Top 5 Ice Makers: Reddit User Reviews & Guide

Is your freezer ice maker constantly jamming or just plain refusing to make ice when you need it most? You are not alone! Many people face frustrating ice maker problems. Trying to find the best one can feel like a giant puzzle. Online reviews often sound too good to be true, and technical jargon makes things confusing.

That’s where Reddit shines. Real users share their honest experiences, both good and bad, about different ice makers. They talk about what breaks, what lasts forever, and which brands truly deliver crisp, clean ice on demand. We’ve sifted through the threads and debates to bring you the best insights from the Ice Maker Reddit community.

By reading this post, you will learn which models Redditors swear by and which ones to avoid completely. We break down the common issues and share the solutions the community has discovered. Get ready to stop fighting with your ice machine and start enjoying perfectly chilled drinks. Dive in to discover the secrets to choosing your next reliable ice maker!

Top Ice Maker Reddit Recommendations

No. 1

Frigidaire Counter top Portable, 26 lb per Day Nugget Ice Maker Machine (Red Stainless Steel)

Sleek Design - Never run out of ice again with the Frigidaire Stainless Steel Ice Maker that produces up to 26 lbs. of ice per day. Elevate your space with its sleek stainless steel countertop design that blends seamlessly with any kitchen, bar, office, or dorm.
Fast Ice Production - This compact ice maker makes hosting easy! It churns out 9 bullet-shaped ice cubes every 7 minutes, with two size options to suit any beverage or occasion.
Intuitive Control - The ice maker features a transparent window so you can easily monitor ice levels and see when ice is being made. Take full control with the digital LED control panel, allowing easy adjustment of settings and ice size selection for ultimate convenience.
Large Water Capacity - With a 2.1 qt. water tank capacity, you can enjoy uninterrupted ice making without having to constantly refill. Say goodbye to tedious cleaning routines with the drain plug feature that provides easy emptying and cleaning for hassle-free maintenance.
Bonus Accessory - Enhance your ice making experience with the included ice scoop for easy retrieval of ice cubes. The interior basket holds up to 1.5 lbs. of ice at a time, so you’ll always have ice on hand.

No. 2

Antarctic Star Countertop Ice Maker Portable Ice Machine with Handle,Automatic-Cleaning Ice Makers, 26Lbs/24H, 9 Ice Cubes Ready in 6 Mins for Home Kitchen Party Bar Red

FAST MAKER- Antarctic Star countertop ice maker has a powerful and fast ice making capacity. Makes batches of ice cubes in about 26 lbs of ice in per day and Makes batches of ice cubes in about 6-13 mins. Don't worry about running out of ice. Especially in the hot summer, you can enjoy drinks and beer with ice cubes. Note: For normal use, please must let machine stand upright for 4 hours before first use
QUIET & ENERGY- This portable countertop ice maker machine achieves low noise level, fast cooling effect and low consumption with powerful compressor. It runs at less than 35dB which means your entertainment will not be disturbed. Antarctic ice maker made of food-grade material, just for your health and safety, no odor. Durable ABS shell, smooth and easy to clean
INTELLIGENT LED DISPLAY- Let's you know the time to add the water, it's equipped with alarm light and automatic shutdown function, take out the ice cubes, the machine will automatically start go into the ice-making mode. You just plug in to main and add some water, then press the button. Large translucent window for easy observation. It's also comes with a removable ice basket and scoop, convenient for you to transfer ice cubes to your drink or ice bucket
PORTABLE and COMPACT- Just 11.3(D)×8.66(W)×11.42(H) inch. This ice maker portable, convenient and compact in size. In terms of user-friendliness, mini ice maker does not require any permanent installation. Compact, easy to clean, control and transport. With a outlet and drain plug at the bottom, easy to empty the unused water. Perfect for camping, boating, gathering and taking RV trips , and also fit for kitchen, home, office coffee shop. The best idea for summer parties
WIDE APPLICATIONS- Our portable ice makers(countertop ice makers) are suited for RVs or boats, camping, bar, tea shop, KTV, kitchen and office, or tailgating—situations where you want ice but you’re near neither a fridge nor a cooler filled with store-bought ice

