Ice, ice baby: Chill out with this compact cube maker, down to just $80

We probably don’t need to tell you this, but it’s hot out there. We’re talking fry-an-egg-on-the-sidewalk, break-a-sweat-getting-the-mail hot. But the sweltering weather shouldn’t torpedo your summer fun, whether that means backyard barbecues or long days beside the pool. Know what goes well with both those activities, especially during a heat wave? An icy beverage. If your ice maker doesn’t produce enough to keep everyone (and their drinks) chill, consider a countertop ice maker like this one from Free Village. Right now, it’s down to $80.

Amazon

Yo VIP, let’s kick it: Make nine ice cubes in just six minutes, or produce up to 26.5 pounds of ice in 24 hours. That’s a lotta ice, baby. 

$80 at Amazon

Why is it a good deal? 💰

If you’re anything like us, you’ll pay dearly just to stay cool, but a countertop ice maker is useful well beyond a heat wave. You’ll turn to this gizmo for quick ice at every family gathering, and at just $80 with the on-page coupon, it won’t freeze up your budget too much. Most name-brand models go for well over $100, to say nothing of GE’s trendy Profile Opal 2.0 nugget ice maker — that’ll cost you over $500.

Why do I need this? 🤔

You’re not still struggling with flimsy, finicky ice cube trays, are you? In 2024? If so, it’s past time to up your frozen-water game. Add water to this contraption as needed and turn on the switch. That’s it — you’ll have ice in just a few minutes. The transparent window makes it easy to see what’s going on, and you’ll be able to verify that each cube is pure ice, with no stray specks of dirt or anything else inside.

However, what’s even more notable is the barely-there sound. Unlike a lot of freezer-based ice makers, this little machine performs its magic at under 45 decibels — that’s just slightly louder than a library. If you have a hankering for an icy drink late in the evening, you can snag some ice from this machine without bothering anyone else in the house.

Since it weighs just under 15 pounds, it’s portable enough to go wherever you need it. It even has a self-cleaning feature that eliminates the need for scrubbing.

What reviewers say 💬

This ice maker is closing in on 4,000 five-star Amazon reviews from shoppers who are reveling in their frosty new sidekick.

Pros 👍

“I am absolutely 100% obsessed with this ice maker,” one fan said. “It is an absolute game-changer. I am an ice person to my core, 365 days a year. For me, this made my home feel even more relaxing and enjoyable. It cranks out ice. As long as you put it in the bag in the freezer, you will have as much ice as you need. I honestly run it for maybe a couple hours a day, and I have more than enough ice and then put the rest in the freezer to store. I’ve had it for a couple months now and I am so looking forward to summer because I will always have a wonderfully iced beverage. Buy this machine and enjoy!”

“We have a countertop ice maker at work that costs around $700. It makes the best ice, so I was apprehensive about buying a cheaper ice maker for my house,” said another shopper. “… The ice from this one tastes and feels the same as the expensive one.”

“Very easy setup,” wrote a third reviewer. “It produces ice very quickly. It’s very compact, about the size of a coffee maker. If you have a coffee maker, then you’re aware of the ‘add water to make coffee.’ This is very similar. Add water to make ice. It takes up very little space, it makes ice fast.”

Cons 👎

Despite this machine’s relatively low noise rating, some users say it could be quieter.

“It’s easy to use and doesn’t take up a lot of room,” said such a fan. “It is noisy, however. Even after more than a month of use, it’s still hard to get used to the noise it makes. Perhaps I’m oversensitive but that’s my take.”

Agreed a final shopper: “It’s a bit noisy when running.” They also had this note: “The ice is very wet and the cubes stick together when you empty the tray. However, I started putting them in an ice bag and the cubes easily separate when you gently hit the bag.”

Amazon

Word to your mother: Have ice wherever you want it, whenever you want it. Too cold? Hardly.

$80 at Amazon

The reviews quoted above reflect the most recent versions at the time of publication.

If you have Amazon Prime, you’ll get free shipping, of course. Not yet a member? No problem. You can sign up for your free 30-day trial here. (And by the way, those without Prime still get free shipping on orders of $25 or more.)

Looking for more great Amazon home deals? Check these out:

Auto

Vacuums

Kitchen

Home