Upstreman BI22 Countertop Ice Maker Review

intro

If you want ice fast without relying on a freezer or buying bags from the store, the Upstreman BI22 countertop ice maker positions itself as a compact solution: the listing promises 9 bullet-shaped cubes in about 6 minutes, a detachable 1.1‑liter water tank, and a self-cleaning cycle. Owners repeatedly praise the speed and convenience, while a few recurring complaints — beeping volume and drips when removing the water reservoir — are worth factoring into the purchase decision. Below I break down what the machine actually does, how it behaves in everyday kitchens, the build and safety signals from the listing and owner feedback, and who should buy it (and who should skip it).

What it is / first look

The Upstreman BI22 is a countertop portable ice maker that aims to deliver hotel-style bullet ice fast. From the listing: it produces 9 bullet cubes in roughly 6 minutes and is rated to produce up to 22 pounds of ice per day. The unit is compact (listed dimensions 12.95" deep x 9.09" wide x 14.41" high) and weighs 16.3 pounds, making it a realistic countertop appliance for a small kitchen, dorm, office, or RV.

Key things the listing calls out:

• Fast ice production: 9 bullet cubes in ~6 minutes (two adjustable bullet ice sizes).
• 1.1‑liter detachable water tank to reduce refills.
• Smart touch control panel with indicators for ICE FULL and ADD WATER.
• Self-cleaning cycle activated by long-pressing POWER for 3 seconds that runs about 30 minutes.
• ETL certified and supplied with an ice scoop, drip tray, and basket.

The listing also highlights a "premium textured design" and a soft blue LED that can be turned on with a long press of the ice-size buttons so you can check the ice storage in dim conditions. Accessories included in the box are an ice basket, ice scoop, and user manual.

In daily use

Owners report that the Upstreman BI22 lives up to its main job: fast, small batches of bullet-shaped ice. The ice is described consistently as the hollow bullet style, useful for cooling drinks quickly with good surface area. Reviewers who use the machine for daily drinks, quick entertaining, or topping off drinks for guests found the cycle speed a real benefit compared with ice trays. Several owners timed the cycles and confirmed getting 9 cubes in roughly the advertised 6 minutes after the unit reached its normal operating temperature.

Small kitchens & apartments

With the listed footprint and a weight just over 16 pounds, the BI22 is compact enough to sit unobtrusively on a narrow stretch of counter. Owners who live in apartments or small kitchens said the machine offered a meaningful convenience upgrade: no more filling trays or running to buy bags of ice. The detachable tank and removable ice basket stand out as practical touches for tight counters because you don't have to move the whole machine just to refill or scoop out ice.

Parties & entertaining

The listing rates daily output at 22 pounds, and owners used phrases like "steady supply" and "keeps up for small gatherings." The trade-off is holding capacity: this is a countertop maker, not a freezer-style dispenser, so owners emphasize that it's best when you use ice as it's made or transfer it to a separate container if you need a large stockpile. Multiple owners liked that the unit signals when the basket is full and stops producing automatically; that avoids wasting energy and tells you to harvest ice for service.

Camping, RV, and office use

The manufacturer and listing position the machine as portable for camping and RVs; owners confirm it's been used in offices and similar environments. Two qualities matter here: the 115‑volt rating in the specs (verify power availability where you travel) and the small footprint. Owners noted it runs quietly — "quiet like a small fan" — which is useful in shared spaces or office settings.

What owners consistently mention

• Quiet operation: several owners compare the noise level to a small fan rather than a loud appliance.
• Fast, consistent bullet ice: owners repeatedly report the advertised 9 cubes in ~6 minutes after warm-up.
• User-friendly controls and indicators: the touch panel and "ICE FULL / ADD WATER" alerts are repeatedly called out as convenient.
• Self-cleaning: both listing and owners refer to an automatic cleaning/disinfection mode (activated by long-press power) that reduces manual scrubbing.
• Drips when removing the water reservoir: several owners report a small amount of water dribbles from the underside of the removable tank when it is pulled out; this is often described as minor but recurring, and owners recommend placing a mat or drainer under the unit if you plan to remove the tank frequently.
• Beeping volume: a number of owners describe the unit’s beeps for alerts (water low, ice full) as noticeably loud — some find it helpful, others find it intrusive.

Materials & build quality

The listing describes a "premium textured design" and a soft LED ambient light, but it does not enumerate the precise materials used for the housing, tank, or components. The listing does, however, specify practical design features that impact perceived build quality: a detachable water tank, a removable ice basket, and a drip tray are included and intended to make cleaning and handling easier. The unit ships with an ice scoop and user manual.

Owners characterize the appearance as "sharp" and "sleek," and several mention that the unit feels robust for a countertop appliance. The included accessories and removable components are repeatedly appreciated because they simplify maintenance and ice handling. The listing states the refrigerant is R600a and gives electrical specs (150 watts, 115 volts), which are concrete build-related facts to verify against your kitchen power setup.

