13 Best Portable Ice Makers at Best Buy

We have been in this situation several times before we decided to get portable ice makers at Best Buy. We were preparing a fresh cold drink and after everything was done, we checked the ice cube tray to find that we forgot to refill it. Of course, we had a couple of trays, but when it was time for gathering with friends, these trays weren’t enough at all. Here comes the importance of having countertop ice makers at home, so, we never run out of ice.

We tested several brands to pick our 13 top options for professional ice-making. These ice makers will deliver restaurant-quality ice cubes or nuggets to prepare the best cold drinks whenever you need them. If you’re a frequent party hoster, these ice makers are must-haves. So, keep reading to know which ice maker is suitable for your needs.

NewAir REF-NANGICSV000R

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Kicking off our list with the NewAir REF-NANGICSV000R model. This compact ice maker is a good choice for moderate ice production. Our first test was to see how much ice it produces at a time. The amount produced lasted for days. We love the fast ice-making option that delivers less amount in less time. Next, the ice shape is nuggets. This is our preferred ice shape as it’s easy to chew after drinking whatever drink we prepared.

The ice maker was very easy to control. It has an LCD screen on the top to show us if we need to refill the tank. Further, we can know from the screen that we are running off ice cubes. The screen doesn’t tell us how much ice is left, however, this was easy to know from the large ice bucket window. Overall, we liked how easy and effective this machine is.

Frigidaire EFIC227

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The Frigidaire EFIC227 looks like our old filter coffee machine. We put the cup in front of the machine and this is where ice is dispensed. The machine is easy to use except for filling it with water. We have to open the side door and fill the tank gradually, one cup at a time. This consumes time and it could have been designed in a better way. Rather than that, the machine is more than perfect. Plus, the capacity is enough for our household.

We found two size options for ice; small and large. In fact, there isn’t a big difference between the two sizes. Yet, the produced ice is clear and just what we wanted. The other amazing option is water. We can use the ice maker as a water dispenser if we need to fill our drink with a small amount of water. From a price point of view, this machine is value for money.

Insignia NS-IMN44BS4

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The Insignia NS-IMN44BS4 is one of the best fully automatic ice makers at Best Buy. We were amazed at how this ice maker does everything on its own. We just had to fill the water tank and with one button click, we had a bunch of ice cubes that lasted for days. The whole process took less than 15 minutes. Best of all, the remaining ice melts and the machine reuses them, thus, minimal waste here.

Adding to the automatic features, the auto shut-off is a big plus so as not to waste electricity. Apart from the performance, this ice maker looks chic. we love the black and silver stainless steel blend. The blue LED light looked amazing when we turned it on while the kitchen lights were turned off. For more features and information about the ice maker, don’t miss this video from Best Buy Canada Product Videos.

NewAir NIM044BS00

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Largest capacity. The NewAir NIM044BS00 is the best choice for party hosters. It has a 44lb. capacity which is more than what anyone needs at home. Before recommending this ice maker, we had to make sure of the machine’s ability to create that much ice. We got our kitchen scale, filled the tank, and hit the ice button. After the ice bucket was full, we emptied all the ice pellets into a container and weighed it. Surprise! it’s 44 lbs. as claimed.

Now the first box is checked but we have a concern here. We ended up having a lot of mess from filling the tank and emptying the ice bucket. It seems like there is no way to get chewable ice nuggets from this machine without water spill-outs. With such consistent ice pellets and a lovely design, we can withstand the mess. Plus, the ice maker has a self-clean feature. It’s packed with features, you can check them in detail on this Craftbeerjoe website. It’s a full review of the ice maker.

Frigidaire EFIC235

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If you can get the recipe for the best Chick-fil-A drinks, then you’ll make the exact same drinks with Frigidaire EFIC235 ice maker. It was the first time we could make a smoothie with soft crunchy ice nuggets that were easy to chew. We would have thought restaurants use a similar machine if it wasn’t too small with a limited capacity. But for home use, it’s more than perfect. To ease the smoothie-making process, get one of the best portable blenders from here.

Back to our ice maker, it took around 15 minutes to get the first bunch of ice cubes. To get a full bucket, we had to turn it on hours before we intended to use the ice. However, the machine doesn’t reuse the melted ice, so, we stick to the amount of ice cubes we need. Given the capacity and speed, the price of this countertop Best Buy Frigidaire ice maker is very reasonable.

