Keeping drinks cool for a crowd can be a logistical nightmare during barbecue season. But fear not: the best ice machines will ensure your guests are sipping cold beers and frosty G&Ts.
These American-style appliances are still relatively new to the UK market, which means there aren’t many to choose from just yet. While buying an ice maker purely for the odd summer garden party might sound a little indulgent, as with many clever kitchen appliances, you’ll quickly find they earn their keep.
From everyday soft drinks to cocktail nights, having a constant supply of clean, clear ice cubes is surprisingly useful. If you enjoy hosting dinner parties with seafood platters, an ice machine also comes in handy for keeping oysters and prawns perfectly chilled and fresh.
Ice makers are fast and reliable, producing batches of cubes in just a few minutes rather than hours. They’re also simple to use: fill the water tank, select your preferred cube size and let the machine do the rest, rapidly transforming water into perfectly formed ice.
Scroll on for my pick of the best ice machines available.
Read more: Best wine aerators to unlock your vino’s full potential
The best ice machines for 2026 are:
- Best overall – Caso icechef compact ice cube maker: £119.99, Amazon.co.uk
- Best budget buy – Iceman ice maker: £74.99, Amazon.co.uk
- Best mid-range option – Baridi ice cube maker: £138.99, Wayfair.co.uk
- Best for large parties – Gastroback ice maker bartender pro: £229.90, Gastroback.co.uk
- Best for shaved ice – KitchenAid shave ice attachment: £98.95, Kitchenaid.co.uk
How I tested
All the ice makers in this feature were tested in the same kitchen, using regular tap water. I evaluated each machine on how quickly it made ice, the quality of the ice produced, how easy the machine was to use, and the overall design. You can read more about my testing process and criteria at the end of this article.
Read more: This alcohol-free spirit actually makes you feel tipsy – here’s how
Caso icechef compact ice cube maker
Best: Ice machine overall
Type of ice: Small bullets, large bullets
Amount of ice produced: Up to 12kg in 24 hours
Time per batch: Six minutes
Machine size: 24cm x 26.9cm x 28.2cm
Weight: 6.6kg
Why we love it
- Slim, compact and good-looking
- Produces cubes in less than 10 minutes
Take note
- Not the quietest on test
This was by far my favourite ice machine – a perfect balance of quality, output and good looks at a sensible price point.
Both small and large ice ‘bullets’ came out nice and even, with batches taking an average of about eight minutes to freeze during testing, but it could do it in as little as six. I liked the fact that the icechef is slim and compact, so I didn’t have to sacrifice too much counter space, but it was still capable of producing an impressive 12kg of ice in 24 hours. At just 6.6kg, it’s relatively light, so it’s easy to transport to a friend’s barbecue. The built-in handle makes it a breeze to carry, too.
Of all the ice makers tested, I liked the look of this one the best. Its matte black exterior was easy to clean and blended well with other kitchen appliances on my countertop. While this isn’t the cheapest or quietest option on test, there’s nothing else to fault this handy little machine. It will serve you well whether mixing margaritas for a crowd or chilling a bucket of beers at a garden party.
Buy now £119.99, Amazon.co.uk
Iceman ice maker
Best: Budget ice machine
Type of ice: Small bullets, large bullets
Amount of ice produced: Up to 10kg in 24 hours
Time per batch: Seven minutes
Machine size: 28.5cm x 24cm x 27.5cm
Weight: 6.67kg
Why we love it
- Great value for money
- Intuitive to use
I found that this perfectly sized machine made ice just as well as the more expensive models tested. I liked that the Iceman was particularly intuitive to work, and unlike some other machines I used, it had a dedicated cleaning cycle button. I also loved the clear LED display. Even people who have never seen the machine before (or who may have enjoyed a couple of margaritas beforehand) could work it without issue.
There’s a detachable handle so you can carry the machine to a friend’s party, for example, and it’s pretty quiet, emitting just a gentle hum during the freezing process. The reason this model didn’t snag the top spot is that it produces slightly less ice in 24 hours than the Caso – 10kg compared with 12kg – and its speediest freeze time is slightly longer (seven minutes rather than six).
