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VIVOHOME Automatic Ice Maker vs Frigidaire Portable Ice Maker EFIC189 Side-by-Side Comparison

By , , and ·Published

VIVOHOME Automatic Ice Maker

Check Price on Amazon

Frigidaire Portable Ice Maker EFIC189

$89.99 from Amazon
VIVOHOME Automatic Ice Maker vs Frigidaire Portable Ice Maker EFIC189

Overall Verdict

The VivoHome and the Frigidaire are a close match for overall performance. The Frigidaire won out in capacity producing 11.4 oz (323 g) per hour versus 10.5 oz (298 g) for the Vivohome. The key difference being the Frigidaire was faster at producing ice while the capacity per basket was around 19 oz (550 g) or slightly above for both. If you like large and chunky ice bullets, then the VivoHome is better. It averaged 7 g per bullet, sometimes reaching 8.7 g, while the Frigidaire averaged around 6.2 g and only occasionally managed 7 g per bullet. The Frigidaire, however, has a more modern-looking and open design while the somewhat dated design of the VivoHome has a much more user-friendly control panel. 

Ranking by
Showing: 2/2 Items

Pros & Cons

  • Large chunky ice bullets
  • Spacious control panel
  • Large ice basket
  • Reservoir capacity
  • Easy-to-clean body
  • Performance
  • Production capacity
  • Internal visibility
  • Firm ice basket
  • Good insulation
  • Easy to clean exterior
  • Lid insulation
  • Bulky design
  • Ice basket fit
  • Drainage plug

Key Specs

Price at publication
$133.64
9.5 x 14.1 x 12.9 inches
Dimensions
L13.1 x W9.5 x H13 inches
16.9 lbs
Weight
15.4 lbs (7.0 kg)
Small and Large
Ice bullet sizes
Small / Large
Add Water, Ice Full, Power, S / L
Indicators
Add Water, Ice Full, Power, S / L
2.3 qt
Water reservoir
2.3 qt (2.2 L)
19.6 oz

Where to Buy

Check Price on Amazon
$89.99 at Amazon

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Analysis and Test Results

Performance

Overall Performance Scoring
8.5
8.0

Ice Capacity Test

7.5
7.7
A full basket of ice being removed from a countertop bullet ice maker.
Removing a full basket of ice.
A full basket of ice being removed from a countertop bullet ice maker.
A full basket of ice from the Vivo Home countertop ice maker being weighed in at 576 grams. The ice is in a jug resting on a digital scale.
A stop watch showing 1:44:57 or the typical amount of time taken to produce a full basket of ice with the Vivo Home countertop ice maker.
A sample of ice bullets produced from the Vivo Home countertop ice maker held between two gloved hands.
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.
Average Time Basket
115 min
103 min
Average Weight Basket
23 oz (561 g)
19.6 oz (555 g)
Average Waste Basket
0.2 oz (5.7 g)
0.6 oz (10 g)
Capacity Hr
10.5 oz (298 g)
11.4 oz (323 g)
Capacity24 Hrs
15.9 lbs (7.2 kg)
17.1 lbs (7.76 kg)

Ice Quality Test

9.9
8.5
Nine ice bullets in a small dish on a scale showing 78 grams or the typical amount of ice produced in one round of ice making by the Vivo Home portable ice maker.
Nine ice bullets in a small dish on a scale showing 78 grams or the typical amount of ice produced in one round of ice making by the Vivo Home portable ice maker.
An ice bullet from the Vivo Home countertop ice maker being measured and showing a diameter of 25 cm.
An ice bullet from the Vivo Home portable ice maker being measured and showing a length of 25 cm.
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.
Average Weight Bullet
0.25 oz (7 g)
0.2 oz (6.2 g)

Design

Overall Design Scoring
7.6
8.3

In The Box

The navy blue Vivo Home countertop ice maker picture from above with the contents of the box displayed to right namely the user manual, a removable ice basket, and an ice scoop.
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.

