An undercounter ice maker is a built-in or freestanding machine, usually 15 inches wide and about 34 inches tall, that fits under a standard counter and makes ice continuously from a water line. Unlike a countertop ice maker it does not need refilling, and unlike the ice maker in a fridge it can produce tens of pounds a day and store a meaningful bin of ice for entertaining.
The decisions that matter are the ice type (clear cubes, crescent cubes or chewable nugget ice), daily production and bin capacity, whether the unit is front-vented so it can be fully built in, how it drains, and whether it is rated for outdoor use. This guide compares 10 current models and explains how to pick the right one for a kitchen, bar, patio or office.
What is the best undercounter ice maker? For most home bars and kitchens a built-in clear-cube or nugget ice maker from an established appliance brand with a front vent and a drain pump is the best-equipped choice. Pick nugget ice if you want chewable pellets, clear cube if you want cocktail-grade ice, and check whether the unit needs a gravity drain or includes a pump before you buy.
In short: match the ice type to how you will use it, make sure the unit is front-vented if it goes in a cabinet run, and settle the drain question before it arrives.
Undercounter ice makers need a cold water supply and nearly all need a drain, either by gravity to a floor drain or through a built-in or add-on pump. If you only need ice occasionally, a countertop machine is cheaper and needs no plumbing; see our guide to the best blenders for protein shakes if crushed-ice drinks are the main goal, and the best top freezer refrigerators if a basic in-fridge ice maker would do.
This guide was written by researching product listings and manufacturer details, not by testing each ice maker ourselves. Below you will find our top three, how we chose, a comparison table, ten picks with honest pros and cons, a buying guide, tips and answers to common questions.
Recommended Undercounter Ice Makers
As an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases. These are research-based picks, not products we have tested. How we choose.
Our Top 3 Picks
BEST OVERALL Hoshizaki AM-50BAJ Gourmet Ice Maker with Bin, 51 lb/Day. A commercial-grade Hoshizaki gourmet ice maker with an integrated bin, air cooled, rated at 51 pounds per day. The premium pick for clear, slow-melting cocktail ice.
BEST VALUE EUHOMY 15 in Under Counter Ice Maker, 90 lb/Day, 24 lb Bin. A 15-inch stainless EUHOMY unit rated at 90 pounds per day with a 24-pound bin, gravity drain, 24-hour timer and auto-cleaning, usable freestanding or built in.
BEST NUGGET EUHOMY Under Counter Nugget Ice Maker, 70 lb/Day, Silver. EUHOMY’s under counter nugget machine, listed at 70 pounds per day with double ice baskets, self-cleaning and a 24-hour timer, in a silver finish for home use.
How We Chose These Products
We started from Amazon listings for undercounter and built-in ice makers and kept units designed to install under a counter with a water line, rather than countertop machines. We limited the list to two products per brand and covered the three main ice types, nugget, clear cube and crescent, plus at least one outdoor-rated unit. We did not rank by star rating because listings in this category are often thin or shared across sizes; we leaned on listed daily output, bin capacity, venting, drain requirements and outdoor rating.
Comparison Table
| Pick | Ice type and daily output | Best for |
|---|---|---|
| Hoshizaki AM-50BAJ Gourmet Ice Maker with Bin, 51 lb/Day | Gourmet clear cube, 51 lb/day | Home bars that want bar-quality ice |
| EUHOMY 15 in Under Counter Ice Maker, 90 lb/Day, 24 lb Bin | Cube ice, 90 lb/day, gravity drain | High output at a consumer price |
| EUHOMY Under Counter Nugget Ice Maker, 70 lb/Day, Silver | Nugget ice, 70 lb/day | Chewable nugget ice at home |
| ICEPURE 15 in Under Counter Ice Maker with Drain Pump and Filter | Cube ice, drain pump and filter included | Installs without a floor drain |
| Coolake 15 in Undercounter Nugget Ice Maker, 100 lb/Day, Outdoor | Nugget ice, 100 lb/day, outdoor | Outdoor kitchens and patio bars |
| Coolake 15 in Under Counter Ice Maker, 130 lb/Day, 30 lb Bin | Cube ice, 130 lb/day, 30 lb bin | Large parties and small businesses |
| EdgeStar 15 in Built-In Ice Maker, 15 lb/Day, No Drain Required | Cube ice, 15 lb/day, no drain | Spots with no drain access |
| COTLIN 15 in Drainless Under Counter Ice Maker, 22 lb Bin | Cube ice, drainless, 22 lb bin | Rentals and basement bars |
| Mojgar Undercounter Nugget Ice Maker, 80 lb/Day, Drain Pump | Nugget ice, 80 lb/day, drain pump | Nugget ice without a floor drain |
| COSTWAY 15 in Under Counter Commercial Ice Maker, 110 lb/Day | Cube ice, 110 lb/day | High output on a budget |
The 10 Best Undercounter Ice Makers
1. Hoshizaki AM-50BAJ Gourmet Ice Maker with Bin, 51 lb/Day
BEST OVERALL
Hoshizaki is a commercial ice-machine maker whose units turn up behind bars and in restaurants, and the AM-50BAJ is its small gourmet-ice unit with a built-in bin. Gourmet ice is a dense, clear, slow-melting cube that is prized for cocktails and spirits. The air-cooled design means no water-cooling connection, and the listed output is 51 pounds per 24 hours, which is plenty for a serious home bar.
