In a hurry? The EUHOMY Countertop Ice Maker is our top pick for most UK homes. Nine cubes in six minutes, self-cleaning, scoop and basket included. Check the current price on Amazon.
Best countertop ice makers UK: the honest guide
Most people do not think they need an ice maker until they host people once in summer. The average freezer tray lasts about fourteen minutes once friends start making iced drinks. After that you are apologetically chipping at half-frozen blocks and hoping nobody notices.
Iced coffee has become a daily habit for a large number of UK households, cocktail culture has moved firmly into the home, and the summers, when they arrive, are genuinely hot enough to make ice a real priority rather than an afterthought. Countertop ice makers became popular because they solve an obvious problem simply: plug it in, fill it with water, and have fresh ice in six to ten minutes without waiting for a freezer tray to catch up.
This guide covers six countertop ice makers for everyday UK use, plus a premium clear ice ball maker for anyone building a proper home bar, and a budget silicone tray alternative for cocktail fans who do not want to spend three hundred pounds on a sphere. Every pick is chosen on real ownership feedback with honest notes on noise, reliability, and what to expect in actual use.
Prices are correct at time of publishing. Check Amazon for the latest.
Best countertop ice makers UK 2026 – comparison table
| Ice Maker | Best for | Speed | Daily capacity | Standout feature | Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| EUHOMY Countertop | Best overall | 6 mins | ~12kg | Self-cleaning, scoop included | ~£89.99 |
| EUHOMY Portable | Affordable all-rounder | 6 mins | 12kg | 2 ice sizes, portable handle | ~£69.80 |
| ecozy Countertop | Entertaining and parties | 6 mins | 12kg | Ice bags included | ~£89.99 |
| WIE Stainless Steel | Kitchen aesthetics | 6 mins | 12kg | Stainless steel finish | ~£63.99 |
| FOHERE Ice Maker | Budget pick | 5 mins | 14kg | 2 cube sizes, compact | ~£56.42 |
| Silonn Portable | Camping and caravans | 5-6 mins | ~12kg | Portable, self-cleaning | ~£59.99 |
See today’s price on the EUHOMY Countertop Ice Maker – our top pick for most UK homes.
Best overall ice makers
1. EUHOMY Ice Maker Machine Countertop – Best overall ice maker UK
Nine cubes in six minutes, self-cleaning function, scoop and basket included. 4.2 stars from 22,000+ owner reviews. The best all-round countertop ice maker for most UK kitchens.
Who this is for: Anyone who wants a reliable, straightforward countertop ice maker for everyday kitchen use, iced coffees, and keeping up with guests without constantly running out.
The EUHOMY Countertop is the pick most UK households should start with. At 4.2 stars from 22,000 owner reviews it has the largest review base of any ice maker in this guide by a considerable margin. Owners describe it as a wonderful kitchen gadget that produces ice quickly and consistently, with one owner specifically noting half a kilogram of ice per hour and nine cubes ready every six minutes. The self-cleaning function keeps maintenance simple, the scoop and basket are included so you are ready to go straight out of the box, and the operation is described across reviews as genuinely easy. The honest trade-offs worth knowing: reliability feedback is mixed, with some owners reporting issues after extended use, and the bullet-shaped cubes divide opinion on size. For most homes using it regularly through summer and for parties, it delivers well.
- Nine cubes in six minutes
- Self-cleaning function
- Scoop and basket included
- Easy to operate
- Half a kg of ice per hour
- Reliability mixed in long-term owner feedback
- Bullet-shaped cubes feel small to some owners
- Noise level varies, some find it noticeable
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2. EUHOMY Ice Maker Machine Portable – Best affordable all-rounder UK
4.4 stars from 1,600+ owner reviews. Two ice sizes, portable handle, 12kg daily capacity, and nine cubes in six minutes. The affordable all-rounder for smaller kitchens and occasional use.
Who this is for: Anyone who wants the EUHOMY reliability at a lower price point, or a portable unit that can be moved between the kitchen and garden room depending on where it is needed.
The portable version sits below the top pick on price but delivers comparable speed. At 4.4 stars from 1,600 owner reviews it carries a stronger rating than the top pick, with owners describing it as a reliable workhorse that means never running out of ice. The portable handle makes it genuinely easy to move between rooms, which is useful for garden parties or home bar setups in a separate space. Cube size draws some comments from owners, which appears to be a common theme across budget ice makers rather than a specific fault. A solid second option if the top pick feels like more than you need.
