If you want the short answer, the Silonn SLIM01B is the best ice maker for countertops overall: it makes nine bullet cubes in about six minutes, holds a 2L tank, and carries 28k+ reviews at 4.2 stars. The Frigidaire EFIC120 is the value pick if you want a big water reservoir, the Silonn SLIM17T-PRO is the one to buy for chewable nugget ice, and the ecozy Mistalo Drop Slim wins on a 6.69-inch-wide body when counter depth is the problem.
That is four answers, and there are twelve machines in this guide, because “best” changes completely depending on what you want the ice for. A bullet-ice machine for everyday tumblers and a nugget-ice machine for a home bar are not substitutes. Neither is a clear-cube machine built for slow-melting drinks.
Our team pulled the specifications, review counts and owner feedback for all twelve units below, then sorted them by the question the topic name actually raises: will this thing fit on my counter, and will I regret it? Everything here is a countertop appliance that runs on a standard outlet and sits next to your toaster, not a undercounter or portable-camping unit.
We also spent time reading what buyers say after the honeymoon period. That matters in this category more than most, because a machine can hit every listed spec and still be a bad purchase if it scales up in hard water or dies inside the one-year warranty most of these carry. If you want the deeper background on ice styles, we have a separate breakdown on nugget ice makers for countertops, and a deeper look at countertop nugget ice makers for kitchens if nugget ice is the whole point.
Table of Contents
The Four Ice Types You Need to Understand First
Almost every bad purchase in this category comes from buying the wrong ice shape. Four styles cover almost everything on the market in 2026.
Bullet ice is the small, hollow, tapered cube that most countertop machines make. It is fast, cheap to produce and melts at a normal rate. Nine cubes every six to nine minutes is the standard batch. If you fill iced coffee every morning and do not care about presentation, bullet ice is the right answer and it is what most of the picks below produce.
Nugget or pebble ice is made by freezing water in layers against a wall and shaving off a soft, rounded pebble. It chews rather than crunches and it chills a drink without watering it down, which is why it dominates home bar setups. The trade-off is speed: nugget machines are slower per batch and cost more, and the soft ice melts faster in a glass.
Clear and square ice is produced by freezing slowly in an insulated mould, which pushes air and impurities out of the cube. Clear cubes are harder, denser and last far longer in a drink, which matters if you are serving soda or seltzer and want the carbonation to survive. They are also the slowest to make and the least reliable of the four types.
Crescent ice is a branded clear-ice format with a hollow centre and three thickness settings. It is the slowest of all, typically a quarter of an hour for a full basket, and it is the pick for anyone who wants a cube that survives a long drink.
Top 3 Best Countertop Ice Makers in 2026
Silonn SLIM17T-PRO
- 36 lbs of chewable nugget ice
- First batch in about 6 minutes
- Self-cleaning cycle
- 11.3 inch width
All 12 Picks at a Glance in 2026
Everything below in one table: ice type, daily output, first batch time and the number that actually decides most purchases, which is how much room it takes on the counter.
| Product | Specifications | Action |
|---|---|---|
| Silonn SLIM01B |
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 EUHOMY IM001-B |
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| Frigidaire EFIC120 |
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| Silonn SLIM17T-PRO |
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 Silonn 44 lb Nugget |
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 Crzoe 12Q |
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 EUHOMY IM013 Nugget |
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 GoveeLife H717D |
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 EUHOMY IM-FM Clear Ice |
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 VEVOR 44 lb Nugget |
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 ecozy Mistalo Drop Slim |
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 Antarctic Star HZB-12M |
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1. Silonn SLIM01B Bullet Ice Maker: Best Overall
Silonn Ice Maker Countertop, 9 Cubes Ready in 6 Mins, 26lbs in 24Hrs, Self-Cleaning Ice Machine with Ice Scoop and Basket, 2 Sizes of Bullet Ice for Home Kitchen Office Bar Party
Bullet ice
9 cubes in 6 minutes
26 lbs per 24 hours
12.3 x 8.7 x 12.5 inches
Pros
- Largest review base in the category
- Fast 6-minute first batch
- 2L tank cuts refill trips
- Two cube sizes with sensor stops
Cons
- Small bullets melt fast in the basket
- All-plastic body feels lighter duty
The Silonn SLIM01B is the machine we kept coming back to while assembling this list. It is not the fanciest unit here, but it has the highest number of owners reporting back in the category, and a 4.2-star average across 28k+ reviews is a much more useful signal than a perfect score on 183 reviews. It also happens to be one of the more compact bodies in the group at 8.7 inches wide.
It runs a 150W compressor on R600a refrigerant, pulls 1.7A while making ice and 2.0A while harvesting, and puts nine bullet-shaped cubes out in about six minutes. Sensors stop production when the basket is full, which means it will not pump water over the top if you leave it running overnight.
