If you want ice close at hand without a freestanding bin, first decide whether you need an undercounter ice-and-beverage unit or a compact countertop machine with drawer-style access. Those are different setups: the undercounter option below combines ice production with drink storage, while the countertop picks make nugget ice and are designed to sit on a counter. None of these is a standard built-in freezer drawer that keeps stored ice frozen, so check the installation and storage details before choosing.
Quick Comparison
| Product | Type | Ice Output | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|
| FoMup 2-in-1 Ice Maker & Beverage Fridge | Undercounter ice maker and beverage fridge | Up to 120 lb per day; 30 lb storage | Home bars and kitchens with room for an undercounter unit |
| Electactic Nugget Ice Maker with Auto Water Refill | Countertop nugget ice maker | Up to 35 lb per day | Chewable ice and less frequent manual refilling |
| VEVOR Countertop Ice Maker with Drawer-Style Access | Portable countertop nugget ice maker | Up to 33 lb per day | Compact spaces and pull-out ice access |
| Electactic Nugget Ice Maker with Automatic Water Supply | Countertop nugget ice maker | Up to 35 lb per day | Frequent nugget-ice use with automatic water supply |
Our Picks: Best Ice Maker Drawer For Kitchen reviews
FoMup 2-in-1: Undercounter Ice Maker and Beverage Fridge
The FoMup combines an undercounter ice maker with a beverage refrigerator, making it the closest match here for a kitchen or bar setup built around drawers. Its two-drawer design stores drinks and ice, with listed ice production of up to 120 pounds per day and storage for 30 pounds. That capacity is aimed at households or small venues that use a steady supply of ice, rather than someone who only needs a few extra cubes now and then.
The beverage compartment has digital temperature control from 43°F to 65°F. Other listed features include a full-ice sensor, a programmable timer, a self-cleaning cycle, and a defrost function. The stainless-steel construction and reversible door may help the unit fit into different kitchen layouts, though you’ll need to confirm its installation requirements and available space before buying.
There is an important distinction between ice production and ice storage: the product information says this is not a freezer and will not keep ice frozen. It also requires a connected drain line at all times. That makes it a less straightforward choice than a countertop machine, and it may not suit a kitchen without a suitable drain connection.
Pros:
- Combines ice production and beverage storage in one undercounter unit
- Listed capacity of up to 120 pounds of ice per day
- Full-ice sensor and programmable timer help manage production
- Reversible door offers flexibility in door swing
Cons:
- Requires a drain line to remain connected
- Does not keep stored ice frozen
Verdict: Choose the FoMup if you want an undercounter ice-and-drink station and can meet its drain requirement; skip it if you need a freezer-style drawer that preserves ice.
Electactic Nugget Ice Maker with Auto Water Refill
This Electactic is a countertop machine for people who prefer soft, chewable nugget ice. It is listed to make up to 35 pounds per day, with the first batch ready in about four minutes. Its dual water-supply design gives you a choice: fill the built-in reservoir by hand or connect the machine to a compatible purified water line for continuous supply.
The compact size—12.91 by 10.3 by 8.46 inches—may suit a kitchen counter, office, or RV where an undercounter installation is not practical. A one-touch cleaning cycle and infrared alerts for low water and a full basket are intended to reduce routine monitoring. The product information does not specify the basket’s storage capacity, so daily output should not be mistaken for the amount of ice it holds at once.
This is not a drawer-style appliance in the built-in kitchen sense. It is better viewed as a small countertop ice maker with convenient automated water options. Compared with the VEVOR, it lists higher daily output and a water-line connection option; compared with the undercounter FoMup, it takes less commitment to install but does not add beverage storage.
Pros:
- Produces chewable nugget ice
- Offers manual filling or a compatible purified water-line connection
- Compact dimensions for countertop use
- Includes a cleaning cycle and water-level and basket alerts
Cons:
- Requires counter space and is not an undercounter drawer unit
- Basket storage capacity is not specified in the supplied product details
Verdict: Pick this model if you want nugget ice and value the option of automatic water supply, but measure your counter and check your water-line compatibility first.
VEVOR Countertop Nugget Ice Maker with Pull-Out Access
The VEVOR stands out for its drawer-style ice access, but it is still a portable countertop machine rather than a built-in kitchen drawer. It makes chewable nugget ice and is listed to produce up to 33 pounds in 24 hours, with batches taking about 7–10 minutes. The 0.8-liter water tank and 1.2-pound ice storage capacity make the distinction between daily output and ready-to-scoop storage especially important.
Its compact format, stainless-steel exterior, and stated noise level of 55 dB may make it a practical fit for a kitchen, office, or bar where a larger appliance would be awkward. It supports manual water filling and a direct tap-water connection, and has indicators for a full ice basket and low water. A five-minute self-cleaning cycle is also listed.
Compared with the Electactic countertop options, the VEVOR has a specified storage capacity, which helps set expectations for how much ice is ready at one time. Its daily output is lower than the other listed countertop models, and the small basket means you may need to transfer or use ice regularly if demand is high.
Pros:
- Drawer-style access makes ice retrieval different from a typical top-opening basket
- Produces chewable nugget ice
- Offers manual filling or a direct tap-water connection
- Includes a self-cleaning cycle and low-water and full-basket indicators
Cons:
- Stores 1.2 pounds of ice at a time
- Its drawer-style access does not make it a built-in undercounter unit
Verdict: The VEVOR is a good fit if pull-out access and a compact footprint matter more than holding a large amount of ice at once.
