Igloo 26 lb Portable Ice Maker Review: Worth It? (October 2026)
These igloo ice maker reviews favor the Igloo 26 lb Portable Ice Maker for compact everyday bullet ice. It makes 9 cubes in 7 minutes, offers 2 sizes and stores 1.5 lb at a time.
On this page (11 sections)
- What do these Igloo ice maker reviews recommend?
- How should you choose among these countertop ice makers?
- How fast does the Igloo make ice?
- How much counter space and water does it need?
- What are the main differences between the alternatives?
- How should you set up and use the Igloo?
- How do you care for an Igloo ice maker?
- What common mistakes should you avoid?
- Who should buy the Igloo, and who should skip it?
- Final decision: which Igloo ice maker should you choose?
- Related ice maker guides
These igloo ice maker reviews favor the Igloo 26 lb Portable Ice Maker for everyday bullet ice in a small kitchen, office or RV. It makes 9 cubes in 7 minutes, offers 2 sizes and stores 1.5 lb at a time.
The key buying question is how you’ll use the ice. This is a compact batch maker, so it suits steady drink refills better than keeping a large reserve ready for a crowd.
What do these Igloo ice maker reviews recommend?
Choose the Igloo if you want a countertop supply of bullet ice and can transfer extra batches to a freezer. Its controls include alerts for low water and a full basket, plus a self-clean cycle.
The basket’s 1.5 lb capacity is the main limit to plan around. If you entertain often, the Silonn’s expandable basket is a better fit; if you want fewer water refills, consider the Frigidaire.
Igloo 26 lb Portable Ice Maker: Best for daily drink refills
- 26 lb of ice per day
- 9 cubes in 7 minutes
- 2 cube sizes
- 1.5 qt water tank
- 1.5 lb ice basket
- Self-clean cycle
A compact bullet ice maker with two cube sizes, an LED panel and a self-clean cycle. Its basket works better for drinks made throughout the day than for holding a large reserve.
Pros
- Two cube sizes
- LED alerts for low water and a full basket
- Self-clean cycle
- Compact countertop footprint
Cons
- Basket holds 1.5 lb at a time
- Ice needs transferring to a freezer for longer storage
How should you choose among these countertop ice makers?
Match the machine to your routine: compare first-batch time, water capacity, basket size, cleaning features and the counter space you can spare. Daily production figures alone don’t tell you how much ice will be ready at one moment.
A countertop bullet maker is a practical choice for drinks, small gatherings and places without a built-in ice maker. If you want chewable nugget ice or clear cubes, start with a guide to the best ice makers for home, which compares those styles with bullet ice.
Which machine fits your ice routine?
The Igloo is for regular batches and everyday drinks. The Frigidaire makes the same number of cubes in the same cycle, but its larger tank can mean fewer refills.
The Antarctic Star makes 8 cubes in 6 minutes and includes a handle, basket and scoop. Its tank and basket capacities aren’t stated, so it’s harder to plan around a long serving session.
The Silonn is the choice when basket capacity is the priority. Its expandable 2.5 L basket and 1.8 L tank give it more room for a busier kitchen routine.
For a smaller counter, compare more compact options in our guide to mini ice makers for small spaces. If you’re deciding between the two brands, see Igloo vs Frigidaire countertop ice makers.
How fast does the Igloo make ice?
The Igloo makes 9 cubes in 7 minutes and can produce up to 26 lb over 24 hours. The daily figure describes ongoing production, while the basket’s 1.5 lb limit controls how much can sit ready inside the machine.
Start it before you need a full pitcher or a table of drinks. Move finished batches to a freezer container as the basket fills, then return the basket so production can continue.
The machine makes cylindrical bullet ice in 2 sizes. If you specifically want nugget ice or clear cubes, choose a machine built for that style instead.
How much counter space and water does it need?
The Igloo measures 8.98 in deep, 12.6 in wide and 11.69 in high, with a 1.5 qt water tank. Measure the spot with room to reach the controls and remove the basket, then check the manual’s placement guidance.
It needs a stable surface and a nearby compatible outlet. For an RV or office, also consider where you’ll refill water and store ice after it leaves the basket.
The Frigidaire has a 2.1 qt tank, which is a better match if you want to refill less often. Its basket still holds 1.5 lb, so it doesn’t solve the need to move extra ice to a freezer.
What are the main differences between the alternatives?
The useful differences are tank volume, first-batch timing and basket design. All four models list daily production of up to 26 lb, but they suit different refill and serving routines.
| Model | First batch | Water tank | Basket or storage |
|---|---|---|---|
| Frigidaire 26 lb Bullet Ice Maker | 9 cubes in 7 minutes | 2.1 qt | Holds 1.5 lb |
| Antarctic Star 26 lb Bullet Ice Maker | 8 cubes in 6 minutes | Not stated | Not stated |
| Igloo 26 lb Portable Ice Maker | 9 cubes in 7 minutes | 1.5 qt | Holds 1.5 lb |
| Silonn Bullet Ice Maker with Expandable Basket | 9 cubes in 6 minutes | 1.8 L | 2.5 L expandable basket |
The Frigidaire 26 lb Bullet Ice Maker is the clearest alternative if a larger tank matters most. It also has a drain plug and transparent window.
