Serveware, Dinnerware & Table

Big Cubes, Tall Ice or Portions: Best Ice Cube Trays Silicone Picks

Eight all-silicone ice trays, from everyday cubes and 2-inch cubes to Collins pieces and freezer portion trays, with what each maker states.

Square ice cubes with small flowers frozen inside, scattered on a black background
Flowers frozen into square cubes, the kind of shaped ice a flexible tray releases cleanly.

Silicone ice trays do one thing better than any rigid tray: they let go of the ice. Push on the back of a cavity and a single cube drops out, while the rest stay frozen. That makes silicone the material of choice for big cocktail cubes, odd shapes, and trays that double as freezer molds for lime juice, salsa or chipotles in adobo.

The trade-off is that silicone bends. A full tray sags on the way to the freezer, and an uncovered one can pick up smells from whatever else is in there. This guide sticks to trays made mostly or entirely of silicone, sorts them by the shape of ice you want, and leaves out the picks already covered on our main ice tray page.

Julia’s earns a commission on purchases made through links on this page, at no cost to you. Recommendations are based on what a restaurant kitchen looks for, product specifications and verified buyer reports.

Quick verdict: which silicone tray to buy

For everyday drinks, the best ice cube trays silicone buyers can start with are the Tovolo Perfect Cube Silicone Ice Trays, Set of 2: 30 cubes of 1.25 inches per round, food-grade, BPA-free silicone according to Tovolo, and dishwasher safe. For slow-melting 2-inch cubes, choose the Samuelworld Large Silicone Ice Cube Trays. If you mostly want to freeze small portions of sauce, lime juice or tomato paste, the Souper Cubes 2 Tbsp trays are built for exactly that.

Below are all eight trays, with what each maker states and one honest reason to skip each.

Five silicone trays at a glance

Five standout picks side by side, one for each kind of use, with the specifications each maker or listing states. All eight trays are reviewed in full below.

Tray Best for Ice size Per round (per listing) Buy on Amazon
Everyday drinks, pitchers 1.25-inch cubes 30 cubes (2 trays) View on Amazon
Drinks on the rocks 2-inch cubes 16 cubes (2 trays) View on Amazon
W&P Crystal Ice Tray

W&P Crystal Ice TrayBest for cocktails
A showpiece cube 2-inch etched cubes 4 cubes View on Amazon
Lime juice, salsa, paste 2-tablespoon portions Cavity count not stated View on Amazon
Plain big cubes, small budget Large squares (size not stated) Not stated View on Amazon

Product images from Amazon. Materials, sizes and safety wording are as stated by each maker or listing; check the listing before you buy.

Our picks for the best ice cube trays silicone shoppers should consider

These eight trays are all silicone where the ice forms, and they are grouped by the ice they make: everyday cubes, big slow-melting cubes, a cocktail showpiece, tall pieces for Collins glasses and bottles, tiny ice for blended drinks, and portion trays for the freezer. None of them is on our main best ice cube trays guide or our covered ice cube trays guide, with one close relative noted in the first pick.

1. Tovolo Perfect Cube Silicone Ice Trays, Set of 2 – Everyday Cubes That Pop Out One at a Time

Best overallTovolo Perfect Cube Silicone Ice Trays Set of 2

This is the plain, open version of a tray we already like. Our main ice tray guide recommends the Tovolo Perfect Cube tray with a lid; this pick is the same 15-cavity silicone tray sold as a lidless pair. We include it because it is the most straightforward all-silicone tray from an established housewares maker, and buying two gives you 30 cubes per round instead of 15. If your freezer is crowded with strong-smelling food, buy the lidded version instead.

Each tray makes 15 square cubes of 1.25 inches, according to Tovolo. That is a little larger than the cube from a standard rigid tray, big enough to sit in a rocks glass for a margarita and small enough to fill a pitcher of agua fresca. Tovolo describes the silicone as food-grade and BPA-free, and says you can remove individual cubes while the rest stay frozen.

Care is simple. Tovolo lists the trays as dishwasher safe and suggests a rinse with a water-and-vinegar solution for maintenance, which helps if the silicone picks up freezer smells. Carry a full tray on a small sheet pan or plate; any flexible tray sags when it is full of water.

