Any party with a pitcher of margaritas, a tray of micheladas and a jar of agua fresca goes through ice fast, and the bags from the store melt in the cooler before the second round. A countertop ice maker doesn’t replace a freezer full of ice. What it does is keep making a steady supply of small cubes all afternoon, from a tank of water, plugged into an ordinary outlet.
This guide covers seven countertop ice makers, most of them bullet-ice machines plus one that makes square cubes and one that makes nugget ice, with a short note on clear-ice machines. We used each maker’s specifications, owner’s manuals where we could find them, the Amazon listings, and America’s Test Kitchen’s review of countertop ice makers, which names several of these machines.
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Quick verdict: which countertop ice maker to buy
The best countertop ice maker for most homes is the Igloo Self-Cleaning Ice Maker with Handle. It makes up to 26 pounds of bullet ice a day, runs an automatic cleaning cycle and has a carry handle, and America’s Test Kitchen rates it its best ice maker for most people. For a big party or solid square cubes for cocktails, the Silonn 44 lb. Square Cube Ice Maker has the highest stated output here. For soft, chewable ice, choose the Whynter 40 lb. Nugget Ice Maker.
These machines make ice; they don’t store it frozen. For a cooler of drinks on the patio you still want bagged ice or trays, and our guide to the best ice cube trays covers the freezer side of the job.
Five countertop ice makers at a glance
Our five standout picks, one for each kind of household, with the ice, output and cleaning each maker or listing states. All seven are reviewed in full below.
| Ice maker | Best for | Ice and daily output | Cleaning and water | Buy on Amazon |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Igloo Self-Cleaning Ice Maker with HandleBest overall
|
Everyday drinks, easy to move | Bullet ice; up to 26 lb a day | Automatic cleaning; 2-quart tank | View on Amazon |
Whynter 40 lb. Nugget Ice MakerBest nugget ice
|
Soft, chewable ice for drinks | Nugget ice; up to 40 lb a day | One-button self-clean | View on Amazon |
Silonn 44 lb. Square Cube Ice MakerBest for cocktails
|
Square cubes, fewer refills | Square cubes; up to 44 lb a day | 20-minute clean; tank or water bottle | View on Amazon |
Antarctic Star Countertop Ice MakerBest for small spaces
|
Small counters, RVs | Bullet ice, 2 sizes; up to 26 lb a day | One-touch clean; manual fill | View on Amazon |
Silonn 26 lb. Bullet Ice MakerLightweight pick
|
Taking ice to the party | Bullet ice, 2 sizes; up to 26 lb a day | Self-clean cycle; 2-liter fill | View on Amazon |
Product images from Amazon. Daily output is the maker’s stated maximum in ideal conditions; real output drops in a hot room. Check the listing before you buy.
Our picks for the best countertop ice maker
Five of the seven picks make bullet ice: hollow, rounded cubes formed on chilled metal prongs, ready in minutes. One makes square cubes and one makes nugget ice. The bullet and square machines need no water line; you fill a tank by hand, and one also takes an upturned water bottle. Daily output figures are the makers’ claims, and America’s Test Kitchen measured several machines well below them, so treat them as a ceiling.
1. Igloo Self-Cleaning Ice Maker with Handle – Easy to Clean, Easy to Move
This is the exact model, IGLICEB26HNBK, that America’s Test Kitchen rated highly recommended and named the best ice maker for most people. Its reviewers liked that it is compact and light, with a carry handle like a cooler’s, and called it the only compact model they reviewed with an efficient self-cleaning cycle.
According to the listing, it makes up to 26 pounds of ice a day from a 2-quart water tank, with the first cubes ready in 6 to 8 minutes, and an automatic five-cycle cleaning program. A scoop and basket come in the box. It is not the fastest machine here: America’s Test Kitchen measured just under a pound of ice an hour, and rated how well it kept ice cold as only acceptable.
For a kitchen, that is the right trade. You can carry it from the counter to a table on the patio, fill it from a pitcher, and have a basket of bullet ice ready for a round of margaritas or a glass of tamarindo, then run the cleaning cycle without taking anything apart.
