Igloo vs Frigidaire Countertop Ice Makers: Which Is Better? (October 2026)

On this page (10 sections)

1. Igloo vs Frigidaire ice maker: what is the main difference?
2. Which ice maker is easier to use each day?
3. How should you set up a countertop ice maker?
4. Which model is easier to clean?
5. How much ice can each model make?
6. Which one fits a small kitchen, office or RV?
7. Who should buy Frigidaire, and who should skip it?
8. Who should buy Igloo, and who should skip it?
9. What common buying and use mistakes should you avoid?
10. Which countertop ice maker should you choose?

For the igloo vs frigidaire ice maker comparison, choose Frigidaire for its larger water tank or Igloo for a slightly narrower cabinet and an automatic clean cycle. Both are compact bullet ice makers rated for up to 26 lb per day and 9 cubes every 7 minutes.

The choice comes down to counter fit, refill habits and the kind of routine care you prefer. Neither is a nugget or pebble machine, and neither has a large ice-storage basket.

If you are still deciding which ice style suits your drinks, our guide to the best ice makers for home compares bullet, nugget and clear-ice options.

Igloo vs Frigidaire ice maker: what is the main difference?

Frigidaire has the larger water tank; Igloo is slightly narrower and lower. Their rated ice output, batch time and basket capacity are the same, so focus on the details that affect your daily routine.

The Igloo measures 8.98 x 12.6 x 11.69 in in depth, width and height. Frigidaire measures 9 x 13 x 13 in in the same order.

The difference is small, but it can matter if the machine has to fit beside another appliance or beneath a cabinet. Measure the counter space and height before buying, and check the manual for placement instructions and room to open the lid.

Which has more water capacity?

Frigidaire holds 2.1 qt, compared with 1.5 qt for Igloo. That gives Frigidaire more water capacity between refills, though it doesn't change how much ice either basket can hold.

Both baskets hold up to 1.5 lb. If you want to keep making ice while several people serve themselves, plan to empty the basket and move ice elsewhere as it fills.

Do they make different kinds of ice?

Both make bullet-shaped ice in 2 size options. Neither is the choice for chewable nugget or pebble ice, so think about the shape you enjoy before comparing small differences in cabinet size.

For drinks where chewable ice is the priority, see our nugget ice vs pebble ice guide. It explains how those styles differ from bullet ice.

Which ice maker is easier to use each day?

Frigidaire gives you a transparent window to check ice levels; Igloo signals when to add water or empty the basket. Choose the one whose controls and reminders fit how you plan to use it.

Both have an LED control panel and let you choose between 2 ice sizes. Frigidaire also has a transparent window, so you can watch ice production without lifting the lid.

Igloo's panel indicates when the machine needs water or when its basket is full. Those reminders are useful if the machine is running while you work or prepare food nearby.

Neither model has a large basket, so routine use involves checking the ice, emptying the basket when needed and topping up the tank. If you need more ice for a group, start the machine ahead of time and transfer batches to a freezer-safe container.

How should you set up a countertop ice maker?

Set either machine on a stable counter near a suitable outlet, with room to fill the tank, open the lid and drain the unit. Read the model's manual for its placement and first-use instructions before you add water.

Measure the counter depth and the clearance above it. A machine can fit the counter's width but still be awkward to use if a cabinet blocks the lid or leaves little room to reach the basket.

For the first run, follow the manual's directions for preparing the machine and water. Keep the basket accessible, and have a clean container ready if you'll move ice to the freezer.

Countertop machines make ice in batches, and basket capacity is limited. If you're curious about what it takes to keep one running, read our guide to countertop ice maker electricity use.

Which model is easier to clean?

Igloo includes an automatic clean cycle, while Frigidaire has a drain plug for emptying and cleaning. Either way, use the manual's instructions for the machine's surfaces and cleaning schedule.

The Igloo cycle can make routine care simpler, but you should still clean the basket and other reachable surfaces as directed. Frigidaire's drain plug helps empty water before cleaning or putting the machine away.

Don't assume a cleaning cycle takes care of every part, and don't pour a cleaning solution into either machine unless the manual says it is suitable. After cleaning, follow the manual on draining, rinsing and drying before making ice again.

Our Igloo ice maker cleaning guide gives you a step-by-step routine to use alongside your model's instructions. For the Frigidaire, use the drain plug as directed and follow its manual for cleaning details.

Is the Igloo cleaning cycle enough?

Use the automatic cycle as one part of care, not as a reason to skip the manual. The manual is the guide for cleaning the basket, reachable surfaces and any other care steps for your model.

When you clean the machine, keep the basket and scoop clean as well. If you won't use it for a while, follow the manual's steps for emptying and storing it.

How much ice can each model make?

Neither model has a rated output advantage: both are specified for up to 26 lb per day and 9 cubes in 7 minutes. Those figures describe production, while the 1.5 lb baskets limit how much finished ice you can hold at once.

