NewAir AI-215R Review: The Best Large Capacity Portable Ice Maker

The products and services mentioned below were selected independent of sales and advertising. However, Better Home + Living may receive a small commission from the purchase of any products or services through an affiliate link to the retailer's website.

If you are looking for a premium portable ice maker that has a large output of ice, then you’re going to love the ice maker we selected to review. We call it the BIG RED!

The NewAir AI-215R is a perfect ice maker for parties, family gatherings, weddings, and so many other occasions.

Related: The top portable ice makers with reviews and a buyers guide.

Enjoy the advantages of fresh ice whenever you want it with its elegant red design. It’s built with premium materials, it’s easy to use and it’s one of the largest ice producers in our portable ice maker lineup.

In this review, I’ll discuss the many features of this portable ice maker. I’m going to explain what I like about this unit, what I don’t like, and if you should purchase it for your home or business. 

Let’s get to it. 

FEATURES OF THE NEWAIR PORTABLE ICE MAKER

There are several features of the NewAir AI-215R that are worth mentioning. First of all, this ice maker produces 50 lbs of ice every day. Fifty pounds of ice is the most that any portable ice maker produces, to get more ice, you would have to purchase a commercial ice maker.

If you don’t have time to read this entire article, but still want to see if the NewAir AI215R is right for you, then take a look at the video we created below.

It offers three sizes of bullet-shaped ice: small, medium, and large. The small pieces of ice fit perfectly into a water bottle, which is great for keeping your beverage cold while you jog or walk. The large ice pieces are great for coolers, filling a bag with ice and treating an injury, or for your beverages each day.

The ice cycle only takes about 7 mins (12 pieces of ice every 7 minutes). The quick ice cycle means that you don’t have to wait for a long time to get ice for your drink. When the storage bin is full of ice, the ice maker will automatically shut off. This is also true when the water reservoir is empty. 

One of the things I really like about this unit is that it is equipped with a self-cleaning feature. It also has an 18-hour timer, just set the timer and the ice maker will run for that set time.

The NewAir AI-215R comes with a drain on the ice maker’s side to make draining out the water from the water reservoir quick and easy.

THE DESIGN

I like the look of this unit.

The bright red brings a modern, stylish look to my kitchen.

This ice maker also comes in stainless steel (I have added a link to the stainless steel unit on Amazon, click to see if you like it better than the red) if you’re looking for a more elegant look in your kitchen or if you want to match your other appliances then this may be your best choice.

Surprisingly, the ice maker isn’t terribly heavy. Though it’s bulk, it’s still manageable to move from place to place in your home. You could use this ice maker for a camping trip if you choose to do so.

THE PRICE

For all the features that are available with this unit, it’s actually priced well.

You’re going to get an ice maker that produces 50 pounds of ice each day, is built using premium materials, comes with a built-in timer and self-cleaning, and is a sharp design that’s easy to transport – how much is an ice maker like that worth to you? According to NewAir it’s worth about $250!

Having too much ice is always better than not having enough ice. This ice maker produces ice fast, so you’re always prepared for guests dropping by. 

WHAT I LIKE ABOUT THE NEWAIR AI-215R

I have to be honest; I enjoy using the NewAir AL-215R. I love having lots of ice available all day and how fast this ice maker produces ice. I found that it was easy to operate, and the design fit in with my kitchen.

Related: How to clean a portable ice maker correctly

It’s easy to clean. I enjoy the different sized ice, and the design and color looks great.

WHAT I DIDN’T LIKE ABOUT THIS ICE MAKER

I didn’t really have any problems with the ice maker.

It is a little bulky and finding a place on your countertop might be a challenge. Other than that, it works just fine and makes lots of ice.

THUMBS UP OR THUMBS DOWN? 

This ice maker is definitely a thumbs up. 

If you can afford the added cost for this unit, then I would make the investment.

You could also use this ice maker for camping (click on the links to see the best ice makers for camping and your RV), an RV, or a boat. It will be a little heavier and compact than other units on the market, but having lots of ice is a good thing.

I also think that this ice maker would work well in a small business. If you have a small cafe or restaurant and want an ice maker that produces enough ice to meet small demands – the NewAir AI215R is perfect for you.

You can click on the link provided to head over to Amazon and find the best price for this ice maker.

If you have any questions or comments about the NewAir AI-215R, please add them to the comment section below.