Why we like it

  • Two trays make 30 cubes per round, per Tovolo.
  • 1.25-inch cubes suit both rocks glasses and pitchers.
  • Individual cubes release while the rest stay frozen, per the listing.
  • Dishwasher safe, according to Tovolo.

Key specifications

Model 81-10208
Material Silicone (food-grade, BPA-free per Tovolo)
Ice size 1.25-inch cubes
Pieces per tray 15
Trays in pack 2
Lid Not included (lidded version sold separately)
Dishwasher safe Yes, per Tovolo

Why we recommend it

It suits anyone who wants one dependable silicone tray for daily drinks, iced coffee and pitchers, and wants two of them to keep a batch freezing while the other is in use.

Skip it if you want covered trays; the lidded Tovolo on our main guide or a tray from our covered-tray guide keeps odors out better.

Pros and cons

Pros

  • 30 cubes per round from two trays.
  • One cube at a time comes out easily.
  • Dishwasher safe.

Cons

  • No lid, so freezer odors can reach the ice.
  • Floppy when full; needs a plate underneath.

Check price on Amazon

2. Samuelworld Large Silicone Ice Cube Trays, 2-Pack – Sixteen 2-inch Cubes per Round

Best big cubesSamuelworld Large Silicone Ice Cube Tray Molds

Big cubes melt more slowly than small ones because there is less surface for the same amount of ice, which is why a margarita or a tequila served on the rocks stays stronger for longer over one large cube. Samuelworld’s trays make 2-inch cubes, eight per tray, sixteen from the pair.

Samuelworld describes the trays as food-grade, BPA-free silicone and says they are dishwasher safe. To release the cubes, it suggests pressing them out of the flexible tray or running the tray under water for a moment first. The maker also notes that individual cubes can differ slightly in size, which is honest, and that you should measure your glasses: a 2-inch cube does not fit every narrow glass.

This listing is the lidless version; Samuelworld sells a covered one separately. Open trays are easier to fill and to clean, but they leave the top of the ice exposed in the freezer.

Why we like it

  • 2-inch cubes, 16 per round from two trays, per the listing.
  • Food-grade, BPA-free silicone, according to Samuelworld.
  • Dishwasher safe, per the maker.
  • Release tip in the listing: a quick run under water.

Key specifications

Model SM-01
Material Silicone (food-grade, BPA-free per Samuelworld)
Ice size 2-inch cubes
Pieces per tray 8
Trays in pack 2
Lid Not included (lidded version sold separately)
Dishwasher safe Yes, per Samuelworld

Why we recommend it

It suits anyone who drinks spirits or margaritas on the rocks and wants more big cubes per round than a single six-cube tray gives.

Skip it if your glasses are narrow or tall; 2-inch cubes will not fit, and the Houdini Collins tray further down is the better match.

Pros and cons

Pros

  • Sixteen large cubes per round.
  • Simple open trays, easy to clean.
  • Dishwasher safe.

Cons

  • No lid on this version.
  • The maker says cubes can vary slightly in size.
  • Too big for narrow glasses.

Check price on Amazon

A dark drink over a large ice cube in a rocks glass on a bar mat
One large cube in a rocks glass melts more slowly than a glass of small ice.

3. ZOKU Jumbo Ice Cube Trays, Set of 2 – Big Cubes Under a Sealed Lid

Best covered big cubesZOKU Jumbo Ice Cube Trays

Zoku’s jumbo trays answer the main complaint about open silicone trays: spills on the way to the freezer and smells once they are in it. Each silicone tray comes with what Zoku calls a flavor-guard lid, which the maker says seals tightly, keeps ice tasting fresh and prevents spills while you carry it.

Each tray makes six oversized cubes, twelve from the pair. Zoku does not give the cube dimensions on the listing, so if you need a cube to fit a particular glass, check the listing photos or the maker’s site first. Zoku’s directions are to fill, fit the lid, freeze for eight hours or more, then remove the lid and push on the bottom of each cavity; it says no rinsing is needed to release the ice. The trays stack.

The silicone is described as BPA-free. Zoku does not say on this listing whether the trays and lids go in the dishwasher, so treat them as hand wash until you have checked.