Insignia NS-IMC44S3

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We were impressed by how Insignia NS-IMC44S makes ice cubes super fast. There was a lot more to love about the machine. We filled the tank with water up to the maximum mark and waited for around 15 – 20 minutes to get the first batch of ice cubes. The time taken to create ice depends on the chosen density; this was this machine’s second impressive feature. We can choose the density and size of ice cubes.

The ice maker is smaller than we thought. It fits our countertop without taking up much space, however, the amount of ice it can make and store per day is large. When the bucket is full of unused ice cubes, the ice maker automatically shuts off. Further, we used the self-cleaning feature to clean the machine for the first time but after a couple of uses, we had to clean it manually which was a bit hectic.

NewAir NIM026MBN0

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Most compact. This small unit does miracles. The NewAir NIM026MBN0 ice maker is the smallest we have tried. Yet, the ice’s clarity and the machine’s quality are nothing less than other portable ice makers at Best Buy. We could even pack this machine in our luggage bag while traveling. If you love portable devices, you should check this list of the best handheld portable toasters too.

To get ice, we had to plug the ice maker into electricity and it started working, and unplug to turn it off. There weren’t turn on/off buttons. The ice maker produces minimal noise, we barely heard it while we were outside the kitchen. It’s small and fast, we believe it’s the most practical solution for quick on-the-go drinks. Plus, it looks classy in our kitchen. You can read the reviews of real buyers on the official website of NewAir here.

Frigidaire EFIC121-SS

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Our first trial with the Frigidaire EFIC121-SS was perfect. It takes nothing to operate the machine and get ice. We got the first batch of ice cubes in like 10 minutes. To get started, we filled the water tank and clicked the on button. We had to choose the size we wanted. For the sake of testing everything, we tried both options and there was an obvious difference. However, we’ll stick to small ice cubes, this is what we like the most.

“This little ice maker is one of the best ice makers at Best Buy. The ice is restaurant-quality and the two size options are a great addition. We believe we made a great bargain by getting this machine at such a price.”

WOW Travel

Continuing to explore other options, the machine has two LED indicators. The first tells when the ice basket is full and the other tells when the water tank is empty. Refilling the water tank wasn’t a hectic task at all and it didn’t cause any mess. On the other side, the ice basket is full quickly. We had to empty it as well because the machine doesn’t keep ice for long.

Frigidaire EFIC102

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We have tried several ice makers and each comes with pros and cons. The Frigidaire EFIC102 ice maker isn’t an exception but the highlight of this machine is the silent work. This ice maker will stand on your countertop silently doing its job without anybody realizing it’s there. At first, we thought this would last for a couple of days only, yet, we have been using this ice maker for almost three months and enjoying the same silence. Even if we have any concerns, we have a two-year warranty.

Similar to other Frigidaire models, the machine has two size options, two LED indicators, and an on/off button. It doesn’t keep the ice for a long time but this was expected at such a price. We turn it on to get the amount of ice we need and then turn it off until we need it again. Anyway, it doesn’t take much time to make ice, so, this wasn’t a problem for us.

GE Profile Opal 1 P4INSASBVTS

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Best quality. looking for something more professional? It should be an Opal ice maker Best Buy. There are a couple of them but let’s start with the GE Profile Opal 1 P4INSASBVTS. This ice maker looks different. We love the contours of the machine and how sleek it looks. Further, the cleaning process was such a breeze. Even removing the tank and washing it didn’t take any time.

Moving to the performance and quality, the body of the ice maker felt very durable. It’s a bit heavy but this isn’t the thing we would care about. It took more than one hour to get a full ice bucket. The amount of ice is huge, we can use it for days and weeks. The best thing here is that we didn’t have to move the ice cubes to our freezer as the ice maker can keep the ice cold inside.

GE Profile Opal 2 XPIO23SCSS

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The GE Profile Opal 2 XPIO23SCSS is another high-quality option we recommend for those looking for the best so-called “Sonic Ice”. The ice produced can completely change your drink to the best of course. You’re going to pay more but the enjoyment is way better. This appliance sits beautifully on the countertop of our open kitchen. It elevates the kitchen design just like it does with our cold drinks.

