Best Ice Maker Deals & Amazon Promo Codes

How to Choose a Countertop Ice Maker

A portable ice maker is a small appliance with its own compressor and water reservoir. You fill the tank, press start and it produces batches of ice into a basket. The key decisions are the ice shape you want, how much ice you need per day and how much counter space you can give it.

Ice shape matters more than many buyers expect. Bullet-style ice with a hollow center is the most common in budget models and melts fairly quickly. Nugget ice is soft and chewable. Crescent or clear-style cubes are denser and closer to what many people expect in a drink. Next, compare daily output with your peak use, such as a weekend gathering, and finally check the footprint and the clearance the manual needs for ventilation.

Ice Maker Type on This Hub

Clear crescent ice maker

Antarctic Star's countertop model produces crescent-shaped cubes that the listing describes as clear and slow-melting, aimed at whiskey, soft drinks and home bars. It offers three thickness levels selected through the light button, a timer, a one-touch 20-minute self-cleaning and sanitizing cycle and a 61-ounce internal reservoir. The seller lists 16 cubes per cycle in about 15 minutes and up to 27 lbs of ice in 24 hours.

For context, here is how the main countertop ice styles compare. Only the crescent type is on this hub right now.

Ice Maker Specs to Confirm on the Listing

• Daily output. Output claims, such as 27 lbs in 24 hours, reflect continuous running under the seller's conditions. Room temperature and water temperature affect real-world output.
• Cycle time and cubes per batch. Faster cycles help when you need ice soon after setup.
• Basket capacity. The basket holds a limited amount before the maker pauses. Check the listing for its size.
• Reservoir size. A 61-ounce tank means fewer refills during a party.
• Cleaning features. A self-cleaning cycle helps, but you will still need to empty, wipe and dry the unit.
• Dimensions and clearance. Measure under cabinets, and allow the airflow space the manual specifies around vents.
• Drain. A drain plug makes emptying leftover water easier before storage.

Setup, Cleaning and Safe Use

After delivery, read the manual's setup steps before plugging in. Many compressor appliances should stand upright for a period after shipping, so follow the waiting time your manual gives. Place the unit on a flat, stable surface with clear space around the vents, away from the stove, oven or direct sun, and plug it directly into a grounded wall outlet rather than an extension cord.

Use clean drinking water, and run the cleaning cycle before first use and on the schedule the manual recommends. Countertop ice makers keep ice cold but do not freeze it in the basket, so melted water drains back into the reservoir. Empty, rinse and dry the tank and basket if the machine will sit unused for more than a day or two, which helps prevent odors and mildew. For heavy mineral buildup, use the descaling method the manual approves.

When Ice Maker Deals Tend to Drop

Countertop ice makers sell strongly in late spring and summer, so off-season months can bring better prices. The holiday shopping stretch is another good window, with Black Friday on Friday, November 27, 2026, and Cyber Monday on Monday, November 30, 2026, just ahead of holiday parties.

For the ice maker, clip the on-page coupon if one appears, then enter the seller's code at checkout or follow the deal link so it applies itself. Confirm the final total in the cart before ordering, since a seller can end a code without notice.

Ice Maker Buying Checklist

1. Chose the ice style you want: crescent, bullet or nugget.
2. Compared daily output with your peak ice needs.
3. Measured counter space and height under cabinets.
4. Checked reservoir and basket sizes.
5. Planned freezer space for bagging extra ice.
6. Reviewed cleaning cycle and drain features.
7. Applied coupon and code, then verified the final total.