No. 3

EUHOMY Countertop Ice Maker Machine with Handle, 26lbs Per Day, 9 Ice Cubes Ready in 6 Mins, Auto-Cleaning Portable Ice Maker with Basket and Scoop, for Home/Kitchen/Camping/RV (Red)

6 Mins Ice-Making & Ultra Quieter: Our Euhomy ice maker only takes 6mins that will enjoy the first batch of fresh bullet ice. With a 1.2L water tank and powerful compressor, the portable ice maker easily makes maximum ice capacity to 26lbs ice per day and holds up to 1.3lbs ice at a time. Also, our ice maker is not only excellent in refrigeration, but also at less than 45db normal noise, ensuring a comfortable and quiet environment to enjoy ice-making, similar to a working freezer
Portable Design & Bullet Ice: Our ice maker comes with a sturdy handle, weighs only 13.89lbs and with compact size 11.57(L)x11.42(W)x8.74(H)in. Those features make ice maker easy to carry and perform well on any occasions like Kitchen/Home/Camping/RV/Party/Dorm. Also, the newly designed countertop ice maker produce the most popular bullet-shaped smooth ice cubes, which won't stick together easily or hurt your hands or mouth even are excellent for cold drinks, iced coffee or chew as snacks
Smart Operation & Self-Cleaning: The ice maker has advanced infrared sensor. The "ICE FULL" indicator flashes remind you to take out ice to prevent overflowing when the basket is full. And it'll remind you to add water by flashing "ADD WATER". Additionlly, the compact ice maker has a one-touch auto-cleaning function. Press the “ON/OFF” for 5s after adding water to run automatic mode for 30mins. Just get a clean ice maker without washing it by yourself
User Friendly & Simple Operation: Euhomy ice maker is a popular and classic model of the moment adopts large see-through window visualized, allowing viewing of the interior ice-making. Equipped with a 170w upgraded compressor that 4kWh/Daily energy consumption to save your electricity bills. And with a easy-to-operate controlable panel for faster operation in just two steps, adding water and press "ON/OFF". Then our ice maker will provide you fresh bullet ice for you and your member timely
Included Accessories & Service Promise: Include handle, ice basket, ice scoop, manual and well-designed package. Our Mission is committed to providing customers with premium Euhomy ice maker at a reasonable price. You totally deserve a more exquisite life! We offer 12-month after-sales service from the original purchase date & technical service support. Suppose you have any questions about using our Ice Maker, our customer support is always ready to help you

No. 4

Silonn Ice Makers Countertop, 9 Cubes Ready in 6 Mins, 26lbs in 24Hrs, Self-Cleaning Ice Machine with Ice Scoop and Basket, 2 Sizes of Bullet Ice for Home Kitchen Office Bar Party, Red

Note : Please check the dimension and item weight of the product and confirm it fits your space
FAST ICE MAKING: The Silonn ice maker only takes 6 minutes to make 9 bullet-shaped ice cubes. Fill 2L of water into the water tank, maximum ice capacity can reach 26 pounds in 24 hours.
TWO SIZES OF ICE CUBES: You can make two different sizes of ice cubes. Small ice cubes can chill seafood and beer keeping it fresh and cold. Large ice cubes are more suitable for beverages to achieve a rapid cooling effect.
QUIET OPERATION: Makes ice cubes with minimal noise, ensuring a peaceful environment. The transparent lid lets you easily check the ice capacity, while the smart sensor stops production when full to prevent overflow
EASY TO CONTROL: The control panel is very easy to operate. Fill the ice maker with water, press the ON button, select the size of the ice cubes and that’s it. When the water is insufficient or the ice basket is full, the indicator light will turn on.

