The Best Portable Ice Makers For An Endless Supply of Ice Cubes

Now You Don’t Have An Excuse to Run Out of Ice For Those Delicious Cocktails!

A party is not a party without a bucket of ice, and if you are one of those people constantly having to travel to the local liquor shop to stock up on another bag of ice, then you need to invest in a portable ice maker. You can keep using those small inefficient ice trays in your freezer and make 12 cubes of ice at a time, or you can simply set up your automatic ice maker to constantly make a barrage of quality and large ice cubes for you. Not all ice makers are the same, so see below for an overview of 9 of the best portable ice makers on the market.

Best Portable Ice Makers| Reviews of Top Rated Products

Picture	Model	Capacity Per Day	Price	Our Rating
	NewAir AI-100R 28-Pound Portable Icemaker	28 pounds	$$	4.96
	Avalon Bay AB-ICE26S Portable Ice Maker	26 Pounds	$$$	4.96
	Ivation IVA-ICEM25WH Portable Ice Maker with LCD Display	25.5 Pounds	$$	4.95
	RCA RIC102-Silver Compact Ice Maker	26 pounds	$$	4.95
	Igloo ICE103 Counter Top Ice Maker with Over-Sized Ice Bucket	26 Pounds	$$	4.94
	Edgestar IP210TI Titanium Portable Ice Maker	28 pounds	$$	4.94
	Luma Comfort IM200SS Portable Clear Ice Maker	28 Pounds	$$$	4.94
	NewAir AI-100SS 28-Pound Portable Ice Maker	28 pounds	$$	4.93
	Knox Portable Compact Ice Maker	26.5 Pounds	$$	4.92

NewAir AI-100R Portable Ice Maker

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For an easy to use portable ice maker that requires no installation and which will not take up all of the bench space, you cannot look past the NewAir AI-100R Portable Ice Maker. It will make up to a massive 28 pounds of ice a day and is as easy as simply plugging in, adding water and waiting. There are three different ice sizes so you can use the smaller cubes for your drinks and the larger ones to keep your ice box cool. It is extremely compact so is perfect for smaller kitchens or even RV’s and boats. Only takes 15 minutes before ice is made so is efficient and convenient. Very user friendly with an easy to use and follow LED control panel. NewAir are one of the leaders in the industry, and there is a reason why this portable yet effective ice maker is the most highly rated by many customers. It has a bright red colour, suitable for the contemporary kitchen or those who love bold designs and guarantees you a consistent and reliable ice production.

Avalon Bay Portable Ice Maker

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A really streamlined and truly stylish ice maker that will fit in the most sophisticated kitchen is the Avalon Bay Portable Ice Maker. Available in three colors so even if you do not want the silver, you can have black or red. One of the quickest ice makers on the market, you will have perfect ice cubes within 6 minutes of turning it on. Creating up to 26 pounds of ice daily, it has a built-in overflow protection to prevent any mess that may come about from too much ice getting produced. It produces on average 6 – 9 ice cubes every 6 minutes so you will have a constant flow of ice available, and any unused ice cubes will simply melt back into the reservoir and be refrozen next time the ice maker is turned on.

Ivation Portable Ice Maker

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For a portable ice maker that is very user friendly and fool proof, the Ivation Portable Ice Maker is perfect. It was made to be used with a total capacity of 25.5-pound output, and the first lot of ice will be ready in just 6 minutes. The best part about this portable ice maker is that there are various alerts which will communicate to you exactly what is going on – from when the water level is too low, to when the ice bucket is too full, and if the ice cubes are not moving in the ice bucket correctly. It also has the added feature of having a clear window so you can see the progress of your ice making without having to stop and open the device. It has a programmable timer so you can set the maker to commence the ice making process while you are asleep or out of the house.

RCA Silver Compact Ice Maker

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If you are sick of waiting hours for your ice cube tray to freeze in your freezer, then you need to invest in a RCA Silver Compact Ice Maker. It is a brushed silver  design so will match your other appliances, and is super compact and will not take up all the room on your countertop. It is also super effective and will produce over a pound of ice every hour, and up to 26 pounds in a day. The appliance starts working after only 6 minutes, and there is a choice of 2 different ice sizes depending on what you want the ice for. Simply leave the ice maker on your bench, and when you have a need for ice, fill up the water reservoir, turn it on and wait just a few minutes for your ice cubes. Any left over ice will melt and be refrozen next time it is turned on. It stores up to 1.5 pounds of ice at a time, and will let you know when the ice needs to be taken out and stored in the freezer (or used in a drink).

