Best Igloo Portable/Countertop Ice Maker Machines (Review)

Igloo makes different models of portable countertop ice maker machines but which one of them is the best? Let’s find out!

#1 Igloo ICEB26HNBK / ICEB26HN Ice Maker

Igloo ICEB26HNBK is a portable countertop ice maker that can make up to 26 pounds of ice cubes in 24 hours.

It makes 9 ice cubes per batch with each batch taking 7-11 minutes to make. Ice cubes are bullet shaped with hollow inside instead of having classic square shape. This is both advantage and disadvantage at the same time: on the upside they cool down drinks better due to increased contact area but on downside they also melt a bit fast for the same reason.

It offers you two ice cube size options: small and large. The actual size difference between them isn’t large and even so called large ice cubes are on smaller side.

Ice basket is not refrigerated so made ice cubes will slowly melt but that’s something you can expect from every inexpensive countertop ice cube maker. There are ice cube machines with refrigerated ice baskets too but they are significantly more expensive.

Melted water from ice cubes will go back into water reservoir to be reused for following batches.

Igloo ICEB26HNBK is super easy to use – just plug it in, pour water in the water reservoir, turn it on and wait 7-11 minutes for the first batch of 9 ice cubes to arrive.

Control panel

Control panel of Igloo ICEB26HNBK is intuitive and simple to use. It features only 2 buttons (one for turning ice maker on/off and the other for selecting ice cube size) and 6 indicator lights:

• “S” – Small ice cube size setting has been selected.
• “L” – Large  ice cube size setting has been selected.
• “Clean” – Ice maker is currently in self-cleaning mode.
• “Power” – Ice maker is currently turned on.
• “Add water” – Water reservoir is empty and ice production has been paused. To resume ice production pour water in the reservoir.
• “Ice full” – Ice basket is full and ice production has been paused. To resume ice production take out ice cubes.

Features

Igloo ICEB26HNBK has sensors that detect when water reservoir is empty or ice basket is empty and will pause ice cube production if necessary. Ice basket will only hold up to 1.25 lbs of ice cubes which is less than most ice makers whereas water reservoir capacity is 64 oz (1.9 liters) which is very slightly above the average.

It also features transparent lid (albeit it’s somewhat small), carry handle, removable ice basket and drain plug.

Conclusions

Out of all Igloo ice cube makers ICEB26HN is the most reliable one and one of the cheapest as well which is why it’s the best one. It’s also easy to use and produces ice cubes of decent quality.

Igloo ICEB26HN Specifications:

• Type: Freestanding / Portable / Countertop
• Ice output: up to 26 lbs per 24 hours
• Ice cube shape: Bullet (with hollow inside)
• Ice cubes per batch: 9
• Ice cube size options: 2
• Ice basket capacity: up to 1.25 lbs
• Water reservoir capacity: 64 oz / 1.9 liters
• Colors:
  • Aqua color (Model #: Igloo ICEB26HNAQ)
  • Black color (Model #: Igloo ICEB26HNBK)
  • White color (Model #: Igloo ICEB26HNWHN)
  • Stainless steel & black (Model #: Igloo ICEB26HNSS)
  • Stainless steel & white (Model #: Igloo ICEB26HNSSWL)

#2 Igloo ICEB26BK Countertop Ice Maker

Igloo ICEB26BK is actually very similar to Igloo ICEB26HN however it seems to be less reliable according to consumer reports.

Igloo ICEB26BK also makes up to 26 lbs of ice cubes in 24 hours. They are also bullet shaped with hollow middle. And it also makes 9 per batch.

Ice cube quality is decent but not great. They are not very dense so will melt in drinks rather fast. They also come out a bit wet and will freeze together into a clump if you put them in freezer which you will have to do if you want to save them for later use as ice basket isn’t refrigerated.

Control panel

Igloo ICEB26BK control panel features 2 buttons and 4 indicator lights:

• Buttons
  • “Select” button: Press to switch between ice cube size settings.
  • “Power” button: Press to turn on the ice maker and begin ice cube production.
• Indicator lights:
  • “Add water” indicator: Warns you that water reservoir is empty. Ice production will be paused until you pour water in water reservoir.
  • “Ice full” indicator: Warns you that ice basket is full. Ice production will be pauses until you take some or all of the ice cubes out and free some space.
  • “S” indicator: Means that small ice cube size setting has been selected.
  • “L” indicator: Means that large ice cube size setting has been selected.

