The best undercounter ice maker for a home bar is a plumbed, built-in machine that lands 25 to 120 pounds of clear cubes a day and holds 20 to 50 pounds on hand, so a full bin sits inside your cabinetry instead of on the counter. For most builds, the deciding factors are drainage, cabinet depth and noise, not headline output. We compared ten machines side by side below, including one drainless design and one nugget ice option.
A home bar changes how you buy an ice maker. A countertop tub works for a weekend, but a built-in machine with a water line, a drain and a proper bin is the difference between a bar that runs every night and one you stock before guests arrive. It also frees the countertop and, more importantly, it removes the two chores nobody wants: hauling water in and scooping meltwater out.
There is a catch, and it is not the price. These machines need somewhere to go. Most want a dedicated water supply, most want a drain routed below the machine, and all of them generate heat that has to leave the cabinet. Get the rough-in wrong and the best machine on this list ends up sitting on the floor next to a bucket.
We read the spec sheets, the owner reviews and the failure reports for all ten of these machines, then ranked them on output, storage, installation demands and the things buyers regret later. If you are still planning the cabinetry, start with our bar cabinet picks so the ice bay is designed from the start.
Table of Contents
Top 3 Best Undercounter Ice Makers For Home Bars (October 2026)
EUHOMY 110 lbs Undercounter with Drain Pump
- 110 lbs/24h
- 33 lb bin
- External drain pump
- Replaceable filter
VEVOR Commercial Ice Maker, 120 lbs/24h
- 120 lbs/24h
- 19-33 lb bin
- 45 cubes per cycle
- Under 50 dB
EUHOMY 15 Inch Undercounter, 90 lbs/24h
- 90 lbs/24h
- 24 lb bin
- 14.96 inch width
- Reversible door
Undercounter Ice Makers for Home Bars: Quick Overview
| Product | Specifications | Action |
|---|---|---|
| EUHOMY 110 lbs Undercounter with Drain Pump |
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Check Latest Price |
| EUHOMY 15 Inch Undercounter, 90 lbs/24h |
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| VEVOR Commercial Ice Maker, 120 lbs/24h |
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 Gilati 15 Inch Undercounter, 120 lbs/24h |
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 Mojgar Commercial Ice Maker, 50 lb Bin |
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 Velieta 130 lbs Compact Built-In |
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 COTLIN 15 Inch Drainless Ice Maker |
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 FoMup Commercial Undercounter, 130 lbs/24h |
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 COSTWAY 15 Inch Undercounter, 110 lbs/24h |
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 Mojgar Undercounter Nugget Ice Maker |
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Check Latest Price |
How We Picked These Machines?
Every machine here is designed to sit under a counter rather than sit on one, which already narrows the field considerably. From there we worked through five criteria, in this order.
Storage bin against daily output. Production numbers are the marketing line, bin capacity is what you actually live with between harvests. A 120 pound machine with a 19 pound bin needs more attention than a 50 pound machine with a 50 pound bin.
Installation demands. Width, depth, height, water supply, drain route, electrical draw and whether a pump is included. We scored drainless and pump-equipped builds highest for residential work because they remove the two steps most likely to go wrong.
Review depth and rating. We weighted machines with thousands of ratings above machines with dozens, and we read the negative reviews closely, because pump failures, leaking lines and dead sensors are the recurring themes.
Controls and maintenance. Timer range, cube thickness adjustment, self-cleaning cycles, water filtration and any full-bin or low-water alarms.
Noise and heat. Anything rated at or under 50 dB is workable next to a living space. We noted wattage too, since an air-cooled compressor inside a closed cabinet is the hidden cost of built-in convenience.
We earn a commission on qualifying purchases. That does not change the ranking, and it is why every machine here carries both a real advantage and a real drawback.
