The 9 Best Home Ice Makers of 2023
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It's time to sit back and sip on icy, cold, refreshing drinks
The Spruce / Alli Waataja
Fact checked by Emily EstepReviewed by Johnathan Brewer
If your household goes through a lot of ice, chances are your refrigerator’s ice maker can’t keep up with the demand. A built-in home ice maker produces a significant amount of ice on a daily basis, ensuring there are always cubes ready when you need a drink.
And, luckily, they aren’t hard to install. ““The only plumbing required for a stand-alone ice maker is typically a waterline,” says Doyle James, president, Mr. Rooter Plumbing.
So, get ready to make your cocktail hour even better! We researched the top ice makers, considering each one's ease of installation, ice capacity and production, added features, maintenance requirements, and overall value.
Best Overall : Whirlpool WUI95X15HZ 15-inch Built-In Ice Maker
What We Like
Produces clear ice
Fast Ice option
Easy-to-access filter
Fingerprint-resistant finish
Includes ice scoop
What We Don't Like
Filter sold separately
Noisy drain
We love the Whirlpool 15-inch Built-In Ice Maker because it checks nearly every box—it has a sleek design, is highly versatile, and comes at a great overall value.
First—and very importantly—this ice maker can be installed underneath a standard counter or used freestanding, because it has a front ventilation system. The ice maker also has a reversible door that can open to the left or right, depending on your room setup. Just note that it does need to be within 100 feet of a drain for proper installation.
Once up and running, this 15-inch ice maker can produce a lot of ice—up to 50 pounds per day (it can only store 25 pounds at a time)—so there will always be enough for daily use and even a last-minute party. The ice that comes out of the machine is top quality, too. Whirlpool uses clear ice technology that removes air bubbles and impurities from the cubes. It’s not just about aesthetics, though. The brand says this kind of ice actually helps keep your drinks fresher and reduces foam in carbonated beverages. And if you ever need ice ASAP, it has a special “Fast Ice” setting for speedy production. It’s worth noting, though: Some think this machine is a bit noisy when it's working on overdrive to produce ice.
The appliance itself has a smudge-resistant exterior that matches other stainless steel appliances, plus a control panel complete with an indicator light that lets you know when the unit needs to be descaled. Its water filter (sold separately) is easy to change, thanks to its convenient location at the front of the appliance—no need to pull the whole thing out for maintenance.
Price at time of publish: $2,499
Dimensions: 33.63 x 15 x 25.38 inches | Type: Freestanding or built-in | Defrost Type: Frost-free | Door Type: Reversible | Ice Storage Capacity: 25 pounds | Ice Production: 50 pounds per day | Energy Star Certified: No
Best Budget: Silonn Countertop Ice Maker
What We Like
Sleek, light, and portable
Recycles melted ice to make new ice
Can make small or large cubes
What We Don't Like
Ice is cloudy and inconsistently sized
If you want a standalone ice maker, but don’t have much to spend, the Silonn Countertop Ice Maker is a perfectly suitable option. Sure, it doesn’t have tons of bells and whistles and the ice is a bit cloudy and inconsistently sized, but it definitely beats filling water trays. Plus, the unit itself is sleek, light, and portable, so it looks fine on the counter—or you can remove it when you don’t want it out.
It's also very easy to set up and use, adding to the flexibility of when you use it and when you stash it. We also love that you can choose between small or large ice cubes, and that despite the lower price point, it still operates quietly. Despite its smaller footprint, we were impressed by its overall water capacity and how much ice it churns out per hour. The machine even recycles melted ice to make more ice.
Just note: If you plan to bring this ice maker with you—like on a trip—you'll need to keep the appliance in an upright position during transport or wait 24 hours before using it again (otherwise the refrigerant may not be properly settled in its reservoir after being moved, which could damage the compressor).
Price at time of publish: $90
Dimensions: 12.3 x 8.7 x 12.5 inches | Type: Countertop | Defrost Type: Frost-free | Door Type: N/A | Ice Storage Capacity: 2 liters | Ice Production: 26 pounds per day | Energy Star Certified: No
Best Panel-Ready: Viking FGNI515 5 Series 15-inch Outdoor Built-In Ice Maker
What We Like
Panel-ready design
Makes nugget ice
Self-closing door
Can be used outside
What We Don't Like
Drain pump sold separately
Expensive
If you want an ice maker that will blend in with your kitchen, the Viking 5 Series Built-In Ice Maker has a panel-ready design, meaning you can outfit it with a custom panel to match your existing cabinets. It will look just like any other under-counter cabinet, and no one will ever guess there’s an appliance hiding behind it. Additionally, this ice maker is popular because it makes “nugget ice,” the style of soft, chewable cubes made popular by restaurants like Sonic. It can produce up to 80 pounds of ice per day, making it ideal for entertaining, and it can store up to 26 pounds of ice at a time.