- Two ice sizes
- Portable handle for moving between rooms
- 12kg daily capacity
- Reliable ice production praised by owners
- Lower price than the top pick
- Ice cubes noted as small by some owners
- Noise feedback mixed
- Smaller owner review base than the top pick
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3. ecozy Ice Maker Machine Countertop – Best for entertaining and parties UK
4.5 stars from 5,000+ owner reviews. Nine cubes in six minutes, includes ice bags for storage, 12kg daily capacity, and self-cleaning. The practical choice for households that regularly host guests.
Who this is for: Anyone who hosts regularly and wants an ice maker that comes ready for party use, with ice bags included so you can prepare in advance and transfer ice to a cooler or bowl rather than running the machine during the event.
The ecozy stands out for the practical detail of including ice bags, which matters more than it sounds. Running an ice maker during a party is noisy and requires someone to monitor it. The more useful approach is making ice in advance and storing it. The bags make that workflow easier without needing to buy anything separately. At 4.5 stars from 5,000 owner reviews it has the highest rating in this section, with owners describing it as quick, simple to set up, and good value. Nine cubes in six minutes matches the EUHOMY picks on speed. Durability draws some concern, with a proportion of owners mentioning reliability issues over time, which is worth factoring in if you plan to use it heavily year-round rather than seasonally.
- Ice bags included for advance prep and storage
- Self-cleaning
- 12kg daily capacity
- Quick ice production
- Practical for party hosting
- Some owner reviews mention reliability issues over time
- Noise level mixed across reviews
- Ice cubes described as small by some owners
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Best budget ice makers
4. WIE Stainless Steel Ice Maker – Best value stainless steel ice maker UK
4.5 stars from 1,100+ owner reviews. Stainless steel finish, nine cubes in six minutes, 12kg daily capacity, compact footprint. The ice maker that looks more premium on a kitchen counter than the price suggests.
Who this is for: Anyone who wants a budget ice maker that does not look like a budget ice maker, or whose kitchen aesthetic makes a plastic-bodied appliance feel out of place on the worktop.
Most countertop ice makers at this price look exactly like what they are. The WIE stainless steel finish changes that equation. At 4.5 stars from 1,100 owner reviews it matches the ecozy on rating at a lower price point. Owners describe it as a brilliant little machine that makes heaps of ice quickly and is easy to use, with a compact size that fits neatly on a kitchen counter without dominating it. The low noise level gets specific praise from owners, which is an advantage over several alternatives in this guide. Reliability feedback is mixed, with some owner reviews mentioning issues over time, which is worth knowing. For kitchens where appearance matters alongside function, it is the strongest budget option.
- Stainless steel finish looks more premium than the price
- Compact footprint
- Low noise level praised by owners
- Easy to use
- Good ice production speed
- Reliability concerns, some owners report early failure
- Smaller review base than the EUHOMY picks
- Not as feature-rich as the top picks
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5. FOHERE Ice Maker Machine – Best budget ice maker UK
4.4 stars from 1,400+ owner reviews. 14kg daily capacity, two cube sizes, ice ready in five minutes, and compact enough for smaller kitchens. The best entry-level ice maker for budget-conscious buyers.
Who this is for: Anyone who wants to try a countertop ice maker without spending close to ninety pounds, or a secondary unit for a garden room or garage setup.
The FOHERE has the highest daily capacity in this guide at 14kg, two cube size options, and the fastest cycle time at five minutes. At 4.4 stars from 1,400 owner reviews and over 1,000 buyers a month it is the most-bought ice maker in this guide. Owners describe it as a fantastic countertop appliance that is well worth the price, with ice appearing around five minutes after filling and genuinely easy operation. The compact size gets specific praise. The reliability and noise caveats follow the same pattern as the rest of this category: some owner reviews mention reliability issues over time. For a first ice maker or a unit you want to run seasonally, the value is strong.
- 14kg daily capacity, highest in this guide
- Two cube size options
- Compact size praised by owners
- Good value at the price
- Easy to use
- Reliability concerns from some owners over time
- Noise level mixed, some find it very noisy
- Least premium finish in this guide
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6. Silonn Portable Ice Maker – Best portable ice maker for camping and caravans UK
4.3 stars from 1,700+ owner reviews. Compact, portable, self-cleaning, and nine cubes in six minutes. Two cube sizes and good owner feedback on noise. The ice maker for caravans, garden rooms, and outdoor setups.