The 2L reservoir is the feature that separates it from the cheapest clones. At a realistic drink-a-day pace you refill once or twice a week; on the 1.2L machines below you refill far more often. A transparent lid on top lets you watch a batch without opening anything, and the two size settings genuinely change the cube rather than just relabelling it.
There is one caveat that appears again and again in the reviews, and it is not a fault, it is physics: these are small hollow bullets with a high surface-to-volume ratio, so they melt faster in an unrefrigerated basket than a solid square cube would. Plan to pour drinks straight from the machine, or move a batch to the freezer.
Who this suits
This is the pick for a household that drinks iced coffee, sparkling water or cocktails most days and wants a machine that will not dominate the counter. At 8.7 inches wide and 15.2 pounds, you can move it to a corner or even carry it to another room when a party starts.
It is also the safest first machine for a renter or a first apartment, because the footprint is small and the output figure of 26 pounds per day is enough for a bar cart plus a party without tying up a whole freezer.
Where it disappoints
The body is plastic rather than metal, and that shows up in the ring when you set it next to a stainless kettle. It also lacks active cooling, so the basket is a staging area, not storage. Anyone who wants ice to sit untouched for hours should look at a clear-ice model instead.
Do not expect restaurant-grade cubes. The ice is thin and hollow, which is fine for everyday drinks and unremarkable for a whiskey glass where clarity is the point.
2. EUHOMY IM001-B Portable Ice Maker with Handle: Best for Small Kitchens
EUHOMY Countertop Ice Maker Machine with Handle, 26lbs in 24Hrs, 9 Ice Cubes Ready in 6 Mins, Auto-Cleaning Portable Ice Maker with Basket and Scoop, for Home/Kitchen/Camping/RV. (Black)
Bullet ice
9 cubes in 6 minutes
26 lbs per 24 hours
12.9 pounds with carry handle
Pros
- Genuinely portable at 12.9 pounds
- One-touch 30-minute self-cleaning
- Quiet under 45dB
- 4kWh per 24 hours
Cons
- 1.2L tank needs frequent refills
- 1.3 lb basket is small for parties
The EUHOMY IM001-B is the pick if counter depth is tight and you also want to move the machine. At 11.42 by 8.74 by 11.57 inches and 12.9 pounds, it is the lightest unit in this guide, and the moulded carry handle is not a decoration. People use it for camping trips, RV hookups and taking ice into another room.
It shares the same 26-pound daily class as the Silonn above and produces its first nine cubes in about six minutes on a 170W compressor. The spec sheet lists 4kWh per 24 hours of operation and a noise level under 45dB, which sits around the level of a quiet refrigerator.
The one-touch 30-minute self-cleaning cycle is the sleeper feature here. In a small kitchen, the difference between a machine you wipe out weekly and one that cleans itself is the difference between keeping it and giving up on it.
Its water tank holds 1.2L and the ice basket holds 1.3 pounds, which are the two numbers that keep reappearing in owner feedback as the limiting factors. That is roughly one or two drinks at a time, so this is a personal-use machine rather than a party machine.
Who this suits
Apartment dwellers, dorm rooms, boaters and anyone whose counter is measured in spare inches rather than spare feet. It carries a 12-month warranty from the original purchase date, and the company lists lifetime technical support alongside it.
It is also a good second machine if you already have a larger unit and want ice in a different room without running a long extension lead through a doorway.
Where it disappoints
Frequent refills are the honest drawback. A 1.2L tank sounds generous until you have six people over and the machine pauses every twenty minutes waiting for water. For a gathering, the basket and tank together are simply too small.
The ABS body is also lighter in the hand than the metal-bodied models, and the small footprint means the counter space is cheap but so is the ice capacity.
3. Frigidaire EFIC120 Compact Ice Maker: Best Value
Frigidaire 26 Lbs per Day Portable Compact Maker, Ice Making Machine, Stainless, Medium
Bullet ice
9 cubes in 7 minutes
26 lbs per day
2.1 qt water tank
Pros
- Largest water reservoir in the category
- Major appliance brand with 1-year warranty
- Stainless styling
- Removable drain plug for cleaning
Cons
- Wet thin ice that clumps when frozen
- Bullets stay small on the large setting
- 120V unit needs a transformer abroad
The Frigidaire EFIC120 is the value pick, and it earns that label on a single number: a 2.1-quart reservoir that is roughly double most of the machines here. That translates directly into fewer trips to the sink, and refill trips are the single most common complaint in this category. A 4.3-star average across 11k+ reviews also makes it the highest-rated machine with a large review base.
It is wider than it is deep at 13 inches across and 9 inches back, so it fits a counter corner better than most square bodies. Output is nine bullet cubes every seven minutes, up to 26 pounds per day, with two size settings on a digital LED control panel and a viewing window on the lid.
The removable drain plug is worth calling out because it is the part that most competitors hide. Being able to tip the machine over a sink and drain it fully, rather than swabbing the bottom out with a cloth, is what keeps the interior from developing the off smell that owners warn about on neglected machines.
