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Updated October 2026: Most commercial brands have moved their machines to R290 natural refrigerant, so several model numbers on this list changed (the Manitowoc UYF0140A is now the UYP0140A, for example). We updated every pick to the current model and removed the budget units that are no longer sold.
Commercial ice makers produce large amounts of ice in a short time. Restaurants, bars, hotels and other businesses depend on a good ice maker every day to serve their customers. With so many options on the market, finding the best commercial ice maker for your business can be stressful.
I’ve researched the information you need about commercial ice makers to help you find a machine that makes excellent ice for your business or home.
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What data did I use to create this list? I used user ratings, comments, affordability, and product quality to put together this buyer’s guide, then checked each model against the manufacturer’s current lineup.
Related: Scotsman HID312A-1 Commercial Ice Maker Review
Making a big purchase can be stressful. There are many options available, and not all commercial ice makers are created equal. Some are just outright garbage!
To choose the right commercial ice maker, you’ll need to answer a few questions:
- What type of ice do you need?
- What type of ice maker do you want?
- What is your budget?
- How much room do you have for your ice maker?
Your business deserves the best commercial ice maker: one that makes excellent ice, lasts for many years, and helps your business turn a profit.
Let’s begin our buyer’s guide.
Commercial Ice Maker Comparison Chart
Below are the best commercial ice makers available today. We’ve marked the main features of each so you can choose the right unit for your business or home.
For the best results with a commercial ice maker, I suggest installing a water filter. Filtered water keeps your ice clean and fresh for your customers and protects the machine from scale. You can read about the best water filter to buy here.
Top Commercial Ice Maker Brands
There are a lot of commercial ice makers on the market, and it’s hard to know which ones to trust and which ones to stay clear of.
Below are the top commercial ice maker brands, in no particular order:
- Manitowoc
- Scotsman
- Hoshizaki
- Ice-O-Matic
- EUHOMY (budget, light-duty)
Each of these brands makes different types of ice in a variety of sizes, and most of them appear in our list above. Below, we break down each type of ice and then each ice maker, and explain what makes it a good fit for your home or business.
The Type of Ice
Most commercial ice makers produce one of these common types of ice. For more information about the different types of ice, you can check out my article here.
Nugget Ice
Nugget ice is made from ice flakes compressed into small nuggets. It’s soft and chewable, and it’s used mostly in restaurants and other food businesses.
Nugget ice is also popular in nursing homes and healthcare facilities. It’s often called Sonic ice (because Sonic Drive-In made it popular) or hospital ice. It works well in hospitals because it’s soft, easy to chew, and less of a choking concern.
Most nugget ice makers are commercial units, but the Opal Portable Nugget Ice Maker and the NewAir Nugget Ice Maker are countertop units that make soft, chewable nugget ice at home.
Crescent Ice
Crescent ice has a lot of uses. You can use it to pack food for shipping, fill coolers to keep drinks cold, or serve it in any food business.
Crescent ice is small and packs together well, which makes it a good choice for packing and storing food.
Crescent ice is also great for beverages because it fits nicely in a glass and lets liquid flow around it. Several commercial ice makers produce or dispense crescent ice.
Flake Ice
Grocery stores usually use flake ice to display seafood and other refrigerated food. Flake ice packs into small spaces and looks great on display.
Flake ice is also used on large fishing vessels to store the catch. Some large boats have saltwater flake ice makers that pull in seawater to make ice for storing fish for several days.
There are several commercial flake ice makers on the market, including the Hoshizaki F-330BAK on our list.
Cubed Ice
Cubed ice is your everyday ice. Restaurants use it to keep beverages cool and refreshing. Cubed ice can be clear or cloudy, depending on how the ice maker freezes the water.
Cubes come in different sizes. Many commercial machines make full (dice) cubes or half (half-dice) cubes. Half cubes are smaller and easier to handle at restaurants and bars.
Most restaurants serve cubed ice in their dispensers. When you grab a soda at a fast food restaurant, your glass is normally filled with full or half cubes.
Many ice makers produce cubed ice, and they range widely in size and output.
Crushed Ice
Crushed ice is cubed ice broken into smaller pieces. Businesses often like crushed ice because it’s easier to fill a glass with it.
Crushed ice is a common option on fridge ice makers but less common on commercial machines. People who really like crushed ice either buy a cube ice maker and crush the ice themselves or look for a machine that makes crushed ice.
Bullet-Shaped
Portable ice makers normally make bullet-shaped ice. These hat-shaped pieces form as water freezes around chilled metal prongs dipped into the water tray.
Bullet-shaped ice is harder to chew and usually white or cloudy. It’s fine for everyday use: in drinks, in a cooler to keep food and drinks cold, or crushed for specialty drinks.
For more information on the different types of ice, read my full post here.
How Much Ice Do You Need?
