Anyone who has hosted a summer get-together knows how fast ice disappears. The freezer trays are empty by the second round of drinks, the bagged ice from the store is already half water, and somebody is volunteering to make a run. A countertop ice maker takes that stress off the table. You plug it in, pour in water, and in roughly six to ten minutes the first batch of fresh ice drops into the basket.
These machines are very different from the ice maker in your refrigerator. They need no plumbing, no installation and no dedicated freezer space, and most weigh less than a toddler. They also work in a rather unusual way: they make ice quickly, but they do not store it for long. Unused ice slowly melts, and that water usually drains back into the reservoir to be frozen again. Understanding that one point will save you from buying the wrong machine, and we will return to it below.
We compared six popular models on the things that matter in daily life: ice type, real-world output, basket size, noise, cleaning and how easy each one is to live with. Here is what stood out.
Best for most kitchens: the Frigidaire EFIC103 combines a roomy basket, quiet running and a self-cleaning cycle. Best for chewable ice: the GE Profile Opal 2.0 makes soft nugget ice, and it is easily the most polished machine here.
Best for cocktails: the NewAir ClearIce40 freezes clear, slow-melting cubes. Best value for everyday use: the Euhomy gives you fast bullet ice, two sizes and a small footprint at a friendly price.
Four kinds of ice, and why it matters
Before you compare numbers, decide what you want in your glass. The ice shape changes how quickly drinks cool, how fast the ice melts and how enjoyable it is to chew.
Bullet ice
The most common shape in this category. Hollow-ish, quick to make and good for general drinks. Found on the Euhomy, Magic Chef and Frigidaire.
Cylinder ice
Small or large cylinders that behave a lot like standard cubes. The Igloo makes this style, with a choice of two sizes.
Nugget ice
Soft, crunchy, compacted ice that soaks up flavor and is a joy to chew. The GE Profile Opal 2.0 is built entirely around it.
Clear cubes
Frozen layer by layer so air and impurities are pushed out. Clear ice melts slowly and keeps cocktails from watering down. The NewAir ClearIce40 specializes in it.
The six ice makers at a glance
| Model | Ice type | Daily output | Ice basket | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| NewAir ClearIce40 | Clear cubes | Up to 40 lb | Insulated bin | Cocktails and slow-melting ice |
| GE Profile Opal 2.0 | Nugget | Up to 24 lb | About 3 lb | Chewable ice and smart features |
| Euhomy 26 lb | Bullet (2 sizes) | Up to 26 lb | About 1.3 lb | Everyday value and compact size |
| Magic Chef MCIM22B | Bullet (2 sizes) | Up to 27 lb | 1.5 lb | Parties and simple operation |
| Igloo ICEB26HNBK | Cylinder (2 sizes) | Up to 26 lb | 1.25 lb | Low-maintenance cleaning |
| Frigidaire EFIC103 | Bullet / cube | Up to 26 lb | About 2.2 lb | Largest basket and quiet running |
Specs come from manufacturer and retailer listings, and models are updated often, so confirm the numbers on the current listing before buying. Availability also changes, and a couple of these sell out now and then.
What “26 pounds a day” really means
Nearly every machine here advertises a daily output between 24 and 40 pounds, which sounds like a mountain of ice. It isn’t, at least not in the way you might imagine. That figure is the amount the machine could freeze if it ran continuously for 24 hours and you kept emptying the basket. The basket itself usually holds only one to three pounds.
So the number to watch for a party is not the daily total but how often a fresh batch arrives and how much the basket can hold. A machine that makes nine cubes every seven minutes and gives you a small basket will keep topping up your cooler if you keep scooping. If you are the sort of host who wants a full bucket ready before guests arrive, plan to run the machine for a couple of hours beforehand and move the ice into an insulated cooler or the freezer.
Our top picks, in detail
1. NewAir ClearIce40 Countertop Clear Ice Maker
Most countertop machines are built for volume. The NewAir is built for quality. Water cascades over a super-chilled tray and freezes layer by layer, which pushes trapped air and cloudiness out and leaves crystal-clear cubes. Clear ice melts more slowly and carries less of the harsh, fizzy dilution that cheap cubes bring to a whiskey or a spritz, so it is the one home mixologists tend to reach for.
It is also the biggest producer here, at up to 40 pounds a day, with a fresh batch roughly every seven minutes according to NewAir. A thick, insulated bin helps slow melting, and the parts are BPA-free and designed to come apart for cleaning. Controls are refreshingly simple, with two buttons and clear indicator lights for ice and water.
This is a bigger, heavier, more expensive machine than the rest, and stock can run thin, so be ready to shop around. It is a specialist's tool, but a very good one.