Owners also report that this unit paid for itself within months against store-bought ice, which is the argument we dig into further in the section on whether these machines are worth it.
Who this suits
Anyone who wants a recognisable appliance brand on the counter rather than an unbranded marketplace name, and who prefers buying at a big-box retailer with painless in-store returns. Buyers frequently ask who actually manufactures these machines, and a known brand with a published one-year warranty answers that question in a way an unbranded listing cannot.
It is also the right choice for a house where a machine will run for long stretches, because the large reservoir means fewer interruptions in the water supply.
Where it disappoints
The most-cited drawback in the reviews is the ice itself. Owners describe it as wet and thin, and note that bullets stay small even on the large setting. Frozen and stored, the pieces clump together into a mass, which is frustrating if your plan is to batch ice into freezer containers.
It also uses R134a rather than R600a, and it is a 120V unit with a US-style plug, which matters if you are buying for a boat, an RV or anywhere outside North America.
4. Silonn SLIM17T-PRO Nugget Ice Maker: Best for Nugget Ice
Silonn Nugget Ice Maker Countertop, Pellet Ice Machine with Self-Cleaning Function, Sonic Ice Maker Produces 36lbs of Chewable Ice in 24 Hours, Ideal for Home Kitchen and Office (Stainless Steel)
Chewable nugget ice
36 lbs per day
First batch in about 6 minutes
8.7 x 11.3 x 12.7 inches
Pros
- Chewable layered nugget texture
- 36 lbs per day output
- Automatic self-cleaning with removable cover
- 11.3-inch width
Cons
- Soft ice melts faster than bullet cubes
- Nugget baskets hold less volume than square-ice models
The Silonn SLIM17T-PRO is the nugget-ice answer for most people. It makes soft, layered pellets that reviewers compare to the ice you get at a drive-through window, and it pairs that with a 36-pound daily output that is higher than every bullet machine on this list. The review count matches the brand’s flagship bullet machine, which tells you how much traction this style has.
The first batch of nuggets lands in about six minutes, which is faster than most nugget machines and the main reason to pick this over a slower model. Dimensions are 8.66 by 11.3 by 12.68 inches, so the width is the constraint rather than the depth.
Self-cleaning is triggered by holding the ice and clean button for five seconds, and the top cover comes off for a deeper clean when the cycle is not enough. That matters more on nugget machines than on bullet machines, because the ice sits loose against the freezing plate and leaves a residue behind.
A 160W compressor running on R600a keeps it quiet enough to sit next to a conversation. The multi-colour status indicators tell you what the machine is doing without opening the lid.
Who this suits
Home bar builders, people who drink iced coffee all day and prefer something chewable over something hard, and anyone who has decided that nugget ice is worth the slower per-cube production. At 36 pounds per day, it covers a party as well as it covers a weekday.
It is also the natural companion to a deeper nugget ice comparison if you are still weighing the format.
Where it disappoints
Soft ice is by definition less hard, so it melts faster in a drink than a bullet cube or a clear square. If you want a drink to stay cold for an hour without watering down, this is the wrong style.
Nugget baskets also hold less volume than square-ice baskets, and the ice drops loosely, so you will be refilling the serving bowl more often than you expect on a hot day.
5. Silonn 44 lb Pebble Ice Maker: Best for High Output
Silonn Nugget Ice Maker Countertop – 44lbs/24h Crushed/Pebble Ice Machine, Front Pull-Out Water Tank & Removable Basket, Stainless Steel Finish for Home Kitchen
Pebble and crushed ice
44 lbs per day
Ice in about 10 minutes
13.6 x 9.4 by 14.8 inches
Pros
- 44 lbs per day output
- Front pull-out water tank
- Dishwasher-safe tank and basket
- Blue-backlit LED controls
Cons
- Taller and deeper than the 26 lb Silonn models
- Soft nugget ice dilutes drinks faster
This is the biggest-output machine in our list, at 44 pounds of pebble and crushed ice per 24 hours. That figure matters if you are hosting, running a small office or bar, or simply do not want to think about ice for a fortnight. Nugget-style ice is ready in about ten minutes.
The design decision that sets it apart from the smaller Silonn nugget model is the front pull-out water tank. Instead of lifting a lid and pouring in a jug, you slide the tank forward and fill it at counter level, which is the single most annoying daily interaction on every other machine here.
Both the water tank and the ice basket are dishwasher-safe, so maintenance is genuinely quick. A 160W compressor on R600a, a one-touch self-cleaning cycle and a blue-backlit LED control panel round out a package that is well thought through for regular use.
Reviewers single out the pull-out tank and dishwasher-safe parts as the reason this is a daily-use machine rather than a party-only machine that sits in a cupboard.
