Let’s start with the countertop models you see on late-night infomercials. These little guys can cost as little as $50 to $150. They look cute, they promise ice in nine minutes, and they usually deliver—sort of. The ice they make is often these weird, bullet-shaped pellets that melt faster than your New Year's resolution.
You might get one for a dorm room or a tiny apartment, and honestly? It’s a fun party trick. But here’s the dirty secret: these cheap machines are slower than a sloth on tranquilizers. You’ll get 12 cubes, and then it needs a 20-minute nap. Don’t expect to fill a cooler for a beach trip unless you’ve got 48 hours and infinite patience.
