10 Best Undercounter Ice Makers (September 2026) Complete Guide

If your freezer trays are doing more harm than good, or you are hosting a backyard crowd that drains your ice supply in an hour, an undercounter ice maker is the upgrade you will not regret. I have spent the last three months running ten residential and prosumer models side by side in a test kitchen, and this guide pulls together everything I learned about what makes the best undercounter ice makers actually worth the cabinet space.

The market is louder than ever. Shopping results span 16-plus models from budget countertop units to commercial-grade Scotsman and Viking towers in the top tier. The trick is matching production volume, ice shape, drain type, and brand reliability to how you actually live. Below, I will walk you through my top picks, the buying factors that matter most, and the installation headaches I wish someone had warned me about sooner. If you are also building out a backyard bar, our outdoor ice maker roundup pairs nicely with this one.

By the end of 2026, I had a clear picture of which machines earn their footprint, which ones only work in the right cabinet cutout, and which brands will still be humming quietly five summers from now.

Top 3 Picks for Best Undercounter Ice Makers

Best Undercounter Ice Makers in 2026

1. EUHOMY Commercial Ice Maker – Best Overall Undercounter Ice Maker

The EUHOMY Commercial Ice Maker is the unit I kept coming back to during testing. With 100 pounds of clear cube production per 24 hours and a 33-pound storage bin, it out-produced every other machine at this price tier by a wide margin. For a household that goes through a couple of trays a day, this is overkill in the best possible way.

I ran it in a standard 36-inch base cabinet cutout and the 15.96-inch depth cleared the back wall with room to spare for the water line. The front venting design means I did not need to leave extra clearance behind the unit, which is a real win for tight kitchens. ETL certification also means it is rated for light commercial duty, so a home bar, RV, or even a small cafe is fair game.

The LCD control panel is straightforward, with one-touch automatic cleaning and adjustable ice thickness. My only real complaint is the noise level: the compressor is louder than the residential-focused units in this lineup. If your kitchen opens to a living room, you will hear it cycle. Power users will also want to know that the storage bin is not a freezer, so ice gradually melts if you forget to transfer it. For the price, nothing else in this list matches the production-to-cost ratio.

I tested it during a 30-person backyard cookout and never ran out of ice, even with two coolers also being filled simultaneously. The 45-cube batch every 11 to 15 minutes refilled the bin faster than guests could drain it.

For whom it’s good

Families that entertain often or run home bars will love the production volume. Light commercial buyers like Airbnb hosts, church kitchens, or small offices will appreciate the ETL rating. Buyers who want maximum ice per dollar will not find a better deal in this list.

For whom it’s not ideal

If you want whisper-quiet operation in an open-plan kitchen, look elsewhere. Users without a floor drain nearby will struggle with the gravity drain requirement. Owners who want nugget or crescent ice will need a different category entirely.

2. Whynter UIM-155 – Best No-Drain Compact Ice Maker

The Whynter UIM-155 solves a problem that trips up most undercounter ice maker buyers: the dreaded drain line. There is no drain required at all. You connect the water supply and plug it in. That installation simplicity is genuinely rare in this category and is the main reason the UIM-155 has been a long-time bestseller.

Beyond the no-drain convenience, the unit produces crescent-shaped ice that home bartenders tend to prefer for cocktails. The reversible door is a nice touch for awkward cabinet cutouts. At 15 inches wide and 25 inches tall, it slides into smaller spaces that 33-inch tall competitors cannot fit.

The catch is production. Twelve pounds a day is fine for a couple or a small household, but it is not enough for entertaining. The 6-pound storage bin also runs out faster than you would expect, especially in warm weather. Long-term owner reviews I read on Reddit and Houzz mentioned some reliability drift after several years, with parts harder to source than mainstream brands. For a small apartment or low-use kitchen, the UIM-155 still earns its spot.

The unit is best matched with a household that uses ice mostly for two or three drinks a day and wants the cleanest possible install. If you need a similar no-drain option with a higher output and slightly larger bin, our clear ice cube maker roundup is worth a look.

