Finding the best ice makers comes down to three honest questions: what kind of ice do you actually want, how much do you go through in a day, and where will the machine live. We sorted countertop, portable, and built-in units by ice type, daily output in pounds, noise level, and price so you can match a machine to a real kitchen instead of a marketing line. Every pick below is judged on the spec sheet and buyer feedback, not hype, and the lineup spans chewable nugget machines, fast bullet-ice units, high-capacity makers, and a true built-in.
Best Ice Makers, ranked
4.4
(4,660)
$179.997,000,000+ bought last month
- Dimensions 11 X 9.1 X 12.6 In
- Voltage 115 Volts
The EUHOMY IM013 is our top pick because it nails the thing most buyers want: soft, chewable pebble ice, ready in about seven minutes and rated at 35 lbs per day. A 4.4-star average across roughly 4,660 reviews shows the performance holds up in real kitchens, and the self-cleaning function keeps upkeep simple. At $179.99 in a stainless finish, it balances ice quality, output, and price better than anything else on this list.
Best for: Anyone who wants the best balance of soft chewable ice, quick output, and a proven track record.
Get it if: Want soft chewable nugget ice · Value a proven 4.4-star, 4,600+ review record · Have room for an 11x9x13 inch unit · OK at a $180 mid-range price
Skip it if: You only need cheap bullet ice for drinks · You want a plumbed built-in unit
Pros
- Soft, chewable nugget ice ready in about 7 minutes
- Strong 4.4-star rating across thousands of reviews
- Self-cleaning function and included scoop and basket
- Compact stainless footprint at roughly 11 x 9 x 13 inches
Cons
- Mid-range price compared with basic bullet machines
- Uninsulated basket means stored ice melts over time
Bottom line: The most well-rounded ice maker here: great ice, fast batches, and a rating that thousands of buyers back.
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#2
Best budget
Frigidaire EFIC128AMZBLACK Ice Maker
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4.4
(16,910)
$67.99128+ bought last month
- Dimensions 13 X 11 X 12.5 In
- Voltage 120 Volts
The Frigidaire EFIC128 is the budget standout, producing 26 lbs of bullet ice per day for $67.99. It is backed by an enormous review base of nearly 17,000 buyers and a solid 4.4-star average, which is rare confidence at this price. If you mainly want cold drinks without spending much, this compact black countertop unit is the easy call.
Best for: Budget shoppers who want a trusted brand and only need ice to keep drinks cold.
Get it if: Budget shoppers near the $68 price · Just want bullet ice to chill drinks · Want Frigidaire's huge review base · First countertop ice maker
Skip it if: You want soft chewable nugget ice · You expect self-cleaning or smart features
Pros
- Low $67.99 price for a name-brand machine
- Massive review base with a 4.4-star average
- Compact countertop footprint, no plumbing needed
- 26 lbs/day output covers everyday drink chilling
Cons
- Hard bullet ice, not soft chewable nugget
- No smart or self-cleaning extras at this price
Bottom line: Hard to beat on price and proven by one of the largest review bases in the category.
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4.1
(16,779)
$151.986,000,000+ bought last month
- Dimensions 9.45 X 11.61 X 12.99 In
- Weight 19.58 lb
- Voltage 115 Volts
The EUHOMY HZB-12E delivers nugget ice for $151.98, with a built-in handle that makes it easy to move between home, RV, or a party. It produces 34 lbs per day, ready in about six minutes, and auto-cleaning keeps maintenance low. With nearly 16,800 reviews behind its 4.1-star score, it offers chewable ice at a friendlier price than most nugget machines.
Best for: Shoppers who want soft nugget ice and portability without paying premium nugget prices.
Get it if: Want nugget ice under $155 · RV, boat, or party use · Move the unit often via its handle · Skip premium nugget prices
Skip it if: You want a 4.4-star top rating · You need insulated ice storage
Pros
- Chewable nugget ice ready in about 6 minutes
- Built-in handle and portable design for travel
- Lower price than most nugget machines at $151.98
- Large review base backing its rating
Cons
- 4.1-star average is a notch below the top picks
- Stored ice melts in the uninsulated basket
Bottom line: A portable nugget machine that brings chewable ice within reach for less.
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4.2
(824)
$195.928,000,000+ bought last month
- Dimensions 12 X 8.9 X 12.1 In
- Weight 19.81 lb
- Voltage 120 Volts
The Iceman RJ56-PB-V2 is built for tight spaces, producing chewable pellet ice from a slim 12 x 8.9 x 12 inch body that makes 26 lbs per day. Ice is ready in about eight minutes and a one-touch cleaning function keeps it simple. Rated 4.2 stars, it is a tidy way to get nugget-style ice where counter space is limited.
