Top Portable Ice Makers of 2024: A Comprehensive Review

 A portable ice maker ensures you always have ice on hand, whether for home-brewed iced coffee, filling a cooler, or shaking up cold martinis. These compact machines are small enough to sit on the kitchen counter and include their own reservoirs, eliminating the need to connect to a water supply. They're also easy to transport and set up in an RV or campsite, providing access to ice while away from home. However, not all portable ice makers are created equal. Below, we have listed the top six portable ice makers, highlighting their key features and considerations to help you choose the best one for your needs. Links to the products mentioned in the video are in the description below, and you can find a more detailed analysis and comparison tool on our website, Valid Consumer.

6. Silent Ice Makers Countertop

The Silent Ice Makers Countertop offers exceptional value for money and is a top-selling ice maker for good reason. It produces ice in less than 8 minutes, making it one of the fastest models we tested at just £15. This model received high marks for portability, and our testers appreciated its sleek, elegant design, available in multiple finishes to complement any decor. The Silent Ice Makers Countertop is self-cleaning and shares many features with higher-priced models, including two different ice sizes and an indicator light that informs you when the water is low or the ice basket is full. A see-through lid allows you to monitor ice capacity, and the machine shuts off automatically when full. Although compact, it has a decent water capacity, meaning it doesn't need constant refilling and produces a substantial amount of bullet-shaped ice. In our tests, it produced 12 ounces of ice in one hour. However, the machine is somewhat noisy, and the ice is cloudy.

5. AG Lucky Countertop Ice Maker Machine

Another excellent portable ice maker option is the AG Lucky Countertop Ice Maker Machine, which can produce nine ice cubes in under 8 minutes, making it one of the fastest models we tested. The appliance can produce up to £26 of ice per day, ensuring a steady supply for your next gathering. Weighing only £16, this model is easy to move from place to place. It features indicators that alert you when the ice basket is full or when it's time to add more water to the reservoir. This model also offers options for both small and large bullet-shaped ice. The machine's rear cooling system ensures it cools quickly and operates efficiently. While testers praised its compact size and attractive design, they were less pleased with the noise produced by the fan and its small water capacity.

4. Free Village Ice Maker Machine for Countertop

The Free Village Ice Maker Machine for Countertop proves that you don't need to spend a lot to have regular access to ice cubes at home. This budget-friendly ice maker is compact and efficient, taking only 5 to 8 minutes to produce 9 pieces of ice and churning out about £26 of ice in a 24-hour period. It also offers self-cleaning functionality, which helps keep your ice cubes crystal clear and reduces long-term maintenance. An upgraded compressor and exhaust fan contribute to its durability. This lightweight and portable option is great for storing when not in use or bringing with you on the road.

3. New Air Countertop Ice Maker £50 Daily

The New Air Countertop Ice Maker is a large, heavy model capable of producing up to £50 of ice per day and 12 pieces in just 7 minutes. You can choose from three different ice sizes and set an 18-hour timer to make ice on your schedule. Indicator lights let you know when you need to add water or when the removable ice bin is full. An ice scoop is included for easy serving. Although the ice bin is not refrigerated, it is better insulated than other small ice maker models we tried. This machine doesn't require much maintenance, thanks to its cleaning mode, and produces ice quickly. However, the bullet ice cubes were somewhat cloudy and irregular in size, and the machine made a strong whirring noise during operation. Draining can be tricky due to its size and weight, so a dish towel underneath is recommended to catch any drips.

2. GE Opal Nugget Ice Maker

If you're not familiar with nugget ice, it's a soft, chewable type of ice that's ideal for blended drinks like smoothies and frozen margaritas. Nugget ice is also great for cocktails, keeping them cooler for longer without diluting the flavors. The GE Opal Nugget Ice Maker produces restaurant-quality ice that’s easy to separate if stuck together. This sleek ice maker produces 1 pound of ice nuggets per hour, and the bin can hold up to £3 of ice. The clear, illuminated bin lets you see how much ice is available and is easy to pull forward when scooping. The bin is insulated to keep the ice cold, and as the ice inevitably melts, the machine automatically makes more. The GE Opal connects to Wi-Fi, so you can control it remotely, and it comes with an extra water reservoir to reduce the need for frequent refills during larger gatherings.

1. Frigidaire EFIC189 Compact Ice Maker

The Frigidaire EFIC189 Compact Ice Maker earns the top spot due to its compact size and efficient performance. This small yet powerful ice maker is perfect for kitchens with limited space, providing up to £26 of ice in a 24-hour period. Simply pour water up to the unit's fill line, and you’ll have ice in your glass in under 10 minutes. The Frigidaire model stands out for its user-friendly design, with alerts for low water levels and a full ice basket. It is impressively insulated to prevent the ice cubes from melting, and if the ice does melt, the runoff is recycled to make new cubes. Although it only makes bullet-shaped ice, you can choose between two different sizes to suit various beverages. This model needs to be plugged into an outlet, but a lengthy cord adds convenience.

That wraps up our list of the best portable ice makers. We hope you found this review helpful. For more information, visit our website Valid Consumer.