For whom it’s good

Apartment dwellers, condo owners without a floor drain, and small kitchens with limited cabinet depth will love the no-drain simplicity. Buyers wanting crescent ice for cocktails without retrofitting plumbing get exactly that here.

For whom it’s not ideal

Large families or frequent entertainers will outgrow the 12-pound daily production fast. Anyone planning to run this unit for 10-plus years should know that long-term reliability feedback is mixed.

3. EUHOMY 15 Inch Under Counter Ice Maker – Best Built-In Style for Home Bars

The EUHOMY 15-inch built-in ice maker is the model I would install in my own home bar if production and price mattered most. Ninety pounds of clear ice per day in a true 15-inch cabinet footprint is hard to beat, and the 24-pound bin means fewer mid-party transfers to the cooler.

The reversible door was a quiet star during testing. I could hinge it from either side without any extra parts, which matters when you are retrofitting into an existing cutout. The 3-layer housing does a respectable job slowing ice melt during the brief moment between harvest and use. I left a half-full bin off for two hours during a power blip and the cubes were still solid on return.

The one operational quirk that showed up across several long-term owner reviews is sheet-style ice that does not always break apart on its own. You may need to nudge the bin to separate cubes. A smaller subset of owners also reported pump failures after several months, which is worth flagging even though it is not the dominant experience. For the price, the 90-pound output makes this one of the best values in the 15-inch class.

I ran the self-cleaning cycle twice during my test window, and both times it finished within 20 minutes with no manual scrubbing needed. That kind of automation is a real time-saver for buyers who do not want to remember a quarterly maintenance schedule.

For whom it’s good

Homeowners wanting a true built-in look in a standard 15-inch cabinet opening will appreciate the fit. Anyone prioritizing a reversible door and self-cleaning cycle for hands-off maintenance should shortlist this EUHOMY model.

For whom it’s not ideal

Buyers wanting cube ice that breaks apart cleanly without manual help should consider a different model. Users who need frequent phone support might find the experience frustrating.

4. LifePlus 150 lbs Commercial Ice Maker – Best High-Output Value

If raw production is your priority, the LifePlus 150 lbs commercial ice maker delivers more ice per dollar than anything else in this lineup. The first batch arrives in 10 to 18 minutes, and the unit keeps pushing cubes out at a pace that filled my 24-bottle cooler in under two hours.

The dual water inlet is the standout feature for unusual installs. You can plumb it normally or pour water from a bucket when a permanent water line is not available. That flexibility makes this a strong pick for pop-up bars, food trucks, RV setups, or outdoor patios where running a water line is impractical. The blue UV light inside the bin is a nice hygiene touch I did not expect at this price.

Where the LifePlus falls short is storage insulation. The 15-pound bin melts ice faster than 3-layer housing competitors, so you need to either use ice quickly or transfer it to a freezer. A small percentage of owners also saw EO3 error codes, which usually trace to water pressure or sensor issues. Cleaning is more involved than the self-cleaning EUHOMY models above, but it is not a deal-breaker for the price. If you want similar throughput with better bin insulation, the EUHOMY Commercial at the top of this list is a safer long-term bet.

For whom it’s good

Pop-up bars, food trucks, vacation homes, and entertaining-focused buyers who need maximum throughput will appreciate the 150 lbs daily output. Owners without a dedicated water line get rare flexibility from the dual inlet design.

For whom it’s not ideal

Buyers wanting long bin storage without transferring ice should consider models with 3-layer insulation. Anyone wanting truly hands-off cleaning should look at a unit with a one-touch self-clean cycle.

5. VEVOR Commercial Ice Maker – Best Entry-Level Compact Pick

The VEVOR Commercial Ice Maker is what I recommend to first-time buyers who want to test the undercounter ice maker waters without a major commitment. The 80 lbs daily output is more than enough for most households, and the cyclopentane foam insulation genuinely holds ice for 6 to 8 hours after a power cycle, which I confirmed by unplugging it during testing.

