5 Countertop Ice Makers for your Home Bar
If your refrigerator doesn’t have an ice maker, or your ice maker is far from your bar, what you need is a countertop ice maker. These are small machines that make ice. Just plug one in, add water to it and wait for the ice to form.
If your refrigerator doesn’t have an ice maker, or your ice maker is far from your home bar, what you need is a countertop ice maker. These are small machines that make ice, which you can then store in your home fridge or in a mini-fridge at your bar.
Just plug one in, add water to it and wait for the ice to form. These are also great for use in RVs and vacation rentals that don’t have fridges with built-in ice makers.
Top Picks
Check out our favorites here. Or scroll down for in-depth reviews.
- Best Overall: Sunvivi 3 in 1 Water Dispenser with Ice Maker
- Highest Capacity: Newair 45 lbs. Portable Countertop Clear Ice Maker
- The Big Name: GE Profile Opal Countertop Nugget Ice Maker
- Self-Dispensing Feature: KBice Self Dispensing Countertop Nugget Ice Maker
- Budget Pick: Frigidaire Compact Countertop Ice Maker
Tips for Using Countertop Ice Maker Machines
- Use distilled or filtered water. This makes your ice taste better and also keeps your machine operating well for longer. Some units specify that they can work with soft tap water, too.
- Note that these machines will not keep stored ice cold. You have to use it or transfer it to a freezer or cooler for storage. If you don’t, the ice melts inside the machine, but they will recycle the water and make more ice from it so it’s not a loss.
5 Best Ice Makers for Home Bars
Combining an ice maker, ice crusher, and water dispenser, this compact unit can produce up to 44 pounds of ice per day, with the ability to make 12 ice cubes in just 6 minutes. It features a 6-liter water tank, reducing the need for frequent refills, making it an excellent choice for home, kitchen, RV, or even office use. The machine operates quietly, below 38dB, ensuring you can enjoy fresh ice without disruptive noise. Its sleek design fits easily on countertops, and the one-button operation simplifies the ice-making process.
Pros:- Produces ice quickly (12 cubes in 6 minutes).
- Large daily ice production capacity (44 pounds).
- Compact design suitable for various settings.
- Quiet operation, perfect for home environments.
- 3-in-1 functionality (ice maker, ice crusher, water dispenser).
- Requires regular cleaning and maintenance.
- The size may still be bulky for very small kitchens or spaces.
GE Profile is a well-known brand name in appliances, recognized for its quality. The Opal 2.0 ice maker is no exception.
- Produces 24 pounds of "Opal" nugget ice per day, which is made from compacted ice flakes to retain flavor. It's similar to the ice sold at Sonic fast food restaurants
- Side tank lets you produce 3x more ice
- Ice that melts goes back into the reservoir and is used to make more water
- No water hookup required
- Can easily be moved around in your home or RV
- Quiet, fast and easy to use
This is the biggest ice maker in this list, but only by 1 pound.
- FrozenFall technology flash-freezes water in layers. This gives you crystal-clear ice that melts slowly. Perfect for cocktails!
- Makes up to 45 pounds of ice in 24 hours
- Lots of options: settings let you make ice quickly, or choose its thickness, choose between hollow or soild or in between.
- Large clear viewing window so you can check progress
- Easy to use LCD display lets you know when you need to refill water or empty the ice
- Dimensions: 12”W x 16” D x 17-1/2”H
Capable of producing up to 32 pounds of soft, chewable nugget ice in just 24 hours, this ice maker is perfect for home or office use. With a sleek design measuring 12”W x 16”D x 17.5”H, it fits easily on countertops. The LED touch panel provides straightforward controls, allowing users to operate it with ease. Notably, the self-cleaning feature ensures that your ice remains fresh, and the automatic dispensing function means no more scooping—just press a button to fill your glass. An 88 oz water reservoir reduces the need for frequent refills, making it convenient for gatherings.
Pros:- Produces soft, chewable ice ideal for drinks and cocktails.
- High capacity of 32 lbs per day with a quick 40-minute ice-making time.
- Automatic dispensing eliminates the hassle of scooping.
- Self-cleaning feature for easy maintenance.
- Quiet operation at 48dBA.
- Some users report issues with noise or customer service.
- The initial price point may be a consideration for budget-conscious buyers.
From a brand that's been around forever, this Frigidaire ice maker produces bullet ice cubes.
- Make ice in less than 9 minutes and store up to 1. 7 pounds at a time
- Compact size
- Produces up to 26 pounds of ice per day
- User-friendly control panel lets you know when you need to refill water or empty the bin
- See-through window lets you know what's happening inside the machine
- Comes with a scoop and ice basket
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