Imagine this: you’re hosting a party, and the ice bin is looking a little sad. Or maybe you just love the convenience of always having perfectly chilled cubes ready for your favorite drink. That’s where an under-the-counter ice maker shines! It’s a fantastic appliance for anyone who wants a steady supply of ice without taking up precious counter space.
But let’s be honest, picking the *right* one can feel like a puzzle. You’re probably wondering about things like how much ice it makes, if it’s noisy, or if it will even fit in that small space under your counter. There are so many different types and features, it’s easy to feel overwhelmed and unsure of where to start. We get it – it’s a big decision!
That’s why we’ve put together this guide. By the time you finish reading, you’ll feel confident about what to look for. We’ll break down the important stuff, like ice types, installation tips, and how to choose the best model for your home. Get ready to say goodbye to ice-related stress and hello to effortless chilling!
Top Under The Counter Ice Maker Recommendations
- High-Output & Large Storage: This commercial ice maker produces up to 100 lbs of crystal-clear ice daily, with the first batch ready in just 10-18 mins. Features an expanded 18-33 lbs storage bin (it is not a freezer), ensuring a steady supply of 200+ cold drinks for home parties, bars, or light commercial use
- Easy 3-Step Setup & Under-Counter Installation: This undercounter ice maker machine offers quick plug-and-play operation: just connect the faucet (1/2-inch Male Threaded), attach the drain hose (requires a floor drain), and plug in the power. Sized at 15.1x15.7x29 inches with front venting, it fits seamlessly as a freestanding or built-in unit under standard cabinets
- Self-Cleaning Support & Easy Controls: One-touch self-cleaning helps rinse the internal water system and reduce routine maintenance effort. Adjustable ice thickness, LED lighting (automatically activates a blue light when opened), and simple controls make this self-cleaning ice maker commercial easier to use in homes, cafes, offices, and small business drink areas
- Built to Last & Safe: Commercial ice machine is built with heavy-duty, rust-proof stainless steel for ultimate durability. Features food-grade safe interior components to keep every cube pure and tasteless. Designed for reliable, 24/7 peak performance, it delivers consistent performance and lasting peace of mind
- Faster Cooling & Lower Bills: Driven by an advanced R290 compressor, this ice maker 100lbs boosts energy efficiency by up to 30%, saving you up to $260/year on utility bills. This ice machine commercial delivers rapid refrigeration while lowering long-term operating costs, making it the perfect smart choice
- HIGH CAPACITY & FAST ICE MAKING – Designed for heavy-duty usage, this commercial ice maker produces up to 100 lbs of ice per 24 hours, crafting 45 clear ice cubes per cycle in just 11-15 minutes. It features a large built-in storage bin holding 33 lbs of ice, ensuring you never run out during peak hours. The automatic overflow prevention system guarantees safe operation, making it perfect for large families, parties, or commercial settings.
- ETL CERTIFIED FOR COMMERCIAL & HOME USE – Safety and quality are paramount. Unlike standard units, the EUHOMY ice maker is ETL certified for both household and commercial applications. Its versatile design allows it to be used in indoor/outdoor kitchens, restaurants, bars, hotels, or grocery stores. Whether you are hosting a backyard BBQ or running a coffee shop, this machine delivers reliable performance.
- INTUITIVE LCD CONTROL PANEL – Take full control with the smart LCD display. It allows you to monitor the ambient temperature and adjust the ice-making time to customize the thickness of your ice cubes—thin for smoothies or thick for drinks. The panel also features a one-touch Automatic Cleaning function, simplifying maintenance and ensuring your ice is always fresh and hygienic.
- EFFICIENT COOLING & QUIET OPERATION – Equipped with a powerful yet quiet compressor, this under-counter ice machine creates ice efficiently without disrupting your environment. The advanced energy-saving technology helps reduce electricity consumption, lowering your operating costs over time. The stainless steel construction not only looks professional but also provides durability and effective heat dissipation.
- INSTALLATION & MAINTENANCE TIPS – This unit utilizes Gravity Drainage (requires a floor drain or gravity outlet; strictly no pump included). Please ensure the drain hose is positioned lower than the machine specifically for optimal drainage. IMPORTANT: Before first use, keep the machine upright for at least 24 hours to let the refrigerant settle. We recommend running the self-cleaning cycle twice before consuming the first batch of ice.
- Rapid Ice Production: This commercial ice maker produces up to 110 lbs of ice per day, creating 40 ice cubes every 12 to 15 minutes. The 25 lbs storage capacity provides a continuous supply of ice ready whenever you need it, such as home, coffee shop and bar.
