The Best Portable Ice Makers: Kiss Those Plastic Ice Trays Goodbye
Portable ice makers are useful gadgets. They produce ice right on your countertop, simply fill up the reservoir with water and it will do its thing–giving you plenty of ice.
This is perfect when your fridge doesn’t have an ice maker, or it’s broken, and the cost of a new fridge is prohibitive. No need to spend thousands on a new fridge–or struggle with plastic ice trays. Portable ice makers will fill the gap–giving you unlimited ice, just as an ice maker in your fridge would.
Portable ice makers are also perfect for large events when your regular ice maker won’t be able to keep up. You can use a portable ice maker instead of the big, clunky bags of ice.
Party people are not the only ones to benefit from an additional ice maker. These portable machines are great to have if you travel in an RV or like to go out on a boat for a length of time.
Whatever the case may be, no one wants to drink a lukewarm beverage. Let’s dive right in and check out our picks for the best portable ice makers so you can get your party started.
Our Pick: Sentern Countertop Clear Ice Maker
If you are looking for a large capacity portable ice making machine, then look no further than the Sentern Clear Ice Maker. This machine is able to produce an impressive 46 pounds of ice each day. You can fill up your cooler and still have ice leftover for your drinks. The 2.2 L reservoir is easy to fill so you can quickly get on your way to getting your ice.
Users of the Sentern Clear Ice Maker rave about the clear, condensed ice that it gives you. This is a fantastic benefit for those that enjoy quality ice in their beverages, without diluting the actual drink. The best part is, you’ll be able to start enjoying your ice in as little as 15 minutes.
The stainless steel countertop version looks modern and compact. The digital controls makes it easy to use and monitor your ice production. If you need high quality ice and a large volume of it, then the Sentern could be a perfect addition to your gatherings.
Our Pick! Can make 46 pounds of ice in 24 hours. Super high-quality, clear ice - perfect for parties, boats, RV's, and game days.
Runner Up: Vremi Countertop Ice Maker
The Vremi countertop ice maker produces 26 pounds of ice per day. You’ll be able to keep your drinks cold all day long with the amount this little machine can churn out. Just imagine how many drinks you can keep iced down with 26 additional pounds of ice.
There are several features making it easy to use and know what is going on with your ice and the machine. There is an automatic shut-off feature, in case you fill the reservoir with too much water. There is also a light indicating if you need to add water. These features help take the guesswork out of remembering to fill with water and how much to use.
The unit is super easy to set up once you get it out of the packaging. You simply fill the reservoir with water and allow it to sit for 24 hours. Then you will be on your way to having the additional ice you need.
One of the other unique features of this ice maker is the bullet-shaped ice it generates. Customers love the unique shape and how it’s different from other ice makers. This unit gets rave reviews overall for the quality of ice, the speed of production, and the sleek design.
More Best Portable Ice Makers
The Opal Countertop Nugget Ice Maker
Some of you could care less about having extra ice for a party. But what you really want is the awesome, soft, hospital-style nugget ice that you love to crunch on throughout the day. If you fall into the compulsive cruncher category, then check out the Opal Countertop Nugget Ice Maker.
Not only does it give you the soft, pellet style that’s perfect for drinks, but it easily fits on your countertop too. The impressive part is, it will produce extra ice in as little as 20 minutes. You can expect this ice maker to churn out around 24 pounds of ice for you each day. You will have plenty of extra ice for your daily crunching habit or for gatherings with your friends and family.
The good news is, it will also come in handy for parties and traveling, just as other portable ice makers do in general. On the flip side, the price is quite a bit higher compared to other models available. You will need to decide if your love of nugget ice makes it worth spending the additional amount of money. Past purchases of this product have noted issues with the customer service and overall quality of the machine.
The IKICH Portable Ice Maker Machine
With an incredibly fast start-up time (6 minutes), you’ll be on your way to making ice almost immediately. The IKICH Portable Ice Maker is incredibly fast with the ice production and can give you 26 pounds in 24 hours.
Not only does this portable ice maker work hard to give you additional ice, but it looks modern and sleek too. If you want something you won’t be embarrassed to have on your countertop, then consider this model.
Our Value Pick: VIVOHOME Portable Countertop Ice Maker
The VIVOHOME Portable Countertop Automatic Ice Maker Machine not only delivers on the feahttps://www.amazon.com/VIVOHOME-Electric-Portable-Countertop-Automatic/dp/B07L3CZCMZ?psc=1&SubscriptionId=AKIAI6LYGVHECUDJC4OA&linkCode=xm2&camp=2025&creative=165953&creativeASIN=B07L3CZCMZ&tag=ratinglecom-20tures you need for an ice maker, but it does it all for less than $100.
For a small amount of money, you get the capacity and efficiency of other pricier models. You don’t have to spend a ton to get an extra helping hand while you are hosting your friends and family.
Questions to Consider as You Purchase a Portable Ice Maker
You may be tempted to think that something as simple as ice doesn’t deserve extra thought. But with a wide variety of options in the marketplace for portable ice makers, you need to be able to narrow down your top contenders.
How large is the Capacity? Look for machines that have sufficient capacity. Usually, you’ll find a portable ice maker capacity listed in quarts. You simply fill the water basin up and stand back while the machine makes the ice for you.
How long does it take for ice to produce? Look for the amount of time it takes the ice maker to produce a sufficient amount of pounds per day. Keep in mind that to reach full production capacity you’ll need to be emptying the collection bin into a freezer. Once the collection bin is full any ice maker will shut off.
What is the shape and size of the ice cubes? Yes, you need to think about how you want the ice to look. The size of the ice can be important for mixed drinks or everyday use. The shape of the ice is important too (round versus square, large versus nugget.) Depending on the main use you have, make sure you know the size of the ice being produced.
What is the noise level? Owners of portable ice makers often complain of the noise–especially as the ice is actively being produced. If noise is a concern to you then look for reviews from customers who mention if it’s an issue or not. Many models will claim they have low-level noise, but without listing the decibel level to back it up.
What are the convenience features? Many models use automatic shut-off to prevent ice from overflowing. Other models use indicator lights to let you know if the unit is off and on or producing ice. Look for a list of the indicators that are most important to you.
How much energy does it use? Look for the amount of wattage it takes to power your unit. Portable ice makers can use anywhere from 150 W to upwards of several hundred.
What is the overall appearance like? Will I be embarrassed to have this out on my counter? For those of you who plan on keeping the portable ice maker out all the time, then you should consider how attractive the unit looks on your counter. There’s no way around it–it can look a little bulky. Look for models that have a more slim, lightweight design.
Does it come with additional accessories? While not completely necessary, sometimes you can find portable ice makers which also include additional accessories. Common add-on items are ice scoopers and baskets. The scoopers and baskets come in handy to help you break up and transfer the ice.
Choosing the Best Portable Ice Maker
Choosing the model which best fits your lifestyle and budget is much easier than picking out the next menu at your gathering. With so many options available to you today, you can pick the perfect one to fit your needs.
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