Best for: Small kitchens, offices, or RVs that want nugget ice without a large machine.
Get it if: Tight counters needing a slim 12-inch body · Offices and dorm rooms · Nugget ice fans short on space · RVs needing a small footprint
Skip it if: You entertain and need 26+ lbs/day · You want a long review track record
Pros
- Slim footprint for small counters
- Chewable pellet ice ready in about 8 minutes
- One-touch cleaning function
- Includes scoop and basket
Cons
- 26 lbs/day is modest for entertaining
- Fewer reviews than the top nugget machines
Bottom line: Nugget-style ice squeezed into one of the smallest footprints here.
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4.3
(2,199)
$159.996,000,000+ bought last month
The GoveeLife H7172 adds voice and remote control to a 26 lbs per day bullet ice maker, so you can start a batch hands-free. It makes nine bullet cubes in about six minutes, self-cleans, and comes in a stainless silver finish. With a 4.3-star average across more than 2,000 reviews, it is a smart-home-friendly option that still keeps things simple.
Best for: Smart-home users who want to start ice with their voice or phone.
Get it if: Smart-home and voice-control users · Start ice hands-free by app · Want fast 6-minute bullet cubes · Fine with 26 lbs/day output
Skip it if: You want soft chewable nugget ice · You want the cheapest bullet machine
Pros
- Voice and remote control for hands-free batches
- Fast 6-minute, 9-cube bullet cycle
- Self-cleaning function
- Solid 4.3-star rating over 2,000+ reviews
Cons
- Bullet ice rather than chewable nugget
- Smart features add cost over a basic bullet unit
Bottom line: A capable bullet machine with genuinely useful voice and remote control.
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#6
Best portable
Frigidaire EFIC123-SSBLACK Ice Maker
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4.3
(3,760)
$59.99123+ bought last month
The Frigidaire EFIC123 is light and grab-and-go at about 7 pounds, making 26 lbs of bullet ice per day in a black stainless finish. At $59.99 it is the cheapest pick here, and a 4.3-star average over roughly 3,760 reviews shows it travels well. For a dorm, office, boat, or RV, its low weight and price are the draw.
Best for: Anyone who needs a cheap, lightweight ice maker to move between rooms or take on the road.
Get it if: Dorms, boats, RVs, and offices · Want the lowest $60 price · Move a ~7 lb unit between rooms · Want lightweight portability
Skip it if: You want soft chewable nugget ice · You need self-cleaning or smart control
Pros
- Very light at about 7 pounds for easy moving
- Lowest price on the list at $59.99
- 26 lbs/day bullet output, no plumbing needed
- Trusted brand with thousands of reviews
Cons
- Hard bullet ice only
- No smart or self-cleaning features
Bottom line: The most portable and affordable way to keep drinks cold anywhere.
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4.0
(1,700)
$179.00115+ bought last month
The Frigidaire EFIC115 steps output up to 48 lbs of ice per day, nearly double a typical countertop unit, in a stainless extra-large body. At $179.00 it is built for households that go through ice faster than a small machine can keep up. Its 4.0-star average over 1,700 reviews reflects a workhorse rather than a frills machine.
Best for: Busy households that need more ice per day than a standard 26 lb/day machine provides.
Get it if: Busy households using lots of ice · Need 48 lbs/day bullet output · Want no plumbing at higher capacity · Want Frigidaire support and reviews
Skip it if: You want a rating above 4.0 stars · Counter space is very limited
Pros
- High 48 lbs/day output for heavier use
- Stainless extra-large countertop build
- No plumbing required despite the bigger capacity
- Established Frigidaire support and reviews
Cons
- 4.0-star average is the lowest among our picks
- Larger footprint than compact units
Bottom line: A higher-output countertop unit for homes that run through ice quickly.
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4.1
(301)
$278.97100+ bought last month
The EUHOMY IM-02-W is a commercial-grade machine that makes 100 lbs of ice per day with 33 lbs of onboard storage, far beyond any countertop unit here. Its stainless freestanding and under-counter design suits a home bar, restaurant, or outdoor setup. At $278.97 with a 4.1-star rating, it is the pick when you simply need a lot of ice on hand.
Best for: Home bars, parties, and small businesses that need high-volume ice on hand.
