Best Counter Top Portable Ice Maker Reviews: Top 4 Deals + Buying Guide 2020

No doubt about it: a portable ice maker is a handy appliance.

Instead of rushing to the store when you need ice for a family gathering or an evening cocktail party, a portable ice maker like the 5 top picks below will keep you well-supplied with a minimum of work.

The best part? Portable ice makers today are not expensive- most cost less than $200..

In this in-depth buying guide, I'll cover everything you need to know to select the right portable ice maker your budget and needs - including the best brands and what factors you should consider.

So let's get started with my short list of the 4 best portable ice makers sold today.

One of the issues we have with the ICEB26 is the weight. While 22.7 lbs and the compact design qualify the ice maker as portable, it still won’t be easy to carry around.

I wouldn’t suggest it for camping or any other situation where you need to carry it by hand. But the weight is no issue if you are using it at home or at a bar.

Some customers also warned that you should take out the ice cubes soon after they are dumped into the bucket. If you leave them there for too long, they take on a certain unpleasant smell and taste.

Portable ice makers are generally mid-range in cost. The most expensive ones usually never go above $300.

But if you want a bargain, there are some cheap ice makers that are still great. The best one we found for a little over $100 is the Vremi Electric Ice Maker Machine. It has a quick cycle time and can make as much ice as other pricier icemakers.

What is even more surprising is the number of bonus features it has for its price. Extra features include a clock, timer and refill alerts.

Simply put, it is one of the best countertop ice makers you can get for under $200. 

This should be enough to fill up several drinks. If even more ice is needed, simple add more water and you will have more ice cubes in nine minutes.

3. Simple intelligent features

Its settings show overflowing and refill alerts, and the current state of the machine (e.g. ‘working’). 

4. Lightweight and compact

At almost 24 pounds, this ice maker is more portable than most.

If you are looking for something lightweight for your RV, boat or office, try this one.

That said, it is still a bit too heavy for camping trips and outdoor use - not that you'll have a 115V outlet around, anyway.

For that, look for those ice makers weighing around 20 lbs.

The compact design of the Vremi ice maker means you can place it just about anywhere there is a surface and a power source nearby.

Concerns

One of the most annoying features of this ice maker is the alerts. Most customers hate the shrill beeps it makes when it fills up.

Even worse, there is no way to stop the alarm. You have to empty the ice reservoir for it to stop beeping. This can be a problem if you are not planning to use the ice immediately and want to leave it in for a while.

So you have decided you want an ice maker at home. Or maybe you want one for your boat or RV.

Whichever the case, the biggest task ahead is finding the right ice maker to spend your money on. With dozens of different brands and types of ice makers available, you have quite some work ahead of you.

We have made it easier by recommending 4 top ice makers. But if you want to explore your options further, you’ll need some help navigating the vast and cluttered options you’ll come across.

To help you narrow down your options and make the right pick, we came up with a list of the six most important questions you should ask when shopping for an ice maker.

The most important feature of an ice maker is its production capacity. This refers to the amount of ice it can produce within a 24-hour period.

The production capacity is measured in pounds. So a figure like 24 lbs means that ice maker can produce up to 24 lbs of ice cubes every day.

Most of the ice makers you will come across have a capacity of 26 lbs. That’s the standard even for ultra-compact ice makers such as the Vremi Portable Ice Maker, which weighs 23.6 pounds. .

Some go a bit higher to 28 lbs. The bar-ideal Luma Comfort Portable Clear Ice Maker is a good example.

But that’s as high as they get. If you want a higher capacity, you would have to go out of the realm of portable ice makers. Under-counter and built-in ice makers can extend their maximum production capacity to 30 lbs and even 50 lbs.

The production capacity of a specific ice maker should be clearly stated in the specification. It should be the first thing you check for every ice maker you come across.

The production capacity of an ice maker goes hand in hand with its storage capacity. While most people tend to confuse the two, they are completely different.

The amount of ice an ice maker can possibly produce in a day is its production capacity. The amount it can hold in its tray or bucket is its storage capacity.

The storage capacity determines how much ice an ice maker produces per cycle and thus how much ice you get in that single cycle. This is important if you have an event or you are using the ice maker in a bar where there is high demand for chilled drinks.

Unlike the production capacity, there is more variation when it comes to how much ice an ice maker can hold.

The smallest ice makers can handle 1.5 lbs of ice before they stop making some more. Larger portable ice makers range between 2 lbs and 2.5 lbs.

