The 3 Best Under-Counter Ice Makers

 

Ice is an entertaining staple, but when hosting a crowd, your freezer’s built-in ice maker just won’t cut it. The best under-counter ice makers can make as much as 50 pounds of ice per day, so you’re never stuck serving up room-temperature beverages, nor do you have to lug in bagged ice.

To find the best under-counter ice makers, I teamed up with Meggan, creator of Culinary Hill. We looked at the most popular picks from top brands, like Whirlpool, KitchenAid, and GE, narrowing the options down based on physical size, ice output and storage capacity, design (traditional door versus drop-door), and ice shape—yes, really, there’s a difference! We also considered customer reviews and weeded out any options that weren’t highly rated. Ultimately, we chose four models worth the upgrade.

Our Top Picks

1. Best Overall: Whirlpool 15-Inch Ice Maker with Clear Ice Technology – $1,928 at Home Depot
2. Best Budget: Euhomy Under-Counter Ice Machine – $799.99 at Amazon
3. Best Drop-Door: KitchenAid KUID308HPS 18-Inch Automatic Ice Maker with PrintShield Finish – $2,468 at Home Depot

Reviews of The Best Under-Counter Ice Makers

1. Best Overall: Whirlpool 15-Inch Ice Maker with Clear Ice Technology

This 15-inch under-counter ice maker is sleek and functional, which is why we chose it as the best overall pick. It has a slim design that may be used built-in or freestanding and it can hold 25 pounds of ice. And if the bin starts getting low, you can use a fast ice setting to refill it quickly; it can make up to 50 pounds of ice in a 24-hour period. The ice created is a crescent half-moon shape, which purports to be slow-melting to keep cocktails, soft drinks, or other beverages cool without compromising the flavor too much.

This appliance comes in a stainless-steel finish, but it’s also available in white or black, so you can choose the one that looks best with your space—most other models come only in stainless steel. And it’s fairly priced in comparison to other under-counter ice makers of this size and caliber.

The Specs:

• Dimensions: 15 inches wide by 25.38 inches deep by 33.63 inches tall
• Daily output: 50 pounds
• Storage capacity: 25 pounds
• Ice shape: Crescent
• Installation type: Built-in or freestanding

What I Like:

• Fast ice setting refills stock quickly
• Built-in filter
• Easy to clean, thanks to a self-cleaning cycle
• Comes in three finishes to fit in with most kitchen styles
• Can be built in or used freestanding

What I Don’t Like:

• Only one ice shape option
• Can be noisy
• May need to purchase additional parts to correctly install

What Others Are Saying:

The Whirlpool 15-Inch Ice Maker has almost 300 reviews on Home Depot with an average rating of 4.2 out of 5 stars.

Buy the Whirlpool 15-Inch Ice Maker with Clear Ice Technology

2. Best Budget: Euhomy Under-Counter Ice Machine

Many under-counter ice makers cost $2,000 to $3,000—or even more for heavier duty machines! This budget model from Euhomy retails for a fraction of that and has similar features as more expensive options. It can hold 24 pounds of ice in the bin, and it pumps out up to 80 pounds of ice per day, which is considerably more than any of our other picks. 

The ice is cube-style, and you can choose from thin, medium, or large options depending on your preferences, but note it doesn’t come with a filter, so if you want filtered ice, look elsewhere. Like some pricier units, it has a self-cleaning function, a reversible door, and an LCD control panel for easy operation. It only comes in one finish: an elegant stainless steel that works well with most decor.

The Specs:

• Dimensions: 15 inches wide by 18.5 inches deep by 34 inches tall
• Daily output: 80 pounds
• Storage capacity: 24 pounds
• Ice shape: Cube
• Installation type: Built-in or freestanding

What I Like:

• Budget-friendly price
• Can be built in or used freestanding
• Three cube-style ice options
• Easy to clean, thanks to a self-cleaning cycle

What I Don’t Like:

• Cube-shaped ice can melt faster than other types
• No built-in filter
• Ice produced isn’t perfectly clear
• Only comes in stainless steel finish

What Others Are Saying:

The Euhomy Under-Counter Ice Machine is one of the most reviewed under-counter ice makers on Amazon, with an average rating of 4.4 stars from over 1,000 ratings.

