If you rent a flat in the UK, your freezer is probably a “Landlord Special.”
It has three drawers, it’s full of frozen peas, and there is zero space for ice trays. Even if you squeeze a tray in, you inevitably spill water everywhere walking from the sink to the fridge.
The result? Warm drinks all summer.
You can’t install a plumbed-in “American Style” fridge-freezer with an ice dispenser because it requires a water connection and landlord permission.
The solution? A Countertop Ice Maker.
These machines are the ultimate “Bachelor Pad” luxury. They require no plumbing. You just pour water into the tank with a jug, press a button, and 9 minutes later, you have fresh bullet ice.
We tested the best-selling models to see which ones are quiet enough for an open-plan kitchen, which ones actually keep the ice frozen, and which ones are easy to drain without flooding your worktop.
Visual Comparison: The Ice Machines
| SPEC |
Salter Pro (Reliable) |
NETTA (Budget) |
BEST CAPACITY EUHOMY (Premium) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Best For | Reliability & Speed | Budget / Compact | Premium / Capacity |
| Daily Output | 12kg / 24hrs | 12kg / 24hrs | 12kg (Self-Clean) |
| Speed | 9 Mins per batch | 10 Mins per batch | 6 Mins per batch |
| Ice Shape | Bullet | Bullet | Bullet (Small/Large) |
| Renter Rating | ★★★★★ | ★★★★☆ | ★★★★★ |
The “Freezer” Myth
Before you buy, understand how ice makers actually work.
It makes ice — but it does not store ice frozen forever.
How It Works
The machine makes ice and drops it into a basket.
The basket is insulated (like a cool box), keeping ice frozen for 1–2 hours.
The Cycle
As the ice slowly melts, the water drips back into the tank.
The machine then refreezes that water into new ice.
The Routine
If you want to store ice long-term, you must:
Bag the ice and place it in your main freezer.
1. Top Pick: Salter Professional Ice Maker
Salter is a staple in British kitchens. This machine balances price, speed, and build quality perfectly.
Why It’s Renter Friendly
- No Plumbing: It is entirely self-contained. You can put it on your kitchen counter, your bar cart, or even your desk in the home office.
- Compact Footprint: At just 24cm wide, it fits on narrow rental worktops without blocking the kettle or toaster.
The “Speed” Factor
It churns out 9 ice cubes every 9-10 minutes. If you have guests coming over, turn it on 30 minutes before they arrive, and you will have enough ice for the first round of drinks.
Pros:
- Trusted UK brand with good warranty support.
- Stainless steel finish looks smarter than white plastic.
- Very simple 2-button interface.
Cons:
- The fan runs constantly to cool the compressor (sounds like a microwave).
2. The Budget Pick: NETTA Ice Maker Machine
If you just want ice for your Diet Coke and don’t want to spend nearly £80, the NETTA does the exact same job for less.
Why It’s Renter Friendly
- The Price: At £67.99, it is one of the cheapest ways to get “On Demand” ice.
- Lightweight: It weighs about 7kg. When you move flats, you can easily carry it in a box or bag. It isn’t a heavy appliance like a microwave.
Pros:
- Includes a scoop and removable basket.
- Sensors tell you when “Ice Full” or “Add Water.”
- Great value for money.
Cons:
- It is slightly slower than the EUHOMY.
- The plastic lid can feel a bit flimsy.
3. The Premium Pick: EUHOMY Countertop Ice Maker
If you want a machine that looks like it belongs in a cocktail bar, get the EUHOMY. It sits in the “Premium” bracket (often £90+), but you get better features.
Why It’s Renter Friendly
- Self-Cleaning Mode: This is huge. Rental kitchens can get grimey. You just hold the “On/Off” button for 5 seconds, and the machine cycles water through its internal pipes to flush out limescale and mould.
- Quiet Operation: It uses a higher-quality compressor, making it slightly quieter than the budget models. Essential if your kitchen is in your living room (open plan).
Pros:
- Fastest production (as quick as 6 mins per batch).
- Sleek silver/black design.
- Self-cleaning cycle saves you scrubbing.
Cons:
- Most expensive on the list.
Annotated Manual: The “Drainage” Protocol
If you live in a hard water area (like London), your ice maker is at risk. Limescale builds up on the Evaporator Rods (the metal spikes visible in the back of the photo).
If these rods get chalky, the ice sticks to them and won’t drop, causing the machine to jam.
Step 1: The Visual Check
Once a week, lift the lid and look at the metal rods at the back. They should be shiny silver. If they look white or chalky, you need to descale.
Step 2: The Vinegar Cycle
Empty the water tank. Fill it with a mixture of 50% White Vinegar and 50% Water.
- Action: Turn the machine on. Let it make ice for 3 cycles. (Throw this ice away, it will taste acidic).
- Result: The hot vinegar dissolves the limescale on the rods.
Step 3: The Toothbrush Scrub
If the scale is stubborn, turn the machine off. Dip a clean toothbrush in vinegar and gently scrub the metal rods shown in the diagram.
- Tip: Also wipe the Infrared Sensors (two small black windows inside the bin walls) to ensure the “Ice Full” beam isn’t blocked by dust.
Real-World Reality: Community Feedback
Real-World Reality: Community Feedback
MAINTENANCE
1. “The Wet Ice”
USER REPORT
“The ice comes out wet and sticks together in a big clump when I put it in the freezer”.
💡
The Smart Tenant Fix
Bullet ice is “wet ice” (it’s at 0°C, not -18°C).
Our Advice
When you transfer the ice to your freezer, give the bag a hard smash on the counter after 30 minutes. This breaks the cubes apart before they freeze into a solid brick.
MAINTENANCE
2. “The Noise Level”
USER REPORT
“It hums loudly. I have to turn it off when watching TV”.
💡
The Smart Tenant Fix
It has a fan and a compressor. It makes noise (approx 45dB).
Our Advice
Do not run it during the movie. Run it for an hour before the movie to fill the basket, then turn it off. The insulated lid will keep the ice frozen for the duration of a film.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need a water connection?
No. All these machines are “Manual Fill.” You pour water into the reservoir (usually under the ice basket) using a jug or tap water.
Can I leave it on 24/7?
You can, but it wastes electricity. Unlike a fridge, it isn’t designed to run permanently. It is an “On Demand” appliance. Turn it on when you need ice, turn it off when you’re done.
Does it keep ice frozen?
No. It is an Ice Maker, not an Ice Keeper. The bin is insulated, so ice lasts for a few hours, but it will eventually melt back into water. The machine recycles this water to make new ice.
Verdict: Which One for Your Drinks?
- Best Reliability: Salter Professional. It’s the safe, sturdy British choice that just works.
- Best Value: NETTA Ice Maker. If you want cold drinks for the lowest price, this is the bargain pick.
- Best Feature Set: EUHOMY. The self-cleaning mode and fast speed make it the luxury choice for cocktail lovers.