I Tested Igloo’s $80 Ice Maker. It’s Small, Surprisingly Fast, and Easy to Put Away.

5 min readAfter a summer full of ice maker testing, I’m still surprised by what different ice makers have to offer. I was delighted by the color of the bright blue Igloo Automatic Countertop Ice Maker, a standout from my sea of black and gray appliances. In addition to its unique retro style, a version of this Igloo made our recommendations for the best countertop ice makers because of its portability and price.Overall, this is a compact ice maker, and the color options set it apart from other ice makers that I’ve tested. Quick ice production and a simple design make it great for a family with small kids or a college student headed to the dorms. The Igloo was easy to set up—all I had to do was fill up the water tank and hit the power button. There are only two buttons, and the settings button changes the ice size and allows you to select the cleaning feature.While I do have a few gripes with this ice maker, they are insignificant, especially in light of this machine’s price, and didn’t detract from my overall positive experience.ProsAvailable in multiple colors, including aqua, black, stainless steel, and whiteLarge window lets you see the ice being madeSmall and portable, so it’s perfect for the home, office, RV, or dorm roomConsTall lid could hit some upper cabinets, preventing it from fully openingThe drain plug takes a little effort to removeKey SpecsSize17.8 x 12.76 x 14.92 in.Capacity26 lbWeight20.5 lbHow I TestedI put the Igloo Automatic Countertop Ice Maker through its paces, taking into account factors such as ice production, cleaning, and overall ease of use. As I mentioned earlier, this product has a two-button control scheme that makes it easy to use. Additionally, its small footprint allowed me to fit it easily on my counter without taking up too much space, checking the box for portability.The Igloo makes the ice in about seven minutes, which I timed. I also used both the small and large settings, and as with other ice makers I’ve previously tested, I didn’t notice a huge difference (I left it on the large setting). I also evaluated how easy it was to clean, using the cleaning function located on the appliance.Handle Makes It Easy to Move AroundI didn’t realize how much I wanted my ice maker to come with a handle until I had one that didn’t. Luckily, this one does, and all I had to do to install it was pop it into the holes on the sides. The handle makes moving it around easy.One thing to note is that some of the images in online listings don’t show a handle, so it may depend on the version you get. This one that I got and linked to above comes with a handle, and because it’s small and portable, it’s great for an RV or dorm. But even more so, the size of this machine makes it easy to put away in a cabinet or in the basement when you’re done using it. If an ice maker is something you’ll only use occasionally, a portable option like this one is a great option.The Color Options Are a Welcome ChangeI love the color of the Igloo Automatic Countertop Ice Maker—it’s a bright spot on my counter. We don’t have a lot of counter space, so tucking it between the coffee pot and the fridge keeps it out of the way while still making it accessible.While I constantly battle dust on my black appliances, there usually aren't any visible spots or stains—it doesn’t mean they’re not there, just that I can’t see them. After brewing my morning pot of coffee, I noticed that some had splattered on the side of the ice maker. This didn’t bother me too much because a quick swipe with a wet cloth took care of it, but it is something to be aware of if you have it in an active area of your kitchen.Stephanie MickelsonThe Igloo Automatic Countertop Ice Maker has a small footprint that’s great for tight spaces.The Lid Is LargeThis is something that I would probably only notice after testing lots of ice makers, but the lid is so large that it hits the bottom of my upper cabinets. The large window on the lid is actually great, and it’s big enough that you can see the ice trough fill and watch the ice form.Stephanie MickelsonThe lid on the ice maker is a bit large, so it may hit cabinets above it.The downside is that the lid won’t stay up on its own when the ice maker is tucked under the cabinets. Like the color showing spatters, this isn’t a huge deal, but it was definitely something I noticed that made the experience less seamless. Obviously, I was able to pull the ice maker forward a bit, and the lid stays up just fine when it isn’t hitting the cabinet above.Models Will Vary Depending on RetailerI looked up the Igloo Automatic Countertop Ice Maker on Walmart, Amazon, and Home Depot, and while each retailer offered an Aqua version, they were all slightly different. The version I have comes with a handle and produces eight ice cubes at a time. Other versions have different exteriors, but they have the same internal parts and functions.Stephanie MickelsonThe Igloo Automatic Countertop Ice Maker produces up to 26 pounds of ice per day, and can make ice in under 10 minutes.All versions, as far as I can tell, will produce up to 26 pounds of ice in a 24-hour period, offer a small and large ice option, have a self-cleaning feature, and make ice in seven to eight minutes. For the sake of consistency, all of the product links in this article lead to the Igloo Automatic Countertop Ice Maker version I tested.Cleaning Is Standard—Minus One QuirkTo clean the Igloo Automatic Countertop Ice Maker, I used a 1:1 solution of water and white vinegar. With the power off, all I did was press the “Settings” button until the cleaning light was illuminated, and then press the power button. The cleaning solution cycles through five times, and then you can drain it and refill with fresh water. The whole process only took about 15 minutes.Stephanie MickelsonThe Igloo Automatic Countertop Ice Maker’s two-button control scheme is easy to use.The drain plug on this ice maker is a little more difficult to get out than other ice makers I’ve tested. The plug itself has some ribbing on it to help it stay in place, but even though there’s a place for your fingers, pulling it out was more difficult than I expected.Final ThoughtsThe setup and controls on the Igloo Automatic Countertop Ice Maker are simple, so you can take it out of the box and start making ice right away. As a fun bonus, the instruction manual comes with some drink recipes, like a Roy Rogers and Muddy Water.One of the downsides is that because the large door could bump your upper cabinets, it won’t stay up on its own. But it’s easy to work around by moving the ice maker forward or just holding the door up with one hand while getting ice with the other.For $80, this ice maker is a solid budget option for families. It’s also narrow, so it’s able to slide into a small space, so it would work well in a college dorm. The color options make it a fun choice, and it looks great sitting on my countertop, though it’s also just as easy to stash in a cabinet when you’re not using it.For us, it’s really nice to press the button and get ice quickly, and the kids love grabbing some for their drinks or just to chomp on.Shop the Igloo Automatic Countertop Ice MakerOther Countertop Ice Makers We RecommendFrigidaire EFIC189 Compact Ice MakerNow 14% OffEuhomy Countertop Ice MakerNow 22% OffGE Profile Opal 2.0 Ultra Nugget Ice MakerNow 10% OffStephanie Mickelson is a freelance writer focused on reviews and home improvement. She writes about a wide range of topics including the best appliances for your home, how to maintain your HVAC system, and organization tips and tricks. She also writes for USA Today Homefront, US News & World Report, Forbes Home, Angi, Apartment Therapy, and more.