- Ice: clear cubes
- Output: up to 40 lb per day, batch about every 7 minutes
- Insulated storage bin with scoop
- BPA-free removable parts
- Truly clear, slow-melting ice
- Highest daily output in this group
- Insulated bin keeps ice colder for longer
- Simple two-button controls
- Larger and pricier than bullet-ice machines
- Availability can be patchy
2. GE Profile Opal 2.0 Nugget Ice Maker
There is a small army of people who will happily tell you that nugget ice is simply better, and the Opal is the reason many of them got hooked. The ice is soft, crunchy and slightly chewy, it cools a drink fast, and it picks up the flavor of whatever you pour over it. Iced coffee, soda and cocktails all feel different on a bed of nuggets.
The Opal 2.0 is the most feature-rich machine in the round-up. It makes about a pound of ice an hour, up to 24 pounds a day, and holds around three pounds in its bin. Built-in Wi-Fi works with the SmartHQ app so you can check status and schedule batches, and the model we link to comes with a side tank for a larger water supply. A UV light and a dedicated cleaning system help keep mold and bacteria at bay.
The honest drawback is the price. It costs several times what a basic bullet-ice machine does and weighs around 38 pounds, so it is a counter resident, not a machine you carry to a picnic.
- Ice: soft nugget
- Output: up to 24 lb per day; about 1 lb per hour
- Storage: about 3 lb bin
- Wi-Fi with SmartHQ app, side tank, UV light
- Soft, chewable ice many people love
- Smart scheduling and status checks
- Large bin for this category
- Premium look and build
- Much pricier than the other machines
- Heavy and not meant to be moved around
3. Euhomy Countertop Ice Maker
The Euhomy hits a sweet spot for ordinary households. It makes nine bullet-shaped cubes in about six minutes, produces up to roughly 26 pounds in a day, and lets you choose between small and large cubes. Small ice is perfect for coffee and cocktails, large cubes suit sodas and water bottles.
It is compact, weighs about 13 pounds and has a built-in handle, so it moves easily between the kitchen counter and a camper, dorm or patio. Euhomy lists a quiet running sound of around 40 decibels, a see-through window lets you watch the basket fill, and a one-touch self-cleaning cycle removes mineral build-up with very little effort.
The basket is on the small side, and a few owners mention that the bullet ice melts quickly if you leave it in the machine. Treat it as a fast, flexible, everyday maker rather than a bulk store of ice.
- Ice: bullet-shaped, two sizes
- Output: up to ~26 lb per day; first batch in ~6 min
- Self-cleaning cycle, viewing window
- Weight: about 13 lb with carry handle
- Fast first batch
- Two ice sizes
- Easy one-touch self-clean
- Small, light and portable
- Small basket needs frequent emptying
- Ice melts if left sitting in the machine
4. Magic Chef MCIM22B Portable Ice Maker
Magic Chef keeps the formula simple. Pour in water, choose small or large ice, and about seven minutes later nine fresh cubes land in the basket. Output is rated at up to 27 pounds per day, the highest of the bullet-ice machines, which makes it an easy match for spontaneous gatherings and cooler-filling duty.
Small touches make life easier. A viewing window shows the ice level without lifting the lid, a removable basket holds about 1.5 pounds, a scoop is included, and a drain cap lets you empty old water quickly. Indicator lights tell you when it needs water or when the basket is full.
It lacks the self-cleaning cycle you get on the Euhomy, Igloo and Frigidaire, so you will do a little more of the upkeep by hand. And like every machine of this kind, it does not preserve ice, so empty the basket into a cooler if you want to keep it.
- Ice: bullet-shaped, two sizes
- Output: up to 27 lb per day; 9 cubes per cycle
- Basket: about 1.5 lb with scoop
- Viewing window and drain cap
- High daily output for the price
- Window makes it easy to monitor ice
- Simple, no-fuss controls
- No self-cleaning function
- Does not keep ice frozen
5. Igloo ICEB26HNBK Self-Cleaning Ice Maker
If the thought of scrubbing a reservoir puts you off buying an ice maker at all, the Igloo is the machine for you. It runs an automatic five-cycle cleaning routine that flushes the system and helps keep mineral deposits and slime from building up, so cleaning day is mostly pressing a button.
Everyday use is just as straightforward. A two-quart tank feeds up to 26 pounds of ice per day, and the machine produces nine cylinder-shaped cubes in as little as seven minutes, in a small or large size. A transparent lid lets you watch the batch form, LED lights tell you when to refill or empty, and a handle makes it easy to carry.
The basket holds just 1.25 pounds, so it works best as a steady drip of ice rather than a big reservoir. Some owners also note it can be slightly louder than the quietest models when the ice drops.
