The Best Undercounter Ice Makers for Clear Ice
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The best undercounter ice maker for a luxury kitchen is the Sub-Zero Designer 15-inch. It makes 65 pounds of clear, square cubes a day, runs quietly with MaxQuiet, is approved for indoor and outdoor use and goes fully panel-ready, from about $5,430 list. The Scotsman Brilliance is the best clear ice maker for the money, with the same 65-pound daily output and slow-melting gourmet cubes from about $3,799. U-Line's 1 Class is the pick if you want a color finish.
All three are 15-inch undercounter units that make clear ice, the hard, slow-melting cubes you get in a good cocktail bar. They are a big step up from the cloudy, quick-melting ice that most refrigerator ice makers produce. The differences are output, bin size, outdoor approval, noise, design and warranty.
We have not tested these ice makers. The picks rely on manufacturer and authorized-dealer specs, warranties, list prices and what owners and dealers commonly report. Building a bar or beverage zone? The Kitchen Suite Matcher will suggest refrigeration to match.
Our picks at a glance
| Pick | Appliance | Width | List price | Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Best overall undercounter ice maker | Sub-Zero Designer 15-inch Undercounter Ice Maker | 15″ | $5,430-$6,750 | Check price |
| Best clear ice maker for the money | Scotsman Brilliance 15-inch Gourmet Clear Ice Machine | 15″ | $3,799-$4,499 | Check price |
| Best for color and finish choice | U-Line 1 Class 15-inch Clear Ice Machine | 15″ | $4,099 | Check price |
Our picks, in detail
Sub-Zero Designer 15-inch Undercounter Ice Maker
Sub-Zero · Undercounter unit · Ice maker
- $5,430-$6,750 MSRP
- 15″ wide
- 2-yr full warranty
- Ice per day (lb): 65
- Bin storage (lb): 25
Sub-Zero's Designer 15-inch ice maker is the pick for a fully integrated kitchen or bar. It makes clear, square full-size cubes at up to 65 pounds a day with a 25-pound bin. MaxQuiet noise reduction is a real advantage in an open-plan kitchen or family room, and the Sub-Zero Owner's App and automated cleaning prompts make it easy to keep running well.
It is approved for indoor and outdoor installation and comes panel-ready, with stainless and outdoor stainless door kits available. Pumped and gravity-drain versions mean it can go almost anywhere.
The trade-offs: it costs about $5,430 to $6,750 depending on configuration, the most here, and it is not Energy Star rated. Skip it if you do not need the panel-ready look or the app, because Scotsman matches its output for less. If you want both side by side, read Scotsman vs Sub-Zero ice maker.
Scotsman Brilliance 15-inch Gourmet Clear Ice Machine
Scotsman · Undercounter unit · Ice maker
- $3,799-$4,499 MSRP
- 15″ wide
- 1-yr full warranty
- Ice per day (lb): 65
- Bin storage (lb): 26
Scotsman is a commercial ice-machine specialist, and its residential Brilliance line brings that know-how home. The 15-inch SRCG065A makes crystal-clear, slow-melting top-hat gourmet cubes, up to 65 pounds a day at 70°F air and 50°F water, and 49 pounds in hot 90°F conditions. Its 26-pound bin is the largest here, and a water-quality sensor, no-water alert and clean reminder help you look after it.
It is rated for indoor and outdoor use and comes in stainless or panel-ready. Prices run from about $3,799 for the panel-ready gravity-drain version to about $4,499 for stainless with a pump.
The trade-offs: the warranty is 1 year parts and labor with 5 years on compressor parts, shorter than Sub-Zero's, and there is no app. The top-hat cube is a classic bar shape rather than a square cube. Skip it if noise reduction is a priority or you want a square cube for cocktails.
U-Line 1 Class 15-inch Clear Ice Machine
U-Line · Undercounter unit · Ice maker
- $4,099 MSRP
- 15″ wide
- 1-yr full warranty
- Ice per day (lb): 55
- Bin storage (lb): 25
U-Line's 1 Class UHCL115 is the pick when the ice maker is part of a design statement. It comes in stainless, black, white or panel-ready, and U-Choose lets you set how full the bin gets. It makes clear square cubes at up to 55 pounds a day, with a 25-pound bin, and adds a digital touchpad, a cleaning indicator, LED lighting and a heavy-duty scoop. A pump-drain version, the UHCP115, is available.
It suits wet bars, basements and kitchens where a white or black front fits better than stainless. U-Line is an undercounter specialist owned by Middleby.
The trade-offs: 55 pounds a day is the lowest here, and it is not approved for outdoor use; U-Line sells separate outdoor models. The warranty is 1 year parts and labor, plus a second year with registration and 5 years on sealed-system parts. Its MSRP is about $4,099 for stainless, and dealers listed other finishes for less when we checked. Skip it if you host big parties often or need an outdoor ice maker.