The amount of ice your business needs will determine which ice maker you should buy.
The chart below uses common rules of thumb to estimate daily ice needs for several types of businesses. Add about 20% as a safety margin, and remember that a machine makes less ice in a hot kitchen than its headline rating.
| Application Type | Typical Ice Needed | 100 Customers | 200 Customers | 500 Customers | 1,000 Customers |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Restaurant | 1.5 lbs. per meal | 150 lbs. | 300 lbs. | 750 lbs. | 1,500 lbs. |
| Cocktail Bar | 3 lbs. per seat | 300 lbs. | 600 lbs. | 1,500 lbs. | 3,000 lbs. |
| Beverage Only | 8 oz. per 12-24 oz. cup | 50 lbs. | 100 lbs. | 250 lbs. | 500 lbs. |
| Salad Bar | 35 lbs. per cubic foot | – | – | – | – |
| Hotel Guest Ice | 5 lbs. per room | 500 lbs. | 1,000 lbs. | 2,500 lbs. | 5,000 lbs. |
| Patient Ice | 10 lbs. per person | 1,000 lbs. | 2,000 lbs. | 5,000 lbs. | 10,000 lbs. |
| Cafeteria | 1 lb. per person | 100 lbs. | 200 lbs. | 500 lbs. | 1,000 lbs. |
Now that you know what type of ice you want and how much you’ll need, there’s one more thing to consider: price.
What is your budget? Light-duty “commercial” ice makers sold online, like the EUHOMY on our list, usually cost a few hundred dollars. True commercial undercounter machines from Manitowoc, Ice-O-Matic and Scotsman start at around $2,800, and larger nugget, flake and modular machines run from about $5,000 to well over $10,000. Installation, a water filter and a drain line add to the cost.
What Size Commercial Ice Maker Do You Need?
Commercial ice makers come in many sizes. Size usually comes down to two things: how much ice the machine makes in 24 hours and how big its storage bin is.
Some commercial ice makers come in two separate pieces: the ice-making head and a storage bin. These modular units are usually large and make several hundred pounds of ice a day.
Commercial ice makers can be freestanding, undercounter, or countertop units. Countertop ice and water dispensers are a good fit for any healthcare facility.
One more thing to know about model numbers: the big brands have moved to R290, a natural refrigerant, and many machines got new model numbers in the switch. If a dealer quotes you a slightly different model number than the one in this article, it’s often the newer R290 version of the same machine. Ask the dealer to confirm.
Commercial Ice Maker Reviews
Before you choose a commercial ice maker, make sure you have the space, the water line, and the drain it needs. Prices below are approximate and move often, so check the current price before you buy.
1. EUHOMY IM-02 Commercial Ice Maker
The EUHOMY commercial ice maker is a compact, affordable ice maker for your home or a small business.
It makes up to 100 pounds of ice a day, about 45 cubes per cycle every 11-15 minutes. It stops making ice when the 33-pound bin is full (overflow prevention), then starts again once you take ice out.
It has a stainless steel exterior and a simple control panel that’s easy to use. EUHOMY says it’s ETL listed for both household and commercial use.
This ice maker needs a water line and a drain line, and both hoses come with it.
| How much ice does it produce? | Up to 100 lbs a day |
| How small or compact is the unit? | About 17.5″ W x 16″ D x 31.3″ H |
| How long does it take to make ice? | 11-15 Minutes per cycle |
| Storage Bin Capacity | 33 lbs |
| What Are the Uses for This Ice Maker? | Home bar, basement, office, coffee shop, small restaurant |
| What type of ice does it create? | Cubed |
| Rating | 4/5 Stars |
| Price | Roughly $400-$800 depending on the seller |
| Best Price Online | Amazon.com |
The inside is ABS plastic and the outside panels are stainless steel. It’s a light-duty machine, not a replacement for a Manitowoc or Scotsman in a busy restaurant, but it’s one of the most affordable ways to get 100 pounds of ice a day.
This ice maker has a boxy, simple design. It’s not the best choice for a showpiece kitchen, but it works well in a basement, garage, office or small business.
If you want something bigger than a portable unit but don’t want to spend thousands, this is a great option. Check the price of the EUHOMY IM-02 on Amazon
2. The Manitowoc NEO UYP0140A (formerly UYF-0140A)
The Manitowoc NEO is a beast of an undercounter ice maker. It fits under a standard counter and helps make sure your customers never wait for ice. The current version, the UYP0140A, replaces the UYF0140A and uses R290 refrigerant.
It’s air-cooled and has simple electronic controls with full-bin and service indicators. A delay function lets you pause ice production during slow or closed hours.