- Ice: cylinder-shaped, small or large
- Output: up to 26 lb per day; first batch in ~7 min
- Five-cycle automatic self-cleaning
- Basket: about 1.25 lb; 2-quart water tank
- Self-cleaning makes upkeep nearly effortless
- Clear lid lets you watch ice form
- Clean LED indicators
- Smallest basket in this group
- Only makes cylinder ice
- Can be a touch louder than some rivals
6. Frigidaire EFIC103 Countertop Ice Maker
Frigidaire built the EFIC103 for people who dislike emptying a tiny basket every few minutes. It stores about 2.2 pounds, noticeably more than most of its rivals, yet still turns out its first batch in roughly six minutes and tops out near 26 pounds a day. The stainless steel finish also looks more at home in a modern kitchen than plain plastic.
Listings describe a selectable cube size, a roughly 30-minute self-cleaning cycle, a quiet running sound of around 38 decibels, and an external drain plug at the bottom that makes emptying and drying the reservoir far easier than tipping the whole machine into the sink.
It is plain and mechanical rather than smart, with no app and no flashy extras. The ice is bullet-style, so nugget fans will want the GE Profile. For everyone else, it is a well-rounded and well-priced workhorse.
- Ice: bullet-style cubes, selectable size
- Output: up to 26 lb per day; first batch in ~6 min
- Basket: about 2.2 lb
- Self-cleaning cycle and external drain plug
- Roomiest basket in this lineup
- Quiet in everyday use
- Drain plug makes cleaning easy
- Stainless steel finish
- No app or smart features
- Bullet ice only, not nugget or clear
How to choose the right countertop ice maker
Keeping your ice maker fresh
A countertop ice maker holds standing water, so it deserves a bit of routine care. Empty the reservoir and basket when you are not going to use the machine for a few days, wipe the inside dry, and leave the lid slightly ajar if the manual allows it. Use the cleaning method your manufacturer specifies, because some machines have their own kits and cycles, and avoid harsh chemicals that could damage the interior.
Wash the scoop and basket regularly, descale when you see white mineral crust, and replace the water daily if the machine runs often. Treated this way, a basic ice maker should give you several seasons of ice without off flavors.
Ice makers also fit neatly into everyday routines. If you like cold brew or iced lattes, a stash of fresh small cubes pairs well with a good single-serve coffee maker. And if you host big dinners, it sits comfortably alongside the other tools that make entertaining easier, such as a reliable electric knife for carving the roast.
How we put this list together
We compared manufacturer specifications, retailer listings and patterns in verified owner feedback for each model, and we cross-checked daily output, basket size, ice type and features wherever more than one source published them. Where listings disagreed, we leaned on the manufacturer’s own page.
To be transparent: we did not run laboratory tests or measure noise with our own equipment, so the decibel and speed figures here are the ones manufacturers publish. This page contains Amazon affiliate links, and we may earn a small commission if you buy through them, at no extra cost to you.
Frequently asked questions
How long does a countertop ice maker take to make ice?
Most models drop their first batch in about six to ten minutes. The GE Profile Opal 2.0 takes around 20 minutes to deliver its first nugget ice, then makes about a pound an hour.
How much ice can one really make?
Daily outputs of 24 to 40 pounds are for continuous running, and the basket holds far less, usually one to three pounds. Real-world ice depends on how often you empty the basket and how warm the room is.
Do these machines keep ice frozen?
No. They are designed to make ice quickly, not store it. Melted water typically returns to the reservoir and gets refrozen, so if you need ice later, move it to a freezer or insulated cooler.
Do I need a water line?
No. All of the machines here are self-contained. You fill a reservoir by hand, and the GE Profile’s side tank simply extends how long it can run between refills.
Can I use tap water?
You can, but filtered or bottled water usually produces better-tasting, clearer ice and slows mineral build-up. If your water is very hard, it is worth the extra step.
Is clear ice really different?
Yes. Because it freezes layer by layer, clear ice contains less trapped air, melts more slowly and keeps drinks from watering down as fast. It is a real advantage for cocktails and spirits.
How often should I clean it?
Follow your manual, but a good habit is to empty and dry the machine after periods of non-use and run its cleaning cycle or descale about every few months, more often if you use it daily or have hard water.
Can I leave it running all day?
You can, but it is better to switch it off when you do not need ice. That saves electricity and reduces wear, especially on the compressor.
The bottom line
The best countertop ice maker is the one that makes the ice you actually enjoy and is easy enough to keep clean. The Frigidaire EFIC103 is our pick for most households, thanks to its roomy basket, quiet running and straightforward cleaning. The GE Profile Opal 2.0 is the one to buy if nugget ice is your thing and you do not mind the price, and the NewAir ClearIce40 suits anyone who takes cocktails seriously.
On a tighter budget, the Euhomy, Magic Chef and Igloo all deliver fast ice and sensible features. Choose on ice type and upkeep first, and you will end up with a machine that stays on the counter for years instead of in a cabinet.
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