The best ice maker in NZ overall is the Devanti 2L Ice Maker and Water Dispenser, a two-in-one benchtop unit that makes bullet ice and pours chilled water. This guide compares nine ice makers on sale in New Zealand for 2026, from simple portable cube makers to nugget machines and high-output stainless steel units, with real specs and honest pros and cons for NZ shoppers. During a hot summer an ice maker also works well beside a portable air conditioner to keep drinks cold.
Quick comparison of the best ice makers in NZ
| Rank and model | Best for | Ice type | Output per 24h | Water tank |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1. Devanti 2L and Water Dispenser | Best overall | Bullet | Up to 12kg | 2L |
| 2. Devanti Ice Cube Maker (Silver) | Everyday simplicity | Bullet | Up to 12kg | 2L |
| 3. Devanti 12kg (Green) | Compact colour option | Bullet | Up to 12kg | 1.3L |
| 4. Devanti Ice Cube Maker (Black) | Caravans and RVs | Bullet | Up to 12kg | 2L |
| 5. Devanti Nugget | Chewable nugget ice | Nugget | Up to 15kg | 1.1L |
| 6. Maxkon 22kg and Water Dispenser | High output, entertaining | Bullet | Up to 22kg | Jug or direct fill |
| 7. Maxkon 12kg (Silver) | Budget pick | Bullet | Up to 12kg | 2L |
| 8. Maxkon Nugget | Portable nugget maker | Nugget | Up to 15kg | 1.1L |
| 9. Ausway 3.2L | Large water tank | Bullet | Up to 20kg | 3.2L |
1. Devanti 2L Ice Maker and Water Dispenser – Best Overall
The best ice maker in NZ overall is the Devanti 2L Ice Maker and Water Dispenser, because it does two jobs from one silver benchtop unit: it makes bullet ice and pours chilled water on demand. It runs off a 2L reservoir and pushes out up to 12kg of ice per 24 hours, dropping nine bullet cubes roughly every nine minutes once it is up to temperature.
The build leans on nine stainless steel evaporator spikes and an LCD panel that shows ice-full and low-water warnings, with a small inspection window so the batch is visible. Two cube sizes (small and large) are selectable, and melt water drains back into the tank to be refrozen, which cuts waste on a warm Auckland afternoon. It is a genuine two-in-one for a bar cart or small kitchen, and it pairs neatly with a compact bar fridge for anyone building a drinks station.
Testers of this Devanti platform flag two honest trade-offs. The dispensed water often tastes of plastic until the tank has been filled and flushed several times, and the ice bin is not refrigerated, so cubes start melting and can clump if they are left sitting rather than used or moved to a freezer.
Pros
- Makes bullet ice and dispenses chilled water from one unit
- Two selectable cube sizes with a clear LCD status panel
- Melt water is recycled back into the 2L tank
Cons
- Dispensed water can taste of plastic until the tank is flushed
- Storage bin is not refrigerated, so ice melts if left standing
Key specs: model IM-ZB12E-SR; up to 12kg ice per 24h; bullet ice, two sizes; 2L water tank; LCD display; 150W; silver finish.
2. Devanti Portable Ice Cube Maker – Best for Everyday Simplicity
The Devanti Portable Ice Cube Maker in silver is the no-frills pick for shoppers who only want ice and none of the extras. It is the ice-only sibling of the two-in-one above, with the same 2L tank, up to 12kg per 24 hours, and a first batch of nine bullet cubes in about six to thirteen minutes depending on room and water temperature.
Controls sit on a simple LED panel with indicator lights for a full ice basket and a low tank, and the 0.7kg basket holds a couple of drinks’ worth before it needs emptying. At 240W it is a straightforward plug-in appliance that suits a flat, a home office kitchen, or a spare bench. Owners who want clearer, better-tasting cubes tend to feed it through a water filter rather than straight tap water.
The clear trade-off is that this model has no water dispenser and no insulated bin, so it is a make-on-demand machine rather than ice storage. Across this Devanti range some owners also report cracked ice trays and weakening pumps after several months, so it is worth registering the warranty and keeping the receipt.
Pros
- Simple LED controls and quick first batch
- Same 2L tank and 12kg daily output as the pricier combo
- Compact footprint for small kitchens and flats
Cons
- No water dispenser and no insulated storage bin
- Some owners report tray cracks or pump wear after months of use
Key specs: model IM-ZB-12B (silver); up to 12kg ice per 24h; bullet ice, two sizes; 2L tank; 0.7kg basket; LED panel; 240W.
3. Devanti Ice Maker Green – Best Compact Colour Option
For a small kitchen that could use a splash of colour, the Devanti 12kg Ice Maker in green is the most space-friendly pick here. It measures just 22.5cm x 29.5cm x 30cm and is made of plastic, so it is light enough to move between the bench and a cupboard, and it draws only 90W, which is gentle on power.