It makes up to 150 pounds of half-dice ice a day (about 114 pounds under AHRI’s hotter 90°F/70°F test conditions). The ice drops into a 90-pound bin, and the NEO has water filtration built in.
| How much ice does it produce? | Up to 150 lbs a day (114 lbs AHRI) |
| Storage Bin Capacity | 90 lbs |
| What Are the Uses for This Ice Maker? | Great for small to medium-sized businesses |
| What type of ice does it create? | Half-Dice |
| Rating | 4.5/5 Stars |
| Price | Around $2,800 |
| Best Price Online | Amazon.com |
This ice maker is built to last. The bin slides forward for access, and the food zone has removable parts that make cleaning easier.
This ice maker is great for any small or medium-sized business. Restaurants and bars will love its simple controls and low profile, which makes it easy to tuck out of sight.
If you need more ice on hand than the 90-pound bin holds, a larger modular machine with a separate storage bin (like the Manitowoc Indigo NXT below) lets you build up a supply during slow times so you always have ice when it gets busy. Check the price of the Manitowoc NEO on Amazon
3. The Ice-O-Matic CIMU220HA90 (formerly ICEU220HA)
Sometimes you don’t have much room for an ice maker, and this is where the Ice-O-Matic shines. Ice-O-Matic’s R290 version of this machine is the CIMU220HA90, and many dealers still list it under the old ICEU220HA number.
This space-saving undercounter unit is just 24.5 inches wide (about 24.4″ W x 26.3″ D x 38.9″ H), so it fits in a tight bar or kitchen.
It makes about 223 pounds of half-cube ice a day and stores around 70 pounds. It’s compact, but it’s powerful enough to keep up with a busy service. Ice-O-Matic lists it among its ENERGY STAR certified models.
| How much ice does it produce? | About 223 lbs a day |
| Storage Bin Capacity | About 70 lbs |
| What Are the Uses for This Ice Maker? | Great for busy bars, restaurants, cafes or medium-sized businesses |
| What type of ice does it create? | Half-size cube |
| Rating | 4.5/5 Stars |
| Price | Around $3,350 |
| Best Price Online | Amazon.com |
Fresh, clean ice is important, and a machine that’s easy to keep clean helps make sure your customers don’t get ice that’s dirty or tastes terrible. Pair it with a good water filter and follow Ice-O-Matic’s cleaning schedule.
This ice maker is well built and a great choice overall. It comes from a trusted name in ice makers, and we recommend it to anyone who needs about 200 pounds of ice a day but still wants a compact unit. Check the price of the Ice-O-Matic CIMU220HA90 on Amazon
4. The Manitowoc Indigo NXT IDP0450A with D570 Bin (formerly IDT0450A)
The Manitowoc Indigo NXT is a beast of an ice maker and a great choice if you’re buying a commercial ice maker for a hotel. The current R290 head is the IDP0450A, which replaces the IDT0450A.
Hotels use a lot of ice every day and need a large machine to keep up. This Manitowoc is built for high daily demand.
It makes up to 483 pounds of dice ice a day (393 pounds under AHRI’s hotter test conditions). By the rules of thumb in our chart, that’s enough for roughly 300 restaurant meals or about 90 hotel rooms a day, less in a hot space.
The head sits on a separate storage bin. The package we link to pairs it with the D570 bin, which holds 532 pounds of ice.
It isn’t just a beast because of its size. You can program ice production by time, weight, day or night, so it makes ice when you need it and slows down when you don’t.
| How much ice does it produce? | Up to 483 lbs a day (393 lbs AHRI) |
| Storage Bin Capacity | D570 Storage Bin (Stores 532 Lbs) |
| What Are the Uses for This Ice Maker? | Great for Hotels |
| What type of ice does it create? | Dice (full) cube |
| Rating | 4.5/5 Stars |
| Price | Around $5,700 with the D570 bin |
| Best Price Online | Amazon.com |
The IDP0450A makes classic 7/8″ dice cubes, a versatile size for hotels, restaurants and almost any business. Check the price of the Manitowoc IDP0450A with D570 bin on Amazon
5. The Scotsman UN324 (UN324AX-1)
This Scotsman commercial ice maker is an air-cooled, self-contained machine that makes up to 340 pounds of nugget ice a day (266 pounds under AHRI’s hotter test conditions). Its bin holds 80 pounds of soft nugget ice. The current R290 model number is UN324AX-1, which replaces the UN324A-1.
It measures 24″ (W) x 28.5″ (D) x 39″ (H), a good size for placing under the counter so the ice maker is out of sight.
This ice maker is easy to operate, with a simple control panel that shows you the machine is working as it should.
| How much ice does it produce? | Up to 340 lbs a day (266 lbs AHRI) |
| Storage Bin Capacity | 80 lbs |
| What Are the Uses for This Ice Maker? | Great for nursing homes, healthcare and restaurants |
| What type of ice does it create? | Chewable Nugget Ice |
| Rating | 4.5/5 Stars |
| Price | Around $5,700 |
| Where to Buy | Scotsman dealers (see scotsman-ice.com) |
This ice maker is a great fit for a nursing home because it makes soft nugget ice that’s easy to chew. At 10 pounds per patient a day, 340 pounds of nugget ice covers roughly 25-35 patients, depending on the room temperature.
