Every ice maker gets a score from 0 to 100% built from six factors, which maps onto the 5-point rating shown on the site (a 0% score would be 1.5 stars; a perfect score, 5). Each factor is scored against fixed reference points, not against the other products in the list, so adding a new model never moves another model’s rating. Ice makers are grouped by width (about 15 in, and 18 in and wider), and output and storage have their own scale for each group.
| Factor | Measures | Weight |
|---|---|---|
| Value | price per lb of daily ice | 30% |
| Output | rated ice per day | 15% |
| Energy use | kWh per 100 lb of ice | 10% |
| Storage | ice the bin holds | 10% |
| Warranty | warranty on the unit and the sealed system | 25% |
| Drain | whether it needs a floor drain | 10% |
Where the numbers come from
Output, storage, energy use, size, drain and warranty come from the maker’s spec sheet, installation guide or product page, and energy use from the Department of Energy’s certification database when the model is listed there. Prices are checked at Amazon, the maker’s own store and appliance retailers, and the lowest is used.
The factors
Value is the current price divided by the rated pounds of ice a day, on a log scale, so going from $120 to $60 per pound counts as much as going from $60 to $30. $130 per pound a day scores zero and $15 full marks.
Output is the maker’s rated ice a day. About 15 in wide, 25 lb scores zero and 80 lb full marks; 18 in and wider, 40 lb and 120 lb. Makers rate at different air and water temperatures (the industry standard is 90 °F air and 70 °F water), and the product page lists them when the maker does.
Energy use is kWh per 100 lb of ice: 18 kWh scores zero and 7 kWh full marks.
Storage is how much ice the bin holds. About 15 in wide, 10 lb scores zero and 30 lb full marks; 18 in and wider, 20 lb and 50 lb.
Warranty counts the warranty on the whole unit (1 year scores zero, 3 years full marks) and on the sealed refrigeration system (1 year scores zero, 7 years full marks) equally.
Drain asks whether the unit can go where there’s no floor drain. A drain pump built in or in the box scores full marks; a gravity drain only scores 30.
What isn’t scored
Ice type, water filter, outdoor rating, panel-ready doors and app control are listed but not scored. Clear ice, nugget ice, outdoor models and models with a drain pump have their own pages.
Missing data
If a figure isn’t published, that factor gets the neutral middle score (50) and the product page marks it as estimated.
Ties and discontinued models
Products are ranked by score within each group. Discontinued models stay listed but rank below every current model and can be hidden with the “Hide discontinued” filter.