Choosing The Best Portable Ice Maker For Your Home
Key Takeaways
- The best portable ice maker for your home depends on how often you entertain, how much ice you need, and where you plan to use it.
- Higher-capacity ice makers are useful for larger gatherings, while smaller countertop models are a practical fit for everyday use and smaller events.
- Production speed matters if you regularly host parties, barbecues, holidays, or outdoor gatherings where guests refill drinks often.
- Features like add-water indicators, full-basket alerts, removable ice bins, side drains, and included ice scoops can make everyday use easier.
Shopping for an ice maker made easy.
Whether you’re throwing a holiday party or a summer BBQ bash, few things are worse than running out of ice. Of course, for a larger party – or even a mid-sized one – those tiny little ice trays that you keep in your freezer won’t cut it. You might also consider buying bags of ice at the grocery store or local gas station, but that’s precious time you could spend preparing for your party, and you never quite know what you’re getting when you buy bagged ice.
Then again, what about the ice machine that’s built into your refrigerator? That has to be the best option, right? Well, not quite. You don’t have a lot of room to collect your ice, and the ice maker that’s built into your refrigerator isn’t really designed to handle larger parties or events. Plus, it’s hardly portable, meaning it’s useless if you’re camping or outdoors. If any of these problems sound familiar to you, it may be time to buy an ice maker.
Ice makers can keep a great party going for hours, which is why choosing the best portable ice maker for your home is an important decision to make. Here are some of the features and considerations you should have when buying an ice maker. The right model can help you keep drinks cold for everyday use, parties, tailgates, RV trips, outdoor entertaining, and busy holiday hosting.
How much ice do I need to make?
Deciding how much ice to buy can be a problem, especially if you’re not 100% certain who will show up. Fortunately, with an ice maker, you’re making ice and storing ice continuously. Instead of estimating how many bags of ice to buy, you can focus on the size of the group you usually host and how frequently guests refill drinks.
If you typically host larger gatherings with a lot of friends and family members, spring for a 50-lb capacity ice maker such as the Newair AI-215 series.
If you’re hosting small to mid-sized events, the Newair AI-100 series should meet your needs.
Of course, as they say, it never hurts to be prepared, so if it’s in your budget, it may be worth springing for the AI-215 right from the get go. For frequent hosts, extra daily ice production can be useful during holidays, birthdays, backyard cookouts, and game day gatherings.
How quickly do I need ice made?
Another important question to ask yourself is how much ice you need to make. For larger events, such as holiday parties, graduation parties, and outdoor events, you may find that a little extra ice doesn’t hurt.
In this case, you’ll want more ice more quickly, which means you might want to go with one of the larger-capacity ice makers, such as the Newair AI-215 series, which can produce 12 pieces of ice in seven-minute cycles.
If your needs are a little less urgent, the Newair AI-100 series is able to make nine pieces of ice in six-minute cycles.
While not quite as quick as the Newair AI-215 ice maker, this is still far better than you’ll ever get with a plastic ice tray. Fast production can be especially helpful when guests arrive before you have had time to stock coolers or chill beverages.
How much space do I have for an ice maker?
Space is a serious consideration when buying any ice maker.
The good news is that NewAir portable ice makers are compact and highly portable.
The AI-100 series, for example, looks and fits naturally on nearly any countertop.
The AI-215 portable ice maker is only slightly larger, so it fits on a countertop just as easily. Before choosing a model, think about where you will use it most often: a kitchen counter, home bar, garage, patio, RV, office breakroom, or entertaining area.
It also helps to consider nearby outlet access, room for ventilation, and enough clearance to refill the water reservoir, remove ice, and clean the unit after use.
Which color matches my other appliances?
For some of us, aesthetics are an important part of the appliance-buying process. If it’s not going to look good, then it doesn’t matter how great it is.
Fortunately, you’re not limited to a single color scheme with NewAir ice makers. The NewAir AI-100 series of ice makers comes in a variety of colors, including red, orange, blue, stainless steel, and black. This means that you should be able to find something to match your kitchen no matter what your existing appliances look like.
That said, one of the best things about a portable ice maker is how easy it is to move around. This means you can pick and enjoy the color you want without having to worry whether it will clash with the rest of your appliances.
When you’re done with it, just stow it away in a cabinet for later use. This also means that it’s very easy to take with you on camping trips and family outings (so long as you have a place to plug it in). For many shoppers, portability matters just as much as appearance because the same ice maker can support weeknight dinners, weekend hosting, and seasonal outdoor plans.
What other features should I consider?
When shopping for an ice maker, it's important to consider the features that best fit your needs.
- Ice type: Start by choosing the type of ice you want. Bullet ice is ideal for everyday drinks and quick ice production, while nugget ice offers a soft, chewable texture. Clear cube ice melts more slowly for cocktails and premium beverages, and specialty round clear ice creates an elevated presentation for entertaining.
- Add water indicator: Alerts you when it's time to refill the reservoir so ice production can continue without interruption.
- Full ice basket indicator: Lets you know when the basket has reached capacity.
- Removable ice basket: Makes it easy to clean the unit or transfer ice to a cooler or serving container.
- Automatic overflow protection: Stops the ice maker from producing more ice once the basket is full.
- Side-mounted drain: Simplifies draining and cleaning after use.
- Included ice scoop: Makes serving ice cleaner and more convenient.
These usability features can make a big difference if you plan to use your ice maker frequently or move it between rooms, parties, RVs, or outdoor spaces.
The AI-100 and AI215 boast all of these features and more, making them easy picks when choosing the best portable ice maker for your home.
While you’re here, be sure to check out some of the best-selling ice makers.
FAQs About Choosing a Portable Ice Maker
What size portable ice maker do I need?
The right size depends on how often you entertain and how many people you typically host. Smaller countertop ice makers are a good fit for everyday use and small gatherings, while higher-capacity models are better for parties, outdoor events, and frequent hosting.
Is a portable ice maker better than buying bagged ice?
A portable ice maker can be more convenient because it lets you make fresh ice as needed without leaving home. It also helps reduce last-minute store trips before parties, barbecues, camping trips, or holiday gatherings.
Where can I use a portable ice maker?
Portable ice makers can be used in kitchens, home bars, garages, offices, patios, RVs, and other spaces with a safe, accessible outlet. They are especially useful anywhere you need extra ice without relying on a refrigerator ice maker.
What features should I look for in a countertop ice maker?
Look for features that make daily use easier, such as add-water alerts, full-basket indicators, removable ice bins, automatic overflow protection, a side-mounted drain, and an included scoop.
