Best Countertop Ice Makers: Two Picks Worth a Spot on Your Counter

Introduction

At a party, ice is the one thing you can never have enough of. A good countertop ice maker can save the day when your home bar is not plumbed in, and it earns its keep in RVs and boats too. After testing nine countertop ice makers priced from $109 up to $649, two models stood out for very different reasons: one as the best pick for most people, and one for die-hard nugget ice fans.

What We Evaluated

Countertop ice makers produce three main ice types: bullet ice, which is cylindrical and hollow; square ice; and nugget ice, sometimes called pellet ice. That last one is the small, soft ice you find at some bars and soda fountains, and people love to chew it.

One thing to understand before buying: these machines are not freezers. Ice left in the bin will start melting, the water drains into a collection area underneath, and sensors recirculate it. Key evaluation points included ice quality, ease of use, output, size and portability, and cleaning. Two machines lost points for producing cubes that came out stuck together instead of separate and discreet.

Ice production matters too. The top performer made two pounds of ice per hour, with several close behind at around a pound and a half per hour.

Best for Most People: Igloo Premium Self-cleaning Countertop Ice Maker

The Igloo Premium Self-cleaning Countertop Ice Maker is our favorite for most people. At $153, the price is good, and it produced enough ice for everyday entertaining. It is reasonably light and compact, with a control panel that is easy to decipher and use, plus a self-cleaning cycle that testers really appreciated.

Portability is a genuine strength here. Weights across the category ranged from 15 to 43 pounds, and this machine sits near the lighter end, making it easy to move on and off the counter. That matters if you only bring it out when you are hosting.

Best for Nugget Ice Fans: GE Profile Opal 2.0 Nugget Ice Maker

If you are an ice aficionado who must have chewable nugget ice, the GE Profile Opal 2.0 Nugget Ice Maker is the one. It is not cheap: budget for your nugget ice, because it costs $649. It is also bulky and heavy compared with compact models.

That said, it is still pretty movable for its class, and for people who have to have their nugget ice, that is all that matters. This machine earns its premium price on ice type alone, since most budget models make bullet or square ice rather than the soft, chewable pellets.

Which One Should You Buy?

If you want a reliable, affordable machine that makes solid bullet ice and cleans itself, the Igloo is the smart default. If nugget ice is non-negotiable for your cocktails and sodas, the GE Profile Opal 2.0 justifies its price and counter space. Both are far more convenient than hauling bags of ice home before every gathering.

Conclusion

A countertop ice maker is a small appliance with an outsized impact on entertaining. For most people, the Igloo Premium Self-cleaning Countertop Ice Maker at around $150 is the best balance of price, output, portability, and easy cleaning. Nugget ice devotees should shortlist the GE Profile Opal 2.0, accepting the higher cost for the ice they genuinely crave.