Igloo Self-Cleaning Ice Maker Review
Considering the Igloo Self-Cleaning Ice Maker? Here's what the specs, reputable reviews, and owner feedback actually say, strengths, limitations, and fit.
- BuyOnceRight Research Desk
- Updated
- 3 min read
Igloo Self-Cleaning
Igloo Self-Cleaning Ice Maker
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Our verdict
The Igloo Self-Cleaning Ice Maker is a solid option in its class with clear strengths and a few honest tradeoffs. It suits buyers whose priorities match its strengths above; if your needs differ, the alternatives below are worth a look.
Considering the Igloo Self-Cleaning Ice Maker? Here's what the specs, reputable reviews, and owner feedback actually say, strengths, limitations, and fit.
Who should buy it?
A good fit if you…
- The Igloo Self-Cleaning Ice Maker is right if: you want a low-maintenance budget ice maker, value a compact footprint for a small kitchen, and want the flexibil
- Consider alternatives if: you want the absolute lowest price and don't care about self-cleaning (Frigidaire), or you want chewable nugget ice texture (Euhomy or
Look elsewhere if you…
- Buyers who need a different feature set, check the alternatives below.
What You Are Buying
The Igloo Automatic Self-Cleaning Ice Maker is a compact bullet-ice machine that adds a self-cleaning cycle and a large/small cube selector to the standard budget ice maker formula.
It's priced in line with other basic countertop machines.
The housing is plastic, and the unit is one of the smallest footprints in this category, at roughly 9 to 10 inches wide.
No plumbing or drain is required; it's a fully self-contained appliance you fill by hand from the roughly 1-quart internal reservoir.
Performance
First batch (cold start, reservoir filled): Ready in about 7 minutes, producing 9 bullet-shaped cubes per cycle.
Ongoing production: Cycles roughly every 7 minutes as long as the reservoir has water and the bin isn't full, reaching the rated 26 lbs over a full day of continuous use.
Self-cleaning cycle: The 5-cycle automatic clean flushes the internal water path when manually triggered from the control panel.
Running it every few weeks with regular use, or more often in hard water areas, keeps output consistent and prevents mineral buildup from slowing production.
What It Does Well
The self-cleaning cycle is the standout feature at this price.
The compact footprint is a real advantage for small kitchens, RVs, or bar carts where counter space is limited.
It's one of the smallest machines in this category without sacrificing the standard 26 lb/day output.
The cube size selector is a small but genuinely useful feature, giving flexibility that fixed-size competitors don't offer.
What Falls Short
At roughly 1 quart, it needs refilling about once a day with steady use, in line with most machines in this budget tier but a real consideration versus larger-reservoir options like the GE Profile Opal 2.0.
It feels less premium than stainless steel competitors, though this doesn't appear to affect long-term reliability based on wide owner review volume.
The self-clean cycle isn't automatic on a schedule, it has to be started manually, which means it's still possible to forget or delay it.
Who Should Buy It
The Igloo Self-Cleaning Ice Maker is right if: you want a low-maintenance budget ice maker, value a compact footprint for a small kitchen, and want the flexibility of choosing cube size.
Consider alternatives if: you want the absolute lowest price and don't care about self-cleaning (Frigidaire), or you want chewable nugget ice texture (Euhomy or GE Profile Opal 2.0).
See Also
Igloo Self-Cleaning Ice Maker vs Euhomy Nugget Ice Maker, head-to-head comparison Frigidaire Countertop Ice Maker Review, the budget alternative
Igloo Self-Cleaning Ice Maker
Check current price, availability and owner reviews.
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Frequently asked questions
How does the Igloo's self-cleaning cycle work?
The automatic 5-cycle self-cleaning function runs a rinse sequence through the internal water path, flushing out mineral buildup and residue without needing to disassemble the unit. It's triggered manually through the control panel rather than running on a set schedule, so it's worth running every few weeks with regular use, more often in hard water areas.
Can the Igloo ice maker make both large and small cubes?
A cube size selector on the control panel lets you choose between larger and smaller bullet-shaped cubes. Smaller cubes chill drinks slightly faster and pack more densely in a glass or cooler; larger cubes melt more slowly. This flexibility is a genuine differentiator versus fixed-size competitors at a similar price.
How big is the Igloo Self-Cleaning Ice Maker?
It has one of the more compact footprints in the countertop ice maker category, roughly 9 to 10 inches wide, making it a fit for tight counter spots, bar carts, or small kitchens where a larger unit wouldn't work.
Does the Igloo ice maker need a water line?
It's a standalone unit with a roughly 1-quart internal reservoir that you fill manually. No plumbing or drain line is needed, and the reservoir typically needs a refill about once a day with regular use.
Related guides & comparisons
- ReviewFrigidaire Countertop Ice Maker Review: The Budget StandardThe Frigidaire Countertop Ice Maker is the standard budget recommendation for bullet-style ice. Full review with performance notes.Read
- ReviewGE Profile Opal 2.0 Review: The Nugget Ice Maker BenchmarkThe GE Profile Opal 2.0 is the standard recommendation for a countertop nugget ice maker. Full review of performance, capacity, and value.Read
- Buying guideCountertop Ice Makers Buying Guide: Specs That Actually MatterA countertop ice maker buying guide covering the specifications that determine real-world performance, ice type and freezing mechanism, dailRead
- How-to guideHow to Choose a Countertop Ice Maker: A Decision FrameworkA decision framework for choosing a countertop ice maker, how to weigh ice texture, daily output, reservoir size, and footprint against yourRead
- TroubleshootingCountertop Ice Maker Leaking Water: Causes and FixesIf your countertop ice maker is leaking or pooling water underneath or around the unit, we cover the most common causes, from overfilling toRead
- TroubleshootingCountertop Ice Maker Not Making Ice: 7 Causes and FixesIf your countertop ice maker has stopped producing ice entirely, the cause is usually one of a handful of common issues. We cover the 7 mostRead