Who this suits
Households that go through a lot of ice, or a home bar where the drinks are mostly spirit-forward and the host does not want to run to the store mid-evening. It also suits anyone who has already had a smaller machine and hit the ceiling of what 26 pounds a day can cover.
If your kitchen is finished in stainless, the finish here blends in better than the plastic-bodied entry machines.
Where it disappoints
At 13.58 by 9.38 by 14.78 inches, this is one of the larger footprints in the guide. You need clear counter with height to spare, and you need to leave room above the lid to open it.
It shares the standard soft-ice compromise: nugget ice chills faster than hard cubes but dilutes a drink a little sooner. And the basket is smaller than the output figure suggests, because loose nuggets pack loosely.
6. Crzoe 12Q Countertop Ice Maker: Budget Pick
Crzoe Countertop Ice Maker,26Lbs/24H, 2 Ice Sizes, Self-Cleaning, Black
Bullet ice
8 cubes in 6-12 minutes
26 lbs per day
Under 40dB
Pros
- Quietest operation in the lineup at under 40dB
- 4.5-star average with 77% five-star reviews
- Two cube sizes
- Self-cleaning with full-basket and low-water indicators
Cons
- Only an ice scoop is listed in the box
- Limited finish and colour options
The Crzoe 12Q is the quietest machine we tested specs for, at under 40dB, and it holds the best rating in the group among machines with a meaningful review base: 4.5 stars with 77% of reviews at five stars. It produces eight bullet cubes in as little as six minutes and up to 12, with 26 pounds of daily output on a 112W compressor running R600a.
It is also the smallest body here at 8.66 inches wide and 10.39 deep, and 11.22 tall, which makes it the pick if your counter is genuinely narrow and you refuse to compromise on output for it.
Self-cleaning activates by holding the power button for more than five seconds, and there are dedicated indicators for a full basket and low water. Two cube sizes are selectable, and a transparent top lets you check a batch without lifting anything.
One practical note straight from the review pattern: check the box contents on arrival. The listing lists only an ice scoop as an included component, and some buyers discovered the basket was not in the box. That is a five-minute check that avoids a return.
Who this suits
A quiet kitchen, a home office or a bedroom-adjacent counter where a compressor hum would be genuinely annoying. If you work from home and take calls from the same room, the 40dB figure is the reason to pick this one.
It is also a straightforward first machine for a renter who wants bullet ice and nothing else.
Where it disappoints
That same box-contents note is the drawback. With only a scoop listed, the machine may arrive without the accessories you expect, and a replacement basket has to be sourced separately.
It also has the narrowest review base of the well-established budget machines, and fewer finish options, so it will not blend into a kitchen the way the stainless models do.
7. EUHOMY IM013 Nugget Ice Maker: Best Compact Nugget Maker
EUHOMY Nugget Ice Maker Countertop, Ready in 7 Mins, 35Lbs/24H Pebble Ice Maker Machine, Self-Cleaning Countertop Sonic Ice Makers with Ice Scoop&Basket, Pellet Ice Maker for Home, Stainless Steel
Pebble and nugget ice
35 lbs per day
Nugget ice in about 7 minutes
11 x 9.1 x 12.6 inches
Pros
- Compact stainless body for a nugget machine
- Disassembles so water-contact parts go in the dishwasher
- First nuggets in about 7 minutes
- Automatic self-cleaning with removable top
Cons
- Noticeably louder than competitors
- No internal stirrer so the basket can form a ramp
- Very small 1.1L water tank
The EUHOMY IM013 is the one to buy if you want pebble ice but do not have the counter depth for a full-size nugget machine. At 11 by 9.1 by 12.6 inches it makes 35 pounds of pebble ice per day and starts its first batch in about seven minutes, in a stainless steel body rather than plastic.
It is the lowest-rated unit in this lineup at 4.0 stars, with 14% of reviews at one star, so it belongs on the list with a clear warning. The ice quality itself is well liked, and reviewers compare the texture to drive-through and hospital ice.
The two complaints that account for most of the lost stars are noise and the basket. Owners report the machine is louder than its quiet-operation claim suggests, and that the basket has few drain holes, so a little meltwater pools on one side.
The more serious one is structural: there is no internal stirrer, so if you let the nuggets pile up without redistributing them they can form a ramp and stall the machine. That is a ten-second fix once you know about it, but it will not fix itself.
Who this suits
People who want chewable ice on a counter that cannot take a full-size nugget machine, and who are willing to check the basket every couple of hours. The disassembly design is a genuine benefit: most water-contact parts go straight into the dishwasher.
A removable top exposes the mechanisms for a proper deep clean, and a 130W compressor with a one-year manufacturer warranty covers the basics.
Where it disappoints
Noise in a quiet kitchen, and the stalling issue. If your household is sensitive to background hum, the Crzoe above is a much calmer machine, even though it makes the other ice style.
The 1.1L water tank is the smallest of any machine here. Combined with a 4.0-star average, this is a pick on size and price, not on ratings.
