Best Countertop Ice Makers (2026): 6 Picks Compared by Use

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The best countertop ice maker for your kitchen depends on three things: whether you want hard bullet cubes or soft nugget ice, how often you are willing to refill a tank by hand, and how much counter space the machine can claim. Every unit on this shelf is a plug-in countertop machine that you fill with a pitcher; none connects to a water line, and none keeps ice frozen once it is made. That last point surprises a lot of buyers. Built-in undercounter ice machines are plumbed, drained and wired into cabinetry, and they are a different purchase. Below are six picks matched to specific jobs, followed by a buying guide on output claims, cleaning, electrical use and water quality.

Part of our Plumbing & Water guide — start there for the full picture →

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How we compared: we compared 13 current Amazon listings for countertop ice makers, 9 bullet-ice machines and 4 nugget-ice machines, on what each listing actually states: daily output, cube type, water tank size, basket capacity, stated noise, cleaning cycle, power draw and any named certification. We did not lab-test these machines or use them hands-on. Two Frigidaire listings describe the same 26-pound design in different finishes. Prices and availability change often, so check the current listing before buying.

Quick picks: the best countertop ice makers by use case

Product	Best for	Key features	Price	Buy
Frigidaire EFIC120	Best overall bullet ice maker	2.1 qt water tank Drain plug for emptying 1.5 lb basket	$89.99as of Oct 21, 2026 11:40 am GMT+0000	Buy now →Check current price
EUHOMY IM001-B	Lightest with stated power draw	12.87 lb with handle 170 W compressor About 4 kWh per day stated	$66.84as of Oct 21, 2026 11:40 am GMT+0000	Buy now →Check current price
Antarctic Star 58012	Quiet small footprint	Under 40 dB stated 8.7 x 11.5 x 11.6 in footprint Two cube sizes	$59.99as of Oct 21, 2026 11:40 am GMT+0000	Buy now →Check current price
SenCre ICM1258S	Mid-size tank, plain-spoken listing	1.5 L tank 1.32 lb basket Says ice is not kept frozen	$99.99as of Oct 21, 2026 11:40 am GMT+0000	Buy now →Check current price
SenCre NIM600S-A	High-volume nugget ice	60 lb per day stated 3 L plus 3.8 L tanks Sediment pre-filter	$369.99as of Oct 21, 2026 12:55 am GMT+0000	Buy now →Check current price
EUHOMY IM002 Nugget	Compact nugget with ETL mark	34 lb per day 1.8 lb basket ETL certified per listing	$139.99as of Oct 21, 2026 11:40 am GMT+0000	Buy now →Check current price

Prices are Amazon’s listed prices as of the time shown and change often; check Amazon for today’s price. As an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases.

The six picks, compared listing by listing

1. Frigidaire EFIC120 — Best Overall Bullet Ice Maker

Best overall

Why we like it

• Largest stated water tank among the bullet machines
• Drain plug makes emptying and cleaning simpler
• Digital panel with two cube sizes
• Basket holds up to 1.5 lb of ice

Frigidaire EFIC120-BLKSS-SC — 26 lb/day, 9 bullet cubes per cycle, 2.1 qt tank, 1.5 lb basket, drain plug, 1-yr warranty

The Biggest Tank Among the Bullet Machines, Plus a Drain Plug

Nine of the 13 listings are bullet-ice machines. Six of those nine state a tank size, and the Frigidaire’s 2.1 quarts (roughly 2 liters, shared with its stainless sibling listing) is the largest of them; the SenCre ICM1258S lists 1.5 liters, and the Silonn and two EUHOMY bullet models list 1.2 liters. A bigger reservoir means more cycles between refills, which matters at a party or on a hot afternoon when the machine runs for hours.

The Frigidaire is also one of only two listings on the shelf that mention a drain plug, and the other is the stainless version of the same Frigidaire design. Every countertop ice maker holds standing water, and being able to empty the tank completely between uses is the simplest defense against stale tastes and slime. Machines without a plug are usually drained by tipping them over a sink.

What the listing leaves out: it names no wattage, no daily energy use, no noise figure and no self-cleaning program, which several cheaper listings do advertise. The black-stainless listing also gives no weight, though the stainless sibling lists 17.8 lb. Expect to clean it by hand on a schedule from the manual.

