The Luma Comfort Clear Ice Cube Maker won us over
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Whether you're a cold brew devotee or planning a party, an ice maker can be a welcome addition to your household. And for those who depend on ice cube trays or bagged ice to keep the freezer stocked, a dedicated ice maker can be a game-changer.
To help you wade through all the choices, we put 15 ice makers to the test. It's worth noting that cloudiness in the ice cubes was an issue across all of the machines we tested. Our testers recommend using distilled water instead, if possible (we used tap water in our tests).
Our other big consideration was the water tank capacity. No one wants to have to constantly refill their ice maker, especially while hosting a party, so all of our picks below feature large tanks. We also looked at the speed of ice production, as well as noise level. We then rated each machine on its performance, portability, and capacity.
So without further ado, below are the four best countertop ice machines that PEOPLE tested.
Editor's note: A previous version of this article included the Gevi Countertop Nugget Ice Maker which has since been recalled due to laceration hazards. As a result, we have removed the machine from this list.
This ice maker had a hefty water capacity, accommodating up to 10 cups.
This machine had the best ice production of any we tested.
It was a nearly silent ice-making process, which was an astounding feat for its level of power.
Though the machine produced well over a pound of ice per batch, it was one of the longest to do so at just over 23 minutes.
The Luma Comfort Clear Ice Cube Maker was the hardest worker of the bunch according to our testers. It produced 24 ice cubes per batch, which added up to more than 1 lb., 4 oz. of ice. If you're looking for volume, look no further than our overall winner. Given that this machine has a high water capacity and a high output over one hour, we estimate a greater volume over a longer period as compared to the other models we tested.
The ice came out in a cube shape, rather than the bullet shapes we saw with many of the machines. The Luma was also practically silent in its ice production, which is a definite perk.
While the Luma made the most ice in an hour of all the machines we tested — producing more cubes per batch than the other models — it took a long time to do so. It's a fairly big and bulky machine, too, so count on it taking up space on your countertop.
Overall, there's a lot of room for error with ice makers, but the Luma Comfort Clear Ice Cube Maker had many more pros than cons. With a moderate price point to add to its value, we recommend this model over all the others in our People Tested process.
Water Capacity: 10 cups | Number of Cubes Per Batch: 24 | Time to Produce: 23 minutes, 22 seconds | Dimensions: 11.3 x 14.8 x 14.1 inches | Weight: 25.5 pounds | Ice Type: Clear cubes
We wouldn't mind having this sleek machine as a regular fixture on our countertop.
Its price point is just as attractive as its design.
Due to its small size, this machine is easily portable.
The bullet-shaped ice cubes were inconsistently sized.
This machine leaned on the noisy side.
As compared to our overall winner, our best budget pick, the Silonn, produced a more moderate amount of ice. In just under 8 minutes, it made 8 cubes (12.25 oz), so it's less productive. "For the size of the machine, it made an adequate amount of ice after one hour," noted our tester.
This model was a lot noisier than the Luma. The ice was also bullet-shaped and inconsistently sized. But the Silonn beat many of its competitors in the portability rating department, scoring a 5/5. Testers noted that it's very sleek and nice-looking and that they would be "100 percent okay with keeping it on the countertop!"
The Silonn had the lowest price point of all 15 ice makers we tested, so if you're curious about a portable ice maker but don't want to make a more sizable investment, this is a good bet.
Water Capacity: 9 cups | Number of Cubes Per Batch: 8 | Time to Produce: 7 minutes, 42 seconds | Dimensions: 12.3 x 8.7 x 12.5 inches | Weight: 15 pounds | Ice Type: Bullet
This machine has a handle, which makes it easy to move around.
We were able to choose between small and large ice cube sizes.
It produced ice without making much noise.
With a lower volume of water, we predict having to refill this machine often to match the ice output of other models.
Our tester was most impressed by the Igloo's quick drop time for being a small machine, and by its handle, making this model the most easily portable. The cylinder-shaped ice cubes appear in the back of the machine and automatically move to the front for maximum scoopage. And it's a nice touch to be able to choose between "small" and "large" ice size.
The machine's fan is quite loud, but not annoying, while the ice production itself is very quiet. "It made a decent amount of ice in an hour," noted our tester, recommending this machine for its handle, portability, and performance. Given the lower water capacity, however, this is likely not your best choice for high-volume settings, like a party with frequent refills.
Water Capacity: 8 cups | Number of Cubes Per Batch: 9 | Time to Produce: 9 minutes, 23 seconds | Dimensions: 13.9 x 10.51 x 15.28 inches | Weight: 17.9 pounds | Ice Type: Cylinder
Compact and narrow, the Costway will fit nicely on most countertops.