Why we like it
- America’s Test Kitchen’s top pick for most people
- Automatic five-cycle cleaning, per the listing
- Built-in carry handle
- 2-quart water tank
Key specifications
| Machine | Igloo IGLICEB26HNBK |
|---|---|
| Ice type | Bullet |
| Daily output (as stated) | 26 lb |
| Cubes per cycle | Not stated; first ice in 6–8 minutes |
| Basket capacity | Not stated |
| Self-cleaning | Yes, automatic five-cycle program |
| Water source | Manual fill, 2-quart tank |
| Warranty | Not stated on the listing |
Why we recommend it
Choose it if you want a simple machine that is easy to keep clean and easy to move to wherever the drinks are.
Skip it if you need a lot of ice in a day; the Silonn 44 lb. and the Whynter are rated for far more.
Pros and cons
Pros
- Self-cleaning cycle that reviewers found efficient
- Compact and light
- Carry handle
Cons
- Under a pound of ice an hour in ATK’s review
- Only fair at keeping ice cold
- Basket size not stated
2. Whynter 40 lb. Nugget Ice Maker – Chewable Ice for Drinks
Whynter’s IBX-388WS is the only nugget machine here, and the second-highest stated output on this list. The listing rates it at up to 40 pounds a day of soft, crunchy, chewable ice, the kind America’s Test Kitchen describes as good with sodas, and it says the ice suits cocktails and iced coffee too.
The control panel has an LCD display and a timer, an auto shut-off, and a removable ice drawer, with a large transparent window so you can check the ice level without lifting the lid, according to the listing. Cleaning is built in: one button runs the self-cleaning function.
The listing does not give the tank size, the ice drawer capacity, the dimensions or the warranty, so check those before you buy, especially if the machine has to fit under a cabinet. We have no independent review of this model, and America’s Test Kitchen’s figures on this page are for other machines.
Why we like it
- Up to 40 pounds a day, per Whynter
- Chewable nugget ice
- LCD display and timer
- One-button self-cleaning
Key specifications
| Machine | Whynter IBX-388WS |
|---|---|
| Ice type | Nugget |
| Daily output (as stated) | 40 lb |
| Cubes per cycle | Not stated |
| Basket capacity | Not stated |
| Self-cleaning | Yes, one button |
| Water source | Not stated |
| Warranty | Not stated |
Why we recommend it
Choose it if you want soft, chewable ice for sodas, aguas frescas and iced coffee in bigger batches than the 26-pound bullet machines.
Skip it if you need hard cubes; nugget ice is soft by design, and the listing leaves out the dimensions and warranty.
Pros and cons
Pros
- Second-highest stated output here
- Timer and window on the ice level
- Self-clean cycle
Cons
- Size not stated on the listing
- Warranty not stated
- Soft ice is not for every drink
3. Silonn 44 lb. Square Cube Ice Maker – Solid Cubes, Fewer Refills
Bullet ice is hollow and melts fairly quickly. The Silonn SLIM31T makes square cubes instead, which Silonn describes as clear, slow-melting cubes that cause less dilution, and you can set the freezing time to make them thicker or thinner. America’s Test Kitchen describes square cubes in general as thick and solid and suited to cocktails, which is the reason to choose this style for a margarita on the rocks.
According to the listing, it makes 24 cubes in 13 minutes and up to 44 pounds a day. Its 3-liter tank can be filled by hand, or you can set an upturned water bottle on top, up to 5 liters with a neck no wider than 2.32 inches (the bottle isn’t included). That second option means fewer trips to the sink during a long afternoon. A 20-minute cleaning cycle starts at the press of a button.
It measures 13.78 by 9.53 by 14.57 inches, larger than the compact bullet machines, and the angled flip-top lid lets you see the ice level. Silonn’s warranty terms are not stated on this listing.
Why we like it
- Square cubes with adjustable thickness
- Up to 44 pounds a day, per Silonn
- Fills from the tank or a water bottle
- 20-minute self-cleaning cycle
Key specifications
| Machine | Silonn SLIM31T |
|---|---|
| Ice type | Square cubes, adjustable thickness |
| Daily output (as stated) | 44 lb |
| Cubes per cycle | 24 in 13 minutes |
| Basket capacity | Not stated |
| Self-cleaning | Yes, 20-minute cycle |
| Water source | 3-liter tank or water bottle up to 5 liters |
| Warranty | Not stated on the listing |
Why we recommend it
Choose it if your ice goes mostly into cocktails and you want solid cubes that last longer in the glass.