This sleek ice maker is approved for both indoor and outdoor use, and it has a “Tru-Flush” design that allows flush-to-cabinet installation. Its electronic control panel displays the appliance’s production status, as well as any maintenance needs, and an LED light illuminates the interior for improved visibility. The ice maker has a self-closing door and uses 40 percent less energy than comparable models. But keep in mind that a drain pump for the ice maker is sold separately and will add extra cost to the already-pricey appliance.
Price at time of publish: $6,419
Dimensions: 33.88 x 22 x 14.88 inches | Type: Built-in | Defrost Type: Manual | Door Type: Self-closing | Ice Storage Capacity: 26 pounds | Ice Production: 80 pounds per day | Energy Star Certified: No
The 11 Best Mini Fridges of 2023
Best Countertop: GE Profile Opal 2.0 Countertop Nugget Ice Maker
What We Like
Makes chewable nugget ice quickly
Easy to use and clean
Sleek design
Connects to Wi-Fi
What We Don't Like
Some users report squeaking noises
Expensive
Nugget ice—a soft, chewable type of ice that's best used for blended drinks like smoothies and frozen margaritas—is highly coveted. Why? Because you need a specialized ice maker to get it—you won't find this type of ice in your average freezer. And now you don’t have to spring for a pricey built-in machine to get this restaurant-quality ice.
This sleek-looking stainless steel ice maker sits on your counter and produces 1 pound of ice nuggets per hour, dispensing it into a bin that can hold up to 3 pounds. The clear, illuminated bin lets you see how much ice you have at the ready (plus looks snazzy) and is easy to pull forward when scooping ice with the included scooper. The bin is also insulated to keep the ice cold, but as it inevitably melts, the machine automatically makes more. Overall, users find the machine incredibly easy to operate, but lament a slight squeaking noise during the ice-making process.
Another cool feature other ice makers don’t have? The GE Opal connects to your home’s WiFi, so you can control it from anywhere, monitoring status and scheduling ice production. It also comes with an extra water reservoir, so you don't have to have to refill the water as often when you’re hosting.
Price at time of publish: $649
Dimensions: 17.5 x 13.43 x 16.5 inches | Type: Countertop | Defrost Type: Automatic | Door Type: N/A | Ice Storage Capacity: 3 pounds | Ice Production: 24 pounds per day | Energy Star Certified: No
Best Built-In: Thor Kitchen TIM1501 15-Inch 50 lbs. Built-In Ice Maker
What We Like
Well-priced
Built-in pump
Multiple cube sizes
Ice scoop included
Energy Star certified
What We Don't Like
Exterior can smudge
When you’re installing a built-in ice maker, it’s helpful to choose a model with a reversible door, so you can install it to open to the right or the left—whatever best suits your space. This 15-inch model has just that, plus fits well into tight spaces, thanks to its slim design. Of course, you can also install it freestanding, because it has a front-venting design.
We love the price on this ice maker, too. Though it’s manufactured by a luxury appliance brand, it costs significantly less than many comparable units. Still, it doesn’t lack the features you want to see in a quality unit. The ice maker produces both large and small cube sizes, and can produce up to 50 pounds of ice per day (25 pounds at a time). It has an LED interior light so it's easy to use at night, too. And it even comes with an ice scoop.
Installation is relatively easy, especially because it has a built-in pump—a feature that some more expensive units lack. In terms of maintenance, the machine has an automatic defrost feature for convenience—you won’t have to shut the whole thing down and empty it to keep it in tip-top shape. The only downside of this ice maker is that the stainless steel exterior isn’t smudge-proof—not ideal if you have a busy household full of kids.
Price at time of publish: $1,799
Dimensions: 32.6 x 14.6 x 23.6 inches | Type: Freestanding or built-in | Defrost Type: Automatic | Door Type: Reversible | Ice Storage Capacity: 25 pounds | Ice Production: 50 pounds per day | Energy Star Certified: Yes
Best Nugget Ice: Scotsman SCN60GA1SS Brilliance Series 15-Inch Undercounter Ice Maker
What We Like
Makes nugget ice
Self-closing door
Can be used outdoors
Optional panel kit
What We Don't Like
Very expensive
Talk to anyone about ice makers, and chances are Scotsman will be among the first brands to come up. They’re widely known for manufacturing high-quality (albeit expensive) ice makers that produce the coveted nugget-style ice that’s so great for drinks.
The Scotsman Brilliance Series Undercounter Ice Maker has no shortage of high-end features, either—further justifying the price tag. The machine can produce up to 80 pounds of soft, chewable nugget ice per day and can store a whopping 26 pounds at a time. And although it’s not Energy Star certified, this ice maker is more energy-efficient than most. The brand claims it uses 40 percent less energy and 50 percent less water than other comparable ice makers on the market. It also has a self-closing door to ensure it never gets left open—another great energy saver.