Get it if: Home bars and big gatherings · Need 100 lbs/day commercial volume · Want 33 lbs onboard ice storage · Small businesses and restaurants
Skip it if: You only need everyday household ice · You want a small countertop footprint
Pros
- Massive 100 lbs/day production
- 33 lbs of onboard ice storage
- Stainless freestanding or under-counter design
- Built for bars, restaurants, and big gatherings
Cons
- Overkill for everyday household use
- Larger and pricier than countertop machines
Bottom line: The high-volume choice when a countertop unit simply cannot keep up.
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4.3
(144)
$499.9960+ bought last month
- Weight 42.4 lb
- Voltage 120 Volts (Ac)
The GoveeLife H8120 is the premium nugget machine, making 60 lbs of soft ice per day with first ice in about six minutes. It runs at an ultra-quiet 40 dB, offers app and voice control, self-cleans, and uses dual water tanks. At $499.99 with a 4.3-star rating, it is the most feature-loaded pick for buyers who want quiet, high-output chewable ice.
Best for: Buyers who want quiet, high-volume chewable ice with full smart control.
Get it if: Want quiet 40 dB operation · Need 60 lbs/day nugget output · Want app and voice control · Entertain with chewable ice
Skip it if: You are on a tight budget under $500 · You want a long review track record
Pros
- High 60 lbs/day nugget output
- Ultra-quiet 40 dB operation
- App and voice control with self-cleaning
- Dual water tanks and quick first ice
Cons
- Highest price among the countertop machines
- Fewer reviews than the established budget units
Bottom line: The most advanced nugget machine here, if the premium price fits.
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4.7
(193)
$889.9815+ bought last month
- Weight 62.0 lb
- Voltage 115 Volts
The COTLIN HXIMC25BI is a true 15-inch built-in that makes firm crescent ice and stores 22 lbs in its bin. Its drainless design means no floor drain is required, simplifying installation as a freestanding or built-in unit, and it is ETL approved. At $889.98 with a strong 4.7-star rating, it is the pick for a permanent, integrated ice supply.
Best for: Homeowners who want a permanent, integrated ice maker without plumbing a drain.
Get it if: Want a permanent 15-inch built-in · Have a 15-inch cabinet opening · Want drainless install, no floor drain · Prefer firm crescent cubes
Skip it if: You want a portable countertop unit · Your budget is well under $890
Pros
- True 15-inch built-in or freestanding design
- Drainless, so no floor drain is required
- 22 lbs of onboard storage with crescent ice
- Highest rating on the list at 4.7 stars
Cons
- Needs a 15-inch cabinet opening and weighs 62 lbs
- Highest price of any pick here
Bottom line: The choice for a clean, built-in ice supply that disappears into the cabinetry.
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Buying guide
Pick your ice type first
Ice type matters more than any other spec. Nugget machines like the EUHOMY IM013 and GoveeLife H8120 make soft, chewable pebble ice that soaks up flavor and is gentle on teeth. Bullet machines like the Frigidaire EFIC128 and GoveeLife H7172 push out hard, hollow cylinders fast and cheap, which is great for chilling drinks. A built-in such as the COTLIN HXIMC25BI makes firm crescent cubes meant for everyday glasses. Decide which texture your household actually reaches for before you compare anything else.
Size the daily output to your real demand
Daily output is measured in pounds of ice per 24 hours, and most countertop units here sit around 26 lbs/day, enough for a couple of people keeping drinks cold. Step up to the Frigidaire EFIC115 at 48 lbs/day or the GoveeLife H8120 at 60 lbs/day if you entertain, and the EUHOMY IM-02-W commercial unit reaches 100 lbs/day for bars and big gatherings. Remember that a countertop machine without insulation melts stored ice over time, so rated output is what it produces, not what it keeps.
Plan for the footprint and the water
Countertop machines are self-contained: you pour water in, no plumbing required, and they fit a 9-to-13-inch footprint. That convenience means you refill by hand and the units are portable enough for an RV or office. The COTLIN built-in is different, designed to slot into a 15-inch cabinet opening as a freestanding or built-in unit; its drainless design means no floor drain is required, which simplifies installation but it weighs 62 lbs and is not something you move around.
Weigh noise, cleaning, and smart features
Compressor ice makers all hum, but it varies. The GoveeLife H8120 advertises ultra-quiet 40 dB operation, while basic countertop units are louder during the freeze cycle. Self-cleaning or one-touch cleaning, found on most picks here, saves real maintenance hassle. App and voice control on the GoveeLife units is genuinely useful if you want to start a batch before guests arrive, but it is a convenience, not a reason to overpay if you only need cold drinks.