Skip it if you want a small machine to carry around; this one is built to stay on the counter.
Pros and cons
Pros
- Solid square cubes
- Bottle-feed option
- Large stated output
Cons
- Bigger footprint
- Not in any review we read
- Warranty not stated
4. Antarctic Star Countertop Ice Maker – Small Footprint, Quick First Batch
Antarctic Star lists this machine at 8.74 by 11.47 by 11.57 inches, small enough for a narrow counter, a bar cart or an RV. According to the listing, it makes 8 bullet cubes in 6 minutes, in two sizes, and up to 26 pounds a day.
Cleaning is a one-touch cycle, and the maker gives an actual schedule: run it weekly, or after the machine has sat unused for two weeks. That is more useful than the vague “keeps ice fresh” most listings offer. The listing also claims operation under 40 decibels and lower energy use than earlier models; we have no independent figures for either.
It carries a 1-year warranty, according to the listing. It wasn’t part of any review we read, so the specifications here are the maker’s own.
Why we like it
- Stated footprint under 12 inches each way
- First batch in about 6 minutes, per the listing
- Clear cleaning schedule from the maker
- Carry handle
Key specifications
| Machine | Antarctic Star 58012RIMO-NJ3 |
|---|---|
| Ice type | Bullet, 2 sizes |
| Daily output (as stated) | 26 lb |
| Cubes per cycle | 8 in 6 minutes |
| Basket capacity | Not stated |
| Self-cleaning | Yes, one-touch; weekly per the maker |
| Water source | Manual fill |
| Warranty | 1 year |
Why we recommend it
Choose it if space is the limit and you want ice for a few people at a time.
Skip it if you want a machine that a reviewer has measured; this one’s figures are all the maker’s.
Pros and cons
Pros
- Compact
- Quick first batch
- Stated cleaning schedule
Cons
- Only 8 cubes a cycle
- Tank size not stated
- No independent review found
5. Silonn 26 lb. Bullet Ice Maker – Light, Simple and Portable
Silonn’s SLIM01B is a basic bullet machine: fill it with 2 liters of water, press on, choose small or large cubes, and the listing says you’ll have 9 cubes in about 6 minutes and up to 26 pounds a day. Indicator lights tell you when it needs water or the basket is full, a sensor stops it when the basket fills, and a transparent lid shows the ice level.
America’s Test Kitchen reviewed a closely related Silonn model, the SLIM01G1, and recommended it with reservations. Its reviewers liked that it was lightweight, portable and quick to start, but measured low output, about 12 ounces an hour, and noted that the smaller cubes melt faster and that its 30-minute cleaning cycle gives no signal when it is done.
That makes it a machine for a small household or for carrying to a friend’s carne asada, not for keeping a crowd in ice. It has a self-cleaning function and a 1-year warranty, according to the listing.
Why we like it
- Light and easy to move, per ATK’s review of the related model
- Two cube sizes
- Stops automatically when the basket is full
- 1-year warranty
Key specifications
| Machine | Silonn SLIM01B |
|---|---|
| Ice type | Bullet, 2 sizes |
| Daily output (as stated) | 26 lb |
| Cubes per cycle | 9 in 6 minutes |
| Basket capacity | Not stated |
| Self-cleaning | Yes |
| Water source | Manual fill, 2 liters |
| Warranty | 1 year |
Why we recommend it
Choose it if you want a light, uncomplicated machine for a couple of people or for taking to a party.
Skip it if you need lots of ice; the related model was among the slowest America’s Test Kitchen measured.
Pros and cons
Pros
- Lightweight
- Simple controls
- Full-basket shut-off
Cons
- Low real-world output
- Small cubes melt fast
- No end-of-clean signal on the related model
6. Frigidaire 26 lb. Bullet Ice Maker – Check the Ice Without Lifting the Lid
Frigidaire’s stainless bullet machine, listed as model EFIC121/EFIC123, holds 1.9 quarts of water. According to the listing, it makes 9 bullet cubes every 7 minutes, in small or large, and up to 26 pounds a day, with a digital LED panel to choose the size.
A see-through window lets you check the ice without lifting the lid, and a drain plug makes it easier to empty the tank for cleaning. The listing does not mention a self-cleaning cycle, so plan to clean it by hand following Frigidaire’s manual. It carries a 1-year parts and labor warranty, per the listing, and comes with a scoop.
