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Best Ice Makers of 2026: 10 Compared

A countertop ice maker earns its keep on the days a freezer tray can't keep up: a backyard cookout, a road trip, a kitchen that simply runs through ice. We lined up ten machines and judged them on what the spec sheets actually promise. The split between chewable nugget ice and quick bullet cubes turned out to be the line that decides most purchases.

Ice makers look interchangeable until you compare them side by side, and then the differences pile up fast: the ice shape, how quickly the first batch lands, the daily output, and whether the thing fits where you actually plan to park it. The ten machines here span two camps. One group makes nugget or pellet ice, the soft chewable kind people get hooked on. The other turns out bullet-shaped cubes in about six minutes, usually in a lighter, more portable shell built for kitchens, offices, and camping trips. To assemble this guide we pulled current Amazon specifications, product images, and Self-cleaning cycles show up on nearly every model, so we leaned harder on capacity, ice style, and portability to separate them. What follows is the quick verdict, a model-by-model breakdown, and an honest read on where each one fits.

The short version: The Kismile Nugget Ice Makers Countertop is our top pick, a self-cleaning, one-click machine rated at 35 lbs of soft, chewable nugget ice per day. For shoppers watching the bottom line, the Antarctic Star Countertop Ice Maker Machine is the standout value, pushing out bullet ice in roughly six minutes from a footprint small enough for an RV.

How to use this guide: In a hurry? The Quick Verdict below names the top pick in seconds. Want to compare? The full comparison table and charts line up all 10 ice makers side by side. For the details, every model has a full review with key features, honest pros and cons, and who it is best for.
  • Our top overall pick is the Kismile Nugget Ice Makers Countertop, rated 35 lbs/day with self-cleaning and one-click operation.
  • The Antarctic Star Countertop Ice Maker Machine is the best value, making bullet ice in about six minutes at under 40 dB.
  • For maximum nugget output, the Euhomy Nugget Ice Maker Countertop is rated 44 lbs/24H of soft pellet ice.
  • The lineup splits cleanly into soft nugget/pellet machines and faster bullet-cube models, the choice that drives most buying decisions.
  • Self-cleaning cycles appear on nearly every model, so capacity, ice type, and footprint do the real separating.

Our Top 3 Picks

Editor's Choice
Kismile Nugget Ice Makers Countertop
1Kismile Nugget Ice Makers Countertop
  • Rated 35 lbs of nugget ice per day
  • Soft, chewable crushed nugget ice
  • Self-cleaning system
  • One-click operation
  • Quiet, compact countertop design
Best Value
Euhomy Countertop Ice Maker Machine
2Euhomy Countertop Ice Maker Machine
  • First bullet ice in about 6 minutes
  • Rated 26 lbs over 24 hours
  • Lightweight 13 lb body with carry handle
  • Self-cleaning operation
  • See-through window and infrared sensor
Premium Pick
Euhomy Nugget Ice Maker Countertop
3Euhomy Nugget Ice Maker Countertop
  • Soft, chewable pebble nugget ice
  • First batch in about 7 minutes
  • Rated 35 lbs over 24 hours
  • Built-in self-cleaning system
  • Compact 11 x 9.1 x 12.6 in footprint
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Full Comparison — All 10 Ice Makers

Our RankingPrice: Low to HighPrice: High to Low
ImageProductFeaturesPrice
Editor's Choice
Kismile Nugget Ice Makers Countertop

1Kismile Nugget Ice Makers Countertop

  • Rated 35 lbs of nugget ice per day
  • Soft, chewable crushed nugget ice
  • Self-cleaning system
  • One-click operation
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Best Value
Euhomy Countertop Ice Maker Machine

2Euhomy Countertop Ice Maker Machine

  • First bullet ice in about 6 minutes
  • Rated 26 lbs over 24 hours
  • Lightweight 13 lb body with carry handle
  • Self-cleaning operation
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Premium Pick
Euhomy Nugget Ice Maker Countertop

3Euhomy Nugget Ice Maker Countertop

  • Soft, chewable pebble nugget ice
  • First batch in about 7 minutes
  • Rated 35 lbs over 24 hours
  • Built-in self-cleaning system
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Euhomy Ice Maker Countertop

4Euhomy Ice Maker Countertop

  • Two selectable bullet-ice sizes
  • Up to 9 cubes in 6 to 12 minutes
  • Rated about 26 lbs per day
  • Compressor-driven cooling
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Euhomy Nugget Ice Maker Countertop

5Euhomy Nugget Ice Maker Countertop

  • Top nugget output rated 44 lbs over 24 hours
  • Soft, chewable pellet ice
  • First batch in 7 to 10 minutes
  • One-touch ICE button
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Antarctic Star Countertop Ice Maker Machine

