Best Ice Maker Brands for the Counter, Compared

On this page (7 sections)

1. Which countertop ice maker brands should you compare?
2. How do you choose among the best ice maker brands?
3. Is Euhomy a good ice maker brand for nugget ice?
4. Should you choose the Frigidaire bullet ice maker?
5. Is Silonn the right brand for portable bullet ice?
6. What does the GE Profile Opal Mini offer?
7. Which ice maker brand should you choose?

The best ice maker brands for a countertop machine depend first on the ice texture you want. Euhomy and GE Profile make chewable nugget ice, while Frigidaire and Silonn make bullet-shaped ice.

These four options also differ in size, water access, storage and cleaning. If you're still deciding which ice style suits your drinks, start with our guide to ice makers for home.

Which countertop ice maker brands should you compare?

Euhomy, Frigidaire, Silonn and GE Profile each suit a different countertop routine. Compare their ice style, stated daily output and one practical feature before looking at smaller details.

Daily output is the makers' stated maximum, not a guarantee of how much ice you'll have ready at a particular time. Refills, room conditions and how quickly you transfer ice all affect the supply on hand.

Ice type matters as much as output. Nugget ice is soft and chewable, while bullet ice has a firmer, rounded shape; learn more about the differences in our guide to nugget and pebble ice.

How do you choose among the best ice maker brands?

Start with ice style, then check counter fit, storage and maintenance. A machine can make plenty of ice over a day and still be a poor match if its bin is too small for your gatherings or its cleaning routine feels like a chore.

Which ice shape fits your drinks?

Choose Euhomy or GE Profile if you specifically want nugget ice. Both are designed for chewable ice that works in drinks such as iced coffee, smoothies and cocktails.

Choose Frigidaire or Silonn if bullet-shaped ice suits your usual drinks. Frigidaire offers 2 cube sizes, while Silonn lets you select small or large cubes.

If you're choosing between nugget styles, our guide to the best pebble ice makers for the counter covers more options in that category. The terms nugget, pebble and sonic are often used for similar chewable ice, but ice shape alone doesn't tell you whether a machine fits your counter or cleaning routine.

How much ice do you need at once?

For everyday drinks, basket size tells you more about the ready-to-scoop amount than daily output does. The Euhomy basket holds 1.8 lb, Frigidaire's holds up to 1.5 lb, Silonn's holds 1.3 lb, and the Opal Mini bin holds 2 lb.

For a party, expect to move batches into a freezer-safe container as the basket fills. A countertop machine's daily production figure doesn't mean it can store that full amount at once.

For one or two drinks at a time, any of these capacities can be workable if you're willing to let the machine run in batches. If you need ice for a crowd, prioritize a larger bin and a place to store extra ice.

Which machines fit a small counter?

Measure the full space, including cabinet clearance and room to reach the lid, controls, water opening and drain. The Silonn and Opal Mini are both relatively narrow, but the Opal Mini is deeper and taller.

Euhomy measures 8.5 in wide, 11.14 in deep and 12.28 in high. Frigidaire measures 13 in wide, 9 in deep and 13 in high.

The Silonn measures 11.42 in wide, 11.57 in deep and 8.74 in high. Its carry handle helps when you need to move it, but leave enough room around it for filling and use.

The Opal Mini measures 8.6 in wide, 15.6 in deep and 14.56 in high. Check depth before choosing it for a narrow counter, and confirm there's enough clearance to use the top-fill station.

Our guide to mini ice makers for small spaces can help if counter space is the deciding factor. Measure the usable area instead of relying on the word “compact.”

How do water access and cleaning affect daily use?

Look at how you'll refill, drain and clean the machine before buying. These steps repeat throughout ownership, so an accessible fill opening or a simple way to empty the unit can matter more than a feature you use once.

The Opal Mini has a top-fill station and a front drain tube. Euhomy has a 1.1 L reservoir and a cleaning cycle that runs for 15 minutes when you hold Ice/Clean for 3 seconds.

Frigidaire has a 2.1 qt tank and a drain plug for emptying and cleaning. Silonn has a 1.2 L tank and a cleaning cycle that runs for 30 minutes after you hold CLEAN for 5 seconds.

Silonn's cycle instructions call for removing the basket and adding water before cleaning. For more detail on that routine, see how to clean a Silonn ice maker.

What common buying mistakes should you avoid?

The main mistakes are choosing by daily output alone, overlooking the machine's depth and forgetting that ice needs somewhere to go after the basket fills. Check storage and counter dimensions alongside output.

Don't assume every model has the same cleaning routine. Frigidaire has a drain plug, while Euhomy and Silonn describe self-cleaning cycles; the Opal Mini has a front drain and a drain-and-dry system.

