Few kitchen upgrades change daily life as fast as a machine that makes its own ice. The best undercounter ice makers for kitchens take a cabinet space you probably wrote off, plumb into an existing water line, and quietly fill a bin every day so you never scoop thin cubes from a plastic tray again. We compared 12 of them on output, bin capacity, drainage method, footprint, and how they hold up in a real home rather than a showroom.
That last part matters. Manufacturer spec sheets describe a machine at its best: a full water supply, a 115V outlet, and 24 uninterrupted hours. What they rarely describe is what happens when your water is hard, when the drain is four feet below the cabinet, or when the compressor is cycling while twelve people are talking over dinner. Our rankings weight install reality and owner reports above headline pounds-per-day figures, which is why some lower-cost machines sit at the top and some larger ones do not.
One thing to know before you read further: an undercounter ice maker is a permanent appliance, not a portable one. It needs a water line, a drain, a dedicated outlet and a cabinet that can take it, which is why we have covered a drainless model and a pump-drain model alongside the gravity-drain standard. If you rent, or you have no water line near the cabinet you want to use, start with the countertop side of this conversation instead. Our guide to the best countertop ice makers covers units that need nothing but an outlet and a sink.
Table of Contents
- Top 3 Undercounter Ice Makers for Kitchens in 2026
- 12 Best Undercounter Ice Makers for Kitchens (October 2026)
- 1. EUHOMY IM-02 — Best Overall, 100 lbs/24H With a 33 lb Bin
- 2. EUHOMY 15 Inch CIM002-0618 — Best Value 15-Inch Cabinet Machine
- 3. Gilati Y40FA — 120 lbs/24H in a 15-Inch Frame With a 30 lb Bin
- 4. Kismile HZB-36B — Flexible Dual Water Inlet With a 24 lb Insulated Bin
- 5. COTLIN 15 Inch Drainless — Best for Islands With No Drain Access
- 6. Joy Pebble Z5830 — Chewable Nugget Ice That Ejects One Piece at a Time
- 7. ICEVIVAL 84 lbs/24H — The Only Machine Here With a Drain Pump Included
- 8. COSTWAY 15 Inch 110 lbs/24H — Owners Consistently Call It Quiet
- 9. Electactic Z5812SH — Nugget Ice in Under 10 Minutes With a Dual Bin
- 10. FOHERE HZB-30F — Best Performance Per Dollar in a 13.58 Inch Body
- 11. Mountman MM-ZB572H — 170 lbs/24H and the Largest Bin in the Roundup
- 12. Scotsman CU50PA-1A — Premium Gourmet Cube Ice With a Pump Drain
- Buying Guide: Choosing an Undercounter Ice Maker for Your Kitchen
- Installation Reality: Water, Drain and Power
- Hard Water, Scale and the Signs Your Machine Is Going Bad
- Frequently Asked Questions
- Who makes the most reliable undercounter ice maker?
- Is an undercounter ice maker worth it?
- How much ice does an undercounter ice maker really make per day?
- Do undercounter ice makers need a drain?
- Does water pressure affect an ice maker?
- Why is my ice maker making a loud noise when I fill it with water?
- What are the signs that my ice maker is going bad?
- How long does an undercounter ice maker last?
- Conclusion: Our Best Undercounter Ice Maker Picks for 2026
Top 3 Undercounter Ice Makers for Kitchens in 2026
Three machines earn a place above the rest. The EUHOMY IM-02 leads on the one metric that predicts long-term happiness, which is how many owners have actually lived with it. The EUHOMY 15-inch is the same idea in a cabinet-friendly footprint. The COTLIN is the only drainless machine here, which makes it the answer for a kitchen island with no plumbing access.
EUHOMY IM-02 100lbs/24H
- 100 lbs per day
- 33 lb bin
- 45 cubes per 11-15 min cycle
- ETL certified
- LCD thickness control
EUHOMY 15 inch 90lbs/24H
- 90 lbs per day
- 24 lb bin
- reversible door
- 3-layer housing
- 24-hour timer
- self-cleaning
COTLIN 15 inch Drainless
- No drain line required
- 42 lbs per day
- 22 lb bin
- crescent ice
- ETL certified
You will notice the top three share something: they are the machines with the most complete installation data and the clearest owner feedback. That is not a coincidence. The picks we trust are the picks we could actually evaluate.
12 Best Undercounter Ice Makers for Kitchens (October 2026)
Every machine below is a true undercounter or built-in format, meaning each one is designed to sit inside a cabinet run. Sizes are the published cabinet dimensions, not the shipping dimensions.
| Product | Specifications | Action |
|---|---|---|
| EUHOMY IM-02 100lbs/24H |
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| EUHOMY 15 inch 90lbs/24H |
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 Gilati 15 inch 120lbs/24H |
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 Kismile 80lbs/24H |
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| COTLIN 15 inch Drainless |
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 Joy Pebble Nugget 66lbs/12H |
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 ICEVIVAL 84lbs/24H with Pump |
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 COSTWAY 15 inch 110lbs/24H |
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 Electactic Nugget 66lbs/24H |
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 FOHERE 70lbs/24H Compact |
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 Mountman 170lbs/24H |
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 Scotsman CU50PA Gourmet Cube |
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A note on the numbers in that table: the daily production figure is a laboratory maximum, not a promise. Your actual yield is capped by bin capacity, because a full bin stops production regardless of how fast the evaporator works. A 170 lbs-per-day machine with a 55 lb bin still cannot hand you more than the bin holds between harvests.
