TRENDING ON AMAZON
Frigidaire EFIC117-SS Countertop Ice Maker Review: Is It Worth It?
26 pounds of ice a day, first cubes in 7 minutes, no plumbing — the countertop ice maker that ends running out of ice at parties.
Illustrative image — see Amazon for the actual product.
Our verdict
The Frigidaire EFIC117 is the smart-money countertop ice maker — cheap enough to be a no-brainer for entertaining, reliable enough to last 4-5 years, and fast enough (7-minute first batch) to solve the 'ran out of ice at the party' problem. For most homes and RVs, it's the right pick.
The short version
The Frigidaire EFIC117-SS is the countertop ice maker most people should buy — cheap, reliable, no plumbing required, and it produces 26 lbs of bullet-shaped ice per 24 hours starting with the first cubes in about 7 minutes. Pour water in the reservoir, plug it in, hit the button, and 7 minutes later you have your first batch of 9 bullet-shaped ice cubes. Two size options (small or large bullets), a top-window so you can see when it's done, and simple push-button controls make it something anyone can operate. The trade-offs are honest: bullet ice melts faster than fridge-freezer ice cubes, the reservoir needs refilling every couple of batches, and long-term durability is closer to 3-5 years than 10. For entertaining, RVs, offices, dorms, boats, and homes where the fridge ice maker can't keep up — this is the pick.
Pros & cons
Pros
- First ice in 7 minutes — no waiting
- 26 lbs of ice per 24 hours
- No plumbing — just fill water reservoir
- Two ice sizes (small or large bullets)
- Compact enough for countertop use
- Cheapest legitimate portable ice maker on Amazon
Cons
- Bullet ice melts faster than cube ice
- Water reservoir needs refilling every ~2 hours of use
- Long-term durability is 3-5 years, not decade+
Why people love it
Fill and press
Pour up to 2 liters of water into the top-loaded reservoir, plug in, and press the ice size button — no water line, no drain hookup, no plumbing.
7-minute first batch
Metal probes are dipped into the water bath, water freezes onto them into bullet shapes, and the ice releases into a top storage basket — the first 9 cubes drop in around 7 minutes.
Continuous production
As you use ice, meltwater drains back into the reservoir (no waste), and the unit continues producing new ice until the storage basket is full or you press stop.
Who it's for
- Frequent entertainers who run out of freezer ice
- RV, boat, dorm and office use
- Homes without built-in fridge ice maker
- Small kitchens where a plumbed ice maker isn't an option
Do you actually need a countertop ice maker? When it's genuinely useful.
Most homes with a fridge that has a built-in ice maker don't need a countertop unit — the fridge produces plenty of ice for daily drinking and occasional cocktails. The countertop ice maker is a specific solution for specific problems: (1) entertaining more than 4-6 people at once (parties run out of freezer ice fast), (2) fridges without built-in ice makers (older appliances, rentals, small apartments), (3) mobile use (RV, boat, camper), (4) office kitchens where the fridge is small, (5) situations where you want fresh ice on demand (bar setups, catering, home bar).
If your only use is 'my fridge ice maker sometimes runs out during a barbecue,' consider whether the countertop ice maker will actually solve the problem. Bullet ice melts faster than fridge cubes, so parties still consume ice quickly — but at 26 pounds per 24 hours production rate, you can keep up as long as you keep the water reservoir filled. For weekly entertaining and hosting, the countertop ice maker is a $100-150 fix for the 'ran out of ice' problem. For occasional use, buying a bag of ice from the store is cheaper and easier.
Frigidaire EFIC117 vs premium alternatives: is the cheapest countertop ice maker good enough?
The countertop ice maker market has three tiers. Budget ($90-120): Frigidaire EFIC117, Igloo ICEB26HN, hOmeLabs 26-lb — all similar-spec bullet ice makers with 26-28 lb daily production, 6-9 minute first batch, 2-liter reservoirs. All work well; the Frigidaire tends to be the reliability leader based on Amazon review distribution but the differences are small. Mid-tier ($150-250): larger units with 40+ pound daily production, some with self-cleaning cycles, some with cube ice instead of bullet — better if you're a heavy user. Premium ($500+): GE Profile Opal for pellet ice, or the plumbed under-counter units that need a water line install.
For most buyers, the budget tier is genuinely sufficient. The Frigidaire EFIC117 does what a countertop ice maker should do — produces plenty of ice quickly for parties, RVs, offices — at a price point where replacing it after 4-5 years is affordable. The mid-tier and premium units make sense only for heavier commercial-adjacent use or specific ice-texture preferences. Buy the cheap unit unless you have a specific reason to upgrade.