Who this is for: Caravan and camping regulars who want fresh ice on site, or garden room owners who want a unit that lives outside the main kitchen.
The Silonn is the pick for anyone who needs ice somewhere other than the kitchen. At 4.3 stars from 1,700 owner reviews it has the lowest rating in this guide, which is worth noting, though the portable format and compact footprint make it the most practical option for outdoor and travel use. The six-minute cycle produces nine cubes, two cube sizes give flexibility, and owners describe some models as quieter than alternatives, which matters in a caravan or garden room. Reliability draws some mixed feedback, as with most products in this category. For portable use, it is the most practical pick in this guide.
- Compact and genuinely portable
- Self-cleaning
- 5-6 minute ice cycle
- Two cube sizes
- Some owners note quieter operation than alternatives
- Reliability mixed in a proportion of owner reviews
- Not designed for heavy daily indoor use
- Smaller review base than the EUHOMY picks
Check the current price on Amazon
Best premium ice option for whisky, whiskey and bourbon drinkers
ecozy Clear Ice Ball Maker – Best premium home bar ice maker UK
4.5 stars from 5,000+ owner reviews. 60mm crystal-clear ice spheres in 40 minutes. LED touchscreen, 8-hour timer, self-cleaning, and double-layer insulation. The premium home bar upgrade for whisky, whiskey and bourbon drinkers.
Who this is for: For whisky, whiskey and bourbon drinkers who want the kind of slow-melting crystal-clear sphere ice you see in a proper cocktail bar, and are prepared to spend for it.
Most people do not need this machine. That is worth saying directly before anything else. If you want ice for a summer party or iced coffees, any of the picks above do the job at a fraction of the price. The ecozy Clear Ice Ball Maker is for a specific buyer: someone who takes home bar presentation seriously and wants ice that genuinely changes the experience of whisky or bourbon rather than just cooling it.
The 60mm spheres melt significantly slower than standard ice cubes, keeping a drink cold without diluting it quickly. The CrystalFlux technology creates genuinely clear spheres rather than the cloudy balls that come from standard silicone moulds. One sphere takes 40 minutes with up to 32 possible in a day, the LED touchscreen and 8-hour timer let you set it running in the afternoon and have spheres ready for the evening, and the compact footprint suits a home bar or kitchen counter without taking over the space. It also makes a strong gift for anyone serious about whisky and bourbon.
- 60mm crystal-clear ice spheres
- Slower melt preserves whisky and bourbon flavour and appearance
- LED touchscreen and 8-hour timer
- Self-cleaning
- Compact footprint for home bars
- Strong gift option for whisky and bourbon drinkers
- Premium price, significant spend for ice
- One sphere per 40 minutes is slow for large groups
- Overkill for everyday cooling needs
- Smaller review base than the everyday picks
Check the current price on Amazon
Cheaper alternative for cocktail fans
Samuelworld Premium Silicone Ice Cube Tray Set – Best budget cocktail ice UK
4.5 stars from 10,700+ owner reviews. Square and sphere moulds for oversized cocktail ice. Better quality than standard trays according to owners. The honest alternative to spending £289 on a clear ice machine.
Who this is for: Anyone who wants the large-format cocktail ice look for whisky, bourbon, gin, or iced coffee without spending three hundred pounds on a machine.
The honest truth is that the large sphere and square ice cube aesthetic that looks impressive in a home bar does not require a specialist machine for most people. Oversized silicone moulds produce sphere and cube ice in the same freezer you already own. Owners describe the Samuelworld set as better quality than expensive models, with great ice quality and the right sizing for wide-rim glasses and cocktail use. The main caveats are getting the spheres out cleanly, which some owners find easier than others, and occasional leakage from the moulds before freezing.
The spheres will not be the optically clear result of the ecozy machine above. But for most cocktail nights, a large, slow-melting sphere of regular ice looks considerably better than a standard freezer cube and costs under fourteen pounds to achieve. Worth trying before committing to a premium machine.