Also check how you plan to use the machine before paying extra for features. Wi-Fi scheduling may help if you want to plan ice production, but it won't be useful if you only need a portable machine for occasional gatherings.

Is Euhomy a good ice maker brand for nugget ice?

Euhomy suits buyers who want chewable nugget ice, a removable basket and a cleaning cycle. It makes the most sense when those features matter more than app control or moving the machine often.

The first batch can be ready in about 5–7 minutes, and the stated daily output is up to 35 lb. Its 3-color status panel tracks water, ice and cleaning, and the scoop has a side-mounted holder.

Euhomy recommends running the cleaning cycle every 30 days or after 150 hours of use, whichever comes first. After deep cleaning with descaler, run 2–3 self-cleaning cycles with fresh water and discard the first 1–2 batches of ice.

Choose Euhomy if you want nugget ice with a removable basket and clear cleaning controls. Skip it if you want app scheduling or a lighter machine to carry between locations.

Should you choose the Frigidaire bullet ice maker?

Frigidaire is a good fit if you want bullet ice, 2 size options and a straightforward way to drain the machine. Its transparent window and digital LED panel make it easy to check ice levels and adjust settings.

It makes 9 cubes about every 7 minutes and has an interior basket that holds up to 1.5 lb. Its stainless steel countertop design suits a kitchen, bar, office or dorm.

Choose Frigidaire if cube size selection and manual draining suit your routine. Skip it if you specifically want nugget ice or a machine with a described self-cleaning cycle.

Is Silonn the right brand for portable bullet ice?

Silonn suits buyers who want a bullet ice maker they can move from room to room or take to an event. Its carry handle and 13.7 lb weight make portability a clear advantage.

It makes 9 cubes in about 6 minutes, with stated daily output up to 26 lb. The basket holds 1.3 lb, and the scoop attaches to it for storage.

Choose Silonn if you value easy carrying and a self-cleaning cycle. Skip it if you want a larger ready-to-serve bin or a machine that makes nugget ice.

Silonn has a 160 W rating, compared with 105 W for Frigidaire. Wattage by itself doesn't show how much electricity a machine uses over time, so read our guide to countertop ice maker electricity use if power use is part of your decision.

What does the GE Profile Opal Mini offer?

The GE Profile Opal Mini suits buyers who want nugget ice with top-fill access and connected features. Its bin holds 2 lb, and its stated daily output is up to 36 lb.

Built-in Wi-Fi works with the SmartHQ app for scheduling, maintenance alerts and software updates. The drain-and-dry system removes excess water from internal parts between cycles.

Choose the Opal Mini if you want nugget ice and expect to use app scheduling or maintenance alerts. Skip it if you need a machine that's easy to carry or have limited counter depth.

Which ice maker brand should you choose?

Pick the brand that matches your preferred ice and the part of daily use you care about most. For the best ice maker brands in this comparison, the decision comes down to a few clear priorities.

• Choose Euhomy for nugget ice, a 1.8 lb basket and a dual-pump cleaning cycle.
• Choose GE Profile for nugget ice, top-fill access and Wi-Fi features.
• Choose Frigidaire for bullet ice, 2 cube sizes and a drain plug.
• Choose Silonn for a portable bullet ice maker with a carry handle and self-cleaning cycle.

If ice texture is still your main question, compare more options in our best pebble ice makers guide. If you already know you want a countertop machine but need to compare styles, return to our ice makers for home guide.

Frequently asked questions

Which ice maker brand is best for nugget ice?

Euhomy and GE Profile both make countertop nugget ice. Euhomy has a 1.8 lb removable basket and a 1.1 L reservoir; the GE Profile Opal Mini has a 2 lb bin, top-fill water access and Wi-Fi compatibility.

Choose by footprint, refill habits and whether app features matter to you.

Are Frigidaire or Silonn ice makers better?

Frigidaire and Silonn both make bullet-shaped ice and are rated for up to 26 lb per day. Frigidaire makes 9 cubes about every 7 minutes, offers 2 sizes and has a drain plug.

Silonn makes 9 cubes in about 6 minutes and adds a carry handle and self-cleaning cycle.

How much counter space does a countertop ice maker need?

Measure the width, depth and height of the space, then leave room to fill water, lift the lid and reach the drain. The Silonn is 11.42 in wide, 11.57 in deep and 8.74 in high.

The GE Profile Opal Mini is 8.6 in wide, 15.6 in deep and 14.56 in high.

Do countertop ice makers keep ice frozen?

The baskets and bins hold ice, but these machines aren't described as freezers. Move ice to a freezer-safe container when you want to keep it longer.

Euhomy recommends freezing its ice within 60 minutes for best results, so plan to make batches close to when you'll serve them.