I Tested the Sharper Image Ice Maker Expecting a Catalog Gimmick

I spent three years hauling 20-pound bags of gas station ice because my fridge’s built-in unit decided to retire during a July heatwave. When a friend gifted me a sharper image ice maker, I almost laughed. I figured it would be another one of those gadgets meant for a guest room nightstand or a flashy catalog page, not a piece of equipment that could survive a real kitchen.

• Produces the first batch of 9 cubes in under 8 minutes.
• Bullet-shaped ice is soft enough to crunch but dense enough for cocktails.
• Small footprint fits under standard 18-inch cabinets without a struggle.
• The side-mounted fan is surprisingly quiet, hitting about 48 decibels.

Why I Was Skeptical of a Gadget Brand Appliance

Sharper Image is the brand you turn to for white noise machines or those weird neck massagers. I didn't think they had any business building a compressor-based appliance. Most portable units are just rebranded generic parts, and I assumed this sharper image portable ice maker would be a plastic shell with a weak motor that would burn out the moment I asked it for a second gallon of ice.

I decided to run it 24/7 for a full month. I wanted to see if the motor would whine, if the sensors would fail, or if it would turn into a leaky mess on my hardwood floors. My skepticism wasn't just about the brand; it was about the physics of making ice in a machine that costs less than a decent pair of boots.

Setting Up the Sharper Image Portable Ice Maker

Unboxing was faster than making a pot of coffee. It’s lighter than I expected, which usually makes me nervous about build quality, but the housing feels tight. It doesn't have the heavy-duty, industrial feel of a sleek black ice maker from a dedicated kitchen line, but it looks clean on the counter. The reservoir holds about 2.2 liters, and the basket is large enough for about a pound and a half of ice.

Is It Too Bulky for a Normal Kitchen?

Counter space is a premium in my house. This unit is about 13 inches tall, which is the magic number. It fits under standard upper cabinets with enough clearance to actually open the lid. Some machines are so tall you have to slide them out to the edge of the counter just to get a scoop of ice, but this one stays tucked away. It’s a small detail that determines whether a tool stays on the counter or ends up in the garage.

Timing the First Batch (And Testing the Noise Level)

I pulled out a stopwatch for the first run. The manufacturer claims 6 minutes; I clocked my first batch of 9 small cubes at 7 minutes and 42 seconds. By the third batch, once the water in the reservoir had chilled down, it hit that 6-minute mark consistently. That is significantly faster than the standard countertop ice maker I tested last summer, which took nearly 11 minutes to get moving.

The noise is the real surprise. Most cheap compressors sound like a dying window AC unit. This one has a steady, low-frequency hum. You’ll hear the ice drop—which is a satisfying ‘thunk’—but the actual operation won't drown out your conversation or the TV in the next room.

The Taste and Crunch Test

We need to talk about bullet ice. It’s hollow in the middle, which increases the surface area. I love it for making my daily iced coffee because it chills the hot brew almost instantly. The ice is clear-ish, though not crystal clear like a high-end clear ice machine, and it has a great ‘chew’ if you’re an ice eater.

Pro tip: Run two cycles and dump them before you use the ice for drinks. The first few batches had a faint ‘new plastic’ taste. After a quick vinegar flush and those two sacrificial batches, the ice was neutral and crisp. It holds up well in a glass, but because it’s hollow, it will melt faster than solid cubes if you’re sitting outside in the sun.

Should You Actually Keep This Thing on Your Counter?

After 30 days, I’m eating my words. It didn't leak, the sensors never got confused, and it kept up with a dinner party of six people without breaking a sweat. It’s not an industrial machine, and it won't replace a dedicated under-counter unit, but for a home office or a small kitchen, it’s legit. It’s also rugged enough that I’d feel comfortable taking it on a camping trip provided I had a decent power station.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does it keep the ice frozen like a freezer?

No. No portable ice maker does this. The bin is insulated, but eventually, the ice melts. The water drips back into the reservoir and gets turned back into ice. It’s a closed-loop system.

How hard is it to clean?

It’s okay. There’s a drain plug on the bottom. I wish it were on the side so I didn't have to hang it over the sink to empty it, but a weekly wipe-down and a monthly vinegar descale keeps it fresh.

Can I use tap water?

You can, but filtered water makes better-tasting ice and prevents scale buildup on the heating elements. If you have hard water, you’ll be cleaning this thing every week.