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The Best 5Reviewed by Mike Hunter·May 24, 2026

Best Portable Ice Makers

Top portable countertop ice makers reviewed and ranked from real multi-source testing.

Quick answer

GE Profile Opal 2.0 is our top pick for portable ice makers — an averaged 4.6/5 across 3 published reviews at about $147.16. Runner-up: Frigidaire EFIC189 (~$85).

Read the GE Profile Opal 2.0 review →$147.16 · Check Price on Amazon

At a glance

Tap any product for the full review
1GE Profile Opal 2.0Top Score
(3 sources)
$147.16Best for: Nugget-ice lovers who want the best soft, chewable ice and smart scheduling, and who can justify a premium countertop appliance.
$147.16 · Check Price on Amazon
2Frigidaire EFIC189
(3 sources)
$85Best for: Value buyers who want a steady, fast supply of ice for drinks and coolers without paying for nugget or clear-ice machines.
$85 · Check Price on Amazon
3Frigidaire EFIC452-SS Clear Ice Maker
(3 sources)
$159Best for: Home bartenders and entertainers who want clear, square cocktail-style cubes and will trade speed and self-cleaning for ice presentation.
$159 · Check Price on Amazon
4Magic Chef MCIM22SV 27-Pound Portable
(3 sources)
$189Best for: Budget and on-the-go buyers who want a lightweight, fast bullet-ice maker for an RV, boat, dorm, or backup ice supply.
$189 · Check Price on Amazon
5Frigidaire Gallery EFIC255 Nugget
(3 sources)
$269Best for: Budget-minded nugget-ice fans who want chewable pellets and high output and will accept more noise and durability risk to avoid the GE Opal's price.
$269 · Check Price on Amazon
Verdict is reader-supported. As an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases. Some links on this page are affiliate links — if you click through and buy, we may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you. Our ratings are sourced from independent publications, not sponsors.
Reviews aggregated from
Icemakerspot.comReviewed.comIceartisan.comCnn.comTasteofhome.comRatemyicemaker.comShouldit.comBestviewsreviews.com

The full ranking

How we rank →
GE Profile Opal 2.0
#1 · Top Score
★ Premium Pick
Best for: Nugget-ice lovers who want the best soft, chewable ice and smart scheduling, and who can justify a premium countertop appliance.
GE Profile Opal 2.0
from 3 sources$147.16as of Jun 7

The GE Profile Opal 2.0 is the consensus best nugget ice maker, producing the soft, chewable Sonic-style ice that buyers crave. CNN Underscored tested it for two months and confirmed it lives up to the hype, calling it whisper-quiet; Wirecutter calls its ice the best of any countertop appliance tested. It is by far the most expensive pick here and needs regular maintenance, but for nugget-ice devotees it is the clear top choice.

Strengths
  • — Produces the best soft, chewable nugget ice of any countertop maker tested
  • — Whisper-quiet operation versus most countertop appliances
Watch-outs
  • — Expensive at $450-600, the priciest pick by far
  • — Slower output rate than bullet/clear makers despite fast first batch
$147.16 · Check Price on AmazonFull review →vs. Frigidaire EFIC189 →
Frigidaire EFIC189
#2
Best for: Value buyers who want a steady, fast supply of ice for drinks and coolers without paying for nugget or clear-ice machines.
Frigidaire EFIC189
from 3 sources$85as of Jun 7

The Frigidaire EFIC189 is the value champion of portable ice makers — a compact bullet-ice machine that RateMyIceMaker scores 8.1/10 for its consistent ice and fast cycles at around $140. With a 4.4-star average across 14,000-plus owner ratings, it is the go-to for anyone who just wants a steady supply of ice quickly and cheaply. It is loud and makes only hard bullet ice, but on value it is unbeatable.

Strengths
  • — Excellent value — fast bullet ice for around $140
  • — Consistent bullet size, shape, and weight with two size options
Watch-outs
  • — Makes hard, cloudy bullet ice — not nugget or clear cubes
  • — Loud at about 67 dB during operation
$85 · Check Price on AmazonFull review →vs. GE Profile Opal 2.0 →
Frigidaire EFIC452-SS Clear Ice Maker
#3
Best for: Home bartenders and entertainers who want clear, square cocktail-style cubes and will trade speed and self-cleaning for ice presentation.
Frigidaire EFIC452-SS Clear Ice Maker
from 3 sources$159as of Jun 7

The Frigidaire EFIC452-SS is the clear-ice specialist — a countertop maker that produces transparent, square cocktail-style cubes rather than cloudy bullets. IceArtisan rates it 3/5 with a B+ grade, praising the clear cubes while noting they emerge fused in sheets. With up to 40 lbs/day and a 2.3 qt tank, it is the pick for home bartenders who want presentation-grade ice, accepting slower cycles and manual cleaning.