It makes up to 12kg of bullet ice per 24 hours in two sizes, with a production cycle of six to thirteen minutes, and it ships with an ice scoop and removable basket. A water-shortage and ice-full alarm plus a transparent window keep an eye on progress, and Devanti lists a one year warranty on this model, which is reassuring at this size.
Two caveats are worth naming. The tank is only 1.3L, the smallest of the bench units here, so it needs refilling more often during a party. The listing also markets a self-cleaning function, but the description does not spell out how that cycle works, so treat it as a light-touch feature rather than a deep clean.
Pros
- Very compact 22.5 x 29.5 x 30cm footprint
- Low 90W draw and a stated one year warranty
- Distinctive green finish for open kitchens
Cons
- Small 1.3L tank means frequent refills
- Self-cleaning function is not clearly documented
Key specs: model IM-ZB12H-GN; 22.5 x 29.5 x 30cm; up to 12kg per 24h; bullet ice; 1.3L tank; 90W; green plastic; 1 year warranty.
4. Devanti Portable Ice Cube Maker Black – Best for Caravans and RVs
The black 2L Devanti Portable Ice Cube Maker is the pick for caravans, boats and baches, and it is the best supported by real owner reviews in this guide. The identical unit rates 4.49 out of 5 from more than one hundred ratings on Kogan, with buyers repeatedly saying it is the right size for a caravan bench and does not draw too much power on the road.
It carries an LED control panel, a 2L tank, a 0.7kg bin and nine stainless steel evaporator spikes, and produces the first cubes in around six minutes in warm conditions. Roughly 22.5cm x 31cm x 32cm, it looks tidy left out on a bench and makes two cube sizes. For summer trips it teams up well with a portable air conditioner in the van.
The honest downside, echoed across owner reviews, is noise. The cube drop can be heard from a few rooms away, and a minority of units develop a high-pitched screech after a few weeks of daily use. Reliability also varies, with some owners getting years of service and others reporting a failure inside the first year.
Pros
- Best reviewed unit here at 4.49/5 from 100-plus ratings
- Right size and modest power draw for caravans and boats
- LED panel, 2L tank and two cube sizes
Cons
- Operating and cube-drop noise is the top complaint
- Reliability varies, with some early failures reported
Key specs: model IM-ZB-12B (black); about 22.5 x 31 x 32cm; up to 12kg per 24h; bullet ice, two sizes; 2L tank; LED panel; 240W.
5. Devanti Nugget Ice Maker – Best for Chewable Nugget Ice
If soft, chewable nugget ice is the goal, the Devanti Nugget Ice Maker is the standout on the tsbliving side of this list. It makes up to 15kg of chewable nugget ice per 24 hours, with the first batch arriving in a rapid five to ten minutes, and the little pellets soak up drink flavour and crunch easily, which is why nugget fans prefer them for cocktails and smoothies.
The red plastic unit measures 29cm x 22cm x 32cm, runs at 140W, and includes a self-cleaning function, a simple control panel, smart water-shortage and ice-full alarms, and a viewing window. It comes with an ice scoop and removable basket and carries a one year warranty, so it is a tidy countertop nugget option for a NZ home bar.
The trade-offs are inherent to nugget ice. It melts roughly 30 percent faster than solid cubes, and with only a 1.1L tank and an unrefrigerated bin, the ice is best made close to when it is needed rather than stockpiled. Owners of Devanti nugget units also mention operating noise and slow responses from support once out of warranty.
Pros
- Soft chewable nugget ice that absorbs flavour
- Fast first batch in five to ten minutes
- Self-cleaning function and one year warranty
Cons
- Nugget ice melts about 30 percent faster than cubes
- Small 1.1L tank and reports of noise and slow support
Key specs: model IM-ZB15N01; 29 x 22 x 32cm; up to 15kg nugget ice per 24h; 1.1L tank; 140W; self-cleaning; red; 1 year warranty.
6. Maxkon Ice Maker & Water Dispenser – Best for High Output & Entertaining
For big-batch entertaining, the Maxkon 22kg Ice Maker and Cold Water Dispenser is the highest-output machine in this guide. It makes up to 22kg of bullet ice per 24 hours in three cube sizes, with cubes weighing around 10 to 12 grams, and it doubles as a chilled water dispenser through an extendable spout, so a party gets ice and cold water from one stainless steel unit.
The body is high-quality stainless steel with food-grade ABS parts, and it is sizeable at 357mm x 423mm x 452mm and about 15kg, so it reads more as a semi-commercial machine than a dainty benchtop toy. The top loads from a 2, 3 or 5 gallon jug or by adding water directly, uses R600a refrigerant, and quotes a low 38dB noise level. It suits a busy household during a hot summer alongside an evaporative air cooler.