- Compact Size & Versatile Use: With its compact size of 15" x 21.1" x 33.7" (L x W x H), this ice machine is suitable for standard-height kitchen or bar counters. The front ventilation system make it ideal for under-counter or built-in installation, while also offering the flexibility to function effortlessly as a freestanding unit.
- Automatic Cleaning Function: Hold down the “Reservation/Cleaning” button for 2 seconds to activate the pump. It will start intermittent cleaning 3 times. Equipped with a built-in water filter, this ice maker can be connected directly to your tap water, ensuring a steady supply of pure and clean ice.
- Reversible Door & Cold Insulation: The stainless steel door with a sturdy handle offers versatile installation options, allowing you to choose between left or right hinge placement for convenient access. Crafted from 3-layer housing, this ice maker effectively preserves ice cubes for extended periods, preventing rapid melting and ensuring lasting freshness.
- Intuitive Control Panel: This ice machine features a user-friendly control panel with 3 adjustable ice thickness settings: thin (12 minutes) for seafood, medium (15 minutes) for beverages, and thick (18 minutes) for longer-lasting ice. Additionally, the reservation timer can be set from 1 to 23 hours, allowing you to conveniently schedule ice production to meet your needs.
- Advanced & Fast Ice Making: Our commercial under counter ice maker machine can produce 90 lbs of ice in 24 hours, providing 40 clear ice cubes every 11-20 minutes for you and your family. The 24 lb storage container ensures a constant supply of ice, meeting all your daily ice needs for your home, restaurant, bar, or hotel.
- Compact Design: The built-in design with dimensions of 14.96 x 18.47 x 33.99 inches (including adjustable feet) makes it perfect for any standard height kitchen or bar counter, while also allowing the ice maker to be used as a standalone unit.
- Reversible Door & Cold Insulation: The stainless steel ice maker machine door with a handle can be installed with left or right hinges, allowing you to choose the opening direction according to your needs. The 3-layer housing material ensures longer-lasting ice cubes, preventing them from melting quickly.
- Smart LCD Control Panel & Customizable Ice Thickness: The multifunctional control panel displays the ambient temperature and allows you to adjust the ice cube size by changing the ice-making time. The 24-hour timer function lets you set the machine to start or stop running at your convenience.
- Easy-to-Clean & Prolonged Life: The self-cleaning function, activated by pressing the "Timer Clean" button for 5 seconds, helps maintain the ice maker's efficiency and longevity. We recommend cleaning the machine regularly according to usage. The ice maker requires a water supply . Be sure to keep the machine upright for at least 24 hours before using it.
- 【Upgraded Drainless Ice Maker】This under counter ice maker is made of brushed stainless steel, which is more durable and easy to clean. The 22-pound ice storage capacity meets the needs of long-term and large-capacity ice use. The powerful freezing system ensures that the ice cubes are always kept within the range of 26.6-32°F to avoid melting.
- 【Unique Ice Shape】Our crescent ice maker is designed for you who pursue high-quality drinks. It can efficiently produce high-quality, pure, and tasteless crescent-shaped ice cubes. The unique shape and slow melting characteristics can keep drinks cool and delicious for longer, making it the perfect partner for exquisite drinks.
- 【Detailed Design】One-touch switch to start making ice cubes, just press to start the ice making process, no cumbersome settings required. The door and hinges of the ice maker are reversible, you can choose to install it on the left or right side according to your needs, and the feet have an adjustable function, which can flexibly adapt to different space layouts.
- 【Easy Installation】This drainless ice maker adopts advanced drainage-free design, completely bid farewell to cumbersome drainage pipe installation, no need to hire a plumber to install it, you only need to connect the water supply connector and power cord to start normal use. The size design of 14.9"W x 18.6"D x 33.8"H can be easily placed under most standard kitchen counters.
- 【Quality Assurance】Each built-in ice maker has passed ETL certification and meets strict ETL safety and quality certification standards, ensuring that our ice makers meet the highest industry standards in terms of safety and reliability. COTLIN also provides lifetime service support, so you can choose and use this ice maker with confidence.
