Trustech vs Whynter vs SPT vs EUHomy ice makers
Finding the top of anything is a challenge at best, but to find the top 4 ice makers, of all things, is a weird undertaking to go through with to say the least. To the uninitiated, perhaps the concept of owning a machine simply for making and storing ice seems ridiculous but do not be mistaken, there is an absolutely massive market for such products. From bars and restaurants requiring ice in large amounts for drinks and beverages to home users with a craving for something cold, everyone finds some use for these wonderful inventions.
We had been getting a lot of requests from colleagues to find an ice maker that could be used in the office and so we started our search for “the best” one. It was difficult choosing based on speed and price alone because of conundrum of speed vs amount; most offices need more than just 20 lbs per day worth of ice use (which happens when everyone starts a iced coffee binge) but if the stock runs out it would be nice to get the ice you want before your break ends. Keeping all of this in mind, we designed a rigorous testing process to understand the features of all five of the ice makers we picked out that on the surface seemed to be the “best” ones easily available.
We judged them by how well they measured up to our criteria. Our team looked for the most reliable, consistent and speedy ice makers available in a reasonable size that could fit in the corner of our office while not breaking our budget into a million pieces. After many trials and tests, here is our review of the top 5 ice makers.
This article is not only a comparison of all the features of top four ice makers but it is also a review as well.
Comparison table
SR. No | Name | Consistency | Reliability | Speed | Dimensions (LWH) | Weight | Price | Overall Rating | Speed | Capacity | Self Cleaning | Multiple size ice cubes | Ice cube storage | Power |
1 | Trustech | 4 out of 10 | 7 out of 10 | 9 out of 10 | 10.24 x 14.57 x 13.39 | 20.2 lb | $129.00 | 6.5 out of 10 | 9 cubes in 6 minutes | 2.10 Liters | Yes | Yes ( 2 sizes) | 1.5 lbs | 115/120 volts |
2 | Whynter | 9 out of 10 | 6 out of 10 | 6 out of 10 | 18 x 15 x 25 | 47.6 lb | $425.00 | 7.5 out of 10 | 12 ice cubes in 10 minutes | 2.7 Liters | No | 6 lbs | 115/120 volt | |
3 | SPT | 8 out of 10 | 7 out of 10 | 5 out of 10 | 18 x 15 x 25 | 55 lb | $463.00 | 8.5 out of 10 | 9 cubes in 6 minutes | 2.7 Liter | No | No | 6 lbs | 115/120 volts |
4 | Euhomy | 10 out of 10 | 8 out of 10 | 7 out of 10 | 12 x 15.7 x 31.4 | 100 lb | $469.99 | 8.75 out of 10 | 24 ice cubes in 10 minutes | Need Water supply | Yes | No | 33 lbs | 120 volts |
Size comparison
When speaking in terms of height Euhomy ice maker has the most height of 31.4 inches, after that Whynter and SPT ice makers are runner ups with height of 25 inches each. If you have a small kitchen with roof top near your head you need an ice maker with lesser height, in this case Trustech ice maker suits you as you can place it on any counter top. Width of almost all the four ice makers is same and that is 15 inches.
Water capacity comparison
The first three brands in our list have almost same capacity. Whynter and SPT can store 2.7 liters of water and convert it into ice cubes while TRUSTECH being smaller has water capacity of 2.10 liters. Euhomy beats all of the three, as it requires a continuous water supply, so you are saved from hassle of adding water again and again. So Euhomy is more suitable for rushy areas, hotels, or university campuses and hostels.
Ice cube storage comparison
Storage area for ice cubes is surely an important factor, as more ice cubes we have in store, more customers or people you can serve. Trustech has the smallest ice cube storage area of almost 2 lbs ice cubes. So it is a suitable and affordable option for a small family of 3 to 4 persons. Whynter and SPT have large ice cube storage areas of 6 lbs each, so these are suitable for large families or a hostel where 9 to 10 students live at a same time. However Euhomy is winner as it has large ice cube storage of 33 lbs, so it is suitable for large campus or restaurant, where lot of people are always coming and you need ready ice cubes all the time.
Power Consumption
When it comes to power all of the three use 120/140 volts to operate, so there is no major difference in electricity consumption.
4 ice makers we compared
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Trustech Counter Top ice maker
There’s not much to say about the Trustech ice maker that already hasn’t been said about the Frigadaire. Slightly more inexpensive, with about the same features. About 10 minutes to get one cube tray ready, a slightly higher capacity than the previous entry and a better looking design. It does come with a feature for different sizes for ice cubes which actually look different unlike in the Frigadaire where all three available sizes barely different from one another.
