Looking to step up your ice game? I've rounded up the coolest portable ice makers for the money. These cheap options are praised by students, and will get the job done every time.
FYI, Prices and ratings are accurate as of time of writing.
1. Frigidaire - Compact Ice Maker
Highlight: Oversized window lets you monitor and observe the ice level.
Helpful review: After constant fights with my unreliable fridge ice maker, I decided it was time for a change, if only for my mental health. My wife, who is an absolute ice enthusiast (obsessed)—especially when it comes to her morning soda—was getting way too cranky first thing out the gate. And I couldn’t blame her. Sometimes it worked, most of the time it didn’t.
We’d already had our fridge's ice maker repaired and even replaced it once, but the issues kept happening. That’s when I decided to look into a countertop ice maker, and I’m so, so, so glad I did.
This little machine has been nothing short of a revelation, a miracle, even. First off, it’s so incredibly easy to use. It’s a compact little powerhouse that takes up barely any counter space, and yet it churns out ice like a pro. Within minutes of setting it up, we had our first batch of ice—perfectly formed, crystal clear cubes ready to cool down any drink. I don’t think I’d seen my wife that happy since our wedding day. Finally, this ice maker can keep up with her daily ice demands. We immediately ordered a unit for our son, who's in college, and had it shipped directly to his dorms. He loves it too!
I love the super large window on the top of it. You can monitor the ice making process and check the ice level without having to open the lid, which was def a pretty common thing in other models and something I didn’t want to have in this one. I’m looking for convenience here. Especially if I have guests over. I wanna make sure I have enough ice without interrupting the actual process, which is what would happen if I had to lift the lid.
The capacity is also seriously impressive. It claims to produce up to twenty pounds of ice per day, and I can confidently say it hasn’t disappointed yet. I’ve even started bagging the extra ice and storing it in our garage freezer for future parties. No more last minute stops for bagged ice on the way to the boat. Now we’re fully stocked thanks to this little machine.
It’s also so easy to clean. The ice maker has a simple drain plug for easy water removal and can be wiped down in minutes. When our refrigerator's ice maker decides to work (which is rare), I can easily store it away and bring it out whenever we need it.
The moral of the story here? If you’re tired of your fridge’s unreliable ice maker or just need more ice on hand, or if you don’t even have an ice maker in your fridge, then you need this little baby. It’s efficient, super easy to use, and is now a staple in our kitchen. From my wife and I, we can’t thank Fridgaire enough. — Steven C. Goldstein
Get it from Amazon now: $99.99 & FREE Returns
2. AGLUCKY - Portable Ice Cube Maker
Highlight: Portable ice cube maker includes indicators that remind you to remove cubes when basket is full and to fill water when it gets low.
Helpful review: If you’re reading this, then you’re probably like me, friend, constantly running out to buy bags of ice because your tap water just ain’t cutting it! Or maybe you don’t even have an ice machine. Either way, this thing is gonna come in handy for you, then.
For me it was the former. I struggled with the taste of my dorm-made ice, it just always tasted kinda off, and honestly I don’t know what’s in tap water! I was wasting way too much money on store bought bags. It was inconvenient but also seriously added up in cost over time. And then I discovered this little gem of a machine. It’s seriously transformed how I manage ice at my dorm room.
I had zero problem setting it up like some reviewers have said. Seriously, it couldn't have been simpler, not sure if those people just didn’t know what they were doing or what. After unpacking it, I filled it with a gallon of filtered water, plugged it in, and within minutes, I had fresh, crisp ice cubes. Seriously, that easy, I’m not kidding.
Also, these aren't just any ice cubes. They come in this kind of unique shape, almost like a bullet, which is hollow in the middle. I didn’t realize the importance of ice shape, but something about this actually chills my drinks super fast.
The best part? If the ice starts to melt, or if you need more, the machine just keeps on churning out more, so you’re never running out, especially when you need it.
In terms of quantity, while it doesn't produce a massive amount in one go, each batch still gives you about sixty-four ounces. That’s more than enough for daily use or even for like a small party. Plus, it’s so quiet. You barely notice it working, except for the soft plunk sound when the ice drops into the basket. Kinda reminds me of the sound of soft hail, and is actually comforting lol.
