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The Best 5Aggregated review·13 sources·updated June 20, 2026·checked July 29, 2026

Best Portable Ice Makers

Top portable countertop ice makers ranked by aggregate score from 13 published reviews from real multi-source testing.

This guide aggregates 13 published reviews across 5 products; the thinnest-sourced pick rests on 2. No publisher printed a score for the top pick — its rating is derived from what reviewers wrote. How we rank.

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.
Quick answer

GE Profile Opal 2.0 is our top pick for portable ice makers — an averaged 4.5/5 across 3 published reviews at about $515.56. Runner-up: Frigidaire EFIC189 (~$85.82).

Read the GE Profile Opal 2.0 review →$515.56 · Check Price on Amazon
At a glance5 products ▾
1GE Profile Opal 2.0Top Score
3 sourcesall derived
$515.56Best for: Nugget-ice devotees who want soft chewable ice and app scheduling, and who will keep up with cleaning a premium countertop appliance.
$515.56 · Check Price on Amazon
2Frigidaire EFIC189
2 sourcesall derived
$85.82Best for: Value buyers who want a steady, fast supply of ice for drinks and coolers without paying for nugget or clear-ice machines.
$85.82 · Check Price on Amazon
3Magic Chef MCIM22SV 27-Pound Portable
3 sources2 derived
$188Best for: Budget and on-the-go buyers who want a lightweight, fast bullet-ice maker for an RV, boat, dorm, or backup ice supply.
$188 · Check Price on Amazon
4Frigidaire Gallery EFIC255 Nugget
3 sourcesall derived
$288.97Best 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.
$288.97 · Check Price on Amazon
5Frigidaire EFIC452-SS Clear Ice Maker
2 sourcesall derived
$159Best for: Home bartenders who want clear square cubes and will trade cycle speed and self-cleaning for how the ice looks in a glass.
$159 · Check Price on Amazon

Derived means the reviewer published no score, so one was inferred from their written verdict. Everything else is a number the publisher printed. How we rank.

The full ranking

How we rank →
GE Profile Opal 2.0
#1 · Top Score
★ Premium Pick
Best for: Nugget-ice devotees who want soft chewable ice and app scheduling, and who will keep up with cleaning a premium countertop appliance.
GE Profile Opal 2.0
3 sourcesall derived$515.56as of Jul 31
▾Why it's ranked here

The GE Profile Opal 2.0 is the nugget-ice pick: soft, chewable, Sonic-style ice rather than the hard bullets or clear cubes the rest of this group makes. CNN Underscored ran it for two months and called it whisper quiet, and Reviewed rates the ice clean-tasting and the SmartHQ scheduling genuinely useful. It is the most expensive maker here and it needs regular descaling.

Strengths
  • — Soft, chewable nugget ice that no other maker in this group produces
  • — Around 44 dB, quiet enough to leave running in a kitchen
Watch-outs
  • — Expensive at $450-600, several times the cost of a bullet maker
  • — Sustained output trails bullet makers despite the fast first batch
$515.56 · 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
2 sourcesall derived$85.82as of Aug 1
▾Why it's ranked here

The Frigidaire EFIC189 is the value champion of portable ice makers: a compact bullet-ice machine that RateMyIceMaker praises for consistent ice and fast 5-6 minute cycles. A 4.4-star average across 14,000-plus owner ratings backs that up, making it 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. On value, nothing touches it.

Strengths
  • — Excellent value — fast bullet ice for around $82.78
  • — 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
$85.82 · Check Price on AmazonFull review →vs. GE Profile Opal 2.0 →
Magic Chef MCIM22SV 27-Pound Portable
#3
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
3 sources2 derived$188as of Aug 1
▾Why it's ranked here

The Magic Chef MCIM22SV is a budget bullet-ice maker that keeps a quick, steady supply of cube ice coming for around $130. Figure 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 carries 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
$188 · Check Price on AmazonFull review →vs. GE Profile Opal 2.0 →
Frigidaire Gallery EFIC255 Nugget
#4
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
3 sourcesall derived$288.97as of Aug 1
▾Why it's ranked here

The Frigidaire Gallery EFIC255 is the budget route to nugget ice, making chewable Sonic-style pellets at a fraction of the GE Opal's price with a high 44 lbs/day output. Reviewers are candid about what that costs you: 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. Buy it if you 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
$288.97 · Check Price on AmazonFull review →vs. GE Profile Opal 2.0 →
Frigidaire EFIC452-SS Clear Ice Maker
#5
Best for: Home bartenders who want clear square cubes and will trade cycle speed and self-cleaning for how the ice looks in a glass.
Frigidaire EFIC452-SS Clear Ice Maker
2 sourcesall derived$159as of Aug 1
▾Why it's ranked here

The Frigidaire EFIC452-SS is the clear-ice specialist here, making transparent square cubes instead of cloudy bullets or soft nuggets. IceArtisan rates it 3 out of 5 and IceMakerSpot 4 out of 5, both praising the clarity while noting the cubes emerge fused in sheets you have to break apart. Up to 40 lbs a day and a 2.3-quart tank suit a home bar; slower cycles and manual cleaning are the price.

Strengths
  • — Makes genuinely clear, square cocktail-grade cubes
  • — Up to 40 lbs a day from a generous 2.3-quart tank
Watch-outs
  • — Cubes come out fused in sheets that have to be broken apart
  • — No self-cleaning, so descaling is a manual job
$159 · Check Price on AmazonFull review →vs. GE Profile Opal 2.0 →
Reviews aggregated from
IcemakerspotReviewedIceartisanTasteofhomeRatemyicemakerIcedepartmentConsumer Reports

Spec comparison

5 products
vs
SpecGE Profile Opal 2.0Frigidaire EFIC189
Ice TypeNugget (chewable)Bullet (2 sizes)
OutputUp to 38 lbs/dayUp to 26 lbs/day
First Batch10-15 minutesUnder 15 minutes
Bin Capacity3 lbs—
Water SupplySide tank + onboard reservoir—
NoiseQuiet (~44 dB)~67 dB
Warranty1 year1 year
Dimensions17.5"D x 13.43"W x 16.5"H15"D x 11"W x 14.5"H
Wattage360 watts200 watts
Cycle Time—~9 minutes
Owner Rating—4.4 stars (14,000+)
Footprint—Compact countertop
Controls——
Features——
Self-Cleaning——

Frequently asked questions

What's the strongest pick among portable ice makers?
GE Profile Opal 2.0 holds the top score for portable ice makers — 4.5/5 averaged from 3 published reviews. The GE Profile Opal 2.0 is the nugget-ice pick: soft, chewable, Sonic-style ice rather than the hard bullets or clear cubes the rest of this group makes. CNN Underscored ran it for two months and called it whisper quiet, and Reviewed rates the ice clean-tasting and the SmartHQ scheduling genuinely useful. It is the most expensive maker here and it needs regular descaling.
When was this guide last updated?
This guide was last re-checked in June 2026. Prices, links, and source ratings are re-verified on a rolling basis, and the ranking updates when the underlying scores change.

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