This list compares countertop and nugget ice makers, so you can choose the right size, ice style, and convenience features for home, office, or travel use.
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Our verdict
The best ice makers of 2026 is the AGLUCKY Countertop Ice Maker Machine, Portable Small Ice Maker with Ice Scoop Basket Makes 9 Bullet Ice Cubes in 6-8 Mins, Self-Cleaning Function, Compact Ice Maker for Home Kitchen Office Red (Green), with a ReviewFerret score of 9.6/10 from 10,103 verified owner reviews. Shoppers on a budget should look at the AGLUCKY Ice Makers Countertop with Self-Cleaning, 26lbs/24hrs, 9 Cubes Ready in 6 Mins, Portable Ice Machine with 2 Sizes Bullet Ice/Ice Scoop/Basket for Home/Kitchen/Office/Bar/Party, Black at $0.00. We ranked 10 products across 7 brands using 56,324 verified reviews, star ratings and recent sales.
We compared every ice maker in this category on rating, verified review volume, and price, then kept only the 10 that earned a place. Each pick below links straight to Amazon for the live price.
How we rank these ⌄
We start from the full catalogue, keep only products with at least 500 verified reviews, then rank by review volume weighted with the ReviewFerret score (star rating, review volume and recent sales combined onto our 10-point scale). No brand appears more than twice, and nobody can pay for a place. Full methodology →
1AGLUCKY Countertop Ice Maker Machine, Portable Small Ice Maker with Ice Scoop Basket Makes 9 Bullet Ice Cubes in 6-8 Mins, Self-Cleaning Function, Compact Ice Maker for Home Kitchen Office Red (Green)✓✓✓✕✕✕9.6Check Price
2hOmeLabs Countertop Ice Maker – 9 Ice Cubes in Just 6 Minutes, 26lbs in 24Hrs, 2 Ice Sizes, Self-Cleaning, Includes Ice Scoop & 5 Ice Bags, Black Portable Ice Maker for Home/Kitchen/Bar/Dorm/RV✓✓✓✕✕✕9.2Check Price
3AGLUCKY Ice Makers Countertop with Self-Cleaning, 26lbs/24hrs, 9 Cubes Ready in 6 Mins, Portable Ice Machine with 2 Sizes Bullet Ice/Ice Scoop/Basket for Home/Kitchen/Office/Bar/Party, Black✕✕✕✕✕✕9.1Check Price
4COWSAR Ice Maker Countertop, Portable Ice Machine with Self-Cleaning, 26.5lbs/24Hrs, 9 Bullet Ice Cubes in 6 Mins, Ice Basket and Scoop, Ideal for Home, Kitchen, Bar, Camping✓✓✓✕✕✕9.0Check Price
5Antarctic Star Ice Maker Machine Countertop,Portable Automatic 9 Ice Cubes Ready in 8 Minutes,Makes 26 lbs of Ice per 24 Hours,Self-Clean,See-Through Lid for Home/Bar/Party White✓✓✓✕✕✕8.8Check Price
6Portable Ice Maker Machine with Handle, 26lbs/24Hrs, 6Mins/9 Ice Cubes, Self-Cleaning with Basket/Scoop, Countertop Ice Makers for Home/Kitchen/Office(Stainless steesl)✓✓✕✕✕✕8.7Check Price
7Nugget Countertop Ice Maker with Soft Chewable Ice, 34Lbs/24H, Pebble Portable Ice Machine with Ice Scoop, Self-Cleaning, One-Click Operation, for Kitchen,Office Stainless Steel Silver✕✕✕✕✕✕8.6Check Price
8Portable Countertop Ice Maker Machine with Handle, 8 Bullet-Shaped Ice Cubes Ready in 6 Mins, 26Lbs/24H, Self-Cleaning Function with Ice Scoop and Basket for Home/Kitchen/Party (Grey)✓✓✓✕✕✕8.5Check Price
9Antarctic Star Countertop Ice Maker Machine, 26Lbs/Day Fastest 6‑Min Ice | 8 Bullet Ice In 6Min, 2 Sizes, Energy-Saving, Portable Handle, Self-Cleaning, Basket/Scoop For Home/Bar/Rv/Camping. Gray, Grey, 26Lbs/24H✕✕✕✕✕✕8.2Check Price
10Electactic Portable Ice Maker Countertop - 9 Cubes in 6 Mins, 26lbs/24H, Self-Cleaning, Quiet Compact Ice Machine for Kitchen, RV, Camping, Home Use, Grey, Dark Gray, 26LBS/DAY✕✕✕✕✕✕8.1Check Price
How to choose the best ice makers
What actually matters when you're comparing ice makers, in plain English.
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1. Start with the ice style you actually want
The biggest decision is whether you want bullet ice or nugget style ice. Bullet ice is common in compact countertop machines and works well for drinks, coolers, and everyday use. Nugget or pebble ice is softer and chewable, which many people prefer for cold drinks and smoothies. If you mainly want quick, simple ice, bullet models are usually the easier buy. If texture matters more, focus on nugget machines.
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2. Match daily output to how many people will use it
Ice makers are often described by how much ice they can produce in 24 hours, but that figure matters most when it matches your household or gathering size. A smaller machine can be fine for one or two people topping up drinks through the day. Larger output is better for families, frequent entertaining, or offices. Also consider basket capacity, because a machine can make ice quickly but still need emptying often.
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3. Check speed, water use, and refill convenience
Many buyers look first at how quickly the first batch appears, because that affects daily convenience. Faster machines help when you need ice for dinner, guests, or a late refill. Refillable countertop models are easy to place, but they usually need regular water top-ups and manual emptying. If you dislike that routine, look for larger reservoirs, clear water windows, or features that make checking and refilling less of a chore.
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4. Think about cleaning, noise, and where it will live
Self-cleaning is useful, but it does not remove the need for periodic washing, descaling, and drying. That matters if you plan to use the machine often or leave water sitting inside it. Noise also matters in small kitchens, dorms, or offices, because ice dropping and compressor sound can be noticeable. Measure your counter space carefully, and check whether the design includes a handle, compact footprint, or visible water tank for easier placement.
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5. Decide which extras are worth paying for
Higher-priced ice makers often add smart controls, better insulation, larger baskets, or more refined ice types. Those features can be useful, but only if they solve a real need. For many shoppers, a simpler machine with one or two ice size options and self-cleaning is enough. Spend more if you want less maintenance, softer nugget ice, or better convenience. Save money if you just need reliable everyday ice without extras.
Frequently asked questions
For one or two people, a smaller countertop machine is often enough if you are making drinks through the day. For families or frequent hosting, a higher daily output and a larger storage basket are more practical. Focus on real usage, not just the headline 24-hour figure, because basket size and refill habits affect convenience.
How we ranked these
Products qualify on verified review volume, then rank by that volume weighted with the ReviewFerret score, which combines the star rating, review volume and recent sales onto our 10-point scale. No brand appears more than twice, prices refresh weekly, and no manufacturer can pay for placement. Read our full methodology →