Why we like it

  • Lid on every tray, which Zoku says prevents spills in transit.
  • Six large cubes per tray, twelve per round.
  • Stackable, per the listing.
  • Releases without rinsing, according to Zoku.

Key specifications

Model ZK136
Material Silicone trays (BPA-free per Zoku), lids
Ice size Oversized cubes; dimensions not stated
Pieces per tray 6
Trays in pack 2
Lid Yes, one per tray
Dishwasher safe Not stated

Why we recommend it

It suits anyone who wants big cubes but shares a freezer with onions, fish or leftovers, and wants the ice covered from the moment it goes in.

Skip it if you need exact cube dimensions; Zoku does not list them for this tray.

Pros and cons

Pros

  • Covered trays that stack.
  • Lids help with spills and odors, per Zoku.
  • Push-out release.

Cons

  • Cube size not stated.
  • Dishwasher use not stated.
  • Only twelve cubes per round.

Check price on Amazon

4. W&P Crystal Ice Tray – Etched 2-inch Cubes for a Special Drink

Best for cocktailsW&P Crystal Ice Tray

This is the tray for the drink you want to look at before you taste it. W&P’s Crystal tray makes four 2-inch cubes with a geometric pattern on every face, meant to look like cut crystal in the glass. It is the sort of cube for a reposado or añejo tequila served neat over ice, or a mezcal Old Fashioned.

The tray works differently from an open tray. According to W&P, you fill it through a hole in the top until water comes out of a hole in the side, which tells you each cavity is full. To release the cubes, run the bottom of the tray under warm water, then press them out with your thumbs. The lid stays on throughout and, the maker says, keeps freezer odors out.

W&P describes the material as food-grade silicone, BPA-free and dishwasher safe. Four cubes per round is not much, so this is a second tray, not your only one.

Why we like it

  • Etched 2-inch cubes, four per tray, per W&P.
  • Fill holes show when the tray is full.
  • Lid included, which W&P says keeps odors out.
  • Food-grade, BPA-free silicone and dishwasher safe, per the maker.

Key specifications

Model WP-ICE-ETC-CH
Material Silicone (food-grade, BPA-free per W&P)
Ice size 2-inch etched cubes
Pieces per tray 4
Trays in pack 1
Lid Yes
Dishwasher safe Yes, per W&P

Why we recommend it

It suits a home bar where presentation matters: sipping tequila, a stirred cocktail, or a single drink for a guest.

Skip it if you need volume; four cubes per round will not chill a pitcher or a party.

Pros and cons

Pros

  • Distinctive etched cubes.
  • Covered, fill-and-freeze design.
  • Dishwasher safe.

Cons

  • Only four cubes per round.
  • Needs warm water to release.

Check price on Amazon

5. Houdini Silicone Collins Ice Tray – Slim Ice for Tall Glasses and Bottles

Best for tall glassesHoudini Silicone Collins Ice Tray with Easy to Remove Ice Spheres

Tall drinks need tall ice. A paloma, a michelada or a ranch water goes into a highball or Collins glass, and big square cubes either do not fit or leave gaps. Houdini’s Collins tray makes seven slim pieces (the listing title calls them ice spheres) sized, the listing says, for Collins and highball glasses and slender enough to drop into narrow-mouthed water bottles.

The tray is silicone, and Houdini says the pieces release with a twist of the tray. The listing suggests freezing juice or coffee, or setting herbs and fruit into the ice. It is top-rack dishwasher safe, according to the maker. The listing does not state the exact size of each piece, mention a lid, or make any food-grade or BPA claim, so we have listed those as not stated.

Seven pieces per round is about enough for three or four tall drinks, so think of it as a specialist tray alongside an everyday one.

Why we like it

  • Makes seven slim pieces for Collins glasses, per the listing.
  • Fits narrow-mouthed bottles, according to Houdini.
  • Twist-to-release silicone.
  • Top-rack dishwasher safe, per the maker.