Buy the Euhomy Under-Counter Ice Machine:

3. Best Drop-Door: KitchenAid 18-Inch Automatic Ice Maker with PrintShield Finish

This drop-door ice maker opens just like a dishwasher, so you can position it flush with your cabinets, instead of having to leave some space so the door can open properly. Because of the design, it’s a few inches wider than most and so requires a wider cutout depending where you choose to install it, but that just gives it some extra room to store ice—it has a 35-pound storage capacity, while many others cap out at 25 pounds. For convenience, there’s a self-cleaning cycle that you can run regularly to keep everything fresh.

One thing to note is that this ice maker doesn’t come with a filter, but it does have a spot where you can add one; you’ll just have to purchase it separately if you want filtered ice. But even without it, you’ll get uniform, clear, crescent-shaped ice cubes to add to your favorite beverages.

The Specs:

• Dimensions: 18 inches wide by 25.63 inches deep 34.38 inches high
• Daily output: 50 pounds
• Storage capacity: 35 pounds
• Ice shape: Crescent
• Installation type: Built-in or freestanding

What I Like:

• Convenient drop-door design that can be built in or freestanding
• Large 35-pound storage capacity
• Easy to clean, thanks to a self-cleaning cycle

What I Don’t Like:

• Only one ice shape options
• Ice filter isn’t included
• Higher priced than many

What Others Are Saying:

The KitchenAid 18-Inch Automatic Ice Maker with PrintShield Finish has a 4.5-star average rating on Home Depot from just over 120 reviews.

Buy the KitchenAid 18-Inch Automatic Ice Maker with PrintShield Finish

Other Under-Counter Ice Makers to Consider

KitchenAid 15-Inch Automatic Ice Maker with PrintShield Finish

The KitchenAid 15-Inch Automatic Ice Maker with PrintShield Finish has a similar look to the wider drop-door version we recommend above but has a regular, reversible door that swings open to the left or right. This means the appliance itself is 3 inches narrower, and therefore loses some capacity: It holds up to 25 pounds of ice like our top pick. Reviews point out that the ice is on the smaller side and chills nicely without diluting beverages too fast. The KitchenAid 15-Inch Automatic Ice Maker with PrintShield Finish is available at Best Buy for $2,384.99.

Scotsman UN0815A-1 15-Inch Nugget Undercounter Ice Maker

Commercial machines like the Scotsman UN324 make a lot of ice, and they’re built to withstand heavy use. But they can also be big and bulky and don’t fit in as seamlessly as other models in most home kitchens—not to mention expensive! Plus, some reviews say it’s difficult to find someone to repair them if anything goes wrong. The Scotsman UN0815A-1 is available at Amazon for $3,241.

GE 15-Inch Ice Maker with Nugget Ice

There aren’t a lot of options for nugget ice outside of commercial models, aside from this one from GE. The ratings aren’t that impressive and the price is astronomical, which is why we didn’t name it a winner. However, if you’re set on nugget ice, this is one of the only non-commercial, under-the-counter options available (you’d have to get a countertop model otherwise). The GE 15-Inch Ice Maker with Nugget Ice is available at Home Depot for $3,799.

Thor Kitchen Freestanding/Built-In Cubed Ice Maker

The Thor Kitchen Freestanding/Built-in Cubed Ice Maker has few reviews and isn’t as recognizable of a name as some of the others like KitchenAid and Whirlpool. Additionally, this model doesn’t have any unique features that make it stand out from the crowd. We think it could be a good option, but not necessarily better than the other tried-and-true names. The Thor Kitchen Freestanding/Built-In Cubed Ice Maker is available at Best Buy for $1,699.

GE 15-Inch Ice Maker

This 15-Inch Ice Maker from GE is much more expensive than other similar options, with a lower average rating from reviewers. Some report issues with the operation and say that it’s unreliable. Because of that, we don’t feel comfortable recommending it, especially for the price. The GE 15-Inch Ice Maker is available at Home Depot for $3,174.

Why You Can Trust Us

I’m Lindsay, a functional nutritionist, recipe creator, and product reviewer with almost 15 years of experience testing kitchen products and comparing them side by side. You can find my work across a variety of digital publications, including The Spruce Eats, Better Homes and Gardens, Forbes Vetted, and Eating Well.

I worked on this roundup of the best under-counter ice makers with Meggan, a classically trained chef and founder of Culinary Hill. To narrow down the options, we looked at highly rated picks from top-rated brands like Whirlpool, GE, KitchenAid, and more. We compared features side-by-side, and selected our top picks based on size, output, capacity, ice shape and size, and design. Ultimately, we chose four options that we think work well in home kitchens or other entertaining spaces.