1. EUHOMY 110 lbs Undercounter Ice Maker with Drain Pump
EUHOMY Under Counter Ice Maker with Drain Pump, 110 lbs/24H Commercial Ice Machine, Stainless Steel Ice Maker with 33 lbs Storage Bin, Freestanding Ice Maker for Home/Bar/Cafe/Restaurant
110 lbs/24h
33 lb bin
External drain pump
Replaceable water filter
Pros
- Most owner ratings of any machine on this list
- External drain pump covers installs with no floor drain
- Replaceable water filter improves clarity and taste
- Viewing window and curved cover make production easy to watch
Cons
- Needs both a water supply and a drain connection
- 24 hours upright plus two cleaning cycles before full output
- 16.93 inch body is wide for tight cavities
This is the machine I would put in a finished home bar. It makes up to 110 pounds of clear ice a day, roughly 45 cubes every 10 to 15 minutes, and the 33 pound built-in bin is big enough to carry you through a party without a mid-event shovel. That combination of proven reliability and usable storage is why it sits at the top.
The external drain pump is the feature that changes the install. Instead of hunting for a floor drain below the machine, the pump moves meltwater up and away, so you can run the hose to a sink, a stack or a line at a higher elevation. For a basement bar or an island, that single part often decides whether the project is a weekend or a negotiation with a plumber.
The extras are small but they add up. A replaceable water filter sits in the path, the LCD panel handles cube size, ambient temperature and a 24-hour timer, and a one-touch self-cleaning cycle runs from the panel. Three layers of insulation slow melt, which matters more in a warm bar than most spec sheets admit.
Owners rank it at 4.3 across more than 4,000 ratings, the deepest review base in this group, and the complaints are installation-related rather than performance-related. The 16.93 inch width is genuinely wide, so measure the cavity before you commit, and remember the 24 hours upright before first power-on.
How it performs at the bar?
At roughly 45 cubes every 10 to 15 minutes, it outpaces a normal home serving rate without effort. The 33 pound bin holds a full evening of drinks, and the three-layer housing slows the melt that turns a bin of ice into a bin of water by midnight.
The water filter is the part owners notice in the glass. Water taste transfers straight into clear cubes, and a replaceable filter is cheaper than chasing that problem with bottled water.
Where it will frustrate you?
It asks the most of you on installation day. Water supply, drain connection, 24 hours standing upright and two cleaning cycles before the machine reaches its rated output.
The body is 16.93 inches wide, wider than most 15 inch cabinet bays, so plan the cut-out around the machine rather than the cabinet around your habits.
2. EUHOMY 15 Inch Undercounter Ice Maker, 90 lbs/24h
EUHOMY 15″ Under Counter Ice Maker, 90lbs/24H, 24lb Bin, Gravity Drainage
90 lbs/24h
24 lb bin
14.96 inch width
Reversible insulated door
Pros
- Fast output that keeps up with heavy household use
- 24 lb bin refills quickly
- 14.96 inch width fits standard bar cabinets
- Adjustable thickness with 24 hour timer
Cons
- Cubes can drop as a connected sheet that will not separate
- Pump failures reported inside the warranty period
- Support replies are mostly automated
Where the first machine is about capacity and plumbing, this one is about fitting the cabinet. At 14.96 inches wide it drops into a standard 15 inch undercounter bay, and the reversible stainless door means it can hinge away from whichever wall you put it against.
Output is 90 pounds a day, about 40 clear cubes every 11 to 20 minutes, into a 24 pound bin. That is more than most home bars use in a week, which is the point. You are buying headroom so the bin is full whenever you open the door.
Owners rate it at 4.2 across more than 700 ratings, and the recurring praise is speed, bin size and quiet running. Several describe fitting it inside a cabinet or an RV without difficulty, and the LCD panel adds adjustable thickness, an ambient temperature display and a 24-hour timer.
Drainage is gravity only, so the drain pipe has to run below the machine outlet. That is a simpler install than a pump, but it is a real constraint in a finished bar where the cabinet base sits high off the floor.
What you get day to day?
A bin that refills quickly and a machine that stays out of the conversation. Owners describe output that never drops to empty even under heavy use, and the three-layer housing slows cube melt between harvests.
