When the weather is warm, there’s nothing as refreshing as a cold drink. But if you travel regularly, you may not be able to rely on a fridge ice maker to give you a steady supply. Portable ice makers allow you to make ice on the go anywhere you have access to an outlet. If you find yourself constantly wishing you had ice in your beverage when you’re away from home, there are various types of portable ice makers currently available that you should take into consideration.
If you plan to travel with an ice maker, its weight is the most crucial detail to consider. Countertop ice makers typically weigh between 5 and 30 pounds. While you might think the lightest option is best for an on-the-go ice maker, super lightweight models tend to be small and don’t make as much ice.
For an on-the-go ice maker, it’s generally best to stick to models that weigh between 10 and 20 pounds. These machines are large enough to produce a good amount of ice but not so heavy that they’re difficult to carry around.
If you need to make ice for a large group, an ice maker’s production capacity is another essential feature. Most portable ice makers can make between 20 and 40 pounds of ice per day, but it’s also important to consider how quickly a machine can produce ice. Stick to portable models that can make at least one cube per minute.
Portable ice makers can produce ice in various shapes, but each model generally only makes one shape. Common ice shapes include cube, half cube, nugget and crescent. The shape of the ice can affect its texture, so you may prefer one type to another.
Many countertop ice makers can make multiple sizes of ice, though. They typically offer two sizes, but you can find some that produce three. They usually include small, medium and large options.
Homelabs Portable Ice Maker Machine
Weighing less than 20 pounds, this ice maker is ideal for taking on the go. It can make 26 pounds every 24 hours and hold up to 1.5 pounds in the included basket. It also has a reservoir that uses the water from melted ice to produce fresh ice.
Sold by Amazon
Designed to produce ice quickly, this portable ice maker can make its first batch within six to eight minutes. It can hold over a pound of ice in the storage basket and has easy-to-use LED touch screen controls. It weighs just over 13 pounds, so it’s also lightweight and easy to carry too.
Sold by Amazon
This portable ice maker can produce up to 26 pounds of ice every 24 hours, making nine bullet-shaped cubes every seven minutes. It has an indicator light to let you know when it’s time to add water and another light to alert you when the ice bucket is full. You can choose from two ice cube sizes.
Sold by Amazon
Deco Rapid Portable Automatic Ice Maker
This countertop ice maker weighs less than 5 pounds, so it may be the most portable model you can find. It features a well-insulated storage bin that can hold up to 1.5 pounds of ice and includes a scoop to make it easy to empty. It’s also available in several fun colors, including red and royal blue.
Igloo Automatic Self-Cleaning Portable Countertop Ice Maker
This convenient countertop ice maker features a carrying handle at the top, so it’s perfect for taking on the road. It can produce 26 pounds of ice per day and features an automatic self-cleaning cycle. The user-friendly illuminated control panel lets you make ice with the press of a single button.
Sold by Amazon
Frigidaire Self-Cleaning Ice Maker
This compact ice maker is highly efficient, taking just six minutes to produce a batch of ice. It can make up to 26 pounds daily and features a storage basket that can hold over 2 pounds. You can also choose between two cube sizes, and the transparent window on top lets you keep an eye on how much ice you’ve made.
Sold by Amazon
Newair Countertop Ice Maker Machine
This portable ice maker makes 28 pounds of ice every 24 hours, so it’s ideal for large groups. It takes just 10 minutes to produce a batch and allows you to choose from small, medium and large cubes. The insulated storage compartment slows down the melting process, and the ice that does melt is recycled into a fresh batch.
Sold by Amazon
Luma Comfort Clear Ice Cube Maker
This portable ice maker produces up to 28 pounds of crystal-clear ice daily. It is easy to use and features a side-mounted drain for easy drainage. The ice comes out in sheets, so the cubes are less likely to make a mess.
Sold by Amazon
This portable ice maker can make the soft, crunchy nugget ice that so many people love. It produces up to 30 pounds per day and offers a 4.4-pound ice basket for storage. It also has an infrared sensor that stops the machine once the basket is full, saving energy and preventing it from overflowing.
Sold by Amazon
Thereye Countertop Nugget Ice Maker
Another nugget ice maker, this model takes only 15 minutes to produce its first batch. It can make up to 30 pounds a day and offers a self-cleaning feature to keep your ice fresh. It also provides “add water” and “basket full” alerts.
Sold by Amazon
Gevi Household Countertop Nugget Ice Maker
This portable ice machine can make up to 29 pounds of nugget ice daily. It features a thick insulating material to slow melting, and the ice storage bucket can hold almost 5 pounds. The machine also has an intuitive control panel and offers a self-cleaning cycle to keep maintenance to a minimum.
Sold by Amazon
Sign up here to receive the BestReviews weekly newsletter for useful advice on new products and noteworthy deals.
Jennifer Blair writes for BestReviews. BestReviews has helped millions of consumers simplify their purchasing decisions, saving them time and money.
BestReviews spends thousands of hours researching, analyzing, and testing products to recommend the best picks for most consumers.
