The 5 Best Portable Countertop Ice Makers by Ice Type
A countertop ice maker does not give you a second freezer. It makes ice into an insulated basket, where unused pieces eventually melt and the water is reused. Decide first whether you want hard bullet ice for everyday drinks or soft nuggets to chew. Then think about how often you're willing to refill the tank and move ice to a freezer bag.
For most people filling a few glasses, the Frigidaire bullet machine is the sensible first stop. Nugget lovers have a different decision: the GE Opal Mini Pro has a side tank that can reduce refilling, but takes more counter room and costs much more. I would only pay that premium for the ice shape and routine I already know I want.
Our top 5 portable countertop ice makers by ice type
Swipe to compare price, rating and best use →
| Product | Price | Rating | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|
01 Frigidaire 26-lb Countertop Ice MakerDetails ↓ | $89.99 | 4.2/5Amazon | Best everyday bullet ice |
02 Profile GE Profile Opal Mini Pro with Side TankDetails ↓ | $379.00 | 3.8/5Amazon | Best nugget ice with fewer refills |
03 Euhomy Countertop Ice MakerDetails ↓ | $66.84 | 4.2/5Amazon | Best carry-handle bullet maker |
04 Silonn Countertop Ice Maker with HandleDetails ↓ | $69.95 | 4.2/5Amazon | Best narrow bullet-ice counter |
05 Frigidaire Crunchy Nugget Ice MakerDetails ↓ | $194.06 | 3.7/5Amazon | Best lower-priced nugget alternative |
01 — Frigidaire
Best everyday bullet iceFrigidaire 26-lb Countertop Ice Maker
Frigidaire's portable countertop machine makes bullet-shaped pieces with a rated output of 26 pounds per day. Its simple format is enough for a few daily drinks without paying for a nugget mechanism. I would empty the basket into a freezer when making ice ahead; the holding area is not a freezer, and the daily-output claim assumes continued water and basket attention.
I put it first because it solves the ordinary problem at the lower end of current offers. GE below is the worthwhile splurge for someone who specifically wants chewable nuggets and a side tank. If you just need cold drinks after the fridge ice tray runs out, the Frigidaire's straightforward bullet shape is easier to justify.
Specifications: Exact Amazon product listing ↗
View on Amazon ↗Daily drinks that need ordinary bullet ice.
You specifically want soft chewable nuggets.
What I like
+Simple 26-pound-per-day rated machine.
What to weigh
−Ice must be moved for long storage.
02 — Profile
Best nugget ice with fewer refillsGE Profile Opal Mini Pro with Side Tank
The Opal Mini Pro makes GE's soft nugget ice and includes a side tank, so a busy drink station needs less frequent manual refilling than the bare Mini. GE rates the Mini family at up to 36 pounds per day. The tank takes extra lateral space, and it does not remove cleaning, descaling or the need to move finished ice for freezer storage.
Second is a specialist recommendation, not a universal upgrade. I would move it to first for a household that buys bags of nugget ice and will use the tank every day. Euhomy and Silonn below are much cheaper and easier to carry, but make firm bullet ice instead of the texture that earns GE its price.
Specifications: GE Opal Mini family and side tank ↗
View on Amazon ↗Regular nugget-ice drinkers with counter space.
You only need basic bullet ice.
What I like
+Chewable nuggets and included side tank.
What to weigh
−High price, larger footprint and cleaning.
03 — EUHOMY
Best carry-handle bullet makerEuhomy Countertop Ice Maker
Euhomy builds this bullet-ice machine around a carry handle, a removable basket and an advertised nine-piece cycle in about six minutes. That is useful when ice is needed at a patio table today and a kitchen counter tomorrow. The small basket and water tank still ask you to refill and transfer ice; 'portable' does not mean it runs without electricity.
Third is for a buyer who moves the machine and wants a lower price than the GE. Frigidaire leads for a stay-put everyday setup, while Silonn below has a similarly small body and explicit size controls. I would choose Euhomy when the handle and easy handoff between spaces matter more than brand styling.
Specifications: Euhomy Dart H1 dimensions and design ↗
View on Amazon ↗Moving a bullet-ice maker around the home.
You need battery operation or long-term frozen storage.
What I like
+Handle and fast listed small batch.
What to weigh
−Frequent basket and water attention.
04 — Silonn
Best narrow bullet-ice counterSilonn Countertop Ice Maker with Handle
Silonn lists a body roughly 8.7 inches wide with a carry handle, two bullet-ice size settings and a self-cleaning cycle. I would check the exact cabinet clearance before tucking it under a shelf, since its lid still needs room to open. The basket is small, so a claimed 26-pound daily output only happens if someone keeps emptying and refilling it.
I rank it fourth because it solves a narrower placement problem than the general Frigidaire or Euhomy. It may become the best option when counter width is the limiting factor. It does not compete with GE's chewable nuggets, and its self-clean cycle still leaves manual cleaning and scale care.
Specifications: Silonn compact bullet maker dimensions ↗
View on Amazon ↗A narrow counter needing bullet ice.
You want nugget texture or a large holding bin.
What I like
+Slim body, handle and size choices.
What to weigh
−Small basket needs regular attention.
05 — Frigidaire
Best lower-priced nugget alternativeFrigidaire Crunchy Nugget Ice Maker
Frigidaire offers chewable nugget-style ice at a lower current machine price than the GE side-tank setup. Its listed output is 33 pounds per day, but a production rate is not the amount the basket can keep frozen. I would budget time for water refills, regular cleaning and moving ice if the point is to prepare for a party.
Fifth is a price-conscious nugget option, with a lower customer rating than the bullet machines in this group. I would choose it only if the GE tank and higher price are not worth it but soft ice remains non-negotiable. For ordinary cold drinks, start at the Frigidaire bullet pick instead.
Specifications: Exact Amazon product listing ↗
View on Amazon ↗Chewable ice without GE side-tank spending.
You want the simplest, highest-rated bullet maker.
What I like
+Nugget format at a lower offer than GE.
What to weigh
−More upkeep and weaker rating evidence.
Price information
Amazon price and availability checked Oct 18, 2026, 12:10 PM Lisbon time. Prices and availability are subject to change; the information shown on Amazon.com at purchase applies.
Our process
How we picked.
We compare five relevant products for different needs, using documented specifications, clear use cases and practical trade-offs. Our goal is to make the differences clear and help you choose with confidence.
- 01Relevance
Each product must fit the guide’s intended use, audience and requirements.
- 02Specifications
We compare the key product details that meaningfully affect the buying decision.
- 03Use case and fit
We compare the intended use, configuration and practical fit of every selected product.
- 04Strengths and limitations
We explain where each option performs best and the compromises to consider.
Good questions
FAQ — Portable Countertop Ice Makers by Ice Type
01Do countertop ice makers keep ice frozen overnight?+
Generally no. Their baskets are insulated holding areas, not freezer compartments. Move ice into a freezer if you need it stored, and expect some pieces to clump after transfer.
02What is the difference between bullet and nugget ice?+
Bullet ice forms hollow, firmer pieces for ordinary drinks. Nugget machines make small, softer chewable pieces. The texture preference is often a better reason to spend more than the advertised daily pound figure.
The short answer
Start with the Frigidaire 26-lb Countertop Ice Maker.
I recommend it for daily drinks that need ordinary bullet ice. Choose something else if you specifically want soft chewable nuggets.
View on Amazon ↗Keep looking
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