Best Undercounter Ice Makers Compared by Size Ice Type and Price

Best Undercounter Ice Makers Compared by Size Ice Type and Price

The best undercounter ice maker gives you the ice you want, fits your space, and keeps up with your busiest hours. Start with those three needs. You can then compare prices with a clear idea of what your business needs.

A compact nugget machine can suit a small drink station. A gourmet cube machine can be a good choice for cocktail service. A larger commercial cuber offers more daily output and storage. Each option has a useful place, so the best choice depends on how you serve drinks.

This guide compares five models available to browse at Ice Maker Supply. We selected them using published specifications and the needs they serve. The recommendations are based on those documents, rather than hands-on product tests.

Quick picks for different needs

• Compact nugget ice with gravity drainage: ICETRO IU-0090-AN.

• Compact nugget ice with an integrated drain pump: ICETRO IU-0090-ANP.

• Gourmet cube ice in a narrow cabinet: Scotsman CU50PAX-1.

• Small cube ice with substantial integrated storage: Scotsman UC2024SAX-1.

• Crescent ice with substantial integrated storage: Hoshizaki KM-231BAK.

Compare output storage and price

Prices checked October 15, 2026, from the available product listings; pricing and availability can change. Confirm current stock and the exact configuration before ordering. ICETRO storage follows the manufacturer's shared AN/ANP specification sheet; request confirmation for the supplied unit because retailer descriptions differ.

Published output ratings describe ice produced over 24 hours under stated conditions. Storage describes how much the bin can hold at once. Check both figures to plan for your busiest hour.

Compare undercounter ice makers , or ask our team to help narrow your shortlist .

How these recommendations were selected

We compared ice type, cabinet size, output, storage, and drainage. We checked product listings for prices and used manufacturer documents to check the main specifications.

For example, the ICETRO manufacturer specification sheet distinguishes the pump-equipped ANP from the AN. The Scotsman UC2024 specifications and Hoshizaki KM-231BAK specifications help buyers compare larger commercial options.

ICETRO IU-0090-AN for compact nugget ice service

Choose the IU-0090-AN if you want soft nugget ice in a narrow cabinet and have a suitable gravity drain. It makes up to 91 lb per day at 70°F air and 50°F water. At 90°F air and 70°F water, its rated output is 67 lb per day.

This model is worth considering for a small beverage station whose daily use fits that output. The nugget ice offers a soft texture for customers who enjoy chewable ice. Its size also gives you an option when space is limited.

Check your busiest hour as well as your daily total. For heavier use, compare a machine with more output and storage. If your layout needs a pump, consider the ANP version or ask about ICETRO's optional IPK-62B pump kit for the AN. Confirm the drain route and the kit requirements before ordering.

View the ICETRO IU-0090-AN .

ICETRO IU-0090-ANP for nugget ice with a drain pump

The IU-0090-ANP gives you the same nugget ice production class with a built-in drain pump. It is a useful choice when gravity drainage does not suit your layout. Its rated output is 91 lb per day under the cooler test conditions and 67 lb per day under the warmer conditions shown in the comparison table.

Choose this version for its drainage setup. The pump does not add production capacity. If you need more ice each day or more ready ice during a rush, compare a larger machine.

Ask your installer to check the pump's allowed lift and discharge distance. The water still needs an approved drain connection. Confirm the dimensions of the exact ANP unit before finalizing the cabinet opening.

Check the ICETRO IU-0090-ANP .

Scotsman CU50PAX 1 for gourmet cube ice

The Scotsman CU50PAX-1 is a good starting point for a compact cocktail or hospitality station. It makes gourmet cube ice and includes a drain pump in this configuration. Its displayed price was $3,657 when checked.

Scotsman lists output of 65 lb per day at 70°F air and 50°F water. That becomes 49 lb per day at 90°F air and 70°F water. The built-in bin holds up to 26 lb.

Consider this model when you want gourmet ice and your demand fits a smaller machine. For greater daily use, compare the larger commercial models below. The manufacturer also approves the CU50 family for outdoor use within its stated limits.

The cabinet is about 14.9 inches wide and 34.4 inches high. Measure your opening and check the installation drawing before purchase. For a home installation, confirm that the exact model and warranty suit residential use.

Explore the Scotsman CU50PAX-1 .

Scotsman UC2024SAX 1 for small cube ice and more storage

The UC2024SAX-1 is worth a closer look if your business needs small cube ice and a larger bin. It combines ice production and 80 lb of storage in one cabinet.

Its rated output is 227 lb per day at 70°F air and 50°F water. At 90°F air and 70°F water, the rating is 166 lb per day. Those figures help you compare it with other machines under the same conditions.

Choose it for a commercial drink station that needs this amount of ice and has room for the cabinet. If you prefer nugget or gourmet ice, one of the other options may suit your menu better.

Plan around the standard installed height of about 39 inches with the supplied legs. Ask about approved mounting options if your opening is lower. Confirm the exact drawing and drainage requirements before building cabinetry around it.

View the Scotsman UC2024SAX-1 .

Hoshizaki KM 231BAK for crescent ice service

The Hoshizaki KM-231BAK offers crescent ice and an 80 lb built-in bin. It is a useful option for a commercial drink station that prefers this ice shape and needs more stored ice than a compact unit provides.

Hoshizaki lists up to 223 lb per day at 70°F air and 50°F water. Its warmer-condition rating is 163 lb per day at 90°F air and 70°F water. Compare those figures with your measured demand.

The cabinet is 24 inches wide, 28 inches deep, and 39 inches high. Its front-in, front-out airflow helps with placement. The opening still needs to meet the full installation requirements.

Choose another size if your opening is shorter or your ice use calls for a larger system. Review the drain, power supply, and required clearances before ordering.

