VIVOHOME VH1117 Portable Ice Maker Review

Intro

The VIVOHOME VH1117-RE is a compact electric countertop ice maker that the listing says can produce up to 27 lbs of bullet-style ice in 24 hours. It’s marketed as an upgraded, portable model with a see-through top window, automatic overflow protection, low-water and full-bucket indicators, and a built-in self-cleaning function. Buyers consistently praise its speed and quiet operation, which the listing quantifies as producing a batch in roughly 6–10 minutes and operating at about 40 dB.

What it is / first look

This unit is a plug-in, portable ice maker described by the manufacturer as an upgraded model intended for countertop use. Core listing facts to keep front and center:

• Brand / model: VIVOHOME VH1117-RE (listed model number)
• Ice capacity: listed as 27 lbs of ice per 24 hours
• Ice type: bullet ice cubes (listing language)
• Cycle time: about 6–10 minutes per batch (listed)
• Noise: listed working noise of 40 dB
• Material type: listed as Acrylonitrile Butadiene Styrene (ABS)
• Portable features: built-in handle, weighs 16.9 pounds (listing copy)
• Included accessories: listing notes 10 ice bags and a hand scoop included

Visually the listing shows a rectangular machine with a large transparent window on top so you can watch ice production. The color listed is Red and the package explicitly includes a self-clean feature and an automatic overflow protection system with indicator lights for low water and full bucket.

Colors

• Red (listed color)

In daily use

Owners report the VH1117 performs exactly like a small, dedicated countertop ice maker should: add water, plug it in, and get ice quickly. The most repeated owner signals are speed, quietness, portability, and reliable auto-stop behavior when water runs out or the ice bin fills.

Small kitchens & apartments

For people who need supplemental ice without a chest freezer or a full-size icemaker, several owners say this unit lives on the counter year-round and produces enough ice to keep households supplied. One owner specifically reported using it to maintain a freezer-reserve of ice by transferring produced cubes into freezer bags. A recurring note from buyers: make sure you have countertop space; one owner returned the machine because it was larger than expected for a particular shelf.

RVs, boats, and outdoor use

The listing calls the machine lightweight and portable and names RVs and boats among suggested use cases. Several owner reports echo that it’s a good option to take on vacation or set up by the grill or picnic area. Remember that this is an electric countertop machine — if you plan to use it outside you’ll need accessible power.

Parties, gatherings, and small bars

Owners who used the unit for gatherings and parties emphasize the speed and steady output. The listing’s 27-lb/day figure and the roughly 6–10 minute batch time help explain why owners could fill freezer bags and keep up with demand better than a fridge ice maker. One owner noted the ice comes out a little wet and may clump together if stored immediately in the freezer; they break it apart with a mallet before using. Another owner described the produced ice as "thick" and slow to melt.

Noise and operation

The listing gives a working noise level of 40 dB and multiple owners describe it as quiet in normal operation — the loudest sound reported is the dumping of cubes into the bin. The machine also reports automatic overflow protection and indicator lights: it will alert you when the water reservoir is low and when the ice bucket is full, and stop automatically in those conditions, which owners repeatedly praise as a useful convenience.

Materials & build quality

The listing lists the material type as Acrylonitrile Butadiene Styrene (ABS). The package content calls out the unit as lightweight at 16.9 pounds, and the listing describes the machine as upgraded with a "mega transparent window" and a built-in handle for portability. The seller emphasizes user-friendly touches: the transparent top for monitoring, indicator lights for low water and full bucket, and automatic overflow protection.

Owners’ lived experience gives more context on durability and perceived build quality. Positive themes in user feedback include long run times (one report of the unit running nearly continuously for months with no issues) and owners saying the machine still works after years in some cases. One owner explicitly reported it was still going strong after about 2.5 years of near-constant use. Multiple owners describe the self-cleaning program as easy to activate and effective.

Packaging and sizing expectations are a commonly mentioned detail: a few buyers returned the item because they misjudged how it would fit on a specific shelf, so verify your counter or shelf space before buying. No widespread reports of cracked plastics, loose handles, or broken latches appear in the owner notes provided; instead, the recurring signals lean toward sturdy performance for the price range.

Safety considerations

From the listing and owner notes, here are the explicit safety- and maintenance-related facts to keep in mind:

• The machine has automatic overflow protection and indicator lights for low water and a full ice bucket. Owners report the unit stops automatically in these conditions.
• The self-cleaning function is started by adding water to the sink and long-pressing the "CLEAN" (ON/OFF) button for five seconds, and the cycle lasts about 30 minutes (listing language). After cleaning, the small rubber stopper at the bottom is opened to drain the dirty water out of the machine; the listing recommends a cleanser for exclusive use with the self-clean system approximately every six months to one year.
• The listing states the unit is made of ABS. The listing does not specify any third-party food-contact certifications or food-grade claims for the plastic in the data provided here; if that matters to you, verify the current listing/manufacturer documentation before purchase.
• The listing does not specify electrical ratings (voltage or wattage) or safety certifications in the product copy available here. Check the current product manual or listing for up-to-date electrical and certification details before plugging it in.

