Halo-halo? Mais con yelo? Ice scramble? Some of the things we miss the most from our childhood are the summer merienda we used to eat just to cool off, surely we always go around our neighborhood just to look for these local treats. But aside from these delicious desserts with crushed ice, we can also beat the heat with a glass full of soda and cube ice or smoothies made with bullet ice and any of our favorite fruit.
These refreshing treats are made possible by portable ice makers. This provides us with high-quality ice that we can use with our drinks and food in a matter of minutes. Since there are several models to choose from, the buying guide in this article will assist you in determining which is best for you and your family. To help you narrow down your choices, take a look at our list of the 10 best portable ice makers.
Quick List - Top Portable Ice Makers
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Since this style of ice maker is compact, it can be used anywhere as long as it is plugged into a 110V outlet. This ice maker, unlike other ice makers, is operated by pouring water into its main compartment. While they are easier to use than other types of ice makers, they can only produce a limited volume of ice, so make sure to empty them often.
A portable ice maker is ideal for your kitchen countertop, particularly if you live in a small apartment or dorm. This is also suitable for outdoor use, such as at a picnic, yacht party, road trip, or other outdoor events. Depending on the model, portable ice makers can produce up to 15 kilos of ice a day.
Portable ice makers are not very common in households here in the Philippines. Instead, we are used to getting ice from the closest supermarket or grocery. However, these ice makers come in handy, particularly for us Filipinos, who enjoy entertaining guests at home. So let us walk you through what to consider before purchasing a portable ice maker.
Aside from crushed ice, let's look at the different types of ice that an ice maker can produce. Different types of ice are compatible with a particular beverage or dessert, so it's important to understand each one's characteristics, including their usage, and melt rate.
Cube ice is the most common ice shape there is. Based on its size, it can be classified into two categories- the full cube and the half cube.
Full ice cubes, also known as dice cubes, are excellent at keeping drinks cold. This has a 100 percent ice-to-water ratio. It melts slowly, so it won't water down your beverage that quickly. Meanwhile, half-cube ice melts faster and cools your beverage quicker.
Tubular nugget ice, pebbled ice, pellet ice, and sonic ice are all names for nugget ice. It goes well with smoothies and frozen drinks. Since it is bite-sized, it is also ideal for those people who want to chew ice while enjoying their dessert.
The melt rate is fast due to the size of 3/8 x1/2 inch in length and width, as well as the fact that it is thin. Despite this, it still serves its purpose to cool drinks rapidly and for ice chewers because of its ability to break into pieces easily.
Bullet ice has a pointing tip on one end and is cylindrical. This ice shape melts evenly and chills drink quickly since it is round and hollow in the middle.
This is great for making your own cocktails, infused drinks, and iced coffee at home. Your drinks can look more instagrammable, as if they were created by a professional barista due to the cloudy appearance of the bullet ice.
Crescent ice features a solid build but has a half-moon shape. This ice melts slowly and measures 1 1/2 x 1 1/8 x 1/2 inch in dimension. Because of its crescent shape, it can swing in a glass without crowding and filling it evenly on all sides.
It is wise to consider the ice maker's ice production capability because not all portable ice makers produce the same volume of ice. The maximum output of portable ice makers in a 24-hour cycle ranges from 9 to 15 kilos. So, if you know you'll be using ice frequently, such as for your business, you might want to invest in ice makers with a higher production rate.
Also, keep in mind that size does matter because it affects the amount of ice that can be stored inside the machine. To prevent the ice from melting, check if the ice maker can keep the ice frozen and for how long. Some models can store ice for up to 18 hours, while other units can pump the melted ice or water back to the reservoir.
Meanwhile, it is ideal to choose a unit that can provide various features, particularly if it can help you save time and money. For example, a timer feature will help you manage your time while cooking and preparing for some event. In addition, it will set a specific start and stop period of ice production.
Lastly, don't forget to check other specs of the machine, including its water tank capacity, water inlet method, as well as voltage and power consumption. This would assist you in getting a trouble-free experience and in monitoring your electricity use.
Look for designs or outer casings that will complement your current interior or kitchen theme. Fortunately, today's portable ice makers come in a variety of modern colors, such as black, white, and red, as well as materials like stainless steel to match with your other small kitchen appliances.
Products | Image | Click to purchase | Key features | |
---|---|---|---|---|
1 | Carrier Portable Ice Maker | ![]() | Spend More Time Outside With This Portable Ice Maker | |
2 | Hanabishi Ice Maker|HICEMAKER 240 | ![]() | Ice Cubes in Just 7 to 10 Minutes | |
3 | Tylr Portable Ice Maker |TYL-IM2200GS (2020 Model) | ![]() | Stainless Steel Ice Maker With Indicator Light | |
4 | Hicon Electric Ice Maker | ![]() | Small in Size but Big in Production | |
5 | Nostalgia Automatic Ice Maker|RIC-100 | ![]() | Retro Design for an Aesthetic Kitchen | |
6 | HAILANG Automatic Ice Maker | ![]() | User-Friendly Ice Maker for Simple Needs | |
7 | Portable Bullet Ice Maker | ![]() | A Space-Saving Option for Smaller Kitchens | |
8 | HAILANG Ice Maker | ![]() | Keeps the Ice Frozen Even When the Power Is Off | |
9 | ACA Green Ice Maker | ![]() | A Digital Ice Maker With Bottom Drain for Easy Cleaning | |
10 | Hicon Automatic Ice Cube Make | ![]() | Smaller but Competitive Option |
This portable ice maker from Carrier is a good option if you prefer a stainless design. This unit has six indicators for power, full ice storage, low water level, small ice, large ice, and cleaning reminderー you'll enjoy an easy-to-use and very handy kitchen appliance.