8. GoveeLife H717D Smart Ice Maker: Best for Smart Homes
GoveeLife Smart Ice Maker, 9 Ice Cubes in 6 Mins 3 Sizes, 26lbs/Day, Silver
Bullet ice
9 cubes in 6 minutes
26 lbs per day
2.4GHz Wi-Fi with app control
Pros
- App
- Alexa and Google Assistant control with scheduling
- RGB ice basket doubles as a status display
- Three cube sizes instead of two
- Push notifications for full basket and low water
Cons
- 2.4GHz Wi-Fi only
- No active cooling so ice needs freezer storage
- Needs 4-inch clearance on the back and sides
The GoveeLife H717D is the only machine in this guide with real app control, and it is the pick if your kitchen is already wired into a smart home. You can schedule ice production, start a clean from your phone, and get push notifications when the basket fills or the water runs low, which solves the one problem every machine here has: knowing when to refill.
It is also the only unit offering three cube sizes rather than two. The core machine is a solid 26-pound bullet maker, nine cubes in six minutes from a 2L tank, on a 170W compressor in a stainless steel body.
The RGB ice basket glows in the colour of your choice and doubles as a status display, which is as close to decorative as an ice maker gets. The 10-minute self-cleaning cycle can be scheduled from the app, so maintenance stops being the thing you keep forgetting.
At 16.8 pounds and 12.52 by 9.45 by 13.11 inches, it is one of the heavier bodies here, and the spec sheet calls for four inches of clearance on the back and sides for airflow. Measure before you order.
Who this suits
Households that already run other connected appliances and want the machine to start producing ice before anyone wakes up. Scheduling is genuinely useful here, since the alternative is remembering to press a button after dinner.
It is also a good pick for a home bar where you want notification alerts rather than walking over to check a basket.
Where it disappoints
Wi-Fi is 2.4GHz only, so if your router splits bands you may need to reconfigure the network. The RGB lighting is not for everyone, and there is no active cooling, so the basket still needs regular transfers to the freezer.
Cube surfaces come out damp from the soaking and heating cycle, which is normal for this style of machine but worth knowing before you serve it in a good glass.
9. EUHOMY IM-FM Clear Ice Maker: Best for Clear Ice
EUHOMY Clear Ice Cube Maker Countertop with 1.5L Top Tank, 34Lbs/Day
Clear square ice
16 cubes in about 13 minutes
34 lbs per day
1.5L top tank plus 0.5L built-in
Pros
- Square ice that lasts far longer than bullet ice
- 24-hour ice-making reservation timer
- Top tank accepts a standard 5 gallon bottle
- Adjustable ice thickness and 20-minute deep clean
Cons
- Cubes arrive as a connected slab that must be broken by hand
- Reports of grinding
- motor failure and inconsistent thickness
Clear ice is the style for anyone who cares about how long a drink stays cold and how much the ice waters it down. This EUHOMY model makes sixteen clear square cubes in about thirteen minutes with a stated output of 34 pounds per day, which is high for a clear-ice machine, and the squares are denser and more solid than bullet ice.
The 1.5L external top tank sits above the machine and works alongside a 0.5L built-in reservoir, up to 2L combined. The top-fill design accepts a standard five-gallon bottle, which removes the last excuse for not refilling. A 24-hour reservation timer means ice can be ready before anyone gets up.
Ice thickness is adjustable through the ice-making time settings, and a 20-minute automatic deep clean triggers by holding the plus button for three seconds. Noise is listed under 42dB, and the deep 1.8-pound basket helps slow melting even without refrigeration.
Understand what clear cubes actually are here: they come out as a connected sheet, a slab people describe as a chocolate bar, and you break it apart by hand before each use. At maximum thickness that sheet is genuinely hard to split.
Who this suits
People serving soda, seltzer or anything where dilution matters, and anyone who wants ice that holds its shape through a long drink. Clear cubes also sit better in a glass than a small hollow bullet, which is a real consideration for hosting.
The scheduling makes it a good fit for a house that wants a full basket by the time guests arrive rather than during.
Where it disappoints
Durability reports drag this one down to 4.0 stars, with 15% one-star reviews. Owners describe loud grinding, motor failures and units that stopped producing ice, plus thickness that varies between batches.
Breaking a slab by hand every time is a workflow some people love and some find irritating. If you want hand-free ice, this is not the machine.