How to keep a countertop ice maker working (and the maintenance that extends its life)
The most common failure modes for portable ice makers are (a) mineral scale buildup from tap water clogging the water pump or gumming up the ice-release mechanism, (b) compressor overheating from vents being blocked or the unit running 24/7 without breaks, and (c) meltwater growing slime or bacteria in the reservoir if the unit sits idle with water in it. All three are preventable. Descale monthly with a 50/50 water/distilled white vinegar cycle — fill the reservoir, run a full ice production cycle, discard the ice (don't use for drinks; that batch is vinegar-flavored), then rinse thoroughly with fresh water and run one more clean cycle.
Keep the unit's vents clear — most units have vents on the back or sides, and dust accumulation causes overheating. Wipe with a slightly damp cloth or use compressed air quarterly. If you'll be away for more than a few days, drain the reservoir completely — standing water in a warm unit grows biofilm within a week. To drain: unplug, remove any ice, tilt the unit and use the drain plug (usually on the underside) to empty completely. When storing for the season, run a vinegar cycle, drain, and wipe interior dry with a soft cloth. Follow these steps and your ice maker will consistently last 5+ years instead of 2-3.
See Frigidaire Ice Maker on Amazon
Check the latest price, photos and buyer reviews on Amazon.
Check Price on Amazon →Sold and shipped by AmazonFrequently asked questions
Frigidaire EFIC117 vs GE Profile Opal vs Sonic-style pellet ice makers: which one?
Different products for different use. Frigidaire EFIC117 makes bullet ice (small hollow cylinders) — cheapest option, fastest first-batch, great for general drinks, ice buckets, coolers. GE Profile Opal makes nugget/pellet ice (like Sonic or Chick-fil-A) — the softer chewy ice people specifically crave, but 3-4× the price, larger footprint, and requires more maintenance. Bullet ice is fine for most drinks — cools quickly, holds up decently in cocktails, works in coolers. Pellet ice is a specific texture preference that some people become obsessive about. Pick Frigidaire if you just want ice fast and cheap. Pick Opal if you specifically love chewy pellet ice and don't mind paying 4× the price.
Does the ice melt fast? How does it compare to fridge ice?
Yes, bullet ice melts noticeably faster than fridge-freezer cubes — that's the trade-off of the fast production time. Bullet ice is hollow and has more surface area exposed, so it cools drinks slightly faster but also melts within 20-30 minutes at room temperature (vs 45-60 for solid cube ice). For immediate drink cooling and short entertaining windows, this is fine. For long-term ice storage (a party running 3-4 hours), transfer produced ice to a freezer bag and store in the freezer, then serve fresh. The ice maker keeps producing more so you don't run out.
How often do I refill the water reservoir?
Every 2-3 hours of continuous production. The 2-liter reservoir holds enough water for about 3-4 batches (roughly 3-4 pounds of ice). For all-day entertaining, you'll refill every couple of hours or set up next to the sink for easy topping-off. The unit alerts you (LED indicator) when water is low and pauses production. Meltwater from the ice basket drains back into the reservoir, so you're not losing water — only refilling as ice is consumed.
How loud is it during operation?
Moderate — around 50-55 dB, similar to a normal home dishwasher or refrigerator compressor. Not silent, but not disruptive. During ice-drop cycles (every 7-10 minutes), you'll hear a mechanical clank as the fresh ice releases into the basket, which is louder than the continuous compressor hum. If you're using it in a bedroom, kitchen, or living room during quiet times, expect to hear it. For garages, kitchens during meal prep, or outdoor use, the noise level is unremarkable.
How long does it last? Is durability good?
With normal home use, expect 3-5 years of daily use before mechanical issues. Compressor failure is the most common eventual problem; some units last 7-10+ years, others fail earlier. The relatively short lifespan reflects the price — portable ice makers use commercial-grade compressors in a consumer-priced package, and the smaller units run hotter and more constantly than a fridge freezer. To extend life: don't run it 24/7 continuously (give it 20-30 minute breaks between batches when not actively needed), keep the exterior vents clear (dust buildup causes overheating), and clean the interior monthly with distilled white vinegar to prevent mineral scale.
Do I need to use distilled water?
No, but it helps. Regular tap water works fine and is what most people use. The trade-off: tap water often has mineral content that leaves scale deposits inside the unit over time, gradually reducing ice production speed and eventually clogging the pump. Filtered water (pitcher filter) reduces this significantly. Distilled water eliminates the problem entirely but adds cost and hassle. Best practice: use filtered water if available, and run a distilled white vinegar cleaning cycle once every 1-2 months (fill reservoir with 50/50 water and white vinegar, run through a full ice cycle, discard the ice and rinse). This extends the ice maker's productive life significantly and keeps ice tasting clean.
As an Amazon Associate, TopCrate earns from qualifying purchases at no extra cost to you. The image above is illustrative; price, availability and current ratings are shown on Amazon and are subject to change.
