For a portable bullet-ice maker, start with how you will carry, refill and clean it. This guide compares four compact countertop models that make rounded bullet-shaped ice. If you want soft nugget ice, use our countertop nugget ice maker comparison; if you are still choosing a texture, start with nugget, bullet and clear ice explained. Here, “portable” means a countertop appliance you can move. It does not mean battery operation or permission to use it outdoors.
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Our starting picks: Silonn SLIM21B for a carry handle and small reservoir; GoveeLife H717D for app controls and three ice sizes. Newair NIM026MB00 and Frigidaire EFIC123-SS are conventional alternatives for buyers comfortable with manual cleaning.
This is a comparison of manufacturer specifications, manuals and matched US listings checked September 23, 2026. We have not run a shared speed, noise or durability test on these machines. The selection below explains useful differences and limitations rather than assigning test scores.
Compare the four portable ice makers
Cabinet measurements alone do not tell you whether a machine fits: leave room for ventilation, opening the lid, adding water and draining it. Dimensions below are in inches. Silonn and Govee measurements are shown without width/depth labels because the captured sources assign the axes inconsistently; confirm orientation before a tight installation.
| Model and useful distinction | Cabinet size and weight | Water / ice basket | Controls and cleaning | Space or upkeep limitation |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Silonn SLIM21B — carry handle | 8.74 × 11.42 × 11.57; 13.67 lb | 1.2 L / 1.3 lb | Two bullet sizes; advertised 30-minute cleaning cycle | Small basket needs emptying; verify drain access and clearance in the supplied manual |
| GoveeLife H717D — app controls | 9.45 × 12.52 × 13.11; about 16.8 lb | 2 L / 1.5 lb | Three bullet sizes; app/voice functions; advertised 10-minute cleaning cycle | Manual specifies 4 inches at rear and sides; drain cap still requires access |
| Newair NIM026MB00 — simple controls | 8.74 W × 12.32 D × 12.6 H; 15.62 lb | 0.6 US gallon / 1.5 lb | Two bullet sizes; no self-cleaning function | 4 inches at rear and sides; manual washing and front-bottom drain cap |
| Frigidaire EFIC123-SS — another manual-cleaning option | 8.7 W × 12.3 D × 12.5 H; weight not established here | 2.18 L / basket weight capacity not specified in checked sources | Two bullet sizes; manual cleaning instructions | Manual requires 8 inches on all sides; front-bottom drain plug |
All four advertise up to 26 pounds of ice per day. That is a production claim over 24 hours, not the amount waiting in the basket. The reservoir and basket figures are different measurements: a larger water tank does not turn the basket into a freezer.
Silonn SLIM21B: start here if carrying it matters
The SLIM21B has a carry handle, a 1.2-liter reservoir and a listed weight of 13.67 pounds. That makes it a sensible starting point when you expect to move the machine between a counter and storage. The handle is a concrete convenience; it is not evidence of outdoor suitability.
The official Silonn page lists small and large bullet sizes, a 1.3-pound basket and a 30-minute self-cleaning cycle. Silonn advertises ice in six minutes. Treat that as the maker’s claim, not a promise that a cold-start basket will be full in six minutes.
Choose it if: the handle and a relatively light cabinet matter more to you than app controls. Skip it if: a small reservoir and basket would make refilling and emptying too inconvenient. Before buying for a narrow spot, confirm the dimension orientation, ventilation requirement and drain location with the supplied manual or Silonn; the captured official page does not settle all three.
GoveeLife H717D: choose it for the controls
The H717D is the smart option in this group: Govee lists app notifications, voice control, scheduling and three bullet-ice sizes. Its 2-liter reservoir and 1.5-pound basket are separate from its daily production rating. The linked black unit is H717D111, within the H717D model family; it is not Govee’s H8120 nugget machine.
The official H717D page advertises nine pieces in six minutes and a 10-minute cleaning cycle. The manufacturer’s H717D manual, hosted by a document archive, gives an approximately 8–13-minute first cycle. The manual also calls for a four-inch gap at the back and sides. Do not buy it expecting every first batch to meet the shorter advertising headline.
