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

By , , and ·Published

Frigidaire Portable Ice Maker EFIC189

$89.99 from Amazon

Igloo Portable Ice Maker

$114.99 from Amazon
Frigidaire Portable Ice Maker EFIC189 vs Igloo Portable Ice Maker

Overall Verdict

The Frigidair has a rounded modern-looking design with a wide transparent view window. Its drawback is a rather small control panel at the rear of the roof. The Igloo sports a retro Nostalgia design with a convenient carry handle and small view window. Looks aside, the Frigidaire completely outpaced the Igloo in the ice making ranks. The Frigidaire put out hefty ice bullets of 6.2 g on average and managed 11.4 oz per hour versus 6.7 oz for the Igloo. Additionally, the Frigidaire produced 1.8% waste or broken ice per basket load while the Igloo was a whopping 9.4%. The Frigidaire strikes the balance between good design and performance excellence.

Ranking by
Showing: 2/2 Items

Pros & Cons

  • Performance
  • Production capacity
  • Internal visibility
  • Firm ice basket
  • Good insulation
  • Easy to clean exterior
  • Retro design
  • Carry handle
  • Ice basket fit
  • Drainage plug
  • Control panel quality
  • Performance

Key Specs

Dimensions LxWxH
9.5 x 14.1 x 12.9 inches
$107.76
Weight
16.9 lbs (7.7 kg)
L12.5 x W8.5 x H12 inches
Ice bullet sizes
Small and Large
18 lbs (7.15 kg)
Indicators
Add Water, Ice Full, Power, S / L
Small / Large
Water reservoir
2.3 qt
Add Water, Ice Full, Power
Average capacity / Basket
19.6 oz
1.6 qt (1.5 L)

Where to Buy

$89.99 at Amazon
$114.99 at Amazon

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Analysis and Test Results

Performance

Overall Performance Scoring
8.0
5.2

Ice Capacity Test

7.7
5.4
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 timer in front of a portable ice maker showing just over 2 hours on the counter.
A timer in front of a portable ice maker showing just over 2 hours on the counter.
A basket of ice from a portable ice maker being emptied into a jug resting on a scale.
Ice from a countertop ice maker in a jug weighing some 484 grams
A full basket of ice from a countertop ice maker tipped for sorting into a black making tray with the ice machine in the background and a small scale in the foreground.
Average Time Basket
103 min
134 min
Average Weight Basket
19.6 oz (555 g)
15 oz (424 g)
Average Waste Basket
0.6 oz (10 g)
1.41 oz (40 g)
Capacity Hr
11.4 oz (323 g)
6.7 oz (190 g)
Capacity24 Hrs
17.1 lbs (7.76 kg)
10.1 lbs (4.6 kg)

Ice Quality Test

8.5
4.8
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.
Nine ice bullets in a small bowl on a scale weight 45 grams pictured next to a countertop ice maker.
Nine ice bullets in a small bowl on a scale weight 45 grams pictured next to a countertop ice maker.
An ice bullet being measured showing a thickness of 5 mm.
Ice being held up for close inspection with ice in a making tray in the background an a small glass bowl on a scale with broken ice weighing 49 grams
Average Weight Bullet
0.2 oz (6.2 g)
0.13 oz (3.8 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.
Top down view of the unpacked igloo portable ice maker. To the right of the ice maker is the removable basket, an ice scoop, the manual, and a customer service card.
Top down view of the unpacked igloo portable ice maker. To the right of the ice maker is the removable basket, an ice scoop, the manual, and a customer service card.
A portable ice maker just removed from its box and secured within styrofoam pads.
A man handling a countertop ice maker with the product box seen in the background.

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 picture showing the dimensions of the Igloo ice maker as 8.5 inches across, 12.5 inches deep, and 12 inches high.
Width
9.5" (24.1 cm)
8.5" (21.6 cm)
Depth
12.8" (32.4 cm)
12.5" (31.8 cm)
Height
13.0" (33.0 cm)
12.0" (30.5 cm)
Weight
17.0 lbs (7.7 kg)
18.0 lbs (8.2 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.
A close up side view of a portable ice maker with two rows of ice makers on a shelf in the background.
A close up side view of a portable ice maker with two rows of ice makers on a shelf in the background.
Under view of a countertop ice maker.
Close up view of an air vent on a portable countertop ice maker.Close up view of an air vent on a portable countertop ice maker.

Panel Design

7.5
6.8
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 of the control panel on a portable ice maker with two fingers indicating the relative size.
A close up of the control panel on a portable ice maker with two fingers indicating the relative size.
A gloved finger pressing the select button on a countertop ice maker.
A close up view of the control panel of a portable ice maker with the Ice Full alert showing up in red.
Buttons
2 - On/Off, Select
On/Off Clean; 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.
A top down view of a countertop ice maker with ice seen through the transparent lid
A top down view of a countertop ice maker with ice seen through the transparent lid
A close up of the underside of an opened lid on a countertop ice maker.
Material
Transparent plastic
Plastic

Ice Basket

8.0
8.8
White hard plastic basket of the Frigidaire EFIC189 countertop portable bullet ice maker.
An empty ice basket being held up in front of a portable ice maker.
Length
7.9" (20.1 cm)
7.4" (18.8 cm)
Height
3.6" (9.1 cm)
4.5" (11.4 cm)
Depth
5.0" (12.7 cm)
4.3" (10.9 cm)
Material
Hard white plastic
Hardish 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.
A top down view of a portable ice maker with the lid open and the removable ice basket resting at the side of the machine.
A top down view of a portable ice maker with the lid open and the removable ice basket resting at the side of the machine.
A close up of the water reservoir of a portable ice maker.
Capacity
2.3 qt (2.2 L)
1.6 qt (1.5 L)

Drainage Plug

Partially removed drainage plug from the bottom of the Frigidaire EFIC189 countertop portable bullet ice maker.
A silicone plug being removed from the bottom of a portable ice maker.
Material
Hard plastic and silicone
Silicone

Ice Scoop

The included ice scoop of the Frigidaire EFIC189 countertop portable bullet ice maker.
The ice scoop of a portable ice maker.
Material
Hard white plastic
Hard 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 in front of the Igloo logo on their countertop ice making.
Length
5.9 ft (1.8 m)
6.1 ft. (185 cm)
Plug Type
3-pronged
3-pronged

Usability

Overall Usability Scoring
8.4
7.5

Ease of Use

8.5
6.8
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.
The hand gripping a countertop ice maker by lifting up the handle.
The hand gripping a countertop ice maker by lifting up the handle.
Ice being scooped up from an ice basket of a portable bullet ice maker.
A full basket of ice being removed from a portable countertop ice maker.

Noise

8.2
8.4
A sound meter showing 67.2 dB being emitted from the working Frigidaire EFIC189 countertop portable bullet ice maker.
A sound meter showing 66.3 dB standing next to the air vent of a portable countertop ice maker.
Decibels
67.2 dB
66.3 dB

Cleaning

8.3
8.7
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 silicone plug being removed from the bottom of a portable ice maker.
A silicone plug being removed from the bottom of a portable ice maker.
A close up view of inside a countertop ice making with evaporator rods visible in the background.
A water guard found in the reservoir of a portable ice maker.
Self Cleaning
Yes
Yes