- Efficient Ice Output with Large Storage: This commercial ice maker produces up to 130 lbs of ice per day and makes 50 ice cubes in 8-10 minutes, suitable for producing about 580+ drinks per day.This ice maker machine with a 30 lbs maximum ice storage capacity,The ice-full indicator light will automatically turn on when the ice storage reaches 16 lbs. Ideal for parties, watching games and commercial peak hours—say goodbye to the anxiety of running out of ice
- Enhanced Insulation Performance: Our commercial ice machine is ETL certified and the integrated cyclopentane foam insulation layer combined with a stainless-steel exterior effectively blocks external heat. Even when the machine is powered off, it can keep ice frozen for 6–8 hours
- Adjustable Ice Thickness: The ice machine makes 0.8 in (20 mm) square ice cubes with a clear look. You can adjust freezing time to change thickness, great for drinks, seafood, smoothies, or cocktails. Flip-top lid allows easy access, and the stainless steel scoop is durable for frequent use
- Smart Control Panel: LED display shows ambient temperature and enables adjustable ice thickness, timer, one-touch self-cleaning, and full ice, low water, and fault alerts. With all accessories included, connect the inlet and drain hose for auto fill and drain, then start making ice. Keep the ice maker upright 24 hours before use
- Flexible Placement: This ice maker machine can be used freestanding or installed under the counter, ideal for home kitchens, bars and cafés for drink prep, and restaurants or seafood shops for food prep. Four adjustable screw-in feet help level the unit on uneven floors
- Rapid & Large Ice Production: Our ice maker produces 82 lbs of clear ice cubes daily, with each cycle taking just 8 to 16 minutes. This under counter ice maker efficiently meets your demand for ice, allowing you to enjoy tasty ice cubes easily whether at home or in a commercial setting.
- External Drain Pump for More Flexible Placement: The included external drain pump helps discharge collected wastewater efficiently, providing greater flexibility when placing this commercial ice maker in home bars, cafés, offices, and beverage stations.
- Simple & User-Friendly Design: The LCD panel makes operation worry-free. This ice maker features reminders for water shortage and ice full, helping you replenish water or remove ice cubes promptly. The reversible door design gives you the flexible choice to decide which direction to open the door.
- Auto-Cleaning & Timer Function: We value your time, so our under counter ice machine is equipped with automatic cleaning. Simply hold the "Clean" button for 5 seconds to easily clean the machine. The timer function also helps you schedule ice production according to your daily routine.
- Wonderful Size & Customer Service: With dimensions of 20.4"D x 14.96"W x 33.9"H, this ice maker offers two installation options: freestanding or under counter. If you have any questions while using the ice maker, please reach out to us promptly, and we will strive to provide you with help.
- Ultra-High Efficiency: The Euhomy commercial ice maker produces up to 120 lbs of crystal-clear cube ice per day, delivering 45 ice cubes in just 10–15 minutes. No more worrying about running out of ice—even during peak hours. It comes with a built-in 33 lbs ice storage bin, ensuring you always have ice on hand. The ice thickness is adjustable to suit different needs—perfect for cocktails, soft drinks, coffee, and more. This machine is an excellent choice for bars, restaurants, cafés, hotels, and even home kitchens or outdoor gatherings.
- Durable, Reliable & Safe: Built with a pure copper compressor and a stainless steel body, this commercial ice maker is engineered for long-lasting performance. It is ETL certified for commercial use, ensuring both safety and reliability for professional or home settings. To guarantee crystal-clear, safe ice every time, the machine also comes with an upgraded water filter that effectively removes impurities, pollutants, and heavy metals.
- Multi-Function Control Panel: This commercial ice maker features a smart LCD panel that makes operation simple and convenient. The display shows the ambient temperature, reminding you to maintain the best environment for efficient ice production. You can easily adjust ice cube size by changing the ice-making time. With just one press of the self-cleaning function, the machine takes care of hygiene automatically. Plus, the 24-hour timer allows you to program start and stop times according to your schedule.
- Hassle-Free & Insulated Design: This commercial ice maker features a curved cover with a built-in viewing window, allowing you to easily check the ice-making process without opening the lid. Its 3-layer insulation system—stainless steel, thick foam, and food-grade PP—effectively locks in cold air, ensuring your ice stays solid and fresh for longer. With this reliable insulation, you’ll always have a consistent supply of ice ready for your business.
- Regular Cleaning: We recommends that you clean the ice machine regularly according to the usage. Requires water supply and drain (GRAVITY DRAINAGE). SUGGEST-Drain water once a day(PULLING OUT THE SMALL HOSE ON THE RIGHT SIDE OF THE WATER TANK). Be sure to keep ice machine upright for at least 24 hours before using it. Also, press the "Timer Clean" button for more than 5 seconds to enter the "Cleaning Program" to clean it twice before making the first batch of ice.
