Best countertop ice makers in Canada compared by ice type, daily output, counter footprint, power, cleaning and home drink-station fit.
Kitchen & Food · Kitchen Appliances
The best countertop ice makers in Canada are not all chasing the same kind of ice. A compact bullet-ice machine is usually the easiest fit for casual drinks. A nugget ice maker is about chewable texture. A clear-cube machine takes more counter space but makes a different style of ice for cocktails and home bars.
For most homes, the Frigidaire EFIC117-style 26 lb countertop ice maker is the practical starting point because it focuses on compact bullet ice, simple controls, and no plumbing. Choose the Newair NIM026MBN0 if you specifically want chewable nugget ice in a smaller footprint. Choose the Newair NIM045SS00 if clear cube-style ice and higher listed daily output matter more than compact size.
Frigidaire EFIC117-SSRED-COM is the most familiar bullet-ice option here, with a 26 lb daily production class and simple countertop setup.
Newair NIM026MBN0 is the choice when the buying reason is soft chewable nugget ice rather than classic bullet ice.
Newair NIM045SS00 has the highest listed daily output here and makes clear cube-style ice, but it needs more counter depth.
This guide compares three Amazon.ca countertop ice makers with different ice styles: bullet, nugget, and clear cube. The comparison uses listed specifications from Amazon.ca and official product pages where available.
Frigidaire EFIC117-SSRED-COM 26 lb Countertop Ice Maker
Best fit: households that want a straightforward portable ice maker for drinks, small gatherings, kitchens, dorm-style spaces, or a home bar without plumbing.
Newair NIM026MBN0 26 lb Countertop Nugget Ice Maker
Best fit: users who care more about soft nugget texture than classic bullet ice, especially for iced coffee, soft drinks, water bottles, and casual home drinks.
Newair NIM045SS00 45 lb Countertop Clear Ice Maker
Best fit: home-bar users who want clear cube-style ice and higher listed daily output, and who have enough counter depth for a larger machine.
| Product | Model / ASIN | Ice type | Daily ice output | Listed dimensions | Power | Best suited use | Amazon.ca |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Frigidaire 26 lb Countertop Ice Maker | EFIC117-SSRED-COM / B07N7F2GXQ | Bullet ice | 26 lb per day listed | Official EFIC117-SS page lists 14 3/4 H × 13 1/2 W × 10 1/4 D in for the stainless model family | Not consistently listed in reviewed Canadian source | Simple countertop ice for kitchens, drinks, dorm-style spaces, and casual hosting | View Listing |
| Newair Countertop Nugget Ice Maker | NIM026MBN0 / B0C3G4X3SM | Nugget ice | 26 lb per day listed | 8.7 D × 11.3 W × 12.7 H in | 170 W listed | Chewable ice for iced drinks, soft drinks, and home coffee bars | View Listing |
| Newair Countertop Clear Ice Maker | NIM045SS00 / B09HWG26HZ | Clear cube-style ice | 45 lb per day listed | 14.1 D × 9.9 W × 14.6 H in | 108 W listed by Amazon.ca; official page lists 0.9 amps | Home bars and drink setups where ice style matters more than compact footprint | View Listing |
The biggest difference is ice type. Bullet ice is common and practical. Nugget ice is softer and more chewable. Clear cube-style ice is more drink-focused and usually makes sense when the ice itself is part of the reason you are buying the appliance.
The Frigidaire is the least specialized choice here. It is aimed at simple ice production, quick countertop setup, and two-size bullet ice rather than a premium ice texture.
The Newair NIM026MBN0 has the same listed 26 lb daily output class as the Frigidaire, but the buying reason is completely different: soft chewable nugget ice.
The Newair NIM045SS00 lists a higher 45 lb daily output and clear cube-style ice. It is the strongest option here for a drink station, but it is not the smallest machine.
Daily output looks good on a spec sheet, but small kitchens need room around the machine for filling, draining, ventilation, and opening the ice basket.
The Frigidaire EFIC117-style machine is the easiest product in this comparison to understand. It is a compact countertop ice maker for households that want regular bullet-shaped ice without plumbing. The Amazon.ca listing identifies the EFIC117-SSRED-COM family, and the official Frigidaire EFIC117-SS product page lists a 26 lb ice-making capacity, plug-in setup, digital LED control panel, viewing window, drain plug, 18 lb product weight, and stainless model-family dimensions of 14 3/4 inches high, 13 1/2 inches wide, and 10 1/4 inches deep.