The honest catches: it is heavy and large for a countertop, the water jug is not included, and there is no automatic self-clean, so cleaning is manual. One Australian owner also reported a loud water-pump whine developing after about a month, so the quiet claim is not guaranteed and pump reliability is a genuine risk.
Pros
- Highest output here at up to 22kg per 24h in three sizes
- Stainless steel build with a chilled water dispenser
- Accepts large jugs or direct fill for long runs
Cons
- Heavy and large, and the water jug is not included
- Manual cleaning only, with a pump-noise risk reported
Key specs: Maxkon 2-in-1; 357 x 423 x 452mm; about 15kg; up to 22kg per 24h; bullet ice, three sizes; stainless steel; R600a; 1 year warranty.
7. Maxkon 12kg Ice Maker Silver – Best Budget Pick
The Maxkon 12kg Ice Maker in silver is the value workhorse of this list, and it is a well-established SKU with more than sixty reviews on the retailer’s own page. It produces up to 12kg of bullet ice per 24 hours, delivering the first ice within about thirteen minutes and then nine bullets roughly every six to thirteen minutes, in two cube sizes.
At 222mm x 313mm x 320mm and only 7.2kg it is genuinely portable and lightweight, with a see-through lid, a 2L reservoir and a 0.7L basket run from a simple LED and on/off control. Owners like it for parties, offices and campervans because it is cheap, easy and truly grab-and-go, and it teams up nicely with other benchtop staples such as an air fryer.
Be realistic about output. At least one owner felt the marketing implied more cubes per cycle than the nine to twelve it actually makes, the cubes are small and melt quickly in a glass, and real-world noise sits closer to 40 to 45dB than the quiet figures on the box. It is also ice-only, with no water dispenser.
Pros
- Light 7.2kg body that is genuinely portable
- Well reviewed and simple to run
- Quick first ice in about thirteen minutes
Cons
- Small cubes melt fast and output is modest
- Real-world noise is higher than the quiet marketing suggests
Key specs: Maxkon 12kg; 222 x 313 x 320mm; 7.2kg; up to 12kg per 24h; bullet ice, two sizes; 2L tank; 0.7L basket; LED; 1 year warranty.
8. Maxkon Nugget Ice Maker Silver – Best Portable Nugget Maker
The Maxkon Nugget Ice Maker is the pick for anyone who wants chewable pellet ice they can carry between rooms or take to the office. It makes up to 15kg of nugget ice per 24 hours, with the first batch in around ten to fifteen minutes, and each soft pellet weighs just one to a bit over two grams, so it chews like the ice from a fast-food machine.
It has a durable stainless steel shell, a built-in carry handle, and is compact at 287mm x 220mm x 322mm and about 10kg, with a self-cleaning cycle triggered by holding the on/off button for five seconds. LED lights flag water level, ice production and cleaning, and it uses R600a refrigerant with a quoted 43dB running noise.
The compromises are the small 1.1L tank and 0.8kg basket, so it needs frequent refilling for a crowd, and there is no cube-size option or timer. As with all nugget machines the pellets melt fast once scooped, and reliability across Maxkon units is the recurring worry, so keep the warranty details handy.
Pros
- Portable stainless build with a carry handle
- Soft chewable nugget ice and a self-clean cycle
- Reasonable 43dB quoted noise for a nugget maker
Cons
- Small 1.1L tank needs frequent refills
- No cube-size option, and nugget ice melts quickly
Key specs: Maxkon nugget; 287 x 220 x 322mm; about 10kg; up to 15kg nugget ice per 24h; 1.1L tank; 0.8kg basket; self-cleaning; R600a; 43dB.
9. Ausway 3.2L Home Ice Maker – Best for a Large Water Tank
Rounding out the list, the Ausway 3.2L Home Ice Maker is the pick when refilling is the annoyance to avoid. Its 3.2L tank is the largest here, and it can also be topped by inverting a 5L bottle onto the lid, so it runs for longer between fills and makes up to 20kg of bullet cubes per 24 hours, delivering about 24 cubes in a roughly fourteen-minute cycle.
The silver stainless casing houses an LCD display with adjustable cube size, a full-ice and low-water indicator, a drainage plug and an auto-clean function, drawing 160W and measuring 36cm x 25cm x 37cm. It is SAA approved and well reviewed, with more than one hundred and seventy ratings, though the retailer currently flags it as almost sold out.
The trade-offs are typical of high-output bullet machines. The cubes are hollow and on the small side, so they melt almost immediately in a glass, and the water pump can develop a high-pitched whine that some owners compare to a cricket. A few buyers also felt ice took longer to appear than the listing promised.