Check Frigidaire EFIC120 price on Amazon

2. EUHOMY IM001-B — Best Lightweight Pick With Stated Power Draw

Best lightweight pick

Why we like it

• Lightest weight stated on the shelf
• States compressor wattage and daily energy use
• Carry handle for moving to a patio or RV
• 30-minute automatic cleaning cycle

EUHOMY IM001-B — 26 lb/day, 1.2 L tank, 1.3 lb basket, 170 W, ~4 kWh/day, under 45 dB, 12.87 lb, handle

One of Only Two Listings That Say How Much Power It Uses

Only 2 of the 13 listings state an electrical figure at all, and both are EUHOMY bullet machines: this IM001-B and the silver IM-18S. Each lists a 170-watt compressor and about 4 kWh per 24 hours of continuous running. That is useful for anyone planning to run an ice maker from a portable power station or a camper battery, and it gives a rough sense of what a day of nonstop ice making costs on a utility bill. Treat the 4 kWh figure as a manufacturer claim rather than a measured result.

Six listings give a product weight, and at 12.87 lb this one is the lightest of them; the SenCre and Frigidaire bullet machines are close to 18 lb and the EUHOMY 44-lb nugget model is just over 23 lb. Combined with the built-in handle, it is the easiest machine here to carry out to a deck or pack for a trip.

The listing describes an infrared sensor that flashes ICE FULL and ADD WATER alerts, and a cleaning mode started by holding the power button for five seconds. It offers only one tank size and a modest basket, so it suits small households more than parties.

Check EUHOMY IM001-B price on Amazon

3. Antarctic Star 58012 — Best Quiet, Small-Footprint Bullet Maker

Best quiet small footprint

Why we like it

• Lowest noise figure stated for a bullet machine
• Small footprint for tight counters
• Gives a clear self-cleaning schedule
• Two cube sizes and a carry handle

Antarctic Star 58012RIMO-NJ3 — 26 lb/day, 8 cubes per cycle, under 40 dB, ~8.7 x 11.5 x 11.6 in, self-clean, 1-yr warranty

Tied for the Quietest Rating Among Bullet Machines

Seven listings give a noise figure. The four EUHOMY listings that give a figure claim 45 dB or slightly under, the SenCre nugget machine claims 40 dB, and two bullet machines claim under 40 dB: this Antarctic Star and the Crzoe 12Q. Countertop ice makers run a compressor and a small fan for hours, and the clunk of cubes dropping into the basket adds to that, so a lower rating is worth something in an open-plan kitchen or a home office. No listing explains how its decibel figure was measured, so compare them loosely.

The listing is also unusually specific about care: run the cleaning cycle weekly, or after the machine has sat unused for two weeks. Only one other listing, the SenCre ICM1258S, gives a cleaning interval at all. That kind of instruction is more useful than a vague promise of self-cleaning.

What it does not state matters too. The listing gives no tank size, basket capacity or weight, and its claim of 30 percent lower energy use names no baseline and no wattage. Expect a small tank in a body this size.

Check Antarctic Star 58012 price on Amazon

4. SenCre ICM1258S — Best Mid-Size Tank With a Plain-Spoken Listing

Best mid-size tank

Why we like it

• 1.5 L tank, second largest among bullet machines
• Honest that the basket does not refrigerate
• Weekly cleaning guidance and a CLEAN button
• Two cube sizes in a stainless finish

SenCre ICM1258S — 26.5 lb/day, 9 cubes per cycle, 1.5 L tank, 1.32 lb basket, CLEAN button, 17.81 lb, 1-yr warranty

The Only Listing That Says Outright the Ice Will Melt

Every machine on this shelf works the same basic way: water is frozen onto chilled prongs or an auger, released into an open basket, and allowed to melt back into the reservoir to be refrozen. None is a freezer. Yet only 1 of the 13 listings says so directly, and it is this one, which notes that the unit has no refrigeration function and that ice should be moved to a refrigerator’s freezer to keep it. That candor is a good sign about the rest of the listing.

The 1.5-liter tank sits between the Frigidaire’s 2.1 quarts and the 1.2-liter tanks on the Silonn and EUHOMY bullet units, and the 1.32-lb basket is in the same range as most rivals. The listing recommends cleaning once a week, one of only two listings to name an interval.

On the minus side, it gives no noise rating, no wattage and no drain plug, and at 17.81 lb it is one of the heavier bullet machines here despite having no carry handle described.

