The 8 Best Ice Makers of 2026, According to Our Tests
Nothing's worse than pulling out the ice tray from the fridge only to find it empty (looks like you'll have to wait a few more hours for that cold brew). If you're tired of waiting for ice cubes to cool enough for two drinks, or cluttering your freezer with bags of ice packs, it's time to upgrade to a countertop ice maker.
Upgrading to a home ice maker might feel like a luxury, but if you enjoy entertaining guests or sipping a few icy drinks daily, these efficient machines are absolutely worth it. Over the past two years, we've tested over a dozen models to find the best nugget ice maker for home use. Whether for parties or family gatherings, these ice makers are indispensable, delivering chilled beverages in minutes.
Top Picks
Best Overall:
100LBS Freestanding Commercial Ice Maker Z5845A | $296
Best Runner-Up:
Nugget Ice Makers ,Pebble Ice Maker Z5820DN | $351
Best Value:
Kismile Nugget Countertop Ice Maker Z5815NB | $198
Best Splurge:
Built-in Ice Maker Machine Z5836 | $662.99
Best Classic Choice:
Nugget Sonic Ice Maker Stainless Steel Z5815SNH | $198
Best Large Cube Ice:
Kismile Clear Square Ice Cubes Maker 58003RIM0 | $320.4
Best Portable:
Countertop Ice Maker Z5812H | $80.99
Top New Pick:
Kismile Countertop Nugget Ice Maker 58015RIM0 | $297.5
Our Favorite Ice Maker
Our top pick is the 100LBS Freestanding Commercial Ice Maker Z5845A, for its fast, easy operation and soft, clear nugget ice.
Best Overall:
100LBS Freestanding Commercial Ice Maker Z5845A
Pros
Fast ice production, large storage capacity, compact design, and easy operation with a clear LCD display.
Cons
May be more powerful and bulky than needed for everyday home use.
This commercial ice maker is also the most popular model currently available on the market, offering comprehensive performance for both commercial applications and meeting the ice needs of an entire household. Featuring a compact design, the undercounter ice maker delivers rapid ice production, high daily output, and a large storage capacity. Equipped with an easy-to-operate LCD control panel, it allows for quick monitoring of operational status. The included accessories ensure a simple and convenient installation process.
We've tested this commercial ice machine and used it at home for several months, finding its ice production and quality to be outstanding. It's quieter than an electric kettle or coffee grinder, with only the occasional “clink” of ice cubes falling into the reservoir.
We also tested comparable outdoor ice makers from brands like EUHOMY and Icyglee. However, compared to those models, Kismile's large-capacity ice maker avoids issues such as melting ice cubes and clogged drain outlets. Therefore, we consider this ice maker to be superior.
The main drawback is that it's not well-suited for households with low ice consumption or fewer members. Although this free standing ice maker has a compact footprint, its overall dimensions make it inconvenient to move or transport.
Dimensions: 14.6"D x 15.3"W x 31.4"H | Storage bin capacity: 33 pounds | Ice production capacity: 100 pounds per day
Best Runner-Up:
Nugget Ice Makers ,Pebble Ice Maker Z5820DN
Pros
Fast ice production with up to 45 lbs of soft, chewable nugget ice per day, featuring touchless dispensing, self-cleaning, and a large removable water tank for convenient use.
Cons
Limited to nugget ice only and not designed for long-term ice storage without transferring ice to a freezer.
This countertop ice maker balances performance with everyday convenience, delivering reliable results without unnecessary complexity. Its efficient operation, intuitive controls, and thoughtful design seamlessly integrate into daily life, while consistent performance ensures lasting satisfaction. As a practical yet refined choice, it masterfully blends functionality with comfort to meet the demands of modern living.
During testing, we observed that since ice is dispensed by pressing a handle, the exact quantity produced at once may be difficult to control. However, the ice-making speed of nugget ice makeris remarkably fast, delivering the first batch in just 15 minutes. Furthermore, thanks to the upgraded insulation system, these ice cubes can remain frozen for up to 5 hours, eliminating concerns about unused ice melting.
This ice machine is designed for desktop placement, but lacks handles or similar features, making it inconvenient to move. Additionally, the ice cubes do not maintain their low temperature for a sufficiently long period. For long-term ice storage needs, the ice cubes must be transferred to a freezer for preservation.
