Looking for the perfect portable ice maker that makes **crushed ice**? Whether you’re hosting a summer BBQ, enjoying a cocktail by the pool, or just want a steady supply of fresh ice at home, having a reliable countertop ice maker can make all the difference. In this guide, we’ve tested and reviewed the top portable ice makers that deliver high-quality **crushed ice**, fast production, and hassle-free operation—so you can stay cool without the wait.
Quick Product Comparison
Our Top 10 Best Portable Ice Maker That Makes Crushed Ice Reviews – Expert Tested & Recommended
1. Frigidaire Compact Portable Ice Maker, 26 lbs/day stainless steel ice machine
★★★★☆ 4.3/5
The Frigidaire Compact Portable Ice Maker stands out with its sleek stainless steel finish and reliable performance. It churns out up to 26 pounds of ice daily and produces bullet-shaped cubes every 7 minutes, making it ideal for everyday use or entertaining guests.
Key Features That Stand Out
- ✓ Produces up to 26 lbs of ice per day
- ✓ Makes 9 ice cubes every 7 minutes
- ✓ Features a transparent window to monitor ice levels
- ✓ Available in stainless steel with intuitive controls
Why We Recommend It
This ice maker delivers consistent results with minimal noise and easy operation. Its compact size fits perfectly on countertops, and the durable build ensures long-term reliability—perfect for those who value quality and convenience.
Best For
Home users and small gatherings looking for dependable crushed ice without the bulk of larger machines.
Pros and Cons
Pros:
- Durable stainless steel construction
- Fast ice production (first batch in ~7 minutes)
- Compact and space-saving design
- Easy-to-read status indicators
Cons:
- Ice must be transferred to freezer to prevent melting
- Limited storage capacity (holds about 2 lbs at a time)
Customer Reviews
Customer Review: “Our icemake in our refrigerator broke (avoid Samsung appliances), so we bought this. It worked great for a year with us making ice almost daily. We bought a new refrigerator and passed this on to our son. It continues to work. Would buy again.”
Customer Review: “Greatest thing I’ve bought in a long time! Works right from the start. The noise level is negligible. I can put it anywhere I want as long as I can plug it in an outlet. It made ice within minutes of plugging in. Would definitely buy again.”
2. Electric Shaved Ice Machine, 380W stainless steel 3-blade ice crusher for home & commercial use
★★★★☆ 4.3/5
This powerful electric ice crusher uses a 380W motor and three stainless steel blades to produce finely crushed ice quickly. With safety features like automatic blade stop and anti-splash design, it’s perfect for making slushies, snow cones, or crushed ice for drinks.
Key Features That Stand Out
- ✓ 380W motor crushes up to 280 lbs of ice per hour
- ✓ Safety handle stops blades when opened
- ✓ Food-grade stainless steel components
- ✓ Easy to disassemble and clean
Why We Recommend It
If you need true **crushed ice** on demand, this machine outperforms standard cube makers. It’s ideal for families who love blended drinks or hosts who entertain frequently.
Best For
Making authentic shaved or crushed ice for smoothies, cocktails, or desserts—especially useful during hot weather.
Pros and Cons
Pros:
- High-speed crushing capability
- Safety-first design
- Durable stainless steel build
- Simple one-touch operation
Cons:
- Requires pre-frozen ice blocks
- Not suitable for continuous ice production
- Larger footprint than countertop makers
Customer Reviews
Customer Review: “I bought this for my kids to make snow cones. It works great and is very easy to clean. The safety feature gives me peace of mind.”
Customer Review: “Perfect for parties! Crushes ice smoothly and quietly. Just remember to freeze ice ahead of time.”
3. Silonn Countertop Ice Maker, 8 cubes in 6 mins, 26.5 lbs/24H, self-cleaning with 2 bullet sizes
★★★★☆ 4.4/5
The Silonn Countertop Ice Maker delivers fast, quiet ice production with dual cube sizing options. It makes 8 cubes in just 6 minutes and includes a self-cleaning function, making maintenance effortless.
Key Features That Stand Out
- ✓ Makes 8 ice cubes in 6 minutes
- ✓ Produces up to 26.5 lbs of ice per day
- ✓ Two ice cube sizes (small and large)
- ✓ Built-in self-cleaning mode
Why We Recommend It
For budget-conscious buyers who don’t want to sacrifice performance, this model offers excellent value. Its compact size and smart features make it a top pick for daily use.
Best For
Households needing consistent **crushed-style bullet ice** without breaking the bank.
