Not very often do we get on a boat to go on a ride in the white waters, or in the countryside and when we go, we will want that trip to be exciting and remembered. What a trip without chilled drinks, and juices on the trip? And the best way to get them soaked in the ice is to get a compact and portable ice maker on the voyage and get to chew ice as you get bored or mix them with squashes for a refreshing drink.
Also, as most of these ice makers are capable of chunking out ice within minutes and can make and store pounds of ice, they can be of great use to chill and preserve the fish as well. Here are the best ice makers for boats, from the leading brands to get your boat trip a lot more refreshing.
Advantages of Having a Great Ice Maker Onboard
Though a portable ice maker can be an excellent addition to the home and can be great for small gatherings and parties, it is always an excellent option to have an ice maker on the boat as well, especially when we are out in the water and are held up in the dock for a long time. Though the benefits of having a portable ice maker in the boat are perceived differently by different people, having a boat has sure advantages for all.
a. offers the comforts of home
It renders the comforts of a home. When the boaters are in their vessels for a long duration, away from the home, with so much scope for chilled drinks and ices, this ice maker comforts them with ready ice for quick drinks and even smoothies.
b. Instant iced beverage
During hot and dry summer days when the sky is clear and the sun is shining bright, there are chances for the food to get spoiled, or the drinks to taste different. Having an ice maker at hand offers a steady supply of ice that can be used to make chilled drinks and also to preserve food items. It can also be used to keep the beverages and food items cold when they are stored in the cooler.
c. First aid
It is not uncommon to suffer injuries, bruises, and bumps while enjoying a boat ride and generally when we stay out of our homes. Having readymade ice on hand can help to deal with bruises and helps in treating common ailments. Even when the throat and lips get dry from being out the whole day, chewing ice can do good to soothe the mouth, gums, and lips.
d. Boat parties
If you are someone who hosts parties and get-togethers in the boat, you will appreciate the idea of using the ice maker in the boat. It keeps you and your guests entertained all through the trip.
The portable ice makers are very compact and have a small footprint. They will not take up too much space in the boat and can accommodate themselves in the limited space that is available for them. Some of them even have easy-to-carry handles, exponentiating their functionalities to many folds.
Things to Consider Before Buying an Ice Maker for the Boat
If you have decided to buy an ice maker for your boat, then there are certain important things to consider before making the purchase, as you will be using the appliance on the move, with you on the boat. Some of these features are as follows,
1. Power
The power supply is very important when taking the portable ice maker on the boat. All portable ice makers require power to work, and there are very few appliances that are powered by solar power or battery. The portable ice makers for boats might require about 100 and 350 watts to work, depending on the model and the make of the appliance.
2. Dimensions and capacity
The portable ice makers are small and compact and before choosing them, make sure that you align the portable ice maker is compatible with the available space in the boat. Also make sure that the capacity of the ice maker is on par with your ice requirements, especially when you have a crew traveling with you and if you conduct frequent boat parties.
3. Size of the ice cube
The size of the ice cube is not going to make any difference when it comes to using it in the boat. But if you are using them to preserve seafood. And if you are looking for chewable ice cubes, then go for an appliance that makes smaller ice cubes or bullets.
4. Speed of the ice maker
Make sure that the portable ice maker that you choose for your boat is capable of making ice within minutes. All the ice makers that we have listed here are capable of making ice for between 6 and 10 minutes. Nobody wants to wait for a long time to get the ice and the capacity of the ice maker is forming ice and the capacity to hold in the ice basket should be able to support the daily ice needs.
5. Noise
Traveling in a boat could be an annoying task and a noisy ice appliance could be further annoying for the user. Make sure to choose an appliance that operates quietly so that the entire ice-making process is annoying.
What Are The Best Ice Makers for Boats?
Also Check: Best Portable Ice Makers Under $200
Best Portable Ice Makers for Boats
#1. Euhomy IM-01 Portable Ice Maker – Best Overall
| Features | Rating |
| Easy to use | 9.7 |
| Easy to clean | 9.1 |
| Performance | 9.3 |
| Build quality | 8.7 |
| Noise level | 9.1 |
| Flavor | 9.2 |
| Energy efficiency | 9.1 |
| Value for money | 9.4 |
Check Price on Online Stores:
This portable ice maker can be an excellent addition to the boat, as it takes up minimal space in the boat and also helps in chunking out ice for quick drinks and first aid and even to keep fish preserved and fresh until consumption. The ice maker gets ready with 9 cubes of bullet-shaped ice cubes in six minutes and is offered an ice scoop to scoop ice easily from the ice basket.