Features

Igloo ICEB26BK also has sensors that detect when ice reservoir is empty or ice basket is full and also will pause ice cube production until you resolve the issue.

Ice basket is larger compared to Igloo ICEB26HNBK as it can store up to 2 lbs of ice cubes. Water reservoir capacity is also larger – it can hold 96 oz (2.8 liters) of water.

It also has transparent lid which is larger than the one on ICEB26HNBK.

Dimensions and weight

Igloo ICEB26BK measures 9.6” wide, 12.4” deep and 14.7” high. It weighs 19.4 lbs (8.8 kg).

Conclusions

Igloo ICEB26BK has larger ice water reservoir and ice basket capacity as well larger transparent window but it seems to be less reliable than ICEB26HNBK so ultimately it’s not as good.

Igloo ICEB26BK Countertop Ice Maker Details:

• Type: Freestanding / Portable / Countertop
• Ice output: up to 26 lbs per 24 hours
• Ice cube shape: Bullet (with hollow middle)
• Ice cube size options: 2
• Weight: 19.4 lbs
• Ice storage capacity: 2 lbs / 0.9 kg
• Water reservoir capacity: 96 oz / 2.8 liters
• Dimensions (W x D x H): 9.6″ x 14.7″ x 12.4″
• Available colors:
  • Aqua (Model #: Igloo ICEB26AQ)
  • Black (Model #: Igloo ICEB26BK)
  • White (Model #: Igloo ICEB26SS)
  • Stainless Steel (Model #: Igloo ICEB26WH)
• Package contents:
  • 1 x Igloo ICEB26BK Countertop Ice Maker
  • 1 x Ice Basket
  • 1 x Scoop

#3 Igloo ICEB33SL Portable/Countertop Ice Maker

Igloo ICEB33SL portable/countertop ice maker uses R134A refrigerant to make up to 33 lbs of ice cubes in 24 hours – about 27% more than previously mentioned Igloo ice makers.

It usually takes it 7 to 9 minutes to make a batch of 9 bullet-shaped ice cubes with hollow inside, however sometime might take up to 15. Ice cube quality is decent but they also come out a bit wet and will freeze together if put in a freezer. It can make ice cubes of two different sizes.

For optimal performance air and water temperature should be in range from 45˚ F to 90˚ F (7°C to 32°C).

It’s a bit loud for an ice maker which can be an issue for some.

Control panel

Igloo ICEB33SL has only 2 buttons and 4 indicator lights – basically the control panel is the same as Igloo ICEB26BK except the layout is different. One of the buttons if for turning device on or off and other for selecting ice cube size.

Two of the indicator lights are warning indicator for when water reservoir is empty or ice bucket full. The other two is simply for showing which ice cube size setting you have selected, either “S” (small) or “L” (large).

Features

Igloo ICEB33SL has transparent lid (you don’t have to open the lid and let warm air inside to see how many ice cubes are in the basket) and rubber feet to keep it stay put.

It has sensors to detect when ice water reservoir is empty of ice bucket is full.Water reservoir is 80 oz or 2.3 liters (less than ICEB26BK despite the larger ice output) whereas ice bucket can hold up to 2 lbs of ice cubes.

Reliability

The main reason why Igloo ICEB33SL comes last is that it seems to be the least reliable of Igloo ice makers. When you buy something you want it to last longer than just a few months and the chance that it won’t is the largest with ICEB33SL.

Dimensions and weight

Dimensions of Igloo ICEB33SL are as follows: 9.65” wide, 14.09” deep and 11.54” high. It weighs 18.96 lbs (8.6 kg).

Conclusions

Despite the ability to make more ice cubes than other Igloo ice makers ICEB33SL is louder and seems to be less reliable according to consumer reports. This is why it’s not the one you should buy.

Igloo ICEB33SL 33-lb countertop ice maker details:

• Type: Freestanding / Portable / Countertop
• Ice output: up to 33 lbs per 24 hours
• Ice cube shape: Bullet (with hollow inside)
• Refrigerant: R134A
• Ice cube size options: 2
• Weight: 18.96 pounds / 8.6 kg
• Ice bucket capacity: 2 lbs / 0.9 kg
• Water reservoir capacity: 80 oz / 2.3 liters
• Dimensions: 14.09″ x 9.65″ x 11.54″ (D x W x H)