The sleek stainless steel design has a reversible door for convenient installation, plus is available in a panel-ready option if you prefer. The front-venting machine can be installed as a built-in or freestanding unit and can even be installed outdoors—perfect for outdoor dining spaces. When it’s time for maintenance, the user-friendly control panel will alert you.
Price at time of publish: $5,029
Dimensions: 33.38 x 14.88 x 22.75 inches | Type: Freestanding or built-in | Defrost Type: Automatic | Door Type: Reversible | Ice Storage Capacity: 26 pounds | Ice Production: 80 pounds per day | Energy Star Certified: No
Best for Bullet Ice: Frigidaire EFIC103 Countertop Ice Maker
What We Like
Large, thick ice bullets
3 sizes of ice
Portable
Very quiet
What We Don't Like
No self-cleaning cycle
Ice storage isn’t refrigerated
Another specialized type of ice, bullet ice, also sometimes called hollow cube ice, is more cylindrical in shape than nugget ice. Like nugget ice, it’s slow melting and works great in everything from soda to mixed drinks. And though it’s not always easy to find a quality bullet ice maker, the Frigidaire delivers. This model makes some of the largest, thickest bullet ice we've found, especially from a countertop ice maker. What’s more, it gets the job done quickly, producing up to 26 pounds per day.
In our tests, the ice maker quietly made a batch of nine cubes in just eight minutes. And each hollow, bullet-shaped cube was impressively large and thick. We found the output comparable to models that cost twice as much. You can customize the size of the ice, too—choose from three thickness settings.
Unfortunately, the ice maker can only store 2.2 pounds of ice at a time, but this should be plenty for everyday use in your average household. It’s also not as well-insulated as some higher-end models, but we still found it adequate.
Price at time of publish: $141
Dimensions: 14.44 x 11.69 x 14.88 inches | Type: Countertop | Defrost Type: Frost-free | Door Type: N/A | Ice Storage Capacity: 2.2 pounds | Ice Production: 26 pounds per day | Energy Star Certified: No
Best Undercounter: GE Profile UNC15NPRII 15-Inch Freestanding Ice Maker
What We Like
Makes nugget ice
Smart features
Integrated water filter
What We Don't Like
Drain pump sold separately
Custom panel required
This isn’t your average undercounter ice maker. Perfect for the modern home, the GE Profile Freestanding Ice Maker has built-in Wi-Fi that allows you to control it from your phone—you can start ice production from virtually anywhere. Just log into the brand’s SmartHQ app to remotely schedule the ice production, plus adjust the interior lighting, receive filter/cleaning alerts, and more.
The high-end unit spits out up to 60 pounds (26 pounds at a time) per day of soft, crunchy nugget ice that’s perfect for beverages. It’s also easy to scoop out one at a time, since it’s not wet and doesn’t stick together.
We love that you can easily see how much is in the clear storage bin, too. Plus, the ice maker has a built-in filtration system to help remove impurities from your water. If there’s any downside, it’s that this ice maker does require a custom panel. It also doesn’t come with a drain pump, which is key for automatic drainage and adds another expense.
Price at time of publish: $3,799
Dimensions: 34.13 x 14.86 x 22.75 inches | Type: Freestanding or built-in | Defrost Type: Frost-free | Door Type: Reversible | Ice Storage Capacity: 26 pounds | Ice Production: 60 pounds per day | Energy Star Certified: No
Best Freestanding: EdgeStar IB120SS 15-Inch Built-In Ice Maker
What We Like
ADA compliant
Ice scoop included
No drain line required
What We Don't Like
Manual defrosting
Small capacity
If you’re not building your ice maker into a counter setup, you might prefer a budget-friendly and compact model like the EdgeStar. It’s just 15 inches wide and has a reversible door, so you can find a tight corner to tuck it. Plus, you can’t beat the price—most freestanding models (especially ones with the option to go built-in down the road) cost well over $1,000.
It’s true that its capacity is quite a bit smaller than other ice makers—it can only produce up to 12 pounds of ice per day and store 6 pounds at a time—but it does have a refrigerated compartment that eliminates the need for a drain line. You can install the front-venting unit just about anywhere—even in a boat or RV. Keep in mind, though: It must be manually defrosted, so you’ll have to open the door, unplug the unit, and wait for everything to melt whenever the time comes.
Price at time of publish: $476
Dimensions: 25.19 x 15 x 19.94 inches | Type: Freestanding or built-in | Defrost Type: Manual | Door Type: Reversible | Ice Storage Capacity: 6 pounds | Ice Production: 12 pounds per day | Energy Star Certified: No
Final Verdict
The Whirlpool 15 in. 50 lb. Built-In Ice Maker is an unbeatable choice for your ice-making needs. It can produce up to 50 pounds of ice per day, store 25 pounds at a time, and it even has a Fast Ice option for when you’re running low during a party. For something more compact and budget-friendly, the Silonn Countertop Ice Maker is sleek, light, and portable, so you can make up to 27 pounds of ice per day just about anywhere.
