Are you planning an outdoor party? Or just normal outdoor camping? You are probably in need of the best outdoor ice maker. This review is aimed at helping you get the very best.
Not all ice-making machines are ideal for outdoor use, this is because outdoor ice makers are made of durable materials that make them able to withstand adverse environmental conditions. They also have the advantage of being able to make ice under high or warm temperatures.
NewAir Portable Ice Maker is our foremost best option in this category. It stands out as an automated ice maker with strong and durable parts. The automated system is loaded with smart features that make it easy to make ice both indoor and outdoor.
It comes in a compact size and lightweight that makes it easy to transport around without hassle. It also features a storage bin for storing ice for later, and it is our best outdoor ice maker.
We have made a review of our 4 best outdoor ice makers, and all you need to make an ideal choice. If you are ready to get the best from the rest, we are set for you as well.
Benefits & Buying Guide of The Best Outdoor Ice Maker
We believe that getting an ideal ice maker would be stress-free once you have an idea of what to look out for. This section contains a guide that is expected to help you choose the best outdoor ice maker.
- Type of Ice: Knowing the type of ice you need is important to get the perfect outdoor ice maker, this is because different ice machines make different types of ice from nugget ice to crescent ice, cube ice, and more. If you don’t have any particular ice preference and you just need to have your drinks cold, this might not be a cause for concern but if you do have a preferred ice choice then, ensure to look for an ice machine that makes your kind of ice.
- Ice Production Rate: Ice making machines do not have the same ice production rate. While some make a large quantity of daily ice, some make quite above a little. If you need a lot of ice or you plan to use the ice machine to host a party, then you should opt for one with a large ice-making capacity. However, if you need just a little for yourself and probably a few other people, an ice machine with a moderate ice making capacity should do.
- Ice Holding Capacity: The ice holding capacity of an ice machine is also an important point to consider. Some ice machines can hold more ice than others. If you plan to use the ice machine on outdoor trips, especially during summer, it might be important for you to opt for an ice maker with a large enough ice basket, or else, you might have to resort to using ice bags or coolers to preserve your ice.
- Method of Installation: Some ice makers need to be installed to start making ice, others just need to be connected to a power source to start running. If you are thinking of using your ice machine on trips or the go, a built-in ice maker is definitely not a good idea. Another issue with built-in ice makers is that they have to be connected to a water line to make ice. If you need an outdoor ice-making machine, a portable ice maker would be the most ideal option.
- Maintenance: It is no news that ice machines have to be kept clean as much as possible. Different ice machines have different modes of maintenance, some ice machines feature self-cleaning function, some also come with drain plugs for easy cleaning. Ice makers that are easy to clean and maintain are the best option for outdoor use.
- Cost: After all is said and done, you need to consider your budget before choosing an ice machine. Like every other home appliance, ice makers come with different price tags and some are more affordable than others. We advise that you choose the best ice machine that is convenient and affordable for you.
The Best Outdoor Ice Maker of 2021
NewAir Portable Ice Maker – Our Foremost Option
- [NEVER RUN OUT OF ICE AGAIN] - This countertop ice maker fits neatly on your kitchen counter and makes 28 pounds of ice each...
- [ICE FOR ANY OCCASION] - Choose from small, medium or large bullet ice at the touch of a button. Small ice is perfect for...
- [EXTRA THICK INSULATION] - Keep your ice colder for longer thanks to the ultra-insulated storage area inside this ice maker....
NewAir AI-100SS Portable Ice Maker is our first and best outdoor ice maker. It is fast and easy to use an ice machine that makes just enough ice to meet your daily ice needs.
The portable piece is equipped with smart ice-making features including an automated system, light Indicators, 3 ice cube sizes, and a side drain for easy maintenance of the machine.
Its compact size makes it a compact fit for small indoor spaces, its lightweight design also makes it easy to be carried along with you on outdoor trips.
Features –
- Quick Ice: NewAir AI-100SS Portable Ice Maker provides a fast and easy way to get daily ice as it makes its first round of bullet-shaped ice in just 15 minutes and it produces up to 28 lbs. of ice within 24 hours.
- Easy to use: The ice machine is easy to set up and use, as it does not require any special installation to get it running. All that is needed to make ice is to fill the reservoir with water, select your preferred ice cube size and start the machine.
- Sleek and Compact Design: It comes in a compact size that doesn’t need much space for placement and it can be easily transported around, especially on outdoor trips. It also comes in an elegant stainless-steel design that is easy to maintain. It would be a great match for any type of decor.
- 3 Ice Cube Sizes: NewAir AI-100SS Portable Ice Maker allows you to choose your preferred ice cube size from a range of three ice cube sizes. It makes large, medium, and small-sized bullet-shaped ice all day long.
