Best Countertop Ice Makers in 2026
The best countertop ice maker for most homes in 2026 is the Euhomy Dart H1. It makes bullet ice, turns out its first batch in about six minutes, cleans itself and costs about $90. If what you want is soft, chewable nugget ice, the GE Profile Opal Mini is the one to buy, and for clear cubes that suit cocktails, the Newair ClearIce40 is the best value.
This guide is for people whose freezer cannot keep up, or who want a particular kind of ice. That last part matters most. Countertop machines make one of three types: bullet ice, nugget ice or clear cubes. Each pick below says which it makes. Eight machines made the list, and all were on sale new when this page was last checked.
Last checked October 2026: availability, specs and prices.
What to Look for in a Countertop Ice Maker
Ice type. Bullet ice is the hollow, rounded cylinder that cheap portable machines make. It forms fast and melts fast. Nugget ice, also called pebble or chewable ice, is made of compressed flakes and is soft enough to chew. Clear cube ice is dense and slow to melt, so it waters drinks down less. Bullet machines are the cheapest, nugget machines cost more, and clear-ice machines are the heaviest and slowest per batch.
Daily output and bin size. Makers quote pounds per 24 hours, usually 26 to 60. The bin is the practical limit. Most hold 1.5 to 3.5 pounds, and the machine pauses when the bin is full. For a party, you will be emptying the basket into a cooler or the freezer.
The bin is not a freezer. Countertop ice makers do not keep ice frozen. Ice in the basket slowly melts, and the meltwater runs back into the reservoir to be made into ice again. Move ice to the freezer if you want to store it.
Water supply. All of the machines here are filled by hand, with no water line. Reservoir size sets how often you refill. Some nugget machines add a side tank that extends the time between refills.
Cleaning. Standing water and scale are the main enemies of an ice maker. A self-cleaning cycle makes the routine rinse easier, and a drain plug makes it possible to empty the machine fully. Models without a self-clean program need to be flushed by hand.
Size, weight and noise. Bullet machines weigh about 14 to 16 pounds and can be carried to an RV or patio. Nugget and clear-ice machines are bigger and heavier, and tend to stay put. Check the height against your upper cabinets.
Best Countertop Ice Makers in 2026: Our Picks
The picks are grouped loosely by how many buyers they suit, with ice type in each heading.
1. Euhomy Dart H1 (Bullet Ice)
The Euhomy Dart H1 is a compact bullet ice maker with a carry handle. Euhomy says it makes nine pieces every six minutes and up to 26 pounds a day. It draws 170 watts and weighs under 14 pounds, so it moves easily between a kitchen, a camper and a backyard table.
It has an automatic cleaning cycle and recirculates meltwater. Euhomy lists it at under 9 inches tall, lower than most rivals, which helps under cabinets. It costs about $90 (October 2026) with a one-year limited warranty. Several colors were sold out when checked, with green, red and pink available.
Pros of the Dart H1
- First ice in about six minutes
- Self-cleaning cycle
- Low, light and portable, with a handle
Cons of the Dart H1
- Bullet ice melts quickly in drinks
- Black, silver and white were sold out when checked
- One-year warranty
2. GE Profile Opal Mini (Nugget Ice)
The GE Profile Opal Mini is the newest member of the best-known nugget ice family. GE Appliances launched it in July 2026 and says it has a footprint 30 percent smaller than the full-size Opal Ultra and weighs 25 percent less, while still making up to 36 pounds of nugget ice a day.
GE lists it at 8.6 inches wide and about 14.5 inches tall. It fills from the top, has a drain-and-dry system and a front panel that flips open for maintenance, and connects to the SmartHQ app over Wi-Fi. The list price is about $299 (October 2026). GE also sells Mini Pro versions with a side tank. The older, larger Opal 2.0 Ultra showed as out of stock online at GE when checked.
Pros of the Opal Mini
- Soft, chewable nugget ice
- Narrow 8.6 inch width
- Wi-Fi control and a drain-and-dry system
Cons of the Opal Mini
- Costs three times as much as a bullet ice maker
- Side tank only on the pricier Pro versions
- New model, launched in July 2026
3. Newair ClearIce40 (Clear Cube Ice)
The Newair ClearIce40 makes clear cubes. Newair explains that water cascades over a chilled tray and freezes in layers, which pushes out the air and impurities that make ordinary ice cloudy. The company quotes a new batch about every seven minutes and up to 40 pounds a day.
The interior is insulated and the ice bin lifts out. A drain plug at the back lets you empty it, and meltwater is recycled. There is no self-cleaning program. It weighs about 23 pounds and stands just under 14 inches tall. Newair sells it for about $280 (October 2026) with a two-year warranty.
Pros of the ClearIce40
- Clear, slow-melting cubes
- 40 pounds a day, the most of the non-nugget picks
- Two-year warranty
Cons of the ClearIce40
- No self-clean cycle
- Heavier than a bullet ice maker
- Newair’s page does not state cube size or bin capacity
4. Newair 26 lb Countertop Bullet Ice Maker (Bullet Ice)
The Newair Countertop Bullet Ice Maker is the pick for buyers who want a bullet machine with a longer warranty. It makes up to 26 pounds a day, with the first batch in about seven minutes, and offers two ice sizes. The basket holds 1.5 pounds and the reservoir holds 0.6 gallons.
