Ready for cold drinks? An RV ice maker may seem like a luxury camping item, but we think it’s a necessity. You can kick back, relax, and stay hydrated with ice in your favorite drink.
Let’s take a look at which types of ice makers are most convenient for RVing. We’ll introduce you to the top five models.
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Do RV Refrigerators Have Ice Makers?
Some RV refrigerators have ice makers built into the freezer. Both Norcold and Dometic manufacture models with ice makers. You will need water and electricity to run these. Additionally, some RVs come equipped with residential refrigerators that often have ice makers.
If your RV refrigerator doesn’t come with an ice maker – don’t fret! Besides making ice in a freezer tray, there are also portable countertop ice makers that can do the job quite nicely.
How Do Portable Countertop Ice Makers Work?
Portable countertop ice makers plug into any 120V outlet. First, you add water into its reservoir. Then water pumps through a refrigeration cycle to create ice. Ice cubes collect in a storage basket inside the machine. When it reaches capacity, the ice maker will shut off.
Portable countertop RV ice makers work great for camping. Even if you have an ice maker in your refrigerator, a portable one reduces maintenance. Ice makers installed into a fridge can cause problems, such as clogging, which you won’t run into with a countertop version.
How to Choose a Portable RV Ice Maker
We recommend choosing a portable RV ice maker based on your counter size and power draw. Determine how much space you have for it when in use and storage. Get an ice maker with dimensions that fit the allocated space.
You’ll also want to determine when you’ll be using the ice maker. If you are using it only when hooked up to 30 or 50 amp electricity, you won’t need to be too concerned with its power draw.
But if you plan to boondock and use your RV batteries, you’ll need to consider the ice maker’s power draw.
The 5 Best Ice Makers for Your RV
Check out the five best RV ice makers. We based our criteria on the dimensions, power draw, and ice production. Take a look!
1. NewAir Portable Ice Maker
About the NewAir Ice Maker: The NewAir Portable Ice Maker draws 120-volts. It can sit on a countertop measuring 14.5 by 11.75 by 15 inches. It weighs 24.1 lbs.
You can get fresh ice from it in 15 minutes. It makes three sizes of bullet-shaped ice cubes. It can make up to 60 lbs of ice in 24 hours. The Newair Portable RV ice maker has a compact and modern design.
- COMPACT DESIGN - Our Countertop Ice Maker fits neatly on your...
- FAST FREEZING - Need ice quick? The NewAir Countertop Ice Maker...
- 3 ICE SIZES - Choose from small, medium or large bullet ice at...
Notable Feature: The NewAir’s three different ice cube sizes stand out. Additionally, you should note the price for the amount of ice it can produce.
Average Price: $130
2. Igloo Portable Ice Maker
About the Igloo Portable Ice Maker: The Igloo Portable Ice Maker countertop model weighs 20.5 lbs. It measures 9.61 by 14.69 by 12.4 inches. This RV ice maker draws 120-volts of power.
It will produce 26 lbs of ice in 24 hours. It can make nine ice cubes in seven minutes. The basket stores up to 2 lbs of small or large cylinder-shaped ice cubes at a time. LED lights illuminate the control panel, and it has a modern design.
- DESIGNED FOR CONVENIENCE: Portable, convenient and compact in...
- LARGE ICE MAKING CAPACITY: Keep the water tank filled and this...
- WATER TANK CAPACITY: 3 quarts
Notable Feature: The Igloo Portable Ice Maker has five different colors to choose from. This option allows you to match the ice maker with your RV decor.
Average Price: $150
3. Frigidaire Portable Ice Maker
About the Frigidaire Portable Ice Maker: The Frigidaire Portable Ice Maker weighs 19.16 lbs for easy countertop storage. It measures 14.1 by 9.5 by 12.9 inches. Drawing 120-volts of power, it can produce 26 lbs of ice in a day.
Its LED control panel allows you to choose from two ice cube sizes. Cubes will start to drop in the basket after approximately 15 minutes.
- COUNTERTOP ICE MAKER: This 14.1 x 9.5 x 12.9 inches portable...
- FAST AND EASY: A portable ice maker requires no installation -...
- TECHNICAL SPECS: The large viewing window allows you to...
Notable Feature: You may enjoy the LED light display and flawless design of the Frigidaire Portable Ice Maker.
Average Price: $124
4. IKICH Countertop Ice Maker
About the IKICH Ice Maker: The IKICH Countertop Ice Maker weighs 15.65 lbs. It measures 8.7 by 12.3 by 12.6 inches. This model draws 110-volts of power.
This machine can produce 26 lbs of ice in 24 hours and makes nine ice cubes within six minutes. You can choose from two different ice cube sizes. The IKICH is quiet, as it runs on less than 45 dB.
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Notable Feature: The IKICH ice maker offers a 2-year warranty.
Average Price: $130
5. GE Opal Nugget Ice Maker
About the GE Opal Nugget Ice Maker: The GE Opal Nugget Ice Maker weighs 47 lbs. Its dimensions are 17.5 x 13.45 x 16.5 inches, and it draws 120-volts of power.
This RV ice maker’s bin holds 3 lbs of nugget-sized ice at one time and can produce 24 lbs per day. It takes approximately 20 minutes to make ice. This model’s design has a clear ice basket and water reservoir.
- OPAL NUGGET ICE, THE GOOD ICE - Serve up chewable, crunchable,...
- 24 POUNDS OF ICE PER DAY - Never run out of nugget ice; This ice...
- SMART - Built-In Bluetooth Connectivity: Schedule fresh ice,...
Notable Feature: The GE Opal Nugget Ice Maker has built-in Bluetooth connectivity. You can schedule your ice-making and monitor its status through your phone. Unfortunately, these smart features make it rather pricey!
Average Price: $550
Is Buying an Ice Maker for Your RV Worth It?
Do you like to have cold drinks while RVing? Then consider getting an RV ice maker. You can use this portable machine in multiple settings. And it only takes seconds to store away when not in use.
You may just be the life of the campground party if you have an ice maker! Kids and adults enjoy an ice cube that looks like it came from a restaurant, and these portable ice makers produce those perfectly shaped cubes.
Searching for a cooler that will keep your extra ice frozen for several days? We’ve put together a list of your best options here: Best Coolers for Camping and Saving Ice
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Perin Blanchard
Thursday 29th of July 2021
We got a Frigidaire nugget ice maker from Walmart for $280 (the GE seemed way too large - we have a 25' Airstream - and the GE is also significantly more money). No more stopping at Sonic every three days :-)
It's worked well so far on two short (3 day) trips and one long (16 day) trip. We also got a Pelican case for transporting it (the case cost $10 more than the ice maker!).
The draw back of a portable ice maker is you can't leave it set up on the counter while traveling (well, I guess you *could*...). So, unless you're in desperate need of ice it isn't worth breaking out each night when traveling multiple days. We make a couple of drawer fulls of ice at a time and store it in the freezer. (It takes about 3 hours to make a full drawer of ice, which conveniently fits in a gallon ziploc bag; two ziploc bags of ice usually last us 3 days).
Here is a link to the ice maker an Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/FRIGIDAIRE-EFIC235-AMZ-Countertop-Crunchy-Chewable/dp/B08M8VFJ2Z
Mortons on the Move
Thursday 29th of July 2021
Thanks for sharing! You make a good point about not leaving the portable ice maker on the counter while traveling. You'd definitely want a way to secure it if you do. :)