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Frigidaire Portable Ice Maker EFIC189 vs CROWNFUL Ice Maker Side-by-Side Comparison

By , , and ·Published

Frigidaire Portable Ice Maker EFIC189

$89.99 from Amazon

CROWNFUL Ice Maker

Check Price on Amazon
Frigidaire Portable Ice Maker EFIC189 vs CROWNFUL Ice Maker

Overall Verdict

The Frigidaire EFIC189 and the Crownful are two very modern-looking countertop ice makers. Both maximize transparency with their lid design, and both avoid low quality generic parts. The larger Frigidaire is more rounded whereas the Crownful has a compact box-shaped design. The Crownful pays more attention to small design features, however, neither machine has the best design for a control panel. Performance wise, the Frigidaire produced consistently good quality ice whereas the Crownful’s quality varied. Understandably, the Frigidaire is a larger capacity machine and the bullet size is much larger. The Crownful, nonetheless, is our best recommendation for a compact machine.

Ranking by
Showing: 2/2 Items

Pros & Cons

  • Performance
  • Production capacity
  • Internal visibility
  • Firm ice basket
  • Good insulation
  • Easy to clean exterior
  • Compactness
  • High visibility
  • Ice scoop
  • Ice basket
  • Ice basket fit
  • Drainage plug
  • Control panel
  • Varying ice quality

Key Specs

Dimensions LxWxH
9.5 x 14.1 x 12.9 inches
$102.91
Weight
16.9 lbs (7.7 kg)
L11.2 x W9 x H11 inches
Ice bullet sizes
Small and Large
13 lbs (6 kg)
Indicators
Add Water, Ice Full, Power, S / L
Small / Large
Water reservoir
2.3 qt
6 icons
Average capacity / Basket
19.6 oz
1.3 qt (1.2 L)

Where to Buy

$89.99 at Amazon
Check Price on Amazon

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Analysis and Test Results

Performance

Overall Performance Scoring
8.0
5.6

Ice Capacity Test

7.7
5.9
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 jug filled with ice bullets in a jug being weighed on a scale showing 330 grams. To the right is a portable ice making machine with a smartphone propped up against the side.
A jug filled with ice bullets in a jug being weighed on a scale showing 330 grams. To the right is a portable ice making machine with a smartphone propped up against the side.
A temperature probe inserted into a jug of water showing a reading of 12℃.
Chilled water being poured into a portable ice maker machine.
Average Time Basket
103 min
87 min
Average Weight Basket
19.6 oz (555 g)
10 oz (284 g)
Average Waste Basket
0.6 oz (10 g)
0.5 oz (14 g)
Capacity Hr
11.4 oz (323 g)
6.9 oz (196 g)
Capacity24 Hrs
17.1 lbs (7.76 kg)
10.4 lbs (4.7 kg)

Ice Quality Test

8.5
5.1
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.
A portable ice maker with a bowl of freshly made ice on a scale showing 39 grams in total.
An average to good round of ice making.
A portable ice maker with a bowl of freshly made ice on a scale showing 39 grams in total.
A close up of four ice bullets in a gloved hand held in front of a countertop ice making machine.
A portable ice maker with a bowl of freshly made ice on a scale showing 17 grams in total.
To the right of a portable ice maker is a small bowl with broken ice weighing 19 g. To the right is a baking tray of unbroken ice.
Average Weight Bullet
0.2 oz (6.2 g)
1.14 oz (4.01 g)

Design

Overall Design Scoring
8.3
7.8

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.
A top view of a countertop ice maker with the manual to the right, the ice basket in front of the manual and the ice scoop slightly in front of the machine

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.
An annotated diagram of the Crownful countertop ice making showing dimensions of 9 inches across, 11.2 inches depth, and 11 inches height.
Width
9.5" (24.1 cm)
11.2" (28.4 cm)
Depth
12.8" (32.4 cm)
9.0" (22.9 cm)
Height
13.0" (33.0 cm)
11.0" (27.9 cm)
Weight
17.0 lbs (7.7 kg)
13.0 lbs (5.9 kg)

Build Quality

9.0
8.0
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.
The Crownful countertop ice making standing on a table.
The Crownful countertop ice making standing on a table.
The side to back view of a portable countertop ice maker.
The under view of a portable countertop ice maker.
A close up view into a portable ice maker.

Panel Design

7.5
7.6
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.
A close up view of a control panel on a portable ice maker.
A close up view of a control panel on a portable ice maker.
A top view of a portable ice maker with the scoop seen inside a basket filled with ice.
Buttons
2 - On/Off, Select
2 - 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
7.3
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.
Close up view of a portable ice maker with its lid closed.
Close up view of a portable ice maker with its lid closed.
A basket full of ice being held in front of a bullet ice making machine.
Material
Transparent plastic
Transparent plastic

Ice Basket

8.0
8.1
White hard plastic basket of the Frigidaire EFIC189 countertop portable bullet ice maker.
An empty ice basket partially visible being held in front of an ice making machine. Caption = Raised edge and extended rear creating a slope.
An empty ice basket partially visible being held in front of an ice making machine. Caption = Raised edge and extended rear creating a slope.
A countertop ice maker with a scoop filled with ice in front and an empty ice basket to the right side.
Length
7.9" (20.1 cm)
7.7" (19.6 cm)
Height
3.6" (9.1 cm)
3.5" (8.9 cm)
Depth
5.0" (12.7 cm)
4.2" (10.7 cm)
Material
Hard white plastic
Hard 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.
The inside of a portable countertop ice maker reservoir.
The reservoir and water guard.
The inside of a portable countertop ice maker reservoir.
Water being poured in a portable countertop ice maker.
Capacity
2.3 qt (2.2 L)
1.3 qt (1.2 L)

Drainage Plug

Partially removed drainage plug from the bottom of the Frigidaire EFIC189 countertop portable bullet ice maker.
A hand holding the plug to a water reservoir on a countertop bullet ice maker.
Material
Hard plastic and silicone
Silicone and plastic

Ice Scoop

The included ice scoop of the Frigidaire EFIC189 countertop portable bullet ice maker.
An ice scoop being held in front of a portable 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.
A three pronged plug being held up to the front of a portable ice maker.
Length
5.9 ft (1.8 m)
5.9 ft. (1.8 m)
Plug Type
3-pronged
3-pronged earthed

Usability

Overall Usability Scoring
8.4
8.1

Ease of Use

8.5
7.8
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.
A man is carrying a portable ice maker to place on a table top.
The Crownful weighs only 13 lbs (6 kg).
A man is carrying a portable ice maker to place on a table top.
Ice being scooped out of an ice basket inside a portable ice maker.
A full basket of ice being removed from a countertop portable ice maker.

Noise

8.2
8.7
A sound meter showing 67.2 dB being emitted from the working Frigidaire EFIC189 countertop portable bullet ice maker.
A sound measuring meter standing next to the fan vent of a portable ice maker and measuring 65.5 dB as a reading.
Decibels
67.2 dB
65.5 dB

Cleaning

8.3
8.4
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 lid to a portable ice maker being held open.
A lid to a portable ice maker being held open.
The drainage plug on the bottom of a portable ice maker.
A finger pointing to the control buttons on a portable ice maker.
Self Cleaning
Yes
Yes