Choose it if: app alerts and a third ice-size setting are useful enough to justify the choice. Skip it if: you simply want local controls and will not use the connected features. An app cannot refill the reservoir, empty the basket or drain cleaning water for you.
Newair NIM026MB00: a straightforward manual-cleaning alternative
This is the black NIM026MB00, not Newair’s larger clear-cube machines. The official product page covers this model alongside the silver NIM026MS00. It lists two ice sizes, a 0.6-gallon water reservoir and a 1.5-pound ice basket. Its specification explicitly says there is no self-cleaning function.
Newair advertises a batch in about seven minutes; the manual for both color models gives a 6–13-minute cycle depending on ice size and room temperature. The manual lists a 15.62-pound cabinet and requires four inches of clearance at the rear and sides.
Choose it if: its cabinet fits your available space and you are comfortable washing, rinsing and draining it manually. Skip it if: an automatic circulation-cleaning mode is a requirement. The drain cap is at the front-bottom area, so think about how you will position the unit to remove water instead of wedging it permanently into a corner.
Frigidaire EFIC123-SS: check its clearance before its price
The exact EFIC123-SS has a 2.18-liter reservoir and two bullet sizes according to Curtis International’s official Frigidaire product page. It is a conventional alternative to the Newair, with no verified performance advantage in our research. Compare its current offer only after you know that its placement and cleaning routine work for you.
Its model-specific manual requires eight inches of clearance on all sides. That is a substantial difference from the Newair’s four-inch rear/side requirement, even though the cabinets have similar dimensions. The manual describes washing and rinsing removable parts and draining through the front-bottom plug; do not assume a self-cleaning button.
Curtis advertises ice in less than six minutes, while the manual describes an approximately 8–13-minute first cycle. These are different stated conditions, not a measured speed win over another machine.
Choose it if: you have open space around the machine and want a second manual-cleaning option to compare with the Newair on current price and availability. Skip it if: your counter is crowded or you require a confirmed basket weight capacity before ordering. We did not find that basket figure in the checked primary sources.
Three checks before ordering
- Plan for the ice you need at serving time. A 26-pound daily headline does not mean a machine holds a party’s supply. If you need finished ice later, plan separate freezer storage rather than relying on a small collection basket.
- Measure the working space. Include the lid opening, specified ventilation and a practical path to drain water. Manufacturer cabinet dimensions describe the appliance, not the full space needed to use it.
- Choose the maintenance routine you will follow. A cleaning cycle moves cleaning water; it does not remove the need to empty, rinse and dry components as the exact manual directs. Do not copy a cleaning chemical or procedure from a different brand.
Our recommendation is to decide between the Silonn’s carrying convenience and Govee’s connected controls first. If neither is important, compare the Newair and Frigidaire using their fit, cleaning requirements and current offers. We have not established a universal winner on noise, longevity or delivered ice per hour.
Frequently asked questions
Are portable ice makers battery powered?
The models in this guide are plug-in countertop appliances. “Portable” describes moving the appliance; it is not a battery or outdoor-use specification. Follow the exact model’s electrical and location requirements.
Is bullet ice the same as nugget ice?
No. These machines form bullet-shaped pieces. If the soft, compacted texture is your main reason for buying an ice maker, choose a nugget model instead.
Do these machines keep a basket of ice frozen indefinitely?
Do not plan on that. The Frigidaire manual expressly says the machine is not designed to keep ice frozen, and Govee’s manual describes ice melting and being made again. Use a freezer when you need to store finished ice for later.
Does a six-minute claim mean the first batch is guaranteed in six minutes?
No. The stated first-cycle ranges and advertising headlines differ for several models here. Starting conditions and the selected size matter. This guide reports the source differences and does not substitute an unperformed timed test.
Which model needs the least cleaning?
We have not measured total maintenance time. Silonn and Govee advertise cleaning cycles; Newair explicitly lacks one, and Frigidaire’s manual gives a manual routine. Choose by the work you are willing to do, rather than treating “self-cleaning” as maintenance-free.