No. 5

EUHOMY Countertop Ice Maker Machine with Handle, 26lbs in 24Hrs, 9 Ice Cubes Ready in 6 Mins, Auto-Cleaning Portable Ice Maker with Basket and Scoop, for Home/Kitchen/Camping/RV. (Black)

6 Mins Ice-Making & Ultra Quieter: Our Euhomy ice maker only takes 6mins that will enjoy the first batch of fresh bullet ice. With a 1.2L water tank and powerful compressor, the portable ice maker easily makes maximum ice capacity to 26lbs ice per day and holds up to 1.3lbs ice at a time. Also, our ice maker is not only excellent in refrigeration, but also at less than 45db normal noise, ensuring a comfortable and quiet environment to enjoy ice-making, similar to a working freezer.
Portable Design & Perfect Bullet Ice: Our ice maker comes with a sturdy handle, weighs only 13lbs and with compact size 11.57(L)*11.42(W)*8.74(H)in. Those features make ice maker easy to carry and perform well on any occasions like Kitchen/Home/Camping/RV/Party/Dorm. Also, the newly designed countertop ice maker produce the most popular bullet-shaped smooth ice cubes, which won't stick together easily or hurt your hands or mouth even are perfect for cold drinks, iced coffee or chew as snacks.
Smart Operation & Self-Cleaning: The ice maker has advanced infrared sensor. The "ICE FULL" indicator flashes remind you to take out ice to prevent overflowing when the basket is full. And it'll remind you to add water by flashing "ADD WATER". Additionly, the compact ice maker has a one-touch auto-cleaning function. Press the “ON/OFF” for 5s after adding water to run automatic mode for 30mins. Not only are your hands-free but also you get a clean ice maker.
User Friendly & Simple Operation: Euhomy ice maker is a popular and classic model of the moment adopts large see-through window visualized, allowing viewing of the interior ice-making. Equipped with a 170w upgraded compressor that 4kWh/24H energy consumption to save your electricity bills. And with a easy-to-operate controlable panel for faster operation in just two steps, adding water and press "ON/OFF". Then our ice maker will provide you fresh bullet ice for you and your member timely.
Superior Quality & Warranty Promise: Include handle, ice basket, ice scoop, manual and well-designed package can as gifts. Our Mission is committed to providing customers with premium Euhomy ice maker at a reasonable price. You totally deserve a more exquisite life! We offer ① 12-month warranty from the original purchase date; ② Lifetime technical service support. Suppose you have any questions about using our Ice Maker, Our 7*24-hour customer support is always ready to help you!

No. 6

Frigidaire EFIC108 Counter top Portable, 26 lb per Day Compact Ice Maker Machine

Sleek Design - Never run out of ice again with the Frigidaire Ice Maker that produces up to 26 lbs. of ice per day. Elevate your space with its sleek countertop design that blends seamlessly with any kitchen, bar, office, or dorm.
Fast Ice Production - This compact ice maker makes hosting easy! It churns out 9 bullet-shaped ice cubes every 7 minutes, with two size options to suit any beverage or occasion.
Intuitive Control - The ice maker features a transparent window so you can easily monitor ice levels and see when ice is being made. Take full control with the digital LED control panel, allowing easy adjustment of settings and ice size selection for ultimate convenience.
Large Water Capacity - With a 2.1 qt. water tank capacity, you can enjoy uninterrupted ice making without having to constantly refill. Say goodbye to tedious cleaning routines with the drain plug feature that provides easy emptying and cleaning for hassle-free maintenance.
Bonus Accessory - Enhance your ice making experience with the included ice scoop for easy retrieval of ice cubes. The interior basket holds up to 1.5 lbs. of ice at a time, so you’ll always have ice on hand.