We got the fastest ice cubes with the GE Opal ice maker. At the same time, it didn’t make that noise we were used to with other ice makers. Moving to the distinctive features, this ice maker is a smart home appliance. It has a WiFi connection and a smart App to download on any mobile phone. We did so and magically, we hit start making ice from the App, and by the time we walked from the bedroom to the kitchen, we found our soft ice cubes ready to chew.

Insignia NS-IMP26SL0

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Best price. Apart from the expensive Opal ice maker Best Buy, we have a very cheap, yet, high-quality option. The Insignia NS-IMP26SL0 is a compact ice maker at the lowest price among all the recommended appliances. We love it and love the features we got at such a price. We use this ice maker in our RV. It’s very suitable as it doesn’t take up any space. It’s smaller than our coffee machine.

As you might have guessed now, the number of ice cubes it produces isn’t large. Yet, it’s more than what we need for a camping day. It doesn’t keep the ice cold, so, we tend to use the ice once it’s in the bucket. It took the ice maker an average of 15 minutes for the first ice cube. This is the normal time most ice makers take. Moreover, it has an Auto shut off feature in case the bucket is full and we forget to shut it off. Hence, for the price point, this is beyond expectations.

GE Profile Opal 2 XPIO13SCSS

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The GE Profile Opal 2 XPIO13SCSS is the most expensive ice maker on this list. Yet, it’s the best and the one with the features we were looking for. This ice maker met our expectations from the quality of the machine itself to the softness of ice and many more features. We used it several times. What we got every time was soft chewable ice nuggets. These ice nuggets are nothing different from what we had at the highest-end restaurant we visited before.

On the other side, the ice maker has a large water tank which means it can create a large amount of ice. When ice melts, it reuses the water and creates ice again, and so on. It has a WiFi connection similar to the previous GE Opal machine we mentioned above. Adding to the above features, it’s very fast, perhaps, the fastest ice maker we have tried. If you don’t mind paying those extra bucks, then get this GE ice maker.

Our Verdict!

Looking for a compact ice maker to pack while traveling? You might be looking for a cheap option regardless of the capacity. Alternatively, you might be looking for the largest capacity because you need ice more often. Here is a short list of the best options based on the previous criteria.

• Best price: Insignia NS-IMP26SL0
• Best quality: GE Profile Opal 1 P4INSASBVTS
• Most compact: NewAir NIM026MBN0
• Largest capacity: NewAir NIM044BS00

How To Choose The Best Portable Ice Makers at Best Buy?

We tested the previous machines, and many others, based on a list of features. If you still don’t know how to choose the best ice maker, then, check out this list of features below to know how you should choose.

Ice production

The first thing we check is definitely ice production. Here, we’re testing how long each machine takes to produce ice. Also, whether it produces a chunk of ice cubes at the same time or there is too much time between each cube. Further, consistency is a crucial factor in ice makers. We left each machine working for some time and then refilled the tank over and over to see whether it took the same time to produce the same amount of ice cubes or not.

Ice type

If you love cold drinks and you usually order them, or you already have an ice maker, you probably know that ice comes in different shapes and sizes. Some machines produce cubes, others make ice nuggets, and there are bullet ice as well. The shape makes no difference, so, it’s all about what you prefer. On the other side, clear ice cubes are indications of using clear water. So, make sure you fill the tank with filtered water.
Speaking of clear water, this list of the best portable water purifiers is worth checking for travelers, athletes, and campers.

Additional features

Different Best Buy ice makers have different features rather than making ice and this is what makes the difference in the price. We checked other features such as the size of the machine itself and whether it fits the countertop or not. Also, self-cleaning is a pro feature to have. For cleaning, we made sure that the machine fitted its place, and that we could open all the doors to clean or refill the tank without having to move the machine from its place. Another important feature is the noise level, so, pick a machine that doesn’t produce too much noise.

How do ice makers work?

Simply, ice makers have refrigerant materials in something like a metal rod that freezes water inside the container of the machine. This process takes a few minutes, then you have ice in the bucket.

How should I clean the ice makers?

Some ice makers come with a self-cleaning option. Others don’t, so, you have to clean the water tank and the ice bucket. Cleaning instructions are stated clearly with any ice maker you buy.

Do ice makers have water filters?

Not all of them have filters, so, you should be using filtered water to get clear ice cubes or nuggets that don’t affect the taste of your drink.