From our testing we decided to rate the reliability for this one a solid 8 out of 10. It does have some issues sometimes and make mildly concerning noises, but what’s life without a little spice! In all seriousness it functioned absolutely fine and we didn’t have any issues with it while testing it for this review however, we did find some concerning reviews that made it seem like it was the worst product in existence. But from our own experience, as long as you follow the instruction manual as intended then there aren’t any problems.
Another plus point for Trustech is the window on its lid that looks into the machine providing a mesmerizing view of the ice making process. I didn’t think I’d spend the full 10 minutes looking at water freezing, but it is what it is.
This also comes with the same caveats as the Frigadaire; easily melted ice, low capacity, and lack of proper storage capabilities
PROS:
- Economical
- Fast
- Countertop
CONS:
- Low Capacity
- Bad Storage Capability
Whynter UIM-155 ice maker
The Whynter ice maker is easily one of the best ones in the market. What this is, is essentially a small fridge except its only for making ice. While it is a bit on the bulkier side, it comes with a much larger capacity to make up for it. I will say this about it; it makes ice that lasts. The consistency of the ice is much “thicker” and sturdier so to speak. It properly frozen and takes some time to melt down to water. Our testers rated it’s consistency an admirable 9 out of 10 while the others on the list like Frigadaire and Trustech scored a measly 4 or 5 at best.
This particular ice making beast is fantastic for anyone who doesn’t have a fridge with a built in ice maker. It’s not too flashy and doesn’t make too much noise. Compared to the larger fridges, a comparatively smaller fridge without an ice making compartment and a Whynter ice maker aren’t that weird of a choice to go for.
It is a bit pricey but keep this in mind; A 10 lb bag of ice from the store is $2 and you would usually have to throw some of it away. With the daily savings, this thing will be paid off in less then a year. One of the best parts of it is the storage capability letting you leave the ice in it for extended periods of time. The main caveat for these sort of big bulky ice makers is definitely the time it takes to make said ice. It’s storage capacity and convenience does make up for any problems from that side though. Our testers rated the speed a decent 6 out of 10.
PROS:
- High Capacity
- Good for Storage
- Great Ice Consistency
CONS:
- Very Expensive
- Slightly Bulky
SPT Undercounter ice maker
The SPT ice maker is essentially the same as the Whynter with some differences here and there. Our team found it’s consistency to be 8 out of 10 compared to the 9 of the Whytner, however I would say that the scoring was mostly based on personal preference. It’s not that the ice blocks weren’t solid, it’s that they were too solid for our tester’s tastes.
The reliability was an easy 7 out of 10. It does change its production and storage time depending on the ambient temperate and exposure to the sun which annoyed us to no end when testing for its capabilities. It did have a storage capacity rivaling that of the Whynter, which is to say it was more than enough for almost any use you could find for it. From a private fisherman wanting to keep the haul fresh to an office constantly needing ice for the surprising iced coffee craze sweeping through it, the SPT is enough to satisfy anyone
PROS:
- High Capacity
- Decent Storage
- Good Ice Consistency
CONS:
- Highly Priced
- Tacky Design
Euhomy Commercial Ice Maker with water supply and drainage
Out of all of the competitors in this list, the Euhomy Ice maker easily takes the cake. A storage capacity of over 30 pounds, and production of 100 pounds each day, this absolute beast is the most beefy of all the ones we could find. The most surprising thing about it was the relatively similar price tag for its incredible performance and usage. It’s not too slow at making ice; it takes about an hour to get a batch ready, and it has great quality ice.
That being said, it isn’t the ideal choice for most people simply due to its ridiculously high production and extremely bulky nature. It is designed for commercial application and is ready for heavy use, whether that’s for a boisterous party or for a particularly busy restaurant or even a incredibly cold beverage crazed office doesn’t matter.
The consistency of the ice was easily 10 out of 10 while the speed came up to an alright 7. The testers were surprised with it’s consistency but it did have some problems with storing the ice for extended periods of time. The storage unit is just an insulated compartment so the ice did start melting after being in it for a little while. The good part is that it was replaced soon after because of its beastly production capability. Another major caveat is that unlike all the other ice makers here, this one requires drainage as well as supply for water which can be a bit of a hassle to set up, especially for casual use.
The great value for its price makes the Euhomy a formidable contender for the title of best among the top 5 ice makers.
PROS:
- Highest Production
- Alright Storage
- Fantastic Consistency
CONS:
- High Price
- Bulky size
Conclusion
We have tried our best to compare the four best ice makers available for United States citizens. Please let us know about your experience with these brands.