Electactic Nugget Ice Maker with Automatic Water Supply
This Electactic model is another countertop option for soft, crunchy nugget ice. It is listed to make up to 35 pounds a day, with ice production starting in about four minutes. Its automatic water supply is designed to reduce manual refills, and the product information also describes a purified water-line connection for hands-free operation.
The machine measures 12.91 by 10.3 by 8.46 inches, so it may suit a counter, break room, or RV with a free spot. A 350-gram ice basket gives you a stated storage figure, while the listed daily output describes what the machine can produce over a full day. Those figures measure different things: the basket is much smaller than a day’s total production and may need emptying as you use the machine.
A one-touch cleaning cycle and infrared alerts for water level and basket status are included. Compared with the other Electactic pick, the product details here specify basket capacity, which can help with planning; the two models otherwise share similar dimensions, output, nugget-ice style, and water-supply approach. As with the other countertop picks, this is not a kitchen drawer appliance.
Pros:
- Produces chewable nugget ice with a listed output of up to 35 pounds per day
- Automatic water supply can reduce manual refills
- Compact dimensions for a countertop appliance
- Includes a 350-gram basket, cleaning cycle, and status alerts
Cons:
- Basket capacity is limited compared with the listed daily output
- Needs counter space and is not an undercounter drawer
Verdict: Choose this Electactic if you want countertop nugget ice with a specified basket size and automatic water supply, and you are comfortable emptying a small basket as needed.
How to Choose an Ice Maker Drawer for Your Kitchen
Decide whether you need built-in or countertop installation
A true undercounter unit needs a suitable space and may require plumbing or drainage. The FoMup is the only option here described as an undercounter appliance, and it requires a drain line to stay connected. The other three are countertop machines, so they avoid that type of installation but take up worktop space. Measure the opening or counter area before you choose, and confirm the unit’s full installation requirements.
Check how the machine stores ice
Daily ice production is not the same as the amount available in the bin at one time. The VEVOR lists 1.2 pounds of storage, while the Electactic model with automatic water supply lists a 350-gram basket. The other Electactic listing does not state a basket capacity. The FoMup lists 30 pounds of ice storage, but its product information warns that it does not keep ice frozen. If you need ice to stay frozen for long periods, these details matter more than production claims alone.
Match the ice style to your drinks
Both Electactic models and the VEVOR make chewable nugget ice, which can suit iced coffee, soft drinks, and other cold beverages. The FoMup listing describes cube ice instead. Consider what you typically serve and whether you prefer small, soft pieces or cubes before deciding. The supplied product details do not give a choice of ice shape for each machine, so treat the stated ice type as a key difference.
Think through water and drain connections
Some countertop models allow manual filling and a water-line connection, while the FoMup requires its drain line to remain connected. Automatic water supply can reduce refill tasks, but you should check whether your kitchen has a compatible connection and whether the product’s installation instructions fit your setup. If you would rather avoid plumbing, confirm that the machine can operate with manual filling.
Consider the work involved in upkeep
All four product descriptions mention a cleaning or self-cleaning feature, but a cleaning cycle does not remove the need to follow the care instructions. Check how the unit drains, how often it needs cleaning, and whether its parts are accessible for routine care. For the FoMup, note the separate defrost function and continuous drain requirement; for countertop models, consider how easy it will be to empty and clean the water reservoir and basket.
Choose capacity for your real demand
A high daily production figure may be useful for frequent entertaining, but it does not mean that the machine holds that much ice at once. Think about how many drinks you serve at a time, how often you can transfer ice, and whether you need a separate beverage compartment. For occasional use, a compact countertop unit may be enough. For a dedicated bar area with heavier demand, the FoMup’s listed production and drink storage may be more relevant—provided its installation needs work for your space.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is a countertop ice maker with drawer-style access the same as an ice maker drawer?
No. The VEVOR is a countertop machine with drawer-style ice access, but it is not a built-in undercounter drawer. The FoMup is an undercounter ice-and-beverage unit with two drawers. Check the product’s installation type rather than relying on the word “drawer” alone.
Does the FoMup keep its stored ice frozen?
No. Its product information specifically says the ice maker is not a freezer and will not keep ice frozen. It also says the drain line must remain connected at all times.
Which of these machines makes nugget ice?
The two Electactic countertop models and the VEVOR are described as nugget ice makers. The FoMup is described as producing cube ice.
Which option has the highest listed daily ice output?
The FoMup has the highest listed output, at up to 120 pounds per day. Its large output figure does not mean it freezes or preserves stored ice, so consider its storage and drain requirements as well.
Can the countertop models connect to a water supply?
The Electactic models describe automatic water supply and a connection to a compatible purified water line. The VEVOR lists manual filling and a direct tap-water connection. Check the unit’s instructions and your water setup before connecting any machine.
Which model is best for a small kitchen?
The Electactic countertop models list compact dimensions of 12.91 by 10.3 by 8.46 inches. The VEVOR is also described as compact, but the supplied product details do not include its dimensions. Measure your counter and leave room for the connections and access the machine needs.
Final Recommendation
For a kitchen or bar designed around an undercounter ice-and-drink station, the FoMup is the closest fit in this group, as long as you can keep its drain connected and do not expect it to preserve ice like a freezer. For a smaller countertop setup, choose between the Electactic machines for nugget ice and water-supply flexibility, or the VEVOR if its drawer-style access and clearly stated basket capacity suit your routine. Before ordering, confirm whether the product’s installation type, ice storage, and water requirements match the way you plan to use it.