1. EUHOMY IM-02 — Best Overall, 100 lbs/24H With a 33 lb Bin
EUHOMY Commercial Ice Maker Machine, 100lbs/24H Stainless Steel Under Counter ice Machine with 33lbs Ice Storage Capacity, Freestanding Ice Maker.
100 lbs/24H
33 lb storage bin
45 cubes per 11-15 min cycle
115V, 198W
Pros
- Most owner history of any pick here at over 4000 reviews
- 33 lb bin holds a real weekend of ice
- ETL certified for home and commercial use
- LCD panel adjusts cube thickness and shows ambient temperature
- stainless cabinet with a one-touch cleaning cycle
Cons
- Gravity drain only
- so the hose must run below the machine
- cubes release as a linked sheet that needs breaking apart
- some owners report water pump failure inside the first year
- must stand upright for 24 hours after transport
We kept coming back to this machine because of one number that stands apart: 4140 owner reviews. Everything we say about it rests on a body of experience that spans several years of ownership, not a launch-week sample. In a category where a single water pump can end production permanently, that volume of feedback is worth more than any spec line.
The IM-02 makes 45 clear cubes every 11 to 15 minutes and drops them into a 33 pound bin with automatic overflow prevention. That bin size is the real story. Most home kitchens do not need 100 pounds of ice a day, so the 33 pound storage is what actually matters, and this pairs a 33 pound bin with that much owner history.
The control panel handles the two settings that matter most in practice: cube thickness and the cleaning cycle. Owners also credit the support team with replacing units under warranty, which is worth noting in a category where seller responsiveness varies enormously. The stainless steel cabinet is described as professional-looking, which matters if the machine is visible in a finished kitchen.
Two real limitations stand out. The cubes come out as a connected sheet rather than dropping loose, so you break them apart by hand. And the drainage is gravity-only, which means the drain hose has to sit lower than the machine’s drain outlet, and a kitchen island with no floor drain under it will not work without adding a line.
What the 33 lb bin means for real entertaining
A 33 pound bin is more storage than most kitchens ever consume. It is also why the 100 lb-per-day figure only becomes relevant if you empty the bin several times a day, which most people do not need to do.
Where this machine will frustrate you
The gravity drain is the install blocker. If your drain is above the cabinet floor and there is no floor drain beneath, this is the wrong machine. It weighs 66.6 pounds and has a 15.96 inch by 17.52 inch footprint, so measure the cabinet and the door clearance before you commit.
2. EUHOMY 15 Inch CIM002-0618 — Best Value 15-Inch Cabinet Machine
EUHOMY 15″ Under Counter Ice Maker, 90lbs/24H, 24lb Bin, Gravity Drainage
90 lbs/24H
24 lb bin
14.96W x 18.47D x 33.99H
115V, 203W
Pros
- Reversible door lets you set the hinge for your cabinet layout
- 3-layer housing slows cube melting
- 24-hour timer plus self-cleaning cycle
- compact 15 inch width suits standard counter height
- adjustable feet for uneven cabinet floors
Cons
- Cubes drop as a linked sheet
- water pump failures reported by some owners in the first 8-12 months
- support can be slow to reach a person
- gravity drain line must run below the machine
This is the machine we would put in a standard 34-inch cabinet beside a trash pullout, and it is the one we recommend to people who want the EUHOMY name without the commercial footprint. At 14.96 inches wide and 33.99 inches tall including feet, it fits the cabinet most kitchens actually have.
Output is 40 clear cubes every 11 to 20 minutes into a 24 pound bin. Owners consistently report that it never runs empty for a six-person household, which is exactly the use case most people are buying for. The three-layer housing is doing real work here, because a 24 pound bin is a modest amount of storage to keep cold.
The reversible stainless door is the feature that saves install day. Instead of discovering the hinge blocks a shelf or the wall, you set the swing at install. The 24-hour timer and the hold-to-activate self-cleaning are both straightforward, and the LCD panel adjusts cube thickness.
Be aware that some reviews on this listing reference smaller portable EUHOMY machines rather than this 15-inch model, so read the water pump complaints with that caveat. The recurring theme is still worth factoring in: if you are installing this permanently, check the warranty terms on your specific model before you commit to the plumbing.
Why the reversible door saves money
On a fixed-hinge machine, a door that opens into the wrong direction can force you to move a water line, extend a cabinet, or abandon the location. A reversible door removes that decision from the install entirely. For a homeowner doing their own placement planning, that is worth more than a spec line.
Where this machine will frustrate you
Output is high but bin capacity is moderate, so a party of twenty will outrun the storage. Gravity drainage means the drain must run lower than the unit, and the water pump is the component owners report most often. Budget for a filter and keep the model number for parts.
3. Gilati Y40FA — 120 lbs/24H in a 15-Inch Frame With a 30 lb Bin
15″ Commercial Under Counter Ice Maker Machine, Built-in or Freestanding
120 lbs/24H
30 lb bin
14.96W x 18.50D x 32.28H
40 cubes per 10-16 min
Pros
- Highest stated daily output among the 15-inch width machines
- 30 lb bin with 3-layer insulated construction
- reversible door for either opening direction
- one-touch self-cleaning and 24-hour timer
- LCD adjustable cube size
Cons
- Lowest average rating in this group at 4.0 stars
- 16 percent of reviews are one-star
- gravity drainage only
- inconsistent durability and support experiences
The Gilati solves the same problem as the EUHOMY 15-inch but claims more output and gives you a slightly larger bin at 30 pounds. At 14.96 inches wide and 32.28 inches tall it is a short machine among the true 15-inch bodies, which leaves comfortable clearance inside a standard-height base cabinet.
