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Buying Guideยท9 min read

Best Ice Maker Under $100 (2026)

We compared countertop ice makers under $100 on daily output, ice style, cycle speed, and features to find the best picks at this budget.

Jamie Cole, Lead Product Researcher
8 options evaluated
Quick note: We may earn a commission when you buy through Amazon links. This guide is based on product specs, buyer feedback, use cases, and comparison criteria, not paid placement. Affiliate disclosure.
Best Ice Maker Under $100 (2026)

At a Glance

EUHOMY Countertop Ice Maker with Handle
Best Overall

EUHOMY Countertop Ice Maker with Handle

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Silonn Countertop Ice Maker with Carry Handle
Best for Portability

Silonn Countertop Ice Maker with Carry Handle

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Frigidaire EFIC128 Compact Countertop Ice Maker
Best Brand-Name Pick

Frigidaire EFIC128 Compact Countertop Ice Maker

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NEWBULIG Countertop Ice Maker with Handle
Best Ultra-Budget Pick

NEWBULIG Countertop Ice Maker with Handle

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EUHOMY Ice Maker Countertop with Handle
Best Alternative

EUHOMY Ice Maker Countertop with Handle

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Frigidaire Countertop Portable Bullet Ice Maker
Best Finish

Frigidaire Countertop Portable Bullet Ice Maker

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Shopping for countertop ice makers on a budget means the extras fall away and a handful of details end up mattering most: daily output, ice style, and cleaning convenience.

We compared the picks below on the real specs listed by the manufacturer, checking capacity, power, control layout, and included accessories rather than assuming similar-looking listings perform the same.

5 Criteria to Look For Before Buying a Ice Maker Under $100 (2026)

Key buying criteria so you get the right fit the first time.

Ice Style

Bullet ice is the common, hard, hollow-cylinder style. Nugget (chewable/pellet) ice is softer and popular for cold drinks but generally costs more for similar daily output. Crescent ice suits cocktails where slower melt matters.

Daily Output

Most countertop machines produce 26-44 lbs per day. Larger households or entertaining regularly should look toward the higher end; occasional use doesn't need to max this out.

Cycle Speed

6-7 minutes per batch is standard. Faster cycles matter more if you're refilling a cooler or hosting rather than everyday drink-making.

Cleaning and Maintenance

Self-cleaning or auto-cleaning cycles reduce upkeep. None of these machines have an insulated storage bin, so ice will slowly melt and recycle if not used.

Build and Brand

Established appliance brands like Frigidaire offer broader support networks; category-focused brands like EUHOMY often compete well on features and price.

Best Ice Maker Under $100 (2026)

Best Overall

EUHOMY Countertop Ice Maker with Handle

EUHOMY Countertop Ice Maker with Handle
26 lbs in 24 hours9 cubes in 6 minutesAuto-cleaningIncludes basket and scoopBlack

About this pick

EUHOMY's ice maker hits the same 26-lbs-per-day, 6-minute-cycle benchmark as the category leaders, and adds an auto-cleaning function plus included basket and scoop so it's ready to use out of the box. EUHOMY has built a strong reputation specifically in the countertop ice maker space, and this model reflects that focus.

A well-rounded, dependable pick that shows up across multiple price tiers in this guide because it consistently competes well against pricier alternatives.

Best for: buyers who want a well-reviewed, full-featured ice maker at a mid-range price

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Pros

  • +Auto-cleaning function included
  • +26 lbs per day, 9 cubes every 6 minutes
  • +Includes basket and scoop
  • +Strong reputation specifically in countertop ice makers

Cons

  • โˆ’Storage bin isn't insulated like a freezer
  • โˆ’Mid-range price for this tier
Best Budget Pick

Antarctic Star Countertop Ice Maker

Antarctic Star Countertop Ice Maker
26 lbs per day6-minute cycleCountertopCompact

About this pick

Antarctic Star's machine matches the category standard of a 6-minute cycle and 26 lbs daily output, at one of the lower prices in this tier. It's a solid, no-frills choice for anyone who just wants fast bullet ice without paying for extra features like nugget ice or app control.

A good pick if budget is the main driver and you don't need anything beyond basic countertop ice production.

