All the Ice-Making Gadgets You Need to Cool Off This Summer

Having convenient access to ice has to be one of the best modern luxuries. Ice cubes have the power to instantly transform any cold or lukewarm drink into a super refreshing sip. And for drinks like smoothies, daiquiris and liqueurs served over ice, ice is an essential ingredient (with NO possible substitutes). So, being able to grab a few cubes whenever you need them may seem simple and expected, but if NO If I had the opportunity, drinking cold drinks would become a real pain.

The best ice machines

With summer still in full swing, it’s a great time to upgrade your at-home ice options. You’ll be using them a lot, and with kitchen tools that can produce ice cubes tailored to different uses—like smoothies, water bottles, and on-the-go drinks—there are so many ice-cold conveniences worth exploring. Check out our favorite ice makers—many of which have been tested and approved by our editors—to make the rest of your summer even more refreshing.

Do you have an ice maker you swear by? We want to hear all about it! Tell us about your favorite finds below.

KT Best Ice Making Tools 2023

1. 

   Water Bottle Ice Cube Tray

   W&P

   16 dollars

   Adding ice to your water bottles will be a whole lot easier when you have this silicone ice cube tray. It makes thin ice cubes that fit easily into any water bottle and often stay intact a bit longer than smaller ice cubes. This tray could quickly become the most popular ice cube maker in your home, so do yourself a favor and buy a two-pack so you never run out of ice.

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2. 

   Icebreaker Pop Silicone Ice Tray

   Amazon

   $22.99 (was $35.99)

   This unassuming little device could actually change the way you think about making ice at home. Instead of having a tray that you have to fill and carefully carry to the freezer, you can fill this easy-to-use ice maker through the drip-free spout, then pop the cap on and pop it in the freezer. When it’s time to use the cubes, simply squeeze the bottle and pour in as much ice as you need (without even touching the cubes). Read our full review for more details.

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3. 

   GE Profile Opal 2.0 Ultra Nugget Ice Maker XL Side Tank & Filters

   QVC-pl

   $549.98 (was $759)

   If there’s one ice maker you’ve probably seen before, it’s the GE Profile Opal 2.0 Nugget Ice Maker. The social media darling is beloved for many reasons, but perhaps the biggest is its crispy, restaurant-quality ice. We also love that it recirculates melted ice to make more, and that it’s Wi-Fi-enabled, so you can order fresh ice from your smartphone, Alexa, or Google Assistant and have it ready in 20 minutes. Best of all, it comes with everything you need to get started, including a removable side tank, four filters, and a metal spatula.

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4. 

   Tovolo Sphere ice trays, set of 2

   Pendulum

   $13.50 (was $18.99)

   One of the best ways to spice up your drinks (both alcoholic and non-alcoholic) is with molded ice cubes. This set of spherical ice molds makes two large balls of ice that look super chic in a cocktail or a simple glass of iced tea. If you’re new to these types of ice tools, don’t worry: they’re easy to use and take up very little space in the freezer. Plus, you can make them well in advance, so you’ll always have them on hand when a special occasion comes along.

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5. 

   Antarctic Star 26-Pound Portable Clear Bullet Ice Machine

   Pendulum

   $68.49 (was $149.99)

   This economical automatic ice maker is one of the most convenient and user-friendly ice-making tools you can buy. It’s quiet and compact, and it has a little scoop to help you get all the cubes out. If you want an ice maker but don’t want to invest in a whole new fridge to get the feature, this is a smart solution (and you can take it with you to your new home if you need it).

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6. 

   Silicone Covered Ice Tray – Large Cube

   OXO

   $11.99

   Our Senior Trade Editor Ian said he’ll never go back to regular ice cubes after trying this giant ice cube tray. It makes extra-large, perfectly square ice cubes that elevate any drink (especially any liqueur served over ice) and doesn’t dilute the drink because it melts very slowly. “The best part about this tray,” Ian wrote, “is that the flexible silicone tray that allows for easy removal of the cubes is encased in a rigid frame, so you can store it in the freezer without having to treat it like a gelatin cube.” The easy-to-use improved ice tray is a winner in our books.

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7. 

   Igloo Automatic Ice Maker 26 lbs.

   Amazon

   $109.99

   Make your home ice maker more fun and chic with this retro automatic ice maker. It can make 26 pounds of ice per day—in your choice of small or large bullet-shaped cubes—and is designed to be quiet while it’s running. Cleaning this machine is also easy, as all you have to do is empty the unit, add some vinegar, and turn on the self-cleaning mode.

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8. 

   Insignia 26-Pound Portable Ice Maker

   Best offer

   $89.99 (was $125.99)

   One of the best things about automatic ice machines is that they have smart features that make them super efficient. This tabletop ice maker doesn’t take up much space, yet it makes up to 26 pounds of ice per day. It lets you choose between two cube sizes and has a water recycling system that collects melted water and filters it for reuse — which also eliminates the need for a drain.

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9. 

   W&P ice cube

   W&P

   20 dollars

   The problem with traditional ice trays is that you can’t start making new ice until all the initial ice is gone – which is really annoying when you reach for it and realise there’s not enough ice for your needs. This clever ice maker has a storage compartment under the tray so you can start freezing a new batch of ice once the first one is completely hardened. It’s a real game-changer, if you ask us!

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10. 

    New Air ClearIce40 Countertop Ice Maker

    Amazon

    $249.99 (was $299.99)

    This full-size countertop ice maker makes 40 pounds of ice in a single day. Its design couldn’t be simpler—just turn it on and choose the size of ice. Easy-to-read indicator lights let you know when the ice is ready and when to add water, without any guesswork. Extra-thick insulation keeps the ice colder longer, but when it melts, it recycles the water for another round to make it more efficient.

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11. 

    Newair Nugget Countertop Ice Machine 44 lb. Capacity

    Amazon

    $319.99 (was $449.99)

    Many people consider lump ice to be the best kind of ice: it has a nice, crunchy texture and spreads evenly throughout any drink. Plus, you’ll never take a sip and get hit in the face with a big cube. This automatic ice maker can make a small batch of lump ice in just 15 minutes and then produce a full 44 pounds of ice, which is perfect for when you’re entertaining guests. It also has a self-cleaning feature for easy maintenance.

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