice)
- No WiFi or app control
- Ice must be used or transferred — not kept frozen
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View EUHOMY IM-01 on Amazon$89.99
Full Rankings: Best Countertop Ice Makers
| Rank | Model | Ice Type | Capacity | First Ice | Price | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| #1 | EUHOMY IM-01 | Bullet | 26 lbs/day | 6 min | ~$90 | Best overall value |
| #2 | GE Opal Nugget 2.0 | Nugget | 24 lbs/day | 20 min | ~$399 | Best nugget ice |
| #3 | Frigidaire EFIC189 | Bullet | 26 lbs/day | 7 min | ~$75 | Best budget |
| #4 | Silonn Nugget Ice Maker | Nugget | 33 lbs/day | 20 min | ~$180 | Budget nugget ice |
| #5 | hOmeLabs Portable | Bullet | 26 lbs/day | 8 min | ~$80 | Budget runner-up |
| #6 | Newair Nugget Ice Maker | Nugget | 30 lbs/day | 18 min | ~$250 | Mid-range nugget |
Best countertop ice makers ranked by overall value and performance
Best Nugget Ice Maker: GE Opal 2.0
If you specifically want nugget ice — the soft, chewable pellet style beloved for iced coffee and fountain drinks — the GE Opal 2.0 is the benchmark home machine. It produces restaurant-quality nugget ice continuously, includes a side water tank for extended operation, and features WiFi app control.
The trade-off is significant: at $399–$499, it costs 4–5x more than the EUHOMY. It's also heavier (44 lbs) and slower (20+ minutes to first ice). But for dedicated nugget ice lovers, the experience is genuinely different.
→ Full comparison: EUHOMY vs GE Opal — Which Should You Buy?Best Budget Pick: Frigidaire EFIC189
If you want to spend as little as possible on a reliable bullet ice maker, the Frigidaire EFIC189 is the best budget option. At approximately $75, it produces 26 lbs/day with first ice in 7 minutes — nearly identical performance to the EUHOMY at slightly lower cost.
The trade-offs: no carry handle, slightly less polished build quality, and a less robust cleaning mode. For a kitchen that stays in one place and has light to moderate use, the Frigidaire is a solid value pick.
How We Evaluated These Ice Makers
| Criteria | Weight | What We Measured |
|---|---|---|
| Ice production speed | High | Minutes to first ice, 9-cube cycle time |
| Daily capacity | Medium | Lbs per 24 hours (manufacturer + verified) |
| Ice quality | High | Cube consistency, clarity, taste |
| Ease of cleaning | High | Self-clean mode, manual cleaning access |
| Build quality | Medium | Materials, assembly, durability indicators |
| Value for money | High | Performance per dollar across all criteria |
| Real-world reviews | High | Review volume, rating patterns, complaints |
Our evaluation criteria for countertop ice makers
How to Choose the Right Countertop Ice Maker
Bullet vs. nugget ice: This is the primary decision. If you're not sure, start with bullet ice (EUHOMY) — it's cheaper, faster, and works for virtually every use case. If you know you want the soft chewable experience, go nugget.
Daily capacity: Most households need 5–10 lbs per day. Any machine in our rankings produces at least 24 lbs/day — far more than enough. Don't over-optimize for capacity.
Portability: If you'll move the machine — RV, camping, outdoor entertaining — weight and a built-in handle matter. The EUHOMY at 13 lbs with a carry handle is the best portable option in this list.
Self-cleaning: Non-negotiable. Any machine you buy should have a self-cleaning function. This is the single most important maintenance feature for long-term ownership.
Amazon Associate link — we may earn a commission
Our Top Pick — EUHOMY on Amazon$89.99
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