Best for: buyers who want the fastest ice cycle at the lowest price in this tier

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Pros

  • +6-minute cycle, among the fastest in this comparison
  • +26 lbs per day output
  • +Lower price point than most competitors here
  • +Compact size fits smaller counters

Cons

  • โˆ’Basic feature set, no self-cleaning cycle mentioned
  • โˆ’Shorter brand track record than Frigidaire or EUHOMY
Best for Portability

Silonn Countertop Ice Maker with Carry Handle

Silonn Countertop Ice Maker with Carry Handle
9 cubes in 6 minutes26 lbs per daySelf-cleaningCarry handleIncludes basket and scoop

About this pick

Silonn's countertop ice maker turns out a batch of 9 bullet-shaped cubes in about 6 minutes, and keeps producing up to 26 lbs over a 24-hour stretch, plenty for regular home use or a weekend of guests. The self-cleaning cycle and included carry handle make it a genuinely portable option for camping or RV use, not just a marketing bullet point.

It's a straightforward, no-fuss machine: fill the tank, pick a cube size, and it keeps churning out ice with no plumbing hookup required.

Best for: buyers who want a portable, self-cleaning ice maker for home or on the go

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Pros

  • +9 cubes ready in about 6 minutes
  • +26 lbs of ice per day
  • +Self-cleaning cycle and carry handle for portability
  • +Includes basket and scoop

Cons

  • โˆ’Storage bin isn't insulated, ice will melt and recycle back into the tank over time
  • โˆ’No plumbing hookup means manual refilling of the tank
Best for Ice Size Flexibility

EUHOMY Ice Maker Countertop with 2 Ice Sizes

EUHOMY Ice Maker Countertop with 2 Ice Sizes
9 cubes in 6 minutes26 lbs/24hSelf-cleaning2 bullet ice sizesBasket and scoop included

About this pick

This EUHOMY model adds a second ice size option, letting you choose between two bullet-ice sizes depending on whether you want ice for drinks or for a cooler. It carries the same self-cleaning cycle and fast 6-minute production as EUHOMY's other listings, and it's one of the most frequently recurring EUHOMY models across this guide's price tiers.

A versatile, well-proven pick if ice size flexibility matters to you.

Best for: buyers who want the flexibility of two ice cube sizes

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Pros

  • +Two selectable bullet ice sizes
  • +Self-cleaning cycle
  • +26 lbs/24h, 9 cubes every 6 minutes
  • +Basket and scoop included

Cons

  • โˆ’Non-insulated storage bin
  • โˆ’Priced higher than EUHOMY's basic handle model in this tier
Best Brand-Name Pick

Frigidaire EFIC128 Compact Countertop Ice Maker

Frigidaire EFIC128 Compact Countertop Ice Maker
26 lb per dayCompactBlack

About this pick

Frigidaire's compact model delivers the standard 26 lbs per day in a recognizable, trusted appliance brand name, something that matters to buyers who prefer sticking with established kitchen appliance makers over newer countertop-ice-maker-only brands. Its compact footprint suits smaller counters.

A safe, brand-name choice if you'd rather buy from a company that also makes refrigerators and other major appliances.

Best for: buyers who prefer a trusted major-appliance brand name

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Pros

  • +Frigidaire brand recognition and support network
  • +26 lb per day output
  • +Compact footprint for smaller counters
  • +Recognizable major-appliance brand

Cons

  • โˆ’Priced higher than some newer-brand competitors with similar specs
  • โˆ’No self-cleaning cycle mentioned
Best Ultra-Budget Pick

NEWBULIG Countertop Ice Maker with Handle

NEWBULIG Countertop Ice Maker with Handle
Portable designCarry handleCountertop ice machine

About this pick

NEWBULIG's entry is the least expensive pick in this tier, a straightforward portable ice maker with a carry handle for moving it between kitchen and patio or camping trips. As a newer brand, it has a shorter track record than Frigidaire or EUHOMY, but the core spec (portable countertop bullet ice) matches the category.

Worth considering if minimizing upfront cost is the priority and you're comfortable with a less established brand name.

