4 Best Countertop Icemakers of 2026, Lab-Tested and Reviewed
We tested 20 icemakers in our lab to find out which ones are the fastest and most efficient
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If chewing ice is your jam, nugget ice (or pebble ice) is likely your go-to. These small pellets of ice fit comfortably in your mouth, melt fairly quickly, and offer a satisfying crunch that you simply can’t get with larger, traditional ice cubes. (Yes, it’s true that chewing ice can damage teeth. So if this is your vice, you should probably stop if you value your pearly whites.)
Types of Countertop Icemakers
Not all countertop icemakers produce the same type of ice. Some make little nuggets; bullet icemakers, on the other hand, make ice that resembles small, hollow cylinders closed at one end. Bullet ice models offer small and large ice sizes (we used the large ones in our tests). Cube, or craft, icemakers produce larger cubes that last longer in cold drinks. Of the 20 models we’ve tested, four make nugget (or pebble) ice, 15 make bullet ice, and one makes large ice cubes. Prices range from $65 to $550.
These home appliances offer convenience and speed for those who want to satisfy their ice cravings at home because icemakers can produce ice faster than relying on a freezer tray. Nugget icemakers are also useful for people recovering from surgery who can’t or don’t want to drink large quantities of water. “After a recent surgery, my hospital recommended I use nugget ice at home,” says Sharon Seidl, a Consumer Reports visual designer. “Having a countertop nugget icemaker was my easiest source of hydration, so it really saved me.”
Best Countertop Icemakers
The best countertop icemakers in our tests produce ice quickly. They can also hold a lot of ice before needing to be refilled.
How CR Tests Countertop Icemakers
The best countertop icemakers make ice quickly and efficiently, Chai says. The fastest ones produce ice every 6 to 8 minutes; others we tested made ice every 10 to 15 minutes. We also tested an icemaker that produced large, cube-shaped craft ice, and because of its size, it made three large ice cubes every 25 to 35 minutes. Testers also factor in noise levels and the amount of electricity required to produce each pound of ice.
Water capacity is another consideration. Ice production in the models in our tests ranged from 16 to 44 pounds per day, “but none have the water capacity to make that much ice without needing to refill it,” Chai says. The models we tested hold 1 to 5 liters of water, with most holding about 2. Chai says these machines aren’t freezers; they store ice at 32° F vs. ice in a freezer, which sits at 0° F. “Once the cycle is made, you need to use it quickly or it will begin to melt.”