Best for: Home bars that want bar-quality ice
2. EUHOMY 15 in Under Counter Ice Maker, 90 lb/Day, 24 lb Bin
BEST VALUE
EUHOMY has become one of the most common names in consumer undercounter ice makers. This 15-inch stainless model is listed at 90 pounds per 24 hours with a 24-pound bin, and it can stand alone or be built in. It uses gravity drainage, so you need a floor drain or an add-on pump, and it includes a 24-hour timer and an auto-cleaning cycle.
Best for: High output at a consumer price
3. EUHOMY Under Counter Nugget Ice Maker, 70 lb/Day, Silver
BEST NUGGET
Nugget ice has become the most requested style for home bars and this EUHOMY unit brings it to an undercounter format. It is listed at 70 pounds per day and ships with double ice baskets so you can lift one out while the other fills. Self-cleaning and a 24-hour timer are included and it can be built in or left freestanding.
Best for: Chewable nugget ice at home
4. ICEPURE 15 in Under Counter Ice Maker with Drain Pump and Filter
ICEPURE is better known for water filters, and this 15-inch undercounter unit leans on that: it ships with a drain pump and a filter in the box. That combination solves the two most common install headaches at once, no floor drain and hard water. It is a sensible choice for a kitchen island or bar where the only drain is a sink several feet away.
Best for: Installs without a floor drain
5. Coolake 15 in Undercounter Nugget Ice Maker, 100 lb/Day, Outdoor
BEST OUTDOOR
Coolake’s outdoor-marketed nugget machine is listed at 100 pounds per day with double ice baskets, a stainless body and gravity drainage, and it can be built in or freestanding. The outdoor positioning makes it a candidate for a covered patio bar or outdoor kitchen, though you should still confirm the temperature range in the manual. Pebble-style nugget ice is a crowd pleaser for backyard parties.
Best for: Outdoor kitchens and patio bars
6. Coolake 15 in Under Counter Ice Maker, 130 lb/Day, 30 lb Bin
The highest-output pick here, this Coolake cube machine is listed at 130 pounds per day with a 30-pound storage bin, adjustable ice thickness, self-cleaning and gravity drainage. It is sized for people who entertain a lot or run a small cafe or office kitchen. Adjustable thickness lets you make thinner cubes for faster batches or thicker ones for slower melting.
Best for: Large parties and small businesses
7. EdgeStar 15 in Built-In Ice Maker, 15 lb/Day, No Drain Required
BEST NO-DRAIN
EdgeStar’s compact built-in is the one to look at if you cannot run a drain at all. It is listed at 15 pounds per day with a 12-pound bin and no drain required, which makes it closer to a built-in version of a countertop machine. Output is modest, so it suits a home office, a wet bar used occasionally or a small kitchen rather than a party house.
Best for: Spots with no drain access
8. COTLIN 15 in Drainless Under Counter Ice Maker, 22 lb Bin
COTLIN’s drainless 15-inch unit takes the same no-plumbing-drain approach as the EdgeStar but with a larger 22-pound storage bin. Drainless designs recirculate meltwater rather than sending it to a drain, so installation needs only a water line and an outlet. It is a practical choice for a basement bar or a rental where cutting into plumbing is not an option.
Best for: Rentals and basement bars
9. Mojgar Undercounter Nugget Ice Maker, 80 lb/Day, Drain Pump
Mojgar’s undercounter nugget maker is listed at 80 pounds per day and ships with a drain pump included, which is the combination many people want: chewable nugget ice without needing a floor drain. It sits between the EUHOMY and Coolake nugget machines on output and solves the drain question out of the box.
Best for: Nugget ice without a floor drain
10. COSTWAY 15 in Under Counter Commercial Ice Maker, 110 lb/Day
COSTWAY’s 15-inch commercial-style unit is listed at 110 pounds per day in a silver and black finish. It is positioned for both home and light commercial use and offers a lot of output for the money. Like most high-output cube machines it uses a gravity drain, so plan for a floor drain or an add-on pump.