Euhomy is a pioneer in manufacturing ice appliances and gives the best experience for the user with its bullet-shaped ice cubes. This appliance forms enormous ice cubes, about 26lbs in a day, and takes only 8 minutes in chunking out 9 pcs of ice bullets instantly. The chewable ice that this appliance form is great for making perfect drinks, smoothies and to chill the fish caught while boating in the wild waters as well.
Its small and compact design makes it great for kayaks with built-in storage and power facility. Its highly efficient compressor helps with excellent refrigeration, and the appliance also doesn’t make much noise during the ice-making process. This compact ice maker also features a re-circulating water tank, that will not allow any water to get wasted and even the water from the melted ice will be used to make a fresh batch of ice.
What do we like about Euhomy IM-01?
- User-friendly design that gets to work just out of the box
- Its stainless steel smudge-proof surface is easy to clean
- A removable ice basket and scoop help to transfer ice from the appliance easily.
- Possible to make ice in two sizes according to needs.
What do we don’t like about Euhomy IM-01?
- Ice melts pretty fast and easily.
Must Check: Best Countertop Ice Makers 2022
#2. Costway EP22769BK Ice Maker – Runner Up
| Features | Rating |
| Easy to use | 9.6 |
| Easy to clean | 9.4 |
| Performance | 9.1 |
| Build quality | 8.8 |
| Noise level | 8.9 |
| Flavor | 9.2 |
| Energy efficiency | 8.8 |
| Value for money | 9.6 |
Check Price on Online Stores:
This is an excellent, compact, elegant ice maker that you can carry in your boats, for holidays and trips, and even for a day of kayaking and fishing in the countryside. You can probably use the ice from this ice maker to either keep the fish fresh until they are brought back home or to enjoy a sizzling drink when you are stuck in the boat on a dry summer day. It can also stand as an effective first aid tool and either way, a portable ice maker that of Costway can be the best option when you venture out to the wild in the boat.
This ice maker is very compact and portable and is capable of getting the ice ready in only about six minutes. The reason why we suggest this ice maker for boats and RVs is that it is highly efficient in making rapid ice. And in only about 6 minutes, it can get the first batch of 9 ice bullets ready. It operates very quietly and dissipates heat efficiently with its venting fan located at the sides. Also, its ice basket is capable of storing about 1.5 pounds of ice at a time and this tiny appliance is capable of making about 26 lbs. of ice in a day.
Though it has a portable and compact design, it is still equipped with a powerful compressor and a corrosion-resistant condenser. It works on an R134a refrigerant that is environment and energy-friendly and its 2.2L water tank is good enough to chunk out a decent volume of ice for the day. There are multiple smart functions in this ice maker and the control panels will indicate when to take the ice cubes out when the basket is full and when to add water when the ice maker runs low on water.
What do we like about Costway EP22769BK?
- The large transparent window helps to check the ice basket frequently.
- Soft and airy ice bullets float on the drink without altering the taste.
- Possible to make ice in two different sizes
- ETL certified ice maker
What do we don’t like about Costway EP22769BK?
- Cannot be exposed while using in the boat and the ambient temperature can affect the size of the ice cubes.
Check out: Best Budget Ice Makers Under $100
#3. Igloo ICEB26HNSS Ice Maker – Editor’s Choice
| Features | Rating |
| Easy to use | 9.5 |
| Easy to clean | 9.5 |
| Performance | 9.2 |
| Build quality | 8.7 |
| Noise level | 8.8 |
| Flavor | 9.4 |
| Energy efficiency | 9.1 |
| Value for money | 9.2 |
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The carry handle of this ice maker makes it a great addition to carry for the boat and its compact footprint makes it easy for us to store the ice maker in the boat. The ice maker forms about 26 pounds of ice cubes in a day and gets the first batch of ice ready in 7 minutes. The ice basket is capable of storing about 1.25 pounds of ice at a time.