This is the practical choice if you want ice for everyday drinks, a small kitchen, a rec room, a short-term rental, or a simple home bar. The limitation is that bullet ice is ordinary. If you are buying because you specifically want chewable nugget ice or clear cocktail-style cubes, the Newair models have a clearer role.
The Newair NIM026MBN0 is for people who care about ice texture. Newair lists it as a countertop nugget ice maker with 26 lb daily ice-making capacity, 8.7-inch depth, 11.3-inch width, 12.7-inch height, 18.7 lb product weight, 110 to 120 V power, 170 W listed power, ETL/cETL certification, R-600a refrigerant, and nugget ice shape.
Its footprint is more compact than the clear-ice Newair, and the nugget style is more useful for iced coffee, soft drinks, water bottles, and chewable ice fans. The trade-off is that it does not have the 45 lb daily output of the NIM045SS00, and nugget ice is not the same thing as clear cocktail ice.
The Newair NIM045SS00 is the higher-output pick in this comparison. Newair lists it as a 45 lb clear portable ice maker with 14.1-inch depth, 9.9-inch width, 14.6-inch height, 20.9 lb product weight, 120 V, ETL certification, R-290a refrigerant, freestanding installation, and cubed ice shape. The Amazon.ca listing identifies the same 45 lb class and lists a self-cleaning function and custom ice thickness angle.
This model makes the most sense for a home bar, cocktail area, or household where ice style is part of the experience. It is not the most compact option here, though. The listed depth and height mean you should measure the counter area, overhead cabinet clearance, and fill/drain access before choosing it.
Choose by ice style first, then counter fit. A smaller bullet-ice maker and a clear-ice maker may both sit on a counter, but they solve different problems.
Pick this if you want a straightforward countertop machine for bullet ice, simple drink use, casual hosting, and no-plumbing setup.
Pick this if you specifically want nugget ice for iced coffee, soft drinks, home-office water bottles, and chewable ice texture in a compact countertop body.
Pick this if your priority is clear cube-style ice and higher listed output for a drink station, and you have enough counter depth and height clearance.
Countertop ice makers are not freezers. Ice sitting in the basket can melt over time, and melted water is commonly reused by the machine. For longer storage, transfer ice to a freezer-safe container.
The machine footprint is only part of the story. Leave room to add water, remove the basket, scoop ice, drain water, and clean the interior.
Bullet, nugget, and clear cube-style ice feel different in a drink. A higher-output machine will not help if it makes the wrong style of ice for your use.
Portable ice makers need breathing room. Do not wedge one tightly under cabinets or beside hot appliances without checking the manual and clearance guidance.
Drain plugs, self-cleaning modes, removable baskets, and water access matter because ice makers deal with water every day. A machine that is annoying to clean is less likely to stay in regular use.
The Newair NIM045SS00 has the highest listed daily output in this comparison at 45 lb per day.
The Newair NIM026MBN0 is the nugget ice maker in this comparison. The Frigidaire makes bullet ice, while the Newair NIM045SS00 makes clear cube-style ice.
These models are portable countertop machines that use a refillable water reservoir rather than permanent plumbing. Always follow the manual for filling, draining, placement, and cleaning.
They should not be treated like freezers. Ice can melt in the basket, and many machines recycle the meltwater into the reservoir. Transfer ice to a freezer if you want longer storage.
Based on listed specifications and everyday household fit, the Frigidaire EFIC117-style 26 lb machine is the practical starting point for most people. The Newair models are better when nugget ice or clear cube-style ice is the real reason for buying.
For most readers comparing the best countertop ice makers in Canada, I would start with the Frigidaire EFIC117-style 26 lb countertop ice maker. It is the least specialized option and the most sensible fit if you simply want extra ice for everyday drinks.
I would choose the Newair NIM026MBN0 if nugget ice is the whole point. I would choose the Newair NIM045SS00 if I were setting up a home bar and cared more about clear cube-style ice and listed daily output than compact size.
This guide uses Amazon.ca listings for product identity and ASIN checks, then compares listed details from official product pages and manufacturer information where available. The visual examples are contextual images used to illustrate kitchen setup and buying considerations; they are not official product photos.
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