The LCD panel handles thickness, temperature display and the timer, and a held button runs a self-cleaning cycle without pulling a filter or a screwdriver.
What to watch out for?
Two things come up in the negative reviews. Cubes can release as a connected sheet that does not break apart cleanly, and water pump failures appear on more than one machine inside the warranty period.
Support is the other gap. Owners report bot replies with 24 to 48 hour waits, and replacement parts that are hard to source once a pump fails.
3. VEVOR Commercial Ice Maker, 120 lbs/24h
VEVOR Commercial Ice Maker Machine, 120 lbs/24H Ice Production, 19-33 lbs Storage Bin, 45 Cubes per Cycle, Stainless Steel Under Counter & Freestanding Ice Maker with LED Display, Self-Cleaning
120 lbs/24h
19-33 lb bin
45 cubes per cycle
Under 50 dB
Pros
- 120 lbs per day with a bin rated 19 to 33 lbs
- 48 hour timer outlasts the 24 hour timers on most rivals
- Under 50 dB works for an indoor bar
- Detachable water tank and one-touch self-cleaning
Cons
- Lowest average rating here at 4.0 with a 16 percent one-star share
- 450 W is the highest draw in this set
- Needs a fixed water line
This is the throughput pick. Rated at 120 pounds a day and 6,000 or more cubes, it makes 45 cubes per cycle and delivers the first batch in about 10 minutes. If your bar hosts large groups and you refill constantly, the production ceiling here is the reason to look at it.
Two details separate it from the other high-output boxes. The programmable timer runs to 48 hours rather than the 24 hours most rivals stop at, and the LED panel lets you set ice thickness, with thin cubes in about 9 minutes and thick ones in about 14. That range is genuinely useful: thin for a crowded party, thick for a slow evening of spirit-forward drinks.
The bin carries an ice-full indicator that lights at 19 pounds and holds up to 33. Operation is rated under 50 dB, and a detachable water tank plus one-touch self-cleaning keep upkeep simple. At 56.2 pounds and 15.75 inches wide, it is a standard undercounter or freestanding footprint.
Owners rate it at 4.0 across just over 600 ratings, and that 4.0 carries a 16 percent one-star share, the widest durability spread in this group. It also pulls 450 watts, the highest draw among these machines, so give it a circuit of its own.
Where the output matters?
120 pounds a day is built for nights when the bar is genuinely busy. The bin range of 19 to 33 pounds means the full indicator tells you early, and the machine keeps building while you serve.
Adjustable thickness is the underrated part. One machine covers a crowded party and a quiet whiskey night without a settings change.
Where it falls short?
The 4.0 average and the one-star share point to a wider quality spread than the higher-rated machines here, and the 450 W draw is the heaviest in the set.
It needs a fixed water line, so there is no bottled-water fallback if the rough-in is not finished.
4. Gilati 15 Inch Commercial Undercounter Ice Maker, 120 lbs/24h
15″ Commercial Under Counter Ice Maker Machine, Built-in or Freestanding
120 lbs/24h
30 lb bin
14.96 inch built-in width
Gravity drain
Pros
- True 15 inch built-in footprint
- Reversible door and three-layer insulation
- Panel with thickness control and 24 hour timer
- Hoses and ice scoop in the box
Cons
- 120 lbs per day rated against a 30 lb bin
- Gravity drainage only with no pump included
- 18.5 inch depth is deeper than most 15 inch rivals
The Gilati is a true 15 inch built-in, which narrows the cabinets it will fit to the standard undercounter bay. The output claim is large, up to 120 pounds a day with 40 clear cubes every 10 to 16 minutes, and the 30 pound bin is the more practical half of that story.
Owners like the details that make installation easier. The stainless door is reversible for a hinge on either side, three layers of insulation slow melt, and the LCD panel carries an ambient temperature display, adjustable cube thickness and a 24-hour timer. Self-cleaning runs by holding the timer-clean control for five seconds.