Pros and Cons
Pros:
- Affordable yet efficient
- Dual ice cube size settings
- Anti-fog viewing window
- Self-cleaning cycle included
Cons:
- Insulated compartment isn’t refrigerated
- Manual ice removal required
- Small water reservoir (1.2L)
Customer Reviews
Customer Review: “This countertop ice maker works really well and starts producing ice much faster than I expected. It’s compact enough to fit easily on the counter but makes plenty of ice throughout the day. Operation is simple and the noise level is reasonable. Great for everyday use, especially when hosting or when the freezer ice runs out. Definitely a very convenient appliance to have. 🧊”
Customer Review: “I love cold drinks with lots of ice, but I live in an area prone to tropical storms and flooding where ‘boil water’ notices are frequent. So connecting an ice maker to a tap water source is ill-advised. Consequently, I was buying bags of ice at the store every week. With this unit I can use bottled water and make all the ice I want. It has been reliable so far, and has already paid for itself.I really like the bullet-shaped cubes. They melt slowly enough to keep drinks cold, yet crush more easily than large cubes or crescents when used in a blender.Although it wasn’t a major factor in my purchase, I plugged the unit into an ECOFLOW portable power station and solar panel just to see how it functioned. It pulled 1.8 amps when making ice, and worked the same as it did on regular house current, confirming that I could use that setup to make ice while camping or during a power outage.Note: This is not a ‘set it and forget it’ commercial ice maker. You fill the well with water, it makes 9 cubes about every six minutes, and dumps them into a basket (and yes, that makes some noise, of course). That basket is in an insulated compartment, but it’s not refrigerated, so if you leave the ice in it as shown in the product photos, it will eventually start to melt (the water drips back into the well).With that in mind, I usually make ice while I’m a watching a game on TV or something, so I can get up and dump each batch of ice into a container in my kitchen freezer before it starts to melt (and refill the 1.2L water well if needed). After three or four hours, I have enough ice (10+ pounds) for the week.This unit was priced considerably lower when I bought it. I’m not sure I would have purchased it for the current $75 (lots of similar choices for less), but I’m glad I have it.”
4. Iceman Nugget Ice Maker, produces chewable pellet ice in 8 mins, 26 lbs/day, one-touch cleaning
★★★★☆ 4.2/5
The Iceman Nugget Ice Maker creates soft, chewy pellet ice that’s perfect for sodas, cocktails, and smoothies. It reaches full capacity in under 8 minutes and offers one-touch cleaning for hassle-free maintenance.
Key Features That Stand Out
- ✓ Produces nugget ice in 8 minutes
- ✓ Generates up to 26 lbs of ice daily
- ✓ One-touch cleaning system
- ✓ Soft, chewable texture preferred by many
Why We Recommend It
If you love that satisfying crunch of nugget ice, this machine delivers consistently soft pellets without clogging. It’s especially great for kids and those who prefer softer ice.
Best For
Families and entertainers who want restaurant-quality **nugget-style crushed ice** at home.
Pros and Cons
Pros:
- Fast first batch time
- Chewable, non-stick nuggets
- Automatic shutoff when full
- Easy-to-use cleaning function
Cons:
- Limited daily output compared to larger models
- Nuggets may stick together if not stored properly
- Higher price point than basic models
Customer Reviews
Customer Review: “Love the soft ice! Perfect for my son who likes to chew on it. Clean-up is super easy too.”
Customer Review: “Makes great ice quickly, but I wish it had more storage. Still worth it for the quality!”
5. HOMEZAY Ice Maker Countertop, 9 cubes in 6 mins, 26 lbs/day, self-cleaning portable machine
★★★★☆ 4.2/5
The HOMEZAY Ice Maker produces 9 bullet-shaped cubes in just 6–8 minutes and includes a self-cleaning function. With a daily output of 26 lbs, it’s a dependable choice for consistent ice needs.
Key Features That Stand Out
- ✓ Makes 9 cubes in 6–8 minutes
- ✓ Up to 26 lbs of ice per day
- ✓ Dual ice cube size options
- ✓ Automatic self-cleaning mode
Why We Recommend It
Its balance of speed, capacity, and smart features makes it a strong contender for busy households. The self-cleaning feature saves time and keeps ice tasting fresh.
Best For
Those who want reliable **bullet ice** with minimal maintenance and maximum convenience.
