We have to admit: When we first saw #TheGoodIce trend on TikTok, our first thought was, seriously—who spends almost $600 on *ice*? But here we are six months later, reaping the benefits of chilled drinks and delicious, chewable ice, raving about it to everyone we know. Perhaps you’ve always been particular about your ice output—after all, there’s a whole community on TikTok that would agree; good ice makes beverages simply…better. Or maybe you’re looking to take your cocktail game to the next level. Either way, we’ve rounded up the 11 best ice makers money can buy. (Because once you go nugget ice, you don’t go back.)
11 Of the Best Ice Makers to Upgrade Your Drinks (Including One That Creates Sonic-Worthy Nugget Ice)
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Published Mar 11, 2022
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OUR PICKS AT A GLANCE:
Scroll down for in-depth reviews of each.
- Best Overall: GE Profile Opal 2.0 Nugget Ice Maker
- Best Value: Silonn Bullet Ice Maker
- Best Countertop: Frigidaire EFIC103 Ice Maker
- Best Budget Pick for Making Nugget Ice: Frigidaire Efic235 Nugget Ice Maker
- Best for Bullet Ice: Euhomy Ice Maker
- Best on Amazon: Aglucky Countertop Ice Maker
- Best for Small Spaces: Igloo Portable Ice Maker
- Best Design: Professional Series Clear Bullet Ice Maker
- Best for Entertaining: Euhomy 40-Pound Ice Maker Machine
- Best Portable: Insignia Portable Ice Maker
- Best Undercounter: Euhomy Commercial Ice Maker Machine
GE Appliances
1.ge Profile Opal 2.0 Nugget Ice Maker
Best Overall
Why We Love It:
- It’s just as innovative as it is effective
- It has a sleek, countertop-friendly design
As we mentioned before, the GE Profile Opal 2.0 Nugget Ice Maker blew up with the TikTok crowd in 2021 and subsequently became the most highly rated ice maker* on the market. But what makes this machine worth its exorbitant price tag? Well, for one, it produces ‘nugget’ ice cubes—which are smaller and softer than regular cubes, easier to chew and better absorb the flavors in a drink. Ordinarily, you could only find this type of ice in commercial settings (like restaurants, bars, etc.). But thanks to this machine, you can have fresh and filtered nugget ice in just 15 minutes (or you can wait an hour for it to fill with a full pound of ice). Still, that’s not the only thing that has customers raving. “Above [this machine’s] good looks and fast ice making [capabilities], it also has a cloud and WiFi feature that allows you to turn it on or off and check the status of the ice remotely,” writes one reviewer. What’s more, it’s great for chronic ice chewers, and one reviewer says, “The ice is [even better] than the ‘[fast food] drive-through’ ice I was addicted to…it’s softer, [not] as hard on teeth and the size is perfect.”
Amazon
2. Silonn Bullet Ice Maker
Best Value
Why We Love It:
- Under $100
- Has a self-cleaning function
Looking for a bullet ice machine on a budget? This portable, compact device has a 4.5 out of 5-star rating, based on more than 2,200 reviews—and it’s the most affordable option on this list. It can pump out nine bullet-shaped ice cubes—large and small—in just seven minutes, and its 2-liter capacity can provide 26 pounds of ice in 24 hours. And that’s not all: It has an infrared sensor that automatically transfers ice to its storage basket, and you can hold down the on/off button for five seconds to start the self-cleaning process. “Super convenient, easy to use, the ice doesn’t ‘taste’ from [this] machine. It is great for someone who has parties, buys a lot of bagged ice, or just needs an easy way to bulk up on the ice they have! The one downside is [that] it will make ice consistently unless it’s full or out of water,” writes one reviewer.
Amazon
3. Frigidaire Efic103 Ice Maker
Best Countertop
Why We Love It:
- Makes three sizes of bullet-shaped ice
- Produces 26 pounds of ice in 24 hours
Aside from its retro lettering and stainless steel color options (including silver, black, red and blue), this machine scored an average 4.2 out of 5-star rating for its efficient and versatile design. While its compact, 13-inch by 14-inch size fits fabulously on narrow countertops, it also features a 2.2-pound capacity ice bucket (which is great, considering it outputs nine cubes of ice every 7 to 15 minutes). Not to mention that it can produce clear, bullet-shaped ice in three different sizes with the push of a button. “After ten months of daily use, this [machine] is [still producing] ice cubes that are as big, clear and sparkling as they were on the first day,” writes one reviewer.
Amazon
4. Frigidaire Efic235 Nugget Ice Maker
Best Budget Pick for Making Nugget Ice
Why We Love It:
- Can hold up to 3 pounds of nugget ice at a time
- Automatic overflow prevention
If you love the idea of high-quality nugget ice but loathe the $500+ price tag of GE’s machine, this Frigidaire model is the next best thing. Not only does the device pump out chewable, crunchy square nuggets, it has an intelligent LED panel with automatic overflow prevention, so you won’t have to worry about its 15-minute output causing a mess. “I chose this model because it makes Sonic ice [like the Opal machine]. The water reservoir is on top, so it takes up less space [and] the ice drawer actually has a catch on it so that [when] you pull it out, [everything] stays in place (so ice doesn’t spill all over the kitchen). This [has to] be the best product I’ve purchased in a long time. It makes ice fast,” explains one reviewer. It also scored top marks for being a relatively quiet machine and having an easy-to-fill water reservoir.
