Everyone who owns a home bar knows the importance of ice. Ice makes your cocktails delightful, and ice keeps the shrimp cold. No one wants to run to the store for a bag of ice in the middle of a party, or fill ice cube trays only to run out. Freezer ice can also absorb flavors and ruin your drinks. Ice from an ice maker is fresh and doesn’t pick up those extra flavors.
Updated October 2026: The original Opal Nugget Ice Maker has been replaced by the GE Profile Opal 2.0, so we’ve updated that pick, checked that our other picks are still sold, and refreshed prices.
If you’re serious about your home bar, you need an ice maker.
Portable ice makers fit nicely with the decor of your home bar and make the perfect-sized ice for your adult beverages. Ice makers are also great for entertaining, and the larger the crowd, the more important it is to have one.
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Things to Consider Before You Buy an Ice Maker
Before you choose an ice maker for your home bar, consider what drinks you’re going to be making.
If mixed drinks are your go-to, a standard portable ice maker will be fine. Most portable ice makers let you choose between two or three ice sizes, which is handy for making a variety of drinks.
Nugget ice or crushed ice is great if you’re throwing together a mint julep, a boozy tiki drink or a rum swizzle. Nugget ice fills your glass to the top with that delicious, chewable ice, but it also melts faster.
Clear ice is excellent for that exquisite glass of whiskey. A large clear ice ball or cube melts slowly, so it chills your drink without watering it down too quickly.
Knowing what kind of ice you want is where the buying process begins.
How Much Room Do You Have?
The next step in finding the perfect ice maker is knowing how much room you have for it.
Most portable ice makers are compact, but some are larger than others. You could buy a small commercial unit if you want more ice, but keep in mind that many people entertain both inside and outside, so being able to carry the ice maker outside is a big plus. That’s why a portable ice maker is often the best choice.
You could also invest in an undercounter ice maker and install it under the counter of your home bar. This hides the ice maker from your guests but keeps it close when you need it.
Some Important Features to Note
The most important features to look at when choosing an ice maker for your home bar are how much ice it produces in 24 hours and how quickly it makes it.
Most countertop bullet-ice makers produce around 26 lbs of ice a day, and the first batch usually takes about 6 to 10 minutes. Countertop nugget ice makers take a little longer to start but can make more ice per day.
If you’re thinking about a small commercial unit for your home bar, note that you’ll need a water line and usually a drain line. Typically, commercial ice makers need to be installed by a professional.
That’s what makes portable ice makers so handy. They don’t need water lines or drain lines because they have a water reservoir under the ice basket, and melted ice drains back into that reservoir.
Below are our top ice makers to consider for your home bar.
Frigidaire EFIC103 Countertop Ice Maker
The Frigidaire EFIC103 is a reliable ice maker. Its stainless steel design will look great on the counter of your home bar.
- Great stainless steel design
- Two ice cube sizes
- Ice in less than 6 minutes
- Produces up to 26 lbs of ice a day
- Holds 2.2 lbs of ice at one time
- Self-cleaning program
- Usually sells for about $100–$170
- Get the Best Price on Amazon
This ice maker lets you choose between two ice cube sizes, which is great for serving different types of drinks.
If you want to serve crushed ice, pick up a mallet and an ice crushing bag and use the time to pound away your party frustrations.
The EFIC103 makes ice in less than 6 minutes and can produce up to 26 lbs of ice every 24 hours. It also comes with an oversized ice bucket that holds 2.2 lbs of ice at one time, and a self-cleaning program makes upkeep easier.
The EFIC103 has been around for years, and Frigidaire now sells newer countertop models too, so stock and price on Amazon can vary. It’s still a great addition to any home bar.
hOmeLabs Countertop Ice Maker
The hOmeLabs Countertop Ice Maker is another great ice maker for your home bar. This well-designed, popular ice maker won’t let you down.
The current version makes 9 bullet-shaped cubes in as little as 6 minutes and up to 26 lbs of ice in 24 hours.
- Produces up to 26 lbs of ice in 24 hours
- 9 cubes in as little as 6 minutes
- Two ice sizes: small and large
- Self-cleaning mode, ice scoop and reusable ice bags included
- Usually under $100
- Get the Best Price on Amazon
This unit is small and compact, about the size of a coffee maker, which makes it easy to carry outside if your party moves to the backyard. You can also bring it camping, use it in your RV or take it on a boat. One of its main selling points is that it can go anywhere you have water and an electrical outlet.
The small cubes fit perfectly in water bottles, and the larger cubes melt more slowly, which is great for your mixed drinks.
The hOmeLabs ice maker has been a popular seller on Amazon for years.
GE Profile Opal 2.0 Nugget Ice Maker
Shifting gears a little, the Opal is a countertop ice maker that makes real nugget ice. The original Opal Nugget Ice Maker we first recommended has been replaced by the GE Profile Opal 2.0.
- Makes chewable nugget ice
- Up to 38 lbs of ice a day with the 0.75-gallon side tank (GE’s rating)
- First batch in about 10 minutes
- Holds about 3 lbs of ice at one time
- Built-in Wi-Fi with app scheduling and voice control
- List price around $600, often on sale for about $400
- Get the Best Price on Amazon
Nugget ice is great because it’s chewable, porous and absorbs the flavor of your drink into every piece of ice.
The Opal Nugget Ice Maker is perfect for your home bar because of its elegant design and powerful features.
The side tank is what lets the Opal 2.0 reach GE’s 38 lbs a day rating, because you aren’t constantly refilling the small built-in reservoir. The tank detaches for cleaning, and you don’t need a water line.
The Opal has a cleaning mode to help keep your ice fresh and clean. Owners say it needs regular cleaning and descaling, so plan for that. Its built-in Wi-Fi works with GE’s SmartHQ app, so you can schedule fresh ice before your guests arrive, and it supports Alexa and Google voice control.
It’s also affordable for what it does. Built-in nugget ice machines cost thousands of dollars and need a professional to install them. The Opal gives you nugget ice for your home bar for a few hundred dollars, and there are no water lines or drains to install.
The Opal is a lot heavier than the hOmeLabs ice maker, but you can still move it. Its compact design means you can bring it to where the party is happening.
Home Bar Ice Maker FAQ
How much ice do I need for a party?
A common rule of thumb is about 1 to 2 pounds of ice per guest, more on a hot day or if you’re also chilling bottles. A countertop ice maker that makes around 26 lbs a day won’t make that much during a party, so start it the day before and store the extra ice in your freezer.
Does a countertop ice maker keep ice frozen?
No. Most countertop ice makers aren’t freezers. The ice slowly melts back into the reservoir and gets turned into new ice, so move any ice you want to keep into the freezer.
Is nugget ice good for cocktails?
Yes, for drinks that call for crushed or pebble ice, like juleps, tiki drinks and swizzles. For spirits served on the rocks, a large clear cube or ball is better because it melts more slowly.
Do I need a water line for a home bar ice maker?
Not for a countertop model. You fill the reservoir (or the Opal’s side tank) by hand. Undercounter and commercial ice makers usually need a water line, and many need a drain or a drain pump too.
Conclusion
These ice makers would be perfect for your home bar. Choose the Frigidaire or hOmeLabs if you want an affordable bullet-ice maker, or the GE Profile Opal 2.0 if you love nugget ice. Pick the one that best meets your needs and enjoy!
If you have any questions or comments, you can add them below.
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