How to choose an undercounter ice maker
Start with where it goes and how it drains, then choose output and cube style.
| Spec | Sub-Zero Designer 15-inch Undercounter Ice Maker | Scotsman Brilliance 15-inch Gourmet Clear Ice Machine | U-Line 1 Class 15-inch Clear Ice Machine |
|---|---|---|---|
| Brand | Sub-Zero | Scotsman | U-Line |
| Category | Undercounter unit (ice maker) | Undercounter unit (ice maker) | Undercounter unit (ice maker) |
| Width | 15″ | 15″ | 15″ |
| Fuel | - | - | - |
| Installation | Undercounter | Undercounter | Undercounter |
| List price (MSRP) | $5,430-$6,750 | $3,799-$4,499 | $4,099 |
| Full warranty | 2-yr full | 1-yr full | 1-yr full |
| Made in | - | - | - |
| Wi-Fi / app | Yes | No | No |
| Ice per day (lb) | 65 | 65 | 55 |
| Bin storage (lb) | 25 | 26 | 25 |
| Ice type | clear square full-size cube | clear gourmet (top-hat) cube | clear square cube |
| Height (in) | 34.5 | 33.375 | 34.125 |
| Depth (in) | 23.125 | 22 | 22.5 |
| Outdoor rated | Yes | Yes | No |
| Refrigerant | - | R290 | R600a |
| Performance rating | 5/5 | 5/5 | 4/5 |
| Design rating | 5/5 | 3/5 | 4/5 |
| Features rating | 4/5 | 3/5 | 3/5 |
| Value rating | 3/5 | 4/5 | 4/5 |
| Where to buy | Check price | Check price | Check price |
Prices are manufacturer or retailer list prices when we last checked; luxury brands set minimum advertised prices, so savings usually come from dealer packages and rebates. Ratings are editorial estimates: see how we rate.
What makes a clear ice maker different
Clear ice makers typically freeze water gradually, in layers, while the water keeps moving, which leaves air and minerals behind. The result is dense, clear cubes that melt slowly and do not dilute drinks as fast. A refrigerator ice maker freezes water all at once in a tray, trapping air, so the cubes are cloudy. Our clear ice maker guide explains the process and whether it is worth it for you.
Daily output vs bin size
Daily output is how much ice the machine can make in 24 hours; bin size is how much it holds at once. The Sub-Zero and Scotsman both make up to 65 pounds a day, and U-Line makes 55. All three hold 25 to 26 pounds. For a party, the bin size matters more, because the machine refills slowly. Output also falls in hot conditions; Scotsman's drops to 49 pounds a day at 90°F air and 70°F water.
Drain: gravity or pump
An undercounter ice maker melts and drains water constantly. A gravity-drain model needs a floor drain lower than the machine. If you do not have one, buy a pump-drain version, which pushes water up to a sink drain. All three brands offer a pump version. Decide this before you order, because it changes the model number.
Indoor or outdoor ice maker
For an outdoor kitchen, choose the Sub-Zero or Scotsman, both approved for outdoor use. U-Line's 1 Class is indoor-only. Outdoor ice makers face higher temperatures, so expect lower output on hot days. Our best outdoor refrigerators and outdoor kitchen cost guide cover the rest of the project.
Panel-ready or stainless
All three are available panel-ready, so they can blend into the cabinetry. See our panel-ready appliances guide for what to tell your cabinetmaker.
Building a beverage zone
An ice maker is often installed next to a beverage center or refrigerator drawers. Sub-Zero's 24-inch Designer beverage center pairs naturally with its ice maker. See our best refrigerator drawers and beverage centers, and if wine is the focus, our best luxury wine refrigerators.
Maintenance
Clear ice makers need regular cleaning to keep the ice tasting fresh. All three remind you when to clean. Hard water speeds up scale buildup, which is why Scotsman includes a water-quality sensor; ask your dealer whether a filter makes sense for your water.
Price, warranty and buying
List prices run from about $3,799 to $6,750. Sub-Zero offers the longest warranty here, with 2 years parts and labor; Scotsman and U-Line start at 1 year. Browse every model on the undercounter refrigeration hub. Ice makers are usually bought with the rest of the refrigeration, so price them as a package.
Frequently asked questions
What is the best undercounter ice maker?
The Sub-Zero Designer 15-inch is the best undercounter ice maker for a luxury kitchen. It makes up to 65 pounds of clear square cubes a day, runs quietly, is approved for indoor and outdoor use and goes panel-ready, from about $5,430. The Scotsman Brilliance is the best value, with the same output from about $3,799.
Is a clear ice maker worth it?
A clear ice maker is worth it if you entertain often, make cocktails or drink a lot of iced drinks. Clear cubes are dense and slow-melting, so drinks stay cold without watering down. It is less worth it if you only need ice occasionally, since your refrigerator's ice maker is free and these machines cost about $3,800 to $6,750.
How much ice does an undercounter ice maker make?
The machines here are rated at 55 to 65 pounds a day and hold 25 to 26 pounds in the bin. Output drops in hot conditions; Scotsman rates its Brilliance at 49 pounds a day at 90°F air and 70°F water. For parties, the bin size matters more than daily output.
Do undercounter ice makers need a drain?
Yes. An undercounter ice maker needs a water line and a drain. A gravity-drain model needs a floor drain below the unit. If you do not have one, choose a pump-drain version, which pumps water to a sink drain. Sub-Zero, Scotsman and U-Line all offer pump versions, so decide before ordering.
Scotsman or Sub-Zero ice maker?
Choose Scotsman for value and a larger 26-pound bin, from about $3,799. Choose Sub-Zero for MaxQuiet noise reduction, app connectivity, square cubes, a 2-year warranty and a smooth panel-ready look, from about $5,430. Both make up to 65 pounds a day and are approved for outdoor use.