It produces 40 clear cubes every 10 to 16 minutes, a slightly faster cycle than most of the field. The three-layer insulated bin and reversible door are consistent with the design of the other 15-inch machines in this category, which suggests shared manufacturing rather than independent engineering. That is worth knowing for parts and support.
What holds it back is the rating spread. At a 4.0 star average with 16 percent one-star reviews, this machine has the widest gap between delighted owners and frustrated ones of anything we picked. Some of that is the gravity drain, and some of it is simply inconsistent durability across production runs.
No customer photos were returned for this listing, so our read on the long-term picture rests on review text alone. If you want the largest bin in a 15-inch body, this is the pick. If you want the safest bet, the EUHOMY at number one has far more owner history.
Bin size versus rating spread
A 30 pound bin holds a genuinely large party without a refill, and the extra storage is a real advantage over 24 pound designs. But the 4.0 average tells you that build and support quality vary more than owners would like. Buy this one for capacity, not for confidence.
Where this machine will frustrate you
Same drain story as most of the class: gravity only, hose below the outlet. Beyond that, the 16 percent one-star share is the issue. Expect variance, and keep your receipt for the warranty period because the model is new enough that parts availability may still be developing.
4. Kismile HZB-36B — Flexible Dual Water Inlet With a 24 lb Insulated Bin
Kismile Ice Maker Machine, Self-Cleaning Ice Machine for Home,Bar & Office, 80Lbs/24H Freestanding Undercounter Ice Maker with 24Lbs Storage Capacity
80 lbs/24H
24 lb insulated bin
14.57W x 15.28D x 23.11H
11-18 min cycle
Pros
- Insulated bin holds ice well in hot conditions
- dual water inlet options make placement flexible
- elevated feet keep moisture off the cabinet floor
- ETL certified for home and commercial use
- automatic cleaning function
- LCD control for ice size and runtime
Cons
- Some owners report component burnout within about a year
- noticeably noisy during operation
- drain line is thin and awkward to adapt
- ice melts in the bin if left unused
The Kismile is the odd one out in this roundup on size. At 23.11 inches tall it is a compact machine that can sit on a counter or tuck into a shallow cabinet, which makes it a reasonable bridge between countertop and true undercounter. If your cabinet height is tight, start here.
It makes 80 pounds a day in 11 to 18 minute batches into an insulated 24 pound bin. The dual water inlet is the practical feature: owners in awkward plumbing situations report that it made placement much easier, and the elevated feet keep moisture off the cabinet base.
The insulated bin earns its keep in warm conditions, which is why you will see owners praising it in summer. The LCD panel covers ice size, production time and ambient temperature, and there is an automatic cleaning function. Several buyers also report that customer service resolved early component problems for them.
Noise is the honest drawback. Owners describe it as noticeably noisy, which rules it out for an open kitchen island where people sit and talk. The thin drain line is also awkward to connect to an existing drain, and component burnout within about a year appears in a few reports.
When a 23-inch machine is the right answer
If your under-counter cabinet has a raised base, a shallow soffit, or a countertop overhang that eats vertical space, a 34-inch machine simply will not go in. The Kismile gives you real 80-pound-a-day production in 23 inches, which is more useful than fighting the cabinetry.
Where this machine will frustrate you
Loud enough to be distracting in an open room, and thin drain tubing that may need an adapter you have to source yourself. If you are installing under a counter with a nearby dining area, pick a quieter option instead.
5. COTLIN 15 Inch Drainless — Best for Islands With No Drain Access
COTLIN 15″ W Drainless Under Counter Ice Maker with 22LBS Storage Bin
Drainless, no plumber
42 lbs/24H
22 lb bin
14.9W x 18.6D x 33.8H
115V
Pros
- No drain line and no plumber required
- crescent cubes held at 26.6-32F for slower melting
- thick-gauge stainless door that does not flex
- reversible hinges and adjustable feet
- ETL certified with lifetime service support
Cons
- Lowest daily output here at 42 lbs
- magnetic door seal can rebound open if pushed
- heat builds up in an uncooled cabinet and warms the counter above
- about 24 hours before the first full bucket
If a floor drain is the reason you gave up on an undercounter ice maker, this machine removes the reason. The COTLIN recirculates its melt water rather than draining it, so you need a water line and power and nothing else. That is the single most common install blocker in a kitchen island, and this is the cleanest answer we found.
It produces 42 pounds of crescent ice per day into a 22 pound bin, and the cubes are held between 26.6 and 32 degrees F, which slows melting in a way that ordinary cube makers cannot match. Crescent ice also fits highball glasses better than square cubes do.
Build quality is the standout. Owners single out the thick stainless door that does not flex or ping, which is exactly the part that gives on cheaper cabinets in this class. The reversible hinges and adjustable feet make it adaptable to tight spaces, and the one-touch power button means there are no settings to get wrong.
It carries a 4.5 star average, matched by only one other machine in this group, though the 78-review base is small. The honest gaps: 42 pounds a day is the lowest output here, heat builds up in an uncooled cabinet and warms the counter above it, and the magnetic seal can bounce back open if you close it firmly.
