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Frigidaire Portable Ice Maker EFIC189 vs AGLucky Ice Maker HZB-12/B Side-by-Side Comparison

By , , and ·Published

Frigidaire Portable Ice Maker EFIC189

$89.99 from Amazon

AGLucky Ice Maker HZB-12/B

$79.99 from Amazon

Overall Verdict

The Frigidaire EFIC189 and the AGLucky HZB-12/B are two closely matched ice makers. Overall, the Frigidaire had the performance edge in our tests with one basket load averaging 19.6 oz in 103 min compared to AGLucky’s 16 oz in 90 min. In terms of the 24 hr capacity, the AGLucky did 16 lbs while the Frigidaire produced 17.1 lbs. The Frigidaire has a more rounded and modern design with a wider transparent lid. On the downside, the ice basket sits a little high and can trigger the Ice Full alert if not pushed down securely. On the other hand, the AGLucky was easier to clean inside since the Frigidaire’s water guard and drainage plug were a little tough to deal with.

Ranking by
Showing: 2/2 Items

Pros & Cons

  • Performance
  • Production capacity
  • Internal visibility
  • Firm ice basket
  • Good insulation
  • Easy to clean exterior
  • Overall performance
  • Ice quality
  • Raised control panel
  • Ice basket fit
  • Drainage plug
  • Flimsy ice basket
  • Internal visibility

Key Specs

Dimensions LxWxH
9.5 x 14.1 x 12.9 inches
9.5 x 13 x 12.75 Inches
Weight
16.9 lbs (7.7 kg)
15.0 lbs (6.8 kg)
Ice bullet sizes
Small and Large
Small / Large
Indicators
Add Water, Ice Full, Power, S / L
Add Water, Ice Full, Power, S / L
Water reservoir
2.3 qt
1.9 qt
Average capacity / Basket
19.6 oz
16 oz

Where to Buy

Price at publication
$99.99
$109.99
$89.99 at Amazon
$79.99 at Amazon

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Analysis and Test Results

Performance

Overall Performance Scoring
8.0
7.9

Ice Capacity Test

7.7
7.4
The Frigidaire EFIC189 countertop portable bullet ice maker on a countertop with a full basket of ice and a timer showing 1 hr 48 min. In the background is a shelf with various kitchen appliances.
The Frigidaire EFIC189 countertop portable bullet ice maker on a countertop with a full basket of ice and a timer showing 1 hr 48 min. In the background is a shelf with various kitchen appliances.
Ice taken from the Frigidaire EFIC189 countertop portable bullet ice maker in a plastic jug on a measuring scale showing a 608 grams in weight.
Top down view of the Frigidaire EFIC189 ice maker to the left with one load of ice removed and placed into a black colored baking tray on the right. Badly formed ice is seen separated into a bowl on a scale showing 15 grams.
A full basket of ice being taken out of a countertop ice maker with a number of ice makers seen on a shelf in the background.
A full basket of ice being taken out of a countertop ice maker with a number of ice makers seen on a shelf in the background.
Against a white background is a countertop ice maker to the left and on the right a pitcher filled with ice bullets on a scale registering 432 grams.
A portable ice maker on a countertop with a glass bowl to the right on a scale with badly formed ice inside weighing 6 grams.
Average Time Basket
103 min
90 min
Average Weight Basket
19.6 oz (555 g)
16 oz (456 g)
Average Waste Basket
0.6 oz (10 g)
0.32 oz (9 g)
Capacity Hr
11.4 oz (323 g)
10.7 oz (304 g)
Capacity24 Hrs
17.1 lbs (7.76 kg)
16 lbs (7.3 kg)