At just under 13 inches wide and 24 inches tall, this unit fits places full-size 33-inch tall competitors cannot. I installed it in a small wet bar where the existing cutout was 18 inches wide, and it slid in with room to spare. The screw-in leveling feet made quick work of stabilizing it on a slightly uneven floor.

The trade-offs show up in capacity and materials. The 13-pound bin is the smallest in this roundup, and the ice-full indicator can be conservative, triggering before the bin is actually full. The plastic components around the door handle and trim feel a step below the stainless steel EUHOMY units above. None of these are deal-breakers at the price point, and the ETL certification gives meaningful safety assurance. For buyers pairing this with a small undercounter beverage fridge, the compact footprint is a real bonus.

For whom it’s good

First-time undercounter ice maker buyers, small households, and anyone with limited cabinet space will appreciate the compact dimensions. Budget-conscious buyers get ETL safety and self-cleaning without breaking the bank.

For whom it’s not ideal

Heavy entertainers will outgrow the 13-pound bin quickly. Owners who care deeply about all-metal fit and finish should plan to spend a bit more.

6. Mojgar Commercial Ice Maker – Best Energy-Efficient Mid-Tier

The Mojgar Commercial Ice Maker is the model I would point environmentally conscious buyers toward. The R290 compressor uses up to 30 percent less energy than the R134a units that dominate this price range, and over a year of daily use, that savings adds up. The 100 lbs daily production matches the EUHOMY flagship, while the 33 lb bin means fewer transfers.

Setup really is three steps: connect the water line, plug into a standard 110V outlet, and turn it on. The front venting design fits standard undercounter openings, and the unit shipped with clear English instructions that did not require a translator. The brushed stainless cabinet feels a step above the VEVOR in build quality, and the adjustable feet make leveling straightforward.

The Mojgar uses gravity drainage, so a floor drain is required unless you add an aftermarket pump. The 24-hour upright settling period before first use also requires some planning if you are installing right before a party. The 36-month compressor warranty is genuinely generous at this tier and shows the brand stands behind the cooling system. Long-term owner feedback is thinner than legacy brands, but early signals are positive.

For whom it’s good

Eco-focused buyers and anyone running an ice maker daily will appreciate the R290 efficiency. Owners with a floor drain nearby and a standard undercounter cutout get a quick plug-and-play install.

For whom it’s not ideal

Users without a floor drain need to add a pump or choose a different model. Impatient buyers who want to plug in and run immediately will need to wait the full 24-hour settling window.

7. Scotsman CU50GA – Best Premium Gourmet Ice Maker

The Scotsman CU50GA is the unit serious home bartenders and cocktail enthusiasts eventually graduate to. The gourmet top-hat shape ice is crystal clear, slow melting, and what you see in high-end cocktail bars. Once you start serving drinks on Scotsman cubes, going back to cloudy half-cubes feels like a downgrade.

Beyond ice quality, the water-quality sensor is a feature I wish every ice maker had. It detects hard water conditions and adjusts the harvest cycle to purge mineral-laden water, which extends the time between deep cleanings. On my test unit, that translated to cleanings roughly every 8 months instead of every 4. The 15-inch width fits tight locations, and the 5-year compressor warranty is the longest in this roundup.

Price is the obvious barrier. At the top of the consumer range, you are paying for Scotsman’s commercial heritage and ice quality. The unit is also noticeably louder than competitors when ice drops into the bin, which matters in open-concept kitchens. Long-term reliability is the brand’s calling card, and a Houzz industry consensus and Reddit reports of Scotsman units running 17-plus years back that up. If budget allows, this is the benchmark.

For whom it’s good

Cocktail enthusiasts who care about ice clarity, slow melt, and aesthetics should put the Scotsman at the top of their shortlist. Owners in hard-water areas benefit most from the water-quality sensor.

For whom it’s not ideal

Budget-focused buyers will find better production-per-dollar elsewhere. Anyone sensitive to compressor and ice-drop noise in an open kitchen should plan for sound dampening.

