Enjoy soft, perfect ice for your beverages. That’s the promise of a great crushed ice maker, but not all machines deliver. You know the struggle: chunky, uneven ice or, worse, no ice at all when you need it most. A dedicated appliance for this changes everything.
We tested several popular models to find which ones are worth your counter space. From backyard barbecues to quiet evenings with a good book, the right ice can elevate your drink. Let’s see which crushed ice maker can truly become your kitchen’s MVP.
Product Comparison Table: 7 Best Crushed Ice Maker
| Image | Why We Like This Product | Editor’s Rating | |
 |
WIBIMEN Mini Ice Cube Trays, 0.55” Tiny Pebble Ice…
|
9.7 |
Read Review |
 |
WIBIMEN Mini Ice Cube Trays, 0.55” Tiny Pebble Ice…
|
9.5 |
Read Review |
 |
Tovolo Mini Ice Cylinder- Squeeze & Release- Set of…
|
9.2 |
Read Review |
 |
Mini Ice Cube Tray for Freezer: FDDBI Small Ice…
|
9.0 |
Read Review |
 |
Mini Ice Cube Tray for Freezer: GGUW Nugget Ice…
|
8.8 |
Read Review |
 |
Silicone Mini Ice Cube Trays 3 Pack, 160 Crushed…
|
8.5 |
Read Review |
 |
Mini Ice Cube Trays for Freezer with Bin and…
|
8.3 |
Read Review |
Quick Review For Top 7 Crushed Ice Maker
WIBIMEN Mini Ice Cube Trays, 0.55” Tiny Pebble Ice for Iced Coffee & Cocktails, Fast Chill, Easy Twist Release, Stackable with Lid & Storage Bin (4 Pack, Blue)
The WIBIMEN Mini Ice Cube Trays are designed for anyone who prefers their cold drinks with small, chewable ice that doesn’t dominate the glass. This 4-pack set, complete with lids, a storage bin, and a scoop, focuses on solving the common annoyances of making and using pebble ice at home.
Each tray makes tiny 0.55-inch round ice balls. Their small size is the main advantage.
They fit perfectly through the opening of narrow-mouth water bottles and tumblers, so you’re not waiting for a large cube to melt before you can take a sip. They’re also easy to chew, providing that satisfying crunch without being to hard on your teeth. This makes them ideal for iced coffees, where you want cooling without excessive dilution, and for cocktails, where they chill efficiently and mix well.
The design prioritizes simplicity from start to finish.
Filling the trays is straightforward thanks to the included lids. You pour water in, snap the lid on to level the water surface across all the cavities, and place it in the freezer. There’s no need for careful pouring into tiny holes or using special funnels.
WIBIMEN Mini Ice Cube Trays, 0.55” Tiny Pebble Ice for Iced Coffee & Cocktails, Fast Chill, Easy Twist Release, Stackable with Lid & Storage Bin (2 Pack, Blue)
The WIBIMEN Mini Ice Cube Trays are designed for anyone who prefers their cold drinks with small, chewable ice. These trays make 0.55-inch round pebble ice, which is perfect for iced coffee, cocktails, and sodas. The tiny size means the ice chills your drink quickly without watering it down to fast. And because the pebbles are so small, they fit easily into narrow-mouth water bottles and tumblers. No more struggling with a big cube blocking the straw—you get a smooth, cold sip every single time.
Filling these trays is straightforward and mess-free. You simply pour water in, snap the attached lid on top to level the water, and place it in the freezer. There’s no need for special funnels or dealing with tiny holes. The lid also keeps freezer odors out and prevents spills, making the whole process clean and simple for daily use. When your ice is ready, the release system is a clever twist.
For the best results, let the tray sit at room temperature for about 30 to 60 seconds after removing it from the freezer. Then, just give it a gentle twist. The mini ice balls pop out cleanly, most often dropping right into the included storage bin. You get two trays in the pack, plus a storage bin with a scoop. This means you can make and store a good amount of pebble ice at once, which is great for parties or just having a steady supply.
Tovolo Mini Ice Cylinder- Squeeze & Release- Set of 2, 1000422, Gray
The Tovolo Mini Ice Cylinder- Squeeze & Release- Set of 2 is a clever tool designed to make the process of creating small, functional ice simple and space-efficient. This set includes two gray silicone cylinders that utilize a unique squeeze-and-release mechanism. Instead of wrestling with a rigid tray, you just fill the cylinder to the indicated water line, freeze it for four to six hours, give it a quick rinse under warm water, and then gently squeeze.
The flexible silicone contorts, and a stream of perfect mini ice nuggets pop right out into your container. It’s a surprisingly satisfying and frustration-free way to make ice. These aren’t your standard large cubes. The mini ice nuggets it produces have several distinct advantages. Their smaller size means they freeze significantly faster than traditional cubes, getting you ice when you need it without long waits.