What to Look for in a Home Ice Maker
Ice Storage Capacity and Production
There are two important features to note when shopping for ice makers: ice production and ice capacity. Ice production tells you in simple terms how much ice the machine would create if it ran continuously all day. Built-in ice makers usually make somewhere between 20 and 80 pounds of ice per day, while countertop models usually make around 20 pounds per day. Ice capacity tells you how much ice the machine can store at any given time. For built-in models, this usually falls somewhere around 25 pounds; for countertop models, ice capacity is much smaller—usually only about 2 or 3 pounds. The good news: Most ice makers automatically stop production when their storage bins are full, and they only resume production when ice is removed and space frees up inside the bin.
Ice Type
Ice cube may be the most colloquial way to refer to the beverage-chilling item, but there are a surprisingly large number of ice cube styles. Some of the most common options made by ice makers include standard square cubes, smaller half-cubes, crescent ice, nugget or Sonic ice, bullet ice, and top hat or gourmet ice. Some ice makers also claim to make "clear ice," a sophisticated style of ice that doesn’t contain any air bubbles to help keep drinks fresh and minimize foaming in carbonated drinks.
Installation and Door Type
Many home ice makers can either be freestanding or built into your cabinetry. As you might expect from the name, freestanding units are more portable and can be moved around your home. Built-in units, on the other hand, are permanently installed and sit flush under your countertops. These models typically require a drain pump for installation, which removes excess liquid from the storage bin as the ice melts. These don’t always come with the appliance and must be connected to your kitchen’s plumbing, so don’t forget to factor in those associated costs.
You’ll also want to consider models with reversible doors, because you can alter the door to swing open to the left or right—whatever best suits your space. For compact spaces, some units have drop-down doors.
Maintenance
Like any kitchen appliance, ice makers require regular maintenance to ensure longevity. Some units have filters that need to be changed periodically, while others have self-cleaning cycles that help remove impurities from their inner workings. Also consider how the appliance defrosts. Much like a traditional freezer, ice makers require occasional defrosting—some operate automatically; others need your attention. The latter is much more labor intensive, though not exceptionally complicated.
Standout Features
Energy Star Certification
Unfortunately, home ice makers use quite a bit of electricity to produce and store ice, and there aren’t many home ice makers that are Energy Star certified. If using less water and energy is important to you, make sure to consider that when shopping.
Ice Production Speeds
Though the capacity and production vary from model to model, most ice makers today can produce anywhere from 8 to 10 cubes every hour or hour and a half. As a general rule, “fancier” ice like bullet or nugget ice takes longer to make than standard cubes.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I install an ice maker myself?
Built-in ice makers almost always require a water line—after all, they need access to water in order to make ice. These units are more complicated to install, because it requires working with your home’s plumbing system. For that reason, many homeowners opt to hire a professional for installation. Countertop and freestanding models are much simpler to install. In many cases, installation requires little else than plugging the machine in.
How long does it take to make ice in an ice maker?
Though it varies from model to model, it generally takes a modern ice maker about an hour or an hour and a half to make anywhere from 8 to 10 cubes of ice. To understand how many pounds of ice your machine can make per day, check the ice production specification. Most built-in models produce anywhere from 20 to 80 pounds of ice per day, if they were to run continuously. Most countertop models produce somewhere around 20 pounds per day.
What is the life expectancy of an ice maker?
If cared for properly, a home ice maker can last anywhere from three to ten years. The appliance’s lifespan will depend on factors such as how often it’s used, whether you keep up with recommended maintenance, and the overall quality of the appliance.
To keep your ice maker in peak working condition, it’s important to clean it at least once every six months. You’ll want to empty and clean out the ice bin, as well as run the unit’s self-cleaning cycle (if it has one). For units without a self-cleaning option, consult the user’s manual for instructions on how to flush out the unit’s inner components.
Why Trust The Spruce?
This article was written by Brigitt Earley, a freelance writer with nearly 15 years of experience writing about consumer products like home appliances. To curate this list, Brigitt scoured all of the most popular retailers to find the best, most highly rated ice makers. Then, she vetted each, reading all of the specs and hundreds of reviews. She also interviewed experts like Doyle James, president, Mr. Rooter Plumbing, a Neighborly company, to find out what’s most important when shopping for this kind of appliance. With this information, she further analyzed each product being considered to ensure the final list contained only the most reliable, quality options on the market today.
Additional reporting was conducted by Camryn Rabideau, a freelance writer and product tester for The Spruce.
