Making ice may not be difficult, but having enough on hand when entertaining is no easy feat. These foolproof machines provide you with enough ice to keep you from running out mid-party. To save you time and effort, set your mind at ease with one of the best ice makers below.

What Is an Ice Maker?

An ice maker is an appliance that pumps water slowly over an ice mold. Once filled, the ice maker begins freezing the water. Once the water fully freezes, a heating coil is activated to loosen ice from the mold, pushing it into a collection tray. This process continues until the tray is at capacity. An ice maker creates ice but doesn’t store it. Once the tray is at capacity, the ice must be removed or it will begin to melt so the water can be frozen into ice again. If you require larger quantities of ice, move what has been produced to a freezer to allow a new batch to be made.

How to Choose the Best Ice Maker

To choose the best ice maker, you will need to ensure that your ice maker produces as much ice as you require to make the investment worthwhile. There are also several other factors that you will need to take into consideration when choosing the best ice maker for you. Read further or jump ahead for specific information.

Best Ice Production Amounts
Best Ice Maker Types
Important Installation Considerations
Best Ice Maker Features and Cube Shapes

Best Ice Production Amounts

The average amount of ice an ice maker can produce within a 24-hour period depends on the size of the ice maker and the way it's designed. With the speed at which newer models work, some models will have up to 10 small ice cubes ready to go within 10 minutes, while 10 large ice cubes could take 30 minutes to an hour to form. Once the storage compartment becomes full with ice, ice production stops until sensors detect that there's room for more ice.

Some ice makers produce less than 25 lbs of ice per day. This works great if you purchasing an ice maker for the purpose of making the occasional cold drink for a few people. However, more medium-size ice makers can produce anywhere from 25 to 49 lbs or 50 to 74 lbs of ice per day. This is perfect for the ice-lover who wants more than enough ice cubes for cold, refreshing ice water, smoothies, and after-dinner drinks each day. For the maximum amount of daily ice production, look for ice makers that make 75 to 99 lbs or even more, with ice makers that generate 100+ lbs. These ice makers fulfill the needs of commercial establishments that require large amounts of ice like restaurants or sports complexes.

Best Ice Maker Types

Based on where you'd like your ice maker to go, select from one of the three ice maker types below.

Portable

As we mentioned above, portable ice makers are not permanently installed and can be moved around to wherever you need, as long as there is a power source. These ice makers have a self-contained reservoir that is manually filled with water, which is then recycled to make more ice. Portable ice makers have no drain so you'll need to do so manually. Fill the water compartment with ice maker cleaning fluid, available at most appliance stores. Then run your ice maker as normal. The cleaning fluid will sanitize your ice maker as it creates a batch of ice. Once it's full of ice, discard the batch and then fill your ice maker with normal water to continue use.

Pros: A portable ice maker doesn’t need to be connected to a waterline, making this the best choice for flexibility and easy setup. It can be placed on any flat surface, as well as taken to any location with a power source. Portable ice makers take up little room and are great for smaller spaces. Some models come with an adapter that can be connected to and powered by your car, making them perfect for tailgating parties, camping, and festivals.
Cons: Because they don’t require a dedicated waterline, a portable ice maker's reservoir has to be filled manually. A portable ice maker is best for family use, as it produces less ice than other larger models. If you allow your ice maker to run continuously, always make sure it has enough water to prevent the water pump from overworking and potentially damaging the device.

Built-In & Under-Counter

A built-in/under-counter ice maker is about the size of a dishwasher or washing machine and fits beneath your countertops.

Pros: A built-in/under-counter ice maker can produce up to 70 lbs of ice per day. This is the best ice maker for families or businesses who go through large amounts of ice or host regular gatherings or events.
Cons: Though a built-in ice maker doesn’t take up much open floor space, it still needs to be installed beneath your counter with access to a drain and a dedicated waterline. This ice maker has a higher price tag due to both the appliance cost and professional installation cost. Though built-in/under-counter ice makers use less water than a dishwasher or washing machine, they still require a noticeable amount of energy and water. A built-in/under-counter ice maker is permanent, so you will need to be sure of the placement before installation.