Overall, it’s just genuinely reliable, which is what I wanted. I've had no issues with it jamming or stopping unexpectedly, and it’s never failed to deliver on its promise of consistent ice production. This is important, because I rely on iced coffee in the morning to function, and I use it for bbqs on the weekends. Def a game changer in my life and just one of those things you didn’t know you needed until you get it. And now I can’t live without it. — Manuel J. Sanchez
Get it from Amazon now: $119.99 & FREE Returns
3. Igloo - Bullet Ice Machine
Highlight: Can hold up to two pounds of ice at once.
Helpful review: Wow--eeee! This ice maker has seriously landed a permanent spot on my dorm's kitchen counter. As someone who loves to entertain peeps in my dorm's basement (don't tell anybody), I found the built-in ice maker in my freezer just wasn’t cutting the demand when my husband and I had guests over. I needed a solution that was both efficient, and yeah, I’ll admit I wanted something stylish. I doubted at first that I’d be able to find something that fit the bill, buy boy was I wrong. This ice maker delivered on all fronts.
I love its compact size! It fits so perfectly on my counter and doesn’t take up much space at all. It’s seriously a huge plus considering how crowded our dorm's tiny kitchen already is. But don’t let its size disappoint ladies! This little puppy churns out nine bullet shaped ice cubes every six minutes! Talk about satisfaction in deed. In other words, in just under half an hour, it fills the entirety of the two pound capacity basket.
The bullet shaped cubes cool down my drinks quickly, and I love that they’re hollow in the middle, making them easy to chew on—a bonus for anyone who enjoys munching on ice like me haha.
It’s also so easy to use. All you have to do is just fill the little reservoir with water, select your preferred ice size (easy pick between small or large), and then just back and relax as the machine does all the rest. It even has a handy little feature that stops the ice making process when the basket is full or when it runs out of water. Oh, and the machine keeps the ice cold for a while, but if any of it melts, the water is recycled to make more ice, which I love. This means you’re never wasting water, and you’re always just minutes away from having fresh ice on hand.
Noise wise, the Igloo ice maker is honestly pretty quiet all things said and done. Yeah, it makes a soft humming sound, but it’s not loud enough to be disruptive. I kinda like the white noise.
Just a personal preference - I also love the aqua color of it and how it adds a pop of color to my dorm's ugly kitchen and gives a retro vibe. It’s a small detail, but it’s one of the reasons I chose this model over others. And yet it’s also sleek and modern looking at the same time. Yep, I’m in love. — Kate Sunderland
Get it from Amazon now: $119.99 & FREE Returns
4. CROWNFUL - Ice Maker Machine
Highlight: Includes a twelve month warranty with lifetime support.
Helpful review: This ice maker is literally the best thing I got for Christmas last year. I’m so happy with how it works and all the ease it’s brought to my life lol. It sounds silly, but I’m serious. The ice maker in my fridge broke down ages ago, and I didn’t have the money to fix it. I didn’t even know that the portable countertop ice maker was even a thing! I love having ice, too, and it was so annoying and such a hassle to run out to buy ice, especially on hot days. It always seemed like something I forgot to buy, too.
When I first received this ice maker, I did some research about it, and was a little nervous, because I’d read about them breaking down. To avoid any of those issues mentioned, I gave it a good clean through with a water and vinegar solution before using it and I double checked that it had plenty of space around the exhaust fan.
I also followed the instructions and let it sit for a few hours before turning it on. The setup was really easy, and in no time, I had fresh ice on hand and ready to go.
The ice cubes it produces are slightly wet when they first come out, which makes sense since the machine isn’t a freezer, and it didn’t bother me that much, I just didn’t know what to expect.
I’ve found that it’s best to transfer the ice to a freezer bag and store it in the freezer, though, especially if you wanna make it last. It’s also handy like this because it’s always ready when I need it. The machine makes a batch of six to nine ice cubes every fifteen minutes, which is more than enough for my daily needs. I usually run it for about an hour and a half, which is the time it takes to fill a gallon sized freezer bag, and that lasts me a while.
One tip though? Roll the bag so you’re pressing the air out of the bag before sealing it–this helps stop the ice from clumping together in large lumps, which makes it easier to use later. The machine also holds enough water to make two full baskets of ice, but I always make sure to refill the water before it runs out to avoid overworking the motor.
