Ever dream of having that perfect, creamy swirl of soft-serve at home, but thought it was just for ice cream shops? Well, think again. A home soft ice maker is the gadget that can turn your kitchen into a dessert paradise, and honestly, it’s more achievable than you’d think. No more settling for hard, freezer-burnt pints when you could be crafting your own dreamy cones and sundaes on demand.
We’ve been testing one of the latest models to see if it really lives up to the hype. Is it messy? Is it worth the counter space? Let’s dive into the sweet details and find out if this machine should be your next kitchen splurge. You might just be surprised by how fun it is.
Product Comparison Table: 7 Best Soft Ice Maker
| Image | Why We Like This Product | Editor’s Rating | |
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ICEMAN Dual-Size Ice Maker Countertop – Portable Ice Machine,…
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9.5 |
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GE Profile Opal 2.0 XL with 1 Gallon Tank,…
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9.2 |
Read Review |
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Silonn Nugget Ice Maker Countertop, Pebble Ice Maker with…
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8.9 |
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Typhur Fast Nugget Ice Maker Countertop with Self-Cleaning Pump,…
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8.6 |
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Totnz Boost Ice Maker with 2.5L Expanding Ice Basket…
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8.2 |
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Midea MERI26B1AGN Countertop Bullet-Ice Maker, 8 Ice Bullets Ready…
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7.9 |
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Ice Maker 36Lbs/24H Countertop Ice Maker Machine with Soft…
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7.6 |
Read Review |
Quick Review For Top 7 Soft Ice Maker
ICEMAN Dual-Size Ice Maker Countertop – Portable Ice Machine, Large and Small Ice Machine Maker with Self Cleaning, 9 Cubes in 7 Mins, 22lbs/24hrs, for Home, Kitchen, Office, Party, Ice Scoop Included
The ICEMAN Dual-Size Ice Maker Countertop is a portable machine designed to solve your ice needs quickly and efficiently. It’s built for situations where your freezer just can’t keep up, providing a dedicated source of fresh ice right on your kitchen counter, office breakroom, or party drink station.
Its core promise is speed. You can have 9 pieces of round, bullet-style ice ready in about 7 minutes.
That means no more waiting for hours for a tray to freeze or running to the store last minute. Whether your hosting a gathering or just want a cold drink after work, ice is available on demand. The machine holds up to 0.88 pounds of ice at a time and can make about 22 pounds in a 24-hour period, which is plenty for daily use or entertaining a small group.
A key feature is the dual-size option. You can choose between large or small ice cubes with the touch of a button.
This lets you match the ice to your drink—larger cubes for a whiskey glass that melt slower, or smaller ones for a soda can that chill quickly. The intuitive LED display clearly shows your selection and keeps you informed. It lights up to tell you when the ice basket is full, when the water is getting low, and when it’s time to run a cleaning cycle. This makes the whole process very straightforward.
Maintenance is simplified with the self-cleaning function.
GE Profile Opal 2.0 XL with 1 Gallon Tank, Chewable Crunchable Countertop Nugget Ice Maker, Scoop included, 38 lbs in 24 hours, Pellet Ice Machine with WiFi & Smart Connected, Stainless Steel
The GE Profile Opal 2.0 XL with 1 Gallon Tank is a countertop ice maker designed for those who prefer a specific, popular type of ice. It produces what is often called nugget or pellet ice—a chewable, soft-textured ice that’s different from standard hard cubes. This ice is made from compacted flakes, which gives it its unique texture that holds flavor well and is a favorite for many beverages, from sodas to cocktails.
One of the key aspects of this model is its convenience.
It features an attached 1-gallon water tank, so you don’t need to connect it directly to a water line. This tank is removable, making it straightforward to fill at your sink and clean when needed. Because of this larger tank, the machine can produce more ice between refills compared to smaller models. It’s rated to make up to 38 pounds of ice in a 24-hour period, with the first batch ready in about 10 minutes.
A removable storage drawer holds about 3 pounds of ice at a time, giving you easy access.
This Opal 2.0 XL includes smart connectivity features. You can connect it to your home WiFi and use the SmartHQ app to check the ice maker’s status, see how much ice is ready, or schedule it to make ice at certain times. The machine also recieves automatic software updates through this connection.
Silonn Nugget Ice Maker Countertop, Pebble Ice Maker with Soft Chewable Ice, One-Click Operation Ice Machine with Self-Cleaning, 33lbs/24H, Stainless Steel
The Silonn Nugget Ice Maker Countertop is designed for anyone who appreciates the unique texture of soft, chewable ice. If your household goes through a lot of ice, or you simply prefer that classic nugget or pebble ice style, this machine aims to be a reliable countertop companion.
Its core function is effective ice-making. It can produce up to 33 pounds of ice in a 24-hour period, which translates to roughly 48 standard cups.
