I never knew the importance of having a portable ice maker until I hosted my first barbeque. The weather was right, the food was great, the company was amazing, and everyone was just in a bubbly relaxed mood. However, it just felt like I was spending more time refilling ice trays rather than interacting with my guests and ultimately the inevitable happened – I ran out of ice.
Nobody was complaining, but you could tell they were not enjoying their drinks as much as they did the first round. That party made me realize nobody likes a warm drink, and do not even get me started on the melted store-bought bagged ice I ended up with in an attempt to salvage the situation.
You never really realize the importance of ice cubes in a social gathering until you run out and it just feels like your refrigerator is not making them fast enough. If this has ever happened to you, investing in a high quality portbale ice maker might be what you need in preparation for your next party. If nothing else, it will at least spare you from making a trip to the convenience store right when Janice is in the middle of telling a hilarious story.
Below you will find my review about 5 best portable ice makers to buy in 2018. Don’t forget to check out the buyer’s guide to help you decide which one suits your needs the most.
Portable ice maker : features to compare ?
Countertop ice makers vary widely in size, function, cost, and components among many other things. Therefore, what could you look out for before you made your purchase ?
Ice Production Capacity
Ice production is indicated in terms of pounds per day assuming continuous production throughout the 24 hours. The smallest units could be producing about 20 pounds of ice a day whereas larger units could produce as much as 35 pounds within the same period. The production capacity you go for will be informed by how frequently you use ice be it in your home, office or at your average parties.
Ice Production Speed
This refers to how fast the ice maker produces ice, and it is indicated as minutes to first serving. We recommned looking for a unit that produces about one batch every 6 minutes. If it goes beyond 10 minutes to produce a single batch, then that particular machine is a bit slow.
Ice Type
Most countertop ice makers produce bullet ice which is cylindrical but tastes just the same as ice made by traditional freezers. If you are feeling a bit fancy though, and want to enjoy restaurant-quality impurity-free clear cubed ice, crescent ice, nugget ice, sonic ice, crushed ice, etc., there are units that make just that.
Still, on the same, consider going for units that produce denser ice rather than soft ice. The latter will be produced faster, but it will also melt faster.
Simplicity
No portable ice maker should be difficult to install or use. Simplicity also encompasses ease of cleaning, unless you want to have dirty ice. Look out for the location of the water filters, heating elements, and cooling trays.
Size
Before shopping for your ice maker, determine where you would like to place it on your countertop and measure the space. While measuring out this space, consider that your ice maker will require breathing room all around it for maximum circulation of oxygen.
Water Recycling
This handy innovation will save you both time and water. Inevitably, ice left untouched in the unit will melt. In older models, this melted ice would just sit there potentially damaging the ice maker. In newer models though, the ice water gets recycled back into the system.
Price
Price does not necessarily indicate that one model is better than another is. However, an increase in price could indicate that the higher-priced model has a larger capacity, is more efficient, produces fancy gourmet ice, etc. for this reason understand the features you would want in your ice machine, before comparing prices.
5 best Portable Ice makers 2018 list
| Ice Maker Name | Ice production | Operation Cycle | Storage capacity | Weight | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
 |
NewAir AI-100SS Best Pick |
28 pounds | 6-15 min | 2.4 lbs | 26.3 lbs | Check Price |
 |
Edgestar IP210BL | 28 pounds | 10 min | 2.5 lbs | 41.8 lbs | Check Price |
 |
Igloo ICE103 Reasonable Price |
26 pounds | 6-15 min | 2.2 lbs | 25.9 lbs |
Check Price |
 |
Ivation IVA-ICEM15SIL | 26.5 pounds | 6 min | 1.5 lbs | 21.2 lbs | Check Price |
 |
Avalon Bay AB-ICE26B | 26 pounds | 6-13 min | 1.5 lbs | 20 lbs | Check Price |
1. NewAir AI-100SS – Best Portable Ice Maker Overall
The sleek, eye-catching design featuring an elegant combination of black and stainless steel is definitely the first thing you will love about this ice maker, along with the simple LED controls operable by a simple push. Measuring just 14.5” L x 11.75” W x 15” H and weighing 26.3 lbs., this NewAir® unit is conveniently compact, making it ideal for kitchens with limited countertop space.
