COSTWAY Countertop Ice Maker Review

Intro

Compact countertop ice machines are an easy upgrade for home bars, small kitchens, campers, or anyone who tires of buying bagged ice. The COSTWAY Countertop Ice Maker (red/silver) promises bullet-shaped cubes in about eight minutes and up to 26 pounds of ice per day, plus a transparent lid, self-cleaning function, and a removable basket. This review pulls together the listing's specs and the clear patterns from owner reports so you can decide whether this model fits your routine and maintenance tolerance.

What it is / first look

The COSTWAY countertop ice maker is a portable, plug-in countertop unit listed with the following core specs: dimensions 12" D x 9" W x 12" H, unit weight 17 pounds, voltage 120 volts, refrigerant R600a, material type Acrylonitrile Butadiene Styrene (ABS), and a daily production capacity of 26 pounds. The listing highlights bullet-shaped ice produced on an 8-minute cycle (nine pieces per cycle) and a built-in self-cleaning function. Accessories listed include an ice scoop and a removable basket; the unit is described as coming with a 70" power cord and non-slip foot pads. The listing also states ETL certification and calls out evaporators made of pure copper with plating.

How it looks out of the box

The unit is compact and designed for countertops. The listing shows it in red by default and also available in silver. Owners repeatedly note the packaging includes a warning to keep the shipping box upright — failure to heed that can lead to the machine arriving improperly oriented, which several owners mentioned as a source of initial confusion. The machine's lid is transparent, which lets you monitor ice production without opening the unit.

What's included

• Ice scoop
• Removable ice basket
• Built-in self-cleaning function (listed)
• 70" power cord (listed)

In daily use

Owners' day-to-day experiences cluster around a few clear themes: speed, noise level, ice texture, and the need for routine cleaning depending on water quality.

Speed & output

The listing specifies the machine makes nine bullet-shaped ice cubes in about eight minutes and can produce up to 26 pounds in 24 hours. Owner feedback supports that the unit is fast for a compact countertop model — multiple users report roughly 9–10 cubes every 8–10 minutes under normal conditions and call it a dramatic upgrade from buying bagged ice. For small households or light entertaining, owners say it fills that role well.

Noise & heat

The listing claims a low-noise operation at 45 dB. Owners commonly describe the unit as quiet enough to sit near kitchen workspaces — some compare the background sound to an oven or microwave. A few note the machine emits heat while running; the listing also references the refrigerant R600a and plated copper evaporators, which are consistent with the presence of a compressor that will give off warmth. Several owners say the heat output isn't excessive but is noticeable.

Ice quality & handling

Owners frequently describe the bullet-shaped cubes as softer and slightly wet compared with standard frozen-tray ice. That can be a benefit if you want ice that quickly chills and produces a slushy texture in drinks; multiple owners mention the cubes melt into a pleasant slush rather than becoming rock-hard. A repeated minor annoyance is that the produced ice can be wet when scooped from the internal basket, which can lead to sticking together if stored in a bag immediately.

Daily convenience

The transparent lid and removable basket are repeatedly praised for making it easy to see progress and transfer ice. The self-cleaning function is listed as a feature and owners advise running cleaning cycles and wiping sensors to avoid issues (see Materials & safety sections for specifics). Several buyers say the 70" cord and 17-pound weight make the unit easy to move around for parties, tailgates, or camper use.

Use-case subsections

Small apartments & dorms

For a two-person household or a single cook who entertains occasionally, owner feedback suggests this machine hits the sweet spot. The compact footprint (12" x 9" x 12") and relatively quiet operation make it a suitable countertop companion where space is limited. Owners who live alone or in pairs report the internal storage basket is adequate for daily use but recommend supplemental bagged ice for larger gatherings.

Parties & gatherings

The 26-pound/day production rate can support a small party if you cycle the machine throughout the event, but owners warn the internal storage is limited — you’ll likely need to transfer ice to a cooler or bin for serious entertaining. Several owners who expected to rely on the internal basket for large gatherings report they still had to buy bagged ice for high-demand events.

RVs, campers, and travel use

Multiple owners report successful use in campers. The lightweight 17-pound unit and long power cord are practical for temporary setups. Owners with camper use say the machine can be moved with reasonable care, but the shipping-orientation warning and the sensitivity of internal probes and the pump to debris suggest careful placement and regular cleaning are important while traveling.

Materials & build quality

The listing describes the unit as constructed from Acrylonitrile Butadiene Styrene (ABS) and states the evaporators are made of pure copper with plating. The refrigerant is listed as R600a and the unit is ETL-certified according to the listing. Those are the explicit material and safety-related claims included in the manufacturer information.

Owner reports paint a nuanced picture of build quality. On the positive side, some buyers report multi-year use with minimal issues and describe the internal construction as impressively thought-out for a budget countertop machine. One detailed owner write-up from someone with repair experience specifically praised the internal build and the ability to disassemble the machine for cleaning and repairs, calling the internal components "well made" for the price.

On the cautionary side, a frequent pattern in owner feedback is that the pump and water-sensing probe are vulnerable to debris and mineral buildup. Owners using well water or otherwise particulate-laden water saw reduced performance over time due to pump blockage and sensors fouling. Several note that taking the unit apart to clean impeller components and probes often restores function, but that requires a level of DIY comfort many buyers may not have or want.