Freestanding

All freestanding ice makers are stand-alone versions. The smaller models can be placed on countertops, while the floor models can be placed on the floor, separate from other kitchen appliances and not underneath counters. Some freestanding ice makers require adding water manually, while others require access to a waterline.

Pros: Freestanding ice makers can be placed wherever you please, depending on if they are a countertop or floor model. They provide a high output of ice in minimal time.
Cons: They also typically require installation or access to drainage unless they’re self-contained. A freestanding ice maker cannot be installed beneath a counter, as it requires space to vent from the back or sides.

Important Installation Considerations

Have an idea of the type of ice maker that's right for you? Check out these important installation considerations to help you make your decision, whether you're leaning towards a built-in, freestanding, or portable ice maker.

Waterlines

Built-in and freestanding ice makers need to be hooked up to a waterline. Some products have a waterline kit included or available for purchase to help make your job a little easier. If you're not up for a DIY, you can ensure success with professional installation. As their name suggests, portable ice makers don't need to get hooked up to a waterline. They typically connect to a power outlet (up to 120V), and you manually fill the water compartment whenever you want a fresh batch of ice. So if you're looking for the quickest installation, portable may be the way to go.

Drain Options

Every ice maker requires consistent drainage to remove melted ice and condensation, ultimately keeping your ice maker efficient and safe from mold. Your drain options will depend on the placement of your ice maker and the type you have.

If you have a built-in or freestanding ice maker, you have the option of a gravity drain or a drain pump. Gravity drains work for ice makers centered directly above a waterline; they connect the ice maker to a sewage or waterline through the floor. As the name implies, gravity drains rely on a gravitational pull to drain out water from the ice maker. These are typically less expensive than drain pumps because there isn't an additional mechanism required to drain the water out— just gravity.

A drain pump removes excess water from a built-in or freestanding ice maker when your home's connecting waterlines aren't located directly beneath the ice maker. This basically gives you more flexibility on the placement of your ice maker, as a drain pump works to pump water out of the machine at level or upward angles that gravity normally wouldn't allow.

Portable ice makers need to be drained manually. They usually have a water reservoir that can be emptied by removing a drain plug located on the bottom or the side of the ice maker. Simply hold the ice maker over your kitchen sink and remove the plug to release any water build-up.

Tip!

Be sure to follow all the manufacturer's instructions on the proper drainage techniques for your ice maker.

Installation Location

Regardless of which ice maker you choose, be sure to check its recommended voltage before installing. Most ice makers operate best when connected to a standard 110V or 120V outlet, but if not, you can easily remedy the situation with a voltage transformer. Plug the voltage transformer into the outlet you want to use and then plug the ice machine into the voltage transformer to ensure the right amount of electricity gets distributed.

Don't install ice makers next to stove tops or heating mechanisms as the heat can keep your ice maker from reaching the proper temperature for ice production. You should also check where your ice maker's vents are to ensure it can pull air in, to cool the compartment and make ice efficiently. Built-in ice makers usually have vents located in the front bottom portion of the machine to accommodate having cabinets on both sides, while freestanding ice makers can have vents located on the front and back to bring air in to cool and release hot air on the other side.

Therefore, it’s important to place freestanding machines a bit away from the wall for optimal use. Portable varieties typically have side air vents, allowing these ice makers to rest against the wall, so just make sure you don't wedge it in between other countertop appliances. This prevents overheating and helps ensure maximum efficiency from your ice maker.

Best Ice Maker Features and Cube Shapes

The best ice maker features should suit your functional needs and your personal ice preferences like shape — and there are so many options to choose from! Check out these must-have features and ice shapes below:

Frost-Free

Frost-free ice makers have built-in technology which prevents ice buildup by automatically defrosting themselves using heat coils.

Pros: Having no frost allows your ice maker to run more efficiently while eliminating the need for manual defrosting.
Cons: Frost-free ice makers are expensive to purchase and operate due to the fact that they use a heater to melt the frost-causing ice crystals. They also run a fan to circulate the air and sensors to monitor frost buildup, which increases electricity usage.