America’s Test Kitchen reviewed a different Frigidaire, the compact EFIC189, and recommended it with reservations: it liked the large, quick bullet ice and simple controls, but noted no automatic cleaning and a drain plug that was especially difficult to remove. We have no review of this exact model.
Why we like it
- 1.9-quart water tank
- 9 cubes every 7 minutes, per the listing
- Viewing window and drain plug
- 1-year parts and labor warranty
Key specifications
| Machine | Frigidaire EFIC121/EFIC123 |
|---|---|
| Ice type | Bullet, 2 sizes |
| Daily output (as stated) | 26 lb |
| Cubes per cycle | 9 every 7 minutes |
| Basket capacity | Not stated |
| Self-cleaning | Not stated |
| Water source | Manual fill, 1.9-quart tank |
| Warranty | 1 year parts and labor |
Why we recommend it
Choose it if you want a familiar appliance brand and like to see the ice level at a glance.
Skip it if an automatic cleaning cycle matters to you; the listing doesn’t mention one.
Pros and cons
Pros
- 1.9-quart tank
- Viewing window
- Parts and labor warranty
Cons
- No self-clean cycle stated
- This model not independently reviewed
- Basket size not stated
7. Euhomy 26 lb. Bullet Ice Maker – Quiet With One-Touch Cleaning
Euhomy’s IM008-B is another compact bullet machine with a carry handle. According to the listing, it makes 9 cubes in as little as 6 minutes and up to 26 pounds a day, in small or large, and runs at 45 decibels, a figure the maker gives but nobody we read has checked.
The controls are three steps: add water, press on, choose a size. A one-touch self-cleaning cycle handles the inside, and a basket and scoop are included. Small cubes, Euhomy suggests, are for chilling seafood or cooling quickly; large ones for everyday drinks.
A note on the name: America’s Test Kitchen did not recommend a Euhomy machine, but that was the IM-F, a different design that makes square cubes, has no self-clean and needed its ice broken apart by hand. This IM008-B is a bullet machine with a cleaning cycle. The listing does not state the tank size or warranty.
Why we like it
- One-touch self-cleaning
- Stated 45-decibel operation
- Carry handle
- Two cube sizes
Key specifications
| Machine | Euhomy IM008-B |
|---|---|
| Ice type | Bullet, 2 sizes |
| Daily output (as stated) | 26 lb |
| Cubes per cycle | 9 in 6 minutes |
| Basket capacity | Not stated |
| Self-cleaning | Yes, one-touch |
| Water source | Manual fill |
| Warranty | Not stated on the listing |
Why we recommend it
Choose it if the machine will sit in a room where people talk, such as a home bar or an office.
Skip it if you want the warranty spelled out before you buy; the listing leaves it out.
Pros and cons
Pros
- Self-cleaning
- Compact with a handle
- Simple controls
Cons
- Tank size not stated
- Warranty not stated
- No independent review of this model
How to choose a countertop ice maker
All of these machines work the same way: a small compressor chills metal prongs or a tray, water from the tank freezes onto them, and the ice drops into a basket. The differences that matter are below.
1. Bullet, square or nugget ice
America’s Test Kitchen describes bullet ice as soft and quick to melt, square cubes as thick and solid and suited to cocktails, and nugget ice as crunchy and good with sodas. Bullet ice is fine for a cooler of beer, aguas frescas and iced tea. If you mostly pour drinks over ice, as with a margarita on the rocks or a michelada, square cubes dilute more slowly. Our guide to frozen vs. on-the-rocks margaritas covers why the ice matters.
2. Daily output is a ceiling
Makers rate output in good conditions. America’s Test Kitchen measured the Igloo at just under a pound an hour and the related Silonn at about 12 ounces; even the fastest machine in that review, NewAir’s 50-pound AI-215SS, which is not on this list, made under 2 pounds an hour. NewAir’s manual says ice-making slows in very hot rooms and that the machine should run below 90°F. For a party, start the machine the day before and bag the ice in the freezer.
3. The basket is not a freezer
America’s Test Kitchen points out that these machines do not keep ice frozen; ice left in the basket melts and the water runs back into the tank to be refrozen. Scoop ice into a freezer bag or an insulated bucket as it comes. For a cooler on the patio, our guide to the best coolers covers the ones that hold ice longest.
