Best Ice Makers Under $200 (2026)

This EUHOMY makes soft, airy nugget ice in as little as six minutes, which is quick for the type. Nugget ice comes from an auger scraping a frozen layer off a cold cylinder, so the pellets are porous and absorb drink flavor. The 1.2 qt tank feeds the machine with a single button to start.

It is rated at 34 lb per day, a step above the 26 lb bullet machines, and the handle lets you carry it. The removable top cover simplifies cleaning. Next to the other EUHOMY nugget model it starts a minute faster, and next to the Frigidaire nugget V2 it quotes a much shorter first batch.

The auger adds noise beyond a compressor hum, so keep it out of a quiet bedroom. Descale the evaporator regularly and use filtered water. It is the all-round choice for a household that wants good ice every day, and the handle helps when you move it between the counter and a table.

This is the second EUHOMY nugget model, with a seven-minute first batch and a clear window to check the ice level. Operation is a single ICE button after you fill the tank, so there is nothing to learn. It uses the same freeze-and-scrape principle as the first model.

The 34 lb daily rating matches the handle version, but it is a plainer machine with a view window instead of the carry handle. Compared with the Kismile at 35 lb, the output is nearly the same, and compared with the Frigidaire V2 it is quicker to the first batch. The soft pebbles are easy to chew and suit blended drinks.

Expect some noise from the auger and compressor. Clean the reservoir and run a descaling cycle monthly in hard-water areas. It is a good pick when you want the nugget experience without paying for extras, and the window saves you from lifting the lid to check the bin.

The Kismile has the highest rated output in the lineup at 35 lb per day, and a stainless steel body that looks more solid than plastic shells. It makes nugget ice, sometimes called sonic or pebble ice, from a 1.1L tank. A press of the power button starts a cleaning routine.

Output is only a pound above the EUHOMY models, so the difference is about build and finish. Compared with the EUHOMY with a handle, it has a smaller tank and lacks the handle. Compared with the Frigidaire V2, it shows a stronger daily rating and a more modern design.

A stainless body shows fingerprints, so keep a cloth nearby. The small tank means refilling during an evening of drinks. It is a good pick for a kitchen counter where appearance matters, provided you accept refilling the small tank a few times per gathering.

Frigidaire's nugget maker V2 aims at the restaurant-style crunch, with a gunmetal finish that looks at home beside modern appliances. It plugs into a standard outlet and works on a counter or at a campsite. The first ice appears in about fifteen minutes.

That start is slower than either EUHOMY model, and the rated 33 lb per day sits just below them. What you gain is a major appliance brand and a recognizable look. Compared with the Kismile, it offers less output, but compared with the bullet-style Frigidaire EFIC117 it makes softer ice.

The longer first batch matters if you need ice quickly before guests arrive, so start it early. Clean and descale on schedule, since nugget machines trap scale in the cylinder. It suits those who value brand support over speed, and it travels well to a lake house or campsite with an outlet.

The hOmeLabs is a bullet-ice maker, not a nugget machine, which makes it the odd one out here. It makes nine cubes in about six minutes and lets you choose between small bullet cubes for quick chilling and larger ones that melt more slowly. That choice helps when you fill coolers as well as glasses.

Its 26 lb daily rating trails the nugget machines by 7 to 9 lb, but the compact body is easy to place. Compared with the Frigidaire EFIC117, it adds the size option and a modern black finish. Compared with the nugget units, it makes harder, slower-melting ice and runs more quietly.

The self-cleaning function rinses the reservoir, though descaling still needs a separate step. It is the pick for people who want bullet ice flexibility at the lower end of this cap.

The EFIC117 is a bullet-ice machine with a copper stainless finish that stands out from the usual black and silver. It makes nine bullet cubes every seven minutes or so and has a transparent window showing the ice level.

It is rated at 26 lb per day, the same class as the hOmeLabs, with a slightly longer cycle. Compared with the nugget machines it costs less to run and makes less noise but produces harder ice. Against the hOmeLabs it lacks the cube size choice but looks more distinctive.

Wipe the stainless with a soft cloth and descale periodically. It is a pick for style-minded buyers who want a branded bullet maker, and its quieter running suits an open-plan living area.