Quick Answer: For most homes the Frigidaire EFIC452 is the best countertop ice maker in 2026 — up to 40 lbs of clear, square ice a day for around $130, with a small footprint and no plumbing. If you specifically want soft, chewable nugget ice, step up to the GE Profile Opal 2.0 (about $449); if you want the cheapest fast option, grab the Silonn portable (about $69-90). Prices verified August 2026. Outfitting a camper instead of a kitchen? See our best ice makers for an RV guide.
A countertop ice maker gives you a steady supply of ice in minutes without a water line, a freezer tray, or a trip to the store. We tested and researched the leading 2026 models across three ice styles — bullet, cube, and nugget — and ranked them on speed, daily output, and value. Here are our picks.
Our top countertop ice maker picks at a glance
| Ice Maker | Best for | Ice type | Price | Rating |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Frigidaire EFIC452 | Best overall value | Square | ~$130 | ★★★★★ |
| GE Profile Opal 2.0 | Best nugget ice | Nugget | ~$449 | ★★★★★ |
| Silonn Portable | Best budget / fastest | Bullet | ~$80 | ★★★★☆ |
| Frigidaire EFIC117-SS | Best compact | Bullet | ~$110 | ★★★★☆ |
| Euhomy Countertop | Best for entertaining | Bullet | ~$140 | ★★★★☆ |
1. Frigidaire EFIC452 — Best Overall Value
Frigidaire EFIC452 Countertop Ice Maker
- The most ice per day at the lowest cost — up to 40 lbs of clear, square ice for around $130.
- Two cube sizes, fast first batch, and a simple see-through lid.
- A proven category workhorse from a trusted appliance brand.
- Bin isn't refrigerated, so use the ice or it slowly melts back into the reservoir.
The Frigidaire EFIC452 is the value champion of countertop ice makers. It makes more ice per day than most rivals, costs about $130, and comes from a brand with a long track record. For everyday drinks, coolers, and casual entertaining, it’s all the ice maker most households need. Its ice is clear and square rather than the hollow, opaque cubes most budget bullet units produce — a step up in looks for the same reservoir-fed convenience. See our full Frigidaire ice maker review for more on how it compares to the smaller EFIC117-SS, or our best clear ice makers guide if dense, glass-clear cocktail cubes are the priority.
2. GE Profile Opal 2.0 — Best Nugget Ice
GE Profile Opal 2.0 Nugget Ice Maker
- The gold standard for soft, chewable "Sonic-style" nugget ice.
- Wi-Fi app scheduling and an optional side tank for days between refills.
- Costs far more than bullet units — you're paying for texture, not quantity.
If what you actually want is chewable ice, no bullet machine will satisfy you — you need a nugget maker, and the Opal 2.0 is the best of them. It sits on the counter like any portable unit but produces soft, craveable nuggets instead of hard cubes. It’s our overall favorite in the best nugget ice maker guide, too.
3. Silonn Portable — Best Budget & Fastest
Silonn Portable Ice Maker
- The fastest first-ice unit we tested and the simplest to operate.
- Carry handle and self-cleaning mode make it great for RVs and patios.
- Smaller reservoir and output, but unbeatable at around $80.
The Silonn is the pick when price and speed matter most. It delivers its first cubes faster than nearly anything else, weighs little, and has a handle so you can move it to the patio or pack it for a trip. Add water and vinegar and its self-clean mode flushes itself out. For a first ice maker or a second unit, it’s a bargain.
Want another budget option at a similar price? The Avalon Bay AB-ICE26S is a comparable 26 lbs/24H bullet machine for about $129 — heavier and less compact than the Silonn, but a solid no-plumbing alternative if the Silonn is out of stock.
4. Frigidaire EFIC117-SS — Best Compact
Frigidaire EFIC117-SS Compact Ice Maker
- Small, reliable, and affordable — a category staple for years.
- Makes 9 bullet cubes every ~7 minutes in two sizes.
- Ideal for tight counters, offices, and small kitchens.
The EFIC117-SS is the compact classic. It won’t out-produce the EFIC452, but it fits where bigger units won’t and just works. If your counter space is limited and you want a no-drama bullet ice maker, this is the safe buy.
5. Euhomy Countertop — Best for Entertaining
Euhomy Countertop Ice Maker
- High daily output and a roomy bin for parties and gatherings.
- Fast cycle times and easy-fill reservoir.