4. Cleaning and the water you use
This is the part people skip. NewAir’s manual says to change the water in the reservoir every 24 hours, to run a vinegar cleaning cycle, to drain the tank when the machine isn’t in use, and to let it dry for at least 24 hours before storing it, to prevent mold or mildew. America’s Test Kitchen suggests cleaning about once a month, or more often in hard-water areas, to prevent mold and limescale. A machine with a self-cleaning cycle makes that easier; follow your own model’s manual for the cleaning solution and schedule.
5. Size, noise and where it lives
America’s Test Kitchen compares the running noise to a dishwasher, and bullet and square cubes clank as they drop. Measure the space under your cabinets, leave room for air around the vents, and look for a drain you can reach over the sink. A handle helps if the machine will travel between the kitchen and the patio.
6. A note on clear-ice machines
Some countertop machines, such as the NewAir ClearIce40 and the Luma Comfort IM200SS, let water flow over a chilled tray so the ice freezes in clear layers; both are rated at 40 pounds a day. America’s Test Kitchen reviewed the Luma and did not recommend it, reporting a slow start, ice that froze in solid sheets, spills when filling and no self-cleaning. We left both off this list. For a few crystal-clear cubes for a good tequila, a tray in the freezer is simpler.
How we picked these seven ice makers
We started from America’s Test Kitchen’s review of countertop ice makers, which we read in full, and from the makers’ own listings and manuals, including NewAir’s AI-215 owner’s manual. We looked for machines from identifiable brands, in stock on Amazon when we checked, and for variety: a self-cleaning everyday machine, a high-output square-cube machine, a nugget machine, compact and lightweight options, and a larger-tank model. NewAir’s AI-215SS, America’s Test Kitchen’s pick for output, was offered only used when we last checked, so it is not a pick. We were unable to read Wirecutter’s coverage, so we do not cite it. We did not find hOmeLabs or Crownful bullet machines in stock, and the Igloo, Frigidaire, Silonn and Euhomy picks were chosen from several similar listings by the clearest specifications.
We also checked every pick against the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission’s recall database. The only countertop ice maker recall we found was the October 2023 recall of the Gevi GIMN-1102 nugget ice maker, a different type of machine from a brand not on this list; we found no recall for any of these seven. We have not used these machines ourselves, and output figures are the makers’ unless we name the reviewer.
Ice maker questions, answered
What is the best countertop ice maker for home use?
For most homes, the Igloo Self-Cleaning Ice Maker with Handle, which America’s Test Kitchen also names the best for most people. If you host often, the Silonn 44 lb. square-cube machine has the highest stated output here.
What is the best countertop ice maker brand?
No single brand wins across the board. Igloo and NewAir both have machines that America’s Test Kitchen recommends; Silonn, Whynter, Frigidaire, Euhomy and Antarctic Star make capable machines whose figures here come from their own listings.
Is a countertop ice maker worth it for everyday use?
If you go through more ice than your freezer trays make, yes. It keeps making small batches all day. It does not store ice frozen, so it suits steady use more than stockpiling.
How often should I clean a countertop ice maker?
Follow your manual. NewAir says to change the water every 24 hours and drain the machine when it isn’t in use, and Antarctic Star says to run its cleaning cycle weekly. America’s Test Kitchen suggests a cleaning about once a month, more often with hard water.
Can I use a countertop ice maker outside?
Under cover and close to an outlet, yes, but heat slows it down. NewAir’s manual says to run its machine below 90°F, so on a hot afternoon keep it in the shade or indoors and carry the ice out.
Our final pick for party ice
Buy the Igloo Self-Cleaning Ice Maker with Handle for everyday ice that is easy to keep clean. Choose the Silonn square-cube machine for cocktails or a crowd, the Whynter for nugget ice, and the Antarctic Star if counter space is tight.
More appliance and fixture guides: nugget ice makers, induction cooktops, kitchen faucets, water filter pitchers, oven thermometers, oven mitts, electric hot plates.
On a budget? See our guide to the best cheap countertop ice makers.
A good batch of ice belongs next to a good batch of drinks: read our guide to aguas frescas, set them out in one of the best drink dispensers, or blend frozen margaritas with a margarita machine. If you’d rather pour more than you cook, see our drinks or call to order.