Dimensions

An annotated picture of the Vivo Home countertop ice maker showing dimensions of width 9.5 inches, depth 13.1 inches, and height 131 inches.
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.
Width
13.1" (33.3 cm)
9.5" (24.1 cm)
Depth
9.5" (24.1 cm)
12.8" (32.4 cm)
Height
13.0" (33.0 cm)
13.0" (33.0 cm)
Weight
15.4 lbs (7.0 kg)
17.0 lbs (7.7 kg)

Build Quality

8.0
9.0
The navy blue Vivo Home portable ice maker pictured with the ice basket and ice scoop in front.
The navy blue Vivo Home portable ice maker pictured with the ice basket and ice scoop in front.
A picture of the underside of the Vivo Home countertop ice making machine.
The rear view of the Vivo Home countertop ice maker.
A close up of the body and extractor fan of a navy blue portable ice maker.
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.

Panel Design

8.9
7.5
A top down view of the lid and control panel of a portable countertop ice maker.
A top down view of the lid and control panel of a portable countertop ice maker.
A close up view of the panel of the Vivo Home portable ice maker with the Ice Full alert showing up in red.
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.
Buttons
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

5.8
7.5
The lid of the Vivo Home countertop ice making machine being held up with black-gloved hand.
The lid of the Vivo Home countertop ice making machine being held up with black-gloved hand.
Close up of a lid on a countertop ice maker showing a gap in the lid joining.
The degree of ice degradation after the Vivo Home countertop ice maker was left running overnight.
A close up view of a hand holding ice left overnight in a portable ice maker.
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.
Material
Plastic
Transparent plastic

Ice Basket

8.3
8.0
A picture of an empty ice basket resting inside a portable countertop ice making with the scoop placed inside.
A picture of an empty ice basket resting inside a portable countertop ice making with the scoop placed inside.
A hand holding up an empty ice basket in front of a portable ice making machine.
A top down view of an ice basket and ice scoop resting next to a portable countertop ice maker.
White hard plastic basket of the Frigidaire EFIC189 countertop portable bullet ice maker.
Length
7.9" (20.1 cm)
7.9" (20.1 cm)
Height
3.9" (9.9 cm)
3.6" (9.1 cm)
Depth
4.9" (12.4 cm)
5.0" (12.7 cm)
Material
Hard white plastic
Hard white plastic

Water Reservoir

Water being poured from a jug into the Vivo Home portable ice maker.
Water being poured from a jug into the Vivo Home portable ice maker.
A close up of water inside the reservoir of a portable countertop ice machine.
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.
Capacity
2.3 qt (2.2 L)
2.3 qt (2.2 L)

Drainage Plug

A close up of the plastic and silicone drainage plug found on the bottom of a portable countertop ice maker.
Hard plastic tether connected to plug
Partially removed drainage plug from the bottom of the Frigidaire EFIC189 countertop portable bullet ice maker.
Material
Plastic and silicone
Hard plastic and silicone

Ice Scoop

A hand holding up an ice scoop pictured against the background of a portable countertop ice making machine.
The included ice scoop of the Frigidaire EFIC189 countertop portable bullet ice maker.
Material
Hard white plastic
Hard white plastic

Cord and Plug

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

Usability

Overall Usability Scoring
8.6
8.4

Ease of Use

8.7
8.5
A man standing behind a navy blue Vivo Home ice maker and giving a thumbs up.
The Vivo Home gets our ‘thumbs up’!
A man standing behind a navy blue Vivo Home ice maker and giving a thumbs up.
A finger pointing to an Ice Full red alert indicator on a portable countertop ice maker.
A sticker on a countertop ice maker showing technical information and a caution about risks and a notice for proper disposal.
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.

Noise

8.3
8.2
A sound meter standing upright near the fan vent of a navy blue Vivo Home portable ice maker and showing 66.6dB on the screen.
Vivo Home measured 66.6 dB.
A sound meter showing 67.2 dB being emitted from the working Frigidaire EFIC189 countertop portable bullet ice maker.
Decibels
66.6 dB
67.2 dB

Cleaning

8.5
8.3
The lid of the Vivo Home navy blue portable ice maker being held open.
The open lid of the Vivo Home.
The lid of the Vivo Home navy blue portable ice maker being held open.
The removed white silicone and plastic drainage plug of a countertop ice maker held up for a closer view.
The front of a countertop ice maker being wiped down with detergent and a pink cloth.
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.
Self Cleaning
Yes
Yes