We are outdoor enthusiasts – we enjoy camping to hiking to hosting outdoor get-together. One of our fun family activities is going on a road trip in our recreation vehicle. Let me tell you – the portable ice maker is our most favorite appliance on a hot summer day.
So, if you too love camping trips with family and friends or, you just love outdoor living, you would most likely want the best portable ice maker that also works in your RV. You guess it – not all ice makers are ideal for RVs. Yes, having a portable ice maker will give you more flexibilities.
We have reviewed over two dozen portable ice makers for ourselves, family members and friends through the years. We hope this review showcasing our best portable ice makers is helpful to you.
Benefits & Buying Guide of a Portable Ice Maker for RV
Like we said earlier, not all ice makers are ideal for outdoor use, and just like every other product, some ice makes are better than others. This section is meant to guide you on how to recognize the best portable ice maker for RV amongst the hundreds of ice makers in the market.
Below are some of the features that you should look out for:
- Ease of Use: Your choice of ice maker should be easy to use, especially if you plan to use it on the go. Not all ice makers fit into this bracket as some have more complicated functionalities than others which requires expert installations. The best RV ice maker should be easy to use and set up, producing ice cubes for your chilled drinks without much hassle.
- Ice Making Capacity: You need to consider the ice making capacity of a machine before making your choice. If you need lots of ice, look for a machine with a high ice making capacity. However, if you don’t exactly need too much ice, you can settle for an ice maker with a medium production capacity. Alternatively, you could also store up ready-made ice cubes in ice bags if you so desire.
- Design: Although this is not the most important feature, it is also something that you should also look out for. If you are particular about the appearance of your kitchen space or wherever you choose to place them, you might want to choose an ice machine that blends with your decor.
- Durability: Some ice makers work seamlessly initially, but break apart after a while. If you don’t plan to make new purchases of ice-making machines every now and then, then you need to consider the durability of the ice-making machine.
- Portability: You need to consider the size of an ice maker before purchase, this is unarguably important if you don’t have excess space to spare. To avoid being in a fix, choose an ice maker that fits into your space. If you also plan to take your ice maker along with you on trips or you plan to use it on the go, we advise that you get a light weighted and compact one that is portable enough to carry around.
- Price tag: Considering the price tag of an ice maker is no doubt golden advice. Like any other product, ice makers come with different price tags, ensure to make your selection within your budget while not forgetting to choose the one that suits your need the most.
The Best Portable Ice Maker for RV of 2021
1. Frigidaire EFUC108-B-Black Portable Ice Making Machine – Editor’s Choice
- Note : Please check the dimension and item weight of the product and confirm it fits your space
- COUNTERTOP ICE MAKER: This 14.1 x 9.5 x 12.9 inches portable stainless steel ice maker is compact and ideal for small spaces....
- FAST AND EASY: A portable ice maker requires no installation - just plug-in unit, add water & wait up to 15 minutes to enjoy...
Frigidaire EFUC108-B-Black Portable Ice Making Machine is our foremost best option for portable ice makers for RVs. It stands out as a compact ice maker with a sleek and classy outlook. The portable ice maker would fit well into compact spaces including RVs.
What more? It is equipped with features that make ice making as simple and fast as can be, including transparent windows, LED control panel, large and small ice cube options amidst other easy to use features.
You can have access to ice while you are indoors and even on the go with Frigidaire EFUC108-B-Black Portable Ice Making Machine.
Features –
- Compact and Elegant design: Frigidaire EFUC108-B-Black Portable Ice Making Machine comes in a sleek black outlook and a compact size that would be a perfect fit for mini spaces. It is also ideal for vacations, and outdoor campings as it is portable enough to be moved around at will. So that whether you are outdoor or indoor, you can enjoy your chilled drinks just the way you love it.
- Easy Installation: Frigidaire EFUC108-B-Black Portable Ice making machine is loaded with easy to use features that do not require any special expertise. Just by filling the water reservoir, plugging the machine into a power source, and selecting your preferred options, your ice is as good as ready.
- See-through windows: Frigidaire EFUC108-B-Black Portable Ice Making Machine features a transparent lid through which you get to monitor the operation of the machine while it is running without opening the cover until a batch of ice is produced.
- Ice Making Capacity: The machine has a 2.3 quartz water reservoir and it produces quality ice every 7 to 15 minutes all day long. The ice maker can make a total of 26 lbs. of ice in 24 hours.
- Ice shovel and basket: Frigidaire EFUC108-B-Black Portable Ice Making Machine features an ice shovel and a basket for a neat and easy transfer of ready-made ice cubes into your drinks.
- Illuminated control panel: Frigidaire EFUC108-B-Black Portable Ice Making Machine features an LED control panel that gives you control over the machine, by allowing you to choose your preferred options. For example, you can choose the size of your ice cube via the control panel. The indicator also notifies you when your ice basket is full and when your water reservoir is empty.
