A small ice maker is pretty convenient when you held a party or go camping
Here are the best small ice makers you can buy in 2024:
- Energy-saving (Small Ice Maker): Euhomy Countertop
- Fast Ice Making (Small Ice Maker): Ikich Countertop
- Most Durable (Small Ice Maker): Frigidaire EFIC101-BLACK
- Reliable And Consistent Performance (Small Ice Maker): ULIT Countertop
- Self-Cleaning Function (Small Ice Maker): Kismile Countertop
- Larger Capacity (Small Ice Maker): Magic Chef Countertop
6 Best Small Ice Makers | ||
---|---|---|
Energy-saving | Euhomy Countertop
| |
Fast Ice Making | Ikich Countertop
| |
Most Durable | Frigidaire EFIC101-BLACK
| |
Reliable And Consistent Performance | ULIT Countertop
| |
Self-Cleaning Function | Kismile Countertop
| |
Larger Capacity | Magic Chef Countertop
|
Energy-saving (Small Ice Maker): Euhomy Countertop
- Modern design & Transparent window
- Intuitive control panel
- Energy Efficient & Water Efficient
- Infrared sensor & Removable ice basket
- Large/Small Bullet-shaped ice cubes
- Doesn't keep the made ice frozen
Euhomy Countertop is the choice for high energy efficiency and water efficiency. It looks great in the silver finish with scratch patterns; this with the transparent window suits a modern kitchen well. The thing that I really like about this ice maker is that the control panel is pretty intuitive and easy to use. On the panel, there is an indicator that tells you when it needs more water, an indicator that tells you when the ice cubes are ready, two buttons to choose between large and small ice sizes, and an on/off button.
Euhomy Countertop can make up to 26 lbs of ice per day with 2.2 liters of water. Each ice making cycle is about 8 to 13 minutes. In each cycle, 9 pcs of ice cubes are made. The operation is not so quiet, however, acceptable.
However, Euhomy Countertop does not keep the made ice frozen, so you have to put the made ice cubes in the refrigerator to keep it frozen.
Euhomy Countertop Specifications | |
---|---|
Ice Capacity | 26 lbs/day with 2.2 liters of water |
Ice making cycle | 8-13 mins |
Ice Making Capacity Per cycle | 9 pcs |
Ice Shape | Large/Small bullet-shaped ice-cubes |
Highlight Features | Infrared sensor; Removable ice basket; Large/Small size |
Euhomy Countertop is the choice for high energy efficiency and water efficiency.
Fast Ice Making (Small Ice Maker): Ikich Countertop
- Fast ice making cycle
- Modern design & Transparent window
- Easy to use and Easy to clean
- Add water/Ice full indicators
- 2-year warranty and 45-day return policy
- Doesn't keep the made ice frozen
Ikich Countertop is another small ice maker with a silver finish. This ice maker has a solid construction with Nickel-plated pure copper, PP, and ABS shell. It looks good in a modern kitchen. Like Euhomy Countertop, this Ikich Countertop features an add water indicator and an ice full indicator. Also, it lets you choose between large and small cube sizes.
When you want to make fast ice, this Ikich Countertop would be the choice since its fastest ice making cycle is about only 6 minutes. Moreover, it comes with a 2-year warranty and a 45-day return policy, so you can buy it with 100% confidence.
Ikich Countertop is easy to use and easy to clean. It is fairly quiet while operating but not so impressive. However, this ice maker also does not keep the made ice frozen, which is a bit inconvenient.
Ikich Countertop Specifications | |
---|---|
Ice Capacity | 26 lbs/day with 2 liters of water |
Ice making cycle | 6-13 minutes |
Ice Making Capacity Per cycle | 9 pcs |
Ice Shape | Large/Small bullet-shaped ice-cubes |
Highlight Features | Add water/Ice full indicators; Large/Small size |
Ikich Countertop with the fastest ice making cycle of 6 minutes is ideal for fast ice making.