Installation isn’t hard: you need a water line and a drain line, and you’re ready to go. I recommend hiring a professional if you’re not comfortable with plumbing. We couldn’t find the current UN324AX-1 sold on Amazon, so check with a Scotsman dealer for pricing.
6. Hoshizaki F-330BAK (formerly F-330BAJ)
The Hoshizaki F-330 is a flake ice maker from the Japanese company Hoshizaki, which has been making ice machines for a long time. It’s a trusted, reliable brand. The current model is the F-330BAK, which replaced the F-330BAJ and uses R290 refrigerant.
It makes flake ice: soft, light and chewable. It produces about 331 pounds of ice a day and has a built-in bin that holds 80 pounds.
It measures 24″ W x 26″ D x 39″ H and breathes from the front, so it can be built in under a counter without side or rear clearance.
| How much ice does it produce? | About 331 lbs a day |
| Storage Bin Capacity | 80 lbs |
| What Are the Uses for This Ice Maker? | Grocery stores, markets, churches, delis and cafes |
| What type of ice does it create? | Flake Ice |
| Rating | 4.0/5 Stars |
| Price | Around $6,300 |
| Where to Buy | Hoshizaki dealers (see hoshizakiamerica.com) |
Flake ice is used mostly to keep food fresh. Stores chill fish and poultry on flake ice because it packs around the food and keeps it cold. That’s why most grocery stores depend on flake ice in their meat and seafood departments.
The Hoshizaki flake ice maker is a great choice for your business: reliable and powerful enough to get the job done. Amazon only lists the cubelet version (F-330BAK-C), not this flake model, so buy it through a Hoshizaki dealer.
7. Scotsman HID312 Meridian Ice and Water Dispenser
The Scotsman HID312 Meridian is a great countertop ice maker for an office, nursing home or healthcare facility. Scotsman rates it at up to 320 pounds of nugget ice a day (245 pounds at 90°F air and 70°F water), and it holds 12 pounds at a time. The current version uses R290 refrigerant and is sold as the HID312AX-1; the Amazon listing still uses the older HID312A-1 number.
It has a stainless steel evaporator and dispenses both ice and water. Touch-free infrared dispensing is standard on the model we link to, and a push-button version is also available.
It has the power of a commercial ice maker in a compact 16.25-inch-wide body. Sealed bearings cut down on maintenance, and LED diagnostic lights tell you what the unit is doing or flag any errors.
| How much ice does it produce? | Up to 320 lbs a day (245 lbs at 90°F/70°F) |
| Storage Bin Capacity | 12 lbs |
| What Are the Uses for This Ice Maker? | Offices, nursing homes, healthcare facilities |
| What type of ice does it create? | Nugget Ice |
| Rating | 4.0/5 Stars |
| Price | Around $5,900 |
| Best Price Online | Amazon.com |
A USB port lets a technician update the unit’s software, so Scotsman can keep improving it after you buy it.
Fill your glass with nugget ice, then top it up with water. This ice maker is easy to operate, and with the removable sink and grill it’s also easy to clean. Check the price of the Scotsman HID312 on Amazon
Commercial Ice Maker FAQ
How much does a commercial ice maker cost?
Light-duty units like the EUHOMY cost a few hundred dollars. Undercounter machines from Manitowoc, Ice-O-Matic and Scotsman start at around $2,800, and nugget, flake and modular machines usually cost $5,000 or more before installation.
Why did so many model numbers change?
Manufacturers have moved their machines to R290, a natural refrigerant with a much lower environmental impact, and gave many of the R290 machines new model numbers. For example, the Manitowoc UYF0140A became the UYP0140A and the Hoshizaki F-330BAJ became the F-330BAK.
Does a commercial ice maker need a drain?
Almost always. Commercial machines need a water line and a drain. If there’s no floor drain nearby, look for a model with a built-in drain pump or add a separate pump.
How often should I clean a commercial ice maker?
Follow the manufacturer’s schedule, which is commonly every six months and more often with hard water. A good water filter cuts down on scale. Here’s our guide on how to clean an ice maker.
Conclusion
This article lists the best commercial ice makers for your home and business. These are top units for quality, price, and customer satisfaction.
Use the links above to check the current price and read more customer reviews.
Did we miss one? Let us know in the comments below if there’s an ice maker you think belongs on this list. If you have any questions, you can add them below as well.
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1 Comment
Thanks, I know how important ice maker is in the hotels and restaurants. I have an ice maker in my hotel which is generally used to produce ice. On the other hand, it is very important to provide proper maintenance service to it in order to run whole units in a good condition.