- Drain plug: The drain plug allows you to conveniently clean and drains the ice-making machine after use without much stress.
Pros
- Elegant outlook
- Easy to clean parts
- Transparent windows
- Light indicators
- Fast ice
- 2 ice cube sizes
Cons
- The noise level is on the high side. Try not to have a conversation in front of the machine when it’s making ice.
2. HomeLabs Chill Pill Countertop Ice Maker
- Take a Chill Pill: Our powerful ice maker creates refreshing, chewable pill-shaped ice to keep your drinks icy cold. It's...
- 26 Pounds Per Day: Fill the 2.2 liter water reservoir, which holds up to 1.5 pounds of ice at a time, and you’re good to go...
- Sits Pretty On Your Countertop: At just 9.5 x 12.9 x 14 inches, this modern compact appliance uses an energy-efficient...
HomeLabs Chill Pill Countertop Ice Maker is our second-best option and one of the best portable countertop ice makers. It is a unique ice maker that comes in a compact overall design that does not need too much space.
It is a fast and quiet machine that comes with smart and easy to use functions and it is designed to give you the daily supply of ice for all your favorite frozen drinks.
HomeLabs Chill Pill Countertop Ice Maker is one of the best portable ice makers for camping. Its portable size makes it suitable for any occasion, be it holidays, vacations, or other events.
Features –
- Easy to use: HomeLabs Chill Pill Countertop Ice Maker does not need any special tech skills to get it running. It is as easy to set up as ABC, just by filling the water reservoir with water and plugging it into a power source, your ice cubes would be ready in no time.
- Compact and Portable: The ice maker comes in a silver coating with compact features. It uses a compressor cooler and does not take too much countertop space. It is also suitable for outdoor use as its portable size makes it easy to transport, it is one of our Small portable ice maker for RV.
- Indicator Lights: HomeLabs Chill Pill Countertop Ice Maker features indicator lights that alert you when the ice basket is filled up and when the water reservoir is empty.
- Ice Making Capacity: The ice making machine comes with a 2.2-liter capacity water reservoir and can make up to up to 26 pounds of ice in 24 hours.
- Large and Small-sized ice: The machine gives you an option for selecting your preferred ice cube size. You can either make small or large-sized ice cubes to complement your favorite drinks.
- Quiet and Fast Smart Machine: HomeLabs Chill Pill Countertop Ice Maker does not require much time to make ice cubes, you can have your ice cubes ready within 6 to 8 minutes for your favorite cocktail drinks and recipes. The machine is additionally energy efficient and it works without making a loud noise. It also features a compressor cooling unit.
- Easy Cleaning: Cleaning is simple and hassle-free with HomeLabs Chill Pill Countertop Ice Maker. However, ensure that the machine is unplugged from the power source before mopping it up with a clean damp towel. You can also wash it gently with little soap and water when necessary, allowing it to dry before use.
Pros
- It is energy efficient
- Features a compressor cooler
- Fast and quiet machine
- Long-lasting ice cubes
Cons
- The lid is made of Pastic ABS (Acrylonitrile Butadiene Styrene) material – it may make it more vulnerable to cracks after years of use.
3. Igloo ICEB26RR Automatic Portable Electric Countertop Ice Machine
- Note : Please check the dimension and item weight of the product and confirm it fits your space
- DESIGNED FOR CONVENIENCE - Portable, convenient and compact in size, this retro metallic red ice maker looks good on a...
- LARGE ICE-MAKING CAPACITY - Keep the water tank filled and this unit will produce 26 pounds of ice in a 24 hour period -...
Igloo ICEB26RR ice maker is one of our best portable ice makers for RVs. It is a compact and elegant piece in one machine. It is portable enough for outdoor usage and it would also be a nice fit for your countertop.
The ice maker has a large ice-making capacity and storage capacity so that whether you have an urgent need for ice or you just need some ice for later, Igloo ICEB26RR ice maker got you covered.
It is additionally fast and loaded with features that are simple to understand. If you need a small portable ice maker for RV, the Igloo ICEB26RR ice maker might just be what you need.
Its stand-out features are highlighted more precisely below.
Features –
- Varying Ice Cube sizes: Igloo ICEB26RR Portable Electric Countertop Automatic Ice Maker gives you the option of choosing your most preferred ice cube size via the control panel as the machine makes large and small sizes of crystal clear ice balls.
- Beautiful and Portable Outlook: It comes in a sleek metallic red design that is a beauty to see. Whether you need an ice maker that won’t take up too much of your small space or countertop or you need one that is easy to carry along for trips, Igloo ICEB26RR Portable Electric Countertop Automatic Ice Maker is your go-to machine.
- LED Indicator: The ice maker features an easy to use control panel with LED lights that work by alerting you of when your ice basket is full and when the water is finished in the reservoir.
- Fast ice: Igloo ICEB26RR Portable Electric Countertop Automatic Ice Maker helps you to make ice in no time, giving you up to 9 small or large-sized cylinder-shaped ice in just 7 minutes.