Key specifications

Model 5284850
Material Silicone (no food-grade or BPA claim stated)
Ice size Slim Collins pieces; dimensions not stated
Pieces per tray 7
Trays in pack 1
Lid Not stated
Dishwasher safe Top rack, per Houdini

Why we recommend it

It suits anyone who serves long drinks in tall glasses, or fills reusable water bottles that square cubes will not pass through.

Skip it if you want the maker to state food-contact standards; this listing does not.

Pros and cons

Pros

  • Shape fits tall glasses and bottles.
  • Easy twist release.
  • Dishwasher safe on the top rack.

Cons

  • Only seven pieces per round.
  • Piece size and lid not stated.
  • No food-contact claim on the listing.

Check price on Amazon

A tall clear glass filled with ice cubes and water in soft window light
Tall glasses need ice that fits the glass, not just the freezer.

6. Webake Mini Silicone Ice Cube Tray with Lid – Tiny Ice for Blended Drinks

Best small iceWebake Silicone Ice Cube Tray with Lid Easy Release Small Ice Molds 86 Grids Mini Crushed Tiny Ice Trays for Drinks Coffee Juice Whiskey Cocktails

Small ice has its own uses. It chills a cocktail shaker fast, packs tightly around a drink, and is easier on a blender when you make frozen margaritas or a fruit licuado. Webake’s mini tray has 86 small round cavities, each about half an inch across, according to the listing.

The mold measures 8.8 by 4 by 0.8 inches, per Webake, so it slides onto a shallow shelf. It comes with a lid. Webake describes the silicone as food grade and BPA-free and says the tray can go in the dishwasher. The listing shows a pack count of two, but the title and bullets describe a single tray, so check the listing before you buy if you need two.

Small cavities fill and freeze quickly, but they are fiddly to empty one by one. Twist the whole tray over a bowl, then scoop what you need.

Why we like it

  • 86 cavities about half an inch across, per the listing.
  • Lid included.
  • Compact 8.8 x 4 x 0.8-inch mold, per Webake.
  • Food-grade, BPA-free silicone and dishwasher safe, according to the maker.

Key specifications

Model WA23007
Material Silicone (food-grade, BPA-free per Webake)
Ice size About 0.5-inch rounds
Pieces per tray 86
Trays in pack Not clearly stated (check listing)
Lid Yes
Dishwasher safe Yes, per Webake

Why we recommend it

It suits anyone who makes blended drinks, shakes cocktails, or likes a glass packed with small ice.

Skip it if you want cubes for sipping spirits; small ice melts much faster than a big cube.

Pros and cons

Pros

  • Lots of small pieces per round.
  • Covered and compact.
  • Dishwasher safe.

Cons

  • Small ice melts quickly in a drink.
  • Pack count unclear on the listing.

Check price on Amazon

7. Souper Cubes 2 Tbsp Silicone Freezer Trays, 2-Pack – Measured Portions for the Freezer

Best for freezing saucesSouper Cubes 2 Tbsp Silicone Freezer Molds with Lids

Plenty of people buy an ice cube tray to freeze food, not water, and a tray built for it does the job better. Souper Cubes’ 2-tablespoon trays have fill lines at 1 and 2 tablespoons, in standard and metric measurements, so each frozen portion is a known amount. Souper Cubes suggests garlic, herbs, tomato paste, purees, sauces and lemon juice.

In a Mexican kitchen that list grows easily: fresh lime juice for margaritas when limes are cheap, the rest of a can of chipotles in adobo, a batch of salsa verde, or a few tablespoons of homemade mole paste. Freeze, pop out, and store the portions in a bag.

The trays are 100% food-grade, platinum-cured silicone with a steel-reinforced rim, according to Souper Cubes, and the rim is what keeps them from sagging like an ordinary silicone tray. The maker says they are freezer, microwave, dishwasher and oven safe up to 415°F without the lid. Lids are included. The number of cavities per tray is not stated in the listing bullets.

Why we like it

  • 1 and 2 tablespoon fill lines, per Souper Cubes.
  • Steel-reinforced rim keeps the tray rigid, according to the maker.
  • Lids included, two trays per pack.
  • Oven safe to 415°F without the lid, plus dishwasher and microwave safe, per the maker.

