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How to buy the best ice maker
With an ice machine at home, you'll be able to get ice on demand for cocktails and keep your drinks chilled this summer.
If you're running out of freezer space, it could be a handy gadget to churn out ice to fill up a cool box, or chill food and drinks for an outdoor party. Below, we've delved into everything you need to know before you buy one.
Plus, we've picked out some popular models to help you in your search.
What is an at-home ice machine?
Countertop ice makers are smaller appliances that make ice cubes on demand – they're scaled-down versions of the ice machines you'd find in a bar. They won't make as much ice, but many manufacturers claim these machines can get a few handfuls out in less than 20 minutes.
What should I look for in an ice maker?
- Rate of ice making. While we haven't put ice makers through our testing programmes, manufacturers claim their machines can get nine cubes out within six minutes. We'd recommend looking for machines that can churn out ice at a quicker rate than freezing water in an ice-cube tray. If there's more ice in a batch, it may take a bit longer to freeze.
- Number of cubes per batch. You can find machines that typically make between nine and 24 ice cubes per batch. However, some machines measure their output in grams. A decent rule of thumb to follow is that one ice cube is generally around 30ml of water.
- Self-cleaning function. This is a dedicated cleaning cycle for the machine. We'd recommend looking at machines that have this function to help you avoid limescale build-up or keep the machine from quite literally freezing up.
- Water tank size. Most machines have water tanks between 1 litre and 1.5 litres. However, some ice makers will allow you to attach a water jug similar to those found on water coolers in offices. We would suggest sticking to smaller jugs though, as the standard five-gallon bottle will make the ice maker top-heavy and could tip it over – spilling water everywhere.
- Ice cube size. Some ice makers can only make one size of cube, but others allow you to pick the size. Usually, this is just between 'small' and 'large'. Keep in mind that it may take longer to make larger ice cubes.
- Ice shape. Most machines will make 'bullet' ice – cylindrical chunks in the shape of a bullet. That said, there are ice makers that make smaller pellet 'nugget' ice, or some that make actual cubes. As with ice size, it may take longer to make different shapes. Generally, the smaller the shape, the faster ice can be made.
Looking for a summer bargain? Read our page on the best BBQ deals. We've also got picks on ice cream makers, pizza ovens, and more
Do countertop ice machines keep ice frozen?
While some manufacturers claim that your ice won't melt in one of these, we'd say you shouldn't count on it. If you leave the machine out too long, the ice may become a soupy mess.
That's because these machines don't usually have the same insulation as a freezer, nor the proper seal to keep ice frozen.
It's better to think of these gadgets as an ice machine with a cool box attached. It won't keep ice completely frozen for long periods of time, but it will last longer than keeping it out in the open. You could always make a few batches of ice, then throw it into your freezer for use later on.
If you consume large amounts of ice regularly, it may be worth picking up a fridge freezer with a built-in ice maker.
You can read our fridge freezer reviews or take a look at some of the models we've tested that come with ice makers below:
What type of ice maker should I buy?
The most budget-friendly option is an ice cube tray placed in your freezer. But if you want something that can make ice more quickly than a freezer tray, then it might be worth picking up a countertop ice maker. You can always let it run until the basket is full, then stick the ice into the freezer for use later.
If you've got a small cool box lying around, you could also try this trick: fill your cool box about 75% full with water, stick it into the freezer, and you'll get a huge block of ice after about 48 hours. Then you can carefully cut it to size.
If you'd like to try this out for yourself, check out our guide on the best cool boxes – where we have a video tutorial
Are home ice makers worth it?
It depends. Countertop ice makers are a handy way to make batches of ice quickly. And if you use a lot of ice in drinks or like to host cocktail parties at home, an ice machine could be a great idea.
That said, you can buy 1kg bags of ice from supermarkets for less than £1.50. Ice machines will cost you around £90 to £150 – meaning you'll need to make between 60-100kg of ice until the machine starts to 'save' you money. That doesn't include additional water and electricity costs, either – meaning you'll need to make more to get your money's worth.
These are neat gadgets, but for one to be worth the money you'll need to make a lot of ice. When I host cocktail parties at home, the most ice I've ever gone through in an evening is about 3 kilograms. That was used to mix drinks and serve them to around 15 people.
Popular ice makers
We haven't put these through our testing yet, but we've researched popular ice machines online and used retailer data to help you narrow down your search.
EUHOMY 12kg Ice Maker
- 12kg of ice per day
- Bullet ice cubes
- 1.2L water tank
This popular model from EUHOMY makes bullet ice in two different sizes: small or large. The manufacturer claims that it can make nine ice cubes within six minutes.
If you're looking for something that isn't just in black or stainless steel, there are several colours to choose from. There's are also a built-in cleaning function.
Buy it below:
DAEWOO Ice Cube Maker
- 12kg ice capacity
- Bullet ice cubes
- 1.2L water tank
You're going to start noticing a theme here – most of these machines make the same ice, in the same sizes, and many have the same functions. This DAEWOO one doesn't break the mould much; it makes two sizes of bullet ice at a rate of nine cubes every six minutes.
However, it is a tad lighter than other ice makers at 6.3kg. It also comes with a removable basket for the ice and a scoop.
Compare prices below:
EUHOMY 24kg Ice Cube Maker
- 20kg of ice per day
- Makes cubed ice
- 3.2L water tank
Another popular model from EUHOMY, this machine is on the more expensive side, but it makes actual cubes instead of bullet or nugget ice. It makes only one size though, and the machine is much larger than other models.
EUHOMY claims it can get 24 cubes out within 13 minutes, which is a faster rate than other machines. It has a larger built-in water tank, but you can also attach water cooler jugs on top for more capacity.
It also comes with a cleaning function.
If you're sold on this model, get it below:
Silonn Portable Ice Maker
- 12kg of ice per day
- Bullet ice cubes
- 1.2L water tank
Like other ice makers, this one from Silonn makes bullet ice in two sizes. What's a bit different with this model is the ice basket has a bigger external handle, meaning you won't need to fiddle around with reaching into the machine with your hands.
It's also a more budget-friendly ice maker, typically costing less than other models.
Pick it up below:
Do ice makers use a lot of electricity?
While it depends on the model, many use a compressor to freeze ice cubes. While these gadgets won't draw as much power as a washing machine, their wattage is nothing to scoff at, either. Most machines draw between 120 and 200 watts of power – a similar amount to what a 65-inch TV uses.
That said, you'd need to run an ice maker for several hours to make a massive difference in your bills.
Use our free tool to compare energy prices and look for cheaper gas and electricity deals
How to clean an ice maker
Manufacturers suggest cleaning your ice maker regularly to avoid limescale and bacteria build-up. You can buy specialised cleaning agents to run through the maker or you could also use vinegar. To clean it, put your choice of cleaning solution into the water tank, and run a few cleaning cycles.
Once that's done, unplug it, empty the tank, wash any removable parts with soapy water, wipe them clean, refill the tank with fresh water, plug it back in, and run a few more cleaning cycles to flush out any leftover solution. Empty and refill the tank, then you're good to make more ice.
How else can I make large quantities of ice?
If you don't think a countertop ice maker is your best option, you can always pick up ice trays and moulds to put into your freezer. There are a wide range of options available including choices for large quantities of ice, different shapes, or large sizes.
You can check trays available from retailers such as Amazon.