How drainless actually works and what it costs you
The machine keeps melt water in a reservoir and re-freezes it on the next cycle instead of sending it down a pipe. Because some water leaves with the ice, you trade daily output for the freedom to install anywhere with a supply line, and 42 pounds a day is the lowest figure in this roundup. Defrosting is simple: switch it off for a few hours and the ice melts away.
Where this machine will frustrate you
Output is modest, so a large gathering will drain the bin faster than the machine refills it. Heat in an uncooled cabinet is a real concern if you are mounting it in cabinetry, and you should expect to wait about a day for the first full bucket while the machine cools down.
6. Joy Pebble Z5830 — Chewable Nugget Ice That Ejects One Piece at a Time
Undercounter Nugget Ice Maker,Commercial Nugget Ice Machine,66 lbs/Day,Built-in or Freestanding with Self-Cleaning,24-Hour Timer,Stainless Steel Ice Maker for Bars, Cafes, Businesses
Nugget ice in 10-15 min
66 lbs in 12 hours
15W x 18.03D x 32.48H
triple-layer insulation
Pros
- Nugget ice is soft and chewable
- single-piece ejection is quieter than a full tray dump
- 15 inch footprint works built-in or freestanding
- rear water inlet allows continuous supply
- triple-layer insulation
- 24-hour timer and self-cleaning
Cons
- Noise is the worst in this group by owner report
- nugget ice melts quickly if left in the bin
- bullet size runs smaller than expected even on the large setting
- first batch takes longer than the stated cycle time
Nugget ice is the most requested ice type in home buyer discussions, and this is the machine that delivers it in an undercounter body. The pellets come out soft and chewable at 66 pounds in 12 hours, which is a different drinking experience from cubes entirely. It is genuinely popular with people who make a lot of cocktails or iced coffee.
The design detail that matters most here is the single-piece ejection. Most cube machines dump an entire tray, which is a loud, clattering event every 15 minutes. This one ejects nuggets individually, and owners who are sensitive to background noise specifically credit that for how it runs in a kitchen.
The 15 by 18.03 by 32.48 inch body is compact, the rear water inlet gives continuous supply without refills, and the 24-hour timer plus hold-to-clean function are standard. Triple-layer insulation helps with melt, though it cannot stop it.
Is nugget ice worth the extra care
Nugget ice melts faster than cubes because of its surface-to-volume ratio. If you do not drink from the bin directly, you are pouring it into a drink within minutes, so this rarely matters. If you leave ice sitting in the bin for hours, you will find a puddle, and owners move it into a freezer for storage.
Where this machine will frustrate you
Noise is the serious complaint here. One reviewer compared the sound to a freight train running through the kitchen, which is an extreme description but tells you to test it in your space before committing. The bullet size also runs smaller than most buyers expect even on the large setting, and the first batch takes longer than the published cycle time.
7. ICEVIVAL 84 lbs/24H — The Only Machine Here With a Drain Pump Included
Commercial Ice Maker, 84 Lb/Day, 25 Lb Storage, Under Counter
84 lbs/24H
25 lb bin
external drain pump included
14.98W x 20.38D x 33.89H
Pros
- External electric drain pump frees the install from a gravity drain
- 8-16 minute batches
- LCD shows water shortage and ice full warnings
- reversible door
- self-cleaning and 24-hour timer
- one owner received a fast replacement pump
Cons
- E2 error code has stopped production for some owners
- must be manually restarted after a power interruption
- a few units arrived with loose compressor screws
- inconsistent support responsiveness
Most machines in this class drain by gravity, which quietly rules out half of all kitchen cabinet locations. The ICEVIVAL ships with an external electric drain pump in the box, and that single included component is why this machine solves a problem the others cannot.
It produces 84 pounds of crystal-clear ice per day in batches ready in 8 to 16 minutes, into a 25 pound bin. The LCD panel reports water shortage and ice full, which is more useful feedback than a single status light, and the reversible door handles either opening direction.
Owners also report that the manufacturer shipped a replacement water pump quickly and that it was easy to install, which matters given that a pump is the single most common failure point in this category. The stainless build is described as feeling premium for the money.
Two reliability notes to weigh. Some owners have seen an E2 error code halt production entirely, though the manufacturer ultimately resolved those cases. And after any power interruption the machine does not resume on its own, so if you plan to install it somewhere with occasional outages, you need to know you will be pressing a button.
Why the included pump is worth more than extra output
A drain pump lets you put the machine in a cabinet where the drain is above the unit’s outlet, or where there is no floor drain at all. That turns a no-go location into a workable one. It also means one less item for a plumber to source, which removes a step from the install.
Where this machine will frustrate you
The manual restart after a power cut is the most annoying behavior in this group for anyone who is not home during the day. Support responsiveness is inconsistent, and loose screws on arrival are a quality-control signal worth inspecting for before you sign for delivery.
