Whether it’s the soft nugget-style ice or the large clear cube that looks great in a cocktail, there are likely some strong opinions on what makes the perfect ice and which ice makers can make just that. Ice makers—and especially countertop options—offer a convenient solution for RVing, camping, and tailgating. They can even act as substitute appliances for a broken ice machine in your fridge.
Now, thanks to better technology and plenty of demand, there are more choices than ever for producing restaurant-quality ice. We researched numerous options to find the best ice makers so shoppers can make their preferred shape of specialty ice for use in cocktails or for late-night crunching.
GE Profile Opal 2.0 Nugget Ice Maker
Photo: amazon.com
The GE Profile Opal nugget ice maker sets the standard for countertop nugget ice. It starts producing ice in just 10 minutes and makes up to 38 pounds per day (1.6 pounds per hour), making it great for entertaining or anyone who enjoys crunching on ice throughout the day. Compatible with Alexa and Google, the Opal features Wi-Fi connectivity and smart controls, allowing you to monitor or start ice production remotely. While some reviewers note it can be noisy, its true nugget shape, fast production, and thousands of rave reviews make it an excellent pick.
"This ice maker has been a game changer for my family. When our built-in ice maker cannot keep up with constant smoothies, water jug refills, and iced coffee needs, the GE Profile Opal 2.0 steps in. The ice machine makes consistently great ice at a fast rate." - Stephanie Cronk, Executive Editor of Product Reviews
Get the GE Profile ice maker at Amazon, Walmart, or GE.
Frigidaire Compact 26-Pound Countertop Ice Maker
Photo: amazon.com
The Frigidaire countertop ice maker is a budget-friendly option that still offers decent ice production and convenient features. This compact machine churns out 26 pounds of ice per day and starts producing ice within 6 minutes—rivaling more expensive models. Its 1.5-pound basket is on the smaller side, but the fast production helps make up for it. Operating at just 38 decibels, it’s quieter than many “quiet” dishwashers, and it has a bottom drain plug that makes releasing excess water quick and easy during cleanup.
Get the Frigidaire compact ice maker at Amazon, The Home Depot, Walmart, or Frigidaire.
GoveeLife Portable Countertop Ice Maker
Photo: amazon.com
This small but mighty ice maker fits where others can’t, taking up just over 1 square foot of counter space. Despite its compact size, the GoveeLife produces 26 pounds of ice per day and delivers up to nine cubes in just 6 minutes, with three sizes to choose from. It also works with Google, Alexa, its own app, and a remote control. A 10-minute self-cleaning cycle makes maintenance easy, and while it’s not built for large events, it’s a great pick for everyday use or small gatherings.
Get the GoveeLife ice maker at Amazon or Govee.
Newair Countertop Clear Ice Maker
Photo: amazon.com
Rivaling pricier built-in under-counter ice makers, the Newair ice maker produces up to 45 pounds of ice in a day—enough to eliminate the worry of running out of ice during a party. It also includes an ice cube thickness selector (from a more hollow cube at -6 to a solid cube at +6) and an intuitive LCD screen with full-ice-basket alerts and low-water alerts. Its larger footprint may not suit every countertop, but for kitchens with the space, the fresh, clear ice is worth it.
Get the Newair ice maker at Amazon, The Home Depot, or Newair.
Easyera Nugget Ice Maker
Photo: amazon.com
The Easyera nugget ice maker is a great option for those who love nugget ice but don’t have room for a large machine. Taking up less than 1 square foot of space, it makes a whopping 33 pounds of ice in a day—enough for gatherings or several days of regular use. Its intuitive control panel lets you start production or cleaning with the push, and lights indicate when the bin is full or when to add water. While it doesn’t offer multiple ice sizes, the Easyera consistently delivers a generous amount of quality nugget ice.
Get the Easyera ice maker at Amazon.
Euhomy Dart H1 Bullet Ice Maker
Photo: Amazon
The Euhomy Dart H1 is a compact, grab-and-go bullet ice maker ideal for small kitchens, offices, RVs, and dorms that need reliable ice without sacrificing counter space. It produces nine cubes in about 6 minutes and up to roughly 26 pounds per day, with a 1.3-pound basket and 1.2-liter tank that balance capacity and footprint. Operation is simple—fill the reservoir and press the Ice/Clean button—and indicator lights and a transparent lid make it easy to monitor. A 30-minute auto-cleaning function helps maintain hygiene and extend the machine’s life.
Get the Euhomy Dart ice maker at Amazon or Euhomy.
Igloo Automatic Self-Cleaning 26-Pound Ice Maker
Photo: Amazon
Igloo’s automatic self-cleaning ice maker is a compact countertop model with a built-in handle for easy portability between kitchens, patios, dorm rooms, RVs, or offices. It produces up to 26 lb of ice per day and makes nine bullet-shaped cubes in about 7 minutes. Its removable basket holds 1 to 3 pounds at a time, while its LED-lit control panel, size-selection button, and automatic five-cycle cleaning mode keep daily use simple.
Get the Igloo ice maker at Amazon, Lowe’s, The Home Depot, or Target.
Frigidaire 26-Pound Stainless Steel Ice Maker
Photo: Amazon
The Frigidaire stainless steel ice maker is a freestanding countertop ice maker built for households that need a steady supply of ice without installing a built-in unit. It produces up to 26 pounds per day and delivers its first batch of bullet ice in about 6 to 8 minutes, with two size options to suit different drinks. A clear lid, simple status lights, large water reservoir, and self-cleaning function help keep daily use and maintenance easy.
Get the Frigidaire stainless steel ice maker at Amazon or The Home Depot.
Euhomy Pearl H1 Nugget Ice Maker
Photo: Amazon
Perfect for fans of chewable “Sonic-style” ice in small spaces, the Euhomy Pearl H1 produces up to 34 pounds of nugget ice per day, with the first batch ready in about 6 minutes. Its compact design and built-in handle make it portable, while intuitive controls, status LEDs, a removable ice basket, and automatic cleaning cycle simplify use and maintenance—keeping your nugget ice fresh for daily drinks and small gatherings.
Get the Euhomy Pearl ice maker at Amazon or Euhomy.
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