Complete coverage
The Best Ice Makers (2026)
Never buy a bag of ice again: countertop to built-in picks that keep up.
Ice is the most underestimated variable in a drink. Nugget ice chills fast and chews satisfyingly, clear cubes melt slowly in whiskey, and bullet ice is the workhorse of coolers and sodas. A countertop ice maker pays for itself the first summer you stop buying bags, but only if its output matches your household's actual consumption.
Our picks below compare ice type first, because that decides daily happiness more than any spec, then daily output, cycle speed, and the footprint reality of each design.
Every guide on best ice makers (2026)
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The Best Ice Makers (2026)
The best ice makers of 2026: nugget, bullet, and clear-cube picks for homes, bars, and entertaining. Research-based rankings with no fake testing claims.
For the nugget-obsessed: every home option for chewable ice, ranked.
Best Nugget Ice Makers (2026)
The best nugget ice makers for home: chewable Sonic-style ice without the drive-thru.
Ranked by portability: size, weight, and how little setup each unit demands.
Best Portable Ice Makers (2026)
The best portable ice makers: compact countertop units for RVs, boats, offices, and small kitchens.
Permanent installs only: ranked on output, ice quality, and installation sanity.
Best Undercounter Ice Makers (2026)
The best undercounter ice makers: built-in units for home bars and serious entertaining.
Review
GE Opal 2.0 Nugget Ice Maker Review (2026)
GE Opal 2.0 Nugget Ice Maker — Chewable nugget ice on demand with app scheduling.
Review
Euhomy Countertop Ice Maker Review (2026)
Euhomy Countertop Ice Maker — Fast bullet ice for parties, coolers, and everyday drinks.
Review
NewAir 50 lb. Freestanding Ice Maker Review (2026)
NewAir 50 lb. Freestanding Ice Maker — Built-in grade output for serious entertainers.
Head to head
GE Opal 2.0 vs Euhomy Countertop (2026)
GE Opal 2.0 vs Euhomy countertop ice maker: nugget luxury versus bullet-ice value.
Head to head
NewAir 50 lb vs Frigidaire Countertop (2026)
NewAir 50 lb freestanding vs Frigidaire countertop ice maker: party scale versus compact convenience.
Buying guide
Ice Maker Buying Guide (2026)
How to choose an ice maker: ice types, output math, installation needs, and the decision framework for your household.
Fix it
Ice Maker Not Working? Fixes (2026)
Ice maker problems solved: no ice production, small or cloudy cubes, leaks, and strange noises.