Kitchen-safety editorial notes based on owner patterns and listing facts:

• Because the listing does not publish power/wattage or certification details in the provided material, buyers should confirm electrical specs for their region and ensure any outdoor use has safe and dry power access.
• Follow the listing’s recommended self-clean schedule and the manufacturer instructions for draining after cleaning to avoid stale water sitting in the reservoir.
• If you have concerns about materials that contact water or ice, the listing’s stated material (ABS) is the only material fact provided here; the listing does not provide an explicit food-grade certification in the quoted data, so verify the current listing/manufacturer documentation.
• The manufacturer’s listed warranty language asks customers to contact their customer service for defective items; follow those instructions if you receive a damaged unit.

Who this is for / who should skip

Who this should fit

• Households that go through more ice than their fridge maker supplies: multiple owners describe building freezer reserves or replacing store-bought ice for parties.
• People who want a portable, plug-in countertop solution for RVs, boats, patios, or small bars: the listing and owners call out portability and show the unit being used away from the kitchen.
• Buyers who value quiet operation and speed: the listing’s 40 dB claim and owners’ comments about quiet running and fast production are consistent signals.
• Users who like simple maintenance: the listing’s self-cleaning function (30-minute cycle started by a 5-second button hold) and owners’ comments that it’s easy to run make upkeep straightforward.

Who should probably skip or double-check first

• Buyers who need very large restaurant-style cubes or specialty ice shapes: the listing specifies bullet ice cubes only and some owners note the cubes aren’t very large for those expecting bigger pieces.
• People with very tight shelving needs: at least one buyer returned the unit after finding it too big for a particular shelf, so confirm the physical footprint fits your chosen spot (the listing does not specify dimensions in the provided copy).
• Anyone who requires explicit, third-party material or food-contact certifications: the listing states ABS as the material but does not list a food-grade certification in the quoted data; verify current listing/manufacturer documentation when that matters to you.

Verdict

The VIVOHOME VH1117-RE presents a clear value proposition: a compact, portable ice maker that, according to the listing, can produce up to 27 lbs of bullet ice per day, makes batches in around 6–10 minutes, and operates at roughly 40 dB. Owners repeatedly underline the practical benefits — speed, quiet operation, and reliable auto-stop behavior — and several long-term users report multi-year service with heavy use.

Strengths based on listing and owner signals:

• Fast production cycles (listed 6–10 minutes) and high daily capacity (listed 27 lbs/day).
• Quiet operation — listing states about 40 dB and owners describe it as unobtrusive.
• User-friendly features: transparent top window, low-water and full-bucket indicators, automatic overflow protection, included ice bags and scoop.
• Self-cleaning mode available: starts with a 5-second hold and runs about 30 minutes; recommended cleanser schedule every half year to 1 year (listed guidance).
• Portable and light enough to move around (listing weight 16.9 pounds; built-in handle).

Limitations and things owners flagged:

• Cube size: the machine produces bullet ice cubes; owners who wanted larger cubes describe the pieces as not very big for large-cube expectations.
• Wet cubes that can freeze together if immediately stored in the freezer — several owners recommend breaking clumps before use.
• Listing material is ABS but the provided data does not include an explicit food-grade certification or detailed electrical specs — verify the current listing or manual if those details matter to you.

Check before you buy — quick checklist

• Confirm the physical footprint and where you will place it; one owner returned it due to shelving fit issues (the listing does not give dimensions in the provided data).
• Verify electrical requirements and any safety certifications with the current product documentation; wattage/voltage and certifications are not specified in the quoted listing information here.
• Decide whether bullet ice cubes suit your needs — the listing specifies bullet ice and some owners say the cubes aren’t large.
• Note the listed material type (ABS) and check the product page or manufacturer documentation for any food-contact claims or certifications if that is important to you.
• Plan to use the self-clean feature periodically: hold the CLEAN button for 5 seconds to start a roughly 30-minute cycle, then open the rubber drain stopper to remove dirty water. The listing recommends a special cleanser for the system about every six months to one year.
• Confirm what comes in the box: the listing states the package includes the ice maker, a hand scoop, and 10 ice bags.

Bottom line: for home cooks and hosts who need a fast, portable source of bullet ice and value quiet operation and a simple cleaning routine, the VIVOHOME VH1117-RE looks like a sensible mid-range countertop option based on the listing and repeated owner reports. If you require very large cubes, need explicit food-grade certification in the listing, or have extremely tight shelf space, make sure to verify those points before purchasing.