Check SenCre ICM1258S price on Amazon

5. SenCre NIM600S-A — Best High-Volume Nugget Ice Maker

Best high-volume nugget

Why we like it

• Highest stated daily output on the shelf
• Largest basket, at 4.84 lb
• Two water tanks for long sessions
• Only listing with a water pre-filter

SenCre NIM600S-A — 60 lb/day nugget ice, 3 L + 3.8 L tanks, 4.84 lb insulated basket, sediment pre-filter, 40 dB

More Than Double the Output of Any Bullet Machine Here

All nine bullet listings claim 26 to 26.5 lb of ice per day. The four nugget machines claim more: 34, 40, 44 and, on this SenCre, 60 lb. It also has the largest basket on the shelf at 4.84 lb, more than double the 1.8 lb on the EUHOMY nugget pick, and the only dual-tank system, with a 3-liter internal reservoir and a 3.8-liter external tank. For a household that goes through nugget ice all day, or for hosting, those numbers reduce refills and emptying.

It is the only listing on the shelf that mentions any water filtration: a sediment pre-filter that catches particles, with the option to swap in a better filter for chlorine taste. A sediment filter does not treat bacteria, lead or nitrates. The listing also describes double-layer foam insulation around the basket to slow melting, though it still does not claim the basket is refrigerated.

The title mentions UV-C purification, but the feature text never explains what is treated or for how long, so do not count on it. The listing also gives no weight, wattage or warranty, and its footprint is the largest of the nugget machines.

Check SenCre NIM600S-A price on Amazon

6. EUHOMY IM002 Nugget — Best Compact Nugget Ice Maker

Best compact nugget

Why we like it

• Only listing that names a safety mark (ETL)
• Nugget ice in a smaller body with a handle
• Lift-up top for easier hand cleaning
• ADD WATER and ICE FULL alerts

EUHOMY IM002-12SXX — 34 lb/day nugget ice, 1.2 qt tank, 1.8 lb basket, under 45 dB, ETL named, handle, lift-up top

The Only Listing on the Shelf That Names a Safety Certification

A countertop ice maker is a plug-in appliance that runs a compressor near water for hours, so a recognized safety listing is worth looking for. Only 1 of the 13 listings mentions one, and it is this EUHOMY, which says the unit is ETL certified. The others may well carry a mark on the rating plate, but the listings do not say so; check the label on whichever model you buy.

Among the four nugget machines it is the smallest stated output, at 34 lb per day, and its body is close in size to the bullet machines rather than the bulkier 44-lb and 60-lb nugget units. A built-in handle and a removable top that lifts off for wiping are practical touches for a machine that needs regular cleaning.

The trade-off is the small 1.2-quart tank, which means frequent refills when the machine runs all afternoon, and the listing gives no weight or wattage. Nugget machines also tend to be louder in use than their ratings suggest because of the auger, though no listing quantifies that.

Check EUHOMY IM002 Nugget price on Amazon

How to read countertop ice maker specs

Daily output is a 24-hour ceiling

All nine bullet machines claim almost exactly the same 26 to 26.5 lb per day, which tells you the bullet machines share a common design. That figure assumes the machine runs nonstop for a full day in a cool room with the basket emptied regularly. In practice, the number that matters at a party is what is in the basket when guests arrive, which is why basket size (1.3 to 1.5 lb on most bullet machines, up to 4.84 lb on the largest nugget unit) is the better guide to short-notice capacity. If you need several pounds ready at once, start the machine hours ahead and move batches into a freezer.

Cycle time and cube count

Most bullet listings promise 8 or 9 cubes in 6 to 7 minutes. Those cubes are hollow-centered bullets, smaller and quicker to melt than tray cubes. Nugget machines make soft, chewable pellets that many people prefer in soda and iced coffee, but the auger mechanism is more complex and usually costs more. Neither type makes clear, slow-melting cocktail cubes.

Tank size and refills

Every listing here is fill-by-hand; none mentions a water-line connection. Tanks run from 1.2 quarts on the EUHOMY nugget pick to the SenCre nugget unit’s two tanks totaling 6.8 liters. A small tank empties quickly because the reservoir also catches meltwater, so you will be topping it up during long runs. If you want ice without pouring water, look at an undercounter or refrigerator ice maker instead, which needs a plumbed supply line and is a different project; our guide to refrigerator water line repair covers what those connections involve.