Thus it keeps making ice as we consume, which is great for any camping trip, be it on the boat or any camping trip. The reservoir of this appliance is capable of holding about two quarts of water and this when is filled, with being able to keep up with the ice requirements.
The appliance features an automatic five-cycle cleaning function, that makes it easy to clean the appliance on the go. The appliance is capable of making about 9 small or large cylinder-shaped ice cubes in as less as 7 minutes. Its intuitive control panel features well illuminated and an easy to understanding LED lights that make it easy to add water and remove the ice cubes when they are ready. There are also options to make small and large ice bullets by selecting the suitable option in the control panel.
What do we like about Igloo ICEB26HNSS?
- Makes nice ice cubes within minutes
- Five cycles self-cleaning function
- Operates very quietly and silent operation
- Forms ice in two shapes, small and large
What do we don’t like about Igloo ICEB26HNSS?
- The ice bullets melt very easily.
Note: Igloo ICEB26HNSS also features in our list of best ice makers for camping.
#4. Homelabs Chill Pill Countertop Ice Maker – Great Choice for Boats
| Features | Rating |
| Easy to use | 9.5 |
| Easy to clean | 9.1 |
| Performance | 9.2 |
| Build quality | 8.2 |
| Noise level | 8.3 |
| Flavor | 9.4 |
| Energy efficiency | 9.1 |
| Value for money | 9.4 |
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This is a highly efficient ice maker that gets ice ready in 8 to 10 minutes. And thus this ice maker is capable of forming about 26 pounds of ice in a day. Its portable and compact design makes it an ideal ice maker for outdoor use and can be used in boats pretty well, provided we have a power connection in the boat. Its refreshing and chewable pill-shaped ice cubes can be great to chew while wandering in the boat. It also ensures to get a glass of chilled drinks handy with its instant ice-making process.
The ice maker has a large reservoir that is capable of holding about 1.5 pounds of ice at a time, and this can be great for making many rounds of mixed drinks in the boat for a small crew. Its small footprint makes it ideal for the boat as it occupies very little space in the boat. Its energy-efficient cooling systems, and its side venting exhaust, make it great to be used in the boat.
Also, this ice maker is very fast in making ice instantly, and within a span of 6 to 8 minutes, it chunks out its first batch of ice and also, its warning lights get activated when the ice basket is full and when it is time to refill its water reservoir. The appliance comes with a host of handy features, which makes it an ideal device to use in the boat. Its auto shut-off feature stops when the ice basket is full and if you forget to use the ice instantly, it melts and the melted water gets back to the reservoir to make more ice.
Read Full Review: HOmeLabs Chill Pill
What do we like about Homelabs Chill Pill?
- Highly intuitive control panel
- Compact, quiet, and energy-efficient appliance
- Extremely easy to use with flexible functions.
- Helps in making fresh ice instantly
What do we don’t like about Homelabs Chill Pill?
- The ice melts pretty quickly in this appliance.
Also Check: Best Ice Makers in the Market
#5. Luma Comfort IM200SS Ice Maker – Best For Clear Ice
| Features | Rating |
| Easy to use | 9.3 |
| Easy to clean | 8.9 |
| Performance | 9.3 |
| Build quality | 8.4 |
| Noise level | 9.2 |
| Flavor | 9.3 |
| Energy efficiency | 9.2 |
| Value for money | 9.3 |
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This is perhaps the best ice maker that is capable of forming clear and restaurant-quality ice even on the boat. Its cubes of ice are clear and seamlessly float on the drinks, cooling them efficiently without altering the taste. This appliance also has a high ice-making capacity and is capable of chunking out about 28 clear ice cubes daily. Its compact and countertop design can easily fit in the storage cabin of the boat and we can use it instantly to keep fish fresh until we get home, or treat ourselves with a drink amidst fishing in the boat.
The best thing we loved about this ice maker is that it forms clear and not cloudy ice cubes that float on the drinks for a long time, even when the entire drink is over. We can instantly get a bag of ice with this ice maker, and need not buy them in the convenience stores before venturing out for fishing. And this appliance is super easy to use and doesn’t require complex installation.