8. COSTWAY 15 Inch 110 lbs/24H — Owners Consistently Call It Quiet
COSTWAY 15″ Under Counter Commercial Ice Maker, 110Lbs/24H, Silver+Black
110 lbs/24H
25 lb bin
15W x 21.1D x 33.7H
front ventilated
3 thickness settings
Pros
- Multiple owners explicitly report very quiet operation
- three ice thickness settings plus a 1 to 23 hour reservation timer
- built-in water filter connects straight to tap water
- front ventilation suits built-in and freestanding installs
- reversible door
Cons
- Two owners reported internal or bottom leaks
- seller communication and returns were poor in both leak cases
- ice melts back into the bin in an uncooled cabinet
- self-cleaning cycle takes about 30 minutes
Noise is the first thing people ask about with an undercounter machine, and this is the pick we would point to for an open kitchen. Multiple owners describe it as very quiet in operation, which is unusual for a 110-pound-a-day compressor and is directly relevant if your island has seating next to it.
It makes 40 cubes every 12 to 15 minutes with three thickness settings, tied to cycle times of 12, 15 and 18 minutes. The reservation timer is settable from 1 to 23 hours, so you can have ice waiting when you get home rather than a full bin of morning leftovers.
Two details make it kitchen-specific rather than a bar machine. The built-in water filter connects directly to tap water, which matters more in hard-water areas, and the front ventilation lets it sit under a counter or stand alone without a rear clearance gap. The reversible door and 15 inch width keep placement simple.
The quality-control record is the weak point. Two owners reported internal water line or bottom leaks, one on a unit that arrived visibly damaged, and both describe difficulty getting the seller to accept a return. That is a seller problem as much as a product problem, but it is the risk you carry on this pick.
Why the built-in water filter matters more than usual
Hard water is the leading complaint across owner forums for this entire category, and a r/HomeSetup thread on countertop units that survived hard water makes the same point. A filter on the water inlet is the cheapest defense against scale on the evaporator, and this machine has one built in rather than sold separately.
Where this machine will frustrate you
The leak reports are the deal-breaker for a permanently installed machine, and the return experience described by those owners is poor. Ice in an uncooled cabinet melts back into the bin, and the self-cleaning cycle runs for roughly half an hour, which is longer than most people expect.
9. Electactic Z5812SH — Nugget Ice in Under 10 Minutes With a Dual Bin
Electactic Nugget Ice Machine, Commercial Undercounter Ice Maker
Nugget ice in under 10 min
66 lbs/24H
dual ice bin
15W x 14.4D x 33.1H
LCD alerts
Pros
- First batch of chewable nugget ice in under 10 minutes
- dual ice bin design supports continuous use
- insulation rated to hold 80 percent of ice over 12 hours
- 12-hour keep-fresh timer
- slick stainless exterior
- compact footprint
- customer service responds within 24 hours
Cons
- Several owners report it as extremely loud
- small nugget size means many drinks take several
- melted ice drains back into the reservoir
- part of the review base attaches to a different 25 lb/day variant
If nugget ice is what you are after, this is the fastest of the two nugget machines here, with a first batch in under 10 minutes. For a household that wants a drink immediately after a grocery run rather than a quarter hour later, that response time is a real advantage over the slower units.
The dual ice bin design is unusual and genuinely useful. Two compartments let you keep a reserve while serving from the other, which supports continuous use without constant emptying. The 12-hour keep-fresh timer and the insulation rated to hold 80 percent of the ice over 12 hours both aim at the same problem, which is melt.
The LCD panel shows ambient temperature with low water and full ice alerts, and the 15 by 14.4 by 33.1 inch footprint is one of the most compact arrangements in the group. The stainless exterior is described as high-end looking, which matters if the machine is visible.
Noise is the decisive weakness here. Several owners describe it as screaming, and one says it was audible through closed doors in a two-story home. Also note that some of the reviews on this listing are attached to a 25 lb-per-day variant rather than this 66 lb-per-day model, so individual ratings deserve some caution.
What the dual bin actually does for you
It separates your serving supply from your reserve. During a party you empty one side while the other keeps producing, which is how a 66 lb-per-day machine feels like far more than 66 pounds. It also gives you a place to keep a smaller, more accessible portion for everyday drinks.
Where this machine will frustrate you
It is loud, plainly and repeatedly, and that is disqualifying in an open kitchen. The nuggets are small, so a single drink may take three or four. And melted ice drains back into the reservoir, which is convenient but confirms the bin is not a freezer.
10. FOHERE HZB-30F — Best Performance Per Dollar in a 13.58 Inch Body
Commercial Ice Maker Machine, 70LBS/24H Freestanding & Undercounter Stainless Steel Ice Machine, 32 Cubes in 12-20 Mins, Adjustable Ice Thickness & Self-Cleaning for Home Bar Office Cafe
70 lbs/24H
9 lb insulated bin
13.58W x 13.35D x 23.70H
at or below 60dB
Pros
- Compact 13.58 inch footprint is narrower than any other body here and integrates almost anywhere
- 70 lbs per day with first cubes in about 6-8 minutes
- two selectable cube sizes with simple two-button control
- cyclopentane foam bin insulation
- ice scoop supply and drain hoses included
Cons
- 9 lb bin is the smallest storage in the roundup and does not hold ice long
- several owners describe it as louder than the 60dB claim
- very bright status LED at night
- plastic button controls with no storage mode
This machine earns its place on two numbers: a 4.5 star average and a 13.58 inch width. Nothing else here is that narrow, which means it fits cabinet spaces that reject a 15-inch body entirely. At 23.70 inches tall it can also sit on a counter if your cabinet situation demands a compromise.
It still produces 70 pounds of crystal-clear ice a day, 32 cubes per 12 to 20 minute batch, with first cubes arriving in about 6 to 8 minutes. Two selectable cube sizes run off a two-button control, and the cyclopentane foam insulation in the bin is a real specification rather than marketing.