Most Durable (Small Ice Maker): Frigidaire EFIC101-BLACK
- Solid stainless steel construction
- All Black appearance
- Easy to use & Easy to clean
- Indicators and ice size options
- Good flavor with no smell
- Small size ice comes out wet
If you are not a fan of silver, this all-black Frigidaire EFIC101 would be a good choice. Moreover, it is pretty solid with stainless steel sides and ABS top and bottom. You can rely on its durability. This is also an easy-to-use and easy-to-clean small ice maker.
The indicators and ice size options are pretty the same as the two ice makers above. Moreover, the made ice cubes taste good without any added flavor. However, the small size ice comes out wet, which is considered a big drawback.
Frigidaire EFIC101-BLACK Specifications | |
---|---|
Ice Capacity | 26 lbs/day |
Ice making cycle | 7-15 minutes |
Ice Making Capacity Per cycle | 9 pcs |
Ice Shape | Large/Small bullet-shaped ice-cubes |
Highlight Features | Add water/Ice full indicators; Large/Small size |
Frigidaire EFIC101 is pretty solid with stainless steel sides and ABS top and bottom.
Reliable And Consistent Performance (Small Ice Maker): ULIT Countertop
- ETL certified ice maker
- Reliable and Consistent output
- Water drain plug for easy water emptying
- Infrared Sensors & Simple Control
- 1-year warranty and 45-day return policy
- Small water tank
ULIT Countertop is an ETL certified ice maker, which is a safety standard for electronics. I highly recommend this ice maker due to its reliable and consistent output. You are assured of 9 pcs of bullet-shaped ice cubes every 7-8 minutes; moreover, these cubes are well-shaped and not melting after being made.
ULIT Countertop features a water drain plug for easy water emptying and cleaning. The infrared sensors tell you when more water is needed or when the ice basket is full. The simple control lets you choose small cubes or larger cubes. Besides, you’ll be backed with a 1-year warranty and 45-day return policy.
If there is something I don’t like about this ice maker, it would be the water tank, which is pretty small - only 1.5 liters.
ULIT Countertop Specifications | |
---|---|
Ice Capacity | 26 lbs/day |
Ice making cycle | 8 minutes |
Ice Making Capacity Per cycle | 9 pcs |
Ice Shape | Large/Small bullet-shaped ice-cubes |
Highlight Features | Add water/Ice full indicators; Large/Small size |
ULIT Countertop is an ETL certified ice maker with reliable and consistent outputs.
Self-Cleaning Function (Small Ice Maker): Kismile Countertop
- ETL certified ice maker
- Self-cleaning function
- Efficient and Quiet Ice Making
- Indicators and Size selections
- Fully open design
- The construction is not so solid
Kismile Countertop is another ETL certified ice maker, which is suitable for commercial purposes like in restaurants, bars, coffee shops, or just for home uses. It has a fully open construction with an evaporator, an ice full sensor, an air exhausting, an easy-to-operate control panel, and a water drain cap, which is easy to use and easy to clean.
The most special function of Kismile Countertop is the self-cleaning program. Just press the on/off button for 5 seconds, the ice maker will automatically remove the minerals which occur during the ice making process, ensuring pure ice cubes. Besides, the operation is pretty quiet and efficient. However, the construction is not so solid, which is a significant drawback if you need a durable ice maker that will last for years.
Kismile Countertop Specifications | |
---|---|
Ice Capacity | 26 lbs/day |
Ice making cycle | 6-8 minutes |
Ice Making Capacity Per cycle | 9 pcs |
Ice Shape | Large/Small bullet-shaped ice-cubes |
Highlight Features | Self-cleaning function; Add water/Ice full indicators; Large/Small size |
Kismile Countertop with self-cleaning automatically removes the minerals for pure ice cubes.
