Ice is essential for making drinks and can enhance a party, whether it’s a chilled glass of Sangria at the end of a long day or a frozen fruit smoothie for a morning workout. An ice maker machine makes it easy to have the perfect amount of ice on hand for whatever occasion. But which one is right for you?
Among countertop machines, some make bullet or nugget ice; others produce clear cubes that not only chill drinks but are slower to melt. Also consider if you prefer a small volume or a continuous supply. In general, most of the models we tested make a batch of 9 or more ice cubes in about 10 minutes, and they have a capacity to hold up to 3 pounds at a time.
Most of the models we compared require some level of maintenance, including cleaning and defrosting. Some have filters that need to be replaced, and some have auto-defrost cycles, while others need your help. Some even have a light that lets you know when it’s time to add water or move the ice from the bin.
This sleek-looking ice machine, about the size of a microwave oven, has push buttons and an LED display and alerts you when it’s time to fill the water reservoir or when the bin is full. It has WiFi capabilities and voice control via Alexa and Google, so you can turn it on or off remotely. When it needs to be cleaned, just use a mix of bleach and water and press the clean button. ice maker machine