Check the Hoshizaki KM-231BAK .

Check the fit and installation requirements

The ICETRO sheet illustrates AN dimensions; confirm the ANP drawing before construction. Scotsman sources round UC2024 depth differently, so approximately 29 inches is a planning reference, not a cabinet-cutout specification.

Front ventilation helps with placement. Follow the manual for the clearances your model needs. Leave room for connections, cleaning, leveling, door movement, and future service. Specify outdoor use only for a model and configuration the manufacturer approves.

How much ice you need

Start with measured ice use during an ordinary day and your busiest service window. Include beverage ice, prep use, events, and other stations drawing from the same supply. Then compare that demand with production under conditions similar to your location.

Check both the cool and warm test ratings. For example, 91 lb/day and 67 lb/day describe the same ICETRO production class under different air and water temperatures. Use the rating that best reflects your expected conditions.

Work out your busiest hour

Consider an illustrative station serving 80 drinks during a rush, using 8 ounces of ice per drink:

80 × 8 ÷ 16 = 40 lb of ice for that rush.

This is an example, not a universal drink allowance. Weigh your actual pours, and add other ice uses. A machine may meet the daily total while its bin provides too little ready ice for a concentrated rush. Production during service contributes, but it should not be assumed to arrive evenly or exactly when needed.

Use our ice machine sizing guide to organize your demand estimate before choosing capacity.

Choose ice type around your menu

Choose nugget ice when its soft texture suits the drinks and experience you want to offer. Choose gourmet cube ice when that presentation fits your cocktail or hospitality service. Compare small cube and crescent ice against your everyday beverage workflow and customer preference.

Choose your ice type before comparing prices. A machine offers better value for you when its ice suits your menu.

Choose the right drain setup

A gravity-drain model needs an approved downward drainage route. A pump-equipped model can provide an alternative within its specified discharge limits. Determine the drain location before selecting the configuration so your equipment choice and plumbing plan work together.

The ICETRO AN/ANP pair illustrates the decision clearly: choose the configuration around drainage rather than expecting a production upgrade. For a fuller explanation, see our drain pump versus gravity drain guide .

Budget for the complete installed setup

Ask for a quote that shows the machine price and installation items separately. Depending on the installation, the budget may include water treatment, fittings, a shutoff valve, drainage work, electrical work, mounting components, and professional installation.

Also plan for filter replacement, manufacturer-approved cleaning products, service, and utilities. Select filtration using the model requirements and local water conditions; our ice machine water filter guide explains the buying considerations.

Confirm warranty eligibility for the intended setting. ICETRO's shared AN/ANP sheet, for example, distinguishes commercial coverage from residential coverage. Request current written terms for the exact machine rather than assuming one warranty applies to every use.

Three illustrative buying scenarios

Home bar with a narrow opening: first confirm residential suitability, warranty coverage, noise expectations, and complete dimensions. Compare nugget and gourmet ice options according to the drinks you enjoy. A 15-inch width alone does not establish a successful fit.

Café with a compact beverage station: measure daily ice use and rush-hour withdrawals. A compact nugget machine belongs on the shortlist only if its realistic output and ready storage support that workload.

Small restaurant needing cube ice: compare small cube and crescent options against measured demand. The larger machines here provide more integrated storage than the compact options, but their approximately 39-inch standard height deserves attention early in planning.

Common buying mistakes to avoid

• Comparing maximum production figures measured under different conditions.

• Treating daily output as bin storage or guaranteed rush-hour supply.

• Measuring cabinet width while overlooking installed height and utilities.

• Assuming every undercounter listing fits a standard residential countertop.

• Selecting a pump without checking its permitted discharge route.

• Assuming all commercial equipment carries the same warranty in a home.

Frequently asked questions

What is the best undercounter ice maker

The best choice is the model that meets your ice preference, realistic production requirement, peak storage need, and installation layout. This shortlist separates compact nugget, gourmet cube, small cube, and crescent options so you can compare the right applications.

Is a built-in ice maker the same as an undercounter ice maker

The terms overlap, but dimensions alone do not confirm built-in suitability. Check the manufacturer's approved placement, ventilation, service clearances, and utility drawing before enclosing a unit in cabinetry.

Do undercounter ice makers need a drain

The machines compared here require drainage. The appropriate gravity or pump arrangement depends on the exact configuration and approved installation requirements.

Which models here have a drain pump

The listed ICETRO IU-0090-ANP and Scotsman CU50PAX-1 configurations include a drain pump. ICETRO also identifies an optional pump kit for the IU-0090-AN. Confirm the ordered model suffix and included equipment.

How much do these undercounter ice makers cost

The displayed equipment prices in this comparison ranged from $2,772 to $4,466 when checked on October 15, 2026. The final installed budget depends on accessories, site work, and applicable order terms.

Can I install one outdoors

Choose only an outdoor-approved configuration and follow its operating limits. Scotsman identifies the CU50 family as approved for outdoor use; verify the exact supplied model and installation plan before purchase.

Why is warmer-condition production important

The warm-condition rating gives you another documented planning point. Comparing models at 90°F air/70°F water can be more useful for a warm location than comparing maximum figures from cooler test conditions.

What should I send when requesting a recommendation

Send your preferred ice type, measured daily demand, busiest service window, opening dimensions, drain location, electrical supply, and intended indoor or outdoor setting. Include whether the installation is commercial or residential.

Choose your undercounter ice maker with confidence

Begin with the ice you want to serve, then confirm capacity, ready storage, and installation fit. You can then choose a machine that suits your daily work.

Browse undercounter ice makers to compare the current selection. For help choosing a configuration, contact Ice Maker Supply with your dimensions, demand estimate, and drain arrangement.