Countertop vs. Undercounter Ice Maker: A Complete Comparison

Two Types of Ice Makers, One Goal: More Ice

You've decided you want a dedicated ice maker—great choice. But now you're facing a decision: should you get a countertop ice maker or an undercounter one? Both produce ice, but they're very different appliances with different advantages, costs, and installation requirements.

Countertop ice makers are the portable, plug-and-play option. You set them on your counter, pour in water, plug them in, and you have ice in minutes. They're affordable, flexible, and require no installation. But they also need manual water refills and take up counter space.

Undercounter ice makers are the permanent, built-in option. They're installed under your kitchen counter or bar, connected directly to your water line and drain. They produce ice continuously without any manual intervention. But they're expensive and require professional installation.

Which is right for you depends on your kitchen layout, how much ice you need, your budget, and whether you're renting or own your home. In this guide, we compare countertop and undercounter ice makers across every important category to help you make the right choice.

Price and Cost Comparison

Let's start with the biggest difference: price. Countertop and undercounter ice makers are in completely different price brackets.

**Countertop Ice Makers**: - Budget models: $80-$130 - Mid-range: $130-$200 - Premium/high-capacity: $200-$350 - Average: ~$150

Countertop ice makers are genuinely affordable. You can get a perfectly good one for $100-$150, and even the highest-capacity models top out at around $300. This makes them a low-risk purchase—if you decide you don't use it much, you haven't wasted much money.

**Undercounter Ice Makers**: - Entry-level: $400-$800 - Mid-range: $800-$1,500 - Commercial-grade: $1,500-$3,000+ - Average: ~$800-$1,000

Undercounter ice makers are a significant investment. Even the cheapest models cost several times more than a good countertop unit. On top of the purchase price, you'll need to pay for installation, which adds another $100-$300 to the total cost.

**Total Cost of Ownership**: Countertop: $150 upfront + $20/year in cleaning supplies + replace every 3-5 years Undercounter: $800 upfront + $200 installation + $30/year maintenance + replace every 7-10 years

Over 10 years, a countertop ice maker might cost $400-$500 total (including replacements), while an undercounter might cost $1,200-$1,500. That's a big difference—enough to buy multiple countertop machines for the price of one undercounter.

Installation and Setup

This is where the two types diverge most dramatically.

**Countertop Ice Makers**: Literally plug and play. Take it out of the box, set it on your counter, add water, plug it in, and press start. That's it. No tools, no plumber, no modifications to your kitchen. You can be making ice 10 minutes after unboxing.

The only "setup" consideration is finding a spot with access to an electrical outlet and a few inches of clearance around the machine for ventilation. That's it. You can also easily move it—take it to the backyard for parties, bring it to a friend's house, or store it when not in use.

**Undercounter Ice Makers**: These are built-in appliances that require proper installation. You'll need: - A dedicated 110V electrical outlet under the counter - A cold water supply line connection - A drain line connection (gravity drain or pump drain) - A properly sized cutout in your cabinetry (usually 15" wide, 34" tall, 24" deep) - Professional installation in most cases

If you're building a new kitchen or doing a remodel, adding an undercounter ice maker is straightforward—you just plan for it in the design. But if you're retrofitting into an existing kitchen, it's more complex. You might need to modify cabinetry, run new water lines, and install a drain pump if there's no nearby drain.

Installation costs range from $100 for a simple setup to $500+ for more complex installations with cabinet modifications. It's definitely not a weekend DIY project unless you're very handy with plumbing and carpentry.

**Renting?** Forget undercounter. Go countertop.

Ice Production and Capacity

How do they compare when it comes to making ice? The answer might surprise you.

**Countertop Ice Makers**: - Daily production: 26-50 lbs/day - First batch: 6-15 minutes - Storage basket: 1.5-3 lbs - Ice type: Almost always bullet ice; some nugget models available

Wait—countertop models make MORE ice per day than many undercounter models? It's true. High-capacity countertop models like the NewAir AI-215R produce 50 pounds of ice per day, which is more than most entry-level undercounter models (which typically produce 25-50 lbs/day).

But there's a catch: countertop models have small ice baskets (2-3 lbs) that need to be emptied regularly. The machine stops making ice when the basket is full. If you don't transfer ice to your freezer, you only get 2-3 pounds at a time, even though the machine could make 50 pounds in a day.

**Undercounter Ice Makers**: - Daily production: 25-100+ lbs/day - First batch: 15-30 minutes - Storage bin: 5-25 lbs (insulated) - Ice type: Cube, bullet, or nugget depending on model

Undercounter models have much larger, insulated storage bins, so you always have ice ready to go. They also run continuously because they're connected to a water line—no waiting for refills. Even though the daily production number might be similar, the practical availability of ice is higher with undercounter models because of the larger bin and continuous operation.

For most households (2-4 people), a countertop model provides more than enough ice. For large families or people who entertain frequently, undercounter models have the advantage of more stored ice ready at any time.

Convenience and Daily Use

Day to day, which type is more convenient? It depends on what you consider "convenient."