I really love this thing. It’s also nice that it comes with a one year warranty and lifetime support, not that I think I’ll need it, as it’s pretty easy to use. I definitely recommend it to all my friends and family and it’s a great affordable gift, too! — Karin Mendelson
Get it from Amazon now: $94.99 & FREE Returns
5. Euhomy - Compact Ice Machine
Highlight: Makes nine ice cubes in just six minutes.
Helpful review: The ice maker has been a serious fantastic addition to my dorm's kitchen (yes we have a kitchen right in our apartment here on campus), especially since I’m one of those weirdos who just can’t go without ice in my drinks. Sue me, but I hate luke warm drinks. From the moment I unpacked it, I knew it was going to be a game changer in my life. You could tell that the construction was sturdy and I just love how it looks in general. It’s compact enough to fit on my limited counter space but doesn’t skimp on capacity or performance, which is what I was worried about with how small the size is.
I had no issue setting it up. The packaging was thoughtful, with everything securely wrapped and easy to remove. It’s the little things, y’know! It also wasn’t super heavy, which makes it really easy to move around the kitchen when I’m cleaning. It even matched my other stainless steel appliances perfectly, and I love how modern it looks. I was worried it was gonna stand out like a sore thumb–but nope! Fits right in.
It’s so easy to operate, too! After pouring water into the tank, you just pick the ice size and hit the power on. Then you’re done. Seriously! Within seconds, the machine boots up, and less than five minutes later, I had my first batch of ice. Sure, it was a small batch, but then it just kept going, filling up the basket more and more until it was full!
The machine’s fan does put out a bit of air, so make sure to leave some space on the side for ventilation, but I love how the cord is a super nice length, so you can even move it around if you need to.
I have noticed that the machine runs continuously until the water runs out or until the basket is full, but honestly that makes it great for smaller gatherings or if you plan to use it every day like me. I like the size of the basket, too, just enough for a couple of cups, and I guess you could always freeze it if you want to save more for later.
When you use filtered water, you can really see how clear the ice comes out. I have well water, so I can’t use my fridge’s water, so this is just a nice solution to a problem I didn’t know there was a solution to! It’s reliable, efficient, and honestly perfect for small kitchens or anyone who loves having ice on hand without the hassle or cost of having to continuously buy it. I’m thrilled with this purchase and really can’t recommend it enough! — Amy Carrington
Get it from Amazon now: $109.99 & FREE Returns
6. Igloo - Self-Cleaning Ice Machine
Highlight: Can hold over a pound of ice.
Helpful review: This ice machine is a serious life saver on campus, especially after the one in our communal fridge broke down. I was looking at either spending hundreds of dollars on a repair or buying a new fridge–that’s how important ice is in our building. I’m so happy I came across this solution.
From the moment it got here, it wowed right off the bat. I’m just so impressed with how well it came, package and all. The build quality is sturdy, too, you can tell that right upon opening, and then definitely you can tell it once you get it working. I made sure to clean it super thoroughly with bleach and water before setting it up in our dining room. It fits just perfect on top of our mini freezer, and blends in seamless with the rest of the room.
The speed is by far my favorite part. Every day, like clockwork, it produces nine ice cubes every seven minutes. Like you can’t time anything that good, but this thing never disappoints. My husband and I now have a routine where we fill the machine first thing in the morning, and within a few hours, we have a full gallon sized bag of ice ready to go. The ice does come out slightly wet, but from all the research I’ve done, this is pretty standard. And honestly it’s not a big deal either. It does dry out in clumps, but we just break up the ice when needed.
It’s been a few months since we started using it, and it has more than paid for itself–and then some. We were spending a small mortgage amount on bags of ice from the gas station, and often ended up getting more than we needed and then wasting a lot of money. Now, we only make what we need.
Oh, and the machine’s small, compact size makes it easy to take with us on trips.
The self cleaning feature is a huge plus. I never worry about it getting dirty, and it requires such little effort on our part too.
