The clear, illuminated bin lets you see how much ice you have available and is easy to pull forward when scooping ice (a scoop is included). The reservoir holds enough water to make ice continuously for a few hours at a time, so you don’t have to watch it too closely.

Although the home ice machines we tested won’t replicate super-trendy artisanal ice, some can produce ice that most trays and built-in ice makers can’t, such as crisp, glassy cubes or crunchy, fluffy nuggets. If just one part of the ice-making process is broken, it can limit how easily you can access freshly made cubes to chill your drinks. Check to see that the the water supply line is not kinked – sometimes this can happen if the refrigerator is pushed too far against the wall. We also took note of how easy each machine was to use, whether there was any mess or dripping, how well-insulated each machine was to keep ice from melting, and whether or not each machine was self-cleaning. Pebble ice is challenging to make, so it’s no surprise that the pebble-ice machines we tested took the longest to make a reasonable batch of ice—sometimes up to 30 minutes—and are significantly more expensive than bullet- or clear-ice makers.Remember, smaller ice cubes or ice chips jamming in the ice maker may be a sign that your water filter needs changing.

The water dispenser is on the inside of the French doors while the ice dispenser is in the freezer section. Like all ice makers, it works best when the ambient air isn’t too hot, so don’t put it outside in the sun, and don’t place it next to a heat source. This attractive countertop ice maker has a handle for easy portability and comes in an array of color options. The pieces are so chunky, we found it only took two batches of ice to fill a pint glass—even though the machine only makes nine pieces of ice per batch instead of 12. Check the ice maker in the freezer to ensure the wire signal arm is allowed to go in the up or down position.Refrigerator repair can be frustrating because there are so many elements that work together to keep your food cool and your ice fresh.