Noise and energy figures

Seven listings state a noise rating between under 40 and 45 dB, and only two state power use. Without a standard test method, use these as rough comparisons. There is no ENERGY STAR category for portable countertop ice makers, so efficiency claims such as a 30 percent saving cannot be checked against a common benchmark.

Cleaning, mold and water quality

A countertop ice maker is a small, warm-and-wet appliance. Water sits in the reservoir, meltwater drains back into it, and the basket area stays damp. The EPA states that the key to mold control is moisture control and that wet areas should be dried within 24 to 48 hours to prevent mold growth. The CDC notes that mold grows wherever there is moisture and that some people react with stuffy noses, coughing, wheezing or eye irritation. For an ice maker, that translates into a few habits:

• Run the cleaning cycle weekly, as the Antarctic Star and SenCre listings suggest, and after any stretch of nonuse.
• Empty the reservoir completely before storing the machine. A drain plug, as on the Frigidaire, makes this far easier.
• Leave the lid open to dry after draining, and wipe the basket and lid seams by hand. Self-cleaning cycles rinse internal lines but do not scrub every surface.
• Discard ice that sits for hours in the basket; it has been melting and refreezing in open air.

If you find black or pink film inside the machine or your refrigerator’s ice bin, our guide to black mold in the fridge explains cleanup. Because the ice is only as clean as the water you pour in, filtered water reduces scale and off-tastes. A countertop water filter or pitcher is an easy pairing. Homes on private wells, common in the foothills and on the eastern plains, should follow the EPA’s advice to test well water annually for coliform bacteria, nitrates, total dissolved solids and pH before using it for ice.

Electrical safety and placement

An ice maker draws modest power compared with a microwave or space heater, but it runs for long stretches near water. The U.S. Fire Administration advises plugging major appliances such as refrigerators directly into a wall outlet and never using an extension cord with them, because the cord can overheat. The same logic applies to any compressor appliance left running for hours. The USFA also advises unplugging small appliances when they are not in use and replacing any appliance with a cracked or damaged cord.

• Plug into a kitchen countertop receptacle, which in most homes is GFCI-protected; do not chain through a power strip.
• Leave the side and rear vents clear. These machines reject heat from the compressor, and a boxed-in machine makes ice slowly.
• Keep it on a level, water-resistant surface away from the range and direct sun, both of which slow ice making.
• Outdoor or garage use in summer is common, but no listing here gives an ambient operating range, so check the manual. Do not leave a machine with water in it in an unheated garage or camper during a Front Range cold snap; a frozen reservoir can crack.

Only one listing, the Crzoe 12Q, names its refrigerant: R600a. ENERGY STAR identifies R-600a as a low global-warming-potential refrigerant for refrigeration appliances. It is also a hydrocarbon, which is one more reason to keep the machine away from open flame and to let a qualified technician handle any sealed-system repair.

How Front Range households use countertop ice makers

Summer heat on the plains and long days on a deck drive most ice maker purchases here, along with holiday hosting in December. A countertop unit fits well for a home bar, a basement rec room or a camper, and it is a reasonable backup when a refrigerator’s built-in ice maker quits. Before buying one to replace a failed built-in, check the simple fixes in our guide to why an ice maker stops making ice; a frozen supply line or a clogged filter is often the culprit. If you need to store larger quantities, pair the countertop machine with a freezer; our sibling roundup of the best chest freezers compares compact and garage-ready models.

When a countertop machine is not the answer

If you want ice without hand-filling, a plumbed undercounter ice machine or a refrigerator ice maker is the right path, and both involve a water supply, a drain or air gap for some units, and a dedicated electrical receptacle. Leaking supply lines behind refrigerators are a common source of hidden floor and cabinet damage. For buyers and sellers who want water lines, kitchen circuits and appliance connections checked, our plumbing and water inspection hub explains what an inspector looks for. If you are buying on the Front Range, you can contact us to connect with a vetted local inspector.

References

• A Brief Guide to Mold, Moisture and Your Home — U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
• About Mold and Your Health — Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
• Appliance and Electrical Fire Safety — U.S. Fire Administration
• Refrigerators and Coolers Buying Guidance — ENERGY STAR
• Protect Your Home’s Water — U.S. Environmental Protection Agency