If you don’t have space in your freezer for ice trays, what do you do? You shop around for small ice makers, of course! Wait, you weren’t thinking of buying a brand new deep freeze, were you?
Small ice makers are portable and compact. They fit nicely on countertops, tables, and practically anywhere! Small countertop ice makers are a popular piece of appliance among RV campers and even in dorm rooms.
These tiny ice cube makers are just what you need to keep cool during the summer months. Small but perfect for making lots of ice in the shortest amount of time.
How To Choose A Small Ice Maker
There are many ice makers out there, from small countertop models to large ones that can make up to 600 pounds of ice in a day.
The first thing you need to do is determine what size you need – there is no point in buying a large machine if your household does not consume enough ice to be worth the investment. A good rule of thumb is that a typical family will consume about 60 pounds of ice per week.
There are many different types and brands of ice makers available, but the most crucial factor is how much you’re willing to spend on one. Higher-end models tend to have more features, such as freezing water at different temperatures or making larger quantities of smoother, chewable ice cubes.
Ice Capacity
Small ice makers tend to produce ice faster than larger ice makers. On average, most small ice makers make about 9-12 ice cubes every 7 minutes. That’s enough ice for 2-3 small drinks.
Ice makers that make smaller pieces of ice will make ice faster than those that make larger-sized ice. How many ice cubes can it store at a time? The best ones are those that can hold around 2 pounds.
Ice Type
There are different types of ice. For example, there is hollow and opaque ice (like you’d see in blended drinks or margaritas).
Others produce solid, transparent ice cubes. Like you’d see in whiskey or cocktail drinks. This kind of ice does not melt as fast as hollow, opaque bullet ice.
There are also nugget ice makers. These kinds of ice makers make soft-chewable ice. Nugget ice makers are a bit more expensive than other kinds of ice makers.
Design and Features
The easier something is to use, the better it is for you. When shopping for small ice makers, look for the following:
- Ice makers that offer options for 2 or 3 ice sizes.
- Underside Drain Plug – This makes it easy to quickly drain and clean the unit. Plugs placed on the bottom of the reservoir are best.
- Removable Ice Bin – For easy cleaning.
- Self Cleaning Mode – A luxury feature for those who dread cleaning their units.
- Smart Ice Makers/Bluetooth Ice Makers – Another luxury feature that lets you control your ice makers using an app on your phone.
- Filter – To keep your water and ice clean and free of debris.
Warranty
When shopping for any ice maker, make sure it comes with a warranty. A warranty tells you the company is confident in its product. With this, you have extra assurance that your investment will be worth it.
Best Small Ice Makers
- HomeLabs Chill Pill Countertop Ice Maker
- Igloo Automatic Portable Electric Countertop Ice Maker Machine
- Frigidaire Black Portable Compact Maker
- AGLUCKY Counter Top Ice Maker Machine
- Crownful Ice Maker Countertop Machine
HomeLabs Chill Pill Countertop Ice Maker
This small ice maker is an easy-to-use ice machine that’s highly recommended for quickly making ice within minutes. The HomeLabs Chill Pill Countertop Ice Maker makes a fresh batch of ice every 8 minutes, and it’s super quiet too!
There are smart features such as an auto shut-off function and a recycle setting that reuses melted ice water to make a fresh tray of ice. It even has an LED light to let you know when the reservoir needs more water or when the ice basket is full.
It can make up to 26 pounds of ice a day and has a water reservoir that holds 2.2 liters of water. The ice basket holds up to 1.5 lbs of ice.
Igloo Automatic Portable Electric Countertop Ice Maker Machine
The Igloo ICEB33BK ice maker is also easy to use. Plug it in and add water ice. It’s that simple. This ice-making machine makes ice quickly.
It can make nine cylinder-shaped ice in about 7 minutes and about 40 minutes to produce a full basket of ice. You can even set it up to make small pieces of ice or large lumps of ice.
It can make up to 26 pounds of ice a day. The water tank holds 3 quarts of water. And, the removable ice basket can store up to 2 pounds of ice.
Frigidaire Black Portable Compact Maker
This cheap portable ice maker is another excellent set-it-and-forget-it option. Plug it in, fill the reservoir with water and wait for it to produce ice.
The Frigidaire Black Portable Compact Maker makes about nine cubes of clear ice in about 11 minutes. It can produce about 26 pounds of ice a day. The reservoir can hold 2.3 quarts of water. It also comes with an ice shovel so that you can scoop up your ice with ease.
AGLUCKY Counter Top Ice Maker Machine
The AGLUCKY Counter Top Ice Maker Machine is an excellent little machine. When it comes down to small ice makers, it’s the best choice all around.
It makes plenty of ice, runs super quiet, and takes up little counter space. It’s also a very portable ice maker and affordable.
This cheap mini ice maker can produce nine ice cubes in as little as 6 minutes. That’s up to 26.5 pounds of ice per day. This model also includes a scoop and basket.
Some indicators remind you to remove the ice cubes when the basket is full and refill the reservoir. There’s also a setting that lets you choose the size of your ice cubes.
Crownful Ice Maker Countertop Machine
The Crownful Ice Maker Countertop Machine is easy to use and makes ice quickly. It can make a fresh batch of bullet-shaped ice in under 8 minutes. In 24 hours, it can produce up to 26 pounds of ice (the standard amount for small ice makers).
It has a removable ice bucket, so it’s easy to clean. It’s also one of the few self-cleaning ice makers on the market. The bucket can hold up to 80 pieces of ice at a time.
There are indicator lights to let you know when the bucket is full, when to remove the ice, and when to add more water. Sadly, there is no option to change the size of the ice it makes.
Best Selling Smal Ice Makers On Amazon
Conclusion
Choosing the best small ice maker is much easier than picking out a nugget ice maker. Those types of ice makers aren’t usually small. When shopping for small ice-making machines, all you need to consider is the ease of use, design, and portability.
There are many other options available, but these are ones worth buying. You can read our article about the best ice makers if you need more options.
Last update on 2023-02-16 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API