Drain Included

Under-counter and most freestanding ice makers have either vertical drains that drip directly into a drainage system beneath them, or pump drains that move the water to a nearby sink through a hose. An ice maker with a drain included differs in that it usually has a self-contained water reservoir. This is emptied by removing the drain plug cap and silicone plug, which then allows for the water to be siphoned into a vessel or sink.

Pros: A drain-included model is easier to clean, as it is not permanently connected to a plumbing line.
Cons: Even though a drain is included, this appliance still needs to be drained into a sink manually, which is time-consuming. Installing a drain-included ice maker may be complicated, depending on your model.

Clear Ice

Unlike regular cloudy or white ice, clear ice is transparent. It is created by freezing water from the inside-out rather than the outside-in (as normal freezers do). The cleanest part of the ice freezes first and pushes impurities such as lime, limescale, calcium, fluoride, and nitrate out, resulting in ice that is clear and attractive.

Pros: Clear ice causes less fizz in carbonated drinks because the surface is smooth and has less crevices where bubbles can form, preventing the drink from going flat quickly. Clear ice melts slower and is renowned for being more aesthetically-pleasing. The formation of pushing impurities out results in a purer ice that tastes better and allows you to savor the drink flavor more. This type of ice melts five times slower than cubed ice.
Cons: Clear ice is much denser than cubed ice, making it harder to chew.

Cube Ice

Cube ice is the most commonly known and used shape. It resembles a dense cube.

Pros: Cube ice is uniform in shape, making it attractive and clean-cut. Cube ice is great for shaking and aerating cocktails because it melts at a slower rate than other types of ice, decreases dilution, and requires smaller amounts to chill your drinks.
Cons: Cube ice is harder to chew and has less drink displacement, making it more difficult for sipping. Since it is the most commonly used, cube ice can be boring when compared to the other shapes.

Nugget Ice

Also known as Sonic ice due to its origin at the fast-food chain, this type of ice appears crushed but is instead made of small compacted nuggets of flaked ice.

Pros: Nugget ice is airy and light, making it enjoyable to chew without hurting your teeth. It melts slower than crushed ice and absorbs the flavor of whatever liquid it is in. Nugget ice creates almost no foam when placed into carbonated drinks and provides more drink displacement, making it easier to sip your beverage.
Cons: The surface area of nugget ice is increased because the liquid penetrates it, causing the ice to melt quicker than a cube would. Nugget ice is not ideal for neat alcohol or other drinks that should not be quickly watered down.

Crescent Ice

Crescent ice has a distinctive half-moon shape.

Pros: Crescent ice looks good and fits the glass better because of its shape. The rounded edges mean it doesn't stick or pack together, and the beverage can flow through the ice quicker, making for more enjoyable sipping. This type of ice causes less splashing and is a slow melter.
Cons: Crescent ice is dense and therefore difficult to chew. It is frozen solidly, making it quite large and less than ideal to blend.

Gourmet Ice

Gourmet ice comes in octagonal or cylindrical shapes. Usually clear, this ice is a favorite for high-end drinks as well as drinks served at upmarket establishments and events.

Pros: Gourmet ice is a fantastic drink addition, not only because it melts slowly but also because of its premium presentation. Gourmet ice has a near perfect water-to-ice ratio, producing a clear cube that is effective at cooling your drink while requiring a smaller amount of ice to do so.
Cons: Gourmet ice cubes are large and solid, making them tough to crush and difficult to fit into smaller glasses.

Bullet Ice

Named for its shape, bullet ice is long and cylindrical with a rounded tip and hollow center. It is also known as pearl ice.

Pros: Bullet ice is great for mixed drinks, because the hollow center increases the contact area with the liquid, allowing it to cool the drink quicker. It is versatile and can be used for all types of drinks.
Cons: The hollow middle means that bullet ice melts in a drink more quickly. It tends to be cloudy or white throughout, which can be seen as less attractive than clear ice. Bullet ice is hard, less chewable, and tougher to blend. Bullet ice cubes tend to be larger than cubed or crescent ice, making them tough to fit many in smaller glassware.

Whatever your ice needs are, keep things chilled this summer with one of these best ice makers!