The listed noise figure is at or below 60dB, about the volume of normal conversation. That is a published claim rather than a measurement we made, and owners do describe it as louder than that, so test it in your space.
Why the small bin is the real trade-off
A 9 pound bin is the smallest storage in the roundup, so it turns over fast. That fills quickly at a party, and the ice melts back into water if you do not use it. The upside is honest: 70 pounds a day into a small bin means the machine cycles fast and refills constantly, so you rarely have an empty machine, just an empty bin.
Where this machine will frustrate you
The bin is the constraint. Ice does not stay frozen without use, so you are pulling drinks continuously or transferring to a freezer. The status LED is bright enough to light a room at night, which matters if the machine sits in a dim kitchen, and there is no dedicated cold-storage mode.
11. Mountman MM-ZB572H — 170 lbs/24H and the Largest Bin in the Roundup
Mountman Commercial Ice Maker,170lbs/24H,50 Cubes in 14 Mins,Stainless Steel Ice Machine with 55lbs Storage Capacity,Self-Cleaning,Water Filter,Under Counter/Freestanding Ice Maker for Cafe,Home
170 lbs/24H
55 lb bin
19.33W x 16.5D x 32H
50 cubes per 7-14 min
ETL
Pros
- Largest storage bin here at 55 pounds
- removable water filter included
- one-touch self-cleaning
- smart LCD with temperature monitoring and cube size
- corrosion-resistant stainless with elevated base
- ETL certified
- runs with minimal noise
Cons
- Output and capacity exceed what most home kitchens need
- 19.33 inch width is wider than the standard 15 inch cabinet
- smaller review base and no customer photo set
On paper this is the most capable machine in the roundup: 170 pounds a day, 50 clear cubes per batch in 7 to 14 minutes, and a 55 pound storage bin. Nobody empties a 55 pound bin by accident. It is the right machine for a house that hosts constantly, a beach house, or a cottage where you do not want to run to a store.
The included removable water filter and one-touch self-cleaning are the practical details owners cite most. The smart LCD panel handles ambient temperature monitoring, cube size and the cleaning cycle, and the elevated, moisture-repellent base is a sensible detail for a machine that will sit in a cabinet for a decade.
It carries a 4.4 star average with an unusually low share of one-star reviews, and owners describe it as running with minimal noise despite the compressor size. The stainless cabinet is described as corrosion-resistant with a food-grade interior.
The honest caveat is evidence volume. At 61 reviews there is far less long-term durability data than the EUHOMY or Kismile machines carry, and no customer photos were returned. It is also 19.33 inches wide, so it needs a wider cabinet than the standard 15-inch space.
How much ice does a household actually use
A family of four going through a normal week will use a fraction of what 170 pounds a day describes. That figure matters for a cottage, a rental, or a household that genuinely throws parties every weekend. For everyone else, you are paying for capacity you will not use and cabinet width you may not have.
Where this machine will frustrate you
It is wider than the standard 15 inch opening, so measure before you plan around it. And with a smaller evidence base, you are trusting the spec sheet more than owner history, which is the reverse of how we prefer to buy a permanently installed appliance.
12. Scotsman CU50PA-1A — Premium Gourmet Cube Ice With a Pump Drain
Scotsman CU50PA-1A Undercounter Ice Maker, Gourmet Cube, Air Cooled, Pump Drain with Cord, 115V/60/1-ph, 14.4 Amp (15 Amp Circuit Required), 14.9″ Width x 22″ Diameter x 34.4″ Height
Gourmet cube ice
26 lb bin
24 cubes per cycle
14.9W x 22D x 34.4H
14.4A, 15 amp circuit
Pros
- Crystal clear slow-melting odorless gourmet cubes that do not dilute drinks
- established commercial-spec design with real service life
- 24 cubes per cycle
- front venting reduces overheating risk
- control panel reports water condition
- approved for outdoor use
Cons
- Very loud
- owners report needing to turn up the TV while it pumps
- requires a dedicated 15 amp circuit
- weighs 100 pounds
- residential service is difficult to source
This is the only genuinely commercial-spec machine in the roundup, and the difference shows in the ice. The gourmet cubes are crystal clear, slow melting and odorless, made 24 per cycle, which is roughly three times the output of an older entry-level unit. Drinks taste like they are supposed to instead of like tap water.
Longevity is the real argument. Owners describe running these for years, and One owner replaced a 38-year-old Scotsman with this model. That longevity record comes with a brand that has established replacement parts availability, which matters when the machine is permanently plumbed into a cabinet.
The front venting system is a genuine engineering advantage over rear-vented units, because it reduces the risk of the machine overheating in a closed cabinet. The control panel indicates water condition, which gives you an early warning on the hardness problem, and the unit is approved for outdoor use.
It is also the hardest install. At 14.9 inches wide, 22 inches deep and 100 pounds, it needs planned plumbing and a solid location. It draws 14.4 amps and requires a dedicated 15 amp circuit rather than a standard household outlet, which is a real electrical job, not a plug-in.
What makes a 15 amp circuit a different project
Most household receptacles are on 20 amp circuits shared with other appliances, and you should not put a 100-pound ice maker on one. A dedicated 15 amp circuit means an electrician in most homes, which changes the install from a plumber-only job into a two-trade job. Budget for that before you commit.
