I Tested This $100 Frigidaire Ice Maker—and Got My First Batch of Ice in Just 7 Minutes

4 min readBullet ice freezes faster than other ice styles and cools liquid faster because its tubular shape gives it more surface area. This makes it ideal for any situation where you can’t wait on cold drinks. In cases such as these, the Frigidaire Countertop Bullet Ice Maker provides the rapid production and easy operation that most people are looking for, and it does it without breaking the bank.I’ve been testing ice makers for about a year and have tried several different models (including nugget options) spanning $50 to $500. While the Frigidaire Countertop Bullet Ice Maker is priced at the lowest end of that range, it performed surprisingly well.Not only does it churn out ice at a steady pace, but it also offers two ice sizes and requires very little effort to maintain thanks to its auto-clean function. Additionally, it’s about as portable as an ice maker can get, making it great for RVs, backyard barbecues, or any other mobile ice scenario.That portability does result in its biggest limitation: its small ice bin. Because of this, it stores about half as much ice as larger, pricier machines. But if you’re looking for portability and to spend less than $100, it’s hard to beat.ProsProduces bullet ice, which freezes faster than nugget or crescent iceExceptionally compact, lightweight, and portableTwo ice size settings: small produces faster, large melts slowerConsSmall ice bin doesn’t allow for keeping large quantities of ice on handKey SpecsDaily Ice Production26 lbBin Storage Capacity1.5 lbTime to First Batch7-9 minutes (depending on ice size)Sound volumeUnder 40 decibels Weight17 poundsDimensions15 x 11 x 14.5 in.How I TestedAs of this writing, I’ve had the Frigidaire Countertop Bullet Ice Maker running for several days. This has corresponded with a heat wave, so my household is using even more ice than usual, and the ice maker has been put through its paces accordingly. We’re chilling multiple glasses of iced water, tea, and coffee every day, and hosted an ice-hungry cocktail party along the way.I timed its production from empty, and tested all of its various functions and features. That meant testing both ice sizes, and putting it through a cleaning cycle. I also kept an eye on how effectively it holds and keeps ice chilled in its storage bin.Faster Production Means Faster Cold DrinksThe Frigidaire Countertop Bullet Ice Maker has its first batch of ice out in around seven minutes on the small setting, and closer to nine on large. That’s a good three to eight minutes faster than most nugget and crescent ice makers (our best overall pick, for example, takes 10 or more minutes).And if you’re looking for portability, that’s where it really excels. With a footprint not much bigger than a shoebox, it’s perfect for small kitchens with limited counter space or RVs. It’s also one of the lightest units I’ve tested, so it’s great if you want to bring it on the back porch for a barbecue.Nick HildenThe Frigidaire’s basket holds 1.5 pounds of ice.But that compact size means that the ice bin is much smaller than larger, pricier units, holding 1.5 pounds versus the 2.2 to 3 pounds you’ll often find with others. That means that it doesn’t allow for having a particularly large amount of ice ready to go—about enough to fill around four to six tall glasses—so if you’re making a steady supply of drinks, you should expect that it will be continuously producing to keep up.It’s as easy to operate as can be, too—pour in water, turn on, ice comes out. It has an auto-clean feature, which isn’t always the case with budget models. That not only makes it easier to clean but helps prolong its lifespan by allowing you to run white vinegar or descaling solution through the system to clean out minerals that build up. And it comes with an ice scoop, which is a nice touch.Minimalist Features and Budget Components As a budget ice maker, the Frigidaire Countertop Bullet Ice Maker doesn’t come with a lot of extra features like an internal light, external water tank option, or app. While I like this and think the fact that you don’t have to mess around with apps is great, some users may want something a little more techy. Personally, I don’t find much need to check on my ice machine from my phone.Nick HildenThere are no smart controls on the Frigidaire Countertop Bullet Ice Maker.Visually it’s unobtrusive, although the exterior is made of somewhat flimsy-feeling plastic. All told, it’s well worth its sub-$100 price tag.Cleaning Is EasyBecause they constantly have water running through them, ice makers have to be cleaned regularly. That means sanitizing to prevent bacterial gunk from growing and contaminating your ice, and descaling it to remove minerals that accumulate and shorten the lifespan. As mentioned, the Frigidaire Countertop Bullet Ice Maker has an auto-clean program that makes it easy to do both.Nick HildenThe Frigidaire Countertop Bullet Ice Maker has a simple auto-clean feature.With this function, all you have to do is switch it on once a week to clean it out with water, and once a month with water and white vinegar to descale minerals. Run clean water through the system a couple of times afterward and it’s good to go. It also drains easily via a plug in the base.It’s One of the Quietest Ice Makers I’ve TriedAll ice makers make some noise when they’re actively producing ice, but the Frigidaire Countertop Bullet Ice Maker is surprisingly quiet compared to most ice makers I’ve tested. Most gurgle like a loud refrigerator, while this hums more like a water cooler.It falls on the low end in terms of power draw, using between 90 and 120 watts. I’ve used higher-draw models that require as much as three times that, which resulted in an increase to my electric bill of about $15. So if you had this unit running all the time, I estimate that it would probably bump your electric bill by about $5. That low wattage is also great for an RV's more limited electrical system.Final ThoughtsIf you’re looking for a bullet ice maker for under $100, the Frigidaire Countertop Bullet Ice Maker is a solid pick. It’s easy to use, quiet, churns out ice fast, requires little maintenance, and the compact size is perfect for small kitchens or RVs.It doesn’t have the most ice storage or many flashy features, but I don’t mind it too much. If you’re looking for an affordable, reliable, compact, intuitive ice maker, it should do everything you want it to.Shop the Frigidaire Countertop Bullet Ice MakerMore Ice Makers We RecommendFrigidaire EFIC189 Compact Ice MakerNow 13% OffEuhomy Countertop Ice MakerNow 22% OffGE Profile Opal 2.0 Ultra Nugget Ice MakerNick Hilden is a writer, globetrotter, and jack-of-many-talents who has written gear reviews for the likes of Runner’s World, Popular Science, Men’s Health, Thrillist, the Daily Beast, the Los Angeles Times, Greatist, and the Manual, and his lifestyle, culture, and tech writing has also appeared in Scientific American, Afar, Salon, Vice, Healthline, and many others. Before entering journalism some 15 years ago, he worked as a bartender, brewery manager, sound engineer, recording and touring musician, cook, teacher, and in a variety of other trades. These days, he lives all over the world, performs music sporadically, and spends a lot of time thinking how to best improve his Honda Element conversion.Tom Price is a reviews editor for Popular Mechanics while also contributing to Runner's World, Best Products, and Bicycling. Here at Popular Mechanics, Tom loves testing out home appliances, smart tech, gear for city life and outdoor adventures, small gadgets like watches and multitools, and anything else you can find piled up at his hoarder's nest of a desk. Prior to working here, Tom attended NYU, graduating with a degree in English and a minor in creative writing. He also wrote for Best Reviews, The Daily Beast, and other publications covering tech, fitness gear, gadgets, and lifestyle products. Furthermore, he covered startup news, pop culture, and even professional wrestling. To follow more of his work, check back here for new stories.