- Great value from a brand that also makes strong nugget units.
When you’re hosting, output is king. The Euhomy countertop keeps up with a crowd thanks to fast cycles and high daily production, and it typically costs less than $150. Pair it with a cooler to bank ice ahead of guests arriving.
How to choose a countertop ice maker
- Ice type: Bullet/cube for fast, cheap chilling; nugget for soft, chewable texture. Decide this first — it splits the entire category. Our nugget vs cube ice maker guide breaks down which texture fits which drinks.
- Daily output: 26-40 lbs/day is typical. Higher output matters if you entertain or fill coolers.
- First-batch speed: Most units deliver ice in 6-10 minutes. Great for on-demand use.
- Footprint & portability: Measure your counter. Most bullet units run about 9-12 inches wide and 11-14 inches tall, while nugget machines like the Opal need closer to 13-17 inches — see our ice maker size guide for exact dimensions by size class. A handle and self-clean mode help if you’ll move the unit. Tight on space? See our best small ice makers for the most compact picks that still make real ice.
- Maintenance: Every countertop unit scales up over time. Run a nickel-safe descaler monthly — see our best ice maker cleaners and descalers — to keep output and taste where they started. A clean cycle helps but does not descale on its own; our best self-cleaning ice makers guide explains exactly what the button does and doesn’t do.
- No plumbing needed: Every model here is reservoir-fed — pour water in, no water line. That’s the whole appeal of countertop over undercounter.
- Finish: Most budget bullet units ship in black or white plastic. If you want the countertop to match a stainless kitchen, see our best stainless steel ice makers guide for the models that actually deliver a genuine brushed-steel front.
Remember: countertop ice makers make ice on demand but don’t keep it frozen indefinitely. The bin isn’t a freezer, so ice slowly melts back into the reservoir to be remade. Use it, cooler it, or move it to your freezer.
Countertop ice makers by the numbers
The case for a countertop unit is easier to see in figures than in adjectives:
| Metric | Figure | Why it matters |
|---|---|---|
| Countertop ice maker output | 26-44 lbs/day | Per manufacturer spec sheets across the models above — enough to refill a cooler in an afternoon. |
| Built-in fridge icemaker output | ~3-5 lbs/day | The figure appliance makers such as GE and Whirlpool publish for a standard freezer icemaker — roughly ten times less than a $150 countertop unit. |
| First batch of ice | 6-10 minutes | Silonn and Frigidaire both quote sub-10-minute first batches; a freezer tray takes 3-4 hours. |
| Bagged ice, delivered or in-store | ~$2-4 per 10-lb bag | Two bags a week is roughly $250-350 a year — a ~$150 machine pays for itself inside one summer. |
| Typical countertop footprint | ~9-12" W x 8-12" D x 11-14" H | Manufacturer spec sheets across bullet-ice models on this page — small enough for a counter corner or bar cart with a few inches to spare for the vents. Nugget units like the Opal run larger; see our [ice maker size guide](/guides/ice-maker-size/) for the full breakdown. |
That last row is the honest reason most people end up buying one: a countertop ice maker is not a luxury, it’s a replacement for the ice run. If you buy bagged ice even semi-regularly, the machine is cheaper than the habit within a season.
One cost that is not on that list is shipping — every machine on this page clears Amazon’s $35 free-shipping threshold on its own, whether or not you pay for a membership. We ran the full math in our guide to whether Amazon Prime is worth it for ice maker shoppers.
The bottom line
The Frigidaire EFIC452 is the best countertop ice maker for most people — maximum ice, minimum price, trusted brand. Choose the GE Profile Opal 2.0 if you want chewable nugget ice, or the Silonn portable if you want the cheapest, fastest, most packable option. Buying for a workplace break room instead of a kitchen? Our best ice makers for an office guide sizes the machine by headcount. Taking it out to the deck or patio? See which units survive it in our best outdoor ice makers guide. Shopping for a mini fridge instead and assuming it’ll make ice on its own? Read our best mini fridge with ice maker guide first — most “built-in” makers are just a slow ice tray, and any pick above paired with a basic fridge works better. Not sure which name on the shelf you can actually trust? Our best ice maker brands guide breaks down who’s behind each label, including which countertop names are licensed products rather than in-house builds. Not in a rush to buy? Check our ice maker deals guide for when these machines have actually gone on sale.