Your Guide to the Best Under-Counter Ice Maker
An under-counter ice maker is a fantastic addition to any kitchen. It keeps a steady supply of ice ready for drinks and parties. Buying one can feel tricky, but this guide will help you choose the perfect fit. We’ll cover what to look for, what makes a good ice maker, and how to use it.
Why an Under-Counter Ice Maker?
These ice makers tuck neatly under your counter. They are more convenient than portable ice makers. You won’t have to refill them often. They are great for busy households or people who love to entertain.
Key Features to Look For
Ice Production Rate
This tells you how much ice the machine makes in a day. Think about how much ice you use. If you host big parties, you’ll need a higher production rate. For everyday use, a smaller rate is fine.
Ice Shape
Most under-counter ice makers make cube-shaped ice. Some offer different shapes like crescent or nugget ice. Cube ice is good for most drinks. Nugget ice is soft and chewable, perfect for sodas.
Storage Capacity
This is how much ice the ice maker can hold. A larger bin means you won’t run out of ice as quickly. Consider how often you need to empty the bin.
Water Filtration
Good ice makers have built-in water filters. These filters remove impurities. This makes your ice taste better. It also helps keep the machine clean.
Drainage System
Under-counter ice makers need a way to drain melted ice. Some have built-in pumps. Others need a gravity drain connection. A pump helps if your drain is higher than the ice maker.
Energy Efficiency
Look for models that use less energy. This saves you money on your electricity bill. Energy Star certified models are a good choice.
Important Materials
Stainless Steel
Many high-quality ice makers use stainless steel. This material is strong and lasts a long time. It also looks sleek and modern in your kitchen.
Plastic Components
Inside the ice maker, some parts are plastic. Look for food-grade plastic. This plastic is safe for making ice you will eat. It should also be durable.
Insulation
Good insulation helps keep the ice from melting too fast. This means less wasted ice and less work for the machine.
Factors That Improve or Reduce Quality
Build Quality
A well-built ice maker feels sturdy. Its parts fit together nicely. Poor build quality can lead to problems later.
Brand Reputation
Choose brands known for making good appliances. Read reviews from other customers. This helps you find reliable models.
Noise Level
Some ice makers can be noisy. They make sounds when they produce ice or when the compressor runs. If you are sensitive to noise, look for quieter models.
Ease of Cleaning
Cleaning your ice maker is important. Look for models that are easy to access and clean. Removable parts make this job simpler.
User Experience and Use Cases
Everyday Convenience
An under-counter ice maker means you always have ice. You don’t have to buy bags of ice from the store. This is great for daily use, like filling water bottles or making iced coffee.
Entertaining Guests
When you have friends over, you need lots of ice. An under-counter ice maker ensures you have enough for everyone’s drinks. It makes hosting much easier.
Home Bars
If you have a home bar, an ice maker is a must-have. It keeps your cocktails perfectly chilled. Guests will be impressed.
Busy Families
Families with kids or active lifestyles use a lot of ice. An under-counter ice maker keeps up with demand. It saves time and hassle.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Q: How much space do I need for an under-counter ice maker?
A: You need enough space for the ice maker itself, plus a little extra for airflow. Check the product dimensions and installation instructions.
Q: Do under-counter ice makers need a special power outlet?
A: Most use a standard household outlet. Some larger models might need a dedicated circuit. Always check the specifications.
Q: How often do I need to clean my ice maker?
A: It’s best to clean it every 3-6 months. Some models have cleaning cycles to help.
Q: Can I use tap water if it’s not filtered?
A: You can, but filtered water makes better-tasting ice. It also helps prevent mineral buildup in the machine.
Q: Will an under-counter ice maker make my kitchen noisy?
A: Some make a little noise when making ice, but most are designed to be quiet. Check reviews for noise levels.
Q: How long do under-counter ice makers typically last?
A: With proper care and maintenance, they can last 10-15 years or even longer.
Q: Do I need a plumber to install it?
A: It’s recommended to have a plumber or qualified technician connect the water line and drain. This ensures it’s done correctly and safely.
Q: What if my ice maker stops making ice?
A: First, check if it’s plugged in and the water supply is on. Then, consult the user manual for troubleshooting steps.
Q: Can I turn it off when I’m not using it?
A: Yes, you can turn it off to save energy. However, it’s generally best to keep it running so you always have ice ready.
Q: Are under-counter ice makers expensive?
A: Prices vary widely depending on features and brand. Basic models are more affordable, while high-end ones with advanced features cost more.