No. 7

EUHOMY Ice Maker Countertop, 9 Cubes Ready in 6 Mins, 26lbs/24H, Self-Cleaning, Portable Ice Maker Machine with Carry Handle, Basket and Scoop, 2 Sizes of Bullet Ice for Home, Kitchen, Office

Efficient Ice-Making in 6 Minutes: Powered by a high-quality compressor, this countertop ice maker produces up to 9 ice cubes in just 6-12 minutes, with a daily capacity of approximately 26 pounds. It ensures that your daily ice needs are fully met. Operating at a noise level below 45dB, our portable ice maker guarantees a comfortable and quiet environment while you enjoy your ice.
TWO SIZES OF Bullet-Shaped ICE CUBES: Create two different sizes of bullet-shaped ice cubes. Small ice cubes are perfect for chilling seafood and beer, keeping them fresh and cool. Large ice cubes are ideal for drinks, providing a quick cooling effect.
Portable Design and Complete Accessories: With a sturdy handle and weighing only 13.9 pounds, this compact ice maker measures 9.46 (L) x 11.74 (W) x 11.19 (H) inches, making it easy to carry. It performs exceptionally well in various settings such as kitchens, homes, camping trips, RVs, parties, dorms, and more. The package includes a handle, ice basket, ice scoop, manual, and beautifully designed packaging.
User-Friendly Control Panel: The control panel is simple and easy to operate. Just fill the small ice maker machine countertop with water, press the ON button, and select the size of the ice cubes. Indicator lights will alert you when water is insufficient or the ice basket is full.
Easy Automatic Cleaning: The Euhomy countertop ice maker machine features a self-cleaning function. Simply add water and press the "On/Off" button for 5 seconds to activate this mode. This not only frees your hands but also ensures a clean ice maker.

No. 8

Galanz Portable Countertop Electric Ice Maker Machine, 26 lbs in 24 Hours, 9 Bullet Shaped Cubes Ready in 9 Minutes, 2 Ice Sizes, Perfect for Parties & Home Bar, 2.1 L, Retro Red

COMPACT ICE IN MINUTES - Quick freezing produces 9 bullet cubes within 13 minutes, and up to 26 pounds in 24 hours! Enjoy fresh ice & cold drinks everyday!
2 SIZE OPTIONS - Select between small and large sizes depending on your glass size! Smaller cubes are great for water bottles & snacking, larger cubes are perfect for taller glasses and beverages!
EASY TO USE WITH TRANSPARENT LID - Simply add water & select the size you'd like! LED indicator lights will tell you when the ice is full or out of water - Transparent lid allows you to view the ice capacity of the machine! No water line necessary!
REMOVEABLE BASKET & SCOOP - Includes a removeable basket and ice scoop for easy cleaning! Simply remove the basket from the machine and wipe down, it also includes a drain plug to remove any unused water or melted ice.
COMPACT WITH FUN DESIGN - Compact size and fun, retro red look will accentuate any kitchen countertop -Ice maker measures 8.86" W x 12.32" L x 13.15" H, 2.1 L capacity

The Ultimate Buying Guide for Your Next Ice Maker (Straight from Reddit)

Thinking about buying a new ice maker? You’re smart to check Reddit first! Real users share the good, the bad, and the icy truths. This guide helps you sort through the noise and find the best machine for your needs.

Key Features to Look For

Not all ice makers are created equal. Look closely at these features before clicking “buy.”

1. Ice Production Capacity

Pounds Per Day (PPD): This tells you how much ice the machine makes in 24 hours. If you host big parties often, you need a high PPD number (e.g., 30+ lbs). For daily family use, 15-20 lbs might be enough.
First Batch Time: How fast does it make the very first batch? Fast machines mean less waiting when you suddenly need ice.

2. Ice Type and Size

Bullet Ice vs. Nugget Ice: Bullet ice is the clear, hollow kind—great for cooling drinks fast. Nugget (or chewable) ice is softer and very popular now (Reddit loves nugget makers!). Check which type the machine produces.
Self-Cleaning Function: This is a huge time-saver. Machines with an automatic cleaning cycle reduce mold and mildew buildup.

3. Size and Portability

Countertop vs. Built-In: Countertop models sit on your counter and are easy to move. Built-in models fit neatly under your counter, looking sleek but requiring more installation work.

