With summer heating up, there is nothing better than kicking back and enjoying an ice-cold drink. Whether that is a cold cocktail or an iced latte, every iced beverage has one thing in common: ice cubes. While freezer ice trays get the job done, if you want ice in a hurry, it is time to invest in one of the best ice makers. An ice maker can produce ice in as little as six minutes, making it an underrated kitchen gadget for emergency G&Ts or party preparation. Modern ice makers are compact enough to sit on your kitchen counter without taking up too much space and can produce far more ice than a standard ice tray. They come in a range of sizes, styles, and budgets, so there is a perfect ice maker for all households.
To find out which model was worth your money and a coveted space in your kitchen, Rachael Penn tested a range of ice makers from well-known appliance brands, including Cooks Professional, Daewoo, and Salter. She looked at everything from ice quality and production speed to ease of use. Whether you are looking for a machine for summer soirees or never want to run out of ice again, here are the models that impressed her the most.
Best Ice Makers for 2026 at a Glance
- Best Overall – Cooks Professional 2.2L ice maker: £129.99
- Best Budget Buy – Techshare ice cube tray with lid: £17.97
- Best Compact Device – Cooks Professional 1.3L ice maker: £89.99
- Best for Cocktails – CASO Design clear ice advanced ice maker: £99.99
- Best Portable Ice Maker – Daewoo 12KG portable ice maker with handle: £79.99
Tested by Rachael Penn, a keen cook with over 15 years of experience testing home, kitchen, lifestyle, and tech products for national publications. She tests all products in a real-world home environment to provide an accurate sense of what the item would be like in your home.
Cooks Professional 2.2L Ice Maker
Best Overall Ice Maker
What we love: Large capacity is ideal for families, two ice cube sizes, and the first ice cubes appear in less than 10 minutes.
Take note: Ice cubes melt quite quickly.
For anyone who loves hosting parties or having the family around, the Cooks Professional 2.2L ice maker is ideal. The speed is great – the first load appears in six minutes – and once the machine gets warmed up, it works like lightning. It produces up to 14kg of ice in 24 hours. Easy to use: simply fill the tank, choose between large and small ice cubes, and wait. There is a large, transparent window to keep an eye on progress. While you can hear it in the background, it is surprisingly quiet. Cleaning is easy with a drain located at the bottom of the machine to remove excess water. The plastic appliance dries quickly. However, the ice melts quickly due to its bullet shape. For the price, you cannot fault the speed and convenience.
- Size: 33 x 34 x 25cm
- Capacity: 2.2L
- Weight: 7.8kg
- Colour options: Copper, black, silver
- Price: £130
Techshare Ice Cube Tray with Lid
Best Budget Ice Maker
What we love: No countertop space needed, freezes up to 64 ice cubes at a time, and easy to get ice out.
Take note: The lid gets frozen to the tub.
This ice cube tray allows you to stack two layers of ice cubes before tipping them into an attached container while the other two layers are freezing. You will never have to worry about running out of ice. One tip and the ice cubes are out. Cleaning and storing this tray is the easiest on the list. A great backup plan and the cheapest option.
- Size: 26 x 14 x 13cm
- Capacity: Makes up to 64 ice cubes
- Weight: 0.82kg
- Colour options: Blue, pink, green, yellow
- Price: £17.97
Cooks Professional 1.3L Ice Maker
Best Compact Ice Maker
What we love: Great value for money, compact design, and choice between large and small cubes.
Take note: Smaller tank means more refills for large gatherings.
At just 22cm wide, this machine neatly slots into the back of a worktop. It comes with a carry handle for easy moving. Despite its smaller footprint, it produces ice incredibly quickly. The first small batch is made within six minutes, though it takes over an hour to fill the basket (up to 12kg of ice per day). There is a clear viewing window and LED lights to indicate when to add water or when the basket is full. Clean-up is simple with a handy drain.
- Size: 29 x 22 x 29cm
- Capacity: 1.3L
- Weight: 6.9kg
- Colour options: Copper, black, silver
- Price: £90
Caso Design Clear Ice Advanced Ice Maker
Best for Cocktails
What we love: Makes clear ice as well as frosted ice, ideal for cocktails with a premium-feeling design.
Take note: Produces less ice per day than some other machines.
This machine gives you the option of frosted or clear ice cubes. Clear ice cubes defrost at a slower rate, keeping drinks cooler for longer. The machine has a premium look but a compact size. Ice started flowing within six minutes, but it took around 90 minutes for a full basket. A tinted viewing window makes it tricky to see progress, but an LED indicator lets you know when the basket is full. It is surprisingly quiet. Cleaning is a breeze. This machine produces around 8.8kg of ice per day.
- Size: 24 x 30 x 29cm
- Capacity: 1.5L
- Weight: 6.6kg
- Colour options: Black
- Price: £100
Salter Electric Ice Cube Maker
Best Countertop Ice Maker
What we love: Makes the first batch quickly, compact design.
Take note: Ice cubes need to be moved out of the machine when produced.
Easy to use with simple set-up and minimal controls. The first batch of ice arrives in 10 minutes, and the basket is completely full within 45 minutes. However, the ice melts quite quickly in the basket, so it needs to be popped into the freezer within 30 minutes. The 800ml water tank requires more regular top-ups. Cleaning is super simple with a drain on the base. The machine feels plasticky and is a tad loud, but performance exceeds its looks.
- Size: 27.4 x 18.5 x 30.2cm
- Capacity: 800ml
- Weight: 5.7kg
- Colour options: Silver
- Price: £70
Daewoo 12KG Portable Ice Maker with Handle
Best Portable Ice Maker
What we love: Self-cleaning mode, handy carry handle, easy to use.
Take note: Quite noisy while working.
This ice maker is great for portability with a carry handle and compact design. It is simple to set up: add water, choose between small or large ice cubes, and wait. The first batch took a while, but once the machine got into the swing, ice cubes came every six minutes. It took around an hour to fill the basket completely. It can produce up to 12kg of ice per 24 hours. There is a viewing window and indicator lights. The stainless steel finish feels premium, and the plastic handle is strong enough to move from room to room.
- Size: 29.4 x 22.2 x 29cm
- Capacity: 1.2L
- Weight: 6.3kg
- Colour options: Silver
- Price: £80
Wellent Ice Maker
Best for Quick Ice
What we love: Ideal for party hosting, starts producing ice very quickly, large viewing window.
Take note: Ice starts to stick together as it melts.
This machine was the quickest tested. Ice started coming in around five minutes, and by the 35-minute mark, there was a full basket. You can choose between small and large ice cubes, but the large cubes are on the small side. It can produce up to 12kg of ice per 24 hours. The durable design feels more expensive than its price tag, and it is compact.
- Size: 28.1 x 20.2 x 26.4cm
- Capacity: 800ml
- Weight: 5.9kg
- Colour options: Silver
- Price: £51
What Are the Best Ice Makers for 2026?
Once you try an ice maker, you will wonder how you did without one. The top pick is the Cooks Professional 2.2L ice maker: it works quickly, is consistent, and is a good size for hosting parties and everyday use. The Caso Design clear ice advanced ice maker is another good choice, offering fast ice and the option between clear and frosted cubes. For something smaller, the Daewoo or Salter ice makers are great choices.
How I Tested the Best Ice Makers
Each ice maker was tested at home over several days. Factors considered: how quickly it produced its first batch of ice, performance over longer periods, how quickly you would get a full basket, ease of use, noise level, ease of cleaning and maintenance, design, and value for money. The testing also incorporated the manufacturer's guidance on how ice makers work, how they should be maintained, and how to get the best performance from each model.