Where this machine will frustrate you
It is loud enough that owners report turning up the television while it runs, which puts it in a garage, basement or outdoor area rather than next to a seating island. And authorised repairmen will service a unit under warranty but often decline to install a brand-new one, so residential serviceability is the biggest practical caution.
Buying Guide: Choosing an Undercounter Ice Maker for Your Kitchen
Most wrong turns happen before anyone unboxes the machine, so this is the order we would work in. Measure first, then choose drainage, then choose ice type, then look at output.
Measure the cabinet properly. Standard kitchen base cabinets are 34 or 35 inches tall inside, and you need the machine height plus clearance above it. Every unit in this roundup lists two sets of dimensions, the cabinet body and the shipped carton, and only the first one matters. Standard widths are 15 inches and 18 inches, and 15 is a nominal category width rather than an exact measurement, so check the actual published figure. A 14.96 inch machine fits a nominal 15 inch cutout with almost no tolerance.
Decide drainage before you shop. Gravity drain means a hose running downhill to a floor drain or standpipe, and many kitchen islands have neither. A drain-pump model pumps the melt water up and out, which frees the location considerably. A drainless model needs no drain at all but produces less ice per day. Forum threads on r/Appliances about installing at an island consistently identify this as the deciding factor, not the ice type.
Understand that bin capacity beats daily output. The production figure is a maximum under ideal conditions. What you experience is limited by how much ice the bin holds, because a full bin stops the cycle. If you host weekly, look for 25 pounds or more of storage. If you mostly want a few drinks after dinner, 9 to 22 pounds is plenty.
Pick the ice type by what you drink. Standard cubes are inexpensive and slow. Gourmet and crescent cubes are larger, clearer and better in spirits, where dilution matters. Nugget or pebble ice is soft and chewable, popular for cocktails and iced coffee, but melts faster and costs more. Clear ice is the slowest melting and the most expensive to produce, and no residential machine in this roundup makes true restaurant clear ice.
Treat noise as a design constraint, not a spec. Owners describe the Electactic and the Joy Pebble as the loudest in this group, and rate the COSTWAY and Mountman among the quieter ones. An island with seating is a listening seat. If your machine will sit inside a cabinet run away from where people sit, noise matters much less.
Factor in water. If you are in a hard-water area, an inline or built-in water filter is close to a requirement rather than an accessory. The COSTWAY ships with one built in and the Mountman includes a removable filter. For everything else, budget for a filter from the start, and know that a descaling schedule is part of owning an undercounter machine.
Check certifications and warranty. Look for ETL listing as a baseline, since several picks here carry it for both household and commercial use. A one-year manufacturer warranty is the norm in this price class, and a longer warranty matters more for a permanently plumbed appliance than it would for a portable one.
One caution about brands in this category. Several machines here share a manufacturer and are sold under different names, which is why the reversible door, three-layer housing, and five-second clean cycle keep appearing across four different brand names. Reviews transfer between them, but warranty terms and support quality do not necessarily.
If your kitchen is small or your plumbing is limited, our guide to dishwashers for farmhouse kitchens covers the other permanently plumbed appliance most kitchens in this situation are planning, and the same measurement discipline applies to both.
Installation Reality: Water, Drain and Power
Undercounter ice makers are plumbing appliances. Budget for a plumber unless you have done this work before, and understand that the machine is the smaller half of the cost in most installs.
Water supply. A 3/4 inch water line is the common requirement, with an accessible shutoff valve so you can isolate the machine without shutting off the house. Many manufacturers require a backflow preventer on the line, and a few require an air gap. Check the installation sheet for your specific model before you buy the fittings.
Drain proximity. For gravity drain units, the drain outlet generally needs to reach a drain within about 4.5 feet, and the hose has to run below the machine. If it does not, that is when a pump-drain model becomes the answer. The ICEVIVAL includes an external pump, and the COTLIN needs no drain whatsoever.
Clearances. Allow roughly 2 inches at the rear for ventilation, check the door swing against adjacent cabinet contents, and confirm the machine height plus the door thickness fits your opening. Front-venting units need less rear clearance than side-vented designs.
Power. Most of these machines run on standard 115V power at 200 to 250 watts, which a normal household receptacle handles. The exception is the Scotsman CU50PA, which draws 14.4 amps and needs a dedicated 15 amp circuit. Know which category your pick falls into before the installer arrives.
On water pressure, this is the question buyers ask most and the answer is simple: yes, low pressure reduces fill rate and can stop the pump from priming properly, which shows up as small or incomplete cubes. A partially closed supply valve after a filter change is the most common cause, and it is worth checking first when a machine starts making poor ice.
Finally, think about whether the install is portable. A permanently plumbed unit is a fixture, not an appliance, so a future remodel or a move means either bringing the cabinetry with you or living with a hole in the wall. That consideration is worth more to most buyers than any ice specification.
Hard Water, Scale and the Signs Your Machine Is Going Bad
Hard water is the most common long-term threat to an undercounter ice maker, and the one buyers discuss most. Hard-water threads on r/HomeSetup focus on which machines survive it, and the pattern is consistent: the machine is not what fails, the evaporator coating is.
Scale builds on the evaporator plate and the water lines, and the symptoms appear in order. Ice starts tasting off or looking cloudy. Production slows because the machine works harder. Then the water pump or the water inlet fails, and the machine stops making ice entirely. A water filter slows all of this, which is why we treat one as close to mandatory in hard-water regions.