Note: the listing's ETL certification is a key build-quality signal — ETL is explicitly listed as part of the product features — and owners mention the machine runs reliably when the water tank is filled and the machine is used as instructed.

Safety considerations

Two safety-related, non-speculative items appear clearly in the listing and owner feedback:

• The listing states the product is ETL certified. That is a manufacturer/listing claim present in the product text.
• The listing documents a 30‑minute automatic cleaning cycle activated by long-pressing the POWER button for 3 seconds. The listing instructs not to pull out the water tank while the cleaning cycle runs; owners echo that advice and report water can flush out onto the counter if the tank is removed mid-cycle.

Owner feedback adds practical safety notes to consider when planning placement and use:

• Spill/drip risk when removing the water reservoir: multiple owners say a small dribble of water comes from the underside of the removable tank when it slides out, and one owner accidentally spilled water by removing the tank without turning the unit off first. The repeated pattern here is a minor but real wetness risk on counters and floors if you aren't careful.
• Audible alerts: the unit beeps to signal ice full, add water, and other states. Multiple owners describe the beeps as loud. If you are sensitive to persistent audible alerts in shared spaces, this is worth testing or confirming before purchase.
• Startup behavior: the listing states initial ice cubes may be smaller during the unit's warm startup and will return to standard size once fully cooled; owners confirm this behavior. That can affect expectations if you need consistent cube size immediately after plugging the unit in.

Beyond those items the listing and owner notes are silent on more detailed material or safety certifications for food-contact surfaces; the listing does not list material composition for the tank, basket, or housing. If you need explicit food-contact material claims or certifications, verify the current listing or manufacturer documentation.

Who this is for / who should skip

The Upstreman BI22 is best suited to cooks and hosts who want fast, fresh bullet ice without dedicating freezer space to trays or buying bags of ice. Use-case fits supported by the listing and multiple owner reports include:

• Daily drinkers and small households who want on-demand ice for water, iced coffee, or soda.
• Home bars and small gatherings where a steady stream of bullet ice is preferable to planning freezer trays in advance; owners report the unit can keep up for casual entertaining if you harvest ice as it’s made.
• Office spaces, dorms, and RVs where compactness, portability, and a quieter footprint are priorities (confirm 115‑V availability for travel setups).

Who should probably skip or consider alternatives:

• Large parties or catering situations that need a large frozen stockpile — this machine is a countertop maker with limited holding capacity and is better for steady production than one-shot bulk storage.
• Users who need perfectly silent appliances or who are sensitive to frequent audible alerts; multiple owners describe the beeping as loud or persistent.
• Buyers who require explicit material certifications for food-contact parts — the listing does not enumerate tank or basket materials, so verify the current product documentation if that’s a requirement.

Verdict

For anyone who wants instant bullet ice without a freezer ice maker or trips to the store, the Upstreman BI22 delivers on the core promise: fast cycles (9 bullet cubes in roughly 6 minutes), a 1.1‑liter detachable tank, and a daily output listed at 22 pounds. The ETL certification listed and the self-cleaning cycle are useful features for a countertop appliance, and owners repeatedly praise the speed, appearance, and quiet operation compared with larger or louder machines.

The recurring caveats you should weigh are straightforward: the unit can drip small amounts of water when the water reservoir is removed, and several owners find the alert beeps notably loud. Those aren’t dealbreakers for many buyers, but they do affect placement and daily handling (a mat under the unit helps, and remember to power it down before removing the tank to avoid spills).

Check before you buy

• Confirm kitchen power: the specifications list 150 watts and 115 volts — make sure your outlet and any extension you use are compatible.
• Verify space needs: listed dimensions are 12.95" D x 9.09" W x 14.41" H. Measure the intended counter space and clearance before ordering.
• Plan for the drip: owners report a small dribble when removing the tank. Place the unit on a mat or drainer if you will be removing the tank frequently.
• Expect startup variance: the listing says initial cubes may be smaller at first; allow the machine to reach operating temperature for standard-size cubes.
• Confirm ETL certification on the current listing or manufacturer documentation if certification is important for your purchase decision.
• Check included accessories: the package includes an ice basket, ice scoop, and drip tray according to the listing.

Bottom line: the Upstreman BI22 is a fast, compact countertop ice maker that solves the "need ice now" problem for many households and small gatherings. Owners praise its speed, quiet operation, and ease of use; if you can live with occasional dribbles when handling the removable tank and the audible alerts, it’s a solid convenience appliance for everyday ice needs.

Available colors

The listing does not specify formal color names. Based on the product images supplied with the listing, available colors may include a textured silver/gray finish (as pictured). Verify the current product listing for exact color options and names before purchasing.

• textured silver/gray (as pictured) — listing does not specify exact color names