Best Outdoor Ice Makers for 2024

Which Outdoor Ice Maker is Right for You?

We’ve all been on the way to a big party or cookout, just minutes away from the destination, when that dreaded text buzzes on the phone: “Can you pick up ice?” The only thing worse than receiving that request is having to send it, and the only thing worse than that is having to make a run for ice in the middle of a party. All that fuss over ice, when you could’ve just had an outdoor ice maker take care of it for you this whole time!

Only the best will do for our customers, so our experts took the time to sort our collection of ice makers and give you a clearer picture of which models stand above the rest. After more than 20 years of testing and selling every type of outdoor living product on the market, our experts have landed on an airtight system of evaluating them according to their quality, performance, and features. They applied that methodology to every single outdoor ice maker in our inventory, giving our finest models the chance to rise to the top. With one of our top-rated outdoor ice makers in your backyard, emergency trips to the store for ice will be a thing of the past.

• Quality - When judging pellet grills, our experts look for thicker insulation and materials that hold temperatures steady, tight seals and sturdy construction, and heat retention in the smoking chamber. Given the multitude of small working parts, strong warranties and a customer support culture are must-haves. Stainless steel is a perk, but not a dealbreaker.

• Performance - We expect easy, flawless ignition that provides stable temperatures without sharp spikes or dips. Great smoke production should be a given, as these machines convert that into superior flavor. Consistent results, repeatably robust flavor, and ease of cooking set the baseline for our best pellet grills and smokers.

• Features - We think it’s hard to improve on excellent, but we look for machines that try. For example, direct searing or direct flame grilling technology draws our attention. Other applauded features include Wi-Fi technology, smart controllers that cook for you, and companion smartphone apps to monitor the cook.