The 8 Best Ice Makers Under $200, Nugget and Bullet Countertop Models, Ranked & Reviewed

Our verdict: Chewable nugget ice at 33 lbs a day from a major appliance brand, in a gunmetal finish.

The Frigidaire Crunchy Chewable V2 makes nugget ice at up to 33 lbs a day on a countertop body with a gunmetal finish. It sits in the $100 to $200 bracket.

Nugget ice is porous, so it soaks up the flavour of the drink and gives way when you chew, which is why people pay extra for it. Frigidaire is a major appliance name, and that means easier warranty claims and a wider service network than most sellers offer at this price. It takes first place on that blend of ice style and brand support.

Buy it if you want chewable ice from a known name. Skip it if you want clear cubes for cocktails.

Output

33 lb per day

Ice type

Nugget

Finish

Gunmetal

Bracket

$100 to $200

Our verdict: Stainless steel nugget maker at 35 lbs a day, on a 7-minute cycle with self-cleaning.

The stainless EUHOMY produces 35 lbs per 24 hours on a 7-minute cycle, with a self-cleaning routine, a scoop and a basket.

Its edge over the Frigidaire is a documented cleaning cycle and a little more output. The stainless body resists dents and stains better than painted plastic. The cost is a listing with no warranty detail and a less familiar brand.

Buy it if self-cleaning and output matter most. Skip it if you prefer a household-name brand.

Output

35 lb per 24 hours

Cycle

7 minutes

Body

Stainless steel

Cleaning

Self-cleaning

Our verdict: A 35 lb a day stainless nugget maker, but light on listed details.

The Kismile makes up to 35 lbs of nugget ice a day in a stainless steel countertop body.

Output matches the EUHOMY stainless, which makes it a competitor on paper. It ranks third because the listing gives no cycle time, no cleaning mode and no accessories, so the buying case rests on the headline number.

Buy it if you want a stainless nugget maker and can compare prices. Skip it if you want the cleaning feature confirmed.

Output

35 lb per day

Ice type

Nugget

Body

Stainless steel

Bracket

$100 to $200

Our verdict: 34 lbs a day on a 6-minute cycle, with a removable top cover and auto-cleaning.

This EUHOMY nugget maker offers 34 lbs per day on a 6-minute cycle, with a removable top cover, auto-cleaning, a basket and a scoop.

The removable cover is the practical detail: it opens up the inside for a proper wipe, which most sealed machines do not allow. It ranks fourth because output is slightly below the stainless version and the plastic body is plainer.

Buy it if you want to move the machine and clean it easily. Skip it if you prefer a metal body.

Output

34 lb per day

Cycle

6 minutes

Cover

Removable top

Cleaning

Auto-cleaning

Our verdict: Bullet ice, nine cubes per six minutes and up to 26 lbs a day, in the lower bracket.

The hOmeLabs makes nine cubes every six minutes, up to 26 lbs in a day, on a countertop body in the $50 to $100 bracket.

It is the plain choice for people who only want ice and do not care about nugget. The listing says little about cleaning or accessories, so ranking depends on the output numbers and brand history.

Buy it if you want ordinary cubes cheaply. Skip it if you want nugget ice.

Output

26 lb in 24 hours

Cycle

9 cubes in 6 minutes

Type

Countertop bullet

Bracket

$50 to $100

Our verdict: A compact Frigidaire with a copper stainless finish and 26 lbs a day.

The EFIC117 is a compact countertop ice maker with a copper stainless finish and 26 lbs per day of output.

The finish is the point: it looks like a small appliance rather than a plastic gadget. It ranks sixth because the listing is silent on cycle time and cleaning, and it only matches the output of cheaper bullet makers.

Buy it if looks matter. Skip it if you want specs.

Output

26 lb per day

Finish

Copper stainless

Size

Compact

Brand

Frigidaire

Our verdict: White retro styling, bullet ice and 26 lbs a day.

The Frigidaire Retro makes bullet ice at 26 lbs a day in a white body with retro styling.

It fits the vintage-kitchen trend and does the job of a basic bullet maker. It ranks seventh because the retro looks cost more than they add to performance, and the listing gives no cleaning details.

Buy it if your kitchen has a retro theme. Skip it if you want features.

Output

26 lb per day

Ice type

Bullet

Finish

White retro

Brand

Frigidaire

Our verdict: A medium-size stainless finish machine producing 26 lbs a day.

This Frigidaire is a portable compact ice maker with a stainless finish, medium size and 26 lbs a day.

It ranks last because it is the least distinct: the same output as the others, no listed cycle time and no cleaning detail. It is a fine low-risk option if you want the Frigidaire name.

Buy it if you want a no-surprises brand. Skip it if you want any standout feature.

Output

26 lb per day

Finish

Stainless

Size

Medium

Bracket

$50 to $100