- Transparent Cover: With Igloo ICEB26RR Portable Electric Countertop Automatic Ice Maker, you don’t necessarily have to open the lid all the time as it has a transparent cover that allows you to see the content of the machine whether it is running or not.
- Ice basket and scoop: The ice maker features an ice basket and ice scoop which helps you to easily transport your ice cubes into your choice drinks in the most hygienic way possible.
- Large ice making capacity: The machine has a water reservoir that can take up to 3 quartz of water and it can make up to 26 pounds of ice within 24 hours so that you can have your favorite drinks served cold all day long.
- Drain plug: Igloo ICEB26RR portable electric countertop automatic ice maker can be easily cleaned and drained after use via its drain plug.
Pros
- Sleek and compact design
- Easy to use and clean
- Transparent cover
- Fast freezing time
- LED control
Cons
- The machine can be a little noisy
4. CROWNFUL stainless-steel ice maker for countertop – most affordable choice
- [Efficient & Quiet] The ice maker can produce up to 9 pieces of ice cubes in just 7 minutes and 26 pounds of ice per day. The...
- [2 Ice Sizes & Portability] The ice machine can make both large and small size ice cubes, where the large ice cubes are not...
- [Easy to Use] The ice maker is just a simple one touch operation and is equipped with infrared sensor technology, where the...
CROWNFUL small ice machine for RV is one of the best-seller portable ice makers. It is a light weight and compact unit that is portable enough to be carried on trips. It is a modern ice-making machine with functional features including a see-through lid, large-sized bullet ice, Light indicators, ice scoop, ice basket, and other amazing features that make ice-making easy.
It is easy to set up and clean, churning out 9 bullet-shaped ice in 7 minutes per cycle. This ice making machine is the most lightweight piece on our list and our best portable ice maker for outdoor use.
Features –
- Fast and Simple Mode of Operation: CROWNFUL stainless-steel Ice Maker can produce 26 lbs. of bullet-shaped ice-cubes within 24 hours. The large bullet-shaped ice has a dimension of 0.9 inch by 1.2 inch.
- Portable size: This Portable Ice Maker comes in a silver-coated cover that would blend well with any type of décor. The portable sized machine is light weight at 17.61 pounds – hence it is easy to move around. If you need it to fit a small space, this unit has a dimension of 12.2” L x 9.05” W x 12.8” H – it might just be the footprint you need.
- Smart indicator: This CROWNFUL stainless-steel Ice Maker features LED displays that alert you when the ice basket is filled up with ready-made ice and needs to be offloaded. It also notifies you when the water reservoir is empty and needs to be refilled.
- Transparent Lid: The machine features a see-through cover where you can monitor the ice in the machine without necessarily having to open the lid. The cover is additionally resistant to stains and very easy to clean.
- Quiet powerful performance machine: This unit performs its duty of making great quality ice cubes without making loud and unpleasant noise. It operates under 40 dBA noise level – you can have a conversation in front of the unit while it’s operating.
- Ice scoop and Basket: It also comes with a removable ice basket and a scoop which allows you to easily transfer ice cubes from the machine into your favorite drinks or ice bags.
- A Convenient Drain Plug: The ice maker features a drain plug that makes it easy to clean and drain. Once the ice-maker is disconnected from a power source and emptied, you can dab the machine clean with a damp towel and allow it to dry.
Pros
- Nice and portable machine
- Translucent cover
- Good insulation
- Quick freezing time
- Quiet performance
Cons
- No multiple choice of ice sizes.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do portable Ice Makers need a water line?
Portable ice makers can work without a water line. They come with water reservoirs or tanks which can be easily filled with water to make ice. Portable ice makers do not need a water line and that is what makes them portable.
Do portable ice makers keep ice cold?
Portable ice makers do not work as freezers. They produce ice cubes which have to be used immediately or kept in freezers. Ice cubes that are not used would melt in the ice bin after a while and the resultant water would be transported back to the water reservoir.
How long do portable ice makers last?
If there is anything that can last forever, it would definitely not be an ice maker.
However, how long a portable ice maker would last depends partly on the durability of the machine as some ice makers have a higher warranty than others. Alternatively, It also depends on how long and how often the machine is used.
A regularly used machine would most likely break down faster than one that is seldom used.
What kind of water do you use in a portable ice maker?
To minimize or avoid impurities in their entirety, use purified bottle water, by this we mean water that is clean enough to drink. Ensure to change the water in the reservoir every 24 hours to avoid contamination. Also, ensure that the temperature of the water is within the range of 51°F and 90°F.
Are portable ice makers safe?
Portable ice makers are mostly easy to clean and yes, they are safe, as long as they are well cleaned and drained after use to avoid a build-up of harmful microorganisms in the machine which could contaminate the ice cubes.
Recap: the best portable ice makers for your RV
Here’s to the joy of discovery on the road – with the comfort of making your own fresh ice anytime you want!