Amazon
5. Euhomy Compact Ice Maker
Best for Bullet Ice
Why We Love It:
- Has large and small cube-size options
- Prevents overflow with sensor technology
Behold, a machine that can produce bullet-shaped, cylindrical ice (which can actually fit in your water bottle). This model can deliver nine crunchy spheres—large or small, depending on your selection—in up to eight minutes and has a circulating, 2.2-liter water tank (which helps to reduce odor and prevent water from being wasted). One reviewer says, “The ice is 100-percent chewable; it’s ‘soft’ for lack of a better word. It is [also] easy to use, and the notification lights are very clear—I know instantly if it needs water or if the basket needs to be cleared.”
Amazon
6. Aglucky Countertop Ice Maker
Best on Amazon
Why We Love It:
- Not too noisy when making ice
- Portable and compact design
If you’re anything like us, you’re probably wondering which machine has *the best* reviews on Amazon. Well, this best-seller has an average of 4.5 out of 5-stars, based on more than 11,300 ratings. Here’s why: “This unit [makes] plenty of ice, runs very quiet and takes up minimal counter space,” explains one reviewer. The machine can quietly pump out nine bullet ice cubes—large or small—within six to eight minutes and its exhaust cooling function helps prevent the ice from melting. Plus, in addition to its portable construction and slim 8.7-inch width, there are also three color options available (black, grey and red).
Amazon
7. Igloo Portable Ice Maker
Best for Small Spaces
Why We Love It:
- The 12-inch length is ideal for narrow countertops
- Has a carry handle for easy transport
Want something compact, portable and affordable that can produce large and small bullet ice? This machine is under $150, it can store up to 1.25 pounds of ice at a time (despite its slim size), and it prepares nine bullet-ice cubes in seven minutes. Plus, in addition to its lightweight and apartment-friendly construction, this one also features a cooler-style handlebar and four contemporary color options that’ll look great on your counter. “I keep [this ice maker] turned on night and day. At night, the ice will melt, and the freezing process will start again. But, no worries! The container that catches the cubes is directly above the water container. It is a brilliantly designed product that does a great job,” writes one reviewer. Oh, and did we mention that it has an automatic five-cycle cleaning function?
William Sonoma
8. Professional Series Clear Bullet Ice Maker
Best Design
Why We Love It:
- Has a sophisticated spherical design
- Produces 33 pounds of bullet ice in 24 hours
Speaking of ice makers that’ll look great on your countertops: This one features a sleek, spherical matte-black design that’s as aesthetically pleasing as it is practical. Its 2.5-liter water tank can deliver a batch of *clear* bullet ice in 8 to 9 minutes (and can produce up to 33 pounds of ice per day). What’s more, it has an LED screen that lights up when the ice basket is full and indicates when the water reservoir needs to be refilled.
Amazon
9. Euhomy 40-pound Ice Maker Machine
Best for Entertaining
Why We Love It:
- Produces 24 ice cubes in 12 to 18 minutes
- Its timer allows for an 8-hour delay
If you’re planning on throwing a housewarming (or BBQ in the summer), *this* is the hosting hack you’ve been missing out on. “We turn this on every time we are going to have friends over [and] it makes enough ice during the day to host a party for 12 who love tequila,” writes one reviewer. The machine features a 2.2-pound capacity, an automatic cleaning function and 40 pounds (!!) of daily ice output. But that’s not even the best part. Although this machine delivers 24 traditional ice cubes every 12 to 18 minutes, it has an LCD screen that includes a timer with up to an 8-hour delay and buttons that offer on-time ice production and allow you to change the thickness of your ice.
Best Buy
10. Insignia Portable Ice Maker
Best Portable
Why We Love It:
- Slim design allows for easy transport
- Has a removable ice basket
Need something that you can take with you on your next family camping trip? One reviewer writes: “This [machine] is very easy to use and makes two different size ice pieces. The auto shut-off is a great safety feature [and it’s] very convenient for making extra ice for parties and when we go camping.” Still, don’t let its narrow 8.75-inch width fool you; this model includes a 1.5-pound storage capacity and can pump out up to 26 pounds of bullet ice daily, making it comparable to some of the larger models on this list.
Amazon
11. Euhomy Commercial Ice Maker Machine
Best Undercounter
Why We Love It:
- Produces up to 100 pounds of ice per day, every 10 to 15 minutes
- Affordable for its size and functionality
Last but not least, something to consider during your next kitchen reno. This best-selling ice maker is an affordable, commercial option that can hold up to 33 pounds of traditional cubes at a time and create up to100 pounds of ice a day. “If I run the machine continuously, it will cut itself off when filled with ice (and produces fresh batch every 10-15 min.). Then it will turn itself back on as needed to replace any melting ice and keep itself full…There is a simple menu screen adjustment on the front for how ‘hard’ you want the ice cubes to be, [but] even on the hardest setting, the ice does seem to melt in my drink faster than ice from my freezer,” writes one reviewer. Furthermore, this one has an innovative LCD panel that allows you to view the temperature of the environment, adjust the ice cube size and ice-making time, and self-clean with the press of a button. Oh, and did we mention that its stainless steel exterior is totally smudge-proof?