Important Materials and Build Quality

The materials used directly affect how long your ice maker lasts and how safe your ice is.

Stainless Steel vs. Plastic Housing

Stainless Steel: This material looks professional and cleans easily. It often signals a more durable, higher-quality machine.
Plastic Housing: Cheaper models usually use plastic. It works fine, but plastic can scratch or yellow over time.

Ice Bin Material

Make sure the ice storage bin is made from food-grade plastic or stainless steel. Avoid cheap plastics that might leach smells or tastes into the ice.

Factors That Improve or Reduce Quality

What makes Redditors rave about a machine, and what makes them complain?

Quality Boosters:

Good Insulation: Better insulation keeps the ice frozen longer inside the bin, even if the machine isn’t actively running.
Quiet Operation: Nobody wants a loud machine humming constantly. Look for decibel ratings if noise bothers you.

Quality Reducers:

Water Quality Dependence: If a machine clogs easily with hard water, it’s a headache. Look for models that handle mineral deposits well or plan on using filtered water.
Poor Drainage: If melted ice doesn’t drain properly, the machine can sit in standing water, leading to bacteria growth.

User Experience and Use Cases

Think about where and how you will use the machine most often.

Home Bar/Entertainment

If you entertain a lot, prioritize high PPD and reliability. You need a machine that keeps up with a busy night.

Small Kitchen/RV Use

For small spaces, a compact, quiet countertop unit is perfect. Portability becomes very important here.

The “Set It and Forget It” User

If you hate maintenance, spend extra for excellent self-cleaning features and a machine known for long-term reliability, even if it costs more upfront.

10 Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) from the Ice Maker Reddit Threads

Q: Do I need to hook up my countertop ice maker to a water line?

A: Most standard countertop models do not require plumbing. You pour water into a reservoir manually. Only larger, built-in units usually need a direct water connection.

Q: How often should I clean my new ice maker?

A: Most manufacturers recommend a deep clean (using vinegar or a cleaning solution) every three to six months. If you use the self-cleaning feature, you might clean less often.

Q: Is nugget ice really worth the extra money?

A: For many users, yes! Nugget ice melts slower than standard cubes and is easier to chew. If you love soft ice, look for a dedicated nugget ice maker.

Q: Why is my ice maker suddenly making small, slushy ice?

A: This usually means the room temperature is too hot, or the water reservoir is running too low. The machine cannot cool the water fast enough.

Q: Can I store the ice in a regular freezer bag?

A: Yes, but only for a short time. Ice maker bins are not designed for long-term storage. Transfer the ice to a sealed freezer bag if you need to keep it for more than a day or two.

Q: What is the biggest complaint people have about portable ice makers?

A: The number one complaint is noise level. Some cheaper models sound like small refrigerators running constantly.

Q: Do I have to use distilled water?

A: You do not usually *have* to use distilled water, but using filtered water helps significantly. Hard water causes mineral buildup, which slows down ice production and shortens the machine’s life.

Q: How long does the ice stay frozen in the machine?

A: If the machine is off, the ice will slowly melt within a few hours, depending on the insulation. The machine needs electricity to actively keep the ice hard.

Q: What does “clear ice” mean?

A: Clear ice forms slowly, pushing out air bubbles. Most home countertop makers produce cloudy ice because they freeze water very quickly.

Q: Should I buy a brand name or a generic one?

A: Reddit users often point to trusted appliance brands for better customer support and parts availability. While generics are cheaper, they might break sooner without backup support.

Larry Fish

Hi, I’m Larry Fish, the mind behind MyGrinderGuide.com.. With a passion for all things kitchen appliances, I created this blog to share my hands-on experience and expert knowledge. Whether it’s helping you choose the right tools for your culinary adventures or offering tips to make your kitchen more efficient, I’m here to guide you. My goal is to make your time in the kitchen not only easier but also enjoyable! Welcome to my world of kitchen mastery!