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The Best 5Aggregated review·15 sources·updated October 9, 2026·checked October 7, 2026

Best Portable Ice Makers

Top portable countertop ice makers ranked by aggregate score from 15 published reviews from real multi-source testing.

This guide aggregates 15 published reviews across 5 products; the thinnest-sourced pick rests on 2. No publisher printed a score for the top pick — its rating is derived from what reviewers wrote. How we rank.

Verdict is reader-supported. As an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases. Some links on this page are affiliate links — if you click through and buy, we may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you. Our ratings are sourced from independent publications, not sponsors.
Quick answer

GE Profile Opal 2.0 is our top pick for portable ice makers — an averaged 4.5/5 across 2 published reviews at about $599. Runner-up: Frigidaire EFIC189 (~$89.99).

Read the GE Profile Opal 2.0 review →$599 · Buy at famoustate.com
At a glance5 products ▾
1GE Profile Opal 2.0Top Pick
2 sourcesall derived
$599Best for: Nugget-ice devotees who want soft chewable ice and app scheduling, and who will keep up with cleaning a premium countertop appliance.
$599 · Buy at famoustate.com
2Frigidaire EFIC189
1 sourceall derived
$89.99Best for: Value buyers who want a steady, fast supply of ice for drinks and coolers without paying for nugget or clear-ice machines.
$89.99 · Check Price on Amazon
3Magic Chef MCIM22SV 27-Pound Portable
1 source
$188.99Best for: Budget and on-the-go buyers who want a lightweight, fast bullet-ice maker for an RV, boat, dorm, or backup ice supply.
$188.99 · Check Price on Amazon
4Frigidaire EFIC452-SS Clear Ice Maker
1 sourceall derived
$159Best for: Home bartenders who want clear square cubes and will trade cycle speed and self-cleaning for how the ice looks in a glass.
$159 · Check Price on Amazon
5Frigidaire Gallery EFIC255 Nugget
3 sourcesall derived
$259Best for: Budget-minded nugget-ice fans who want chewable pellets and high output and will accept more noise and durability risk to avoid the GE Opal's price.
$259 · Check Price on Amazon

Derived means the reviewer published no score, so one was inferred from their written verdict. Everything else is a number the publisher printed. How we rank.

The full ranking

How we rank →
GE Profile Opal 2.0
#1 · Top Pick
★ Premium Pick
Best for: Nugget-ice devotees who want soft chewable ice and app scheduling, and who will keep up with cleaning a premium countertop appliance.
GE Profile Opal 2.0
2 sourcesall derived$599as of Oct 10
▾Why it's ranked here

The GE Profile Opal 2.0 is the nugget-ice pick: soft, chewable, Sonic-style ice rather than the hard bullets or clear cubes the rest of this group makes. CNN Underscored ran it for two months and called it whisper quiet, and Reviewed rates the ice clean-tasting and the SmartHQ scheduling genuinely useful. It is the most expensive maker here and it needs regular descaling.

Strengths
  • — First nuggets in 10-15 minutes and up to 38 lbs a day
  • — SmartHQ app schedules production and tracks filter status, with Alexa and Google support
Watch-outs
  • — Needs regular cleaning and descaling to stay reliable
  • — Some owners report sensor problems or reduced output over time
$599 · Buy at famoustate.comFull review →vs. Frigidaire EFIC189 →
Frigidaire EFIC189
#2
Best for: Value buyers who want a steady, fast supply of ice for drinks and coolers without paying for nugget or clear-ice machines.
Frigidaire EFIC189
1 sourceall derived$89.99as of Sep 25
▾Why it's ranked here

The Frigidaire EFIC189 is the value champion of portable ice makers: a compact bullet-ice machine. A 4.4-star average across 14,000-plus owner ratings backs that up, making it the go-to for anyone who just wants a steady supply of ice quickly and cheaply. It makes only hard bullet ice, and reports on its noise level vary. On value, nothing touches it.

Strengths
  • — Consistent bullet size, shape, and weight with two size options
  • — Compact (IceArtisan calls it relatively compact for its capacity class), lightweight, and simple to operate
Watch-outs
  • — Makes hard, cloudy bullet ice — not nugget or clear cubes
  • — Noise is disputed: some sources cite up to 67 dB, but IceArtisan measured about 45 dB
$89.99 · Check Price on AmazonFull review →vs. GE Profile Opal 2.0 →
Magic Chef MCIM22SV 27-Pound Portable
#3
Best for: Budget and on-the-go buyers who want a lightweight, fast bullet-ice maker for an RV, boat, dorm, or backup ice supply.
Magic Chef MCIM22SV 27-Pound Portable
1 source$188.99as of Oct 11
▾Why it's ranked here

The Magic Chef MCIM22SV is a budget bullet-ice maker that keeps a quick, steady supply of cube ice coming. Figure about 9 cubes every 7 minutes, up to 27 lbs/day, with two size options and simple LED controls. At around 17 lbs it is genuinely portable for RVs and boats. It makes only hard bullet ice and carries the durability caveats typical of the budget tier, but it is a capable, affordable workhorse.