Everything to Know Before Buying an Under-Counter Ice Maker

What to Consider Before Buying an Under-Counter Ice Maker

When shopping for an under-counter ice maker, you want to think about size, output capacity, ice shape, and the overall design of the appliance.

Size: First, you want to make sure the ice maker fits in your space by looking at the cutout specs required, assuming you intend to install it under a counter. Most of them can either be built in or freestanding, so measure the area you want to put it and compare specs carefully. For units with a traditional swing door, you don’t want it to be flush with any surrounding cabinets, or you won’t be able to get the door open.

Output and Capacity: Output and capacity are two different things. The output is how much the ice machine is capable of making per day, while the capacity is how much the ice maker can hold at a given time. Consider both of these factors separately to make sure you’re getting an appliance that suits your needs.

Ice Shape and Size: You may think that “ice is ice,” but the shape and size can make a difference in how the ice cools your drink. Typically, crescent-shaped ice is larger and lasts longer while cubed ice is smaller and melts faster. Nugget ice, which is typically a commercial machine option and none of our picks make, is another style that “crunches” nicely if you chew on it. This mainly comes down to preference—make sure you like the shape and size of the ice, too!

Design: Just like with any other large appliance, you want to consider the design. Part of this is personal preference—does it fit in with your space and aesthetic?—but it also may affect function. You may find that a door that swings open, either to the right or left (as most are reversible), simply may not work in your kitchen, so you’ll need to go with drop-door style.

How Do You Clean an Under-Counter Ice Maker?

Ice makers, like refrigerators or freezer, occasionally need a thorough cleaning. The instructions for yours may vary, but the typical procedure is as follows: 

• Unplug the ice maker.
• Remove any ice from the bin.
• Using a food-safe cleaner, wipe down the inside of the ice bin.
• Rinse the bin with hot water, wipe down, and then allow it to dry completely.
• Plug it back in. 

The ice shutter, a.k.a. the part of the machine that makes the ice, most likely has an automatic cleaning cycle, which means you won’t have to do anything to clean it yourself. If it doesn’t, you’ll need to follow the manufacturer’s instructions to clean the machine without ruining it. If the instructions say you should clean it, never put cleaning solution in the ice shutter without making sure it’s food safe.

How Do You Install an Under-Counter Ice Maker?

Installing an under-counter ice maker is pretty straightforward, but it’s often best to hire a professional to ensure that the water and drain lines are properly connected and you don’t end up with any leaks. The specifics can vary between models, but generally you’ll need to connect the water line to the kitchen water supply and run the drain hose or pump into the floor drain before plugging the machine in. It will take a little while for it to fill up the first time, but this should keep it continuously running—just like an ice maker in a regular freezer.

How Does an Under-Counter Ice Maker Work?

Under-counter ice makers work similarly to an ice maker in a freezer. The only difference, of course, is that they’re standalone appliances that slide under your counter—similar to how a dishwasher is set up.

These appliances get hooked up to a water line, and that water gets fed into an ice tray or mold. A compressor then starts up to chill the water in the tray until it freezes. As the water freezes, the ice maker adjusts the length of the cycle as needed to ensure you get solid ice cubes. When the ice cubes are fully formed, an evaporator kicks in to slightly heat the tray so the ice cubes can fall out. 

Most under counter ice makers have an automatic shut-off that signals when the ice bin is full. When the ice reaches a certain point in the bin, the ice maker will shut off. If the ice gets lower than that cut-off point, it will kick back on to refill the bin.

What Are the Benefits of an Under-Counter Ice Maker?

The biggest benefit of an under-counter ice maker is convenience! You have plenty of ice for entertaining a crowd at all times, in a machine that doesn’t take up countertop space, though installing one likely means removing an existing cabinet. Additionally, one can fit more seamlessly in an entertaining space, like a bar area. You don’t have to worry about running out of ice because you’ll have much more than you’ll get from an ice maker in your freezer or a smaller, countertop model.

The Best Cocktail Recipes

Speaking of entertaining, these are some of Meggan’s favorite cocktail recipes to serve to family and friends, or just enjoy herself! Give your new under-counter ice maker a whirl and try them out.

• Greyhound Cocktail
• Paloma Cocktail
• Hurricane Cocktail
• Sea Breeze Cocktail

Prices were accurate at time of publication.