Key specifications

Model SP-FT10X2T-LD2
Material Platinum-cured silicone, steel-reinforced rim (food-grade per Souper Cubes)
Ice size 2-tablespoon portions
Pieces per tray Not stated in the listing bullets
Trays in pack 2
Lid Yes
Dishwasher safe Yes, per Souper Cubes

Why we recommend it

It suits cooks who want to freeze lime juice, salsa, chiles in adobo or broth in measured amounts, and who will also make the odd tray of ice.

Skip it if you only want ice for drinks; an ordinary cube tray does that for less fuss.

Pros and cons

Pros

  • Measured fill lines.
  • Rigid rim, so it carries without sagging.
  • Covered, oven and dishwasher safe.

Cons

  • Cavity count not stated in the bullets.
  • Portion-sized, not shaped for drinks.

Check price on Amazon

8. Amazon Basics Large Silicone Square Ice Cube Trays, Set of 2 – Plain Big Squares

Budget pickAmazon Basics Large Silicone Square Ice Cube Trays for Freezer

If you want big square cubes and do not care about extras, Amazon’s own trays are the simple answer. The listing gives each tray’s outer size as 4.25 by 4.25 by 1.77 inches, says they are stackable and dishwasher safe, and describes a non-slip design that sits steadily on a counter.

That is close to all the listing tells you. It does not state how many cubes each tray makes, the size of the cubes, or any food-grade or BPA claim, and there are no lids. Amazon also suggests the trays for frozen pudding, chocolate and similar molded treats.

A tray this size fits easily in a freezer door or a small top freezer. Treat it as a basic spare for big cubes, and look at the photos on the listing to judge the cube size against your glasses.

Why we like it

  • Compact 4.25 x 4.25 x 1.77-inch trays, per the listing.
  • Stackable, per the listing.
  • Dishwasher safe.
  • Set of two.

Key specifications

Model INFI008
Material Silicone (no food-grade or BPA claim stated)
Ice size Large squares; size not stated
Pieces per tray Not stated
Trays in pack 2
Lid No
Dishwasher safe Yes, per the listing

Why we recommend it

It suits a small freezer and a cook who wants a couple of plain big-cube trays without paying for a brand name.

Skip it if you want the maker to tell you the cube size, count or food-contact standards; this listing does not.

Pros and cons

Pros

  • Small footprint, stacks.
  • Dishwasher safe.
  • Two trays per set.

Cons

  • Cube size and count not stated.
  • No lid.
  • No food-contact claim on the listing.

Check price on Amazon

How to choose a silicone ice cube tray

Start with the ice, not the tray. Decide what you will put it in. Rocks glasses and sipping tequila want 2-inch cubes. Pitchers of agua fresca and everyday glasses want something around an inch. Tall glasses and bottles want slim pieces. Blenders and shakers like small ice. Most kitchens end up with two trays: one everyday, one specialist.

Check that it is silicone where it counts. Some trays sold as silicone have a rigid plastic body with a silicone bottom; others are silicone throughout. Both release well, but all-silicone trays bend more and need a plate underneath. If carrying a full tray is the problem, look for a rigid rim like the Souper Cubes’ steel-reinforced edge, or a covered tray from our trays with lids guide.

Read the safety wording as the maker’s claim. “Food-grade”, “platinum-cured” and “BPA-free” appear on several listings here, and we report them as the makers state them. Two listings, Houdini and Amazon Basics, make no such claim at all. If that matters to you, choose a tray whose maker states it.

Think about odors. Ice in an open tray can taste of whatever else is in the freezer. A lid helps, as Zoku and W&P point out. Tovolo suggests a rinse with water and vinegar to keep its trays fresh.

Count the cubes per round. Big cubes and fancy shapes cost you volume: the W&P tray makes four cubes, the Houdini seven, while the Tovolo pair makes thirty. If you host, buy capacity first and showpieces second, and keep finished ice in a bag, a bin or an ice bucket on the table.

Measure your freezer and your glasses. Check shelf height for stacked or covered trays, and the opening of your glasses before you buy 2-inch cubes.

A clear drink with ice and a slice of lime in a glass outdoors
A citrus drink over plenty of ice on a sunny day.