Strengths
  • — Affordable bullet-ice maker
  • — Fast cycles — about 9 cubes every 7 minutes, up to 27 lbs/day
Watch-outs
  • — Short warranty and only average long-term durability
$188.99 · Check Price on AmazonFull review →vs. GE Profile Opal 2.0 →
Frigidaire EFIC452-SS Clear Ice Maker
#4
Best for: Home bartenders who want clear square cubes and will trade cycle speed and self-cleaning for how the ice looks in a glass.
Frigidaire EFIC452-SS Clear Ice Maker
1 sourceall derivedOne review so far, so ranked one place lower$159as of Oct 11
▾Why it's ranked here

The Frigidaire EFIC452-SS is the clear-ice specialist here, making transparent square cubes instead of cloudy bullets or soft nuggets. IceArtisan and IceMakerSpot both praise the clarity while noting the cubes emerge fused in sheets you have to break apart. Up to 40 lbs a day and a 2.3-quart tank suit a home bar; slower cycles and manual cleaning are the price.

Strengths
  • — Makes genuinely clear, square cocktail-grade cubes
  • — Up to 40 lbs a day, per IceArtisan, from a generous 2.3-quart tank
Watch-outs
  • — No self-cleaning, so descaling is a manual job
$159 · Check Price on AmazonFull review →vs. GE Profile Opal 2.0 →
Frigidaire Gallery EFIC255 Nugget
#5
Best for: Budget-minded nugget-ice fans who want chewable pellets and high output and will accept more noise and durability risk to avoid the GE Opal's price.
Frigidaire Gallery EFIC255 Nugget
3 sourcesall derived$259as of Sep 25
▾Why it's ranked here

The Frigidaire Gallery EFIC255 is the budget route to nugget ice, making chewable Sonic-style pellets at a fraction of the GE Opal's price with a high 44 lbs/day output. Reviewers are candid about what that costs you: it is loud, its pellets are harder than the Opal's, and it carries a low 3.1-star Amazon average with real durability complaints. Buy it if you want nugget ice cheaply and will accept the reliability and noise risks.

Strengths
  • — Makes chewable Sonic-style nugget ice for far less than the GE Opal
  • — High 44 lbs/day output with restaurant-style nuggets in ~15 minutes
Watch-outs
  • — Loud, with irregular growling operation noise
  • — Low 3.1-star Amazon average and notable durability complaints, which The Ice Maker Hub also flags
$259 · Check Price on AmazonFull review →vs. GE Profile Opal 2.0 →
Reviews aggregated from
IcemakerspotReviewedIceartisanCNN UnderscoredTasteofhomeRatemyicemakerPopular MechanicsShouldit

Spec comparison

5 products
vs
SpecGE Profile Opal 2.0Frigidaire EFIC189
Ice TypeNugget (chewable)Bullet (2 sizes)
OutputUp to 38 lbs/dayUp to 26 lbs/day
First Batch10-15 minutesUnder 15 minutes
Bin Capacity3 lbs—
Water SupplySide tank + onboard reservoir—
NoiseQuiet (~44 dB)About 45 dB measured by IceArtisan (some sources cite up to 67 dB)
Warranty1 year1 year
Dimensions17.5"D x 13.43"W x 16.5"H15"D x 11"W x 14.5"H
Wattage360 watts200 watts
Cycle Time—5-7 minutes
Owner Rating—4.4 stars (14,000+)
Footprint—Compact countertop
Controls——
Features——
Self-Cleaning——

Frequently asked questions

What's the strongest pick among portable ice makers?
GE Profile Opal 2.0 is the top pick for portable ice makers — 4.5/5 averaged from 2 published reviews. The GE Profile Opal 2.0 is the nugget-ice pick: soft, chewable, Sonic-style ice rather than the hard bullets or clear cubes the rest of this group makes. CNN Underscored ran it for two months and called it whisper quiet, and Reviewed rates the ice clean-tasting and the SmartHQ scheduling genuinely useful. It is the most expensive maker here and it needs regular descaling.
When was this guide last updated?
This guide was last re-checked in October 2026. Prices, links, and source ratings are re-verified on a rolling basis, and the ranking updates when the underlying scores change.

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