If you clean with it, it’s likely that Jon oversees its testing. Since joining the Reviewed in 2012, Jon has helped launch the company’s efforts in reviewing laptops, vacuums, and outdoor gear. In the pursuit of data, he’s plunged his hands into freezing cold water, consented to be literally dragged through the mud, and watched paint dry.
The machine’s less-than-stylish profile means you’ll need to find space for it in a cabinet. On the flip side, the Silonn Countertop Ice Maker was one we would happily display in our kitchens, but the machine’s small size meant less ice over time. If you’re on the hunt for a high-tech kitchen gift for a home cook, this frigidaire nugget ice maker was one of the best ice makers we tested. This machine has three UV light settings so you can dim or brighten the viewing window and protect against bacteria growth throughout use. The cleaning setting is super easy to use, and the machine is quiet while running, save for the pitter-patter of those nuggets being made.
The machine runs constantly, but you can set a timer if you only want it to be on and produce new ice for a certain period. During our testing, we found that what one ice maker offers with capacity and speed, it lacks in style and size. Our pick for the best ice maker overall — the Luma Comfort Clear Ice Maker — offers a practically silent motor and exceptional water capacity.
If you love cold drinks, a countertop ice maker might make your day. But whether you want to chill a tumbler of lemonade, fill a cocktail shaker, or ice enough drinks for a party, the straight-forward Magic Chef MCIM22/HNIM27 and the compact Igloo IGLICEBSC26 do the job well. I’m not the most tech-savvy person, so I was a bit worried about setting up the ice machine properly, but the instructions were thorough and self-explanatory. This basically just meant filling up the reservoir with fresh new water, inserting the ice bucket, and pressing the main button on the screen to start ice production.
After that was done, we set this Frigidaire to start making ice. We found that the EFIC255 produces about 24 ounces of ice in an hour, roughly on par with other ice makers in its price range. Though many of the ice makers we tested showed streaks on their stainless-steel finishes, this model showed them more prominently.
We also survey our members about their firsthand experiences with refrigerators to gauge a brand’s performance over time. In our most recent surveys, CR members told us about more than 80,000 new refrigerators (all with icemakers) that they purchased between 2013 and 2023. The refrigerator brands in the survey include Frigidaire, GE, Kenmore, KitchenAid, LG, Maytag, Samsung, and Whirlpool. All new refrigerators are much more efficient than models from a decade ago, but they’re not all created equal. The information on a refrigerator’s EnergyGuide label will help you find a model that will keep your utility bills in check.
This makes it convenient for use in various locations, such as kitchens, bars, offices or outdoor spaces. It’s also just much more convenient to have a constant fresh stash of nugget ice all ready for my next drink. Overall, the Luma made the most ice in an hour during our tests. 10 cups of water resulted in 24 perfectly shaped cubes or just about 1 pound and 4.5 ounces of ice in just under 24 minutes. Given the product’s high water capacity, we estimate that this ice maker can produce at least two dozen pounds of ice daily.