Let's face it: Refillable ice cube trays are limiting. They're often empty or contain not-quite-frozen cubes at the most inopportune times, like when you're craving an afternoon iced coffee or hosting a bunch of friends for book club. They also can't produce the chewy nugget ice everyone is obsessed with lately. The best ice makers, however, crank out nugget- or bullet-style ice by the pound. We tested a broad spectrum of models to see which deserve real estate in your kitchen.
In this story
After researching close to 100 ice makers, we narrowed the testing pool to eight popular picks, focusing on countertop models versus undercounter ice makers, which look more like mini fridges and can be expensive to buy and install. Each countertop ice maker we tested makes 26 to 40 pounds of ice per day, but most have to be emptied (into the freezer or an ice bucket) to reach that output. We evaluated the machines for speed, size (both in dimensions and capacity) and value.
Best countertop ice makers of 2026
Rory Halperin/Yahoo
Type of ice:Bullet | Dimensions:12.2"D x 9.06"W x 12.8"H | Capacity:1.25 lbs. | Speed:9 cubes per 7 minutes
Need to quickly cool off a drink? This retro-cute countertop ice maker produces ice in mere minutes. Our tester praised its easy-to-understand LED control panel, which has buttons for small or large ice and shows if you need to add water or if the ice basket is full and needs to be emptied. She said it was so quiet she forgot it was even on. "The only time it makes any noise is when the ice is finished and about to dispense into the ice basket — but it's still very quiet."
The gadget's cube design looks sleek, plus it comes in fun colors like pink and aqua, perfect for summer parties. That said, if you have a small kitchen like our tester, you may not be able to leave it out on the counter all the time. "It feels cumbersome for the counter (especially in my one-bedroom apartment)," she noted. "Maybe I'd feel differently if I had a house with more counter space, but I'm not sure."
This machine can produce 26 pounds of ice over 24 hours — a solid amount, but the bucket holds just a little over a pound, so you'll need to empty it often. Despite those drawbacks, our tester says, "I was impressed with the functionality. It made quality ice that I enjoyed in my daily iced coffee. Plus, the price is right at less than $100."
- Easy to set up
- Quiet
- Self-cleaning
- Comes in five colors
- Too large for smaller countertops
- Must be emptied frequently
Laura Kenney/Yahoo
Type of ice:Bullet | Dimensions:11.42"D x 8.74"W x 11.57"H | Capacity:2.64 lbs. | Speed:6 cubes per 6 minutes
While our top ice maker from Igloo is also under $100, we've seen this countertop model on sale for as low as $70 in some of its brightest colors. If you're looking for an entry-level ice maker or a quick way to prepare refreshments for a small group, the Euhomy will check those boxes.
It was one of the fastest machines in our testing pool, churning out its first batch of bullet ice in just six minutes. The ice maker operates via a single button, works quietly and produces very uniform ice. The basket holds roughly 30 ice cubes at a time and refills after you use some, so it's always full and ready to go. There isn't a holder for the included plastic scoop, but this is a common issue with many of these appliances.
Our tester found the machine a bit awkward to clean in the sink, but she appreciated the self-cleaning feature, which runs a 30-minute cycle after you hold down on the on/off button for 5 seconds. She also noted that the Euhomy's capacity probably wouldn't cut it if you're making drinks for a large party.
- Affordable
- Available in seven colors
- Quiet and quick operation
- No holder for scoop
Saundra Latham/Yahoo
Type of ice:Nugget | Dimensions:16.5"H x 10.5"W x 17.5"D | Capacity:3 lbs. | Speed:2.5 oz per 10 minutes
Kitchen gear-heads have been raving about GE Profile's Opal ice makers practically since they launched a decade ago. Many consider them the gold standard for chewable nugget ice, and the Opal 2.0 Ultra is the newest addition to the lineup. Our tester confirmed that if you're a nugget ice purist, this is the machine to get. "It makes admirably consistent nugget ice in both size and shape. The ice is very similar to what you'd see at Chick-fil-A or Sonic," she said.
It takes about 10 minutes to start churning out pellets a few at a time. But if you start with an empty ice bin, you're in for a long wait — it'll be around three hours before it's full. Still, it holds more ice than nearly any other appliance we tested — 3 pounds — and comes with a stainless steel scoop that attaches to the side of the machine.
When asked if she would consider it nice-looking enough for her countertop? "Absolutely — it's very sleek. However, it's also quite bulky. You'll need a decent chunk of counter for this beast — it would be a huge space hog in a smaller kitchen. It's also so tall that it doesn't fit under my cabinets, which is a bummer."
