The Best Ice Machines of 2023

The GE Opal Nugget Ice Maker 2.0 is another one of the best standalone ice makers we’ve ever used. Its hallmark is its ability to make so-called “nugget” ice, also known as chewable ice or—if you’re feeling fancy—the “good ice.”

The Nugget Ice Maker certainly does that, but it also excels in all the other ways we expect: it makes ice quickly and quietly. It’s also an attractive machine. You’ll need a large kitchen or bar area to accommodate it, but it’s a statement piece that you’ll be happy to have in your home.

This Frigidaire countertop ice maker is an excellent addition to your kitchen or bar, producing up to 40 lbs of clear ice per day. It makes your standard square ice cubes, with the ability to output 24 ice cubes in a little over 15 minutes, storing a few pounds of ice for use later.

The biggest hallmark of this machine—other than its slick retro design—is the clear ice. You typically need to pre-boil water for ice to come out clear, but this machine gives you that with minimal trouble. It’s a great ice machine if you like standard cubes and don’t mind the price.

For a quick and easy-to-use ice machine that produces clear, consistent cubes, check out this one by Luma Comfort. This ice maker produces 28 pounds of ice per day, and every 15 minutes, you’ll always have a large amount of ice handy for your drinks, cooler, smoothies, and more. According to reviews, it's a pretty reliable ice making machine other than the fact that it isn’t super cold, meaning the ice may not stay frozen all day. In addition, some claim that its noise level is fairly low, which is always nice.

This ice machine requires no installation—simply just plug it in and add water to the dispenser.

If you just need a basic, compact ice maker for countertop use, this is it. It makes a little over 25 lbs of ice per day, but it’s ideal for someone that just likes to have ice regularly but doesn’t have an ice maker in their fridge. It’s a small enough unit that it can live in most kitchen or bar areas without taking up too much space, it’s stylish, and has an attractive price point.

The main thing reviewers noted here is the small capacity of about a half-pound. It makes ice quickly, but if you are looking to fill a cooler with ice it won’t replace the need to buy big bags of ice unless you’re continuously emptying it. For most people, though, this is a great alternative to an in-fridge unit.

Another good basic ice cube maker is the Euhomy ice maker. With two cube sizes to select from, this ice machine uses a smart indicator panel to select sizes and has a clear start and stop button for easy use. This indicator panel also includes easy to see lights to alert the user that the machine is full, or needs more water.

Sitting at just under 18-pounds, this ice maker is a good solution for those looking for a portable ice maker to sit atop their kitchen counter. It’s suitable for daily use or occasional use, and if you’re an entertainer, this would be a good addition to your arsenal.

The 2.2-liter water reservoir delivers up to 26-pounds of ice a day. This means you can set up your refreshment area with everything guests might need- and won’t have to worry about sending the last minute “can you bring ice,” texts.

One drawback to a portable ice maker with no water line hook up is that you will have to take refilling it into account. If you plan on using your ice maker in a kitchen, this won’t be a problem but it may be less convenient than models that have the option to connect to a water line.

Reviews mention that when faced with quality issues, customers receive quick responses and that the company is good at providing solutions for any issues that may arise. That being said, we might go with an option that doesn’t have issues to begin with. Overall, we think you get what you pay for with this budget ice machine.