Controls are two buttons, and there is a viewing window for checking the ice. It comes in matte black or metallic silver at about $140 (October 2026). Newair covers it for two years. It does not have a self-cleaning program.
Pros of the Newair Bullet Ice Maker
- Two-year warranty
- Two ice sizes, simple two-button control
- Under 16 pounds
Cons of the Newair Bullet Ice Maker
- No self-clean cycle
- Costs more than the Euhomy or Silonn
5. Euhomy Pearl H1 (Nugget Ice)
The Euhomy Pearl H1 brings nugget ice down to a much lower price. Euhomy rates it at up to 34 pounds a day and says the first ice arrives in six to eight minutes. It has a carry handle, a viewing window and indicators for a full basket and low water.
A 15 minute self-cleaning cycle starts from the control panel, and the top cover lifts for manual cleaning. The basket is small, under 2 pounds by Euhomy’s figures, so it suits a household’s daily drinks more than a party. It costs about $180 (October 2026) in black, with a one-year warranty.
Pros of the Pearl H1
- Nugget ice for well under $200
- Self-cleaning cycle
- Handle makes it movable
Cons of the Pearl H1
- Small basket
- No app or side tank
- One-year warranty
6. GoveeLife Smart Nugget Ice Maker Pro (Nugget Ice)
The GoveeLife Smart Nugget Ice Maker Pro is the high-output choice. Govee rates it at up to 60 pounds of nugget ice a day, with the first ice in six minutes. The basket holds 3.5 pounds. A 2.2 liter main tank is joined by a 4.9 liter side tank, so it runs a long time between refills.
Govee lists a noise level of 40 dB and includes two cleaning programs, a 10 minute quick clean and a 30 minute descaling mode. It works with the Govee app, Alexa and Google Assistant. The price is about $500 (October 2026), with a three-year limited warranty. It is a large machine, more than 21 inches deep with the tank.
Pros of the GoveeLife Nugget Ice Maker Pro
- 60 pounds a day and a 3.5 pound basket
- Side tank included
- Three-year warranty, the longest here
Cons of the GoveeLife Nugget Ice Maker Pro
- The most expensive pick
- Takes up a lot of counter
- Stock was listed as limited when checked
7. Silonn Clear Ice Cube Maker (Clear Cube Ice)
The Silonn Clear Ice Cube Maker is for home bars. It makes large clear cubes, 1.6 inches on a side, three at a time in about 20 minutes. Silonn puts the daily output at roughly 26 pounds. You can set thin, medium or thick cubes by changing the freezing time.
It has a 2 liter water tank, a touch control panel and a self-cleaning mode. The machine weighs about 26 pounds. Silonn’s list price is about $385 (October 2026), with a one-year warranty.
Pros of the Silonn Clear Ice Cube Maker
- Large 1.6 inch clear cubes for spirits and cocktails
- Three thickness settings
- Self-cleaning mode
Cons of the Silonn Clear Ice Cube Maker
- Only three cubes per 20 minute cycle
- Expensive for 26 pounds a day
- One-year warranty
8. Silonn Countertop Ice Maker (Bullet Ice)
The Silonn Countertop Ice Maker is the budget pick. It makes eight bullet pieces in six minutes and up to 26.5 pounds a day, in two sizes. Silonn quotes operating noise of 30 to 50 dB and a five minute self-cleaning cycle that starts by holding the power button.
It is 8.4 inches wide, weighs about 16 pounds and draws 160 watts. The price is about $70 (October 2026), with a one-year warranty and a 30 day return period.
Pros of the Silonn Countertop Ice Maker
- The lowest price in this guide
- Self-cleaning cycle
- Two bullet sizes
Cons of the Silonn Countertop Ice Maker
- Bullet ice only
- One-year warranty
Countertop Ice Maker Questions
What is the difference between bullet, nugget and clear ice?
Bullet ice is a hollow cylinder that forms in minutes and melts quickly. Nugget ice is soft, chewable and soaks up the drink. Clear ice is solid, dense and slow to melt. Among the picks, the Euhomy Dart H1, Newair 26 lb and Silonn Countertop make bullet ice. The Opal Mini, Euhomy Pearl H1 and GoveeLife make nugget ice. The Newair ClearIce40 and Silonn Clear Ice Cube Maker make clear cubes.
Do countertop ice makers keep ice frozen?
No. The bin is insulated at best, not refrigerated. Ice left in the basket melts and the water is reused. Bag the ice and put it in the freezer if you want to keep it.
Do they need a water line?
None of these do. You pour water into the reservoir. The GoveeLife’s side tank and GE’s Mini Pro versions extend the time between refills.
How often should I clean one?
Follow the manual. As a rule, empty and rinse the machine when it has sat unused, and run a cleaning or descaling cycle regularly if your water is hard. Machines with a self-clean program and a drain make this less of a chore.
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Conclusion
Buy the Euhomy Dart H1 if you just need more ice, quickly and cheaply. The Silonn Countertop Ice Maker does the same for a little less, and the Newair 26 lb model adds a two-year warranty.
For nugget ice, the GE Profile Opal Mini is the balanced choice, the Euhomy Pearl H1 is the budget one and the GoveeLife Smart Nugget Ice Maker Pro is for heavy use. For clear ice, choose the Newair ClearIce40 for everyday cubes and the Silonn Clear Ice Cube Maker for large cocktail cubes.