Igloo Counter Top Ice Maker

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If you are looking for a portable ice maker that has a bigger capacity, then look no further than the Igloo Counter Top Ice Maker. It is small enough to sit on your countertop or take with you in your boat or caravan. However, it is large enough to store over 2 pounds of ice at any one time which means less transferring from the maker to a freezer. It has 3 ice cube sizes so will be perfect to go in your whiskey or use in your smoothie, and it starts making the first batch of ice after just 6 minutes. Despite its size, it is very lightweight and can easily be carried by one person. There are clear indicators on the front of the maker which tells you exactly how much ice has been made and how much more it will make before reaching its capacity – and if the ice is not removed straight away it simply melts to be made into more ice later on!

Edgestar Titanium Portable Ice Maker

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Possibly the largest capacity portable ice maker ice maker would be the Edgestar Titanium Portable Ice Maker – it makes a massive 28 pounds of ice in a 24-hour period, and will hold up to 2.5 pounds in the inbuilt tray, meaning that the ice tray will need to be emptied less frequently. It has a titanium finish so not only is it one of the largest and most efficient ice makers on the market, it is also one of the most stylish. It is so simple to use – simply fill the reservoir with ice, choose from 3 different cube sizes, sit back and wait for the ice to appear. Only takes a few minutes for the first batch of ice to start once it is turned on – under 10 minutes. Filtered water is recommended as it will make the ice tasteless so will not change the taste of whatever you are mixing it with. Comes with a 90-day manufacturer warranty.

Luma Comfort Portable Clear Ice Maker

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If you like the idea of having a restaurant style ice maker in your home, then the Luma Comfort Portable Clear Ice Maker is for you. It is shaped like the industrial makers with a front flip up lid. However, it is able to be placed on a countertop and does not require any plumbing. Simply fill the large capacity reservoir with water, turn it on and sit as perfectly clear ice cubes are made in front of your eyes. Makes professional looking crystal clear ice cubes, and you will be surprised at what a difference clear ice makes to the presentation of your drinks or food. Clear ice melts at five times slower rate than ice that is cloudy, so that means less ice will be needed, and there won’t be such a hurry to empty the full ice bucket when it is full. Makes a massive 28 pounds of ice in a single day. It also has a sleek stainless steel finish that will look great in any kitchen.

NewAir AI-100SS 28-Pound Portable Ice Maker

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Another extremely high capacity yet completely portable ice maker is the NewAir AI-100SS 28-Pound Portable Ice Maker. It is also the second NewAir ice maker in this list, so you know that it is a brand that can be trusted and that is highly rated by actual customers. It is professionally made and it can even be used outside, so is perfect for use by the pool or any outside parties. Has three different ice cube sizes, and starts spitting out perfect ice cubes in as little as 10 minutes, creating up to 28 pounds of ice in a single day. It is compact enough to store on your kitchen counter, and portable enough to take it with you so you can have ice cubes no matter wherever you are – as long as you have access to a power point.

Knox Portable Compact Ice Maker

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For a smaller and almost adorable looking portable ice maker, the Knox Portable Compact Ice Maker was made for you. It does everything that you would expect from a well-designed portable ice maker, all in a smaller and more compact size. It has a user friendly operating panel, and will let you know when you are out of water or when the ice tray is full. It takes up less room on your counter, and it is white so will suit most kitchen décor. There are three different ice cube sizes, and the removable catcher tray makes for easy transferring of the ice from the maker to the freezer or your ice box. Proving that size is not everything, it will make the perfect ice making companion regardless if you just leave it in the kitchen or want to take it on the road with you.

Portable Ice Makers Buying Guide

If you love having plenty of ice cubes at your disposal but are sick of the inconvenience of manual ice cube trays in the freezer, then chances are that you will benefit greatly from a portable, at-home ice cube maker. There are a few considerations that you need to keep in mind when thinking of the perfect portable ice maker for you, and these are highlighted below.

Capacity and size: Most of the portable ice makers on the market will have a similar capacity, maybe varying by a pound or two. The main difference will be in the physical size of the maker itself. If you have a smaller kitchen or plan on taking the maker with you when you travel (such as camping or on a boat), then the smaller capacity makers might be better. Although they may make less ice overall than their larger counterparts, they will still make enough to meet your needs.

The larger capacity ice makers have a benefit that you do not need to add water as often, or clear out the ice tray as often. So this can save time and effort, especially if you do not want to be sitting and watching the maker at all times. The ice needs to be transferred to a freezer in order to stay frozen otherwise it will melt and need to be refrozen. You will also want to find an ice maker with an alert letting you know when the ice is full so that you can start using that ice and start a new batch straight away.

Ice cube size and style: If you thought an ice cube was simply an ice cube, then you are mistaken. There are various sizes of cubes that can be made, and these will have different purposes depending on your needs. Smaller ice cubes may be preferred for things like smoothies and to fill ice buckets to cool beverages. While larger ice cubes tend to be used in drinks such as whiskey or even to cool water. Kids also tend to find larger ice cubes fun and can make a healthy drink more appealing for them! Most good portable ice makers will have the option to choose between two or three different ice cube sizes, so if you want a particular range of sizes, then make sure you choose a maker that has more options.

