Rinse and Refill the Water Reservoir: Rinse the water reservoir with clean water to remove any cleaning solution residue. The draw can vary depending on what the ice maker is doing—freezing, pumping, or heating the molds—and the range is fairly wide, from 50 to 160 watts, with an average of 100 watts per hour. We also wish the ice container would slide out instead of tilt since it feels like the ice could take a spill if you're not careful about opening it. Carry handle: Carry handle is attached to the ice maker, making it convenient to move wherever it needs to go. The ice production capacity of an Igloo ice maker varies depending on the model, but most can produce anywhere from 26 to 33 pounds of ice per day.

That may not sound like a big deal, but after we tried more than a dozen portable ice makers, it made a huge difference in a machine's overall convenience. Nugget ice is also great for blended cocktails, as it will keep your mixture cooler for a longer period of time and won't dilute the flavors. The reservoir holds enough water to make ice continuously for a few hours at a time, so you don’t have to watch it too closely. Though reviews include some typical small-appliance woes, its overall ratings are strong, ranging from 4.However, for most everyday uses, such as chilling beverages or making ice for small gatherings, the Igloo Ice Maker is an excellent choice.

But the Frigidaire earned my enthusiastic recommendation as well, plus it has the smallest profile if you’re really limited on space. However, this ice maker can't handle as much water as some of the others, so we did need to refill often to compensate for maximum output. The side tank allows for more ice to be made between refills; you can also opt for a cheaper version without the side tank. For clear-ice makers, we assessed the clarity of the ice and how easy it was to break apart the ice block into separate cubes.For the size of the machine, this Insignia ice maker produces a decent amount of evenly sized bullet cubes. You'll want to keep it close to a sink or on a wet bar so it's easy to drain after the cleaning process. Monitor the Ice-Making Progress: Keep an eye on the ice maker to track the progress of the ice-making process. If you drink a lot of sodas or seltzers, or you just want better-looking ice, consider a waterfall-style, clear-cube ice maker like the Luma Comfort IM200.