Packaging is another build-quality signal. Multiple owners reported receiving units packaged upside down. While some of those machines worked after being left upright for 24 hours and run through a cleaning cycle, others arrived with fan or coil issues. The consistent takeaway from owner reports is that the machine's internal components are serviceable but can be compromised by rough shipping or lack of cleaning.

Safety considerations

The listing calls out ETL certification and non-slip foot pads, and it lists R600a as the refrigerant. Those are the explicit safety and compliance claims present in the product information. The listing also mentions a self-cleaning function and a transparent lid for monitoring.

Owners repeatedly emphasize a few safety and operational cautions you should factor in:

• Shipping orientation: The package includes a warning to keep the box upright. Owners who ignored this warning sometimes needed to let the machine sit upright for 24 hours before it worked or experienced problems with fans or coils. Treat that warning as meaningful — incorrect transport orientation can affect compressor and refrigerant performance on arrival.
• Water quality & pump vulnerability: Multiple owners report that well water or "dirty" water can lead to sludge and mineral buildup that jams the pump impeller or deposits on the water-sensing probe. That can produce false "add water" signals or complete pump failures. Owner patterns show that regular cleaning and wiping sensors can prevent many of these problems.
• Electrical safety & heat: The listing states the unit runs on 120 volts and produces heat when operating (as owners note). The ETL claim in the listing suggests the unit meets certain electrical safety standards per the manufacturer, but owner reports of fan failures and non-start conditions mean buyers should monitor an early run-in period for overheating or unusual sounds. If the unit runs inconsistently or emits abnormal noises, follow manufacturer guidance and any warranty instructions.
• Maintenance matters: The unit has internal probes and an impeller that owners recommend cleaning periodically. The listing’s self-cleaning function is useful, but owner reports indicate manual cleaning and sensor wiping are often necessary over time—especially with hard or untreated water.

Given the mix of owner-reported mechanical issues and the listing’s safety claims, treat this model as a budget-friendly, practical machine that rewards owners who are prepared to perform occasional maintenance and monitor initial operation. Follow manufacturer instructions and verify the current listing/manufacturer documentation for the most up-to-date safety guidance.

Who this is for / who should skip

The COSTWAY countertop ice maker suits buyers who value compact, portable ice production and are comfortable with a little upkeep and realistic expectations on storage capacity.

Good fit

• Singles or two-person households who want on-demand ice without a full freezer or built-in ice maker.
• Small kitchens or apartments where countertops are limited and a compact footprint matters (12" x 9" x 12").
• Campers or tailgate hosts who want a moveable ice solution and can run occasional cleaning cycles.
• Buyers looking for a budget-friendly, ETL-listed countertop ice maker that makes bullet ice quickly and includes a removable basket and scoop.

Who should skip or be cautious

• Large households or heavy entertainers who expect the machine’s internal storage alone to handle a party. Owner reports indicate you’ll need supplemental storage or bagged ice for high-volume events.
• Anyone who can’t or won’t do occasional maintenance. Multiple owners report pump and sensor issues tied to water quality and debris; regular cleaning is important for longevity.
• Buyers who require a perfectly hard, freezer-style ice cube. Owners repeatedly note the bullet ice is softer and wetter, which some people prefer and others do not.
• Users with untreated well water who don’t want to install pre-filtration: owner reports show well water can cause mineral/sludge buildup and premature problems.

Verdict

Short version: the COSTWAY countertop ice maker is a fast, compact, and affordable countertop unit that delivers bullet-shaped ice on an eight-minute cycle and up to 26 pounds per day according to the listing. It’s ETL-certified, lists plated copper evaporators and R600a refrigerant, and includes useful accessories like an ice scoop and removable basket. Owner feedback shows this model can be a reliable workhorse when used with reasonably clean water and maintained on a schedule, but common failure modes center on pump blockages and fouled sensors — especially with well water or particulate-filled water.

If you want on-demand ice for everyday home use, a small party, or camper travel, and you’re willing to run occasional cleaning cycles and wipe the sensors, this unit is a budget-friendly option that many owners report lasting a year or more, and some more than two years. If you need a maintenance-free solution or larger storage/output without supplemental bins, consider a larger or built-in alternative.

Check before you buy (quick checklist)

• Verify the current listing/manufacturer documentation for warranty details and the most recent safety claims.
• Plan to run the self-cleaning cycle and wipe the water-sensing probe regularly—especially if you have well or hard water.
• Keep the shipping box upright on delivery; owners report problems when units were unboxed after being transported upside down.
• Expect bullet-shaped, slightly softer/wetter ice rather than rock-hard freezer cubes.
• Have a plan for extra ice storage for parties — the internal basket is limited.
• Confirm available colors if appearance matters; the listing shows red and silver options.

Bottom line: this COSTWAY model is a sensible, compact countertop ice maker with solid day-to-day performance for small-scale use, provided you accept some routine maintenance and watch for the known pump/sensor failure modes reported by owners.

Colors

• red
• silver