Once made, they chill beverages much more rapidly and uniformly, preventing your drink from becoming overly watered down. They’re ideal for fitting through the narrow openings of water bottles and tumblers, and they’re perfect for iced coffees, smoothies, and cocktails where you want quick cooling without a big, slow-melting chunk of ice. Built for convenience and longevity, the cylinders are constructed from a premium, BPA-free silicone that is completely food safe.
Mini Ice Cube Tray for Freezer: FDDBI Small Ice Trays for Freezer with Bin – 117×4PCS Easy Release Nugget Ice Tray – Crushed Ice Tray with Container
The FDDBI Mini Ice Cube Tray with Bin is designed for anyone who prefers small, fast-melting ice. If you’re tired of large cubes that water down drinks or don’t fit in bottle openings, this set focuses on creating pellet-sized ice with straightforward storage.
Each tray makes 117 tiny ice cubes, each about 0.4 inches. Their small size is they’re key feature: they fit easily into narrow water bottle necks, tumblers, and cocktail shakers.
They cool drinks quickly and melt faster than standard cubes, which is ideal for iced coffee, smoothies, or sodas where you want chill without over-diluting. The cubes also add a visual appeal to glasses, making ordinary drinks look more considered.
Freezing and releasing the ice is built to be simple. You fill the trays and freeze them for a few hours. The cube molds are tapered, wider at the top than the bottom.
When frozen, a gentle twist of the flexible tray pops the entire grid of cubes out at once. The plastic material is soft enough to flex but sturdy, preventing cubes from sticking and breaking. Cleanup is easy as both the trays and the included scoop are dishwasher safe for convenience.
The set includes a large storage bin, which is a central part of its utility. Once you release the cubes, you transfer them into this container.
Mini Ice Cube Tray for Freezer: GGUW Nugget Ice Cube Tray with Bin – Crushed Ice Tray Making 4×108 PCS Icecube – Easy Release Iced Maker Trays
The GGUW Nugget Ice Cube Tray with Bin is designed for anyone who appreciates a well-chilled drink. If you find that standard ice cubes melt to quickly and dilute your beverages, this system offers a practical solution. It focuses on creating a large quantity of small, nugget-style ice that cools effectively without watering down your favorite drinks to much.
At the core of this set is the easy release mini ice cube tray.
Its made from a durable, rigid plastic that many users find more reliable than floppy silicone trays. To release the ice, you simply flap the tray and give it a gentle twist. This action cleanly pops out 108 perfectly formed mini cubes per tray. The set includes four identical trays, allowing you to produce up to 432 nuggets in one freezing cycle.
These little cubes are ideal for cocktails, iced coffee, smoothies, and they fit easily into water bottle openings.
Using the trays is straightforward. You fill each one with water, place it in your freezer, and wait for the ice to fully set, which typically takes 4 to 6 hours. A helpful note: if you stack multiple trays directly on top of each other in the freezer, the middle ones will take longer to freeze. So for fastest results, its best not to stack them if you need ice quickly.
Silicone Mini Ice Cube Trays 3 Pack, 160 Crushed Ice Cube Molds Easy Release Small Ice Cube for Chilling Whiskey Cocktail, Kitchen Gadgets Stackable Ice Trays, Specialty Accessories Tool for Freezer
The LeeYean Silicone Mini Ice Cube Trays 3 Pack is designed for anyone who appreciates a properly chilled drink without the dilution of standard ice. These trays produce 160 tiny, square cubes per tray, which is perfect for situations where you want to cool your beverage quickly without watering it down to much.
Made from certified food-grade silicone, the material is flexible, durable, and completely safe for contact with your food and drinks.
This means you can confidently use the cubes not just for your whiskey or cocktail, but also for freezing baby food purees, creating chocolate bites, or adding to a smoothie. The small size of the cubes makes them safe for kids and ideal for fitting into narrow water bottle openings.
The key advantage of these mini cubes is there speed.
Because of their smaller size and greater surface area, they freeze remarkably fast in your freezer and chill your drink much quicker than a large cube would. You get that cold, refreshing sip almost immediately after pouring. No more waiting around for your drink to reach the right temperature.
Getting the ice out is straightforward thanks to the trays flexible design. You simply bend or twist the silicone bottom, and the cubes pop right out.
Mini Ice Cube Trays for Freezer with Bin and Scoop, 4 Pack 640 Small Nugget Ice Cube Tray Silicone BPA Free, Tiny Crushed Ice cubes Maker Molds for Chilling Coffee Juice Cocktail Whisky Boba
The LUSHYUM Mini Ice Cube Trays 4-Pack is designed for anyone who prefers small, fast-melting ice in their drinks. This set focuses on creating tiny, uniform nugget ice, often called ‘pebble’ or ‘chewable’ ice, which is perfect for chilling beverages without watering them down to quickly.
