Key takeaways
- Ice style: Traditional bullet-shaped ice is versatile and quick, while nugget or pebble ice is softer, chewable, and especially popular in chilled drinks.
- Production rate: A stated daily output is a useful comparison, but real-world results depend on room temperature, water temperature, and how often the basket is emptied.
- Storage: Ice makers generally produce ice rather than freeze it indefinitely. Check basket capacity and transfer surplus ice to your freezer when necessary.
- Noise and controls: Look for insulated construction, quiet operation, simple buttons, or app and voice control if the machine will run near living spaces.
- Cleaning: Self-cleaning programs simplify routine care, but they do not replace wiping the reservoir, washing the basket, and following the manufacturer’s sanitation guidance.
What's inside
Choosing an ice maker is less straightforward than it looks. Countertop models vary widely in ice style, batch speed, noise, storage capacity, and how much hands-on cleaning they demand. A compact unit may suit occasional drinks, while a nugget model or under-counter machine can be a better fit for daily use and entertaining.
From a home-appliance testing-lab perspective, this guide focuses on practical performance: how quickly each machine produces usable ice, how easily it fits into a kitchen, what kind of maintenance it requires, and which households are most likely to appreciate its design. We also distinguish crisp, traditional cubes from soft nugget ice.
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How to Choose a/an Ice Maker (2026)
- Ice style: Traditional bullet-shaped ice is versatile and quick, while nugget or pebble ice is softer, chewable, and especially popular in chilled drinks.
- Production rate: A stated daily output is a useful comparison, but real-world results depend on room temperature, water temperature, and how often the basket is emptied.
- Storage: Ice makers generally produce ice rather than freeze it indefinitely. Check basket capacity and transfer surplus ice to your freezer when necessary.
- Noise and controls: Look for insulated construction, quiet operation, simple buttons, or app and voice control if the machine will run near living spaces.
- Cleaning: Self-cleaning programs simplify routine care, but they do not replace wiping the reservoir, washing the basket, and following the manufacturer’s sanitation guidance.
The Best Ice Maker (2026)s Reviewed
EUHOMY Countertop Ice Maker with Handle
This compact EUHOMY is a strong all-purpose choice for apartments, home bars, RVs, and occasional gatherings. Its handle, scoop, basket, and automatic cleaning cycle make it easy to move and maintain, while its fast first batch is useful when a refrigerator’s ice supply runs short.
GoveeLife Smart Nugget Ice Maker Pro
For households that specifically want soft nugget ice, GoveeLife’s Smart Nugget Ice Maker Pro is the most feature-rich option here. Its large daily output, dual water tanks, app and voice controls, self-cleaning function, and noise-management system make it well suited to frequent use, though its larger footprint and higher complexity deserve some counter space.
EUHOMY 44-Lb Nugget Ice Maker
This EUHOMY Nugget Ice Maker Countertop model concentrates on the popular chewable texture without the smart-home extras. It is a sensible middle ground for kitchens and offices that want a generous supply of pellet ice, with a basket and scoop included for straightforward serving.
Frigidaire 26-Lb Portable Compact Maker
Frigidaire’s stainless portable maker is an uncomplicated pick for buyers who prefer a familiar appliance brand and a conventional countertop format. Its medium capacity suits everyday drinks and small gatherings, while the compact design makes it easier to accommodate in a crowded kitchen.
EUHOMY Commercial 100-Lb Under-Counter Ice Machine
Designed for substantially heavier demand, this freestanding EUHOMY commercial machine produces up to 100 pounds of ice per day and stores 33 pounds. It is overkill for a typical family kitchen, but a compelling option for a home entertaining area, workshop, rental property, or small hospitality setting with the required ventilation and installation space.
Frequently Asked Questions
Are countertop ice makers worth buying?
They can be, particularly if your refrigerator makes ice slowly or your household regularly hosts guests. They are also useful in RVs, offices, and kitchens without a built-in ice dispenser, but they require occasional emptying and cleaning.
What is the difference between nugget ice and regular ice?
Nugget ice is soft and porous, so it is easy to chew and absorbs the flavor of a drink. Conventional bullet-style ice is usually firmer and melts differently, making it a more general-purpose choice for cooling water, soda, and cocktails.
Do ice makers keep ice frozen?
Most portable countertop machines are not freezers. They typically insulate the basket and may recycle melted water into new ice, so move unused ice to a freezer if you need to store it for more than a short period.
How often should an ice maker be cleaned?
Clean the machine whenever it develops an odor, after extended storage, or according to the manual’s schedule. Frequent users should run the self-cleaning cycle regularly and still wash removable parts and wipe the water reservoir.
Final Thoughts
The EUHOMY Countertop Ice Maker with Handle is the best practical all-rounder, while the GoveeLife Smart Nugget Ice Maker Pro is the standout for connected, high-volume nugget ice. For demanding installations, the EUHOMY Commercial 100-Lb Under-Counter Ice Machine offers the capacity that portable models cannot match.
