It takes more than a variety of great drinks and a fine set of glassware to create the perfect home bar. That’s why you want the perfect King Size Ice Cube Tray Set to keep your drinks fresh and flavorful. Ice makers are now some of the most important party supplies for those who are serious about creating a fun paradigm within their home.

An excellent countertop ice machine can make all the difference— whether you’re entertaining on the weekends or just enjoying a quiet cocktail in the evening. These diminutive gadgets operate 24/7 so that you never run out of ice when you require it the most.

The process of finding the best ice maker for your home bar doesn’t have to be daunting. We tested dozens of models to find the six best choices that offer quality, value and reliability.

Why Your Home Bar Needs an Ice Machine

Running to the store for bags of ice can become tiresome. And anyway, store-bought ice so frequently has the taste of soaking up every bad smell in the freezer, and then it seems to melt in under a minute in your drinks. A countertop ice maker is a compact yet effective device to help keep a steady flow of ice at your table – and save space in the freezer for the next round of appetizers.

New ice makers can create ice in 6-15 min. They’re small enough to squeeze onto just about any countertop without crowding it. Many models are also remarkably quiet, so you won’t wake up your guests or family.

The initial investment soon pays for itself when you add up the price of purchasing ice on the regular. Most usages, an ice maker would have already been compensated for itself in 6-12 months with a decent one.

What Makes the Best Home Bar Ice Maker

There are a few factors that distinguish great ice makers from the rest. Performance So let’s say you’re company’s over, and you just need a whole lotta ice, and you need it fast. The highest-performing models can produce 26-35 pounds of ice each day.

Ice quality is equally important. Look for machines that produce clear, hard ice that doesn’t taste like plastic or smell strange. The ice should be appropriately sized for cocktails and mixed drinks, too.

Of course, user-friendly is high on every buyers’ list. Good countertop ice machines are easy to control and setup, fraught with extras, or are temperamental in nature. They also have to be easy to clean and care for.

Storage size also dictates how often you need to empty the ice bin. The bigger the bin, the longer you can go between emptying, of course, but also the more room it takes up on your counter.

6 Best Ice Makers for Your Home Bar

1. Frigidaire Compact Countertop Ice Maker

The compact model by Frigidaire is top of our list for a reason. This dependable small appliance is capable of producing 26 lbs of ice per day and takes up 1 sq ft of counter space.

Key Features:

• Makes ice in 6-15 minutes
• Produces bullet-shaped ice cubes
• 2.3-pound ice storage capacity
• Self-cleaning function
• Available in multiple colors

The Frigidaire model to beat when it comes to consistency. Each batch of ice it produces is consistent in size and clarity. The machine operates quietly and is a good option for an open-concept home in which the kitchen opens up to entertaining spaces.

And setup is under five minutes. Just add water, plug it in and press start. The intuitive control panel indicates when the ice bin is full or when you need to add more water.

Pros:

• Fast ice production
• Reliable performance
• Easy to operate
• Compact design
• Affordable price point

Cons:

• Ice melts relatively quickly
• Small storage capacity
• No built-in drain

2. NewAir Portable Ice Maker

The best bang for your buck goes to the NewAir portable ice maker. This counter-top ice machine can make up to 28 pounds of ice a day with a space-saving size for versatility.

Key Features:

• Three ice cube sizes
• 12-minute ice production cycle
• 2.5-pound ice storage
• LED indicators
• Stainless steel exterior

Most notably, you can choose between small, medium and large ice cubes. Little cubes are the ideal match for wine spritzers; big is beautiful for whiskey on the big stones.

The professional, stainless steel finish looks great and matches most kitchen appliances. And the exterior surface is fingerprint-resistant and wipes clean.

Water recycling tech also means that melted ice doesn’t go to waste, but back into the reservoir. This also helps promote ice production from daily pollution.

Pros:

• Multiple ice sizes
• Attractive design
• Water recycling feature
• Good daily capacity
• Durable construction

Cons:

• Slightly louder than some models
• Higher price point
• Heavier than plastic alternatives

3. Igloo Automatic Portable Electric Countertop Ice Maker

Igloo has been leading the way in the drink cooling industry for decades. Simple and reliable This model is the ideal first time ice maker purchase.

Key Features:

• 26 pounds daily ice production
• 9-minute ice cycles
• 2.2-pound ice bin capacity
• Compact 14-inch width
• One-button operation

The ultra-simple design lends itself to fewer parts that can break. It has one press button to run the whole thing, for user friendliness and visible status leds if the machine is switched on or off.