- Automated System: The machine features an automated system that goes off when the ice bin is filled up and when the water reservoir is empty.
- Smart Indicator: It is also equipped with light Indicators that notifies you when the machine is running low on water.
- Drain Plug: NewAir AI-100SS Portable Ice Maker is easy to maintain as it features a drain plug that allows you to clean the machine and drain unused water without stress.
- Portability: The ice machine does not need to be connected to a water line as it is equipped with a manually refilled water reservoir.
- Removable Ice Scoop and Basket: NewAir AI-100SS Portable Ice Maker features a 2.2 lb. capacity ice basket for holding ice and a scoop for dishing ice.
Pros
- Quick and long-lasting ice
- Easy to clean and use
- Portable Design
- LED control
- 3 ice cube sizes.
Cons
- No transparent lid
- The parts of the machine may break apart after a while
- May make a sudden loud noise
NutriChef Countertop Ice Maker
- COUNTERTOP ICE MAKER: Enjoy convenient kitchen style with the NutriChef Portable Ice Machine - Just add water for automatic...
- PORTABLE ICE: Compact & portable style allows you to transport the ice maker from the kitchen table to the backyard patio -...
- DIGITAL CONTROL: Simple electric plug-in design features hassle-free operation thanks to the front panel digital LCD display...
NutriChef Countertop Ice Maker is one of our best home outdoor ice makers. It is a freestanding countertop ice machine that is easy to install and use. It runs a quiet operation and features an automated system that makes ice making hassle-free.
If you are planning a summer outing and you need a portable ice churning machine, NutriChef Countertop Ice Maker got you covered. It is a perfect option for making ice on outdoor trips as it comes in a portable design and it is our best outdoor nugget ice maker.
Features –
- Compact Stainless-Steel Design: NutriChef Countertop Ice Maker comes in a stainless-steel design that is beautiful to see and easy to clean. It is portably-sized; hence, it does not need too much countertop space. It is also lightweight enough to be transported around at will.
- Easy to Use and Control: The ice machine is very much easy to use and control. It does not need any complicated installation to get it to work. You can simply get ice by plugging the unit into an electric power source.
- 3 Ice Cube Sizes: With NutriChef Countertop Ice Maker, you can select your preferred ice cube via a simple button. It has an option for making large, medium, and small-sized ice cubes for your favorite frozen drinks.
- Fast Ice and Commendable Performance: The ice machine runs a fast yet quiet freezing operation, making pellet-shaped ice cubes available for use within 10 minutes. NutriChef Countertop Ice Maker produces up to 33 lbs. of ice in just 24 hours.
- Transparent Lid: The machine features a transparent window through which you can see through the machine while it is running without touching the lid.
- Self-Cleaning Function: NutriChef Countertop Ice Maker features a self-cleaning function that allows you to easily clean and maintains your ice machine via a control button.
- Ice Tray and Ice Scoop: It comes with an 18 lbs. Ice tray capacity for holding ice and a fancy ice scoop for serving ice directly into your drinks.
- Portability: NutriChef Countertop Ice Maker is a portable piece, hence it does not need to be attached to a water line to get it running, this is because it features a 22 liters capacity water tank that has to be manually filled with water to make ice.
Pros
- Fast freezing
- East to use and clean
- Portable design
- Lightweight
Cons
- Ice melts rapidly
- Small ice bin
- Noisy performance
Frigidaire Silver Ice Making Machine – Our most affordable option
- Note : Please check the dimension and item weight of the product and confirm it fits your space.Rated power :...
- MODERN DESIGN: Ice Maker with a large transparent window so you can always see your ice being made and the level.
- COMPACT & EASY: Frigidaire's countertop portable ice maker offers a wide range of uses with a compact dimension 9.5 in....
Our third best outdoor undercounter icemaker option is the Frigidaire EFIC189-Silver Ice Making Machine. It is our most lightweight option and that makes it very easy to move around.
It is a smart ice maker with a good-looking design and it has the advantage of being a quality piece with an affordable price tag.
Ice making is easy with Frigidaire EFIC189-Silver Ice Making Machine.
Features –
- Easy to use: Frigidaire EFIC189-Silver Ice Making Machine does not need any special installation or technical expertise, you can make ice fast and easy by plugging the unit into a power source, filling the reservoir with water, and choosing your preferred size of ice.
- Smart and Attractive Design: Frigidaire Ice Making Machine comes in beautiful and portable designs with different ranges of colors and sizes to choose from. We love varieties and this model gives just that.
- Quick Ice: It does not take long to make ice with Frigidaire EFIC189-Silver Ice Making Machine, in less than 6 minutes, you can have enough ice for your drinks. The ice machine makes up to 26 lbs. of ice within 24 hours.