Frigidaire 26 lb Bullet Ice Maker: Best for fewer refills
- 26 lb of ice per day
- 9 cubes in 7 minutes
- 2 ice sizes
- 2.1 qt water tank
- 1.5 lb basket
- Drain plug
A similar-size bullet ice maker with a larger water tank and a drain plug for emptying and cleaning. Choose it if fewer water refills matter more than a compact footprint.
Pros
- Larger 2.1 qt water tank
- Two ice sizes
- Drain plug
- Transparent window
Cons
- Basket holds 1.5 lb
- Dimensions are 9 in deep, 13 in wide and 13 in high
The Antarctic Star 26 lb Bullet Ice Maker starts with an 8-cube batch in 6 minutes and includes a portable handle, basket and scoop. Skip it if you need a known basket capacity before planning how much ice to prepare.
Antarctic Star 26 lb Bullet Ice Maker: Best for quick first batches
- 26 lb of ice per day
- 8 cubes in 6 minutes
- 2 ice sizes
- Self-clean cycle
- Basket, scoop and handle
This portable bullet ice maker produces 8 cubes in 6 minutes and includes a handle, basket and scoop. Choose it if a shorter first cycle matters more than matching the Igloo's 9-cube batch.
Pros
- Shorter first-batch time
- Two ice sizes
- Self-clean cycle
- Handle, basket and scoop included
Cons
- First batch has 8 cubes rather than 9
- Water tank and basket capacity aren't stated
The Silonn Bullet Ice Maker with Expandable Basket suits households that want more storage inside the machine. Its expandable basket has a 2.5 L capacity, and the first 9 cubes arrive in 6 minutes.
Silonn Bullet Ice Maker with Expandable Basket: Best for party prep
- 26 lb of ice per day
- 9 cubes in 6 minutes
- 2 ice sizes
- 1.8 L water tank
- 2.5 L expandable basket
- Self-clean function
A bullet ice maker with an expandable basket and a 1.8 L water tank. Its six-minute first cycle may suit a busier counter where keeping more ice in the machine is useful.
Pros
- Expandable 2.5 L basket
- 1.8 L water tank
- Two ice sizes
- Self-clean function
Cons
- Dimensions are 13.2 in deep, 9.1 in wide and 12 in high
- Uses 192 watts
How should you set up and use the Igloo?
Set the Igloo on a stable counter, add water as directed in the manual, choose a cube size and let it make successive batches. Keep the scoop and a freezer container nearby so you can move ice promptly when the basket fills.
Before the first batch, clear enough space around the machine to reach the controls and remove the basket. For RV use, confirm that the counter is level and the outlet is suitable for the appliance.
A useful hosting routine is to start early, collect batches in a freezer container and keep the machine running as needed. Don’t treat the daily production figure as a ready-at-once storage amount.
How do you care for an Igloo ice maker?
The Igloo includes a self-clean cycle, but routine cleaning still depends on following the machine’s manual. Empty and drain it as directed, especially before storing it or after a period without use.
Use our step-by-step guide to cleaning an Igloo ice maker for a practical care routine. If ice production stops, check water level, basket position and indicator lights, then see why an Igloo ice maker may not be making ice.
What common mistakes should you avoid?
The most common planning mistake is confusing daily output with basket storage. The Igloo can make ice over time, but its 1.5 lb basket fills, so transfer batches if you need a reserve.
Another mistake is waiting until drinks are being served to start the machine. Give it time to make repeated batches, and check water and basket alerts while it runs.
Don’t choose it for a different ice texture. Its output is cylindrical bullet ice, not nugget or clear ice.
Who should buy the Igloo, and who should skip it?
Buy the Igloo if you want compact bullet ice for daily drinks and are comfortable moving extra cubes to freezer storage. Its size, two cube options and alert panel make that routine straightforward.
Choose the Frigidaire if the larger tank is more valuable than the Igloo’s slightly smaller footprint. Choose the Antarctic Star for its short first cycle and carrying handle, or the Silonn if you want the largest stated basket capacity here.
Skip the Igloo if you need a large ready-to-serve reserve, want a water-line connection, or require nugget or clear ice. Those needs call for a different machine style or storage plan.
Final decision: which Igloo ice maker should you choose?
For igloo ice maker reviews, the decision is simple: pick the Igloo for compact everyday batches, the Frigidaire for fewer refills, the Antarctic Star for a shorter first batch, or the Silonn for more basket room.
If you choose the Igloo, plan to transfer ice to the freezer as you go. For more brand context before buying, read Igloo vs Frigidaire countertop ice makers.
Related ice maker guides
- Best ice makers for home: nugget, bullet and clear
- How to clean an Igloo ice maker
- Why an Igloo ice maker may not be making ice
Frequently asked questions
How much ice does the Igloo portable ice maker make?
The Igloo makes up to 26 lb of ice in 24 hours, with 9 cubes ready in 7 minutes. Its basket holds 1.5 lb at once, so transfer ice to a freezer if you need to build a reserve.
Does the Igloo ice maker make different cube sizes?
Yes. The Igloo offers small and large cylindrical cubes, so you can choose a size for different drinks.
Select the size at the LED control panel before making a batch.
Does the Igloo portable ice maker clean itself?
It has a self-clean cycle for routine care. Follow the manual for cleaning steps and care frequency, and drain the water when you need to empty the machine.
See our guide to cleaning an Igloo ice maker.
Is the Igloo ice maker good for an RV?
It can suit an RV with enough level counter space and a suitable power outlet. Measure the space first, then plan where you’ll add water and transfer finished ice, since the basket is sized for a small working supply.
