Icy drinks are a fan favourite across Canada all year round, but this is especially true in the sweltering summer months. Anyone disagree? We didn’t think so! And while it’s fun to get your fix from a restaurant occasionally, there are plenty of occasions when you want to enjoy them at home, too. For some people, daily. But what do you do when you’re sick of buying ice or making it in your freezer all the time?
You get a countertop ice maker, of course! These handy machines can make, store, and recycle ice constantly so you always have a fresh supply ready when you need it. They can make ice in various shapes and sizes, and some even connect to other devices for convenience. They’re super easy to use, too. Just fill the tank up with water and choose your settings. The machine does the rest!
If a countertop ice maker sounds like something you need, we’d love to help you find the best one for your home. They’ll vary in things like price, overall size, number of ice sizes, ice shape, water tank capacity, ice bin capacity, and more. And we strongly encourage you to think about every feature… that’s the best way to get the right fit!
This comprehensive guide will investigate the best countertop ice makers in Canada right now and outline the criteria you should consider while making your purchase decision. Let’s dive right into our top five products.
The Best Countertop Ice Makers Right Now
- Top Pick: Frigidaire EFIC189 Compact Ice Maker
- Runner-Up: Crownful HZB-12/H Countertop Ice Maker
- Upgrade Pick: Frigidaire EFIC452-SS Countertop Ice Maker
- Connected Pick: GoveeLife H717D Smart Countertop Ice Maker
- Budget Pick: LivingBasics Portable Ice Maker
Our Top Pick for The Best Countertop Ice Maker
Frigidaire EFIC189 Compact Ice Maker Review
What We Think of the Frigidaire EFIC189 Compact Ice Maker
The Frigidaire EFIC189 Compact Ice Maker has a lot of features worth mentioning. It has one of our favourite control setups of all time—only a couple of buttons to start/stop the machine and choose your ice size. It’ll automatically stop producing ice when the bucket is full, too, and restart once you’ve removed some!
Plus, instead of annoying alarms, it has light indicators to let you know when the water is low and when the ice bucket is full. We love this the most. Since the ice production process is also really quiet, this machine is perfect for low-noise households. And also low-space households, since it’s so compact and countertop-friendly, even in the smallest kitchens.
The only fault we can really find with this ice maker is the cleaning process. Since it doesn’t have a self-clean function, it needs to be done by hand every couple of weeks (depending on use) to make sure it’s hygienic and working properly. The drain can be awkward to reach, though, and it just takes more time than hitting a simple self-clean button. This might be a dealbreaker for some people, which is why we bring it up.
All in all, the Frigidaire EFIC189 Compact Ice Maker is a pretty awesome ice maker. It doesn’t have any fancy features or extraordinary ice production rates, but it’s super reliable, easy to use, and perfectly countertop-friendly. You can’t ask for much more than that at this price!
- Performance: 5/5
- Usability: 5/5
- Price: 4/5
- Quality: 4.5/5
What Reviewers Are Saying About the Frigidaire EFIC189 Compact Ice Maker
Reviewers have a great opinion of the Frigidaire EFIC189 Compact Ice Maker. It’s quieter than a lot of other ice makers they’ve used in the past, and it also fits a lot better on the counter. The controls are very basic and easy to understand, which helped first-timers a lot, and the smaller ice size is made pretty quickly. They wish it were a bit easier to drain and clean, but it’s not that big of a deal for any of them.