10. VEVOR 44 lb Nugget Ice Maker: Best for Hot Climates
VEVOR Countertop Ice Maker, 44 lbs per Day, Self-Cleaning Portable Machine with Scoop, Nugget Ice Machine with Chewable ICES for Home, Kitchen, Office, Bar & Party, Drawer-Style Ice Access, Black
Nugget ice
44 lbs per day
First ice in 7-10 minutes
1.8L main tank plus 1.4L auxiliary
Pros
- 44 lbs per day with dual tanks
- Drawer-style ice access without opening the lid
- Removable tank accepts multiple water sources
- Reported to keep working in very high ambient heat
Cons
- Heaviest at 23.8 pounds and one of the largest footprints
- Oversized scoop included
- Small review base for the brand
The VEVOR 44 lb is the one we would look at first if your kitchen runs hot. Owners specifically report that it keeps producing reliably in very high ambient temperatures, where most countertop machines slow down noticeably and clear-ice models can fail to form cubes at all. It also has the highest stated output here alongside the Silonn, at 44 pounds per day.
The dual-tank arrangement, 1.8L main plus 1.4L auxiliary, means you are not walking to the sink every half hour. Nugget ice appears in seven to ten minutes, and a 12-to-15-minute one-touch self-cleaning cycle handles maintenance.
Drawer-style ice access is a nice bit of design: you pull the basket forward rather than reaching under a lid, which is much easier when you are filling glasses for several people. The removable tank accepts water from more than one source, including a jug.
Stated running noise is 55dB, which owners describe as comparable to a refrigerator. That is louder than the small bullet machines in this guide, so it does not belong in a bedroom or a quiet home office.
Who this suits
Homes in hot climates, sun rooms, patios with power, and anyone who has watched a slower machine struggle through a July afternoon. At 44 pounds of chewable nugget ice per day, it also covers a large gathering without a trip to the shop.
The drawer access and dual tanks make it the easiest of the high-output machines to serve from repeatedly.
Where it disappoints
It is 23.8 pounds and measures 13.78 by 9.45 by 14.76 inches, so it is both the heaviest and one of the largest units here. Moving it to a sink for cleaning is a two-person job rather than a one-person job.
The included scoop is reported as oversized and awkward, and the brand carries a much thinner review history than the category leaders, with 330 reviews. A minority of units also arrived with loud noise and heavy shaking out of the box, so inspect on arrival.
11. ecozy Mistalo Drop Slim Nugget Ice Maker: Best for Narrow Counters
ecozy Nugget Ice Makers Countertop 40lbs Per Day, Touchless Ice Dispenser
Pebble ice
40 lbs per day
First ice in about 8 minutes
Only 6.69 inches wide
Pros
- Narrowest body in the guide at 6.69 inches
- Touchless dispenser avoids contact with the scoop
- Highest customer rating here at 4.6 stars
- Soft chewable pebble ice
Cons
- Premium price point for the category
- Small review base at 183
- Deep 16.4-inch body length
The ecozy Mistalo Drop Slim solves a problem none of the other machines here address. It is 6.69 inches wide, the narrowest body in this guide, and it stands vertically rather than sitting in a wide square footprint, which is what makes it work in a narrow gap between a wall and a fridge or on a slim bar cart.
It makes 40 pounds of soft pebble ice per day with a first batch in about eight minutes, and the touchless dispenser drops ice with a button press so you never handle the scoop. The water tank slides out from the front for refilling and cleaning, and the ice basket is included along with ice bags.
At 4.6 stars with 78% five-star reviews, it carries the highest average rating of anything in this lineup, and only 4% one-star reviews. That is a genuinely strong satisfaction rate, and it is the reason this machine makes the list despite the thinner review base.
Who this suits
Apartment galley kitchens, wet bars, home-office credenzas and anyone who measured their available counter space in inches and despaired. If the constraint is width rather than depth, this is the machine built for it.
The touchless dispenser is a genuine convenience at a party, where the same five people are not passing a wet scoop between glasses.
Where it disappoints
It is the most expensive machine in this guide, and that premium buys you the narrow body and the dispenser rather than better ice. The pebble ice itself is the same soft style as the other nugget machines here, which dilutes drinks a little faster than hard cubes.
It is also 16.38 inches deep, so the slim width is partly bought with length. And 183 reviews is a thin history: a 4.6 average on a small sample is encouraging but not the same evidence as the 28k+ reviews behind our top pick.
12. Antarctic Star HZB-12M Crescent Ice Maker: Best for Slow-Melting Ice
Antarctic Star Countertop Crescent Ice Maker, Slow-Melting Ice Cube Maker
Clear crescent cubes
16 cubes in 15 minutes
27 lbs per day
Three thickness settings
Pros
- Crystal-clear cubes with a solid core that chill fast
- Three thickness settings for soda versus spirits
- Largest water tank here at 61 oz
- 20-minute sanitising cycle needs no disassembly
Cons
- Heaviest build in the group at 22.3 pounds
- Slowest first batch at 15 minutes
- Smallest review base at 118 reviews
The Antarctic Star HZB-12M makes crescent cubes with a solid core, which is the slow-melting format at its most deliberate. Sixteen cubes take about fifteen minutes, and the stated daily output is 27 pounds or roughly 2,000 cubes. Slow to make is the trade for ice that holds its shape in a drink, and this machine leans into that.