For everyday drinks, a batch at a time may be enough. For a gathering, begin making ice early, check the basket regularly and move each batch to a freezer-safe container to build a reserve.

Don't expect a countertop machine to behave like a freezer bin. The ice basket is a temporary place for finished cubes, so plan to transfer ice if you need more on hand.

If you want a wider view of countertop choices, our best ice maker brands comparison compares other brands and machine types. It can help you decide whether a compact bullet machine is right for your home.

Which one fits a small kitchen, office or RV?

Igloo is the slightly narrower and shorter option, while Frigidaire gives you more tank capacity. Choose based on the room you can spare and how often you are willing to refill.

Igloo is 12.6 in wide and 11.69 in high. Frigidaire is 13 in wide and 13 in high, so it may be harder to fit under a low cabinet.

The difference is modest, so measure the full space instead of relying on a general idea of a small counter. Leave room for the lid, water, basket and draining, and check the manual for placement guidance.

The Igloo is rated at 115 volts and 120 watts. Frigidaire is rated at 120 volts and 105 watts, so check the requirements for the model you choose against your outlet.

Who should buy Frigidaire, and who should skip it?

Choose Frigidaire if you want a larger tank, a viewing window and a drain plug. It suits a counter where a slightly wider and taller cabinet is acceptable.

It is a sensible fit if you dislike frequent water top-ups or want to see the ice without opening the lid. Skip it if every fraction of counter width or overhead clearance matters, or if an automatic cleaning cycle is high on your list.

The larger tank does not mean a larger basket or more rated daily output. If you need a different ice style or a much larger storage capacity, compare other machine types before settling on this compact bullet model.

Who should buy Igloo, and who should skip it?

Choose Igloo if you need a slightly narrower footprint and want an automatic clean cycle. Its controls also signal when to add water or empty the basket.

It suits a tight counter, office or RV setup where those features match your routine. Skip it if a larger tank matters more than its footprint: its 1.5 qt tank is smaller than Frigidaire's.

The automatic cycle is a convenience, not a reason to ignore the care instructions. If you prefer a larger water reserve or a window for checking ice levels, Frigidaire is the clearer fit.

What common buying and use mistakes should you avoid?

Measure the whole setup and plan for batch storage before you choose. The most common mismatch is expecting a compact countertop machine to fit anywhere or hold a large reserve of ice.

• Measuring width alone: Check depth and height too, including room to open the lid and reach the basket.
• Treating daily output as storage: Both baskets hold 1.5 lb, even though each machine is rated for up to 26 lb per day.
• Waiting until guests arrive: Start making ice ahead of time and move batches to a freezer-safe container.
• Choosing by a cleaning feature alone: Follow the manual for both models, including care for the basket and reachable surfaces.
• Ignoring the outlet: Check the model's voltage and wattage against your setup.

You can also use the Frigidaire and Igloo comparison table above to keep the core differences in view while you measure your space.

Which countertop ice maker should you choose?

Pick Frigidaire if you value its 2.1 qt tank and transparent window; pick Igloo if counter width and an automatic clean cycle matter more. Both make bullet ice at the same rated pace, and both baskets hold 1.5 lb.

For a smaller footprint and built-in cleaning cycle, Igloo is the more natural match. For fewer water top-ups and a window to check the ice, Frigidaire is the stronger choice.

If neither trade-off suits your kitchen, use our home ice maker guide to compare other machine types. For a closer look at Igloo, read our Igloo 26 lb portable ice maker review.

Frequently asked questions

Which is better, Igloo or Frigidaire countertop ice maker?

Frigidaire is the stronger fit if you want a larger 2.1 qt tank and a transparent window; Igloo is narrower and includes an automatic clean cycle. Both are rated for 26 lb of ice per day and make 9 cubes in 7 minutes.

Choose based on counter clearance, refill habits and how you prefer to handle routine care.

Does the Frigidaire ice maker make more ice than the Igloo?

No. Both are rated to produce up to 26 lb of ice in 24 hours, with 9 cubes ready in 7 minutes.

Their baskets each hold 1.5 lb, so the basket capacity is the same.

For a gathering, run either machine ahead of time and move finished ice to a freezer-safe container.

Which countertop ice maker has the bigger water tank?

The Frigidaire has the larger tank at 2.1 qt, compared with 1.5 qt for the Igloo. That gives it more water capacity between refills, though actual refill frequency depends on how much ice you make.

The basket capacity is the same on both models.

Can either ice maker store ice overnight?

Each basket holds up to 1.5 lb, so neither has a large storage bin. Move ice you want to keep to a freezer-safe container rather than relying on the basket for overnight storage.

That also leaves room for the machine to keep making batches.

How do you clean the Igloo and Frigidaire ice makers?

The Igloo includes an automatic clean cycle, while the Frigidaire has a drain plug for emptying and cleaning. Follow each model's manual for cleaning steps and frequency, and let removable or wet parts dry as directed.

The Igloo cycle doesn't replace care for the basket and reachable surfaces.