Frigidaire EFIC189 Compact Ice Maker Pros and Cons
Buy If…
- You need something very compact
- Simplistic and intuitive controls are ideal
- You want a quiet and unobtrusive ice maker
- You don’t want to micromanage the ice production
Don’t Buy If…
- You don’t want to clean the machine by hand
Frigidaire EFIC189 Compact Ice Maker Specifications
- Dimensions: 8.7” x 11.6” x 11.4”
- Weight: 12.9 lbs
- Daily Production: 26 lbs
- Water Tank Capacity: 1.1 L
- Production Rate: 9 cubes every 7-15 minutes
- Ice Sizes: 2
- Ice Shape: Bullet
- Ice Storage Capacity: 1.5 lbs
- Warranty: 1 year
Our Runner-Up
Crownful HZB-12/H Countertop Ice Maker Review
What We Think of the Crownful HZB-12/H Countertop Ice Maker
There are lots of things to like about the Crownful HZB-12/H Countertop Ice Maker, and we’re excited to tell you about all of them. One of the things we think you’ll adore is the self-cleaning mode. Yup, it can clean itself. You won’t ever have to get your hands dirty to keep your ice maker running well and your ice tasting fresh. We also appreciate the removable ice basket and included scoop—it’s never been easier to transfer your ice to a cooler, glass, or storage container in the freezer.
The compact size of this ice maker is another winning feature. It’s one of the smallest ones out there, so it will fit well on every counter, and with a handle, it’s great for travelling to campsites, too. Since it can make nine ice cubes in only six minutes, you’ll never run out when you need a fix. We love that for you.
The only feature that might become annoying is the small water tank. It can only hold 1.2 litres of water at a time, and that’s on the small side for countertop ice makers. If you’ll be relying on your machine for a lot of ice production each day, you’ll have to keep a close eye on the water level and fill it often. Not ideal, we know, but this won’t be too much of an issue for general use. We promise.
All in all, the Crownful HZB-12/H Countertop Ice Maker has a lot going for it. Whether you’re prioritizing a compact size, quick ice production, or streamlined maintenance, this ice maker has exactly what you need. Doesn’t it sound like a winner?
- Performance: 5/5
- Usability: 5/5
- Price: 4/5
- Quality: 5/5
What Reviewers Are Saying About the Crownful HZB-12/H Countertop Ice Maker
Reviewers have plenty of great things to say about the Crownful HZB-12/H Countertop Ice Maker. It’s very quick at producing ice; the removable basket and ice scoop make it really easy to move the ice to a freezer or cooler, and it fits well in everyone’s space. It isn’t very loud either. They’d all choose this one again for themselves and highly recommend it for others. They have no complaints.
Crownful HZB-12/H Countertop Ice Maker Pros and Cons
Buy If…
- You don’t want to stress about cleaning your ice maker by hand
- Quick ice production would be good
- A compact size is important for your space
- Easy ice removal is something you want
Don’t Buy If…
- You don’t want to fill the water tank very often
Crownful HZB-12/H Countertop Ice Maker Specifications
- Dimensions: 8.7” x 11.4” x 11.6”
- Weight: 13.7 lbs
- Daily Production: 26 lbs
- Water Tank Capacity: 1.2 L
- Production Rate: 9 cubes every 6 minutes
- Ice Sizes: 2
- Ice Shape: Bullet
- Warranty: 1 year
Our Upgrade Pick
Frigidaire EFIC452-SS Countertop Ice Maker Review
What We Think of the Frigidaire EFIC452-SS Countertop Ice Maker
The Frigidaire EFIC452-SS Countertop Ice Maker is a great option. One of the things we admire most is its daily production. With 40 pounds of ice made every day, you won’t ever need to worry about running out or needing to purchase bags for a last-minute trip. You have three sizes of cubes to choose from, too, so it’s perfect for every occasion. Small cubes for drinks at home, large cubes for coolers…it has you covered no matter what.
We’re also really happy with the noise production, and that’s because this machine is a lot quieter than most other ice makers. If you enjoy a quiet, peaceful home, this machine will fit right in. It’s also a great fit for people who love restaurant-style ice, because that’s what you get with this ice maker. Square cubes for the win, right?
One thing about this ice maker that might not thrill you is the price tag. As one of the more expensive options out there, it won’t be the right fit for every budget. Its long-term durability is also a bit questionable, so if you plan to put it to work from day one, that might be something that needs some extra thought.
