10 Best Countertop Crushed Ice Maker 2024 in the US

10 Best Countertop Crushed Ice Maker of 2021

Who doesn't love a margarita or a smoothie on a hot day? Our top 10 list shows you the cheapest and highest-rated countertop crushed ice maker on the market.

Intro

When the weather gets hot, an icy, slushy drink, or a fruity cocktail is a delicious way to cool down. While ice machines were once exclusively found in bars and restaurants, today’s compact and affordable models make it easy for anyone to enjoy crushed ice from the comfort of their own home.

Ice Type

Not all ice is created equal. It may sound trivial, but different ice shapes are best suited to different uses. Choose an ice maker that produces the type of ice you will find most useful. Our list of the top 10 crushed ice makers showcases ice makers of all types. Some crushed ice makers can make more than one ice shape.

• Bullet-shaped ice breaks down easily in a blender, making it ideal for smoothies or blended cocktails.

• Clear ice is free of bubbles, making for a denser ice cube that lasts longer when chilling drinks.

• Nugget ice is compressed, making it easier to chew without hurting your teeth. It has a soft, almost airy consistency and is unique in its ability to cool drinks quickly while melting slowly. It is also known as Sonic ice after the Sonic restaurant chain that made this style of ice popular. Other names for this popular ice shape are pebble ice, pellet ice, and “the good ice.”

• Shaved or flaked ice melts right on the tongue like the ice in a snow cone. It is also used to keep displayed food cold, like at a buffet counter.

If you go with a machine like the Sycees 44Lbs/24H Ice Maker Shaver, 2-in-1 Ice Machine, Portable Countertop Bullet Ice Cube Maker & Shaver, you won’t have to choose between an ice maker and shaver. You’ll get both in one powerful, versatile machine.

Sycees Ice Maker and Shaver

Finally, be sure you’re buying an ice maker with a reliable warranty. Hopefully, you’ll enjoy making ice for years to come, but if something goes wrong with your machine, you’ll want to be sure you have who to turn to for a replacement.

Why You Should Buy a Crushed Ice Maker

You may not have given ice much thought, but a crushed ice maker is a very useful appliance to own. It lets you avoid the tedious chore of refilling ice cube trays that inevitably spill or crack. It saves storage space in your freezer. And if you need large amounts of ice, you’ll never have to run out to the store to buy bags of ice cubes again.

Do you love to entertain at home? You’ll want to be sure you always have enough ice for company, whether to make mixed drinks, or to cool off your guests’ beverages. Maybe you love hunting, fishing, or camping. It can be convenient to quickly and effortlessly produce large amounts of ice to keep meat, fish, or drinks fresh and cold.

If ice is a big deal to you, you’re not alone. Turns out Americans are known to be particularly ice obsessed. Ready to buy your very own crushed ice maker? No need to freeze up. Check out our cool list of the top 10 best crushed ice makers around.

What to Look for in a Crushed Ice Maker

The various features offered by different crushed ice makers will guide you towards the model that’s right for your needs. Here’s what to consider before you buy:

Stainless Steel vs. Plastic

In general, crushed ice makers are made of stainless steel or plastic. Stainless steel may be more expensive, but that’s because it’s made of higher quality material. A crushed ice maker with a stainless steel body will be more durable and easier to clean than a plastic unit.

This top-rated Costway Stainless Steel Ice Maker looks sleek and is made of high-quality ABS stainless steel. It’s portable and has a self-cleaning function, so you’ll never have to deal with limescale. It can produce 33 lbs of ice in 24 hours. Plus, it comes with an ice scoop and a removable basket.

Costway Stainless Steel Ice Maker

Size and Capacity

While some industrial-grade crushed ice makers go under your counter, most home consumers are looking for a compact model that sits right on top of the kitchen counter. You’ll want to find a machine that produces enough ice for your needs without being too bulky. The crushed ice makers we featured in our top ten list can make 26, 33, or up to 44 lbs. of ice in a 24-hour period! That’s a whole lot of ice!

Time matters, too. If you tend to need ice in a hurry, pay attention to how quickly your ice maker can produce ice. Some machines can produce a nice amount of crushed ice in ten minutes or less.

Some buyers opt for a crushed ice maker they can take along with them on camping, fishing, or hunting trips. If this is the case, you should pay attention to the weight of the crushed ice maker you choose. A lightweight machine means you can get plenty of fresh ice even on the go.

The Igloo ICEB33SL Large-Capacity Automatic Portable Electric Countertop Ice Maker Machine offers the convenience of a compact, portable unit that makes 9 ice cubes in just 7 minutes. It also stores up to 2 lbs. of ice at a time.

Igloo Large-Capacity Countertop Ice Maker

Ease of Use

Lots of things in life can be frustrating. Crushed ice makers shouldn’t be one of them. Look for a crushed ice maker that is fuss-free and simple to use. Most of the models we liked featured an illuminated LED control panel, which makes it easy to see when you need to add water when the basket is full or to choose what type of ice cubes to make.

The top of the line AICOOK Nugget Ice Maker for Countertop was a huge hit with our testers because it is so easy to use.

It has an advanced, infrared sensor that stops making ice when the bin is full and resumes ice production when ice is scooped out, saving you from monitoring these tasks yourself. Plus, this model saves water by recycling any melted water from within the unit and turning it into fresh ice again.

Useful extra features offered by some crushed ice makers include an ice scoop, a removable ice basket, and a measuring cup.

Want to keep your crushed ice maker fresh and sanitary? Be sure you’re buying a machine that’s easy to clean. It can be a messy hassle if your machine needs to be manually drained. The self-cleaning function on several models we tested makes life a little easier. Simply press the “CLEAN” button to start a cleaning cycle that automatically flushes out the system and keeps your machine running well.

Noise Level

Loud, grinding ice makers have been replaced by quieter, less obtrusive models. If you’re looking for a crushed ice machine for your home, don’t forget to choose a quiet machine that won’t be a noisy nuisance when you’re trying to entertain or hold a conversation. Most crushed ice machines will be labeled with a decibel (dB) number, so look out for it when you’re making your selection. We recommend going with a machine that runs at around 45 decibels or less.

Wrap Up

Our list of the best countertop crushed ice makers is just the tip of the iceberg. Check out some of our other buying guides so you can be sure you’re getting the best deals out there on top-quality products of all kinds.

A crushed ice maker is a surprising little appliance that adds ease to your entertainment and brings a fun vibe to celebrations big and small. It’s easy to find an affordable, compact ice maker that offers a whole host of great features. Doubtful? Buy one of our top-rated ice machines and you’ll be surprised at how often you find yourself making ice. Bottoms up to that!