- Under £14, fraction of the machine price
- Square and sphere moulds included
- Owners rate quality above standard trays
- Good size for cocktail glasses and wide-rim tumblers
- Simple freezer solution
- Ice will not be optically clear like a specialist machine
- Leakage reported by some owners before freezing
- Getting spheres out cleanly takes practice
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Things people do not realise before buying a countertop ice maker
Run them before guests arrive, not during. A machine running mid-party is noisy and needs monitoring. The better approach is running it for a few hours beforehand, transferring the ice to a cool box or bowl, and having it ready before anyone arrives.
They are noisier than freezer trays. Countertop ice makers produce a noticeable hum and mechanical sound during the ice cycle. In a busy kitchen it sits in the background. In a quiet room in the evening it is more obvious. Worth factoring in if you plan to run it continuously.
Most do not store ice long-term. Countertop ice makers are not freezers. Ice will slowly melt inside the machine if left sitting. Transfer ice to a freezer bag or container if you are making it in advance. This is the most common thing owners wish someone had told them before buying.
Which ice maker should you buy?
- Want the best all-round home ice maker: EUHOMY Countertop Ice Maker.
- Want reliable ice production at a lower price: EUHOMY Portable Ice Maker.
- Host regularly and want ice bags included: ecozy Countertop Ice Maker.
- Want a stainless steel finish that suits a premium kitchen: WIE Stainless Steel Ice Maker.
- Want the most affordable entry-level option with three cube sizes: FOHERE Ice Maker.
- Need a portable unit for camping, caravans, or a garden room: Silonn Portable Ice Maker.
- Building a home bar and want crystal-clear sphere ice: ecozy Clear Ice Ball Maker.
- Want large cocktail ice without the machine cost: Samuelworld Silicone Ice Cube Tray Set.
If your freezer tray situation currently involves cracking plastic at midnight for one sad iced coffee, a countertop ice maker starts making a lot more sense surprisingly quickly.
See the EUHOMY Countertop Ice Maker on Amazon UK
Countertop ice maker buying guide: your questions answered
For households that regularly run out of freezer ice, yes. The convenience of fresh ice in six to ten minutes changes how you use iced drinks at home, particularly during summer. The main consideration is that budget models in this category have mixed reliability feedback, so buying from a seller with a clear returns policy is sensible. For iced coffee drinkers, regular hosts, home bar setups, and garden room owners, a countertop ice maker quickly becomes one of those appliances you wonder how you managed without.
No. Countertop ice makers are not freezers. They make ice quickly but the ice will slowly melt inside the machine if left sitting for more than an hour or two. Transfer ice to a freezer bag or container in your main freezer if you are preparing in advance. The machines in this guide are designed for producing ice on demand, not for long-term storage.
Noticeably noisy compared to freezer trays, which are silent. Most countertop ice makers produce a hum and mechanical working sound during the ice cycle of around six to ten minutes. In a busy kitchen with background noise this sits in the background. In a quiet room in the evening it is more obvious. Noise feedback across the products in this guide is consistently mixed, with some owners finding machines acceptably quiet and others finding them very noisy. If noise is a significant concern, run the machine in advance and transfer ice to the freezer rather than running it continuously while guests are present.
Running costs are usually modest because countertop ice makers only draw power while cycling, but exact usage depends on the model and how long you run it. Most people run their machine for a few hours at a time rather than continuously, which keeps consumption reasonable. The ecozy Clear Ice Ball Maker uses double-layer insulation specifically to reduce energy loss, but for everyday countertop models running costs are not a significant consideration.
Most of the machines in this guide produce nine cubes in six minutes. The FOHERE is the fastest at five minutes. The ecozy Clear Ice Ball Maker produces one sphere in forty minutes, which reflects the difference in the type of ice being made. For everyday use, a six-minute cycle means you can go from an empty machine to a full glass of iced coffee in under ten minutes.
Most of the machines in this guide are designed to run continuously. They stop producing ice when the storage basket is full and resume when ice is removed, which makes leaving them running through a party or a hot afternoon practical. The one thing to manage is the ice melting inside the machine if left sitting too long without being used. Transfer excess ice to the freezer to keep it frozen until needed.
No. Every machine in this guide uses a self-contained water tank that you fill manually. There is no plumbing required and no permanent installation. You fill the tank with tap water, plug it in, and it works. This is one of the main reasons countertop models have become popular for home use: they can sit on any worktop, be moved between rooms, and stored in a cupboard at the end of summer without any setup or removal involved.
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