This machine is a two-in-one, working double duty as an ice maker and water dispenser.
Despite its features and sleek look, this machine has a very fair price.
It's a noisy machine, so you'll have to be careful to not wake sleeping partners or children when you use it.
The water capacity is pretty small, which could be problematic if you use it every day.
Here's a portable ice maker that you'll want to live on our countertop since it dispenses both water and ice. The compact and narrow shape means it won't encroach on your other appliance's real estate, either. For those who drink a lot of water daily, the water capacity could be an issue—it only holds 8 cups at a time.
While other noisy machines that we tested were loud but not annoying, this one made a jarring sound, per our testers: "The plastic in the machine sounded like it was cracking."
Still, our testers noted, "the two-in-one functionality makes this [purchase] more worthwhile." Plus, the price for this dual-duty ice maker isn't too bad, either.
Water Capacity: 11 cups for ice maker (8 cups water capacity) | Number of Cubes Per Batch: 9 | Time to Produce: 8 minutes, 35 seconds | Dimensions: 10 x 15.5 x 14 inches | Weight: 21 pounds | Ice Type: Bullet
As always, weigh the price points against how often you think you'll use a new purchase. If a portable ice maker will join the ranks of your refrigerator ice maker, perhaps a lower price point makes more sense, such as our best budget winner the Silonn Countertop Ice Maker. If this will be your one and only ice maker, weigh the cost of buying bagged ice — or the time and effort needed to fill ice cube trays — against the investment of an ice maker.
Consider the purpose of a portable ice maker in your household. If you love hosting parties and need to constantly refresh drinks while entertaining, choose a model with a large water capacity and high output. If the ice maker will generally be used by one or two people, you can get by with a lower capacity.
We tested the whole gamut, from practically silent machines to pleasantly whirring, to "Wow, that's loud!" Think about where you'll place the machine and how much noise you can personally tolerate.
The bigger the machine, the more likely it is that it'll take up permanent (or at least seasonal) residence on your countertop. Consider your space and the machine's aesthetics. If you don't have much counter space, you should consider the Igloo Premium Self-Cleaning Countertop Ice Maker.
You should also take into consideration ice type when you are buying a countertop ice maker. You will find most ice makers either make clear ice cubes, bullet ice cubes, or nugget (also called pebble) ice cubes. If you want a slow-melting ice cube for cocktails, then the clear ice cubes are a great option. If you prefer soft, chewy ice, then a nugget ice maker will fit the bill. Keep in mind that nugget ice makers are often the most expensive. For those who want a fast-melting ice cube that cools their drink quickly, then the cylinder ice cubes are for you. Bullet ice cubes, found in the Costway 2-in-1 Countertop Ice Maker, will chill your drink quickly and are available in less expensive ice makers, but can be too hard for those who like to chew ice.
Our testers tried out a total of 15 countertop ice makers.
It depends on the individual ice maker, but generally, no. Portable ice makers are intended to make ice, not to be used as freezers to keep ice cold. These units need to be turned off when they are not making ice so they have a chance to defrost between cycles.
The terms ice machine and ice maker are often used interchangeably to describe a machine that makes ice. These include portable ice makers as well as those that are included in many home refrigerators/freezers.
Check the instructions for your particular machine. Some recommend using only filtered water, and others suggest distilled water. Both are preferred over tap water which can result in cloudy ice cubes and mineral deposit buildup in the machine.
Most ice makers produce individual ice cubes, and some make a sheet of cubes that are broken apart (similar to an ice cube tray).
Most portable ice makers have a removable drain plug on the bottom or back of the machine for draining. Set the machine over the sink or a bucket and open the drain plug until all water is removed.
Rennie Dyball is an award-winning author who began her career at PEOPLE in 2002 as a reporter and remained on staff until 2017; she now regularly freelances for the brand. She covers a wide range of topics from beauty to pets. For this story, Dyball took the insights gathered by our PEOPLE Tested team to compare and contrast the ratings for each product and their reasonings behind them, compiling the data to determine which ice makers would be deemed the best of 2024.
We created the PEOPLE Tested seal of approval to help you find the very best products for your life. We use our unique methodology to test products in three labs across the country and with our network of home testers to determine their effectiveness, durability, ease of use, and so much more. Based on the results, we rate and recommend products so you can find the right one for your needs.
But we don't stop there: We also regularly re-review the categories in which we've awarded the PEOPLE Tested seal of approval — because the best product of today might not be the best of tomorrow. And by the way, companies can never buy our recommendation: Their products must earn it, fair and square.
In short, PEOPLE Tested provides recommendations you can trust — every day, every purchase.
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