In our top picks above, the Igloo ICEB26 has the highest storage capacity of 2 lbs, making it ideal for parties, large families, small offices and bars. The Vremi Portable Chewable Ice Maker has the lowest storage capacity of 1.5 lbs making it ideal for small families and individuals.

You may be wondering what happens if the ice maker keeps making ice once the storage capacity has been exceeded.

Theoretically, it may cause the tray or bucket to overflow and possibly damage the ice maker. I say theoretically because it is something you might never see.

Most ice makers are fitted with sensors that automatically stop further production once maximum capacity has been reached.

Some, such as the Vremi Ice Maker Machine even come with an alarm to alert you that the tray is full.

So you don’t have to worry that the ice maker will overflow and get damaged. In fact, some portable ice makers come with timers. You can set it to automatically start making ice even if you are not around.

As with the production capacity, it should be easy to find the storage capacity by checking the product details. But some sellers tend to hide it deep in other specs so you may have to look a bit hard to find it for certain models. 

This entire guide is about portable ice makers, emphasis on the word “portable”.

But it is such a relative term that you can’t simply rely on the word of the seller to determine how portable an appliance is.

Fortunately, most ice makers are in the ‘actually portable range’. The lightest ones eight around 20 or 21 lbs while the heaviest ones can weigh up to 28 lbs.

Instead of looking for the word ‘portable’ in the product details, look at the weight specification. This will give you a better idea of how easy it is to carry and move the ice maker around.

If you are buying an ice maker for camping or the patio – basically any situation where you might have to carry it by hand regularly – the lighter the better. On the other hand, something that is going to spend most of its time on your countertop can be heavier without lowering the user experience.

The Vremi Portable Ice Maker weighs only 23.6 pounds, making it ideal for those who are planning to move around with the ice maker.

But if portability is not your biggest issue, you can opt for the 28.9-pound Luma Comfort ice maker. You can still carry it, though perhaps with some help, on those few times when you need to move it.

There are other much heavier portable ice makers such as the Whynter IMC-491DC Portable Ice Maker which weighs 38 pounds. It may be portable but only when three sets of hands are involved.

If you have never used an ice maker before, you may assume it requires a complicated set up and maybe even needs professional installation.

This may be the case for under-counter and built-in ice makers. They need to be installed professionally and some even require plumbing.

But most portable ice makers are incredibly easy to use. No installation or long set up process is necessary. You simply plug it in, add water to the reservoir and switch it on.

This is not to mean that there aren’t the odd ice makers that can be frustrating. Go through customer reviews of some ice makers and you will encounter users wondering how to make their appliance work.

For some, the ice maker keeps producing the wrong kind of ice. For others, the sensors fail to work and the ice maker keeps on overflowing. In the worst of cases, some users are forced to make returns after their ice makers simply refused to work.

So while ice makers are supped to be simple machines, be wary of those that are anything but.

Start with the product details. What kind of initial set up does the ice maker need? What buttons and settings are used to get it working?

For a majority of ice makers you just need to add water and then use the buttons to set your preferred size and shape of ice cubes.

Once the ice is ready, you should be able to remove it with ease either by sliding the holding tray out or scooping out the ice cubes with a scoop. Some ice makers even come with the scoop included.

For a better picture of how easy or complicated a specific ice maker is, turn to what customers are saying. Look at the complaints to determine which components and features are causing the most trouble.

If too many customers say they could not get the ice maker to work properly or did not get the results they expected, move on to another brand.

One thing to be wary of is unnecessary bells and whistles. 

A good example of problems arising from extra features is the low-cost Vremi Ice Maker Machine we have reviewed above. It comes with an LCD display, a clock, a timer and an alarm. These are features you don’t find even in higher-priced ice makers.

While the features are somewhat helpful, they can also be frustrating. Some customers complained that the shrill alarm would keep beeping until you either added water to the reservoir or emptied the holding tray.

Focus on those ice makers which, though they may be simple and plain, are reliable. Most importantly, your ice maker should be long lasting, rather than breaking down after a just couple of months.

After checking an ice maker’s production capacity, being sure of its storage capacity, noting its weight and ensuring that it is not a headache to use, you can finally decide whether it is the right ice maker for you.

Here are 5 more questions I want you to ask yourself before you make the final decision. 

With these questions, it is so easy to determine exactly what kind of ice maker you need.

For a large family: Medium or large capacity and easy to use.