Pros
- Largest 3.2L tank, plus a 5L bottle top-up option
- High 20kg daily output with adjustable cube size
- LCD display, auto-clean and SAA approval
Cons
- Hollow cubes melt fast in a glass
- Pump can develop a high-pitched whine
Key specs: Ausway 3.2L; 36 x 25 x 37cm; up to 20kg per 24h; bullet ice, adjustable size; 3.2L tank; LCD; auto-clean; 160W; SAA approved.
How to choose an ice maker in NZ
Ice type: bullet or nugget. Bullet ice, the hollow tube-shaped cubes most of these units make, forms fast and gives good volume, but it melts quickly and dilutes a drink sooner. Nugget or chewable ice is soft, soaks up flavour and is easy to crunch, which is why cocktail and smoothie fans seek it out, but it melts faster still and the two nugget machines here have smaller tanks.
Output versus tank size. A headline like 15kg or 22kg per 24 hours only matters if the tank keeps up. A 1.1L to 1.3L reservoir needs topping up often during a party, while the Ausway 3.2L tank and the Maxkon 22kg jug feed run far longer between refills. Match the tank to how many people you are serving.
Do you want a water dispenser too. The two-in-one Devanti and Maxkon units pour chilled water as well as making ice, which is handy for a bar cart, though the Devanti combo can taste of plastic until its tank is flushed. If you only want ice, the simpler single-purpose machines are cheaper and smaller.
Noise and placement. None of these are silent. Cube drops and the pump are audible, and several models sit around 40 to 45dB in real use rather than the quiet figures on the box, so avoid putting one next to a bedroom wall.
Water quality and cleaning. Hard or heavily chlorinated water leaves scale and can make cubes hazy or taste off, so filtered water helps in many NZ areas; running the supply through a water filter reduces buildup. Clean the tank and bin every one to three months with a water and white vinegar solution, more often with hard water.
Size and portability. For a caravan, boat or small flat, the lighter 7 to 10kg units win; for a busy household or semi-commercial use, the larger stainless Maxkon 22kg is built for volume but needs bench space and two hands to move.
Verdict
For most NZ homes the Devanti 2L Ice Maker and Water Dispenser is the best all-round choice, because it makes bullet ice and pours chilled water from one tidy benchtop unit. Big entertainers who want the most ice should step up to the Maxkon 22kg, nugget fans should pick either the Devanti or Maxkon nugget maker, and anyone chasing the lowest price with real portability is well served by the Maxkon 12kg. Related guides worth a look include the best air fryers and the best bar fridges for kitting out a home bar.
FAQs
How much ice can a portable ice maker make in a day?
Most countertop ice makers make between 12kg and 22kg of ice per 24 hours, and a steady daily output around this range covers a typical family. The units in this guide range from 12kg bullet-cube machines up to a 22kg stainless model, though real output depends on room and water temperature.
What is the difference between nugget ice and bullet ice?
Nugget ice is soft, cloudy and chewable, so it absorbs drink flavour and crunches easily, which cocktail and smoothie drinkers prefer. Bullet ice is a harder, tube-shaped cube that forms fast and gives more volume per cycle, but it is hollow, melts sooner and dilutes a drink more quickly than dense ice.
Why does the ice melt in a portable ice maker?
Portable ice makers are built for fast production, not cold storage, so the ice bin is insulated rather than refrigerated. Without continuous cooling the ice starts melting soon after it is made, especially in a warm room. Most units recycle that melt water back into the tank to make the next batch.
How long do portable ice makers last?
With regular cleaning and careful use, a portable ice maker typically lasts several years, and better models can reach five to ten years. Because they are compact and lower cost, they usually have a shorter lifespan than a plumbed built-in unit, and pumps or ice trays are the parts most likely to fail.
Are countertop ice makers worth it?
They are worth it if you need ice quickly and use it soon, such as for drinks, parties, caravans or a home bar. They excel at speed and convenience but not long-term storage, since the ice melts once made. If you need to keep ice frozen for hours, a freezer or built-in unit suits better.
Can you use tap water in a portable ice maker?
Yes, most people use tap water and it works fine in many areas. However, hard water forms scale and can make cubes look hazy, and chlorine can carry a taste into the ice. In hard-water regions, filtered water usually improves taste and slows mineral buildup inside the machine.
Do ice makers need to be plumbed in?
Countertop and portable ice makers do not need plumbing. You fill the reservoir by hand, or on some larger units invert a bottle or jug onto the top. Only built-in or under-bench ice makers connect to a water supply line, which the portable machines in this guide do not require.
How do you clean a portable ice maker?
Unplug and drain it, wash the removable bin and scoop in warm soapy water, then run a one-to-one mix of water and white vinegar through a cycle and rinse. Clean it every one to three months, or every six to eight weeks if you use hard, mineral-rich water, to prevent scale and odours.
