The 5 Best Stainless Steel Undercounter Ice Makers for 2025
As someone who’s spent the last 15 years helping restaurants, hotels, bars, and homeowners across Florida choose the right ice-making equipment, I can tell you—not all undercounter ice makers are created equal. Stainless steel units are especially popular for their durability, modern look, and ability to handle both commercial and high-end residential use.
Whether you’re building out a cocktail bar, upgrading your hotel’s in-room amenities, or just want an efficient and stylish ice maker for your home, there’s a lot more to choosing the right machine than picking one off the shelf.
Let me walk you through the top five stainless steel undercounter ice makers I recommend for 2025—plus everything you need to know before making a purchase.
What to Look for in a Stainless Steel Undercounter Ice Maker
Before diving into product recommendations, let’s quickly cover what really matters when evaluating an ice maker:
Production Capacity
Consider how much ice you actually need each day. Machines can produce anywhere from 20 to 100+ pounds of ice per day. Bars and restaurants typically need at least 60–80 lbs daily, while homes or small offices may be fine with 25–40 lbs.
Ice Type
Do you want clear cubes, crescent shapes, or chewable nugget ice? Each serves different purposes—bars often prefer clear gourmet cubes, while casual restaurants and homeowners love soft nugget ice.
Storage Bin Size
Ice makers produce ice throughout the day and store it in an insulated bin. Make sure the storage capacity matches your usage patterns, especially during peak hours.
Drainage Type
Undercounter models either use a gravity drain (needs a floor drain nearby) or a built-in drain pump (adds versatility but also to cost). This is a key consideration depending on your installation location.
Dimensions and Ventilation
Check that the ice maker will physically fit your undercounter space, and ensure it has front ventilation if built into cabinetry.
Maintenance and Filtration
Self-cleaning models and built-in water filters can dramatically cut down on scale buildup and service calls—especially in areas with hard water (like much of Florida).
The 5 Best Stainless Steel Undercounter Ice Makers for 2025
Based on performance, reliability, energy efficiency, and real-world feedback from our customers, here are my top picks for this year:
1. Scotsman CU50GA Undercounter Gourmet Cube Ice Maker
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Daily Ice Production: 65 lbs
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Storage Bin Capacity: 26 lbs
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Ice Type: Clear gourmet cubes
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Drain Type: Gravity
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Price: Around $2,500
Why I Recommend It:
This model continues to be a favorite for upscale restaurants and home cocktail enthusiasts. The clear, slow-melting cubes look great in drinks and don’t water them down. It’s compact, sleek, and NSF/UL approved for commercial use. It also has a built-in water quality sensor—ideal for areas with mineral-heavy water.
Best For: High-end bars, kitchen islands, wine cellars
2. Hoshizaki AM-50BAJ-AD Undercounter Ice Machine
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Daily Ice Production: 55 lbs
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Storage Bin Capacity: 22 lbs
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Ice Type: Top-hat shaped clear cubes
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Drain Type: Gravity
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Price: Around $2,700
Why I Recommend It:
Hoshizaki is known for reliability, and this ADA-compliant model fits in lower counter spaces (under 32 inches tall). It’s surprisingly quiet and delivers exceptionally clear, gourmet-style cubes.
Best For: Home bars, hotel suites, ADA-accessible kitchen installations
3. GE Profile Opal 2.0 Nugget Ice Maker with Side Tank (Built-In Kit Included)
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Daily Ice Production: 38 lbs
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Storage Bin Capacity: 3 lbs
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Ice Type: Nugget (“Sonic-style” chewable ice)
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Drain Type: No drain required (recycles water)
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Price: Around $750
Why I Recommend It:
This model has exploded in popularity, especially in home settings where nugget ice is preferred. While it’s not a commercial-grade unit, it’s great for families, break rooms, or poolside installations where soft chewable ice is a hit. Plus, the new 2.0 version is WiFi-enabled and Alexa compatible.
Best For: Residential kitchens, break rooms, casual entertaining
4. Maxx Ice MIM50P Premium Undercounter Ice Maker with Drain Pump
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Daily Ice Production: 65 lbs
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Storage Bin Capacity: 25 lbs
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Ice Type: Full-size cubes
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Drain Type: Built-in pump
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Price: Around $1,300
Why I Recommend It:
This unit delivers serious performance at a lower price point. The built-in drain pump gives you flexibility on where it can be installed—even if you don’t have a floor drain. It also uses R-134a refrigerant and has a stainless steel door with a reversible hinge.
Best For: Small commercial kitchens, break rooms, high-demand home users
5. EdgeStar IB250SS Built-In Ice Maker
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Daily Ice Production: 25 lbs
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Storage Bin Capacity: 20 lbs (manual defrost)
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Ice Type: Crescent cubes
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Drain Type: No drain required
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Price: Around $500
Why I Recommend It:
If you’re on a tight budget and just need a basic, reliable stainless steel ice maker, this is it. It doesn’t require a drain line and can double as a freezer. It’s not flashy, but it does the job for light home or office use.
Best For: Budget-conscious buyers, offices, light residential use
Additional Tips for Choosing the Right Undercounter Ice Maker
Even the best model won’t meet your expectations if it’s not matched to your real-world needs. Here’s what I tell my clients:
Don’t Overbuy
More production isn’t always better. A machine producing 100 lbs/day for a household of two is going to waste energy, water, and possibly overfill the bin. Match the output to your peak usage window.
Check Your Water Source
Poor water quality can destroy even the best machine. Use filtered water and consider models with internal water filters or sensors that alert you when service is needed.
Ventilation Matters
Undercounter units must be front-vented if built into cabinetry. If the vents are on the side or rear, it needs to be freestanding. Improper ventilation is a common cause of premature failure.
Plan for Power and Plumbing
Make sure you’ve got a dedicated power outlet and proper plumbing hookups. Some units come with a drain pump; others will require you to install one if a floor drain isn’t nearby.
A stainless steel undercounter ice maker is more than just a luxury—it’s a practical, attractive, and long-lasting investment when chosen wisely. Whether you’re running a busy bar or building a dream kitchen, the right machine will deliver dependable ice, day in and day out, with minimal maintenance and a polished, professional look.
As someone who’s helped clients in both commercial and residential settings across Florida, I always recommend choosing quality over flash and matching the machine to your specific environment and needs.
Written by James Calloway, owner of a commercial refrigeration and ice machine supply company in Florida. I’m a Purdue University graduate with a bachelor’s degree in Mechanical Engineering and have spent the past 15 years helping businesses and homeowners choose the right ice-making equipment. As a writer for Ice Maker Depot, I specialize in helping entrepreneurs and operators make smart, efficient equipment choices.
