Best Ice Maker that Keeps
If you’re tired of having to wait for your ice maker to finish making a batch, or if you’re tired of having to buy bags of ice at the store because your freezer is packed with frozen meat and veggies, then it’s time to get yourself a portable ice maker.
The best thing about these machines is how easy they are to use. You just fill up the basin with water and turn on the machine. It will automatically start making ice cubes in no time! And thanks to their insulated interiors, these machines can make up to 30 pounds of ice per day without melting away any moisture for a full 24 hours! It’s like having an extra freezer in your kitchen—minus all that hard work that comes from actually freezing stuff.
We have curated a list of the best portable ice makers that will keep the ice chilled like your freezer icebox for a longer duration.
Our Top Picks
Best Ice Makers that Keep Ice Frozen
1. GE Profile Opal Countertop Nugget Ice Maker
This ingenious little machine makes nugget ice that is chewable and crunchy, making it somewhat similar to soft sonic ice. Perhaps the reason why it is known better as one of the best sonic ice makers out there. And it does it all without any of the usual hassle of traditional hard cubes.
This ice maker makes one pound of fresh ice every hour and features a huge capacity bin. Additionally, its innovative design avoids clumping and leaks by recirculating melted ice to the water reservoir so you’ll always have fresh ice on hand thanks to an automatic ice maker that refills when your ice is running low.
And there’s no need for a water hookup because this clever machine works off any 120v grounded (standard) electrical outlet—just plug it in anywhere there’s power, fill the reservoir with water, and go!
| Specifications | |
|---|---|
| Material | Stainless Steel |
| Voltage | 120 Volts |
| Capacity | 3 pounds |
| Weight | 47 Pounds |
2. Portable Digital Ice Maker Machine By Arctic
The portable Digital Ice Maker Machine by Artic is the perfect solution to your ice-making needs!Just add water and press the button, and in as little as 8 minutes, you’ll have fresh cubes at your fingertips.
It’s so quiet that it won’t even wake up your pets or disturb any delicate work in the next room. It comes with three different ice cubes (small, medium, and large), so it can fit any situation!
And because of its compact size, it’s easy to move around—so you can take it wherever you need it. This ice maker is so easy to clean because it has a clean function, all you need to do is add some water and vinegar and run the cleaning cycle.
The LCD control panel makes operating the machine easy—just press the buttons below the LCD to choose your settings. And it has an automatic water shortage warning and standby mode while the ice bucket is full. The timer can be set for up to 12 hours, so you don’t have to worry about monitoring it while you’re away from home!
| Specifications | |
|---|---|
| Material | Plastic |
| Voltage | 115 Volts |
| Capacity | 26 pounds |
| Weight | 16.91 Pounds |
3. Newair Portable Countertop Ice Maker
If you’re tired of having to lug around an entire bag of ice to keep your drinks cold, or if you want a way to keep the food you’re serving cold at a party or event, This portable ice maker that keeps ice frozen is for you!
NewAir Portable countertop ice maker that keeps ice frozen is small and compact, easily fitting into any space. It makes the first batch of ice in about ten minutes and can produce up to 50 pounds of ice a day in three different sizes—perfect for the house, kitchen countertop, office, bar.
With this ice maker, you can create three different sizes of ice: small, medium, or large. You decide what size of ice is best for the beverage or food that needs chilling! The maker can produce up to 50 pounds of ice per day—so no matter where you are or what kind of party you’re throwing, there will be plenty of ice on hand.
| Specifications | |
|---|---|
| Material | Stainless Steel |
| Voltage | 115 Volts |
| Capacity | 50 pounds |
| Weight | 36 Pounds |
4. EdgeStar IB250SS 15 Inch Wide 20 Lb. Built-In Ice Maker
It’s the perfect addition to any kitchen or entertaining space! Whether hosting a large holiday party or just enjoying iced tea on a hot summer day, this built-in ice maker is the solution for your chilling needs.The best part?
This unit easily installs in almost any space. It doesn’t require a drain and has front venting, so you can install it in places where the door won’t be able to swing open all the way.
You’ll also love that it’s reversible—you can choose which side of the unit is facing outwards when installed! This versatility makes it perfect for almost any installation requirement.