**Countertop Convenience Factors**: - **Setup**: Instant. Unbox and go. - **Water refilling**: Required. How often depends on usage—maybe daily for heavy use, weekly for light use. - **Ice availability**: Limited by basket size. You may need to transfer ice to your freezer if you need a lot. - **Flexibility**: You can move it anywhere, anytime. Take it outside, to a party, to the garage. - **Cleaning**: Easy to access and clean. Self-cleaning functions common. - **Counter space**: Takes up valuable counter real estate.

**Undercounter Convenience Factors**: - **Setup**: Requires professional installation, but once it's done, it's done. - **Water refilling**: Never! Connected directly to water line. - **Ice availability**: Always ready. Just open the bin and scoop. - **Flexibility**: Permanently installed. Where it goes, it stays. - **Cleaning**: Can be harder to access since it's built in. - **Counter space**: Saves counter space—it's under the counter!

The biggest daily convenience difference is the water connection. With a countertop model, someone has to remember to refill the water. With undercounter, it just works. For busy households or people who hate maintenance, that's a huge plus.

On the other hand, countertop models offer flexibility you can't get from a built-in. Want ice at your outdoor party? Grab the countertop machine. Going on a trip? Stash it in a cabinet. Moving to a new apartment? Bring it with you.

At the end of the day, both are convenient in different ways. It's a trade-off between always-ready reliability and affordable flexibility.

Durability and Lifespan

You're investing in an appliance—how long will it last?

**Countertop Ice Makers**: - Expected lifespan: 2-5 years with proper care - Warranty: Usually 1 year - Build quality: Consumer-grade, mostly plastic exteriors - Common failure points: Water pumps, sensors, compressor after heavy use

Countertop ice makers are consumer appliances designed for light to moderate use. They're well-built for their price point, but they're not designed for 24/7 commercial use. With regular cleaning and reasonable use (8-12 hours a day), most will last 3-4 years. Budget models tend to fail sooner, while higher-end models from reputable brands last longer.

The good news: since they only cost $100-$200, replacing one every few years is financially manageable for most people.

**Undercounter Ice Makers**: - Expected lifespan: 5-10 years with proper care - Warranty: Typically 1-2 years, sometimes up to 5 years for the compressor - Build quality: Commercial-grade, stainless steel exteriors, better components - Common failure points: Water inlet valves, drain pumps, condensers

Undercounter ice makers are built to last longer. They use higher-quality compressors, better insulation, and more durable components because they're designed for permanent installation and heavy use. Commercial-grade models from brands like Manitowoc and Scotsman can last 10+ years with proper maintenance.

That said, repairs on undercounter models are more expensive. A compressor replacement might cost $400-$600 for parts and labor—half the price of a new mid-range countertop machine. With countertop models, it's often cheaper to just replace the whole machine than to repair it.

**Bottom line**: Undercounter models last longer, but repairs cost more. Countertop models have shorter lifespans but are cheap to replace.

Who Should Buy Which?

Based on all the comparisons, here's our guidance:

**Choose a Countertop Ice Maker If:** - You're on a budget ($300 or less) - You rent your home or apartment - You want flexibility and portability - You have limited space but available counter space - You're not sure how much you'll use it (low-risk test) - You only need ice for 2-4 people - You want to be able to move it for parties or events - You don't want to deal with installation or plumbing

**Choose an Undercounter Ice Maker If:** - You own your home and have a permanent spot for it - You want a continuous, hands-off ice supply - You're doing a kitchen remodel or building a home bar - You have a large family or entertain frequently - You want to save counter space - You're willing to spend $500-$1,500 for a premium appliance - You want something that will last 5-10+ years - You hate the thought of refilling water reservoirs

**Still on the fence?** We recommend starting with a countertop ice maker. For $100-$200, it's a low-risk way to figure out whether you actually use enough ice to justify a more expensive undercounter model. Many people buy a countertop ice maker, use it daily, and never feel the need to upgrade. The convenience of portability and the low price more than make up for having to refill the water occasionally.

If after a year or two you find yourself refilling the water multiple times a day and still running out of ice, then you know you're a candidate for an undercounter model. At that point, the higher cost will feel justified because you already know you'll use it every day.

Final Verdict

Countertop and undercounter ice makers serve the same basic purpose but in very different ways. There's no one "better" choice—it depends entirely on your situation.

For most people, a **countertop ice maker** is the right choice. It's affordable, requires no installation, and provides all the ice most households need. The **Frigidaire EFIC189** is our top pick, offering a great balance of price, performance, and features. If you need more capacity, the **NewAir AI-215R** produces an impressive 50 pounds per day.

For homeowners with permanent kitchen or bar setups who want a continuous, hands-off ice supply, an **undercounter ice maker** is worth the investment. The **EdgeStar IB450SS** is a solid mid-range option with a stainless steel finish and reliable performance.

Our advice: Start with countertop. If you find yourself wishing for more ice and a water line connection, you can always upgrade to undercounter later. But for 80% of people, a good countertop ice maker is all they'll ever need—and they'll wonder how they ever lived without it.

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