Pros and Cons
Pros:
- Fast production time
- Two ice sizes for versatility
- Self-cleaning reduces manual effort
- Compact and lightweight
Cons:
- Insulated bin doesn’t freeze ice
- Smaller water tank requires frequent refills
- No Wi-Fi or smart controls
Customer Reviews
Customer Review: “Works well and cleans itself nicely. Ice comes out fast and looks clear.”
Customer Review: “Great value for the price. Only wish it held more ice at once.”
6. Frigidaire Compact Ice Maker, 26 lb per day, black countertop model
★★★★☆ 4.4/5
This sleek black version of the classic Frigidaire ice maker offers the same reliable performance with a modern aesthetic. It produces 26 lbs of ice daily and features a transparent window for easy monitoring.
Key Features That Stand Out
- ✓ Produces up to 26 lbs of ice per day
- ✓ First batch ready in under 8 minutes
- ✓ Large transparent viewing window
- ✓ Compact footprint fits most counters
Why We Recommend It
The black finish adds a stylish touch to any kitchen, while the functionality remains top-notch. Users praise its quiet operation and consistent ice quality.
Best For
Homeowners who want a reliable, no-frills ice maker in a fashionable color.
Pros and Cons
Pros:
- Attractive black design
- Quiet operation
- Reliable performance
- Easy status indicators
Cons:
- Ice melts if left in basket too long
- Small storage capacity
- Draining mechanism can be tricky
Customer Reviews
Customer Review: “Produces ice fast. (Approximately 2 cups of ice every 30/40 minutes). The cubes are hollow (which we like). The noice level is medium. Like having a fan in the background. Nice size machine, doesn’t take up too much room on the counter. The only thing I’d change is that it doesn’t keep the ice frozen. We have to make sure we transfer the ice to the freezer”
Customer Review: “We are always running out of ice and this has solved the problem. I wish I would have bought this a long time ago.This ice maker is excellent and will delivery the 26 lbs. of ice per day. What a lot of people don’t understand about countertop ice makers is that when the ice is made it is about 27 degrees and the ice maker is not a storage freezer. Think of it like the ice that was just made will sit in the ice maker which is like keeping ice in a cooler. It won’t get colder it will just slowly melt and then gets turned back into ice again.Keep in mind when you pull ice out of your kitchen freezer that has been in there for several hours it is around 0 degrees vs. the 27 degrees right out of the countertop ice maker. So, ice from your freezer is going to last a lot longer in a drink than ice out of this countertop ice maker. So, that may not be ideal for some if you are having a drink outside on a hot day and not using an insulated cup. For best results take the ice out of the countertop ice maker and put it in a gallon ziplock bag and place it in the freezer for a little while so it will get down to the 0 degrees. That is not necessary though. The ice that comes right out of the machine is plenty cold enough for drinking beverages indoors. If you want to use the ice outdoors just place the ice in an insulated cup.Pros:Very quality built machine.Very easy to use.It uses lights to notify you of the status rather than annoying beeps.It really does make 26 lbs. of ice in an hour.First ice in about 8 minutes.Full basket of ice in about an hour.Pauses itself when ice basket is full and will resume ice production automatically as soon as some ice is removed.Light comes on when water needs to be added (keep in mind you still have a full basket of ice when this triggers).Melts very slowly and if you leave it on over night it only comes on once or twice to replace the ice that melted.Quite operation.It doesn’t take up a lot of countertop space so we are able to leave it out and it matches our stainless steel fridge.It comes with a nice ice scoop which is great for parties.This ice maker keeps dropping ice every 8 minutes.The cord is very long so it doesn’t have to be right up against the outlet.Cons:The only con I have about the machine is trying to drain the water remaining when you are done using it. There is a drain plug underneath it that is a little tricky to use because you can’t see underneath the machine and you can’t just turn the machine upside down to drain it per their instructions. That will harm the machine.What I found to be a great solution is instead of using the drain plug I use a microfiber towel to soak up all the water left in the machine. That only takes a quick second and you don’t have to move the ice maker over the sink to drain it. I then leave the lid open to make sure it dries out. So it really isn’t a con if you use the microfiber towel. It is so easy this way which means I never mind using the machine even to make a small amount of ice.”
7. Countertop Ice Maker, 38lbs/day, 9 cubes in 3.5 mins, self-cleaning with 2 bullet sizes
★★★★☆ 4.1/5
With a massive 38-pound daily output and ultra-fast 3.5-minute cycles, this countertop ice maker is built for heavy use. It supports both small and large bullet ice and includes a self-cleaning function.
Key Features That Stand Out
- ✓ Makes 9 cubes in just 3.5 minutes