The signs a machine is going bad are usually audible and visible before they are fatal. Gurgling or grinding during the fill cycle means the pump is struggling with air or scale. A loud new noise during harvest, especially a rattle that appears only when ice drops, usually means a bin float or a plate is misaligned. Ice that comes out flat, fused together, or noticeably smaller than usual points to the freezing cycle, not the bin. And a machine that stops making ice after a power cut without a manual restart is a control-board behaviour, not a failure.
For the odd loud noise when filling with water, the list is short. The pump is drawing air rather than water, usually from a supply valve that was closed or a line that needs bleeding. Or the drain is backing up because a hose got kinked during install. Or the bin is sitting on a plate that is not seated. Most fill-cycle noises are installation issues rather than component failures, and they are worth chasing before you start shopping for a new pump.
On cleaning, every machine in this roundup has a self-cleaning cycle, and most owners are under-using it. Run it on the schedule the manual specifies rather than waiting, keep the bin washed, and descale on a fixed interval if you are in hard water. Scale also raises energy use, so a clean machine is a cheaper machine to run.
Descaling, once you have to do it by hand, means a manufacturer-approved descale solution, a full drain, and an hour of patience. Set a calendar reminder when you install the machine rather than waiting for the taste to change, because the taste changes well after the performance does.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who makes the most reliable undercounter ice maker?
Reliability in this category tracks owner volume and parts availability more than brand name. Hoshizaki is widely treated in buyer forums such as r/HomeXpert as the durability benchmark in the residential undercounter class, and Scotsman has the longest service record with replacement parts available. Among the 12 machines we reviewed, the EUHOMY IM-02 has the largest body of owner feedback at over 4,000 reviews, which is the strongest practical evidence of long-term reliability in this group.
Is an undercounter ice maker worth it?
It is worth it if you already have a water line and a drain near a cabinet and you use a real amount of ice. These machines produce 42 to 170 pounds a day into bins of 9 to 55 pounds on a normal 115V supply. It is not worth it if you rent, have no drain access, or expect to move within a few years, because the plumbing work is permanent and is usually the larger cost.
How much ice does an undercounter ice maker really make per day?
The advertised daily figure is a laboratory maximum that assumes an empty bin every few hours. Your realistic supply is limited by bin capacity, since a full bin stops production regardless of how fast the machine works. For most households, a 24 to 33 pound bin is the number that actually matters, and daily output above 100 pounds only helps if you empty the bin several times a day.
Do undercounter ice makers need a drain?
Most do, and the type matters more than most buyers expect. Gravity-drain units need a hose running below the machine to a floor drain or standpipe, usually within about 4.5 feet. Drain-pump models like the ICEVIVAL pump melt water up and out, which allows installation where no gravity drain exists. Drainless units like the COTLIN recirculate melt water, need no drain at all, and produce less ice per day as a result.
Does water pressure affect an ice maker?
Yes. Low pressure slows the water fill rate and can prevent the pump from priming, which shows up as small, incomplete or cloudy cubes. A partially closed supply valve or a newly installed filter is the most common cause. Hard water also affects performance over time, because scale on the evaporator plate slows freezing and increases energy use, which is why an inline water filter matters in hard-water regions.
Why is my ice maker making a loud noise when I fill it with water?
Fill-cycle noise usually points to installation rather than a failed component. The pump drawing air because of a closed supply valve or an unbleed line is the most common cause, and a kinked or backed-up drain hose is the next. A bin sitting on an unseated plate also rattles during harvest. If the noise is new and the ice quality has also changed, treat it as a supply or scale problem before assuming the pump has failed.
What are the signs that my ice maker is going bad?
Watch for gurgling or grinding during the fill cycle, which means the pump is struggling with air or scale. A new rattle during harvest usually means a bin float or plate is misaligned. Ice that comes out flat, fused or noticeably smaller points to the freezing cycle rather than the bin. Cloudy or off-tasting ice is an early scale warning, and a machine that will not restart after a power cut is a control behaviour rather than a failure.
How long does an undercounter ice maker last?
It depends heavily on build quality, water hardness and how the machine is maintained. Commercial-spec units from established brands are commonly run for many years, with owners reporting machines that have lasted a decade or more. Budget-grade machines more often report a water pump failure in the first year, which is the single most common complaint across owner reviews in this category. A water filter and a regular descale schedule extend life more than any other habit.
Conclusion: Our Best Undercounter Ice Maker Picks for 2026
The best undercounter ice makers for kitchens come down to one question: what does your cabinet have access to. If you have a water line and a gravity drain, the EUHOMY IM-02 is the pick, with the largest owner base in the group and a 33 pound bin that carries a real weekend. If you want that in a 15-inch body with a reversible door, take the EUHOMY CIM002-0618. If there is no drain under your island, the COTLIN is the only machine here that solves it cleanly.
For specific needs, the ICEVIVAL’s included drain pump buys you placement flexibility no gravity-drain model offers, the COSTWAY is the pick owners most often describe as quiet, and the Scotsman CU50PA makes the best ice and has the longest service life if you can give it a dedicated 15 amp circuit. Measure the cabinet, confirm the drain route, and buy the water filter in the same order.
If your kitchen is still being planned, our guides to outdoor refrigerators for outdoor kitchens and farmhouse sideboards cover the surrounding storage decisions, and we have a full roundup on ice cream makers for farm-fresh milk for the other appliance that rewards a farmhouse kitchen.