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The Best Portable Ice Maker

Last updated on March 26, 2020

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.

Best Portable Ice Maker

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

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Product Overview
Our Take
Pros
Cons
 Best Overall

Vremi Portable Countertop Ice Maker With Ice Scoop And Basket

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Vremi

Portable Countertop Ice Maker

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.

Overall Take

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.

Pros
" Makes 9 ice cubes in less than 10 minutes and as much as 26 pounds in 24 hours. Auto shut-off and warning lights for full basket, overflow, and low water. Re-uses melted ice to make new ice cubes."
Cons
"You have to refill the water reservoir pretty regularly, so it's not something you can set overnight."
 Small But Mighty

FRIGIDAIRE Portable Compact Countertop Ice Maker Machine

FRIGIDAIRE

Portable Countertop Ice Maker

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.

Overall Take

Large 3.1-Liter ReservoirThe FRIGIDAIRE Portable Countertop Ice Maker may be small, but its water reservoir holds 3.1 liters of water.

Pros
" Makes up to 26 pounds of ice in 24 hours; 9 cubes in 7-15 minute increments. Reservoir holds 3.1L of water. Cube size is adjustable. Includes compressor that helps keep machine cool."
Cons
"Being that it is a portable unit, it does not deliver vast amounts of nugget ice as other nugget ice machines do. In order to get that clear ice, this appliance needs to be cleaned often, which can sometimes be..."
 High-Tech Pick

GE Profile Opal Countertop Portable Ice Maker

GE

Profile Opal Countertop Nugt Ice Maker

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...

Overall Take

Bluetooth ConnectivityBluetooth connectivity sets the GE Profile Opal Countertop Nugget Ice Maker apart, allowing you to control ice production from your smartphone.

Pros
" The hourly capacity for the Opal Ice Maker is one pound and there is a three-pound capacity bin to hold your ice nuggets. It works quite efficiently and quickly and you’ll get your first batch of ice nuggets in just..."
 Stylish Pick

Igloo Portable Automatic Ice Maker

Igloo

Portable Automatic Ice Maker

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.

Overall Take

Multiple Color OptionsBring some color to your countertops with the Igloo Portable Automatic Ice Maker, which comes in five different colors, including stainless steel.

Pros
" The handy LED notification light lets you know when the water needs to be refilled. This makes continuous ice-making an easy proposition, without constant checking of the water level."
Cons
"While the machine is very affordable, it does not come protected by a warranty."
Don't just take for granted what one reviewer says. Along with our own experts, DWYM analyzes the top expert reviews of the leading products and generates a score you can actually trust.
16

Products Considered

We identified the majority of the portable ice makers available to purchase.
9

Products Analyzed

We then selected the leading and most popular products for our team to review.

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60

Expert Reviews Included

In addition to our expert reviews, we also incorporate feedback and analysis of some of the most respected sources including: BestReviews, Best Reviews Guide, Just New Releases, Very Best Reviews, Review Meta.

10,007

User Opinions Analyzed

We also incorporate user reviews from the leading retailers including

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.

DWYM is your trusted roduct review source. Our team reviews thousands of product reviews from the trusted top experts and combines them into one easy-to-understand score. Learn more.

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The Best Bang For Your Buck

FRIGIDAIRE Portable Compact Countertop Ice Maker Machine

Our Expert Score

9.5
10 expert reviews

User Summarized Score

8.8
242 user reviews

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

Makes up to 26 pounds of ice in 24 hours; 9 cubes in 7-15 minute increments. Reservoir holds 3.1L of water. Cube size is adjustable. Includes compressor that helps keep machine cool.
- BestReviews
Made enough ice for two small drinks in about seven minutes, and about 15 small drinks within an hour—just a bit quicker than any other model we tested. The ice also came out colder and stayed cold for longer than ice from other models, so it should melt slower. (Most...
- New York Times Wirecutter
This particular ice machine can produce both nugget and regular ice, depending on the mode you choose. If you pick large or medium cubes, the device will produce regular clear ice. But if you want the small ice cube mode, you will get nugget ice in no time. Another spec...
- Ice Making 101
Coming in a very close second is the Frigidaire – EFIC108, which yielded 25.6 pounds per day on its best setting (small ice cubes), and between it large and small settings, it averaged 22.5 pounds per day overall. Similar to all the ice makers we tested, the Frigidaire uses about...
- Your Best Digs
Unlike many others within its price range, it can produce two different sizes of ice cubes. All over the web, the Frigidaire is a top choice, or at least praised: Wirecutter and The Spruce Eats both love it.
- Business Insider
Comes with a removable ice bin and ice scoop for the easy transference of ice out of the machine. This ice maker can create up to 26 pounds of ice every day. When the machine's ice tub is full, a light on the LED display flashes to let you know....
- Top Ice Maker Reviews
Having a capacity of 26lbs, this is a perfect ice maker that you will find excellent for making your favorite ice cubes. Designed from the best quality of material, it is a highly durable ice maker that will serve you for years. Again, the ice maker is relatively faster as...
- Easy Get Product
This machine is able to make ice within 6 minutes and can make a total of 26 pounds of ice within 24 hours. It is constructed of high-quality plastic that is ETL certified and is able to start right out of the box. It is reasonably priced and comes with...
- Kitchen Aria
Feature packed and beautifully designed: Large window with transparent view can help you to see the interior of ice maker without opening the lid. This appliance has convenient drain plug helps you to drain out the water and clean the ice maker machine easily and quickly.
- Best Ice Maker Reviews
Besides it being a small countertop ice maker, and cheap, it does the job fast. It can make ice blocks in less than 6 minutes. Big see through window to monitor ice.
- Ice Makers Hub

What other experts didn't like

Ice cubes are relatively small. Drain can be challenging to access.
- BestReviews
Being that it is a portable unit, it does not deliver vast amounts of nugget ice as other nugget ice machines do. In order to get that clear ice, this appliance needs to be cleaned often, which can sometimes be a nuisance.
- Ice Making 101
Although the ice tray holds 1.5 pounds of ice, the Frigidaire automatically shuts off when 1 pound of ice is made.
- Your Best Digs
The one thing we don't like about it is its shape. When it comes time to store and hide the Frigidaire EFIC108 Compact Ice Maker, it doesn't stack, or fit into a closet full of square and rectangular boxes and bins all that well.
- Business Insider
Smaller than average bin. The machine doesn't freeze ice as hard as some people prefer. The EFIC108 is loud when producing ice.
- Top Ice Maker Reviews
Does not come with a removeable ice tray or alert for when it is full of ice.
- Kitchen Aria
Some people complained cubes are small even on large cube ice setting. It failed after working for few months (by some users).
- Best Ice Maker Reviews
Complaints of the device being noisy.
- Ice Makers Hub

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

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.

More to explore