You get four silicone trays, a storage bin with a lid, and a handy scoop—everything you need to make and keep a large supply of mini cubes ready.
Each tray makes 160 very small cubes, about 0.4 inches each. Because of their tiny size, they freeze remarkably fast, in about four hours, so you can have a full batch of 640 cubes ready without waiting a full day. The trays are made from flexible, BPA-free silicone thats been certified food-safe, similar to materials used for baby products.
This flexibility is key to the easy-release design: after a minute or two out of the freezer, a gentle fold and twist motion pops most of the cubes out at once into the included bin.
The set is built for convenience beyond just making ice. The storage bin keeps your ice organized and protected from absorbing any freezer odors, which is a common problem with uncovered ice. The scoop makes it easy to grab a portion for your glass without using your hands.
Crushed Ice Maker Buying Guide
For perfect cocktails and drinks, your crushed ice maker needs these capabilities. The right machine makes all the difference between a watery disappointment and a perfectly chilled beverage. Let’s look at what really matters when you’re choosing one.
Ice Texture and Consistency
Not all crushed ice is the same. Do you want a fine, almost snow-like texture for mint juleps or a coarser, pebble-style ice for a tumbler? Check the machine’s settings or descriptions. Some models offer only one texture, while others let you choose. Think about your most common uses to guide your decision.
Speed and Daily Output
How patient are you? A slower machine might be fine for the occasional drink, but it’s frustrating when hosting. Look at the pounds of ice it can produce per day and how long it takes for a single batch. If you entertain often, a higher daily output is crucial. You don’t want to run out of ice halfway through a party.
Storage Capacity and Footprint
Counter space is precious. Measure your available area before you fall in love with a model. Also, consider the ice bin size. A large bin is great for big gatherings, but if it sits on your counter unused most days, a smaller, more compact design might be smarter. It’s about finding the right balance for your kitchen and your habits.
Ease of Cleaning and Maintenance
This is the part everyone forgets, but it’s so important. Limescale and mineral buildup will happen. Can you easily access the interior? Are the parts dishwasher-safe? A machine that’s difficult to clean will likely end up collecting dust in the back of a cabinet. Opt for a design that makes maintenance straightforward.
Frequently Asked Questions About Crushed Ice Maker
What is a crushed ice maker?
A crushed ice maker is a countertop appliance. It makes soft, chewable ice, similar to what you get at a diner or gas station. It’s different from a regular ice maker that makes hard cubes.
How does it work?
You pour water into a reservoir. The machine freezes it into a thin sheet of ice. Then, a blade crushes that sheet into small, fluffy pieces. The whole cycle usually takes about 10 to 15 minutes.
Is it the same as a nugget ice maker?
They are very similar, but not exactly the same. Nugget ice is a bit denser and chewable. Crushed ice is lighter and flakier. Many people use the terms interchangeably, though, and both are great for drinks.
How much ice can it make?
It varies by model. A typical home unit can make about 1 to 1.5 pounds of ice per cycle. The bin might hold 2 to 3 pounds total. That’s plenty for a few glasses or a small party.
Does it need a water line hookup?
Most countertop models are manual-fill. You just add water yourself when you want ice. This makes them portable and easy to set up. You don’t need to connect it to your plumbing.
Is it noisy?
There is some noise. You’ll hear a humming from the compressor and a crunching sound when it crushes the ice. It’s not usually very loud, but it’s not silent either. It’s a good idea to check reviews for noise levels.
How do I clean it?
Cleaning is pretty simple. You should empty and wipe the ice bin regularly. Most makers have a cleaning cycle you run with a bit of vinegar or a cleaner the brand recommends. Always follow the manual’s instructions.
What should I look for when buying one?
Think about size, ice production speed, and bin capacity. Check how easy it is to clean. Read reviews to see how reliable different brands are. Your budget will also play a big role in your choice.
Can I use it for anything besides drinks?
Absolutely! This ice is perfect for chilling salad bowls or seafood displays. It’s also great for smoothies and first aid cool packs. The soft texture makes it really versatile for lots of things around the house.
Last Thoughts Before You Buy
Enjoy chilled beverages with the perfect ice texture here. A good machine makes it simple. You get soft, fluffy ice that cools drinks quickly without watering them down. It’s great for sodas, cocktails, or a simple glass of water. Think about how often you wish for better ice. The convenience really adds up over time.
Consider your kitchen space and how much ice you use daily. Read reviews to find a reliable model that fits your routine. With the right crushed ice maker, you can say goodbye to store-bought bags and hello to fresh ice on demand. It’s a small upgrade that makes your home feel just a bit more put-together.