For myself: Capacity not essential but size is if you live in a small apartment.

For the bar: Large capacity, easy to use and durable.

For my RV or boat: compact, durable and lightweight.

Finally, the question that makes or breaks a purchase.

As important as the issue of price is, I recommend leaving it for last. First, look for a selection (two to four) of ice makers that meet your needs, or at least come close.

Once you are satisfied with your picks, you can then choose the one that best fits your budget. If you start with the price tag, it is easy to get lured by cheap but low quality ice makers. You may also be misled by pricey but ultimately low value ice makers.

Generally, portable ice makers are mid-range in price. The average range is $100-$300.

There are great portable ice makers that cost below $200. They may not have a lot of features or a huge capacity, but they are perfect for most people. In this price range, you will find compact ice makers with a 24-26 lbs production capacity and 1.5-2.2 lbs storage capacity.

If you want something bigger and more capable, be ready to spend between $200 and $300. In this range, you will find ice makers with bigger production capacities, usually 28 lbs. They also have bigger storage capacities ranging between 2.2 lbs and 3 lbs.

Beyond $300, you will find some specialized or extra high-capacity portable ice makers. Target this range if you want an ice maker with a production capacity over 30 lbs or you are looking for an ice maker that makes many sizes and shapes of ice cubes.

Beyond $400 and $500, you are no longer looking at portable ice makers.

There are good chances that whatever ice maker you end up choosing will be within your budget. If not, you can easily find alternatives within your budget that provide roughly the same features and functionality.

This refers to the amount of time the ice maker takes to make a single batch of ice. It ranges from 6 minutes for fast ice makers to 15 minutes for slower ones.

Generally, cycle time is not a make-or-break factor. A 15-minute ice maker will serve you just as well as a 6-minute one.

However, if you expect to serve a lot of people – such as if you own a bar or hold frequent events at home – consider getting an ice maker with a shorter cycle time. It will help you keep up with the demand.

But note that most high-capacity ice makers that are ideal for serving more people tend to have longer cycle times.

The other issue you may want to check is the kind of ice that the ice maker produces. Most ice makers produce two sizes of hollow bullet-like ice cubes. This is good enough for most people.

If you need more variety, look for those ice makers that can produce three or more different shapes and sizes.

If you are buying the ice maker for use at a bar, you may want one that produces clear ice. The Luma Comfort Portable Clear Ice Maker is a great example.

Unlike the usual cloudy-white ice you get with most portable ice makers, you get colorless ice cubes. You can also opt for a clear ice maker for your home if you love the elegance and extra hardness of clear ice.

Another important thing: the thickness or hardness of the ice. Some ice cubes tend to melt faster than others because they are thinner and softer. If the product details do not say how hard or soft the ice is, check customer reviews.

The best type of ice will depend on your needs. For a bar, you need hard slow-melting ice. The Luma Comfort produces clear hard ice that melts five times as slowly as other ice cubes.

For home use, the average ice cubes (not too hard neither too soft) will do. You can also buy a Sonic Nugget ice maker that produces really soft and chewable ice.

Before you buy a portable ice maker, check how long the warranty is and what sort of coverage it provides. The warranty is a sign that the manufacturer has confidence in their product.

Portable ice makers do not have very long warranties. Some can even be just a few months long. This is especially the case for ultra-compact portable ice makers.

But the standard warranty period is 1 year. If you are buying from Amazon, you will easily find the warranty document in the product details.

Go through it, noting how long they cover the product for, what exactly they cover and how to make a claim. Also check whether you can purchase an extended warranty.

One of the coolest features we have seen in some portable ice makers is the ability to recycle melted water.

Because portable ice makers do not keep the ice cubes in a freezing condition, any ice you leave in the tray is going to start melting.

Some ice makers take the melted water back into the system and reuse it. You can leave the unit running even when you are not around and you’ll still find perfectly solid ice cubes waiting for you.

If you can find ice makers with extra features like this, go for it. The bonus features are not must-have but they add to the experience. Just be careful not to pay too much for unnecessary bells and whistles.

Another bonus feature we have come across is an automatic timer. This allows you to schedule the unit to make ice cubes at a specific time. For example, you can use the timer to make sure you find ready ice cubes in time for your after-work cocktail.

The Vremi Ice Maker Machine has the most bonus features including overflowing and refill alerts.

We have already talked about weight as a crucial factor to consider when buying a portable ice maker. Along with the weight, size is also important especially if you are going to use the ice maker in an RV or for camping.