As far as ice production goes, this unit has a water capacity of 176 ounces, a production capacity of 28 pounds per day and a storage capacity of 2.4 pounds. You can enjoy your first batch of bullet-shaped ice in just 6 minutes. Each cycle produces 9 pieces of ice whereby you can set the unit to choose from 3 ice sizes.
Efficient technological features you will love about this ice machine are the automatic shut-off, water recycling and the overflow protection feature. When the ice bin is full, or the water tank is empty, the unit will automatically shut off. At the same time, the empty water reservoir indicator and the full basket indicator will both flash to draw your attention to the unit.
If you are not close by to empty the ice bin, you do not have to worry. The melted ice water will be recycled to make the next batch. Finally, the overflow protection feature will prevent blockage and overloading of the unit. You do have to clean the unit occasionally though, and this is made easy owing to the fact that there is a side-mounted drain and the ice bin is removable.
Using this ice maker is as simple as plugging it into any ordinary household plug, filling it with water, selecting an ice size and pressing start. If you are particularly concerned about saving the environment, you will love the fact that this ice maker uses R-134A refrigerant, which does not damage the ozone layer.
Pros
Cons
✓ Has an easy-to-use LED control panel
✓Has indicator lights for empty water reservoir and fill ice bin
✓ Removable ice bucket comes with an ice scoop
✓ Heat up very quickly thanks to the 1700 watt power
✓ Has a quick ice production speed of 6 minutes per cycle
✓ Choose from 3 ice sizes
✘ It does not have a self-cleaning function
✘ Can only produce bullet ice
Overall, If you need an ice maker that is not only efficient but also has a stylish look, then, this is the one for you. It is very portable and lightweight. Besides, it’s is very easy to set up and operate.
2. EdgeStar IP210BL – Make Ice With Style
This one from EdgeStar® is both a functional and aesthetic addition to any kitchen space. The best part is that you will hardly ever need to use the drain, thus eliminating the option of only putting it in the kitchen. With this ice maker, you can go ahead and place it in your office, mini bar area, RV, etc. without worrying about any water spillages.
Measuring 14.5” L x 11.75” W x 14.75” H and weighing 41.85 lbs., this unit is disadvantaged in that it is not as compact and as lightweight as some of its competitors. It is however still very portable, and you can conveniently take it with you wherever you may be in need of plenty of instant ice.
The larger size of this ice maker might arise from the fact that the ice storage bin is larger than that of other units and has a capacity of 2.5 lbs. besides being conveniently large in size, the bin is also well insulated keeping your ice cool for longer periods.
A good thing to note would be that despite being well insulated, the bin is not a freezer; therefore, your ice will melt eventually. Do not expect it to stay frozen for too long. When it does melt, however, the innovative water-use design will simply recycle the melted ice water to make more ice.
You might also appreciate the fact that this unit has a very efficient ice production capacity of 28 pounds a day in either of the three ice sizes meaning your party never has to stop for you to make a quick dash to the convenience store for a bag of ice. Yes, like most of the available ice makers in the market, this one too gives you the option of choosing from 3 ice sizes: small, medium and large.
The ice production speed is a little slow though seeing as batches are produced every 10 minutes or so, but then again 10 minutes is not such a long time to wait.
Pros
Cons
✓ Insulated storage bin with a capacity of 2.5lbs
✓ Can produce as much as 28 pounds of bullet ice per day
✓ Has touch-sensitive controls, which are easy to use
✓ Choose from 3 ice sizes
✓ Has an efficient water-recycling feature
✘ An ice production speed of 10 minutes is a little slow
✘ You might notice a lingering metal scent at first
Overall, if you are willing to compromise a little extra ice production time, to enjoy the benefits of higher ice production and a well-insulated ice storage bin, then, this unit from EdgeStar well worth your money.
3. Igloo ICE103 – Cheap portable Ice maker
This Igloo portable ice maker would be excellent for buyers with a low budget. Let this not fool you about the efficiency of the gadget though. Measuring 14” L x 12” W x 15” H, it weighs 25.9 pounds, can produce 26 lbs of ice in a 24-hour span and has an oversized ice bucket with a capacity of 2.2 pounds.
With its stainless steel finish along with clean, sleek edges, this unit is a simple yet elegant addition to any existing décor in your home. The whole look is completed by the stout rubber stands that allow you to place the unit on any surface without having to worry too much about its sturdiness.