This machine can make up to 9 ice bullets per cycle and hold ice for up to 18 hours, which is ideal if you are bringing it for your picnics, long drives, and other outdoor activities.
Because of its R600a refrigerants, it has low Global Warming Potential or GWP, making it both environmentally friendly and efficient. As a result, it uses very little electricity and has a low load of power.
This ice maker from Hanabishi has a straightforward design that makes it suitable to be used on the go. It can easily compete with other brands when it comes to ice production, as it can release 12 kg of ice in 24 hours. It has a 2.2-liter tank capacity and is capable of storing 99 pieces of ice.
According to one of the reviewers, this ice maker is convenient to useー all you need to do is add water to its tank, plug it in, and switch it on. In just 7-10 minutes, you'll have ice cubes for the iced coffee of your dreams to fuel your whole day.
Want to maintain a stainless steel theme in your kitchen? You'll love this compact ice maker from Tylr. This ice maker has a manual water inlet and does not need any installation. All you have to do is sit back and enjoy your bullet-shaped ice after 15 minutes.
This ice maker has an indicator light that will turn on if the ice storage is full or the water tank is empty, ensuring that ice is produced continuously. However, if you will not see the warning light, the unit would switch off automatically.
The ice-making process can be seen through the wide viewing window. It also has touch buttons to enable effortless operation. This unit also has a self-cleaning feature, making it ideal for everyday use but requiring less cleaning time from you.
Want an ice maker for your home but are on a tight budget? This mini ice machine is the answer! While this ice maker is smaller than most, it produces almost the same volume of ice every day. It can produce about 15 kilos of ice in just 24 hours.
Since this machine only has a 40db compressor, it produces relatively little noise while in operation, making it suitable for small households or businesses. Besides that, there is a side vent for proper heat dissipation.
Despite being small, this ice maker can produce 9 ice cubes in just 6 to 9 minutes of waiting. However, since it only holds 60 ice cubes, you will have to empty it regularly.
Nostalgia's Retro Series ice maker is inspired by 1950s diners. It has a red casing, which can add a pop of color to your kitchen. It has a clear window so you can see how much ice is being made, but it also has light indicators for power, full ice, and adding water.
This unit produces small, medium, and large ice sizes. And after just 9 minutes of waiting, you'll have ice cubes to make your favorite smoothie at home. To clean it, just defrost it and wipe it down with a wet cloth. This ice maker is perfect for holidays and other celebrations, so you can serve refreshing beverages for your family and guests.
This portable ice maker from Hailang is another low-cost alternative with a decent performance. Because of the ultra-thick cyclopentane foam insulation layer, this ice maker has added foaming technology that can hold ice for longer than most ice makers.
This ice maker also uses the R600a refrigerant, which has a low Global Warming Potential. It also has an "ice full" and "empty water" indicator that can be seen right away and regulated easily, thanks to the clear mandatory panel.
Furthermore, there's no more need for making ice ahead of time in the refrigerator and buying ice trays because this unit can produce small and large ice cubes in just 8-10 minutes.
This ice maker has ice full and a water shortage alert for sustained ice production during the day, but you could leave it running longer than other ice maker models because of its 2-liter water capacity.
This ice maker can produce small ice cubes, which are ideal for milk tea, juice, and coffee, as well as large ice cubes for cocktails and softdrinks. Despite its size, it has a thickened foam coating that can keep ice for longer periods of time.
You'll only have to wait 6 minutes for ice production, but this unit can only generate 10 kg of ice a day, so you'll have to empty it often. Nonetheless, this item is ideal for any small household.
Are you concerned that your ice would be wasted if there is a brownout? This ice machine is the solution because it can preserve ice for up to 3-5 hours after the electricity has been turned off. This is possible because of the dense foam used in this machine.
This model also has a metal fan cover, which leads to efficient heat dissipation. And, thanks to its high-efficiency compressor, 10 bullet ice can be produced in as little as 6 to 8 minutes! Additionally, you can monitor other features and change the ice cube size with ease to the updated panel display.
Add aesthetic to your kitchen with this green ice maker that has a digital screen and raw touch operation for effortless use. And in as short as 8 minutes, you can have ice for your drinks. It produces 9 ice cubes at a time. It automatically prompts when there is a water shortage or if the 500g ice storage basket is full.
This ice maker can produce large and tiny cubes for any beverage. It also maintains a constant temperature environment, so the ice cubes will not melt. Because of the cooling fan at the rear of the unit, overheat is less likely to happen. And to clean it, just take out the plug in the bottom drain.
This ice machine uses only 105 watts while in use, making it suitable for those who are looking to reduce their electricity consumption while also being able to make a variety of drinks at home. It only takes 6-13 minutes to make 9 bits of ice per batch for both small and big cubes.
You can choose between a red and a silver casingー either will look great on your counter next to your stainless kitchen appliances. It has a 2.2-liter water tank, so this may even be used by a home-based food business.
To add to the fun, serve your drinks over ice. Check out the links below for some of our recommended drinks and other items you can order online and stock up on.
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No. 1: Carrier|Portable Ice Maker
No. 2: Hanabishi|Ice Maker|HICEMAKER 240
No. 3: Tylr|Portable Ice Maker |TYL-IM2200GS (2020 Model)
No. 4: Hicon|Electric Ice Maker
No. 5: Nostalgia|Automatic Ice Maker|RIC-100
View Full RankingThe descriptions of each product are referenced from content available on manufacturer, brand, and e-commerce sites.
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