How to Choose the Best Ice Makers: A Buyer’s Guide

How to Choose the Best Ice Makers: A Buyer’s Guide

Nothing beats the convenience of owning an ice maker. It’s slowly becoming a staple in the kitchen as temperatures rise and people seek more than just relief from water.Why fill your fridge with ice trays when you can get cubes straight out of a different machine?

But like any other appliance, buying an ice maker takes a little more thought than just choosing one with the most visual appeal. You should also consider the following factors: Type of ice machine There are several ice machines depending on how they are installed. Although their functions are the same; making ice, it’s still wise to make a distinction between their differences: 

Built-in These machines are your biggest options, ranging from 63.5cm to 88.9cm tall. They are designed to fit within your cabinets, much like a dishwasher.

Built-in ice cube makers produce a lot of ice; however, they also require a dedicated water line.



Freestanding If you don’t want a built-in system, freestanding machines are your next best option. Unfortunately, they are just as big as the former, requiring a dedicated water line and producing the same amount of ice.



Countertop For those looking for portability, countertop ice makers are the best alternative. These can be as small as your toaster or roughly 30.8 x 22.4 x 28.3cm.

Unlike built-in and freestanding models, portable ice machines do not require a water line. However, this also means they produce much less ice.

Storage capacity Making ice isn’t the only essential aspect of ice machines. You must also be able to store it for an extended period, especially if you’re using the system during a party or small gathering.Luckily, many portable makers can store up to 1.6L of ice, enough for cooling up to four drinks!

Energy efficiency If you require the ice maker for a big event, chances are, you’ll be using it for most of the day. Unfortunately, this also means consuming a lot of energy, unless you find a machine with excellent efficiency.

The key is to find ice makers that only consume around 120W of power, or 160W at most (for bigger machines).

Other features Finally, consider the additional functions you want to see in your ice maker. For instance,one-touch operation could increase your convenience, while an alert window can help you keep track of when the ice bucket is full!