There are some extra-compact portable ice makers that you can easily carry around and can fit just about anywhere. On the other end of the scale, there are larger portable ice makers that are as big as they are heavy. These present a portability problem.

They are ideal for countertops and bars. And even then, you should be sure you have enough space for the ice maker.

We recommend checking the dimensions before buying an ice maker. They will be displayed prominently along with other product details. Match the dimensions with the space you have to decide whether that is the ideal ice maker.

Customers provide a deeper and more balanced insight into a product than you will get from manufacturer-provided product information. Because they have personally experienced the product, they can help you make a smart purchase decision.

We ourselves used customer reviews as part of our research into each of our top picks above. When researching these and many other products, we have discovered a few tips and tricks that will help you get a lot more from Amazon customer reviews.

i) Do not make your decision based solely on the best or worst reviews

5-star and 1-star reviews tend to attract the most attention. While they can provide crucial information, they can also be misleading if you don’t weigh them against 4, 2 and 3-star reviews.

Some 5-star reviews for example come from customers who have had the ice maker for a short period, maybe even just a few days. Their assessment does not capture the full picture. After all, this is something you are going to use for years.

On the other hand, 1-star reviews can be unrelated to the product or they represent a unique issue that other customers have not experienced. For instance, a customer complaining of a dented ice maker they had to return.

Don't get me wrong, these reviews are important and can tell you a lot, even on other aspects such as shipping and customer support. But do not make a purchase decision before you read other reviews.

Between 4 and 2-star reviews, you will find a more balanced view of the product. You will find reviews that talk about the good and bad of the ice maker.

Generally, portable ice makers do not require much in the way of maintenance. In fact the only thing you need to do is clean them regularly. If you don’t, your ice cubes might start to smell and taste stale.

Minerals and other particles in water could also clog up the system, making it more difficult to make ice. This usually manifests itself in ice that smells weird or looks misshapen. In serious cases, the unit may completely fail.

Since different brands and models differ in architecture, you should refer to your product manual for cleaning instructions. But here are some general pointers that apply to most portable ice makers.

One common problem users experience is a plastic-y taste in ice cubes. Others describe it as stale.

This usually happens when you go too long without cleaning the unit. The same steps above should solve the problem.

Choosing four ice makers from dozens of options takes a lot of research. We use customer reviews, expert takes, unit manuals and manufacturer information among other things to narrow down our options until we have the final winners.

But at the foundation of our efforts, there are certain essential features that we look for in a product. How the ice maker performs in each of the following features determines the overall rating.

The overall capacity is the most important factor that we consider when rating different ice makers. While it is okay for some ice makers to have lower capacity, sometimes it can be too low to be helpful.

In our reviews, we match the capacity of an ice maker with the ideal use for it. A 28-pound unit is much better for a bar while a 21-pound ice maker works best for individual use on an RV or boat. But an ice maker that has a capacity below 20 pounds won’t be of much help to anyone.

Generally, we only recommend portable ice makers with storage and production capacities that are in the right range.

This is another factor that can make or break a product. No matter how good and powerful it is, if it is not easy to use then it is useless.

So we take ease of use very seriously. We especially focus on what customers have to say. Sometimes, even the simplest-looking product can cause plenty of headaches.

Our top picks are easy to set up and straightforward in function. You don’t need to call an expert or keep consulting the manual every time you want to chill your cocktail.

Since this is a guide on portable ice makers, portability was a major issue in our ratings. We considered two things: size and weight.

As with capacity, there is an acceptable range of a ice maker's size and weight.

We match different weights and sizes of ice makers to their ideal uses. A heavier ice maker works perfectly well for a countertop while a lighter one is ideal for those on the go.

But if it is too heavy or too big it becomes harder to call it a portable ice maker even though it calls itself so. You came here specifically looking for a portable ice maker. We make sure each of our recommendations is actually portable.

Not many people consider how long an ice maker will last before buying one. We have come across so many customers saying theirs broke down after just a couple of months. They either had to return it or let their money go to waste.

While no one expects an ice maker to last for decades, it should at least keep breathing for a couple of years. If too many users complained about frequent breakdowns or dead units, we moved on.

By choosing only from trusted brands and checking user reviews, we selected ice makers that are most likely to last longest.

Remember to also check the warranty of an ice maker before buying it. It will ensure you are prepared in case of anything unexpected.