All in all, the Frigidaire EFIC452-SS Countertop Ice Maker has more to offer than the competition. Whether your priority is restaurant-quality ice, high production potential, or minimal noise disruption, this option will make you happy.
- Performance: 5/5
- Usability: 5/5
- Price: 4/5
- Quality: 4.5/5
What Reviewers Are Saying About the Frigidaire EFIC452-SS Countertop Ice Maker
Reviewers have a high opinion of the Frigidaire EFIC452-SS Countertop Ice Maker. It produces ice very quickly, and they’re impressed by its daily production of 40 pounds. It doesn’t make more noise than necessary, and they enjoy being able to choose between 3 ice cube sizes. They all highly recommend it and would choose it again for themselves.
Frigidaire EFIC452-SS Countertop Ice Maker Pros and Cons
Buy If…
- You like restaurant-style square ice cubes
- You’ll go through a lot of ice in a day
- Multiple sizes would be helpful
- A silent machine is ideal
Don’t Buy If…
- You’re shopping on a budget
- Longevity is something you think about
Frigidaire EFIC452-SS Countertop Ice Maker Specifications
- Dimensions: 14.8” x 11.3” x 14.1”
- Weight: 25.5 lbs
- Daily Production: 40 lbs
- Water Tank Capacity: 1.9 L
- Production Rate: 12-14 cubes every 6-10 minutes
- Ice Sizes: 3
- Ice Shape: Square
- Ice Storage Capacity: 2.4 lbs
- Warranty: 1 year
Our Connected Pick
GoveeLife H717D Smart Countertop Ice Maker Review
What We Think of the GoveeLife H717D Smart Countertop Ice Maker
The GoveeLife H717D Smart Countertop Ice Maker has some pretty cool features to take advantage of, and we’re here to tell you all about them. Of course, the smart features are probably the first thing you want to know about. With voice assistant compatibility and a great companion app for monitoring the ice status and setting schedules, your machine will always be working for you with maximum convenience.
It even has customizable RGB lights so you can monitor your machine at a glance. Your alerts are customizable, too. Isn’t that helpful? We think you’ll also enjoy the self-clean feature. It only takes 10 minutes and guarantees your ice is always clear and tastes great. Throw in an included magnetic ice scoop, and you’ve got a pretty perfect ice maker.
The only thing we’d change about this countertop ice maker is the price. It’s one of the most expensive ice makers around right now, and that means it won’t be a reasonable choice for every budget. It’s worth every penny in our opinion, but we understand that some just won’t be able to afford it.
All in all, the GoveeLife H717D Smart Countertop Ice Maker has everything you could ask for. As long as you don’t need a crazy high ice output, you’ll love everything about it. Don’t believe us? Just try it out for yourself!
- Performance: 5/5
- Usability: 5/5
- Price: 3.5/5
- Quality: 5/5
What Reviewers Are Saying About the GoveeLife H717D Smart Countertop Ice Maker
Reviewers are very fond of their GoveeLife H717D Smart Countertop Ice Makers. They love being able to use their voice or the companion app to monitor their ice maker, and the self-clean function keeps their ice nice and pure without any manual effort. The included ice scoop is really convenient, and they’re really happy with its production overall.