6Antarctic Star Countertop Ice Maker Machine

  • Energy use cut by 30%
  • Bullet ice in about 6 minutes
  • Rated 26 lbs of ice per day
  • Whisper-quiet under 40 dB
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Euhomy Ice Maker Countertop

7Euhomy Ice Maker Countertop

  • Nine bullet cubes in 6 minutes
  • Rated 26.5 lbs per day
  • Light 12.98 lb body with handle
  • Auto-cleaning operation
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Euhomy Nugget Ice Maker Countertop

8Euhomy Nugget Ice Maker Countertop

  • Rated 40 lbs of pellet ice over 24 hours
  • Soft, chewable nugget ice
  • First batch in 7 to 10 minutes
  • Automated cleaning program
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Euhomy Ice Maker Machine

9Euhomy Ice Maker Machine

  • Superior-quality build and warranty promise
  • Rated 26 lbs capacity
  • Light at about 12.9 lbs
  • Includes handle, basket, and scoop
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Euhomy Countertop Ice Maker Machine

10Euhomy Countertop Ice Maker Machine

  • First bullet ice in about 6 minutes
  • Rated 26 lbs per day
  • Carry handle on a 13.89 lb body
  • Self-cleaning operation
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How They Compare

Top picks — strengths at a glance

Brands compared

All 10, Reviewed

1 Kismile Nugget Ice Makers Countertop

Kismile Nugget Ice Makers Countertop

Soft nugget ice without a learning curve is the Kismile Nugget Ice Makers Countertop's pitch, and it backs that with a 35 lbs/day rating and one-click operation. It earns the top rank because it pairs the chewable ice people love with a self-cleaning system that drops the usual scrubbing. The compact silver shell is built to sit out on a counter rather than hide in a cabinet.

PROS
  • Rated 35 lbs of nugget ice per day
  • Soft, chewable crushed nugget ice
  • Self-cleaning system
  • One-click operation
CONS
  • No notable drawbacks at this rank

2 Euhomy Countertop Ice Maker Machine

Euhomy Countertop Ice Maker Machine

Speed and portability define the Euhomy Countertop Ice Maker Machine, which lists nine bullet cubes ready in six minutes and 26 lbs over 24 hours. At around 13 lbs with a sturdy handle and an 11.57 x 11.42 x 8.74 in body, it's an easy machine to move between kitchen, camper, and RV. A see-through window and infrared sensor round out a value pick that covers the essentials.

PROS
  • First bullet ice in about 6 minutes
  • Rated 26 lbs over 24 hours
  • Lightweight 13 lb body with carry handle
  • Self-cleaning operation
CONS
  • Bullet cubes only, no chewable nugget ice
  • Lower daily output than the nugget machines

3 Euhomy Nugget Ice Maker Countertop

Euhomy Nugget Ice Maker Countertop

The Euhomy Nugget Ice Maker Countertop turns out soft, chewable pebble ice in roughly seven minutes and is rated at 35 lbs over 24 hours. A built-in self-cleaning system removes the manual scrubbing, and the 11 x 9.1 x 12.6 in dimensions keep it on the friendlier side for a nugget machine. Stainless-steel styling gives it a step up in look over the plastic bullet units.

PROS
  • Soft, chewable pebble nugget ice
  • First batch in about 7 minutes
  • Rated 35 lbs over 24 hours
  • Built-in self-cleaning system
CONS
  • Larger and pricier than the bullet-ice machines
  • No carry handle for portability

4 Euhomy Ice Maker Countertop

Euhomy Ice Maker Countertop

Flexibility is the draw on the Euhomy Ice Maker Countertop, which makes two different sizes of bullet ice and produces up to nine cubes in six to twelve minutes, around 26 lbs a day. A high-quality compressor drives it, while the 11.74 x 9.46 x 11.19 in frame and 13.9 lb weight keep it portable. A simple control panel and self-cleaning function make it an easy bullet-ice pick.

PROS
  • Two selectable bullet-ice sizes
  • Up to 9 cubes in 6 to 12 minutes
  • Rated about 26 lbs per day
  • Compressor-driven cooling
CONS
  • Bullet cubes only, no nugget ice
  • Heavier than the lightest bullet units at 13.9 lbs

5 Euhomy Nugget Ice Maker Countertop

Euhomy Nugget Ice Maker Countertop

When sheer ice volume is the goal, the Euhomy Nugget Ice Maker Countertop leads the pack at 44 lbs over 24 hours of soft, chewable pellet ice in seven to ten minutes. One-touch control starts it instantly, and the sonic-style machine handles its own cleaning. It's the premium choice for households that go through nugget ice faster than smaller units can keep up.