Ice Quality Test

8.5
8.6
The Frigidaire EFIC189 countertop portable bullet ice maker to the left and a bowl on a scale with one round of nine ice bullets measuring 63 grams.
The Frigidaire EFIC189 countertop portable bullet ice maker to the left and a bowl on a scale with one round of nine ice bullets measuring 63 grams.
A measuring tong holding a typical ice bullet made in the Frigidaire EFIC189 countertop portable bullet ice maker. The ice bullet measures 1.1 inches in length.
A measuring tong holding a typical ice bullet made in the Frigidaire EFIC189 countertop portable bullet ice maker. The ice bullet shows a thickness of 0.5 inches.
The AGLucky Ice Maker HZB-12/B on a countertop with a glass bowl containing nine ice bullets in front showing a net weight of 54 grams, and a stopwatch to the upper right showing 8 min 21 sec for the time to make one round of ice bullets.
The AGLucky Ice Maker HZB-12/B on a countertop with a glass bowl containing nine ice bullets in front showing a net weight of 54 grams, and a stopwatch to the upper right showing 8 min 21 sec for the time to make one round of ice bullets.
Nine ice bullets in a glass bowl on a scale showing a net weight of 59 grams.
A hand measuring tool holding up an ice bullet with a length of 30 mm.
Average Weight Bullet
0.2 oz (6.2 g)
0.2 oz (6.3 g)

Design

Overall Design Scoring
8.3
7.9

In The Box

The Frigidaire EFIC189 countertop portable bullet ice maker to the left with its box in the background to the right. In between is the included ice basket, ice scoop, and user manual.
Top down view of the unboxed AGLucky Ice Maker HZB-12/B with an ice basker, ice scoop, and user manual pictured slightly off to the left.

Dimensions

The Frigidaire EFIC189 countertop portable bullet ice maker against a white background with annotations showing the dimensions of 12.75 inches height, 13 inches depth, and 9.5 inches width.
AGLucky Ice Maker HZB-12/B against a white background with annotations showing 9.5 inches in length, 12.75 inches height, and 13 inches depth.
Width
9.5" (24.1 cm)
9.5" (24.1 cm)
Depth
12.8" (32.4 cm)
13.0" (33.0 cm)
Height
13.0" (33.0 cm)
12.8" (32.4 cm)
Weight
17.0 lbs (7.7 kg)
15.0 lbs (6.8 kg)

Build Quality

9.0
8.2
Top down view of the Frigidaire EFIC189 countertop ice maker with its lid open.
Top down view of the Frigidaire EFIC189 countertop ice maker with its lid open.
Side view of the Frigidaire EFIC189 countertop ice maker showing the quality of seem joining.
Side and rear view of the Frigidaire EFIC189 countertop ice maker.
Bottom view of the Frigidaire EFIC189 countertop ice maker.
Close up of the ice making rods and the Basket Full sensor on the Frigidaire EFIC189 countertop bullet ice maker.
Side view of the AGLucky Ice Maker HZB-12/B showing the extraction fan.
Side view of the AGLucky Ice Maker HZB-12/B showing the extraction fan.
Close up view of a rubber stubble leg on the bottom of an ice making machine.
A close up of the ventilation fan of a countertop ice making appliance.

Panel Design

7.5
9.0
Close up view of the panel of the Frigidaire EFIC189 countertop portable bullet ice maker.
Close up view of the panel of the Frigidaire EFIC189 countertop portable bullet ice maker.
Top view of the Frigidaire EFIC189 countertop portable bullet ice maker with the control panel clearly visible at the top rear of the machines with an extended view window.
The slightly raised control panel on the AGLucky countertop ice maker.
The slightly raised control panel on the AGLucky countertop ice maker.
A finger in a black glove pointing to the select button on the control panel of a countertop ice maker while the working indicators are Power in red and Ice Full in green.
Buttons
2 - On/Off, Select
On/Off, Select
Power Indicator
Yes
Yes
Ice Full Indicator
Yes
Yes
Add Water Indicator
Yes
Yes
IceS Indicator
Yes
Yes
IceL Indicator
Yes
Yes