This is one of the best ice makers for small spaces. At 14 inches wide and just 35 pounds the Scoresby Street calls to mind an elegant 1970s‐era television and can be wedged beneath most upper cabinets, with enough headspace left for competing small appliances.

Batch after batch, ice quality remains consistent. The bullet-shaped cubes are the ideal density for most cocktails and mixed drinks.

Pros:

• Extremely simple operation
• Compact size
• Reliable performance
• Budget-friendly
• Quick ice production

Cons:

• Only one ice size
• Basic features
• Plastic construction
• Limited color options

4. Euhomy Ice Maker Machine Countertop

Euhomy provides top-notch features without breaking your bank account. Their ice maker takes quick-production convenience to the next level, with convenient features and innovation at their best.

Key Features:

• 40 pounds daily ice capacity
• Self-cleaning cycle
• Ice scoop included
• Quiet operation under 45dB
• Premium black finish

The 40-pound daily volume means both less waiting around to use it or less restrictions when hosting large parties. This increased output level makes it great for professional entertainers who throw a lot of parties.

Its self-cleaning cycle is a big help for maintenance. Run the cleaning cycle once a week to avoid off-taste in new ice.

It’s very quiet while it’s working. You can run this machine during dinner parties without it drowning out conversation.

Pros:

• High daily ice production
• Very quiet operation
• Self-cleaning feature
• Includes accessories
• Professional appearance

Cons:

• Larger footprint
• Higher power consumption
• More expensive
• Slower on first batch

5. COSTWAY 2 in 1 Ice Maker and Water Dispenser

COSTWAY offers you a double function and less space party cooler. This design takes up very little counter space and makes ice and cold water readily available.

Key Features:

• Dual Ice and Water Dispenser
• 33 pounds daily ice production
• 2.8-gallon water tank
• Hot and cold water options
• Child safety lock

The 2-in-1 feature is ideal for smaller places that are tight on space. You have fresh ice and filtered water from a compact appliance.

Hot water feature to make hot tea, hot chocolate, hot soup, etc. perfect for parties. Child safety lock keeps unwanted accidents from inquisitive little hands.

The larger water tank ensures you will refill less compared to traditional ice makers. This convenience factor alone is a selling point for families with busy schedules.

For additional kitchen appliances and accessories, check out our selection at DTDF Home and Kitchen and compare prices with other retailers like Amazon.

Pros:

• Dual functionality saves space
• Large water capacity
• Hot and cold water options
• Good ice production
• Safety features

Cons:

• More complex operation
• Higher initial cost
• Takes up more vertical space
• More parts to maintain

6. Silonn Ice Maker Countertop

Silonn completes our lineup with this packed full featured counter top ice machine. This model offers a performance-to-feature ratio that provides the kind of value we can appreciate.

Key Features:

• 33 pounds daily capacity
• Two ice cube sizes
• Self-cleaning function
• Transparent lid for monitoring
• Energy-efficient operation

It has a clear lid so you can see the ice forming — especially fun when you have guests and people want to see how it works. It also has a clear window on the lid, so you can tell when the ice bin is full.

The energy efficiency maintains operating costs even with regularity of routine replacements. This model requires roughly the same amount of power as a conventional light bulb.

The self-cleaning cycle is activated automatically and only takes 15 minutes to complete. This feature is in place to ensure ice quality and prolong machine life.

Pros:

• Good capacity for the price
• Energy efficient
• Easy monitoring
• Two ice sizes
• Reliable brand

Cons:

• Plastic construction
• Limited color choices
• Average ice storage
• Noticeable operating noise

Ice Maker Comparison Table

Model	Daily Capacity	Ice Storage	Ice Sizes	Special Features	Price Range
Frigidaire Compact	26 lbs	2.3 lbs	1	Self-cleaning, Multiple colors	$
NewAir Portable	28 lbs	2.5 lbs	3	Stainless steel, Water recycling	$$
Igloo Automatic	26 lbs	2.2 lbs	1	Ultra-compact, One-button	$
Euhomy Machine	40 lbs	3.0 lbs	2	Very quiet, Premium finish	$$$
COSTWAY 2-in-1	33 lbs	2.8 lbs	2	Water dispenser, Hot water	$$$$
Silonn Countertop	33 lbs	2.4 lbs	2	Transparent lid, Energy efficient	$$