GoveeLife H717D Smart Countertop Ice Maker Pros and Cons
Buy If…
- You want a countertop ice maker with smart features
- A self-clean feature appeals to you
- You like the idea of a magnetic ice scoop
- You’d like to know what’s going on with your ice maker at a glance
Don’t Buy If…
- You don’t plan to spend a lot on a new ice maker
GoveeLife H717D Smart Countertop Ice Maker Specifications
- Dimensions: 12.5” x 9.5” x 13.1”
- Weight: 16.8 lbs
- Daily Production: 26 lbs
- Water Tank Capacity: 2 L
- Production Rate: 9 cubes every 6 minutes
- Ice Sizes: 3
- Ice Shape: Bullet
- Ice Storage Capacity: 1.5 lbs
- Warranty: 1 year
Our Budget Pick
LivingBasics Portable Ice Maker Review
What We Think of the LivingBasics Portable Ice Maker
The LivingBasics Portable Ice Maker was an easy choice for our budget pick this year. And we’ll tell you why. It’s one of the smallest and quietest machines out there, so it will fit perfectly in smaller kitchens with limited counter space as well as households that don’t do well with extraneous noise. You’ll only have to hear the ice cubes dropping—no other noise will be a nuisance!
We’re also really happy with the cycle time on this machine—the smaller size of ice only takes 6 minutes to freeze, and the larger size is ready in 12 minutes. And since nine cubes are produced each cycle, you’ll never run out even if you’re serving a group. Since the controls are incredibly simple, even your kids will be able to get in on the fun of using the ice maker.
One of the only things we don’t love about this ice maker is the size of the water tank. It can only hold 1.2 litres of water at a time, so if you’ll be using up your ice quickly, you’ll also be filling up the tank quite often. This can get a bit annoying if you’re doing it all the time, so just something to keep in mind while you’re considering your options.
Overall, the LivingBasics Portable Ice Maker is our favourite choice in the budget-friendly ice maker arena. It isn’t perfect, but it makes a ton of ice every 24 hours, is incredibly easy to use, and is even more countertop-friendly than your average machine. It’s even super quiet as a bonus.
- Performance: 5/5
- Usability: 4.5/5
- Price: 5/5
- Quality: 4.5/5
What Reviewers Are Saying About the LivingBasics Portable Ice Maker
Reviewers are getting a lot of use out of their LivingBasics Portable Ice Makers. With the two ice sizes, they’re able to make the right kind of ice for drinks or packing coolers, which they love. The machine is very quiet aside from the noise of the ice dropping down, and they’re really happy with how quickly the cubes are made.
LivingBasics Portable Ice Maker Pros and Cons
Buy If…
- You need a quick supply of ice
- A quiet ice maker is ideal
- You’re short on counter space
- You’ll appreciate very basic controls
Don’t Buy If…
- You don’t want to be filling up the water tank all the time
LivingBasics Portable Ice Maker Specifications
- Dimensions: 8.7” x 11.6” x 11.4”
- Weight: 13.7 lbs
- Daily Production: 26.5 lbs
- Water Tank Capacity: 1.2 L
- Production Rate: 9 cubes every 6-12 mins
- Ice Sizes: 2
- Ice Shape: Bullet
- Ice Storage Capacity: 1.3 lbs
- Warranty: 1 year
How to Properly Choose Your Countertop Ice Maker
Price
Almost every countertop ice maker can be purchased for $300 or less, but some are as cheap as $100. In general, more expensive ice makers will have a larger production capacity, a faster production rate, and extras like app connectivity.
Ice Production Rate
The ice production rate of a countertop ice maker refers to how quickly it churns out a batch of ice. It generally varies between 5-7 minutes for small sizes of cubes and 8-15 minutes for larger sizes. If you frequently need ice on a last-minute basis, you’ll want to find a machine with a faster ice production rate.
Ice Sizes & Shape
Most countertop ice makers make ice in hollow bullet shapes, but a rare few can make traditional solid cubes. They can also vary the size of ice they make—generally, the cube-style machines can only make one size, but the bullet-style machines will offer at least two (if not three) sizes of ice to suit different occasions.
Water Tank & Ice Bin Capacities
The capacities of an ice maker’s water tank and ice bin should also come into play when you’re making a purchase decision. The water tank capacity can vary between 1 and 3 litres, generally, and the ice bin capacity is usually between 1 and 1.5 litres. A larger water tank means less frequent filling, and a larger ice bin means more ice can be produced before the machine shuts off.