- Easy to clean: The ice machine is very easy to clean. It also comes with an easy to use drain plug that allows you to easily clean and drain the ice-making machine after use.
- Transparent windows: Frigidaire EFIC189-Silver Ice Making Machine has a transparent window that allows you to monitor the operations of the ice machine without touching the lid.
- LED panel: Frigidaire EFIC189-Silver Ice Making Machine also features a LED control panel that gives you easy control over your machine and allows you to customize its setting via simple control buttons.
- 2 Ice size sizes: Frigidaire EFIC189-Silver Ice Making Machine gives you the luxury of making two sizes of ice cubes. You get to make either large or small-sized ice cubes for your frozen treats.
- Ice Shovel and basket: It features a 12 kg capacity ice basket for holding a considerable quantity of ice at one, it also features an ice scoop for an easy and neat serving of ice.
Pros
- Easy to use
- Transparent windows
- Lightweight
- Portable piece
- Affordable
Cons
- The water storage capacity is low
Upgraded Digital Ice Maker Machine- NutriChef PICEM62
- QUICK & QUIET: Just add water, but use drinking water for making ice then press the button & enjoy ice cubes in as little as...
- PERFECT FOR PARTIES: Can make 33 pounds of ice per day, perfect for refilling ice buckets. It has 3 different ice cube sizes...
- EASY TO CLEAN & MOVE: Made of stain-resistant stainless steel for quick clean-up. Portable ice machine you can take to the...
Upgraded Digital Ice Maker Machine is our final best outdoor undercounter ice maker. It runs a quick and quiet operation and is equipped with easy-to-use features that make ice making as easy as can be including a transparent lid, a self-cleaning function, an automated system with LCD Controls, and more.
It is ideal for indoor use and would take up too much of your countertop space. Its lightweight and portable design also make it a perfect fit for outdoor events, and it has a large ice storage capacity which makes it more than capable to meet all your daily ice needs.
Features –
- Sleek and Portable Design: Upgraded Digital Ice Maker Machine comes in a sleek and compact stainless-steel design that is easy to clean. It is portable enough to carry along with you on outdoor trips and RVs, it would also be a good fit for moderate countertop space.
- Fast and Noiseless Operation: The powerful performance machine runs a quick ice making operation, making pellet-shaped ice available for you in 10 minutes. It makes up to 33 lbs. of ice in 24 hours. It works quietly and efficiently, meeting your ice needs all day long. It is also one of our best outdoor nugget ice makers.
- Easy to Use: Not much is required to make ice with Upgraded Digital Ice Maker Machine. It can easily be put to use by plugging the unit into a working power source, filling the reservoir with, and choosing the size of ice that you would love to make.
- 3 Sizes of Ice: Upgraded Digital Ice Maker Machine gives you the option of making 3 sizes of ice. You get to make large, medium, and small-sized ice cubes via a simple button.
- Transparent Window: It features a see-through window that allows you to see into the machine while it is running without touching the lid.
- Self-Cleaning Function: The ice maker is easy to clean and maintain using the self-cleaning function.
- Portability: It is equipped with a 2.2-liter capacity reservoir that has to be manually filled with water to get it running.
- Ice Tray and Shovel: Upgraded Digital Ice Maker Machine comes with a 1.8 lbs. capacity ice tray for holding ready-made ice in the machine and an ice shovel for scooping ice into your drinks.
Pros
- Fast ice
- Stain-resistant design
- Makes up to 33 lbs of ice daily
Cons
- May make occasional noisy beeps
Frequently Asked Questions
Can you put any ice maker outside?
Not all ice makers can work efficiently outdoors, this is because some of them are not built with features that make them ideal for outdoor use. Any ice machine that would be used outdoors must be built of durable materials like stainless-steel and be able to withstand adverse weather conditions. It should also be able to make ice under high temperatures.
Do portable ice makers keep ice frozen?
Portable ice makers work differently from freezers, they are not built to keep ice frozen. however, some of them have good insulators that encourage slow melting of ice and keep ice for longer.
Are ice makers noisy?
Some ice makers are noisy; however, some are not. The noiseless ice machines feature inbuilt compressors that enable the machines to run as quietly as possible.
Do portable ice makers need a dedicated water line?
Portable ice makers do not require any dedicated water line, this is because they are equipped with reservoirs or tanks that have to be manually filled with water to make ice and this is why they are portable.
Which is the best portable ice maker?
There is no definite answer to this question, the best we can do is to present you with the best available options so that you can choose your best. Selecting the best portable ice maker is solely dependent on you and how much the ice machine meets your needs.