And if that wasn’t enough, this machine produces crescent-shaped ice, which provides harder and longer-lasting ice than traditional cube ice. What’s more: it comes with an ice scoop and water line, so you don’t have to worry about sourcing those yourself!
| Specifications | |
|---|---|
| Material | Stainless Steel |
| Voltage | 115 Volts |
| Capacity | 20 pounds |
| Weight | 60 Pounds |
5. Luma Comfort Clear Ice Cube Maker Machine
This ice maker is so powerful that it can produce 28 pounds of ice a day (about three-and-a-half times the amount of ice in a bag of store-bought ice). So, you’ll never have to run to the store for another bag again.
On top of that, this model is one of my top rated clear ice makers. The best part? It’s so simple: just plugin and adds water, then wait 15 minutes or less to enjoy your first batch of fresh ice cubes.
The cube shape ensures that they melt five times slower than cloudy ice, so you can keep your drinks cold without having to refill your glass every hour. The dispenser is simple enough that you don’t even need an installation—just plug it in, add water, and wait up to 15 minutes for your first batch of fresh ice cubes!
Its side-mounted drain makes storage easy, and there’s no need to worry about spilling water everywhere when you’re pouring out a clean glass or pitcher of water for your guests.
| Specifications | |
|---|---|
| Material | Stainless Steel |
| Voltage | 120 Volts |
| Capacity | 74 pounds |
| Weight | 25.5 Pounds |
6. Euhomy Ice Maker Machine Countertop
Euhomy is designed to make 24 ice cubes per cycle (every 12 to 18 minutes), meaning you can produce up to 40 pounds of ice cubes every 24 hours. It’s that easy!
Just press the “TIMER” button for more than five seconds to enter the automatic cleaning function and set your timer based on how much time you’d like between cycles.
If there isn’t enough water in your tank or your bucket is full, the indicator will light up and remind you!What’s even better? This ice maker does not require any refills as it collects melted water and filters it to be reused. This ensures that no water is wasted!
The reservoir holds up to 2.2 liters (or about five quarts) of water, so you can make your crystal-clear ice cubes without having to stop mid-cycle and refill every few minutes.This countertop ice maker is designed with an efficient cooling system that keeps things cool without being noisy or producing heat.
| Specifications | |
|---|---|
| Material | Stainless Steel |
| Voltage | 115 Volts |
| Capacity | 40 pounds |
| Weight | 26 Pounds |
7. Euhomy Portable Countertop Ice Maker Machine
This small ice machine can produce up to 26 lbs of ice per day, making it ideal for parties and other events where you’ll need lots of ice.The best part? This Countertop ice maker is super easy to use and clean, too. Simply fill the water tank with water and turn on your ice machine. Once the LED light turns blue, you’re ready to go!
And if all that wasn’t enough, this tabletop ice maker machine has a recirculating water tank, so you don’t have to worry about wasting any water.
Smaller than other countertop ice makers on the market today, this compact machine has two optional ice cube size buttons—you can choose different sizes of ice cubes according to your needs. The most advanced infrared sensor technology ensures that every piece of ice comes out perfectly formed every time.
| Specifications | |
|---|---|
| Material | Stainless Steel |
| Voltage | 120 Volts |
| Capacity | 26 pounds |
| Weight | 18.97 Pounds |
8. AGLUCKY Countertop Ice Maker Machine
The AGLUCKY countertop ice maker is the perfect addition to any bar, tea shop, KTV, kitchen, or office. Its portable and compact design makes it easy to carry and operate.
Its vast applications mean you can have ice wherever and whenever needed. This ice machine produces nine ice cubes within just 6-8 minutes, which helps keep your bar stocked with fresh drinks throughout the day—and all night long.
It even produces up to 26.5 pounds of ice per day!And when it comes to efficiency and quietness, this countertop ice maker has you covered: it’s equipped with a quick-and-quiet cooling system that saves energy while keeping things cool so that your customers don’t have to deal with any annoying noises while they’re enjoying their favorite drinks.
This product also features an ice scoop and basket that will remind you when it’s time to take out the cubes and inform you when there isn’t enough water in the machine.
| Specifications | |
|---|---|
| Material | Plastic |
| Voltage | 120 Volts |
| Capacity | 26 pounds |
| Weight | 16.3 Pounds |
9. COSTWAY Portable Countertop Ice Maker
The COSTWAY Countertop Ice Maker is affordable, efficient, and easy to use. Its small size makes it perfect for your counter or table, and it produces up to 26.5 pounds of ice per day—so you can keep your cool even when things heat up. No more trudging through the kitchen in search of ice.