This capacity makes it suitable for larger families, small gatherings, or just ensuring you never run out. The ice is perfect for cooling down iced coffee, tea, sodas, or even for use in coolers to help preserve food on a day out.
What sets this ice apart is its enhanced quality for drinks. The nugget ice has a softer, chewable texture that many people find enjoyable.
This style of ice also has a greater surface area compared to traditional cubes, which means it chills your beverages more rapidly without watering them down to quickly. You get a cold drink that stays flavorful.
Speed is a significant feature here. The machine begins producing its first batch of pebble ice in about six minutes. This instant ice production means you don’t have to plan far ahead.
Typhur Fast Nugget Ice Maker Countertop with Self-Cleaning Pump, 35lbs/24H Crushed Pebble Ice Machine with Pellet Ice, 8 Packs Cleaner, Dual Ice Scoops for Home, Kitchen, Party, RV, Stainless Steel
The Typhur Fast Nugget Ice Maker Countertop with Self-Cleaning Pump is designed for anyone who appreciates the unique texture of soft, chewable ice.
If you’ve ever enjoyed that particular style of pebble ice at a restaurant or hospital, you know its appeal—it’s less about just cooling a drink and more about enhancing the entire experience with its crunchy, airy texture that soaks up flavor.
This machine focuses on delivering that next-level chewable nugget ice right in your own kitchen.
It produces up to 35 pounds of this soft, crunchy pellet ice every 24 hours, making it a reliable source for family meals, parties, or just your daily iced coffee. The ice it makes is genuinely easy to chew and excellently at keeping beverages cold without watering them down to quickly.
Totnz Boost Ice Maker with 2.5L Expanding Ice Basket & 1.8L Water Tank, 9 Bullet Ice Cubes in 6 Mins, Ice Maker Countertop with LED Touch Control Self-Cleaning, Ice Machine 2 Ice Sizes
The Totnz Boost Ice Maker is designed for anyone who needs a reliable, high-volume supply of ice without the hassle of a traditional freezer tray or a bulky, installed machine. It’s a compact countertop appliance that prioritizes speed, capacity, and convenience, making it a practical solution for home kitchens, small offices, RVs, or entertaining.
One of its standout features is the expanded 2.5-liter ice basket.
This basket holds roughly nine cups of ice, which is about double what many other portable models can store. This means you’re not constantly having to empty the basket to keep the cycle going. The machine works automatically to keep that basket filled, so you have a ready supply of ice available throughout the day, which is ideal for gatherings or busy households where demand is high. The large 1.8-liter water tank complements this by reducing how often you need to refill it.
You’ll spend significantly less time topping up the water compared to units with smaller reservoirs, which translates to a more consistent ice production, especially important in settings like an RV where you might be away from a water source for a while.
Speed is another key area where this ice maker excels. It can produce its first batch of nine bullet-shaped ice cubes in just six minutes, with a full daily output of up to 26 pounds. This is notably faster than many standard machines.
Midea MERI26B1AGN Countertop Bullet-Ice Maker, 8 Ice Bullets Ready in 6 Minutes, 26lbs/24H, Self-Cleaning Function with Ice Scoop and Basket for Home/Office/RV
The Midea MERI26B1AGN Countertop Bullet-Ice Maker is designed for anyone who needs a reliable supply of ice without the hassle of a traditional freezer tray. It’s a straightforward appliance that focuses on doing one thing very well: making solid, clear ice bullets quickly and efficiently.
This machine’s standout feature is it’s unique ice shape. Instead of cubes, it produces dense, cylindrical “bullet” ice.
These melt slower than regular ice, which is perfect for keeping drinks cold without over-diluting them. You have a choice between two sizes. The small bullets are ideal for quickly cooling down a glass of water or soda. The larger bullets are made for slower consumption, like in a spirit or cocktail, where you want the chill to last without the drink getting watery to fast. It gives you control over your drink’s temperature and strength.
Speed is a major advantage here.
You can have your first batch of 8 ice bullets ready in just 6 minutes. Over a full day, it can produce up to 26 pounds of ice. This capacity means it can easily keep up with the demands of a small gathering, a home office, or a day in the RV. You won’t be waiting around for ice to freeze.
The design prioritizes convenience and space-saving. Its compact footprint means it tucks neatly onto a kitchen counter, a bar cart, or a small office kitchenette without dominating the area.
Ice Maker 36Lbs/24H Countertop Ice Maker Machine with Soft Chewable Ice, Self-Cleaning, Compact Design, One Key Operation Small Portable Stainless Steel Machine for Home/Kitchen/Bar
The Ice Maker 36Lbs/24H Countertop Ice Maker Machine is designed to be a straightforward and reliable source of ice for your daily needs. It produces up to 36 pounds of ice every 24 hours, which means you’ll have a steady supply for gatherings, family meals, or just your personal use. The first batch of soft, chewable ice cubes is ready in about 7 minutes, so you don’t have to wait long to chill your favorite beverage.