Best for: buyers prioritizing the lowest price in this tier from a newer brand

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Pros

  • +Lowest price in this tier
  • +Carry handle for portability
  • +Compact countertop footprint
  • +Straightforward portable design

Cons

  • โˆ’Shorter brand track record than established names like Frigidaire or EUHOMY
  • โˆ’Fewer stated features than pricier picks in this tier
Best Alternative

EUHOMY Ice Maker Countertop with Handle

EUHOMY Ice Maker Countertop with Handle
9 cubes in 6 minutesCarry handleCountertop

About this pick

This is another EUHOMY countertop model with the same fast 6-minute cycle, priced at the higher end of this tier. It's essentially a sibling to EUHOMY's other listings in this comparison, likely a different size or bin configuration.

If you're set on the EUHOMY brand, compare this listing's exact bin capacity against their other model here before choosing.

Best for: buyers who want the EUHOMY brand but should compare against EUHOMY's other listing here

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Pros

  • +9 cubes ready in 6 minutes
  • +Carry handle for portability
  • +EUHOMY's established ice-maker track record
  • +Fast 6-minute cycle

Cons

  • โˆ’Nearly identical to another EUHOMY listing in this tier, compare exact specs before choosing
  • โˆ’Highest price in this tier
Best Finish

Frigidaire Countertop Portable Bullet Ice Maker

Frigidaire Countertop Portable Bullet Ice Maker
26 lb per dayBlack stainless steel finishPortable

About this pick

Frigidaire's black stainless steel finish sets this apart visually from the plain black or white plastic housings on most competitors here, a nice touch if appearance on the counter matters. Output matches the category standard at 26 lbs per day.

The priciest pick in this tier, largely a premium for the stainless finish and Frigidaire's brand name together.

Best for: buyers who want a stainless steel finish that looks nicer on the counter

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Pros

  • +Black stainless steel finish stands out visually
  • +26 lb per day output
  • +Frigidaire brand backing
  • +Portable design

Cons

  • โˆ’Highest price in this tier, largely for finish and brand name
  • โˆ’No self-cleaning cycle mentioned

How We Evaluated These Ice Maker Under $100 (2026)

Each pick was assessed across 4 criteria weighted for real-world use.

Output and Cycle Time

We compared daily lb output and per-batch cycle time across every listed machine.

Ice Style

We noted whether each machine produces bullet, nugget, or crescent ice, since this is a genuine preference difference, not a quality tier.

Feature Set

We checked for self-cleaning, app control, dispensers, and included accessories like scoops and baskets.

Price-to-Output Balance

We weighed whether higher-priced picks in each tier deliver a genuine output or feature upgrade rather than just a higher price tag.

How to Choose the Right Ice Maker Under $100 (2026)

Bullet vs. Nugget vs. Crescent Ice

Bullet Ice

Hard, hollow cylinders. The most common and usually the least expensive style.

Nugget Ice

Soft, chewable pellets, popular for cold drinks and smoothies, generally costs more.

Crescent Ice

Slower-melting shape favored for cocktails where dilution matters.

How Much Daily Output Do You Need?

Household SizeSuggested Daily Output
1-2 people, occasional use26-33 lbs/day
3-4 people or regular entertaining33-40 lbs/day
Large household, home bar, or small business40+ lbs/day or a commercial unit

What to Confirm Before Buying

Storage bin insulation

Most countertop machines don't have an insulated bin, ice recycles back into the water tank if not used within a few hours.

Warranty and support

Check the current listing for the manufacturer's stated warranty period before buying.

Frequently Asked Questions

What's the difference between bullet ice and nugget ice?

Bullet ice is the hard, hollow-cylinder shape most home ice makers produce. Nugget ice is softer and chewable, popular for cold drinks, and machines that make it typically cost more.

Do countertop ice makers need a water line?

No. Countertop ice makers use a manually filled water tank, no plumbing hookup required, which is why they're portable.

Will the ice melt if I don't use it right away?

Yes. Most countertop machines don't have an insulated storage bin, so ice gradually melts and the water recycles back into the tank.

What should I expect at the under $100 price point?

Under $100, expect reliable daily output in the 26-44 lb range with either bullet or nugget ice, and features like self-cleaning cycles becoming more common as price increases within this range.

Are commercial ice makers worth it for home use?

Only if you genuinely need high daily volume, like a home bar or a large household that entertains often. For typical daily use, a countertop machine producing 26-40 lbs per day is usually enough.

Bottom Line

best overall: EUHOMY Countertop Ice Maker with Handle - best overall pick in this roundup.

See the full rankings above for all picks with pros, cons, and best-for summaries.

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