Using silicone trays for Mexican drinks and cooking

A margarita on the rocks is the clearest case for big cubes. One or two 2-inch cubes from the Samuelworld or W&P trays chill the drink without watering it down as fast as a glass of small ice. A frozen margarita is the opposite: small ice from the Webake tray blends more easily. Our guide to frozen vs. on-the-rocks margaritas explains how the two drinks differ, and our margarita accessories guide covers the shaker and glasses.

Palomas, micheladas and ranch water go into tall glasses, where slim Collins pieces fit better than squares. For aguas frescas served from a big jar, everyday cubes from the Tovolo pair are the practical choice; freezing some of the agua fresca itself into cubes keeps the jar from going weak as the ice melts.

The freezer trays earn their place in cooking. Squeeze limes when they are plentiful and freeze the juice in tablespoon portions. Freeze leftover chipotles in adobo one or two at a time, so the rest of the can does not go to waste. Freeze small portions of salsa or broth for a quick sauce on a weeknight.

If you want perfectly round ice for sipping, that is a specialist mold: our ice ball molds guide covers sphere trays separately.

How we picked these eight silicone trays

We started from the trays on our main ice tray and covered-tray guides and set them aside, so this page adds new options rather than repeating them. The one exception, the Tovolo Perfect Cube pair, is the lidless two-tray version of a tray on our main guide, and we have said so in its review.

For each candidate we read the maker’s Amazon listing and recorded what it states about material, size, capacity, lids and care. Where a maker makes a food-contact claim, such as food-grade or BPA-free silicone, we report it as their claim; where a listing makes none, we say so. We checked every tray was in stock on Amazon when we wrote this, preferred identifiable makers over unbranded sellers, and looked for U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission recall notices for these brands’ ice trays; we found none.

We have not used these trays in the restaurant, and nothing here is based on our own testing. The recommendations reflect what a kitchen looks for in ice: the right size for the drink, easy release, clean flavor, and enough cubes per round.

Silicone ice tray questions, answered

Are silicone ice cube trays better than plastic?

For releasing ice, usually yes: you can push out one cube at a time, and big or shaped cubes come out without cracking. Plastic trays are stiffer and easier to carry when full. Our main best ice cube trays guide compares both kinds.

What is the best ice cube tray silicone makers sell for big cubes?

The Samuelworld 2-pack makes sixteen 2-inch cubes per round. If you want the big cubes covered, the Zoku Jumbo trays come with lids. For a single showpiece cube, the W&P Crystal tray makes etched ones.

Do silicone ice trays make ice taste funny?

Ice picks up smells from the freezer, and an open tray of any material lets that happen. A lid helps, according to Zoku and W&P, and Tovolo suggests rinsing its trays with water and vinegar. A new tray may need a wash before first use.

Are silicone ice cube trays safe?

We report only what the makers state. Tovolo, Samuelworld, W&P and Webake describe their trays as food-grade, BPA-free silicone; Souper Cubes describes platinum-cured, food-grade silicone. The Houdini and Amazon Basics listings make no such claim. We found no CPSC recall notices for these brands’ ice trays.

How do you get ice out of a silicone tray?

Push on the bottom of each cavity. For large or patterned cubes, W&P and Samuelworld suggest running the bottom of the tray under water for a moment first. Zoku says its jumbo trays release without rinsing.

Can you freeze food in silicone ice cube trays?

Yes. Tovolo suggests coffee, herbs and citrus juice; Souper Cubes makes its trays for garlic, tomato paste, sauces and purees, with measured fill lines. Once frozen, move the portions to a bag so the tray is free again.

A dark cocktail with large ice cubes and orange peel in a glass, seen from above
Large cubes and a twist of orange peel in a stirred drink.

Our final word on silicone ice trays

Buy the Tovolo Perfect Cube pair if you want one dependable silicone tray for everyday drinks. Add the Samuelworld trays for big cubes, the Houdini for tall glasses, or the Souper Cubes if your freezer is going to hold lime juice and salsa as well as ice. Whichever you choose, keep the ice covered or used up quickly, and it will taste of nothing but water.

For rigid trays, bins and every other kind of tray, go back to our full guide to the best ice cube trays. And when you would rather someone else made the drinks, see our drinks and the menu, or call to order.

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