Setting up this portable ice machine is a breeze, and it is just as easy to get started making your first batch of ice. All you do is fill the reservoir with water, and voila! Ice production would be underway. As far as its efficiency goes, this ice maker uses just 120 W of power, which is much less, than the power consumption of other units within that price range, and the unit is cooled by a compressor.
A fresh batch of ice is produced every 6 minutes. There are also indicator lights located on the control panel, which flash whenever the water bucket is full or when the water reservoir is empty.
Having the option of choosing from 3 ice sizes is quite a handy addition, that allows you to make ice in just the size you need either for your glass or for the blender. However, you might find that there is not that much of a difference between the ice sizes. Also, you might like the fact that the large bullet ice is denser, whereas the small ones are chewable making them perfect for people who love to chomp on ice.
Pros
Cons
✓ Melted ice water gets recycled to make more ice
✓ Has low power consumption
✓ Provides fast ice production
✓ The big ice bucket is very convenient
✓ Made of durable stainless steel
✘ If the power goes out while the ice maker is running, it would not automatically come back on. You would have to reset and restart it manually
✘ It does not have a self-cleaning option
Overall, this one would be ideal for buyers operating on a tight budget. The budget-efficiency goes on to the power consumption rate of the unit. This added perk would make this Igloo ice maker a very thoughtful gift for family and friends.
4. Ivation IVA-ICEM15SIL – User Fiendly countertop Ice Maker
This Ivation portable ice machine has quite a futuristic look to it, and the functionality of the unit is just as advanced. To begin with, the unit has a large see-through window, which allows you to see how much ice is being produced without you having to open the machine.
On top of that, the digitalized control panel features easy-push touch buttons, and it is integrated with intuitive icons. For instance, when the ice making process is on standby, there will be a flashing snowflake icon.
This ice maker measures 9.5” L x 14.1” W x 12.9” H, weighs 21.2 lbs., has a water storage capacity of 80 ounces (2.5 quarts) and an ice storage capacity of 1.5 lbs. as far as ice production is concerned, this unit can churn out 26.5 pounds of ice in a 24-hour period when operating on the maximum settings. Unlike some of the best countertop ice makers in the market though, with this unit, you only get to choose between 2 ice sizes: small and large.
Just as well, the machine’s intelligent alert system will inform you if your attention is required. Indicator lights will go off whenever the water reservoir level runs low and when the maximum ice capacity has been reached in the ice bucket. With all these alerts, you can tell when to attend to the machine and when just to let it continue with the ice making process
If you happen to miss the indicators, you still do not have to worry. Once the ice bucket is filled to capacity, the unit automatically shuts off. At this point, you have the option of storing the ready bullet ice cubes in a cooler for later use or leaving the ice cubes in the ice bucket. If you opt for the latter, the ice will eventually melt, and the melted ice water will be used to create another batch of ice.
Using the environmentally friendly R134a refrigerant, this unit’s ice-making efficiency is further enhanced by the use of modern compressor refrigeration technology. Thanks to this modern compressor, the unit saves energy and is almost silent when working. Well, the unit cannot be completely silent because ice falling into the bin will still make some noise.
Pros
Cons
✓ The water tank and ice tray are both removable for ease of cleaning
✓ Employs advanced compressor technology, which is quieter
✓ You can watch the ice making process through the large see-through window
✓ Has light-up alerts
✓ The unit conveniently comes with an ice scoop
✘ The water reservoir and the cube tray have small capacities compared to those of competitors
✘ It can only make bullet ice
This Ivation countertop ice maker is super easy to use. It has a cycle time of about 6 minutes with 9 ice cubes in either of the 2 sizes being produced per cycle and it’s environmentaly friendly thanks to its R134a refrigerant.
5. Avalon Bay AB-ICE26B – Super lightweight Ice Maker
If you found the NewAir AI-100SS a bit too expensive then you will love that this Avalon Bay® ice maker is a tad cheaper and who knows, it just might fight right into your budget as well as on your counter. This unit measures 11” L x 14.8” W x 14.7” H, is incredibly lightweight at just 20 lbs. and has a water capacity of 32 ounces. Although small in size, it is a powerful machine capable of producing 26 pounds of ice per day.
In addition to that, each ice cycle takes 6 minutes to produce, with each cycle producing 9 pieces of bullet ice in two different sizes. Bullet ice is essentially cylindrical in shape and with a hole through the middle along the length of the piece of ice.
The LED control panel having push buttons is simple to understand and operate. It is, however, important to go through the manual before you begin using the unit. Just as well, it is important to clean the ice maker before you use it to produce is for the first time.