Dimensions: 10.63"D x 15.94"W x 16.93"H | Storage bin capacity: 4 pounds | Ice production capacity: 45 pounds per day
Best Value:
Kismile Nugget Countertop Ice Maker Z5815NB
Pros
Fast ice production up to 34 lbs/day with chewable nugget ice, quiet operation, one-touch control, self-cleaning function, and a compact size that fits easily on countertops.
Cons
Smaller ice basket and water tank require refilling and emptying more frequently, making it less ideal for large gatherings or continuous heavy use.
This nugget countertop ice maker makes exactly what comes to mind when you think of perfectly crunchy, slow-to-melt nugget ice. The best thing about this machine is its incredible ice production capacity. It can make its first batch of ice in just 7 minutes and produce 35 pounds of ice within 24 hours. No more trips to the store for ice! When you're hosting family gatherings or large parties, it's a faster and more hygienic way to keep everyone's drinks cool.
We've tested this machine and used it at home for several months. It's quieter than an electric kettle or coffee grinder, with only the occasional “clink” of ice cubes dropping into the water tank.
Its only drawback is that with its 1.1L water tank—and being a countertop ice maker after all—it can't store large quantities of ice at once. When the ice compartment fills up, you'll need to transfer the ice to ice bags and store them in the refrigerator. However, it's perfectly sufficient for daily consumption.
Dimensions: 12.68"D x 11.3"W x 8.66"H | Storage bin capacity: 2.5 pounds | Ice production capacity: 34pounds per day
Best Splurge:
Built-in Ice Maker Machine Z5836 | $662.99
Pros
High ice output up to 80 lbs per day, space-saving built-in design, reversible insulated door, adjustable ice thickness, timer function, self-cleaning feature, and flexible pump or non-pump drainage options.
Cons
Because the ice cubes are larger than standard ice, they don’t separate easily when dropped and may need to be broken apart with a scoop.
What surprises me most about this big ice maker is its ability to function as a built-in unit—it absolutely saves space in your home and enhances your household's comfort. Beyond its impressive ice production, this built in ice maker now comes in both pumped and non-pumped versions, yet the price difference is a mere $10—truly astonishing!
After testing both pumped and non-pumped models of this ice maker for some time, we found the commercial ice maker with a pump to be more convenient to use. The pump actively drains wastewater without relying on gravity drainage, which not only facilitates internal cleaning but also maintains more stable ice-making efficiency during prolonged operation.
However, our testing revealed the sole drawback of this large capacity ice maker: ice cubes tend to drop as a single clump rather than separate individually. This requires using an ice scoop to break them apart afterward. While we observed this issue across several other high-capacity ice makers we tested, such as EdgeStar and SOZT, Kismile's model performed better in this regard.
Dimensions:20.3"D x 15"W x 33.5"H | Storage bin capacity: 80 pounds | Ice production capacity: 80 pounds per day
Best Classic Choice:
Nugget Sonic Ice Maker Stainless Steel Z5815SNH
Pros
Produces soft, crunchy Sonic-style nugget ice, fast ice-making with the first batch ready in minutes, easy self-cleaning, simple one-button operation with smart alerts, and a compact, quiet design suitable for home or travel.
Cons
Lower daily ice output compared to larger commercial units, limited ice storage due to its compact size, and not ideal for high-demand or continuous large gatherings.
Any countertop ice crusher is an investment, but this Kismile model delivers performance on par with high-end units at a lower price. What impressed us most during testing was its ease of use: operation is completed with the press of a single button.
This pebble ice maker strikes a perfect balance between rapid ice production and high output, featuring a compact design and quiet operation. Its ice bin fills in just 1 hour and 15 minutes—the fastest among all tested models—with a daily ice capacity of up to 34 pounds. However, it requires frequent emptying of the ice bin and refilling of the water reservoir for continuous operation, and its cleaning process involves slightly more steps than comparable products.
Dimensions:11.81"D x 9.06"W x 13"H | Storage bin capacity: 2.65 pounds | Ice production capacity: 35 pounds per day
Best Large Cube Ice:
Kismile Clear Square Ice Cubes Maker 58003RIM0
Pros
Produces crystal-clear square ice quickly with slow-melting performance, offers customizable ice thickness, features one-touch self-cleaning, a large 2L water tank, and a portable, user-friendly design with a 24-hour timer.
Cons
Ice output is better suited for personal or small-group use, square ice size may not fit all glasses.