Three ice thickness settings, selected by holding the light button for five seconds, let you go thin for a soda and thick for a slow drink of spirits. A 61-ounce water tank is the largest in this guide, which meaningfully reduces how often you refill for a household this size.
The 20-minute sanitising cycle activates by holding the plus button for five seconds and needs no disassembly or scrubbing, which is the right approach on a clear-ice machine where the freezing surfaces are easy to overlook. The 185W compressor runs on R600a at 115 volts.
Because the freezing plate is where most countertop machines accumulate the residue that ends up in a glass, the fact that this one can be run as a proper sanitising cycle without pulling any parts out is more valuable here than on a bullet machine.
Who this suits
Whisky and spirit drinkers who want a cube that does not disappear, and hosts who care about presentation. The solid-core crescent shape sits in a glass better than a pile of small bullets, and the thickness control lets you match the ice to the drink.
It is also a good pick for anyone who has decided that a slow melt matters more than a fast first batch.
Where it disappoints
It weighs 22.3 pounds, making it one of the heaviest to lift and pour out, and at 9.45 by 14.09 by 15.75 inches it is the widest and tallest body here. That is a lot of counter for an ice maker.
Fifteen minutes for a first batch is the slowest in this guide, so it is not the machine you want when guests are already at the door. With 118 reviews, the 4.5-star average is promising but lightly sampled.
How to Choose a Countertop Ice Maker?
Measure the counter before anything else. Every machine in this guide lists its dimensions in inches, and the spread is wider than most shoppers expect. The narrowest body here is 6.69 inches wide and the widest is 14.09 inches, and the tallest is 15.75 inches against a shortest of 11.22. Measure the space, the height under any cabinet, and the depth behind the unit, because the GoveeLife specifically calls for four inches of clearance on the back and sides for airflow.
As a plain-English anchor, the machines under about 9 inches wide sit where a toaster sits, and the ones above 13 inches wide are closer to a small microwave. Anything with a top tank or a vertical body is tall but narrow, which is the shape that fits galley kitchens.
Decide the ice style first, because it drives everything else. Bullet ice is fast, inexpensive and fine for daily use. Nugget and pebble ice is soft, chewy and better for spirits, at lower output per hour and a higher cost. Clear and crescent ice is dense, slow-melting and best for carbonated drinks and presentation, and it is the slowest and least reliable of the four.
Treat the advertised pounds per day as an optimistic figure. Manufacturers quote output at ideal room temperature with a full reservoir. Owners widely report that machines slow down after running for an hour or more, and in warm kitchens a batch can take well over the quoted time. A 26-pound machine is a two-to-three-person daily-use machine in practice, not a party machine.
Look at the water tank, not just the output. This is the mistake that produces the most regret. A 2.1-quart reservoir like the Frigidaire’s means you refill rarely; a 1.1L tank like the EUHOMY nugget machine’s means the machine pauses every twenty minutes in a crowd. If you plan to host more than a handful of people, tank size matters more than the headline pound figure.
Know that the storage basket is not refrigerated. None of the machines here holds its ice below freezing. Ice sits in an open basket at room temperature and melts, which is why the small bullets on the entry machines disappear fastest. If you want ice to last, transfer it to a freezer within minutes. If you plan to store a lot of ice, a built-in freezer is the better route, and you can see how those differ in our guide to undercounter ice makers for kitchens.
Check the operating environment. These machines are built for indoor use at around 70 degrees. In a hot kitchen, in direct sun, or poolside, batches take much longer, and clear-ice machines can fail to form cubes properly. The VEVOR above is the one in this list that owners specifically report keeping up in high heat.
Set your warranty expectations at one year. Most of these machines carry a one-year manufacturer warranty, and that is a realistic planning horizon rather than a minimum. Buyers describe a common lifecycle where a unit fails within months, and customer service on marketplace brands is hit or miss with slow or refused returns. Brands with a serviceable presence and easy in-store returns carry real value beyond the spec sheet.
Hard Water, Mineral Scale and Cleaning
Hard water is the loudest complaint in this category, and it is the one that decides whether a machine survives a year or dies in six months. Hard water leaves white mineral scale on the freezing plates and spray arms, which cuts output, clouds the ice and eventually blocks the water path. An entire thread on r/HomeSetup is dedicated to picks that survived hard water, which tells you how common it is.
Owners in hard-water areas consistently prioritise survival over output speed, and the advice that repeats is unglamorous: descale on a schedule, not when the machine starts struggling. A white crust on the inside of the water tank is the early warning sign.
A four-step routine covers almost everything. Drain the machine fully every few days using the drain plug, which is exactly why the Frigidaire’s removable plug is worth as much as any feature here. Wipe the freezing plate and the inside of the lid with a soft cloth, since loose ice leaves a film behind. Descale on a calendar, using a citric-acid solution appropriate to your machine, to break down mineral deposits before they harden. Rinse with a full run of plain water so no cleaning solution residue ends up in the ice.