Not only is an ice cube not just an ice cube, but it turns out that the color of the ice actually matters. There will be some ice cube makers that specifically create clear ice, which is actually not only more aesthetically appealing, but also melts at a slower rate. So if you want to have the highest quality ice possible, then you will want to search for a higher end maker that makes the clear ice.

Additional features: Ice making has gone beyond simply freezing water into a particular shape – portable ice makers these days often come with other features and uses, depending on how much you are willing to pay. You can get some ice makers that ill also crush ice, which can be great if you have kids who like snow cones. And many good ice makers have a feature where any unused and melted ice cubes simply melt into the water reservoir and will be re-frozen when the maker is turned on again. This will save water and make for less cleaning. There are also some makers that allow for different shaped cubes – gone are the days when an ice cube had to be a square or rectangle shape. Common shapes include bullets and donuts, and can add a bit of fun and style to the ice making process.

What accessories will I need for portable ice makers?

Ice Scoop

The main accessory that you would be needing with your portable ice makers is a scoop. While its not completely necessary as it does not affect the functionality of the maker, it definitely helps to be able to scoop out the ice easily. Many brands will have their own scoops designed for their particular maker, however a scoop is a scoop and so you will be able to use any brand or style that suits you. Some of the better portable ice makers will come with a small plastic scoop, so check the specifications when purchasing. Some people prefer to use a metal scoop, and will find the ones included with purchase either too small or flimsy. It can also be useful to have more than one scoop, especially if you plan on having more than one bucket filled with ice at your party or get together.

Ice Bag

A specially designed ice bag is always a good idea when you have an ice maker as it helps in transporting the ice from one location to another. It basically has the same idea as one of the bags when you buy ice from the liquor store and is perfect if you want to make the ice at home and transport it somewhere else (such as a party or camping). The specially designed ice bags generally have a pull string and will be disposable and are sold in bulk. They are specially designed so as to not melt, and actually insulate the ice to prevent melting en-route. They can also double as storage bags for the freezer – so you can make a large batch of ice, fill up a few bags and keep them in your freezer at home for when you need them.

Ice Bins

One important thing to realize is that once the ice is made, if it is left in the ice cube maker, it will eventually melt – they do not double as a freezer. So unless you plan on using the ice cubes immediately, you will want to invest in some sort of ice bin or tray for storing the ice in your freezer. All portable ice makers will come with one ice tray that the completed ice cubes will fall into. These trays are removable from the maker for easy storage, however if you want to make more than one batch of ice at a time, then you will be needing more than one. Many people also find that the ice is too soft when it is first made, so prefer to leave it in an actual freezer for an hour or two to harden up. Without an ice bin or tray then you will have nowhere to store your ice in the freezer, and they can also be removed from the freezer for convenient ice access when required.

How long does it take to make ice?

Depending on the maker, on average a portable ice maker will start producing usable ice cubes after only 5 or 6 minutes. It can take 24 hours to fill capacity which is usually around the 25 to 30-pound mark, however you will have a constant stream of ice cubes which can be used throughout the process. So even if you forget to have the ice maker going before a party or event, you can rest assured knowing that you will start having ice available after only 6 minutes – which is likely to be even quicker than driving to the shops and buying ice.  Not to mention cheaper! The time it takes to create a batch of ice cubes also depends on the size of the cubes, so if you need more ice quicker, then opt for a smaller size cube.

The ice will come out of the maker slowly, one cube at a time, rather than a whole pound or two getting dumped at once. So if you are out of ice, then you will only need to wait a maximum of a few minutes for a few fresh cubes to appear. They are deceptively efficient, and a lot of the good reviews are based around just how quickly and effortless it is to produce a large amount of ice at home without the need for an expensive or complicated contraption.

Does it require plumbing?

Portable ice makers are designed and marketed for use in the average home and are made to be portable, so do not require any plumbing. They are smaller in capacity than the industrial ice makers so would not suit a commercial kitchen – deeming it completely unnecessary to connect to the plumbing. The makers are all portable, meaning they can easily be unplugged and transported anywhere – perfect for use not only in the home, but when out in the boat, caravan or even camping (as long as there is electricity available). All it requires is a power port to work. The water is poured directly into a reservoir so will need to be toped up after a certain amount of ice is produced (how much varies from brand to brand so check the specifications).

There are larger more industrial style ice makers that can be plumbed in, however these would not be under the portable ice maker category. We have carried out an extensive research and ranked these portable ice makers based on the amount of ice that you can make at a go, the speed with which you can make the ice for your cocktail or ice parties, the amount of space it occupies, user-friendliness and general reliability. These portable ice makers that we have reviewed are simply the best in the market. You can use these to make as much ice as you want for those ice parties wherever you need it.

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