PROS
  • Top nugget output rated 44 lbs over 24 hours
  • Soft, chewable pellet ice
  • First batch in 7 to 10 minutes
  • One-touch ICE button
CONS
  • Premium price among these picks
  • Larger machine for a counter

6 Antarctic Star Countertop Ice Maker Machine

Antarctic Star Countertop Ice Maker Machine

The Antarctic Star Countertop Ice Maker Machine is the value standout, chilling drinks with bullet ice in about six minutes and a 26 lb/day capacity. An optimized motor cuts energy use by 30%, and the under-40 dB operation keeps it quiet while you work or watch TV. At an 8.74 x 11.47 x 11.57 in footprint, it slips into an RV, a tailgate setup, or a beach cabana with ease.

PROS
  • Energy use cut by 30%
  • Bullet ice in about 6 minutes
  • Rated 26 lbs of ice per day
  • Whisper-quiet under 40 dB
CONS
  • Bullet cubes only, no nugget ice
  • Lower daily output than the nugget machines

7 Euhomy Ice Maker Countertop

Euhomy Ice Maker Countertop

The Euhomy Ice Maker Countertop sticks to the bullet-ice formula, making nine cubes in six minutes and rated for 26.5 lbs per day. Weighing 12.98 lbs with a sturdy handle and a 9.25 x 11.54 x 11.61 in shell, it's built to carry to the kitchen, office, or campsite. A see-through window and infrared sensor let you keep tabs on production without opening the lid.

PROS
  • Nine bullet cubes in 6 minutes
  • Rated 26.5 lbs per day
  • Light 12.98 lb body with handle
  • Auto-cleaning operation
CONS
  • Bullet cubes only, no nugget ice
  • Single ice size unlike some sibling models

8 Euhomy Nugget Ice Maker Countertop

Euhomy Nugget Ice Maker Countertop

Built for households that don't want to wait between batches, the Euhomy Nugget Ice Maker Countertop is rated at 40 lbs over 24 hours of soft, chewable pellet ice, with the first batch in seven to ten minutes. An automated cleaning program handles upkeep, and the 13.8 x 9.8 x 14.9 in frame is sized to sit on a counter. It's a high-output nugget option a step below the priciest pick.

PROS
  • Rated 40 lbs of pellet ice over 24 hours
  • Soft, chewable nugget ice
  • First batch in 7 to 10 minutes
  • Automated cleaning program
CONS
  • Among the larger machines at 14.9 in tall
  • Premium price relative to the bullet units

9 Euhomy Ice Maker Machine

Euhomy Ice Maker Machine

The Euhomy Ice Maker Machine is the most pared-back listing in the group, leading with a superior-quality build and warranty promise and shipping with the usual handle, ice basket, scoop, and manual. Its 26 lbs capacity and roughly 12.9 lb weight keep it in familiar Euhomy bullet-ice territory. With a thinner spec sheet than the leaders, it lands lower in the ranking but stays a serviceable value option.

PROS
  • Superior-quality build and warranty promise
  • Rated 26 lbs capacity
  • Light at about 12.9 lbs
  • Includes handle, basket, and scoop
CONS
  • Sparse spec sheet compared with the top picks
  • No stated ice-making speed or window like its siblings

10 Euhomy Countertop Ice Maker Machine

Euhomy Countertop Ice Maker Machine

The Euhomy Countertop Ice Maker Machine offers the brand's proven bullet-ice recipe in a red shell: nine cubes in six minutes, 26 lbs per day, and a 13.89 lb body with a carry handle. A see-through window and infrared sensor track production at a glance, and self-cleaning keeps upkeep light. It ranks last mostly because higher picks deliver more, not because it falls short on basics.

PROS
  • First bullet ice in about 6 minutes
  • Rated 26 lbs per day
  • Carry handle on a 13.89 lb body
  • Self-cleaning operation
CONS
  • Bullet cubes only, no nugget ice
  • No notable drawbacks in the listed feature data

8 Things to Consider Before Buying Ice Makers

Start with the ice you actually want, because that single choice splits this whole lineup in two. From there, weigh daily output against the counter or cabinet space you can spare, then factor in portability if the machine is going to travel. The picks higher in our ranking scored better across that balance, so use rank as a shortcut once you've settled on ice type.