This ice maker has an easy-to-use control panel that is user-friendly enough for anyone to operate. The translucent viewing window enables you to monitor the ice-producing situation and use removable ice baskets and scoops to remove ice, providing great convenience for you.
The hollow design allows the ice to float on top of your beverage without affecting its taste. The countertop ice maker is very easy to clean and maintain. It features a durable ABS surface that’s smooth and smudge-resistant. Simply wipe away stains with a rag to keep it spotless and shiny!
| Specifications | |
|---|---|
| Material | Acrylonitrile Butadiene Styrene, Stainless Steel |
| Voltage | 120 Volts |
| Capacity | 26 pounds |
| Weight | 21 Pounds |
Buying Ice Makers that keep Ice Frozen
How Long Does Ice Stay Frozen in an Ice Maker?
Ice makers are not freezers. Their purpose is to make ice quickly for immediate use, not store it.
Ice will clump and melt after around 3 to 4 hours in a standard ice machine. Several factors, such as the external temperature and density of the water used to manufacture ice, influence how long it takes for the ice to melt in an ice maker.
If you try to store ice from an ice maker or other type of automatic ice maker with freezer storage, it will melt into water over time. This is because the machine is not designed for long-term storage and the water inside of it is constantly moving around.
How to Choose the Best Ice Maker that Keeps Ice Frozen
So you’ve determined that a little ice maker is just what you’ve been looking for. Now is the time to invest in the greatest ice maker for your home or company. A few considerations to consider when deciding whether a portable version is right for you.
1. Ice Production Speed
If you’re looking for a portable ice maker, then you want to make sure you get a machine that can produce enough ice for your needs. While most portable ice makers have comparable output rates, there will always be some difference across brands and models. The ice maker’s overall output capacity can range from 20 to 35 pounds of ice per day. If you know you’ll be using ice frequently, a machine with a large ice producing capacity is worth considering.
2. Type of Ice Created
Ice makers make a variety of different shaped pieces of ice. There are many different shapes available, such as bullet, crescent, pellet cube and half cube shapes. Some models even produce nugget-shaped pieces of ice!
It is important to know about the types of ice and their suitability for certain drinks and occasions to understand what type of ice would you be using most of the time. Here’s a guide that I prepared a while ago, discussing flake, nugget and cube ice.
3. Type of Ice Maker
If you’re looking for an ice maker, you’ve got options.
You can buy a built-in, under counter ice maker that keeps ice frozen. These fit under the countertop and blend in with any kitchen theme or design. They offer a larger ice production and storage capacity than portable models.
Or, if you’re looking for restaurant-quality ice and even larger storage capacity, check out commercial ice makers.
They have a wider variety of ice shapes and sizes too! If you need to keep your ice cool outside, an outdoor model is what you need. These are good for use on kitchen counters to keep extra ice on hand, whether for everyday use or for special occasions. If you want something more portable but just as effective (and don’t mind paying more), look at a portable model. Portable models are good for using on kitchen counters to keep extra ice on hand, whether for everyday use or for special occasions. For instance, these clear ice makers are a bunch of good choices that you can get your hands on.
4. Noise Levels
When buying an ice maker, you want to make sure that it’s going to work well in your home. If you’re thinking about buying a new ice maker, you should consider looking for one that offers noise-free operation. This can help keep your home quiet, which is great if you live in an apartment or condo building with other people.
5. Additional Features
- Water filter – If you want to make sure your ice cubes are as clean and tasty as possible, you need to make sure you have a water filter on your machine. This will remove sediment and other contaminants from the water before it freezes, not only making your ice cubes healthier to consume but also improving the overall taste and smell of them.
- ADS Compliance – If you’re buying an undercounter ice maker for commercial purposes or for installation within an office environment, you should look for one that’s designated as being compliant with the American With Disabilities Act design guidelines.
- Warranty – Warranties are something that should be considered no matter what type of appliance you are buying, but they’re especially important when considering what type of warranty a company offers on their products. A good warranty can instill confidence that the appliance will last and that the company stands behind their promises of durability.
FAQs
Conclusion
Imagine constantly refilling your glass with water, or worse—with melted ice cubes. Ugh.
Ice makers are great for parties, too! You’ll never run out of ice again when you have one at home. Having an ice maker that keeps ice frozen is excellent, because you never have to worry about your ice melting in your glass of whiskey. It’s like a little piece of heaven in the corner of your kitchen!