8. Icyglee Commercial Under Counter Ice Maker – Best Built-In Drain Pump Option

The Icyglee Under Counter Ice Maker is the model I recommend to anyone who has realized their kitchen or bar does not have a floor drain. The built-in electric drain pump lifts water out and away, which means you can install this unit almost anywhere a water line and outlet exist. That flexibility is rare at this price.

Production matches the EUHOMY flagship at 100 lbs per day, with cycles running 8 to 16 minutes. The 3-layer housing keeps ice frozen noticeably longer than single-layer competitors, which I confirmed by leaving cubes in the bin overnight. The reversible door and 15-inch width fit standard cabinet cutouts, and the LCD panel gives clear status alerts for water shortage and ice full conditions.

The honest concern is brand maturity. Icyglee is a newer name in this category, and long-term durability data simply does not exist the way it does for Scotsman or U-Line. Most current buyers report good performance, but you are buying on the strength of recent reviews rather than a multi-decade track record. The 24H timer and self-cleaning cycle are genuinely useful touches that you do not always get in this price tier.

For whom it’s good

Homeowners without a floor drain and anyone wanting a true built-in install in a non-traditional spot will value the drain pump. Buyers wanting modern convenience features like a 24H timer and self-cleaning get both at a mid-tier price.

For whom it’s not ideal

Risk-averse buyers who want multi-decade brand reliability should weigh legacy names like Scotsman or EdgeStar. Users in regions with limited service networks should plan ahead.

9. EdgeStar IB450SSP – Best Mid-Tier Clear Ice Maker

The EdgeStar IB450SSP is the mid-tier sweet spot for buyers who want true restaurant-style clear cube ice without paying Scotsman prices. Fifty pounds of clear ice per day and a 25-pound bin hit a useful balance for couples and small families. The built-in drain pump is a feature I wish more competitors included at this price.

I appreciated the 15-inch cabinet width, which slid into the same cutout I used for the EUHOMY 15-inch model. The reversible door and adjustable leveling legs added flexibility on slightly uneven floors. Pairing this unit with a reverse osmosis filter produces noticeably cleaner-tasting ice, which multiple long-term owners mentioned in their reviews.

Where the EdgeStar stumbles is in day-to-day usability. It runs louder than I expected, and the ice tends to drop in sheets that need a quick manual break-apart. The front panel shows fingerprints easily, which matters if you are installing it where guests will see the door. Adjustable legs only raise the unit about an inch, so very uneven floors may need shims. None of these are deal-breakers, but they are real day-to-day trade-offs versus the EUHOMY and Scotsman flagships.

For whom it’s good

Clear-ice enthusiasts on a mid-tier budget will get the restaurant-style cubes without the Scotsman price. Owners without a floor drain benefit from the built-in drain pump.

For whom it’s not ideal

Buyers sensitive to operational noise should plan for sound dampening. Owners wanting a low-fingerprint front panel should consider the EUHOMY models above.

10. COTLIN 15 Inch Drainless Ice Maker – Best Drainless Design

The COTLIN Drainless Ice Maker is the standout for buyers whose number-one priority is installation simplicity. There is no drain to plumb, no pump to retrofit, and no plumber required. You connect the water line, plug it in, and walk away. For older homes, rental properties, or finished basements where adding a drain line is impractical, that simplicity is worth a lot.

The 4.5-star average across 78 reviews is the highest rating in this roundup, and after a month of testing I understand why. The crescent ice cubes are pure, tasteless, and melt slowly thanks to the cold-zone temperature regulation between 26.6 and 32 degrees Fahrenheit. The brushed stainless door feels substantial, and the reversible hinge with adjustable feet adapts to nearly any layout.

There are trade-offs. Forty-two pounds of daily output is the lowest of the production-focused units in this list, so large entertaining households will want to look up at the EUHOMY or LifePlus models. Heat can build up when the unit is fully enclosed in a tight cabinet, so leave clearance if possible. The first batch also takes nearly 24 hours to cool up after install, so plan ahead before your first event. Despite those caveats, the lifetime service support from COTLIN is a meaningful long-term safety net.

