NewAir 28 lb Portable Ice Maker: A Real-World Review

I spent the first two years of working from home constantly annoyed by empty plastic ice trays. By the time 2 PM rolled around and I desperately wanted an iced coffee, I was out of luck. That frustration led me down the rabbit hole of countertop appliances. After testing massive 50-pound units that hogged half my kitchen and tiny 20-pounders that couldn't keep up with a summer afternoon, I finally got my hands on the newair 28 lb portable ice maker. It promised a middle ground: enough output to keep my drinks cold all day, without looking like a commercial restaurant appliance on my counter.

Quick Takeaways

• Produces the first batch of ice in about 10 to 12 minutes.
• Compact footprint measures 14.5 x 11.75 x 15 inches, fitting under most standard cabinets.
• Generates up to 28 pounds of bullet-shaped ice daily if continuously emptied.
• Operating noise hovers around 52 decibels—similar to a quiet refrigerator hum.
• Lacks a self-cleaning function, requiring manual wipe-downs and draining.

Meeting the NewAir 28 lb Portable Ice Maker

When you test as many appliances as I do, you start to notice the extremes. The market is flooded with tiny machines that melt ice faster than they make it, and massive units that require dedicated plumbing. The newair 28 lb ice maker sits right in that sweet spot. I wanted to see if a mid-capacity machine could handle the daily demands of two remote workers who heavily rely on iced water, cold brew, and evening cocktails.

What I found is that 28 pounds is surprisingly adequate. It translates to roughly a pound of ice per hour. If you are diligent about moving the ice to your freezer, you will never run out. For a small household, it eliminates the anxiety of hosting a few friends and having to run to the gas station for a bagged supply.

Unboxing the AI 100SS: Design and Countertop Footprint

Pulling the ai 100ss out of the box, the first thing I noticed was the build quality. Unlike the cheap, entirely plastic models flooding the market, this unit features a sleek stainless steel exterior. It feels durable and blends seamlessly with modern kitchen appliances.

I set the newair portable ice maker ai-100s up right next to my espresso machine. It measures 14.5 inches deep, 11.75 inches wide, and 15 inches tall. This meant it slid perfectly under my standard 18-inch upper cabinets with enough clearance to easily open the lid. The side-mounted exhaust fan requires a few inches of breathing room, so you cannot push it completely flush against a wall or another appliance. Overall, it respects your counter space while still holding a respectable water reservoir.

Speed and Output: Testing the 28-Pound Limit

Manufacturers love to boast about their maximum daily yield, but real-world testing often tells a different story. To see if the newair countertop 28-pound ice maker could actually hit its limit, I ran it for a full 24 hours. I filled the water reservoir to the max fill line and hit start.

The first cycle took exactly 11 minutes to drop nine bullet ice cubes into the basket. As the machine cooled down, subsequent cycles sped up to about 8 or 9 minutes. To actually get 28 pounds, you have to empty the basket the moment it gets full. The machine has an infrared sensor that stops production when ice piles up. In my test, I yielded about 24 pounds because I missed a few overnight cycles. Still, for a home office environment, that is a staggering amount of ice.

Bullet Ice Quality for Your Daily Drinks

The newair 28 lbs ice maker produces classic bullet-shaped ice with a hollow center. You can choose between three sizes on the control panel, though I found the large setting to be the most practical. The hollow center increases the surface area, which chills drinks incredibly fast. Because the ice is slightly softer than commercial square cubes, it is highly chewable. This texture makes it perfect for iced coffee enthusiasts who want a rapid cool-down for their morning brew without immediately watering it down.

Noise Levels in a Home Office Setting

Since my kitchen island doubles as my standing desk on most days, noise is a major factor. I have tested ice makers that sound like a diesel engine starting up. Thankfully, the newair ice maker ai 100ss is relatively tame.

I measured the sound output at about 52 decibels from three feet away. You will hear the hum of the compressor and the whir of the cooling fan, but it easily fades into the background. The loudest part of the process is the clatter of the ice dropping into the empty plastic basket. Once there is a layer of ice in the bin, the subsequent drops are much quieter. It never disrupted my Zoom calls, though I did mute my microphone right as a batch was falling just to be safe.

Portability: Taking It Beyond the Kitchen

Weighing in at roughly 24 pounds empty, this unit isn't something you will want to carry on a miles-long hike, but it is highly portable for car travel or moving around the house. I unplugged it, drained the reservoir, and carried it out to the patio for a weekend barbecue. It performed flawlessly outside in the shade.

Its manageable weight and standard 115V plug requirement also make it a reliable weekend camping upgrade if you have an RV or a powered campsite. Just remember to let the unit sit upright for at least two hours after moving it in a vehicle, allowing the refrigerant to settle before turning it on.

Cleaning and Maintenance Routine

The biggest downside to the newair ai-100ss is the lack of an automatic cleaning cycle. You have to put in a little manual labor to keep it sanitary. Every two weeks, I drain the leftover water using the side-mounted drain plug. It is conveniently located, but you do need to slide the unit to the edge of the sink to empty it without making a mess.

I wipe down the interior with a mixture of warm water and a splash of white vinegar to prevent mineral buildup and mold. The metal prongs that freeze the ice can get scaled up if you have hard water, so using filtered water is highly recommended to extend the machine's lifespan and keep your ice tasting fresh.

Final Verdict: Is the NewAir 28 lb Ice Maker Worth It?

After weeks of daily use, this ice maker has earned its permanent spot on my counter. It strikes an excellent balance between footprint and output. While I wish it had a self-cleaning feature, the sheer reliability and speed of the ice production outweigh that minor inconvenience. If you are tired of refilling silicone trays and want a steady supply of chewable ice for your daily drinks, this mid-capacity machine is a highly practical investment.

FAQ

How long does the NewAir 28 lb portable ice maker take to make ice?

It takes about 10 to 12 minutes to produce the first batch of nine ice cubes. Once the machine is fully chilled, subsequent cycles drop closer to 8 minutes.

Does the AI-100SS keep the ice frozen?

No, like most portable ice makers, the storage bin is insulated but not actively refrigerated. As the ice melts, the cold water drips back into the reservoir to be recycled into fresh ice.

Can I leave the ice maker on all the time?

Yes, you can leave it plugged in and running continuously. The internal sensors will automatically pause ice production when the basket is full and resume when you scoop ice out or when it melts down.