Strengths
  • — Makes genuinely clear, square cocktail-grade ice cubes
  • — Up to 40 lbs/day with a generous 2.3 qt water tank
Watch-outs
  • — Cubes come out fused in sheets that must be broken apart
  • — No self-cleaning — requires manual cleaning and descaling
$159 · Check Price on AmazonFull review →vs. GE Profile Opal 2.0 →
Magic Chef MCIM22SV 27-Pound Portable
#4
Best for: Budget and on-the-go buyers who want a lightweight, fast bullet-ice maker for an RV, boat, dorm, or backup ice supply.
Magic Chef MCIM22SV 27-Pound Portable
from 3 sources$189as of Jun 7

The Magic Chef MCIM22SV is a budget bullet-ice maker that makes a quick, steady supply of cube ice for around $130. It turns out about 9 cubes every 7 minutes, up to 27 lbs/day, with two size options and simple LED controls. At roughly 20 lbs it is genuinely portable for RVs and boats. It makes only hard bullet ice and has the durability caveats typical of the budget tier, but it is a capable, affordable workhorse.

Strengths
  • — Affordable bullet-ice maker for around $130
  • — Fast cycles — about 9 cubes every 7 minutes, up to 27 lbs/day
Watch-outs
  • — Hard, hollow bullet ice that melts quickly
  • — Ice can come out wet and clump together
$189 · Check Price on AmazonFull review →vs. GE Profile Opal 2.0 →
Frigidaire Gallery EFIC255 Nugget
#5
Best for: Budget-minded nugget-ice fans who want chewable pellets and high output and will accept more noise and durability risk to avoid the GE Opal's price.
Frigidaire Gallery EFIC255 Nugget
from 3 sources$269as of Jun 7

The Frigidaire Gallery EFIC255 is the budget route to nugget ice — it makes chewable Sonic-style pellets at a fraction of the GE Opal's price, with a high 44 lbs/day output. But reviewers are candid about the trade-offs: it is loud, its pellets are harder than the Opal's, and it carries a low 3.1-star Amazon average with real durability complaints. It is for buyers who want nugget ice cheaply and will accept the reliability and noise risks.

Strengths
  • — Makes chewable Sonic-style nugget ice for far less than the GE Opal
  • — High 44 lbs/day output with restaurant-style nuggets in ~15 minutes
Watch-outs
  • — Loud, with irregular growling operation noise
  • — Low 3.1-star Amazon average and notable durability complaints
$269 · Check Price on AmazonFull review →vs. GE Profile Opal 2.0 →

Spec comparison

5 products
SpecGE Profile Opal 2.0Frigidaire EFIC189Frigidaire EFIC452-SS Clear Ice MakerMagic Chef MCIM22SV 27-Pound PortableFrigidaire Gallery EFIC255 Nugget
Ice TypeNugget (chewable)Bullet (2 sizes)Clear square cubes (2 sizes)Bullet (2 sizes)Nugget (chewable)
OutputUp to 38 lbs/dayUp to 26 lbs/dayUp to 40 lbs/dayUp to 27 lbs/dayUp to 44 lbs/day
First Batch10-15 minutesUnder 15 minutes——~15 minutes
Bin Capacity3 lbs—2.4 lbs—3 lbs
NoiseQuiet (~44 dB)~67 dBQuiet—Loud (growling)
Warranty1 year1 year1 year1 year1 year
Cycle Time—~9 minutes15-18 minutes~7 minutes—
Owner Rating—4.4 stars (14,000+)——3.1 stars (Amazon)
Footprint—Compact countertop—Compact countertop—
Self-Cleaning——No (manual)—Yes (auto)

Frequently asked questions

What is the best portable ice maker?
GE Profile Opal 2.0 is our top pick for portable ice makers, with an averaged rating of 4.6/5 from 3 published reviews. The GE Profile Opal 2.0 is the consensus best nugget ice maker, producing the soft, chewable Sonic-style ice that buyers crave. CNN Underscored tested it for two months and confirmed it lives up to the hype, calling it whisper-quiet; Wirecutter calls its ice the best of any countertop appliance tested. It is by far the most expensive pick here and needs regular maintenance, but for nugget-ice devotees it is the clear top choice.
Is there a cheaper alternative worth considering?
Frigidaire EFIC189 (around $85) rates 4.5/5 in our analysis. The Frigidaire EFIC189 is the value champion of portable ice makers — a compact bullet-ice machine that RateMyIceMaker scores 8.1/10 for its consistent ice and fast cycles at around $140. With a 4.4-star average across 14,000-plus owner ratings, it is the go-to for anyone who just wants a steady supply of ice quickly and cheaply. It is loud and makes only hard bullet ice, but on value it is unbeatable.
How does Verdict rank these products?
Every rating on Verdict is the numerical average of scores published by independent review sites, YouTube reviewers, and Reddit buyer reports. No editor adjusts the order — the ranking is whatever the source data produces. See our methodology page for the full process.
When was this guide last updated?
This guide was last re-checked in May 2026. We re-run our research pipeline for each category on a rolling basis so prices and rankings reflect current market reality.

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