Lid Design

7.5
7.1
Degraded ice shown in an ice basket of a portable ice maker after being left to run overnight for 8 hours.
Ice degradation shown in a baking tray after being left overnight in a working portable ice maker.
Top down view of the AGLucky Ice Maker HZB-12/B.
Top down view of the AGLucky Ice Maker HZB-12/B.
The lid of the AGLucky countertop ice maker showing much condensation after an 8-hour period.
The AGLucky countertop ice maker with ice spread in a baking tray to the right showing the level of ice quality degradation over an 8-hour period.
A black-gloved hand holding up partially melted ice.
Material
Transparent plastic
Transparent plastic

Ice Basket

8.0
7.0
White hard plastic basket of the Frigidaire EFIC189 countertop portable bullet ice maker.
Top down and close up view of a plastic ice basket for a portable ice making machine.
Length
7.9" (20.1 cm)
7.0" (17.8 cm)
Height
3.6" (9.1 cm)
3.8" (9.7 cm)
Depth
5.0" (12.7 cm)
5.1" (13.0 cm)
Material
Hard white plastic
Soft plastic

Water Reservoir

Top view of the Frigidaire EFIC189 countertop portable bullet ice maker showing its large 2.2 liter water reservoir.
Top view of the Frigidaire EFIC189 countertop portable bullet ice maker showing its large 2.2 liter water reservoir.
Close up of the Frigidaire EFIC189 countertop portable bullet ice maker showing its large 2.2 liter water reservoir.
Top down view of the water reservoir of the AGLucky Ice Maker HZB-12/B.
Capacity
2.3 qt (2.2 L)
60.0 fl oz (1.8 L)

Drainage Plug

Partially removed drainage plug from the bottom of the Frigidaire EFIC189 countertop portable bullet ice maker.
Close up of a detached drainage plug on the bottom of a countertop portable ice maker.
Material
Hard plastic and silicone
Plastic and silicone

Ice Scoop

The included ice scoop of the Frigidaire EFIC189 countertop portable bullet ice maker.
Top down and close up view of a generic ice scooper for a portable countertop ice making machine.
Material
Hard white plastic
Hard white plastic

Cord and Plug

The white electric cord and three prong plug of the Frigidaire EFIC189 countertop portable bullet ice maker picture against the front of the machine.
The three pronged plug of a portable countertop ice maker pictured against the background of the lid.
Length
5.9 ft (1.8 m)
5.9 ft (1.8 m)
Plug Type
3-pronged
3-Pronged

Usability

Overall Usability Scoring
8.4
7.8

Ease of Use

8.5
7.5
Alt: The Select button being pressed on a countertop ice maker to choose the ice size.
Alt: The Select button being pressed on a countertop ice maker to choose the ice size.
Water being poured into the reservoir of the Frigidaire ice maker.
Ice being scooped out of the basket of a countertop portable ice maker.
The AGLucky Ice Maker HZB-12/B on a countertop with a water pitcher filter to the right.
The AGLucky Ice Maker HZB-12/B on a countertop with a water pitcher filter to the right.
A finger pointing to the Select button on a portable ice maker while the power indicator glows red and the Ice Full indicator is green.
A basket of ice being lifted out of a portable countertop ice maker.

Noise

8.2
8.1
A sound meter showing 67.2 dB being emitted from the working Frigidaire EFIC189 countertop portable bullet ice maker.
The AGLucky Ice Maker HZB-12/B working on a countertop and a sound meter to the right near the extractor fan showing a reading of 67.7 decibels.
Decibels
67.2 dB
67.7 dB

Cleaning

8.3
8.5
The empty water tank of the Frigidaire EFIC189 countertop portable bullet ice maker with the water guard shown in the right hand upper corner.
The empty water tank of the Frigidaire EFIC189 countertop portable bullet ice maker with the water guard shown in the right hand upper corner.
Picture of the bottom drainage port and plug on the Frigidaire EFIC189 countertop portable bullet ice maker.
A close up view of ice rods of a countertop bullet ice making machine.
A close up view of ice rods of a countertop bullet ice making machine.
A close of the water guard on the bottom of the reservoir of a countertop portable ice maker.
The water drainage plug on the bottom of the AGLucky Ice Maker HZB-12/B.
Self Cleaning
Yes
Yes