Nugget vs. bullet ice
This is the first fork in the road. Nugget and pellet machines like the Kismile Nugget Ice Makers Countertop and the Euhomy Nugget Ice Maker Countertop make soft, chewable ice that's prized for cocktails and soda. Bullet-ice units such as the Antarctic Star and the Euhomy Countertop Ice Maker Machine instead drop hollow cubes fast, which suits everyday drink-chilling better than slow sipping.
Daily ice output
Rated capacity ranges widely across this group. Several bullet machines, including the Antarctic Star and the Euhomy Countertop Ice Maker Machine, are rated around 26 lbs per 24 hours, while nugget units climb higher: the Kismile lists 35 lbs/day and the Euhomy Nugget Ice Maker Countertop tops out at 44 lbs/24H. Match the number to how many people you're feeding, not the highest figure on the page.
Time to first batch
Speed to that first scoop matters when guests are already standing around. Bullet machines here are the quick draws, with the Euhomy Countertop Ice Maker Machine and the Antarctic Star both citing roughly six minutes for an initial batch. Nugget units take a touch longer, the Kismile-style soft ice and the Euhomy pebble models landing in the seven-to-ten-minute window per their listings.
Footprint and portability
Counter real estate is finite, so check dimensions before you fall for a model. The Euhomy Countertop Ice Maker Machine lists a compact 11.57 x 11.42 x 8.74 in shell with a carry handle, and the Antarctic Star matches that small 8.74 x 11.47 x 11.57 in footprint. Larger nugget units, like the 13.8 x 9.8 x 14.9 in Euhomy pellet model, ask for noticeably more room.
Self-cleaning convenience
Almost every machine in this lineup advertises a self-cleaning or auto-cleaning cycle, from the one-touch maintenance on the Antarctic Star to the built-in deep-clean systems on the Euhomy nugget units. Treat it less as a tiebreaker and more as a baseline; the real question is whether the cycle is one-button simple, which the Kismile and Euhomy models emphasize.
Quiet operation
If the maker lives in a kitchen or near a workspace, noise is worth a look. The Antarctic Star spells out whisper-quiet operation under 40 dB, and the Euhomy bullet machines lean on an "ultra quieter" claim in their listings. Quieter cycles make a difference when the unit runs while you're talking, working, or watching something.
Included accessories
The extras shape day-to-day use more than you'd expect. Most Euhomy bullet models ship with a handle, ice basket, and scoop, and the Antarctic Star includes a basket and scoop too. A see-through window, called out on several Euhomy units, lets you watch the batch progress without lifting the lid.
Ice cube size options
A few bullet machines let you pick the cube. The Euhomy Ice Maker Countertop and the Antarctic Star both make two sizes of bullet ice, handy when you want smaller cubes for fast chilling and larger ones that melt slower. Nugget units skip this, since the appeal there is the single soft, chewable pellet.

Our Final Verdict

The Kismile Nugget Ice Makers Countertop takes the top spot on the strength of its 35 lbs/day of chewable nugget ice, self-cleaning system, and one-click operation. The Antarctic Star Countertop Ice Maker Machine is the value choice, delivering bullet ice in about six minutes from an energy-conscious, sub-40 dB design that travels well. If you want the most ice and a larger nugget machine, the Euhomy Nugget Ice Maker Countertop is the premium step up, rated at 44 lbs/24H of soft pellet ice. Pick by the ice you crave first, then by how much of it you need.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the best ice maker?

The Kismile Nugget Ice Makers Countertop is our top pick of the ten machines we compared. It pairs a 35 lbs/day output of chewable nugget ice with a self-cleaning system and one-click operation, making it the most well-rounded choice for home use.

What's the difference between nugget ice and bullet ice?

Nugget (or pellet) ice is the soft, chewable kind made by machines like the Kismile Nugget Ice Makers Countertop and the Euhomy Nugget Ice Maker Countertop. Bullet ice is the hollow cube produced quickly by units such as the Antarctic Star and the Euhomy Countertop Ice Maker Machine, better suited to fast drink-chilling than slow chewing.

How fast does a countertop ice maker make ice?

It depends on the type. Bullet-ice machines are the quickest here, with the Euhomy Countertop Ice Maker Machine and the Antarctic Star both citing about six minutes for the first batch. Nugget models like the Euhomy pellet units run a little longer, in the seven-to-ten-minute range per their listings.

How much ice can these machines make in a day?

Output varies by model. Bullet machines such as the Antarctic Star and the Euhomy Countertop Ice Maker Machine are rated around 26 lbs per 24 hours, while nugget units run higher: the Kismile is rated 35 lbs/day and the Euhomy Nugget Ice Maker Countertop reaches 44 lbs/24H.

Are these ice makers hard to clean?

Not really. Nearly every machine in this guide includes a self-cleaning or auto-cleaning cycle, from the one-touch maintenance cycle on the Antarctic Star to the built-in deep-clean systems on the Euhomy nugget models, so routine upkeep is largely automated.

Which ice maker is best for an RV or camping?

Look for a compact, portable shell. The Antarctic Star fits an 8.74 x 11.47 x 11.57 in footprint and is pitched for RVs, tailgates, and the beach, while the Euhomy Countertop Ice Maker Machine weighs about 13 lbs and adds a sturdy carry handle, making both easy to move and stow.

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