Best for: High output on a budget
How to Choose an Undercounter Ice Maker
An undercounter ice maker is a plumbing-connected appliance, so planning the installation is as important as picking the model.
| Factor | What to look for |
|---|---|
| Ice type | Nugget (pellet) ice is soft and chewable. Clear cubes are dense, slow-melting and suit cocktails. Crescent and bullet cubes are faster to make but cloudier. |
| Daily output | Listings quote pounds per 24 hours at ideal conditions. Home bars are fine with 25 to 50 lb; frequent entertaining or an office may want 60 lb or more. |
| Bin capacity | The bin is not a freezer; ice slowly melts and the machine remakes it. A 20 to 30 lb bin is typical. |
| Venting | Front-vented units can be fully built in with zero clearance. Rear-vented freestanding units need space around them. |
| Drain | Gravity drain needs a floor drain below the unit. Otherwise you need a model with a built-in drain pump or an add-on pump. |
| Outdoor rating | Patio and outdoor-kitchen units need an outdoor rating and usually stainless construction to cope with heat and humidity. |
Start with the ice. Nugget machines make soft, chewable pellets that absorb flavor but melt faster and are mechanically more complex. Clear-cube machines freeze water in layers to push impurities out, giving bar-quality ice at a slower pace. Crescent-cube machines are the simplest and cheapest, and the ice is fine for coolers and everyday drinks.
Next, settle the install. You need a cold water line with a shutoff, an outlet, and a drain plan. Many units now include a drain pump, which lets them sit anywhere a sink drain is nearby; gravity-drain models need a floor drain. If the machine goes in a cabinet run it must be front-vented. If it will stand alone in a garage or office, a rear-vented freestanding unit is fine and usually costs less.
Finally, consider water quality. Hard water scales up evaporator plates quickly and leads to cloudy ice and more frequent cleaning. An inline filter is a worthwhile add-on for almost every installation.
Three concrete checks from the picks above: if there is no floor drain, choose a model that ships with a drain pump (the ICEPURE) or a drainless design (the EdgeStar, whose bin also works as a freezer and keeps ice frozen, or the COTLIN) rather than adding a pump later; if the unit will go on a patio, pick the outdoor-rated Coolake nugget model, since the indoor-only units are not built for heat and humidity; and if you want bar-quality clear ice, accept the slower output of the Hoshizaki over the high-volume cube machines.
Buying and Care Tips
- Confirm the drain type before ordering and buy a pump if there is no floor drain.
- Install an inline water filter to reduce scale and improve taste.
- Leave the clearance the manual specifies; even front-vented units need the front grille unobstructed.
- Run a cleaning cycle with the manufacturer-recommended cleaner every few months, more often with hard water.
- Use a scoop, never your hands, to keep the bin sanitary.
- Empty and sanitize the bin if the unit sits unused for more than a few days.
- Replace the inline water filter on the schedule the manual gives, typically every six months, since a clogged filter cuts water flow and output.
- Descale with the cleaner the brand names in its manual (Hoshizaki, for example, specifies its own Scale Away descaler and warns against ammonia-type cleaners) and never mix cleaner and sanitizer.
- On drainless units such as the EdgeStar and COTLIN, keep the front grille and condenser coils dusted, because their refrigeration system also has to keep the stored ice frozen.
Honest Limits
- We did not test these ice makers. The notes come from product listings and manufacturer descriptions.
- Daily output figures are measured under ideal temperature and water conditions and will be lower in a warm room.
- Installation requirements vary by model; check the manual for water pressure, drain and clearance details.
- Prices, sizes and availability change often on Amazon, so check the current listing.
- Some brands sell near-identical units under different model numbers; confirm the exact one you are buying.
- We allowed two EUHOMY and two Coolake units, which is within our two-per-brand limit.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the best undercounter ice maker?
For most home bars a front-vented nugget or clear-cube built-in with a drain pump from an established brand is the best-equipped buy. Choose by ice type and drain needs first.
Do undercounter ice makers need a drain?
Almost all do. Gravity drain models need a floor drain below; others include or accept a drain pump that lifts water to a sink drain.
What is the difference between nugget and clear ice?
Nugget ice is soft, chewable pellet ice. Clear ice is dense, slow-melting cube ice made by freezing in layers, preferred for cocktails.
Can I put an undercounter ice maker outside?
Only if it is rated for outdoor use. Outdoor-rated units are built for heat and humidity; indoor units will underperform and may fail.
How much ice does an undercounter ice maker make?
Typically 25 to 80 pounds per 24 hours depending on the model, with a bin holding 20 to 30 pounds.
Does the bin keep ice frozen?
No. The bin is insulated but not refrigerated. Ice melts slowly and the machine makes more to replace it.
What size is a standard undercounter ice maker?
Most are 15 inches wide and about 34 inches tall to fit under a standard counter. Some are 18 or 24 inches wide.
Do I need a water filter?
It is strongly recommended. Hard water scales the evaporator, clouds the ice and increases cleaning frequency.
Can a freestanding ice maker be built in?
Only if it is front-vented. Rear-vented freestanding units need clearance around them for airflow.
How often should I clean it?
Run a cleaning cycle every three to six months, more often with hard water, and sanitize the bin regularly.
The Bottom Line
For most people, a front-vented nugget ice maker with a drain pump is the most satisfying buy for a home bar, and a clear-cube machine is the pick for cocktail drinkers. Choose a crescent-cube freestanding unit if budget matters more than ice quality, and an outdoor-rated unit for a patio kitchen.
Whatever you choose, settle the drain and water line first, add a filter and run a cleaning cycle before the first party.
Last reviewed: October 22, 2026.