This unit has water recycle feature allowing melted ice water to be re-used in making the next batch. If you want clean ice, however, I would advise you do not get in the habit of leaving the unused ice in the unit for too many cycles.
Besides water recycling, there is also an automatic overflow protection feature ensuring your unit does not overproduce ice if the ice bucket is already full. When this happens, the ice bucket indicator will simply start flashing to alert you to the problem. During that period, ice production will pause until the bin is emptied or until the ice melts and the water gets recycled.
Pros
Cons
✓ It is compact and very light in weight making it very portable
✓ Comes in a variety of colors to choose from
✓ Use eco-friendly R-134A refrigerant
✓ Each ice production cycle takes just 6 minutes
✓ Has indicator lights for empty water reservoir and fill ice bin
✘ You can only choose between 2 ice sizes
✘ The ice bin is not removable
Overall, this Avalon Bay ice machine is small and lightweight yet incredibly effective when it comes to producing a decent amount of ice for a party or even just for your home. The red color is the one to go for if you are looking to give your countertop an interesting pop of color.
Faqs & considerations
What is a Countertop ice maker ?
A countertop or portable ice maker is ice maker machine that produces ice quickly and they are very easy to operate and they don’t require any installations. They have an insulated storage bins that prevent ice cubes from melting quickly and most of them like NewAir, Edgestar Titanium and many other ice making brands can also recycle melted ice cubes to produce new ones. Depending on the model, it can produce up to 3 different sizes of cube. countertop ice machines can also used for your outdoors excursions including summer holidays, camps and vacations.
How does a Countertop ice maker works ?
Generally, to make use of any portable ice unit, you’ll need to open its cover and remove the ice basket. Then pour tap water into the tank. You should ensure that the water level is kept below the level mark. Then you’ll need to plug in the unit and the power indicator light should be blinking. Press the power button on the control panel to start making ice. Normally the ice making cycle takes about 6 to 14 minutes depending on the size of ice cube selected. Periodical check of the water level allows you to know when the water level is low. When the ice is ready, the machine stops automatically and the ice indicator comes up.
Does Countertop ice maker uses melted ice water to make new ice cubes ?
Yes and no. Some ice makers brands do not make use of melted ice water to make new ice cubes. However, Igloo, Edgestar and many other Ice makers automatically recycle ice cubes not collected on time to make new ones. Whenever the ice cube melts, the water drips down back into the water chamber and get drawn automatically. The feature eliminates additional costs incurred in getting drains.
Does Countertop Ice Maker stores ice ?
Yes and No. Although some ice makers comes with a basket that is capable of holding about 2.5 pounds of ice depending on the model, it is not meant to store ice but just to hold them during the time the ice is being produced. The reason is not far fetched, ice easily melt back to water and the ice maker is not meant to perform a refrigerating function. Some ice makers can only recycle the melted ice back to new cubes. To store ice made from the ice maker, the ice should be transferred into a conventional freezer when the ice indicator indicating the ice is ready.
Why are the ice cubes sticking together ?
Leaving ice cubes in the ice unit for a long period of time may likely results in some ice makers recycling the ice by melting it to make new ones which might make the ice to stick together. If your machine doesn’t recycle melted ice cube, then the reason for the cubes sticking together might be as a result of using water of low temperature, mostly cold water. To solve this problem, change the water in the water reservoir. To also prevent automatic recycling of the ice cubes, already made ice cubes should be transferred into a refrigerator.
How do you clean an ice maker ?
Cleaning a portable ice machine is very easy. Firstly, remove the ice basket. Turn on the drain cap counter if your ice maker has one by turning it clockwise. Afterwards, make use of diluted detergent to clean the interior part of the ice maker with soft cloth and warm water. The ice maker’s exterior part should be cleaned with warm water and mild detergent solution regularly. Make use of soft cloth to dry both the interior and the exterior part of the ice unit. Whenever the machine is not in use, open the water drain to completely drain water from the reservoir. There you are! Your Ice maker as clean as new.
Does the water quality used affect the ice cube quality ?
Yes, The quality of the water poured into the ice machine will determine the quality of the ice cube produced. Clean normal tap water is highly advised to be used in order to produce disease free ice cubes. Using unclean water also gives the extra work of cleaning the water reservoir more often and the lifespan of the ice appliance might as well be shortened.
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