It works on a standard 115V outlet and you only have to plug in the appliance, add potable water and wait for 10-15 minutes to get the ice cubes instantly.
It is not quite often that we get to make restaurant-quality ice cubes in minutes in a portable ice appliance and this appliance is also easy to clean and use with its side-mounted drain. The appliance has a highly intuitive control panel, that intimates when to add water to the appliance a when to remove ice cubes, as the basket gets filled.
Read Full Review: Luma Comfort IM200SS
What do we like about Luma Comfort IM200SS?
- The appliance makes restaurant-quality ice cubes within minutes
- Possible to make thicker ice by holding on to the power button for about ten seconds.
- Space-saving design makes this an ideal addition for boats.
What do we don’t like about Luma Comfort IM200SS?
- Lack of water filter fosters slime growth easily.
Note: Luma Comfort IM200SS also features in our list of best clear ice makers.
#6. Frigidaire EFIC117-SSCOPPER-COM Ice Maker – Best Build Quality
| Features | Rating |
| Easy to use | 9.4 |
| Easy to clean | 7.4 |
| Performance | 9.2 |
| Build quality | 9.4 |
| Noise level | 7.7 |
| Flavor | 9.1 |
| Energy efficiency | 9.4 |
| Value for money | 9.1 |
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Frigidaire offers high-quality stainless steel ice makers infused with copper, which makes them ideal for use in boats. They stand elegant in the boat interiors and are capable of producing about 26 pounds of ice in a day. The appliance is capable of producing high-quality ice cubes in as few as six minutes. The ice maker makes ice in two different sizes, namely small and large to chill different food items differently.
The appliance features a countertop design and is also easily portable. The appliance has a large see-through window that helps us to see the ice-making process of the appliance. It also helps us to remove the ice cubes as soon as they are formed in the appliance. Its digital control panels with LED indicators will intimate when the water reservoir runs out of water and when the ice bin is filled with ice. The water reservoir has a capacity of 2.3 quarts and this is enough to make 4 to 5 batches of ice easily. An ice shovel is included with the appliance to remove the ice cubes hygienically.
The copper and stainless steel exterior design of the ice maker looks very pretty for boats and will enhance the mood of the vacation to great heights. The appliance has a compressor cooling system and thus drags in minimal power for its operation. There’re are no chemical refrigerants used in this icemaker appliance and thus it is extremely safe to use. The appliance requires no complex installation. We only have to add water to the appliance, plug it and start enjoying fresh ice bullets in less than seven minutes.
What do we like about Frigidaire EFIC117-SSCOPPER-COM?
- There is a large see-through window to see the inside of the ice maker without opening the lid.
- There is a convenient drain plug to clean the ice maker safely and quickly.
- Operates very quiet at only 38 decibels
What do we don’t like about Frigidaire EFIC117-SSCOPPER-COM?
- If the electrical plug of the appliance doesn’t go with the boat, you may have to use adapters or converters.
#7. Frigidaire EFIC101-BLACK Portable Ice Maker – Best Value for Money
| Features | Rating |
| Easy to use | 9.5 |
| Easy to clean | 9.1 |
| Performance | 9.1 |
| Build quality | 8.9 |
| Noise level | 8.6 |
| Flavor | 9.4 |
| Energy efficiency | 8.9 |
| Value for money | 9.5 |
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The Frigidaire EFIC 101 is a chic, compact and elegant ice maker for your boats that are available in an elegant black finish. Its portable structure ensures that it can be tucked in even in tight spaces inside the boat. Though it looks small and compact, this is an ice giant and is capable of chunking out about 26 pounds of ice in 24 hours. Even if you happen to stay in your boat for an entire day or two, you can still get a good volume of high-quality and fresh ice for your drinks and food from this ice maker.
Most people go fishing in the backwaters during the holidays to fill their leisure with some fun activities. If you happen to grab a good deal of fish during your boating venture, you can preserve them efficiently with the small bullet-shaped ice cubes from this ice maker, until you return home. Its constant supply of fresh ice ensures that you can enjoy drinks all through the day if you happen to boat in the hot and humid weather.
