An ice making machine is an independent appliance that does not attach to your fridge or freezer; instead, it sits on your countertop and stands alone to produce large amounts of ice. You’ll also find ice makers that have a built-in freezer, which can hold your ice for you until you’re ready to use it.

When shopping for an ice maker, consider your day-to-day needs. If you’re a home bartender or a regular iced coffee drinker, for example, you’ll want one that makes a lot of small cubes quickly. If you enjoy tropical drinks or mixed cocktails, look for a model that produces nugget ice, which melts slower than standard cubes. Some ice makers even let you select the shape of each individual cube.

A great feature to look for is an easy-to-use control panel and a transparent bin that shows when the machine is running or filled with fresh ice. The best ice machines also have simple maintenance routines to keep them sanitary and odor-free. That means emptying and cleaning the bin periodically (following the manufacturer’s instructions), as well as flushing the ice maker with water or vinegar to clean its interior.

The Klaris Opal 2.0 is a compact, stylish machine that performed excellently in our testing. It was the only model that produced enough ice for overnight drinking without the clumps of ice that often form from the evaporator, and it made fresh-looking ice that remained chewable in a glass. ice making machine