It’s a practical solution if you find your refrigerator’s ice production too slow or insufficient. One of the key features of this machine is the type of ice it makes. It produces soft, chewable ice cubes. These cubes are less dense than traditional hard ice, which means they cool drinks quickly without diluting them too fast. They also have a pleasant texture that many people prefer.
Because the ice is softer, it tends to absorb the flavors of your drink more readily, which can enhance the taste of your iced coffee, soda, or homemade cocktail. It’s a small detail that makes a noticeable difference in your drink experience. Space is often a concern in kitchens, and this ice maker adresses that with its compact design. Measuring just 8.6 by 11.3 by 12.6 inches, it has a small footprint that fits easily on a countertop, in a dorm room, on a bar cart, or even in an RV.
Soft Ice Maker Buying Guide
That creamy, dreamy texture you get from a shop is now possible at home. A soft ice maker is a countertop appliance that freezes and churns a liquid mix into soft-serve ice cream or frozen yogurt. You pour your base in, and in minutes, you’ve got a swirl of fresh, customizable dessert. The key things to consider are how much it makes, how quickly it works, and how easy it is to clean.
Capacity and Output Speed
Think about how many people you’re usually serving. Smaller units might hold enough for two or three servings, which is perfect for a couple. Larger families will want a bigger bowl. Also, check teh ‘time to treat’ spec. Some models can take over half an hour, while others promise results in 15-20 minutes. If you’ve got impatient kids (or you’re the impatient one!), faster is better.
Ease of Cleaning
This is a huge one, honestly. Soft serve machines have moving parts that touch sticky, sugary mix. Look for a model where the freezing cylinder and dasher are removable and dishwasher safe. If you have to hand-wash intricate pieces, you might use the machine less than you think. A simple cleanup routine means you’ll actually enjoy using it again tomorrow.
Versatility and Consistency
Can it handle different types of treats? Most make soft-serve ice cream, but check if it’s also good for frozen yogurt, sorbet, or even dairy-free options. The machine’s power and churning mechanism affect the final texture. You want a smooth, consistent swirl, not a icy or grainy one. Reading reviews can really help here to see what real results look like.
Size and Storage
These aren’t tiny appliances. Measure your counter space and think about where you’ll store it if you don’t leave it out. Some have more vertical designs, while others are wider. Also, check the cord length—it might not reach your outlet if you have limited counter space near the wall. A little planning prevents a big headache later.
Frequently Asked Questions About Soft Ice Maker
What is soft serve ice cream?
Soft serve is a lighter, airier version of regular ice cream. It’s served at a slightly warmer temperature, which gives it that smooth, creamy texture right from the machine.
How does a home soft ice maker work?
It freezes and churns a pre-made ice cream mix. You pour the mix into a freezing cylinder. A dasher inside spins, incorporating air and preventing ice crystals. In about 20-40 minutes, you have fresh soft serve ready to dispense.
What kind of mix do I need?
You need a specific soft serve mix, which you can often find at grocery stores or online. Some machines can also handle thicker pre-made ice creams, but check your manual. Using the wrong type can damage the machine.
Is it hard to clean?
Not really! Most parts that touch the mix are removable. You usually just need to rinse them with warm water. A deeper clean with a mild soap is recommended after every few uses to keep it running great.
Can I make other frozen treats?
Yes, many models can. With the right mix or recipe, you can make frozen yogurt, sorbet, or even gelato. The texture might vary a bit, but it’s a fun way to experiment.
How much counter space does it take?
They’re pretty compact, similar to a standard coffee maker or toaster oven. It’s good to measure your space before you buy, and remember you’ll need some room above for the lid to open.
Is it noisy when it runs?
It makes a whirring sound while churning, like a blender on a low setting. It’s not silent, but it’s usually not loud enough to interrupt a conversation in the same room.
How long does the ice cream stay soft?
It’s best served immediately. If you leave it in the machine’s cylinder, it will eventually harden. For storing leftovers, transfer it to an airtight container in your freezer. It will become more like traditional hard ice cream.
The Short Answer
So, is a soft ice maker right for you? It really comes down to how much you enjoy that specific treat. If you find yourself buying it often or wishing for it at home, then it could be a great fit. It’s a simple appliance that does one job very well. You just add your mix, press a button, and in minutes, you’ve got a fresh serving. It’s that straightforward.
Think of it as a fun addition for casual treats, not a replacement for a full ice cream maker. The convenience is the main draw. For a quick dessert or a fun activity with family, a soft ice maker delivers. Just remember to manage your expectations, clean it right away, and you’ll be set for many sweet moments ahead.