This portable ice maker requires absolutely no installation. You only have to place this ice maker in a convenient place in the boat, plug in the device, add water in the reservoir and wait for ten to fifteen minutes to enjoy soft and clear bullet-shaped ice cubes. The appliance brags efficient LED controls on the front panel to intimate when the ice bin is full when the reservoir is out of water etc.
What do we like about Frigidaire EFIC101-BLACK?
- The water reservoir is capable of storing about 2.3 quarts of water to make plenty of ice.
- It is possible to make ice cubes in two different sizes in this ice maker.
- The included ice shovel helps to remove the ice easily in a clean and sanitary manner.
- Works on compressor cooling system, without the use of chemical refrigerants.
What do we don’t like about Frigidaire EFIC101-BLACK?
- The drain plug at the base of the appliance is hard to locate.
- The ice cubes from this appliance melt quite fast.
#8. AGLUCKY Z5876-BLACK Ice Maker – Popular in Market
| Features | Rating |
| Easy to use | 9.8 |
| Easy to clean | 9.5 |
| Performance | 9.3 |
| Build quality | 8.9 |
| Noise level | 9.1 |
| Flavor | 9.3 |
| Energy efficiency | 9.1 |
| Value for money | 9.4 |
Check Price on Online Stores:
This countertop ice maker is an efficient appliance for boats as it features a high-speed exhaust fan and a large air vent area. Its compressor cooling system helps in making ice efficiently while attracting very low power. The ice maker doesn’t use any harsh chemicals and uses only environmentally friendly refrigerants. It is also very easy to clean and maintain to avoid the formation of molds on the interiors of the ice maker. The ice-making prongs are made of pure copper and thus will not encourage mold formation.
The front control panel of the ice maker is very easy to operate and indicates when the ice bin is full and when the water reservoir is empty. There are controls to define the size of the ice cubes and for automatic ice maker cleaning function. The appliance operates extremely quiet and efficient and is capable of making one batch of 9 ice bullets within 6 to 8 minutes. In a day it can make about 26.5 pounds per day, resulting in a fresh batch of ice every day.
There is an included ice scoop in this ice maker appliance for safe and hygienic removal of the ice cubes. We can remove the ice bin and transport it to the place where ice is required to be used. There is a sensor in the ice basket that detects when the bin is in full and summons the ice maker to stop forming ice any further. If the ice is not removed they melt and the water gets back into the reservoir to form a fresh batch of ice. So, ice will be ready, anytime you open the ice maker.
What do we like about AGLUCKY Z5876-BLACK?
- The ice maker appliance is equipped with a quiet and quick cooling system.
- The indicators in the ice maker will remind you to take out the ice cubes when the basket is full.
- The ice maker forms round, smooth, and soft ice cubes that are soft to chew.
- There is a large transparent window to directly view the interiors of the ice maker.
What do we don’t like about AGLUCKY Z5876-BLACK?
- The ice bullets melt quickly and should be consumed immediately.
Final Words
The ice maker will be a value-added advantage while on a boat trip and helps the crew with chilled drinks and food when they are away from the home. Adding a portable ice maker to the boat or RV means that we can have ice handy at all times for an extended trip. Now in case you need any final help in choosing the right ice maker, then we will recommend Euhomy IM-01, not only because it’s rated as one of the best in the market, but it’s also very well equipped with features that can come in handy on a boat.
Hey Sara, I see very few guides for helping people choose ice makers for boating and yours is the best one I have come across. After going through a number of products on Amazon, I got confused but you cleared that confusion as I am choosing to go with your recommendation.
I am glad Jevgenijs. We try our best to provide the best content and help people choose the best ice makers for boating and when we get an appreciation from readers like you, it motivates us to improve our content to better serve our readers.
I have 2 small boats where I try to get all the facilities, but it’s not easy as picking the right equipment for boating, especially appliances is very hard, so I am always careful. And these days I wanted to buy the best boat ice maker, so while researching I found out that all of them are almost equal in most aspects except Frigidaire as it provides a copper model which means the appliance will be sturdier than ever, so I am buying Frigidaire copper ice maker for my boat.
Hey Dione,
You made a great choice in Frigidaire. It is one of the best brands when it comes to ice makers for boats.