Best Ice Makers

Top 10 Rated Under Counter Ice Makers 2024

By Brittany Rowland

As we picked the top 10 ice makers, we looked for models that:

1. Produced ice quickly and efficiently
2. Were easy to install
3. Could be under the counter or freestanding
4. Had removable bins with ample ice storage
5. Stayed cold enough and were properly insulated
6. Didn’t have condensation or frost buildup
7. Ran relatively quietly

You can find some ice makers that produce about 12 pounds of ice a day for a couple hundred dollars; these models may be sufficient for the average family. The larger ice makers with greater ice production and special controls typically cost at least $1,000; these more expensive models are suited to heavy use. See the ice maker comparison and ratings below with a link to the full review of each.

Ice Maker Buying Guide

If your refrigerator does not include an ice maker, or if you entertain frequently and need extra ice, then a home ice maker can be a valuable appliance. The undercounter style ice maker is designed to fit under the counter in a kitchen or bar, or it can sit as a freestanding unit.

Ice production

Determine how much ice you need daily. If you have a small or average sized family, then a small model that makes about 12 pounds of ice daily may be perfectly adequate. If you entertain guests often or have need of a lot of ice, then you can find machines that produce larger quantities, some up to 125 pounds a day. The price will also go up with the greater ice production. Decent to high-performing ice makers range from $300 to $2000.

Ice shape and clarity

Ice makers typically produce crescent-shaped ice cubes like refrigerator ice makers. There are also some models that make cubed, bullet-shaped, flake, or nugget pieces of ice. Some models allow you to adjust the thickness and density of the ice cubes.

Some people worry that ice makers produce cloudy ice due to water impurities. In actuality, if the ice turns out cloudy or white, it’s because ice makers freeze the ice much faster than clear ice cube makers, trapping air bubbles in the process. Many built-in ice makers produce clear ice, however, if that is your preference.

Speed of production

Undercounter ice makers typically make ice faster than clear ice makers. However, they’re usually not as quick as the portable variety.

Installation and maintenance

Built-in ice makers should be installed by a licensed plumber because they have to be properly hooked up to a water line or a drain line. Some undercounter ice makers must be installed over or near a gravity drain. If a gravity drain is not available in your home, you will need to purchase a pump to move the water to a drain or sink.

Undercounter ice makers without a storage bin will require you to periodically drain the melted water manually. However, there are many undercounter models that possess and keep the storage bin at freezing temperatures and do not require a drain. For many models, installation is especially simple with only a 115-volt power source and a water inlet line required.

Air-cooled or water-cooled

There are two systems for cooling the compressor or condenser in the ice machine: air or water.

• Air-cooled systems are less expensive, but their warm exhaust air can heat up the room quickly and they operate quite noisily.
• Water-cooled systems are more expensive but run efficiently and quietly. However, they can be costly to operate if your area has high water prices.

Brittany Rowland researches new developments in Appliances, Kitchen and CE products features with a vigor to which few would aspire… but someone has to do it. See more about Brittany

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