Buy now £79.99, Amazon.co.uk
Baridi ice cube maker
Best: Mid-range ice machine
Type of ice: Small bullets, large bullets
Amount of ice produced: Up to 12kg in 24 hours
Time per batch: 10 minutes
Machine size: 31.5cm x 24.8cm x 37.2cm
Weight: 8.25kg
Why we love it
- Consistent results
- Large serving window
Take note
- Slightly more complicated to use than some other models tested
This high-quality electric ice cube maker can produce up to 12kg of ice in 24 hours. Much heavier than the Caso and the Iceland (8.25kg heavier, to be precise), it’s a little less portable but cuts a fine figure on your countertop with its gentle curves. I found that it made clear and evenly shaped bullet ice, and I particularly liked how large its serving ‘window’ was. This made it easy to scoop out ice, as well as see at a glance how much ice was ready to go.
The machine is marginally more complex to operate than some other models – for example, it requires a particular series of button pushes if you need to set the cleaning cycle or want to change between small and large bullets of ice. On the flip side, this is a machine that feels built to last.
Buy now £135.99, Wayfair.co.uk
Gastroback ice maker bartender pro
Best: Ice machine for large parties
Type of ice: Small bullets, large bullets
Amount of ice produced: Up to 15kg in 24 hours
Time per batch: 7-15 minutes
Machine size: 40cm x 24cm x 43cm
Weight: 11.2kg
Why we love it
- Can cater to large numbers
- Keeps large quantities of ice at a cold temperature
Take note
- Heavier than other models tested
- Expensive
If you often throw large parties, this professional-grade ice maker will help keep things cool. Notably larger than other ice machines I tested, the Gastroback has the size and oomph to churn out nine ice cubes every 7-15 minutes (depending on ambient temperature), and up to 15kg of ice in 24 hours.
You can leave it to do its thing for longer periods before having to refill the 2.8l water tank – or transfer finished cubes out of the catch tray (all machines stop producing ice when the trays reach capacity). That means you can maximise the amount of ice you have ready to go at any given time, which is handy if you’re powering through rounds of cocktails or refilling drinks buckets. The machine’s quiet, while the stainless-steel exterior makes it easy to clean.
However, this machine is huge. You can see in the testing image above that it’s twice the size of the other ice makers I used. Realistically, this model will be too big and heavy (it weighs more than 11kg) for the average person’s home use. It’s best suited to those with a garage, laundry room or basement, because it’s too large to fit most kitchens. However, if you often cater to a crowd, this ice maker could come in handy.
Buy now £229.9, Gastroback.co.uk
KitchenAid shave ice attachment
Best: For shaved ice
Type of ice: Fine and coarse shaved ice
Amount of ice produced: 500ml of shaved ice in 60 seconds
Time per batch: 12-24 hours freezing time
Machine size: 11.8cm x 15.9cm x 22.9cm (attachment only, stand mixer sold separately)
Weight: 1.1kg
Why we love it
- Fun to use
- Easy to store
Take note
- Pricey
- You need to own the KitchenAid stand mixer
Love frozen daiquiris, slushies, granitas, or Hawaii-style shaved ice? This is the gizmo for you, as it churns out very fine, snow-like shaved ice as well as slightly coarser flakes. Before you get too excited, though, I should note it’s not a stand-alone machine – instead, it’s sold as an attachment for the KitchenAid artisan stand mixer (£419, Kitchenaid.co.uk).
To use the attachment, simply fill its accompanying puck-shaped cups with water and pop them in the freezer to harden before attaching the shave ice head and ice puck to the front of your KitchenAid mixer. The stand mixer’s motor powers the attachment’s blades, which shave down the ice puck to your preferred consistency, with one block making enough for a cocktail or two. If you already have the KitchenAid appliance, this add-on is great fun to use, but it’s unhelpful if you don’t have a stand mixer.
Buy now £98.95, Amazon.co.uk
What is the best ice machine?
When it comes to value for money, the Caso icechef compact ice cube maker came out on top. It proved effective, portable, and stylish, and it comes at a good price point. However, if your budget’s a bit tighter and you don’t need quite the same volume of output, the Iceman is an excellent buy, too.
How I tested ice machines
During the testing process, I assessed each ice machine against the following criteria:
Why you can trust IndyBest reviews
Alicia Miller is an award-winning travel and food writer who has tested everything from the best non-stick pans to the best stand mixers for IndyBest. Her kitchen product knowledge is second to none, so you can trust that in her reviews, Alicia will always share her honest opinions and will only recommend products she believes are worth your money.
Want more recommendations? Read our review of the best hand mixers
