[Top 10] Best Compact Ice Makers You Can Get For Your Kitchen

Here is a quick review for each ice maker, see if any product strikes your fancy:

1. FRIGIDAIRE EFIC189-Silver Compact Ice Maker

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Pros:

• Sleek design
• Two choices of ice size
• Compression cooling
• Make a batch in six minutes
• A plug under the filling area

Cons:

• The water reservoir is small

2. FREE VILLAGE Ice Maker Machine for Countertop

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Pros:

• Two ice cube sizes option
• Quiet operation
• Half-gallon water tank
• One-button cleaning
• Customer’s Choice

Cons:

• Ice cubes don’t stay frozen for very long

3. CROWNFUL Compact Ice Maker for Countertop

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Pros:

• Durable stainless steel 
• Efficient energy usage
• Low noise
• 2.8 liters water capacity
• Transparent window

Cons:

• Ice cubes can lump together

4. Frigidaire EFIC108-BLUE Counter-top Portable

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Pros:

• Lightweight
• Affordable price
• Make one batch in less than six minutes
• Choosable 2 ice sizes

Cons:

• Plastic material is not very durable

5. Gevi Household Countertop Ice Maker Machine

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Pros:

• Quiet operation
• Friendly to the environment
• Fast ice making
• Good self-clean function
• Twelve-month warranty and lifetime tech support

Cons:

• Can be heavy for some people (17 pounds)

6 Frigidaire EFIC102-RED Compact Making Machine

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Pros:

• Interesting see-through top design
• Safety induction switch design
• Low power consumption
• Very little noises

Cons:

• The ice holder tray isn’t refrigerated

7. Euhomy Ice Maker Machine Countertop

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Pros:

• Affordable price
• High-efficiency compressor
• Stable performance
• Eco-friendly
• One-year warranty and gift package

Cons:

• Wet ice cubes. They tend to stick together

8. Galanz Portable Countertop Electric Ice Maker Machine

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Pros:

• An easy-to-use transparent lid
• Removable basket and scoop
• Nice looking retro red design
• Simple touch control

Cons:

• Take longer to make one full tray of ice cubes

9. Frigidaire EFIC227-BLACK Countertop Compact Ice Maker

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Pros:

• Solid-looking modern build
• Multi-purpose
• Adjustable ice cube thickness
• Convenient push dispenser
• LED display

Cons:

• Pretty expensive for some people ($200)
• Poor insulation

10. Whynter IMC-270MS Compact Ice Maker

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Pros:

• Large water capacity: 2.2 Liters
• Produce up to 12kg of ice per day
• Long lifespan (can last up to 5 years)
• Quick ice-making process

Cons:

• Ice cubes produced are sometimes too small

To purchase a high-quality compact ice maker, here are some details you might want to pay attention to:

Capacity

Capacity refers to the maximum amount of ice a unit can hold. Portable ice makers are on the small side of the spectrum.

A portable ice maker can hold a little over 2 lbs. This amount of ice is only enough for small-scale residential or on-the-go trips.

Water Filter’s Quality

Some ice makers offer built-in water filters to further eliminate contaminants in tap water. Ice cubes made from filtered water look clearer and have a purer taste, these ice cubes work best with beer and alcohol.

Ice making time

On average, it takes a portable ice maker about thirteen minutes to make one batch of ice cubes. Slower products require twenty minutes while the fastest models do it in six minutes.

Compact and Lightweight

To people with small kitchen space, a portable ice maker is their best pick. They fit nicely with other kitchen appliances and can be stored in a counter drawer or a cupboard should the need arise. 

If your kitchen is already stuffed with other pieces of equipment, consider choosing the smallest ice maker possible. You can always view an item’s dimension in the product details section on Amazon.

Ice Thickness Options

Unlike bigger-sized ice maker machines, portable models usually only give the user two options for ice thickness: thin or medium ice.

Thin ice cubes are suitable for pure water, lemonade, carbonated drinks (CoCa, Pepsi, Fanta, Mountain Dew), and fruit juice.

Medium ice cubes are best for alcohol like tequila, cognac, cocktails, etc. You can also use them to cool canned drinks or liquor bottles.

Lifespan

Portable ice makers have a shorter life span compared to bigger models. There are many reports from customers who have seen their machine break down or stop making ice in just three months.

If you don’t want to waste money buying one ice maker after another, choose items that have received positive comments about their durability and lifespan. The Whynter IMC-270MS Compact Ice Maker is an example.

Can the tray keep my ice cubes frozen?

Unfortunately, most portable ice makers can’t refrigerate the ice cube in their holder tray. This limitation comes from their small size and low power output.

You should use the ice cubes right after your machine produces a batch. If left for a couple of minutes, the ice cubes will slowly melt and stick together.

Do I have to clean them manually?

You don’t have to. Many ice makers have a built-in auto-clean function.

With one button, the ice maker will clean itself for you. After a couple of minutes, the ice maker will be ready to make a new batch.

Can they fit into my cupboard?

Yes, they can. Portable ice makers are made with a compact design in mind.

You can put these machines into your drawers, counter storage spaces, cupboards, and dressers.

What if my machine leaks or gets damaged?

In this case, contact your supplier for warranty service or hire a professional to repair the ice maker. 

Don’t attempt to repair the ice maker unless you have the technical know-how and proper tools. If not, you can damage the machine further and even put yourself at risk of electrical hazards.

I hope my post can help you choose the best compact ice maker for you and your family. With that said, here are two of my recommendations just in case you’re still unsure about the product you want.

If you want a good portable ice maker overall, the FRIGIDAIRE EFIC189-Silver Compact Ice Maker is your best pick. 

If style and look are your priority, the Frigidaire EFIC227-BLACK Countertop Compact Ice Maker will please your taste. This machine construction is sleek and modern-looking, similar to the models you see in offices.

Thank you for reading!