Square ice makers have emerged as a trendy product in recent years. We've tested multiple brands, but this cube ice maker particularly caught our attention with its adjustable ice cube size feature—standard square ice measures 40×40×40 mm. larger than the TUATNUT ice maker yet priced nearly $70 lower, producing three large, crystal-clear square ice cubes within 20 minutes.
During testing, we found that the larger ice size limits storage capacity in standard ice bins, making it more suitable for individual or small group use. Additionally, the square ice cubes may not fit all glassware types.
Dimensions:14.96"D x 9.45"W x 15.04"H | Storage bin capacity: 2.65 pounds | Ice production capacity: 26 pounds per day
Best Portable:
Pros
Fast ice production in as little as 6–13 minutes, quiet and energy-efficient operation, smart LED display for easy monitoring, and a compact, portable design ideal for travel and outdoor use.
Cons
Daily ice output is limited compared to larger models, and it’s best suited for small groups rather than high-demand or commercial use.
This bullet ice maker is likely the most portable ice maker of 2026. Its handle design makes it perfectly suited for both indoor and outdoor use. Despite its compact design, it boasts powerful performance, producing 9 bullet ice cubes in just 6 minutes. The portable ice maker also features a self-cleaning function—simply press and hold the power button for 5 seconds after use to activate it. My favorite feature is its low-water alert: an indicator light automatically illuminates when water levels are insufficient.
The only drawback is that its ice production capacity may not meet the demands of large-scale events like parties. Additionally, bullet ice melts faster than nugget ice or square ice, making it less ideal for beverages meant to be savored slowly, such as whiskey or aged spirits.
Dimensions:11.2"D x 8.6"W x 11.4"H | Storage bin capacity: 26.5 pounds | Ice production capacity: 26.5 pounds per day
Top New Pick:
Kismile Countertop Nugget Ice Maker 58015RIM0
Pros
No-drip ice design ensures cleaner ice cubes; Rapid ice cube production in a compact, modern design; One-touch operation for convenience, with built-in self-cleaning function.
Cons
Primarily designed for home and small gatherings, not heavy commercial use. Nugget ice output may not satisfy users who prefer large cube ice styles.
This product is Kismile's latest release for 2026. Compact enough to fit under a cabinet, it's intuitive and easy to use from the very first try. The Kismile turns out nugget ice — a low-melt shape that’s easy to pack into cocktail glasses — that’s clear, soft, and crisp tasting.
We absolutely love several aspects of this nugget ice maker countertop. First, it dispenses ice cleanly and conveniently with a single button press—no spoons needed, no mess—making it perfect for kitchens, bars, offices, apartments, or anyone seeking hassle-free ice machine access. Plus, its built-in LCD sensor light adds a touch of ritual to using ice. After use, there's no need to waste time cleaning the machine; the self-cleaning function leaves your hands completely free.
This nugget ice maker is quiet and fast enough that we were happy to use it for continuous ice during a get-together. (It doesn’t hurt that the ice maker runs very quietly, with just a slight fan noise and the clinking sound of ice dropping into the hopper.) We recommend this versatile ice maker to anyone, from an individual to a couple or small family.
Dimensions:16.65"D x 7.95"W x 14.88"H | Storage bin capacity: 1.54 pounds | Ice production capacity: 33 pounds per day
Factors to Consider
Yield and Capacity
Most ice makers rate their capacity by how much ice they produce in 24 hours, typically ranging from 24 to 44 pounds, which is enough for parties with some advance planning. However, ice bin capacity also matters—while nugget ice makers can produce over 40 pounds per day, they usually only hold 1 to 3 pounds at a time, so larger ice needs may require transferring ice to a freezer and refilling the machine.
Ease of Cleaning
Most ice crushers come equipped with cleaning functions, though ease of cleaning varies by design. Some models can be cleaned with plain water and white vinegar, while others require specialized cleaning solutions (typically not included). Models with removable water tanks generally offer quicker and simpler cleaning, whereas those requiring disassembly of more components take longer. Therefore, it's best to consult the instruction manual after installation.
Size
If you plan to purchase a cube ice maker countertop, ensure sufficient counter space is available. Allow several inches of ventilation space on both sides and behind the machine; if the fan outlet is flush against a wall, the motor may overheat. Also allow several inches of space above and in front of the ice bin for opening and accessing ice, meaning installation flush against the bottom of a cabinet may not be suitable. Given the machine's size and the weight of its motor, we recommend selecting a semi-permanent location for the ice maker. Refer to the user manual for specific installation locations and methods.