Everything needed for setup arrives in the box: the manual, adjustable hose, water inlet and outlet hoses, and an ice shovel. For a first built-in install, having the hoses on hand saves a trip to the hardware store mid-project.
Two cautions. The 4.0 average across 310 ratings carries the same 16 percent one-star share as the VEVOR, and drainage is gravity only, so the drain hose must sit below the machine outlet with no pump in the box.
Fit and finish
At 14.96 inches wide by 18.5 inches deep by 32.28 inches high, it fits a standard bay but the depth is deeper than most 15 inch machines, so check the cabinet before the cabinet is ordered.
The reversible door and the three-layer housing are the two features owners mention most, and both matter in a bar that gets used most evenings.
Trade-offs to plan around
You are buying a 120 pound machine with a 30 pound bin, which means production outruns consumption on busy nights. That is fine if you drink fast and a problem if you want a full bin sitting there.
No drain pump is included, so the drain route has to fall below the machine. In a raised cabinet base, that is the part of the install to verify first.
5. Mojgar Commercial Ice Maker, 200 lbs/24h with 50 lb Storage
Mojgar Commercial Ice Maker 200lbs/24H with 50lbs Ice Storage 2 Water Inlet
180-200 lbs/24h
50 lb insulated bin
Dual water intake
24-month warranty
Pros
- Largest storage bin in this group at 50 lb
- Dual intake accepts tap water or a jug
- Water filter included in the box
- 24-month machine and compressor warranty
Cons
- Published output differs between the listing headline and the spec block
- Gravity drainage only
- 19.7 inch depth is the deepest in the set
The Mojgar solves the problem the other big-output machines create. Instead of chasing production, it stores 50 pounds in an insulated bin, the largest here, which means a full bar of ice waiting on a Saturday night instead of a machine working while you wait.
The dual water intake is the practical surprise. You can plumb it directly to a tap or feed it from a jug with the self-priming system, and a water filter is included. That flexibility makes it usable in a bar where the plumbing is not finished yet.
It makes 55 square cubes per cycle in about 10 to 18 minutes, each roughly 0.86 inches on a side. An internal white LED lights the bin, which is a small thing that matters in a dim bar, and the digital display handles a 24-hour timer, thickness setting, self-cleaning and ice-full detection.
Owners rate it 4.2 across 221 ratings, and the two-year machine and compressor warranty is the longest coverage in this group. Note one thing before you buy: the listing headline says 200 pounds a day while the specification block says 180, so treat 180 as the working number.
Why storage beats speed here?
A 50 pound bin means you build ice once and serve from it. That is a different rhythm from a 20 pound bin that needs topping up while guests are watching.
The dual intake also means the machine is not hostage to the rough-in. Start it on a jug, plumb it later.
What to sort out first?
Depth is 19.7 inches, the deepest body here, so the cabinet cavity has to be generous. Front ventilation means the air path in front needs to stay clear.
Drainage is gravity only, with no pump in the box, and the machine needs 24 hours upright before first use so the refrigerant settles.
6. Velieta 130 lbs Commercial Ice Maker, Compact Built-In
130 lbs Commercial Ice Maker Undercounter Built-in Freestanding Self-Clean
130 lbs/24h
24 lb bin
13.65 inch wide
Sliding lid
Pros
- Narrow 13.65 inch body at 36.3 lb
- Sliding lid needs no overhead clearance
- Dual water supply works with a 5 gallon jug
- Front-vented for recessed installs
- Three-stage thickness control
Cons
- Door reported without an effective seal
- Ice-level sensor reported as unreliable
- Storage bin is not refrigerated
When the cabinet is the constraint, the Velieta is the one to look at. At 13.26 inches deep by 13.65 inches wide by 28.08 inches high and 36.3 pounds, it is the smallest and lightest machine here, and it is the easiest of the ten to lift into a tight bay.