The Opal will set you back a couple of hundred dollars, but it comes with features that other ice makers lack. Our favorite is the self-cleaning function to prevent build-up, helping your ice taste better and the machine work more effectively. Our tester found it to be a fairly simple process: You pour in a sanitizing solution of water and bleach, then hit the "clean" button. "The only fussy thing is draining the tubes on the back once the cycle is over," she noted.
- Perfect nuggets
- Generous capacity
- Self-cleaning
- Expensive
- Large footprint
Factors to consider when choosing a countertop ice maker
Our time spent testing ice makers yielded these factors to keep in mind when you're shopping.
-
Ice type:
-
Nugget:This is the pellet-style, slightly chewy ice you find at fast food places like Sonic and Chick-fil-A. It cools down your drink quickly.
-
Bullet:This ice is cylindrical with a hollow center, and each piece tends to remain separate. It melts slower than nugget ice and can keep drinks cooler, longer.
-
Clear:Like the name suggests, this ice is crystal clear, not cloudy (a sign of ice that contains lots of air pockets). Most machines that make clear ice require distilled water. Some of these machines produce bricks of cubes that you have to break up yourself. It melts slowly and is a favorite of mixologists.
-
-
Speed:Most machines start to produce ice in 6 to 10 minutes. That's fast enough for most people's everyday use, but if you're hosting a crowd, you'll likely need to plan ahead (and store the ice from your ice maker in your freezer) to keep up with demand.
-
Yield and capacity:Machines vary widely in capacity. Some make 26 pounds of ice per day, and others up to 40. Depending on how much the basket can hold, you may be emptying it often into a bucket or your freezer.
-
Price:If you know you'll use an ice maker multiple times each week, and you value the ease of having ice on hand for entertaining, you may want to pay for a higher-end, large-capacity model.
-
Ease of cleaning:Some machines must be drained and then washed, and others are self-cleaning.
How we tested ice makers
As the resident kitchenware tester for Yahoo, I researched hundreds of ice makers for this story. I then narrowed the pool down to eight of the most popular models, some of which I tried and others which I sent to my colleagues across the country. We all used these ice makers consistently over several days in our own homes and reviewed the gadgets using the same rubric.
After opening each package, we noted if there was any setup required and how easy the ice makers were to use. As we tried the appliances, we evaluated how fast they worked and if they were noisy. To rank on our list, they had to excel in the following tests:
-
Speed test:How fast does it make the promised volume of ice? Some machines started producing ice in as little as seven minutes.
-
"Zoom" test:How noisy is it? Could you have it running while on a Zoom video meeting for work?
-
"Lug" test:How easy is it to carry the machine to the sink or put it away in a cabinet? Is it light enough you could tote it in your car for a weekend at an Airbnb?
Other countertop ice makers we tested
Silonn Countertop Ice Cream Maker :Our tester found this model almost too easy to use, though she was surprised at how noisy it was. "The sounds aren't consistent because the machine turns on/off as you use the ice. I had to turn it off while I was having a movie night because it was disruptive." She felt it produced plenty of ice for two people, but not enough for a party.
Magic Chef Portable Countertop Ice Maker :"I was a little intimidated at first, but this was super easy to use!" said our tester of this bullet ice maker. It yielded its full capacity in about 90 minutes and has a stainless steel finish that would integrate nicely with other appliances. It performed similar to our top overall pick from Igloo, only losing out due to its higher price.
Luma Comfort Clear Ice Maker :Our tech expert, Rick Broida , tested this model and offered this assessment: "It's large, loud and expensive, and it doesn't live up to its core promise: clear ice cubes. Actually, it does, provided you accept the hassle of using distilled water — but that's the same key 'ingredient' for clear cubes made in trays and machines alike. Maybe I expected some special magic here that would produce them with tap water. Alas, no luck." Like other clear ice makers, this one delivers a solid brick from which the cubes must be broken, which is difficult with the flimsy plastic scoop that's included. And breaking the ice tends to ruin the cube shape; mostly, you wind up with large chunks or shards.
What is the difference between bullet and nugget ice?
Nugget ice is the slightly chewy, pebble-looking ice many people refer to as Sonic-style because it's what you get at the fast-food chain (and others like it). Bullet ice is cylindrical with a hollow center and not quite as soft as nugget ice. Nugget ice tends to melt faster, cooling down drinks more quickly; bullet ice lasts longer and can be made in various sizes.
Update, April 2, 2026: We checked prices and availability for all featured products. Our No. 1 pick for best ice maker remains unchanged, but we replaced our budget pick from Aglucky because it's no longer available.
We received complimentary samples of some products and purchased others ourselves, but we reviewed all products using the same objective criteria.
