Countertop Ice Maker Machine 28 lbs. of Ice in 24 Hours
- Ice Maker
- 115 watts
- Stainless Steel
- 1
- More reviewed than 64%
A capable, inexpensive way to keep a steady supply of small ice on a counter, as long as you accept that unused ice will melt and needs bagging for the freezer.
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How it ranks among the 114 ice makers we track
4.0★ across 553 Amazon ratings, Bayesian-smoothed toward the category average.
553 Amazon ratings, weighted on a log scale so huge counts don't drown everything.
Brand identity, imagery, description and spec coverage.
The ProductDome score is separate from the Amazon rating shown above: it combines the Bayesian-smoothed Amazon rating with evidence volume, tracked demand, and data quality across the 114 ice makers we track - how the scorecard works · full ice makers data report. Confidence: medium - useful but incomplete evidence.Last refreshed Jun 12, 2026. Data-computed, not a hands-on test. Compiled by the ProductDome Research Team.
Overview
This NewAir AI-100S is a self-contained countertop ice maker, not a freezer, that produces up to 28 pounds of bullet-shaped ice in 24 hours and cycles a fresh batch roughly every 10 minutes. It suits homes and offices without a built-in ice line.
The category listing groups this under refrigerators and freezers, but the unit itself does not freeze ice for storage; melted ice drains back into the reservoir and is remade, so any batch you want to keep needs to go into a bag in your own freezer. It ships from the kind of overseas contract manufacturer that supplies several other branded countertop ice makers, so the mechanics are shared across brands even when the shell differs.
- 28 lbs of ice per 24 hours
- 3 bullet ice sizes at the touch of a button
- Insulated storage bin
- Indicator lights for ice-ready and low water
Who it's for
Good fit for anyone without an ice maker in their fridge freezer, from apartment dwellers to a family in a hot, humid climate going through many gallons of water a week. Less suited to buyers who want a set-and-forget appliance that holds ice frozen for hours between uses.
What buyers say
From Amazon customer reviews.
Buyers who've run this for a year or more call it a dependable workhorse that pays for itself against store-bought bags, with several specifically praising its reliability over daily use. The recurring complaints are mechanical: one owner's pump failed after nearly three years, and a replacement unit arrived with a vibrating fan bearing, while another had a DOA compressor out of the box. A few also note the footprint is bigger than photos suggest and that first batches can take 15 to 20 minutes rather than the advertised pace.
Strengths and trade-offs
Drawn from this product's published specifications.
- Makes a new batch every 10 minutes
- Three selectable bullet ice sizes
- Recycles melted water instead of wasting it
- No plumbing or permanent installation needed
- Ice melts if not bagged into a freezer
- Footprint larger than some buyers expect
- Some units arrived with fan noise or DOA issues
- Replacement units have had inconsistent quality control
Performance notes
The compressor runs on R134a refrigerant and turns out a new tray of bullet ice roughly every 10 minutes, with a button to pick small, medium, or large cubes. Reviewers who kept theirs running for a year or more describe it as a workhorse once broken in, and several note the manual's advice to let the unit sit upright for a day before first use so internal lubricant settles. Because there's no separate freezer compartment, ice left in the bin slowly melts and recycles through the reservoir, which is normal operation rather than a fault.
Specifications
| Brand | NewAir |
|---|---|
| Model | AI-100S |
| Dimensions & fit | |
| Item Dimensions D x W x H | 13.8 × 11.8 × 14.6 inches |
| Power & efficiency | |
| Wattage | 115 watts |
| Voltage | 120 volts |
| Construction & materials | |
| Material Type | Stainless Steel |
| Included components | |
| Unit Count | 1 |
| Included Components | Product Manual |
| Warranty & support | |
| Warranty Description | 1 year |
| Other details | |
| Refrigerant | R134a |
| Ice Production per Day | 28 Pounds |
| Part Number | AI-100S |
Other NewAir ice makers
How it compares
This product against the closest alternatives we track in ice makers.
| Product | Amazon rating | Ratings | ProductDome score |
|---|---|---|---|
| Countertop Ice Maker Machine 28 lbs. of Ice in 24 HoursThis product | 4.0 / 5 | 553 | 4.0 / 5 |
| FRIGIDAIRE EFIC128AMZBLK Compact Countertop Ice MakerFrigidaire | 4.4 / 5 | 16,910 | 4.3 / 5 |
| EUHOMY Nugget Ice Maker CountertopEUHOMY | 4.4 / 5 | 4,660 | 4.3 / 5 |
| GoveeLife Smart Countertop Ice MakersGoveeLife | 4.3 / 5 | 2,199 | 4.2 / 5 |
| Deco Rapid Portable Automatic Electric Countertop Ice MakerDeco Gear | 4.4 / 5 | 2,200 | 4.1 / 5 |
Similar ice makers from other brands
Questions about the NewAir AI-100S
Common buyer questions answered straight from the product spec data - no fluff, no "it depends".
Does the NewAir AI-100S freeze ice for long-term storage?
No. It's a countertop ice maker, not a freezer, so unused ice gradually melts back into the water reservoir and gets remade; bag any ice you want to keep in your own freezer.
How long does it take to make a batch of ice?
NewAir lists a new batch roughly every 10 minutes, and several long-term owners confirm it keeps that pace after a year of near-daily use.
Does it need to be plumbed into a water line?
No, you fill the reservoir by hand and it drains automatically without plumbing or special wiring.