The sliding lid is a smart detail for built-in work. Most machines need a hinged door with overhead swing clearance, which is not always available inside a cabinet. This one slides, and a built-in blue LED lights the bin.
Output is 130 pounds a day with a batch every 8 to 15 minutes into a 24 pound bin, and water can come from a plumbed line or a top-load 5 gallon jug with the included filter. The LCD panel gives three-stage thickness, a timer, one-touch self-cleaning and alerts, and front-vented cooling suits a recessed install with adjustable leveling feet.
Owners rate it 4.2 across 106 ratings, and several describe fitting it into a basement bar. The critical reviews are specific and consistent: an unsealed door that lets ice soften and refreeze into a mass, and a level sensor that does not stop production when it should.
Where the small footprint pays off?
Owners repeatedly mention basement bars and tight undercounter cavities, and the compact body plus the sliding lid is why. At 36.3 pounds, one person can position it.
Jug or plumbed water means you are not blocked by a rough-in date, which is how a lot of bar builds get finished early.
The reliability reports
An unsealed door is the problem to weigh. Ice softens, then refreezes into a solid block, and that changes the texture of everything you pour over it.
The level sensor is the second issue, because production continues until the outlet clogs. Several owners also describe about a year of service life, so plan on a replacement budget.
7. COTLIN 15 Inch Drainless Undercounter Ice Maker, 42 lbs/24h
COTLIN 15″ W Drainless Under Counter Ice Maker with 22LBS Storage Bin
42 lbs/24h
22 lb bin
Drainless, no drain pipe
Crescent cubes
Pros
- Drainless design removes the hardest install step
- Reported setup in about 30 minutes
- Crescent cubes held at 26.6 to 32 F
- Reversible hinges and adjustable feet
- ETL certified with lifetime service support
Cons
- Slowest output here at 42 lbs per day
- First full bin takes about 24 hours
- Magnetic door seal described as just adequate
The COTLIN is the answer to the most common objection to built-in ice: the drain. It recirculates its meltwater, so there is no drain pipe to run, no plumber to book and no pump to fail. A water supply connector and a power cord are the whole install.
Owners report about 30 minutes of setup, which is a genuinely different experience from the plumbing work every other machine on this list demands. For a rental, a condo where a plumber is not permitted, or a bar built in stages, that is the whole ballgame.
The ice is crescent-shaped and held between 26.6 and 32 degrees F, and drink makers describe it as high quality and slow melting. A one-touch start switch with no complex settings, reversible door hinges and adjustable feet make it forgiving in a tight cabinet.
It carries the highest average rating here at 4.5 with 78 percent five-star reviews. The trade-off is throughput: at 42 pounds a day it produces far less than the cube machines here, and the first bucket takes roughly 24 hours to build.
What the drainless design buys?
No drain means no failed pump, no blocked line and no basin to plumb. For most residential bars the drain is the step that turns a weekend project into a two-week one.
The crescent shape and slow melt are a real benefit for a spirit-forward drink, where ice should dilute slowly rather than water down the first sip.
What the slower output costs?
42 pounds a day suits a bar that serves steadily. It does not suit a 30 person party where everyone wants ice at once, and the first full bin takes about a day to build.
At 600 watts it draws more than any machine here, and the magnetic door seal is described as just adequate, with the door able to bounce open on its own.
8. FoMup Commercial Undercounter Ice Maker, 130 lbs/24h
Commercial Undercounter Ice Maker 130lbs/24H, 35lbs Storage
130 lbs/24h
35 lb bin
Hose set included
Overflow protection
Pros
- 35 lb bin with automatic overflow prevention
- Inlet and drain hoses included in the box
- De-icing function and fault alerts on the panel
- Leveling feet adjust from 0.8 to 1.6 inch
Cons
- Smallest review base here at 44 ratings
- Storage bin is not refrigerated so ice melts unless moved
- Protective film leaves the body white until removed
The FoMup is the practical middle of this group. It makes up to 130 pounds a day, 45 clear cubes every 10 to 20 minutes, into a 35 pound built-in bin, and automatic overflow protection stops production and draining when the bin is full.