Larger Capacity (Small Ice Maker): Magic Chef Countertop
- Larger ice capacity
- Easy to use & Easy to clean
- Indicators and Size selections
- Solid construction
- Consistent performance
- Pretty loud
If you need more and faster ice, this Magic Chef Countertop would be a great choice. It has a higher ice capacity than other ice makers on this list. The ice-making cycle is shorter, about 7 minutes. Moreover, this ice maker delivers very consistent performance, so you are assured of a redundant amount of ice the whole day.
Other features on Magic Chef Countertop are pretty the same as other ice makers - indicators and size selections. Besides, the construction of this ice maker is pretty solid, so you can be confident about its durability.
However, the operation noise of Magic Chef Countertop is quite loud, which is a significant drawback.
Magic Chef Countertop Specifications | |
---|---|
Ice Capacity | 27 lbs/day |
Ice making cycle | 7 minutes |
Ice Making Capacity Per cycle | 9 pcs |
Ice Shape | Large/Small bullet-shaped ice-cubes |
Highlight Features | Add water/Ice full indicators; Large/Small size |
Magic Chef Countertop is a great choice when you need more and faster ice.
How To Choose The Best Small Ice Maker?
When choosing the best small ice maker, here are some priorities:
- Fast ice making cycle: People prefer a small ice maker to a refrigerator due to its convenience and portability. You’ll want to carry it to a party or a camping trip for fast ice making. So a fast ice making cycle is crucial. You’ll want an ice maker that makes ice cubes in less than 10 minutes.
- Easy-to-use control panel: The panel should have indicators that tell you when to fill in water and when the basket is full. Moreover, the setting process should be easy and quick.
- High energy efficiency & water efficiency: This is very important. High energy efficiency and high water efficiency will save you a lot on the electric bill in the long run.
- Durability and design: Last but not least, the ice maker should look good when you place it in your kitchen. And the ice maker should be durable so that it does not waste your money to replace it with a new one after just one or two years.
Which Brands Make The Best Small Ice Maker?
MC Appliance
MC Appliance is the corporation that owns the brand Magic Chef - a very well-known brand when it comes to kitchen appliances. MCA Corporation is also a leader in the housewares industry for over 20 years. Besides ice makers, they also provide from microwaves, freezers, refrigerators, other kitchen appliances to home comfort products like air conditioners, dehumidifiers, and laundry machines. All are of great quality and reasonable prices.
iKich
iKich is another considerable brand for shopping for an ice maker. In addition to ice makers, they also provide toasters, electric kettles, air fryers, coffee makers, and other kitchen appliances. Their products are famous for being simple and innovative. This is a brand when you want quality but not over-priced ice makers.
Frigidaire
Frigidaire is a huge international brand. They provide kitchen appliances, laundry tools, home comfort products, filters and accessories for refrigerators, dishwashers, and laundry. Frigidaire's ice makers are well-known for their tough design that lasts for years. Moreover, their customer services are pretty good. You can trust the reputation of Frigidaire.
FAQs
Are portable ice makers worth it?
The two main advantages of an ice maker over a refrigerator are first, it makes ice cubes within 10 minutes and second, you can carry it to a party or a camping trip. So, if you consider these two advantages are worth about 100 bucks, then a portable ice maker is worth it.
Is there a portable ice maker that makes crushed ice?
Yes. But it is not so small. You can search for the word “Portable Crushed Ice Maker.”
How do portable ice makers work?
First, the water goes through a filter before getting into the reservoir, which helps to remove impurities, dirt, and bacteria. A pump will suck up the water to the ice trays. In these ice trays, water is frozen using a refrigeration system and a solvent. Each ice maker uses a different refrigeration technology. When the ice cubes reach up to a certain hardness, they will be emptied into a box.
Do portable ice makers use a lot of electricity?
Not so much. It costs less than 30 bucks a month even when you use it all day.
Can you leave a portable ice maker on all the time?
You can leave the ice maker on with a full reservoir to make more ice. If the reservoir is empty, you should turn the ice maker off.
Conclusion
Above is my review of six affordable and portable ice makers. I hope this review helps you choose a suitable ice maker that fits your needs.