Warning: Once you've purchased the best ice maker, there's no going back. We've all been there; getting ready to enjoy an ice-cold beverage only to find that someone (likely you) forgot to refill those annoying plastic ice trays again. In addition to being fiddly and messy, each tray only has enough ice for about one drink, and unless you've got stacks of them taking up valuable space in the freezer, you'll find you're perpetually refilling them when you'd rather be doing something—anything—else with your time. 

And don't get us started on those refillable ice bags! Why deal with ice cubes flinging across the kitchen or fingers freezing solid when there are so many other easier, and surprisingly more economical ice-making options out there? There is absolutely no reason to torture ourselves like this any longer. With the ability to make a fresh batch of ice every day in a matter of minutes, buying an ice maker will make stale-tasting drinks a thing of the past.

What is the best ice maker to buy?

Top tip: Using filtered or bottled water will make a huge difference in the taste of your ice—and therefore, your beverages, too—and will also keep the machine clean and free from limescale.

If you ever find yourself completely out of ice, this compact automatic ice machine can give you nine fresh cubes in just 6 to 8 minutes. As Amazon's Choice for best portable ice maker, this lightweight machine can easily be carried with you wherever you like; outside for BBQs, days lounging by the pool, and even on road trips. 

"This ice maker is very easy to use," expressed one happy buyer. "Great for dinner parties and small get-togethers. We also take it along in our RV. It makes ice very quickly, which is nice in the Florida heat."

In addition to its user-friendly control panel, quick ice turnaround, and practically foolproof operation, this Magic Chef portable ice maker is also attractive, sleek, and makes a nice addition to any kitchen countertop. It also comes in a choice of four colors to go with any kitchen décor scheme: red, black, stainless steel, or a stainless steel and black mix. Making ice is as simple as adding water, selecting from large or small cubes, and you're good to go.

For households or even small businesses and offices that require ice to be churned out regularly, this built-in or freestanding ice maker is ideal. If your kitchen can accommodate its size, it's perfect for under the counter, taking up about as much space as a slimline dishwasher. But if there is no under-counter space, it can comfortably sit atop a counter, too. This professional-grade machine can roll out 12 pounds of ice cubes a day, stopping automatically when the bin is full. You'll need to call a plumber to install it, but it won't take long until you start wondering how you ever lived without it.

Easy to use, compact, and available in six colors, this Costway unit is another excellent choice of countertop or tabletop ice maker. Nine cubes can be ready within 6 to 13 minutes, and it can technically make up to 26.5 pounds of ice per day. One satisfied shopper wrote, "It starts churning a small batch of ice roughly every seven minutes. It works, and works well."

Despite its small size, it has a large 74-ounce water tank and can store 1.5 pounds of ice at a time. The handy indicator lets you know when you need to add water or when the ice bucket is full.

For those who want to make a good ice machine an integral part of their home and kitchen, this sleek, stainless-steel KitchenAid model with a smooth, fingerprint-proof exterior is one of the most stylish and efficient machines you can buy. With special technology that ensures clear and identically shaped and sized ice cubes every time, it's ideal for both perfectionists and cocktail enthusiasts. It's conveniently self-cleaning, has a slot for a water filter, and can hold 25 pounds of ice.

At under $100, you can't go wrong with this Frigidaire countertop ice maker at Walmart that's backed by many rave reviews. Cute and compact, it can have your ice ready in a matter of minutes, while its cooling technology will make sure it doesn't overheat while hard at work. It even handily recycles the water when the ice melts, and comes in five color options, including a rather unique copper stainless steel option (albeit, at a slightly higher price).

"This unit makes a gallon bag of ice whereas the camper freezer still hasn't made a tray yet," one customer described, adding it's "great value for the price." 

Many happy shoppers love the Igloo Automatic Portable Ice Maker for its quiet operation and ease of use. Although it's not exactly silent as the description states, it's certainly a very low noise machine, and won't wake up the whole household with annoying clunking while it's making your ice. It can quickly create cubes in a choice of two sizes and has a clear lid so you can see exactly how much you have left. 

"My husband works outdoors, so we go through a lot of ice," wrote one customer. "I got tired of paying for two bags of ice a day so I bought this ice maker. I turn it on when I get home from work and it easily makes at least two 8-pound bags a day. It's quiet and super easy to use."

Nugget ice is better than regular ice cubes. There, we said it. Nugget ice—that fancy-looking stuff you get at good cocktail bars—easily absorbs a drink's flavor, so you don't have that overly watered-down effect. Plus, it's light and airy, making it soft to chew on. What's not to love? 

This GE countertop nugget ice maker truly makes the best nugget ice around, according to reviewers who describe it as "soft and crunchy" and "small and chewable without breaking teeth." "This ice maker produces the best ice ever," one happy customer reported. "Makes just [the] right amount; we never run out with three people constantly getting ice in sunny C.A." It even has Wi-Fi connectivity on board, so you can operate it via a smartphone and schedule your ice in advance.

This number one best-selling commercial ice machine on Amazon is a must-have in any restaurant, bar, café, or hotel, and if there's space for it, you'll also find plenty of use for it at home, too. For what it offers—100 pounds of ice per day, an easy-to-operate LCD panel, three ice sizes, and quiet operation—its under-$500 price is pretty impressive.

One buyer wrote, "This ice machine can keep up with filling coolers with its speedy ice production. We have a multi-generational home with six adults and our ice needs have never been so easily met before." Another added, "I use this machine at my tavern/restaurant. It gets me by with plenty of ice on our busiest nights!"

If you still insist on manually making your ice cubes, at least do it the easy way with the Ice Genie Ice Cube Maker. The trick to this inexpensive silicone container is its flexible double chamber which you simply fill up with water, put it in the freezer to solidify, remove and squeeze… Voilà! 72 roundish ice cubes appear, ready for serving with your drink of choice. 

It might take a couple of tries to get the hang of it, and you do have to follow the instructions to a T, but the process is totally worth it. As one user described, it's "a must-have for anyone without an ice maker in the summer. Easy to use and fun to squeeze to get the ice out." It's dishwasher safe, has an airtight lid to keep cubes fresh, and is leakproof, too.

There's nothing like a big ball of smooth, clear ice in your whiskey to make you feel like you're in the bar of a five-star hotel. With this cool contraption from Tovolo, you can have this experience whenever it takes your fancy (you could, alternatively, fork over $1,500 for this GE-backed clear ice system, if you prefer). 

In fact, one whiskey-drinking buyer explained, "In the life of the average whiskey drinker, 'good ice' might not be the first thing that comes to mind in quality drink craft. But, the type and characteristics of the ice you use can have a major impact on the taste and enjoyment of your drink. These bad boys turn out perfectly round spheres of ice that chill a glass of the brown stuff nicely while dissolving slowly enough to last through a second pour (don't you JUDGE me, Internet)."

Made from BPA-free food-grade silicone, there's nothing to it other than filling it with water and popping it in the freezer to get two perfectly formed clear, round ice balls. This also makes an innovative gift idea for any Scotch connoisseurs.