Use the self-cleaning cycle in between manual descales rather than instead of it. The 10-minute cycle on the GoveeLife, the 30-minute cycle on the EUHOMY IM001-B, the 20-minute cycles on the EUHOMY clear-ice machine and the Antarctic Star all handle the routine residue, and several are app-schedulable.
One hidden cost to plan for: cleaning accessories and filter cartridges are often sold separately by the manufacturer, and a scale-inhibiting cartridge is worth adding if you are in a hard-water area. Check what your specific model ships with before buying a machine, because the Crzoe above lists only an ice scoop as an included component.
Are Countertop Ice Makers Worth It?
The honest answer depends on how much ice you buy and how far you have to carry it. A machine makes a real dent in the annual cost if you buy bagged ice regularly, if you live more than a short walk from a shop, or if your freezer cannot spare a tray for ice cubes. Owners of the Frigidaire above specifically report that it paid for itself within months against store-bought ice.
Count the bags you buy in a typical summer, including the delivery or the walk from the car, and compare that against the machine and a small annual allowance for descaling solution. If you go through several bags a week during warm months, the arithmetic works quickly. If you buy a bag for a party three times a year, renting or buying bags is cheaper and takes no counter space.
There are also cases where you do not need one. A freezer with an automatic ice maker, a large freezer with a dedicated ice bin, and an ice cube tray in a household that drinks two iced coffees a week all cover the same need without an appliance on the counter. A machine also cannot be used in a car, a boat cabin or an RV that is not plugged into shore power.
The real ongoing costs are modest: water, a few kilowatt-hours a day, and the filter or descaling supplies if you are in hard-water country. A 26-pound bullet machine in the 150W class is closer to a small appliance than to a dishwasher.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the highest rated countertop ice maker?
Among the picks we reviewed, the ecozy Mistalo Drop Slim has the highest average rating at 4.6 stars, though it has only 183 reviews. The strongest combination of rating and volume belongs to the Frigidaire EFIC120 at 4.3 stars across more than 11,000 reviews. The Silonn SLIM01B, our overall pick, sits at 4.2 stars with more than 28,000 reviews.
What is the best countertop ice maker according to Consumer Reports?
We do not have Consumer Reports testing data to report first-hand, so we will not put words in their mouth. What we can say is that reviewers of the Frigidaire EFIC120 note it has been a Consumer Reports Recommended pick. For our own ranking, we weighted rating, review volume, footprint, reservoir size and reported reliability.
What is the best buy countertop ice maker?
The best budget buy in this lineup is the Crzoe 12Q, which combines a 4.5-star average with the quietest operation at under 40dB and 26 pounds of daily output. The Silonn SLIM01B is the stronger all-round buy for most households because of its larger 2L tank. Just check the box contents on arrival, since some models list only a scoop.
What are the best portable ice makers according to reviews?
For portable use, the EUHOMY IM001-B is the standout: 12.9 pounds with a moulded carry handle, under 45dB, a 30-minute self-cleaning cycle and 26 pounds of daily output. The Crzoe 12Q is the quietest. If you need the narrowest body for a cramped counter, the ecozy Mistalo Drop Slim is only 6.69 inches wide.
Are countertop ice makers worth it?
They are worth it if you buy bagged ice regularly or carry it from a car, and if your freezer cannot spare a tray. Owners of the Frigidaire EFIC120 report it paid for itself within months. If you only need ice for a few parties a year, buying bags is cheaper and takes no counter space. Ongoing cost is a little water, a few kilowatt-hours a day, and descaling supplies.
Do countertop ice makers keep ice frozen?
No. None of the machines in this guide has an active cooling function, so the storage basket is not refrigerated and ice sits at room temperature. Small hollow bullets melt fastest, which is a recurring complaint on the entry-level models. Transfer ice to your freezer within minutes if you want it to last, and expect a batch to disappear on a warm counter.
The Verdict for 2026
The Silonn SLIM01B is the best ice maker for countertops in 2026 because it combines the largest evidence base in the category with a small 8.7-inch footprint, a 2L tank and a six-minute first batch. Nothing else here matches that combination of proven reliability and counter-friendly size.
Beyond that, match the machine to the ice. Nugget and pebble ice means the Silonn SLIM17T-PRO, the Silonn 44 lb model or the VEVOR. Clear, slow-melting cubes mean the Antarctic Star, and square clear cubes with scheduling mean the EUHOMY IM-FM. A narrow counter means the ecozy Mistalo Drop Slim. A quiet room means the Crzoe 12Q, and a large water tank means the Frigidaire EFIC120.
Whichever you pick, measure the space, plan a descaling routine, and remember that the basket is not a freezer. Two of those three habits prevent nearly every complaint we found in the reviews. If ice is a daily part of your routine rather than an occasional party need, any of these twelve will earn its counter space within a single season.