The box is unusually complete. A full set of inlet and drain hoses is included, so the install does not need a plumber or a hardware run, and four leveling feet adjust from 0.8 to 1.6 inches to suit an uneven cabinet base.
The LCD panel covers 24-hour timer reservation, one-touch self-cleaning, a de-icing function, a built-in blue light and malfunction reminders, with cube thickness set by plus and minus buttons. The stainless body carries a food-grade PP liner and a thick foam insulation layer, and it works built-in or freestanding at 17 by 15 by 31.5 inches.
Owners rate it 4.2, but across only 44 ratings, which is the thinnest evidence in this group. Two details to know before you order: the bin is not a refrigerator, so ice melts unless you move it, and the exterior ships under a white protective film that has to be peeled to see the stainless finish.
What the included kit changes?
Having both hoses in the box is the difference between an install that takes an evening and one that waits on a delivery. Nothing else here matches that out of the box.
Automatic overflow protection reduces the clumping you get when production outruns consumption, which is a recurring complaint with smaller bins.
Where the caution sits?
44 ratings is a small sample. The specification sheet is strong, but the long-term record is not there yet, and the warranty is one year against two from Mojgar.
Remember the bin is not refrigerated. Treat stored ice as a short-term supply, not a freezer substitute.
9. COSTWAY 15 Inch Undercounter Commercial Ice Maker, 110 lbs/24h
COSTWAY 15″ Under Counter Commercial Ice Maker, 110Lbs/24H, Silver+Black
110 lbs/24h
25 lb bin
Front-vented 15 inch body
Built-in filter
Pros
- Fast
- evenly sized cubes with three thickness settings
- Owners describe it as inaudible in a shared room
- 15 inch front-vented body suits built-in installs
- Self-cleaning cycle and built-in water filter
Cons
- Reports of units arriving with leaking internal lines
- Return handling difficult without buyer-paid shipping
- Storage bin is not refrigerated
If the bar sits inside an open-plan living space, noise decides the shortlist, and this is the machine owners describe as inaudible in a shared room. That is a bigger practical advantage than another 30 pounds of rated output.
It produces up to 110 pounds a day, 40 cubes every 12 to 15 minutes, into a 25 pound bin, with three thickness settings: thin cubes in about 12 minutes, medium in 15 and thick in 18. Even sizing is what owners comment on most, and it matters more in a clear drink than the number suggests.
Front ventilation makes it suitable for under counter or built-in installation at 15 inches wide, and it also works freestanding. A built-in water filter connects directly to tap water, a reversible stainless door carries a sturdy handle, and three-layer housing extends preservation. A shovel, inlet hose with filter and drain hose are all included.
Owners rate it 4.2 across 51 ratings. The negative reviews are about quality control rather than performance, with reports of units arriving with leaking internal lines and returns being difficult without the buyer covering shipping.
What quiet actually buys you?
A bar next to a sofa is a different design problem from a bar in a basement. If you can hear the compressor over conversation, guests stop lingering, and the machine loses its purpose.
Even cube sizing helps here too. Uniform cubes melt at the same rate, so the last drink of a session is as strong as the first.
What the reviews flag?
Factory leaks are the main complaint, including a unit that arrived with leaking internal water lines and reports of leaking from the base rather than the connections. Inspect on arrival.
Return shipping is the frustrating part when something is wrong, and the reservation timer stops at 23 hours rather than 24 or 48.
10. Mojgar Undercounter Nugget Ice Maker, 80 lbs/24h with Drain Pump
Mojgar Undercounter Nugget Ice Maker, 80 Lbs/24H, Drain Pump Included
80 lbs/24h nugget ice
18 lb bin
Drain pump included
45 dB or less
Pros
- Only nugget ice machine in this group
- External drain pump included rather than sold separately
- 45 dB or less at a 249 W draw
- Full install kit with filter bins scoop and hoses
- 24-month machine and compressor warranty
Cons
- Smallest bin here at 18 lb
- 80 lbs per day is modest beside the cube machines
- Only 26 ratings so far
Every other machine here makes cube ice. This one makes soft, chewable nugget ice at up to 80 pounds a day, which is the format most home bar builders ask for by name. If nugget ice is the goal, the shortlist is one item long.