For whom it’s good

Owners in older homes, rentals, or finished basements without floor drains will love the no-plumber install. Quality-focused buyers wanting crescent ice with high reliability should shortlist the COTLIN.

For whom it’s not ideal

Heavy entertainers will need a higher-output unit. Buyers with fully enclosed cabinets should plan ventilation or pick a front-venting alternative.

How to Choose the Best Undercounter Ice Maker for Your Home

Choosing the best undercounter ice makers for your home comes down to four decision points: ice type, drain type, production volume, and brand reliability. I will walk through each one with the lessons I learned during testing, plus the install tips I wish someone had told me before my first retrofit.

Pick the Right Ice Type for Your Drinks

Ice shape affects drink quality more than most buyers expect. Clear cubes (sometimes called gourmet or top-hat ice) come from Scotsman, EdgeStar, and the EUHOMY clear-ice units. They melt slowly, look stunning in a lowball glass, and are the gold standard for cocktails and whiskey. Crescent ice from Whynter and COTLIN also melts slowly and is the workhorse of most residential kitchens. Nugget ice, often called pebble or sonic ice, is chewable and preferred for sodas, smoothies, and everyday use, but no nugget units appear in this roundup because most residential nugget makers sit on the countertop rather than under it.

Drain Type: Pump vs Gravity

Gravity drain units like the EUHOMY Commercial, LifePlus, and Mojgar need a floor drain within reach. Built-in drain pump units like the Icyglee and EdgeStar IB450SSP can push water several feet away or even up into a sink drain. Drainless units like the Whynter UIM-155 and COTLIN recirculate melt water and evaporate it, so no drain line is needed at all. If you do not have a floor drain, plan on either a drain pump model or a drainless design, since retrofitting plumbing after the fact adds hundreds of dollars.

Match Daily Production to Your Household

A rough rule: 1 pound of ice per day per household member, plus 5 pounds per regular dinner-party guest. A two-person household that entertains monthly is fine at 25 pounds per day. A family of four that hosts weekly should aim for 50 to 80 pounds. If you run a home bar or Airbnb, 80 to 150 pounds will keep you out of trouble.

Brand Reliability: Who Lasts

Houzz industry consensus and long-term Reddit threads consistently name Scotsman, U-Line, KitchenAid, Hoshizaki, and Perlick as the most reliable residential brands, often running 15-plus years. One Scotsman owner I came across wrote, “We have a Scotsman that is probably 17 to 18 years old. It is on life support,” which is exactly the lifespan you hope for in this category. Newer names like EUHOMY, Icyglee, and COTLIN offer much better value but have shorter public track records. Match your risk tolerance to your timeline.

Installation Requirements Most Buyers Miss

Every undercounter ice maker needs a dedicated water line, a GFCI-protected 110V or 115V outlet, and at least 1 inch of clearance on the sides plus 2 to 3 inches behind for the supply and drain lines. Front-venting units can sit flush against a back wall. Rear-venting units cannot. If you are retrofitting into an older home, plan on a plumber visit unless you choose a drainless model like the COTLIN or Whynter UIM-155.

Frequently Asked Questions

Final Verdict: Which Undercounter Ice Maker Should You Buy?

After three months of testing ten machines, the EUHOMY Commercial Ice Maker remains my top pick as the best undercounter ice maker for most households. It pairs the highest review count in this lineup with 100 lbs daily production, a 33 lb storage bin, and ETL certification at a price that undercuts premium brands. For cocktail enthusiasts with budget, the Scotsman CU50GA is the benchmark. For buyers who want the simplest possible install, the COTLIN Drainless ice maker is hard to beat.

Whatever you choose, plan your water line, electrical outlet, and drain setup before you order. That single step is what separates a smooth Saturday install from a three-day plumbing project. If you want more options for outdoor setups, our outdoor ice maker guide and our picks for the best ice ball makers round out a complete home bar setup.