A dedicated ice maker is a wondrous gadget to own, especially if you love nothing more than entertaining friends and family at home.
Whether you’re making cocktails and need a fresh supply of cubes, chips or crushed ice, you’re fixing a smoothie or you want ice cold water on tap, a great quality ice maker will become your favourite countertop side kick. They don’t need professional installation either, so you could simply unplug the machine and take it away on trips with you if you have a motorhome or you’re planning a staycation.
Whether you’re envisaging it for your kitchen or to add a little something special to your home bar, there are a few things to consider before you make your purchase.
First, size. Most ice makers are compact and can happily sit on a countertop without taking up too much space, but if you’ve got a small kitchen it’s worth measuring it first to ensure it will fit and can be stored away when you’re not using it.
Second, power - the higher the wattage, the more powerful (and therefore capable of producing ice) it will be.
Finally, function. While most ice makers can make two sizes of ice (with bigger chunks perfect for adding to neat spirits such as whisky), a few also allow you to pour ice cold water too - a refreshing benefit on a sweltering day, but also helpful if you need cold water for a recipe while cooking.
No more panicked running around a supermarket for supplies on a hot day; adios to waiting hours for your ice trays to freeze - ice makers are here to up your cool points and create fresh ice when you want it all day long.
Best ice makers at a glance
- Best for the ultimate ice maker for the party hoster: Klarstein Ice Volcano 2G Snow Cone Machine - £259.99, Klarstein
- Best for large capacity, small price: Cookworks 1.8L Ice Cube Maker - £120, Argos
- Best for parties, camping and more: Andrew James Ice Maker Machine - £139.99, Amazon
- Best for crushed and cubed ice with a choice of sizes: electriQ Countertop Ice Maker With Ice Crusher and Water Dispenser - £296.97, Amazon
- Best for a pretty addition to your countertop: Neo Copper 1.7L Electric Ice Cube Maker Machine - £79.99, Amazon
- Best for hi-tech crushing: Fooing Ice Maker Machine for Home Countertop - £99.99, Amazon
- Best for daily use: Vpcok Ice Maker Machine - £66.27, Amazon
- Best for speedy chilling: EUHOMY Ice Maker Machine - £86.60, Amazon
Shop our selection of the best ice making machines below
Klarstein Ice Volcano 2G Snow Cone Machine
Best for: the ultimate ice maker for the party hoster
Ice makers really don’t get flashier than one named Ice Volcano - we feel refreshed already. From kitchen expert Klarstein, the small but mighty maker can produce an endless supply of ice, from bullet-shaped fragments to larger cubes for neat measures of whisky or vodka.
Fill the 2L tank and hit start to see the first cubes tumbling into the easy-access storage container in around 10 minutes. If you need it, it can form 12kg of ice over a 24 hour period. Alerts on the LED control panel make the quiet-running machine easy to top up water or know when the bucket is full. There’s also a timer, so there’s no need to keep a watchful eye over it. Simply sit back and enjoy the party.
Also available in black or red.
Buy now £259.99
Cookworks 1.8L Ice Cube Maker
Best for: large capacity, small price
Whether you’re hosting a backyard BBQ or just want a few rocks for your evening G&T, never run out of ice again thanks to this clever little gizmo from Cookworks. It can make small and large-sized ice cubes in eight minutes and comes with a little scoop and ice basket so you can reach them easily. Running on 105W, the ice cube maker has a large 12kg storage capacity, allowing it to house around 100 ice cubes. Comes with a one-year manufacturer’s guarantee.
Buy now £120.00, Argos
Andrew James Ice Maker Machine
Best for: parties, camping and more
If you love hosting parties, investing in an ice maker can save you money, not to mention freezer space, in the long run. This 100W compact portable machine can make ice cubes in less than 10 minutes, making it a great little helper when you’ve got guests over.
It’s also a lovely extra to take on summer camping and caravan trips, provided you’ve got a mains power source to plug it into. As well as a large 2.2L water tank (which can make up to 12kg of ice), it has a helpful self-cleaning function making it easy to maintain. Available in this fetching racing red, although black and white options are also offered. Comes with a two-year manufacturer’s guarantee.
Buy now £139.99, Amazon
electriQ Countertop Ice Maker With Ice Crusher and Water Dispenser in Stainless Steel/Black
Best for: crushed and cubed ice with a choice of sizes
Throwing a party? Save your freezer space for canapes and get this countertop electric ice maker to keep drinks cool instead. Offering crushed ice and two sizes of ice cubes, it dispenses refreshingly cold water too. It’s also got sensors to let you know when the tank is full, and features auto switch off when the ice bucket is full. Available in black and white as well as stainless steel, it’s simple to use with touch buttons on the LED display.
Buy now £296.97, Amazon
Neo Copper 1.7L Electric Ice Cube Maker Machine
Best for: a pretty addition to your countertop
The mania for all things rose gold shows no sign of flagging. Bring the chic hue to your kitchen or home bar with this electric ice cube maker, compact enough to sit on a counter or tabletop. Fitted with a transparent window on the top, turn it on and watch ice cubes appear in a 10 minute cycle, ready to add to spirits, cocktails or smoothies. The 1.8L water reservoir can churn out 12kg of ice daily, operating quietly in the background so as not to disrupt the party atmosphere. Comes with an ice cube scoop.
Buy now £79.99, Amazon
Fooing Ice Maker Machine for Home Countertop
Best for: hi-tech crushing
Be the envy of everyone you know this summer with the coolest gadget on the block. This sleek ice maker can make as much ice as you need, whenever you want it - and cleans up after itself too with a genius self-cleaning mode.
The 2.2L water tank is capable of making up to 12kg of ice in 24 hours, and nine bullet-shaped blocks in around 10 minutes, making it a great helper for parties big and small. Alerts will let you know when the ice is ready or when you need to top up the tank with more water, and there’s a small plastic ice scoop included in the purchase.
Buy now £99.99, Amazon
Vpcok Ice Maker Machine
Best for: daily use
Why buy costly bags of ice when this kitchen gadget can whip up cubes for free? An invaluable tool not just for family events and parties but useful for your morning smoothie or keeping meat and fish fresh, this machine can create big and small ice cubes in as little as six minutes.
It has an auto shut-off when the ice bucket is full which is removable, making it easier to transport the cubes if you don’t want to use the included scoop. Just add water, walk away and come back to see fresh ice ready and waiting under the transparent window - it couldn’t be easier.
Buy now £66.27, Amazon
EUHOMY Ice Maker Machine
Best for: speedy chilling
Make ice in as little as six minutes with this ice-making gadget. It can produce up to nine ice cubes in that time thanks to a 1.2 water tank and powerful compressor. If you're planning a day in advance, it can make up to 12kg of ice in 24 hours. An indicator light flashes when the ice basket is full so you'll know exactly when to retrieve your drinks-cooling blocks. Best of all, it's self-cleaning and comes with a clear window so you can see it at work.
Buy now £86.60, Amazon
