The Best Portable Ice Maker
We looked at the top 9 Portable Ice Makers and dug through the reviews from 60 of the most popular review sites including and more. The result is a ranking of the best Portable Ice Makers.
Our Review Process
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The days of filling ice cube trays with water and waiting for them to freeze are long gone, thanks to built-in ice makers. But not everyone has a state-of-the-art freezer. Even if you have one at home, you may buy an RV or own a rental cabin that lacks ice-making capabilities.
For those situations, a portable ice maker is all you’ll need. Taking up minimal counter space, these appliances act as a handy addition to any modern kitchen. You’ll simply need to routinely add water to the reservoir, then wait for the container to begin to fill with ice. Although many ice makers require a full day to fill the container completely, many begin providing ice in less than 15 minutes.
But in recent years, ice makers have become popular even with those who have the capacity built into their freezers. Some dispense cylindrical ice, similar to what you get from a hotel ice machine. However, others offer that small, bullet-shaped ice similar to what you get at fast-food chains like Sonic. If you’re shopping for ice makers for that reason, pay close attention to the type of ice each one produces to make sure you’re getting what you want.
Our Picks For The Top Portable Ice Makers
- 1. Vremi Portable Countertop Ice Maker With Ice Scoop And Basket
- 2. FRIGIDAIRE Portable Compact Countertop Ice Maker Machine
- 3. GE Profile Opal Countertop Portable Ice Maker
- 4. Igloo Portable Automatic Ice Maker
- 5. COSTWAY Express Compact Countertop Portable Ice Maker With Scoop
- 6. Prime Home Direct Portable Ice Maker Machine For Countertop With Ice Scoop And Basket
- 7. hOmeLabs Portable Countertop Ice Maker Machine With Ice Scoop And Ice Storage
- 8. Crownful Countertop Electric Ice Maker
- 9. EUHOMY Portable Compact Countertop Ice Maker Machine With Ice Scoop And Basket
If you like large, cylindrical ice, the Vremi Portable Countertop Ice Maker should be your pick. It can make 9 ice cubes in less than 10 minutes and a full 26 pounds in only 24 hours. It reuses melted ice to make new ice cubes to help save water, and it uses only 120 watts of energy to help keep your family eco-friendly.
Eco-Friendly OptionWater-saving and energy-saving features make the Vremi Portable Countertop Ice Maker one of the most eco-friendly options you'll find.
The FRIGIDAIRE Portable Countertop Ice Maker produces up to 26 pounds of ice every 24 hours, releasing 9 pieces of ice every 7 to 15 minutes. The underside drain plug makes it easy to empty the water when it's time to clean the unit. It comes with a removable ice bin, as well as an ice scoop to make it easy to dispense ice.
Large 3.1-Liter ReservoirThe FRIGIDAIRE Portable Countertop Ice Maker may be small, but its water reservoir holds 3.1 liters of water.
The GE Profile Opal Countertop Nugget Ice Maker makes a full pound of ice per hour, on a schedule you can adjust using a mobile app. The compact size allows it to fit easily onto your kitchen countertop, but despite the small size, the bin can hold 3 pounds of ice at a time. The ice maker has safeties built in that stops it from making ice if the b...
Bluetooth ConnectivityBluetooth connectivity sets the GE Profile Opal Countertop Nugget Ice Maker apart, allowing you to control ice production from your smartphone.
The Igloo Portable Automatic Ice Maker comes in multiple colors, including red for those who are going for a retro look. It can produce up to 26 pounds of ice every 24 hours, as long as the reservoir tank doesn't run out of water. Red lights on the control panel alerts you when it's time to add water and when the ice basket is full.
Multiple Color OptionsBring some color to your countertops with the Igloo Portable Automatic Ice Maker, which comes in five different colors, including stainless steel.
Why we recommend these portable ice makers?
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Our experts reviewed the top 9 Portable Ice Makers and also dug through the reviews from 60 of the most popular review sites including and more. The result is a ranking of the best of the best Portable Ice Makers.
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The Best Bang For Your Buck
FRIGIDAIRE Portable Compact Countertop Ice Maker Machine
Our Take
The FRIGIDAIRE Portable Countertop Ice Maker produces up to 26 pounds of ice every 24 hours, releasing 9 pieces of ice every 7 to 15 minutes. The underside drain plug makes it easy to empty the water when it's time to clean the unit. It comes with a removable ice bin, as well as an ice scoop to make it easy to dispense ice.
What other experts liked
What other experts didn't like
What to Look For
- One thing to consider before buying a portable ice maker is that you’ll have to manually refill the reservoir on a daily basis to keep the ice going. Some ice makers can use melted ice cubes to make new ice, but once you’re out of water, new ice will no longer be produced.
- It’s also important to consider the water capacity of the water reservoir. The smaller the reservoir, the more often you’ll have to fill it to keep the ice flow going.
- If you’re concerned about your carbon footprint, look for an ice maker with eco-friendly options. Some can pull any melted cubes into the water reservoir to make fresh cubes. Still others draw less power, saving on electricity.
- Noise is a consideration, particularly if you spend time near your kitchen. If this is a concern, look for an ice maker that boasts quiet operation.
- Ice size is an important factor in the ice maker you buy. Some units come with multiple ice size options, letting you switch back and forth between larger and smaller cubes.
- If you plan to only use your ice maker occasionally, note how long it will take to produce the first few cubes of ice from the time you insert water. Many start providing ice in less than 10 minutes, which can come in handy if you’re just occasionally firing up your machine.
Portable Ice Maker Rankings
1. Vremi Portable Countertop Ice Maker With Ice Scoop And Basket
5. COSTWAY Express Compact Countertop Portable Ice Maker With Scoop
6. Prime Home Direct Portable Ice Maker Machine For Countertop With Ice Scoop And Basket
7. hOmeLabs Portable Countertop Ice Maker Machine With Ice Scoop And Ice Storage
9. EUHOMY Portable Compact Countertop Ice Maker Machine With Ice Scoop And Basket
More to Explore
The popular habit of chomping on ice can actually be a sign of an underlying health issue, particularly if it’s become a habit. Known as pagophagia, compulsively chewing ice is a form of pica, which is a disorder related to eating items with no nutritional value. Studies have linked compulsive ice chewing to iron deficiencies, which are very common in pregnant women, and much more common in women overall than in men. By chewing ice, you send more blood to the brain, which helps improve thought clarity and alertness. But the habit can be dangerous for your teeth, not to mention the harm that can come from leaving an iron deficiency unchecked. If you can’t seem to stop chewing ice, it might be time to schedule a physical to make sure your habit isn’t a sign of underlying health issues.