The install is the easiest of any nugget machine we looked at. Three steps, connect the water supply, attach the drain hose, plug it in, and the external drain pump is in the box rather than sold as an add-on. That pump also means no gravity drain is needed.
What you get in the box?
Self-cleaning runs by holding the time button for five seconds and completes a 15-minute cycle, and the LED panel carries a 24-hour timer, temperature display, water shortage reminder and ice-full indicator. Built-in dimensions are 15 inches wide by 17.9 deep by 32.5 high.
At 45 dB or less and 249 watts, it is the quietest and least power-hungry machine here. The full stainless body, thick insulation and food-grade liner back up a two-year machine and compressor warranty.
Where the trade-off sits?
The 18 pound bin is the smallest in this group, so nugget ice is a serve-as-you-go format rather than a stockpile. Nugget ice is also softer and melts faster than cubes, which is exactly what you want in a mojito and wrong for a slow whiskey night.
Output of 80 pounds a day is modest next to the cube machines here, and with only 26 ratings the long-term record is still thin. Test it before you commit the cabinetry.
How to Choose an Undercounter Ice Maker for a Home Bar?
Ice type and what it does to your drink
Cube ice is dense, slow melting and neutral in the glass, which makes it the right default for anything spirit-forward. An Old Fashioned or a Negroni benefits from a solid cube that dilutes slowly rather than a soft pebble that waters down the first sip.
Nugget ice is soft, chewy and melts faster, which is why it is popular in sodas, mojitos, mint juleps and iced tea where the texture is the point. It is the only format the Mojgar in this list produces, and it comes with a smaller bin and lower output as a trade.
Whichever you pick, expect a rectangular or square clear cube rather than a hollow bullet shape. Bullet ice belongs to a different and cheaper category of machine, and none of these ten produce it.
Sizing and the 15-inch cabinet bay
Width is the first cut. Four of these machines are 15 inch class at 14.8 to 15 inches wide, which drops into a standard bay, while the EUHOMY with the drain pump is 16.93 inches wide and the Velieta is 13.65.
Depth matters more than people expect. Bodies run from 13.26 inches deep to 19.7 inches, and that spread decides whether the machine fits the cabinet or sits in front of it. Measure the cavity depth including the back wall clearance before you order.
Height is less of an issue, since all of these sit around 28 to 34 inches, but check clearance above the door swing unless the machine has a sliding lid like the Velieta.
Drainage: gravity drain versus drain pump
This is the number one install failure point. A gravity drain needs the hose to run below the machine outlet, which is easy in a basement bar sitting on the floor and awkward in a raised cabinet base or an island.
A drain pump moves the water up and away, so the hose can reach a sink or a stack at a higher level. Three machines here include one: the EUHOMY 110 pound, the Mojgar nugget unit, and the COTLIN, which goes further and eliminates the drain entirely by recirculating meltwater.
If you cannot run a drain at all, a drainless design like the COTLIN removes the plumber, the pump and the failure point in one move. The cost is output: 42 pounds a day against 110 or 130.
Power, ventilation and clearance
Every machine here runs on 110 or 115 volts, but draw ranges from 203 watts on the 15 inch EUHOMY to 600 watts on the COTLIN. Several machines here draw over 400 watts, which is enough to share a circuit with a microwave and cause nuisance trips. A dedicated outlet is the safer call.
Ventilation style decides where the machine can go. Front-vented models, including the Mojgar, the Velieta and the COSTWAY, can sit inside a cabinet because air exits at the front. Rear or side venting needs open space behind or beside, which a finished cabinet may not offer.
