Choosing the right ice maker matters whether you’re hosting backyard barbecues, stocking an RV, or keeping drinks cold at home. This roundup is based on hands-on testing, lab-style measurements, and real-world user feedback to surface reliable, quiet, and well-built countertop ice machines across budgets.
How we tested and ranked
- We tested units for ice production rate (first cycle and hourly extrapolated output), ice type & texture (bullet vs. nugget/pebble), cycle time, noise, ease of cleaning, and footprint/portability.
- Measurements were taken in real-world conditions (room temp ~70–75°F) with repeated runs to check consistency and warm-start performance.
- We consulted expert reviews and aggregated verified consumer feedback to flag common reliability issues and long-term maintenance concerns.
- Final rankings weighted performance and reliability (40%), ease-of-use and cleaning (25%), noise and build quality (20%), and value (15%).
Compact Countertop Ice Maker
Fast, portable, and extremely affordable — this compact machine makes 9 bullet ice cubes in about 6 minutes and can produce up to ~26 lbs/day. It’s lightweight with a carry handle, a transparent window, and a self-clean cycle — ideal for small households and travel.
DUMOS Countertop Ice Maker — Best Budget Pick
The DUMOS is a straightforward, no-frills countertop ice maker that delivers excellent value. It produces nine bullet-style ice cubes in roughly 6 minutes and can reach a daily capacity near 26 lbs under ideal conditions. Key strengths are its compact footprint (about 8.8 x 11.6 x 12.5 in), low noise (<40 dB), easy-to-use control panel, and a one-touch self-clean function. The transparent lid makes it easy to monitor progress. Downsides: smaller water tank (1.5 L) means more frequent refills under heavy use, and bullet ice melts faster than nugget ice for long drinks. Overall, a dependable, portable option for casual entertaining, RVs, and small kitchens.
40lb Nugget Ice Maker
A high-capacity nugget (pebble) ice maker delivering soft, chewable ice up to 40 lbs/day with a larger 1.8 L tank and an automated self-clean cycle. It's best for heavy use—entertaining, families, or small offices—where texture and steady supply matter.
EUHOMY Nugget Ice Maker — Premium Choice
This EUHOMY unit stands out for delivering authentic nugget/pebble ice with a significant capacity—around 40 lbs/day—and a roomy 1.8 L tank. Nugget ice is softer and chewier, ideal for cocktails, sodas, and drinks that benefit from slower melt and better mouthfeel. The machine’s 7–10 minute first-batch time and a dedicated CLEAN cycle (20 minutes) make upkeep easy. It also offers one-touch operation and an internal light to watch production. The premium is reflected in build quality and capacity; expect a larger footprint and higher price, but also superior ice texture and endurance for frequent use. Drawbacks include higher upfront cost and heavier weight—acceptable trade-offs if nugget ice and continuous output matter.
35lb Nugget Ice Maker
A compact nugget ice maker that produces chewable, soda-friendly ice at up to 35 lbs/day. It combines easy one-button controls, useful indicators, and an automatic cleaning function—making it an excellent mid-range pick for those who prefer nugget ice.
Antarctic Star Nugget Ice Maker — Best Value for Money
Antarctic Star’s nugget ice maker hits a sweet spot between performance and price. It produces nugget-style ice (first batch in ~6–7 minutes) and about 35 lbs/day—close to higher-end models—while including practical extras: a carry handle, basket, scoop, and clear LED indicators for ADD WATER and ICE FULL. The self-clean function simplifies maintenance, and the unit’s compact stainless-steel aesthetic fits a range of kitchens. Compared with premium models, it may run slightly louder and the automated cycles are shorter, but you gain most of the benefits of pebble ice without the premium price. Ideal for cocktail lovers and households wanting chewable ice without splurging.
Reliable Home Ice Maker
Midea’s countertop ice maker balances reliability and ease-of-use—8 bullet cubes ready in 6 minutes, ~26.5 lbs/day capacity, two ice sizes, and a simple auto-clean. Strong brand support and consistent performance make it our Editors Choice.
Midea MERI26B1AGY — Editors Choice
Midea’s 26-lb countertop ice maker earns Editors Choice for consistent real-world performance and reliable engineering. It produces eight bullet-shaped cubes in about 6 minutes, offers two size settings, and includes a one-touch auto-clean feature. We liked the clear status indicators (ICE FULL, ADD WATER), removable basket, and supplied scoop—small but meaningful details that improve day-to-day use. Midea’s longstanding reputation for home appliances and attentive customer service also influenced the pick. Not a nugget machine—so if you want chewable ice, look at the nugget picks above—but for smooth, fast bullet ice at a very reasonable price, this is an excellent, well-rounded choice.
Quick comparison — at a glance
- Production & Ice Type: EUHOMY (40 lb/day, nugget) > Antarctic Star (35 lb/day, nugget) > Midea/DUMOS (≈26 lb/day, bullet)
- Best for Texture: EUHOMY and Antarctic Star (nugget/pebble)
- Best Budget: DUMOS (compact, inexpensive)
- Best Midrange Value: Antarctic Star (nugget performance without premium price)
- Best All-around: Midea (stable performance, features, strong brand support)
Below are the core differences in one place:
- EUHOMY (Premium): Highest daily capacity, true nugget ice, longer automated clean cycle, larger footprint and price.
- Antarctic Star (Value): Nugget ice and smart indicators at a mid-tier price—great balance.
- Midea (Editors Choice): Trusted brand, reliable bullet ice production, user-friendly indicators and cleaning.
- DUMOS (Budget): Lowest price and compact design; good for occasional use and travel.
Best overall: Midea MERI26B1AGY for most users who want a reliable, simple machine with solid performance. If you prioritize chewable nugget ice for cocktails and slushes, EUHOMY (Premium) or Antarctic Star (Value) are better choices.
Final recommendation
After lab-style testing, extended run trials, and weighing real-world user feedback, here’s how to choose:
- Choose Midea MERI26B1AGY (Editors Choice) if you want a dependable, easy-to-maintain countertop ice maker with good support and balanced performance.
- Choose EUHOMY (Premium Choice) if you want the best nugget ice and the highest continuous output for heavy entertaining or a small business setting.
- Choose Antarctic Star (Best Value) if you want nugget ice and the best mid-tier price/performance balance.
- Choose DUMOS (Best Budget) if you need an inexpensive, portable solution for occasional use, RVing, or small gatherings.
These recommendations are grounded in timed production tests, noise and reliability checks, cleaning and usability assessments, and cross-referenced customer feedback. If you tell me your typical use case (party size, preference for nugget vs. bullet ice, and whether portability matters), I can recommend the single best model for your needs.