Head-to-head · Best Portable Ice Makers

Frigidaire EFIC189 vs Magic Chef MCIM22SV 27-Pound Portable

Which is the better buy? Side-by-side on rating, price, strengths, and watch-outs — with the published ratings we averaged to get there.

The short answer

Frigidaire EFIC189 comes out ahead by a narrow margin (4.5 vs 4.2). The gap is mostly about Value buyers who want a steady, fast supply of ice for drinks and coolers without paying for nugget or clear-ice machines. — read the strengths below before deciding.

Higher ratedRanked #2 in Best Portable Ice Makers

Frigidaire EFIC189

4.5

$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
— Quick ~9-minute cycles; first ice in well under 15 minutes

Watch-outs

— Makes hard, cloudy bullet ice — not nugget or clear cubes
— Loud at about 67 dB during operation
— Awkwardly placed rear control panel and fiddly drain plug

$85 · Check Price on Amazon Full review →

Ranked #4 in Best Portable Ice Makers

Magic Chef MCIM22SV 27-Pound Portable

4.2

$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
— Two ice cube sizes via simple LED controls

Watch-outs

— Hard, hollow bullet ice that melts quickly
— Ice can come out wet and clump together
— Short warranty and only average long-term durability

$189 · Check Price on Amazon Full review →

How they stack up

Frigidaire EFIC189

The value bullet-ice pick, sharing the hard-bullet-ice format with the Magic Chef MCIM22SV but with a stronger track record and higher owner ratings. It is far cheaper than the nugget GE Profile Opal 2.0 and the clear-cube Frigidaire EFIC452-SS, and a more reliable value than the budget nugget Frigidaire Gallery EFIC255.

Magic Chef MCIM22SV 27-Pound Portable

The budget bullet-ice alternative to the Frigidaire EFIC189 — same hard-bullet format and similar fast cycles, but with a thinner track record. It is far cheaper than the clear-cube Frigidaire EFIC452-SS and the nugget GE Profile Opal 2.0, and unlike the budget nugget Frigidaire Gallery EFIC255 it sticks to the simpler, more reliable bullet-ice format.

Specs side-by-side

Spec	Frigidaire EFIC189	Magic Chef MCIM22SV 27-Pound Portable
Ice Type	Bullet (2 sizes)	Bullet (2 sizes)
Output	Up to 26 lbs/day	Up to 27 lbs/day
Cycle Time	~9 minutes	~7 minutes
First Batch	Under 15 minutes	—
Noise	~67 dB	—
Owner Rating	4.4 stars (14,000+)	—
Footprint	Compact countertop	Compact countertop
Warranty	1 year	1 year
Weight	—	~20 lbs
Controls	—	LED touch
Features	—	See-through lid, exterior drain

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