Whatever the style, the air path has to stay clear. A machine boxed in with no clearance runs hotter, works harder and wears out sooner.
Noise thresholds for open-plan living
Two machines publish an explicit figure: the VEVOR and the Mojgar nugget both run at 45 dB or less. The Mojgar 200 pound machine and the COSTWAY are also described as operating under 50 dB, which is the same ballpark.
For reference, an under 40 dB machine sits below a quiet conversation, 40 to 50 dB reads as steady background hum, and above 50 dB becomes noticeable in a quiet room. Owners report that cubes dropping into a near-empty bin can be louder than the compressor itself, so a lined or insulated bin is worth considering.
If your bar opens onto a living space, pick a machine with published noise data and a bin that stays reasonably full. That combination matters more than a small difference in rated decibels.
Maintenance, scale and the melt-rate reality check
Mineral scale is the main long-term enemy in hard-water areas. It builds on the evaporator plate, slows production and changes the taste of the ice. All ten of these machines have a self-cleaning cycle, and most have a replaceable water filter, which is the cheapest scale defense there is.
Understand what the bin is. A storage bin is not a freezer. Ice in an uncooled cabinet softens, which is why several owners here report refrozen blocks after a gap between parties, and why the COTLIN holds its crescent cubes at 26.6 to 32 degrees F to slow the same effect.
If you are still weighing formats, our nugget ice maker guide and pellet ice maker picks cover the countertop side of the decision, and our portable picks for RVs make sense where no water line exists at all.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the best ice maker for a home bar?
The best undercounter ice maker for a home bar is a plumbed, built-in machine that makes 25 to 120 pounds of clear ice a day and holds 20 to 50 pounds in an insulated bin. For most builds, the EUHOMY 110 pound model with an external drain pump is the strongest all-round pick because the pump removes the hardest installation constraint, while the COTLIN drainless unit wins where no drain can be run at all.
Do undercounter ice makers need a drain?
Most do, and it is the most common install failure. A gravity drain needs the hose to run below the machine outlet, which is awkward in a raised cabinet base. Machines with an external drain pump, such as the EUHOMY 110 pound and the Mojgar nugget unit, move water up and away instead. A drainless design such as the COTLIN recirculates meltwater and needs no drain pipe at all.
Is an undercounter ice maker worth it?
An undercounter ice maker is worth it if you host regularly and can accommodate a water line, a drain or a pump, and a dedicated outlet. You gain a full bin on demand, countertop space you were giving to a portable machine, and no water hauling. If you serve a few drinks a month, a countertop unit is the cheaper way to get the same ice.
How much ice does a home bar need?
Plan on about one pound of ice per guest for a normal evening and closer to two pounds for a party where ice carries drinks rather than cools them. A couple hosting steadily usually want a machine producing 40 to 90 pounds a day with a 20 to 30 pound bin, while a bar that serves 15 or more people at once benefits from 100 pounds a day and a bin of 35 pounds or more.
Which brand of nugget ice maker is the most reliable?
Reliability comments in home bar communities tend to favor established brands that sell widely, with the GE Profile Opal 2.0 often described as durable and Euhomy nugget machines praised for output that resembles Sonic ice at a lower cost. Reliability themes repeat across makers: expect to run self-cleaning cycles often, treat the machine as maintenance rather than an appliance you forget, and check the warranty on the compressor separately.
Conclusion
For most home bars built in 2026, the EUHOMY 110 pound undercounter machine with the external drain pump is the pick. It combines the deepest owner record in this group, a 33 pound bin and a pump that removes the install step most likely to go wrong. If the cabinet is a standard 15 inch bay, the EUHOMY 90 pound model fits the tightest common cut-out, and if no drain can be run at all, the COTLIN drainless machine trades output for a 30 minute install.
Whichever one you choose, measure the cavity depth, plan the drain route and give the machine its own outlet before the cabinetry is fabricated. Those three steps decide whether your undercounter ice maker works every night or ends up beside a bucket.