I was a little concerned about how noisy it would be at first, but honestly, it’s really not that loud, and yeah, you can hear the ice drop a little, but it’s never loud enough to be annoying or disruptive. In general, it’s just a great functional addition. So there you have it! If you’re looking for a compact ice maker that will definitely make your life easier and save you money to boot, then this is the option for you! It definitely is for me. — Annie J. Davis
Get it from Amazon now: $114.99 & FREE Returns
7. VIVOHOME - Electric Ice Cube Maker
Highlight: Electric ice maker with no installation necessary.
Helpful review: Well if this isn’t just the most favorite addition to my dorm's kitchen, I don’t know what is. It honestly might be the best invention since the fridge lol. I dunno about you, but honestly, I’ve always had a thing for ice—seriously, I wouldn’t dream of drinking anything without it, unless it’s a frozen ice cold bottle of water.
I’ve never really liked how the freezer ice out of my fridge smells, kind of like sewage, but that might just be my extra sensitive nose. Either way, I was always buying stuff from the store, and my wallet and my back were hurting from lugging all those heavy bags of store-bought ice. This machine has finally put an end to all that.
Setup was super easy. I simply plugged it in, filled it with filtered water, and within minutes, I had my first batch of perfectly sized (non smelly) ice cubes. The machine is a bit large, I admit. It takes up about twelve inches of counter space, but honestly it’s a sacrifice I’m willing to make. Plus, it’s just me here, so it works for me.
I actually like how it looks. It’s got a sleek and modern look, and even adds a hint of style to my otherwise ridiculous dormitory kitchen.
The ice it produces is exactly what I’ve been looking for, too. I like my ice on the smaller side, and this machine delivers that and more with its nugget sized cubes. It’s perfect for adding to drinks. I can’t get enough of it. The ice is fresh, and because the machine constantly replenishes it as it’s used, I never run out. I’ve even noticed that I’m using it more than I thought I would—every time I walk by, I grab a piece to chew on. I think I’ve even lost a few pounds from snacking on ice instead of chips.
It does make a bit of noise, especially when the ice drops, but it’s not really that loud, just keep that in mind if you’re like a light sleeper or anything. I also have hard water, so I’ve been using spring or distilled water to fill the machine. It’s a small price to pay for the convenience and quality of ice I’m getting. If you’re an ice lover like me, you won’t regret adding this machine to your dorm room or kitchen. I definitely didn’t. — Rob J. Rivera
Get it from Amazon now: $139.99 & FREE Returns
8. Euhomy - Countertop Ice Cube Maker
Highlight: Makes twenty four ice cubes per cycle–up to forty pounds in a day.
Helpful review: Finally–a freaking solution to all my first world ice woe problems. I was quoted something outrageous to fix my ice machine in my fridge, like near a grand. No thanks! The fridge was freaking new, but naturally the warranty didn’t cover it. So I needed a new plan. Enter this countertop ice maker!
It arrived well packaged and I love how clear the instructions were. Not hard to follow at all. After letting it sit for a couple of hours (to allow the coolant to settle down), I plugged it in and set it up. Unfortunately, the first unit didn’t work—it ran but never produced any ice. Yeah, disappointed to say the least. But after contacting the seller, they immediately sent a replacement, which worked perfectly right out of the box. So I guess it was just a defect unit, and the customer service was awesome.
What I love most about this ice maker is how quickly it produces ice. In just twelve to eighteen minutes, it churns out twenty four ice cubes. In other words, let me do the math for you! In twenty four hours, it can produce up to forty pounds of ice. The process is also just fascinating to watch—the machine runs water over a vertical tray until it freezes into cubes. The ice is a bit wet when it first comes out, so I store it in the freezer, and it does sometimes stick together, but that’s natural with this type of machine. Honestly with just a quick tap with a butter knife, and wah-lah, it’s ready to go!
This ice maker is a godsend. It produces more than enough ice than I need, stops me from being wasteful, and lets me save money.
While I can’t speak to its longevity just yet, I know for sure that it’s definitely better than getting a whole new fridge or repairing something that’s way too pricey. I'm confident that this machine will be a reliable garget. It’s already exceeded our expectations, and I’m happy to recommend it to anyone in need of a quick solution to their ice making problemos! You’re welcome! — Darrell Nash
Get it from Amazon now: $179.99 & FREE Returns