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.
Full review
Real-World Performance
The MCIM22SV is a straightforward, fast bullet-ice maker. Ice Department reports it can come up with around 9 cubes every 7 minutes and supply 27 lbs of fresh ice daily, and IceMakerSpot confirms it makes ice in as little as 7 minutes with two cube sizes. For a budget machine, those cycle times are competitive — you get usable ice quickly after starting it, which is what most buyers want from a portable maker.
Like all compact bullet makers, sustained real-world output is lower than the 27 lb headline figure under continuous use, and the ice is hard, hollow bullet ice rather than nugget or clear cubes. It chills drinks well but melts relatively fast. For everyday ice, a cooler, or a party, it does the job; for ice quality, it is firmly in the entry-level bullet tier.
Portability and Design
Portability is a genuine strength. At around 20 lbs the MCIM22SV is light enough to carry, which is why reviewers recommend it for RVs, boats, and taking to parties — situations where a heavier machine would be a hassle. The compact footprint also suits dorms and small kitchens or as a backup ice supply.
Operation is simple: an LED control panel with two cube-size options, a see-through lid window so you can watch the ice level, and an exterior drain cap for easy emptying and maintenance. There is no app or smart functionality — it is a plug-in, add-water, press-a-button appliance, which keeps it inexpensive and easy to use.
What Reviewers Loved
Reviewers and owners like the MCIM22SV for being a dependable, affordable, portable ice source. IceMakerSpot and Ice Department both highlight the fast cycle and 27 lb daily output as the core appeal, and owners note it works reliably with minimal fuss — add water about ten minutes before you need ice and it delivers. Its inclusion in Consumer Reports' ice-maker test program lends it more credibility than many budget makers.
The stainless trim and see-through lid give it a tidier look than the cheapest no-name makers, and the light weight makes it genuinely grab-and-go. For a buyer who wants a second or travel ice maker without spending much, it hits the practical notes.
Where It Falls Short
The weaknesses are the budget-bullet ones. The ice is hard and hollow, and some owners report it can come out wet and stick together, especially early in a run before the machine fully chills. There is no nugget, clear, or smart capability — it does one thing.
Durability and warranty are the bigger asterisks. Reviewers note it should last a few years but would benefit from a better warranty, and as with all bullet makers it needs regular descaling to avoid mineral buildup. It is closely related to the EFIC189 in format and price, but the Frigidaire has a deeper, more reassuring track record of owner ratings, which is why the Magic Chef sits a notch below it here.
How It Compares to Alternatives
The MCIM22SV's direct rival is the Frigidaire EFIC189 — both are compact bullet makers at a similar price with similar fast cycles. The Frigidaire edges it on the strength of a far larger and very positive owner-rating base, making it the safer value choice; the Magic Chef makes sense when it is cheaper or when its light weight matters for travel.
Against the clear-cube Frigidaire EFIC452-SS and the nugget GE Profile Opal 2.0, the Magic Chef is much cheaper but makes lower-quality bullet ice. It is the budget, portable option in this lineup — chosen for price and portability rather than ice quality.
Who It's Best For
Buy the MCIM22SV if you want an inexpensive, lightweight bullet-ice maker for an RV, boat, dorm, or as a backup supply, and you do not care about nugget or clear ice. If you want the most proven value bullet maker, the Frigidaire EFIC189 is the safer bet; for better ice quality, step up to the clear EFIC452-SS or the nugget GE Opal.
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
- +Lightweight at ~20 lbs, easy to move for RVs, boats, and parties
- +See-through lid window and exterior drain for easy maintenance
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
- −No nugget, clear, or smart features
How it compares
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.
Who this is for
At a glance: Budget and on-the-go buyers who want a lightweight, fast bullet-ice maker for an RV, boat, dorm, or backup ice supply.
Why you’d buy the Magic Chef MCIM22SV 27-Pound Portable
- 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.
Why you’d skip it
- Hard, hollow bullet ice that melts quickly.
- Ice can come out wet and clump together.
- Short warranty and only average long-term durability.
Rating sources
“The Magic Chef can come up with around 9 cubes every 7 minutes, and it can supply you with 27 lbs of fresh ice on a daily basis.”
“It makes ice in as little as 7 minutes, produces 9 ice cubes per cycle and 27 pounds of ice in 24 hours, with two ice cube sizes.”
“The Magic Chef portable countertop icemaker is evaluated in Consumer Reports' ice-maker test program for ice production and ease of use.”
Our 4.2 score is the average of these published ratings. Ratings marked * were derived from the reviewer’s written analysis or video transcript — the publisher didn’t print an explicit numeric score, so we inferred one from their own words. Click through to verify. More about methodology.
