Still no handle for a Frigidaire portable ice maker in 2025? Yes, this is the Frigidaire EFIC128 – the latest Frigidaire countertop ice maker, and it denies its users a convenient handle. My today Frigidaire EFIC128 review will tell you exactly what budget ice maker that you should buy from Frigidaire.
In Ice Artisan, I only review the ice makers that I had used or repaired. So I can guarantee that:
- I give you honest review (both pros and cons) of an ice maker. No hidden deal behind the website.
- I share my technician’s point of view, so I focus not only on the performance, but also the build of an ice maker.
- I compile an ice maker ranking list (coming soon) so you can compare all ice makers easily.
Jump to:
PROS
- Good price
- Good durability
CONS
- Still no handle in 2025
- Lacks self-cleaning feature
Frigidaire has been a household name in kitchen appliances for over a century, originally established in 1918 and now operating as part of the Electrolux Group. The brand has built its reputation on delivering affordable, reliable appliances that make everyday life easier.
Frigidaire ice makers
Frigidaire EFIC128 Review: Price
- Available to buy now
- Has 3 color options
- Cheaper than the Frigidaire EFIC117-SS
The budget countertop ice maker market is still hot for old cooling appliance brand to miss, and the Frigidaire EFIC128 is the latest revision this company wants to introduce to ice enthusiasts. After testing the Frigidaire EFIC121 and Frigidaire EFIC123-SS, I have high hope for the Frigidaire EFIC128, especially when Trump tariffs will stay longer, and Chinese ice makers are not at the best competition.
Yes, and the Frigidaire EFIC128 will start at $89, which is the baseline for a budget ice maker. Through many years, it seems the price isn’t going down soon, as both Euhomy and Silonn ice makers from China keep the same price as the native Frigidaire portable ice makers. Buying a cheaper no-name ice maker is okay, but you must be willing to take risks. For most customers, a few dollars aren’t worth the hassle of running a risky ice maker.
As usual, the best deal stays on Ice Artisan, as I planned to make the best website for ice maker on the Internet. But for the Frigidaire EFIC128, its price makes it difficult to compete even in the Frigidaire lineup, where multiple ice makers like the Frigidaire EFIC120, Frigidaire EFIC101, Frigidaire EFIC108 and Frigidaire EFIC189 are still in stock. Even Frigidaire won’t try to differentiate each model for you, thus reading my review is necessary to find out the best budget ice maker in 2025.
Related post: Best ice maker 2025.
Frigidaire EFIC128 Review: Durability
Frigidaire EFIC128 Review: Design
- Portable ice maker
- Unique in Frigidaire portable ice maker lineup
- Still no handle
There’s no question that the Frigidaire EFIC128 is a part of the Frigidaire portable ice maker family. At a glance, we can notice the same top control board that has been used since the first Frigidaire EFIC101, and the “guitar pick”-shape window lid in the Frigidaire EFIC128. The Frigidaire EFIC128 has compact dimensions of 13 x 11 x 12.5 inches and weighs approximately 14-15 pounds, which is typical in the budget team of Frigidaire.
To tell everyone that this is a Frigidaire ice maker, its brand name is stylized in the same way as the Frigidaire EFIC103, which we all think that it is forgotten for a Frigidaire appliance. The logo make the ice maker an unique design, and it is easy to tell it apart from its brothers. Overall, if you just search for “Frigidaire countertop ice maker” on search engine, the Frigidaire EFIC128 is very different, and you can’t make mistake with things like the Frigidaire EFIC120.
At the same time, nothing special to write about this countertop ice maker’s design. It is just one in millions ice makers that you can find under $100, something that you can’t possibly use to make your kitchen more premium. Something normal.
Related post: Best countertop ice maker.
Frigidaire EFIC128 Review: Build
- Frigidaire has better durability
- Back to plastic housing
After praising the metal coating from the Frigidaire EFIC117-SS and Frigidaire EFIC123-SS, it’s time we back with plastic housing. The exterior shell uses durable ABS plastic that resists fingerprints and minor impacts. While not as premium as stainless steel models, the plastic construction contributes to the unit’s lighter weight and lower price point.
So far, the Frigidaire EFIC128 is still my recommendation for a budget countertop ice maker, because it’s from Frigidaire. My technician instinct still go with a Frigidaire or Igloo product when buying an affordable appliance, though I must admit the quality of the recent Euhomy ice makers are on par with the Frigidaire ones. For my beloved housewife readers, the Frigidaire EFIC128 is backed up by many Frigidaire service centers nationwide, and I think it’s one point to add up in my durability ranking.
Related post: Best undercounter ice maker.
Frigidaire EFIC128 Review: Performance
Frigidaire EFIC128 Review: Capacity
- Produces up to 26 lbs of ice daily
- Internal storage: 2 lbs
It’s 2025 and ice maker companies are still making 26-lb countertop ice makers for low-range segment, and the Frigidaire EFIC128 doesn’t want to be the pioneer in new technology. Its capacity is average at delivering 26 pounds of ice, providing that you take ices out whenever the “Ice full” notification is lit.
However, I find the Frigidaire EFIC128 is quite fast at making the first batch, as the average first batch speed is fastest among Frigidaire portable ice maker rank. As you can see, the Frigidaire EFIC128 needs exactly 6 minutes for the first ice making, in normal room temperature. It takes longer for each consequent batch, however.
Related post: Best commercial ice maker.
Frigidaire EFIC128 Review: Ice Quality
- Bullet ice
- Thicker than usual Frigidaire ices
The Frigidaire EFIC128 produces bullet-shaped ice cubes in two different sizes, which are cylindrical with a rounded tip and hollow center. The unit offers two ice size options, allowing users to select between small and large bullets depending on their preferences. If the room temperature is lower than 60°F, it is recommended to select small ice cube in order to avoid ice sticking together.
However, the Frigidaire EFIC128 seems to make the thickest bullet ices among Frigidaire countertop ice makers. It usually melts slower than its brothers, which is intriguing for me, because I can swear it uses the same internals as other Frigidaire portable ice makers. Looking for the customer reviews, I found most of them agree that the Frigidaire EFIC128 makes good ice quality, but I believe it is because people are using an ice maker for the first time.
Ice clarity varies significantly based on water quality and ambient conditions. I made an useful article on “How to make clear ice in ice maker?”, and boiled and filtered water can make difference in aesthetic for your end results. Try this to make your ices last longer.
Related post: Best clear ice maker.
Frigidaire EFIC128 Review: Energy and Water Consumption
- Normal water and energy consumption
I wrote an article of “How much electricity does an ice maker use?” to give you a free calculator to find out whether you are spending more on your ice maker or not. As the latest Frigidaire portable ice maker, the Frigidaire EFIC128 has a rated power of 105W. At 105W average consumption and producing 26 pounds per day, the unit uses approximately 2.52 kWh per day, or 9.7 kWh per 100 pounds of ice produced.
For water consumption, the Frigidaire EFIC128 uses around 2.5 to 3 gallons of water to produce 26 pounds of ice, or 12 gallons to produce 100 pounds of ice. I wrote an article of “Does an ice maker use a lot of water?” to explain why a countertop ice maker don’t waste water in anything except for making ices.
Related post: Best nugget ice maker.
Frigidaire EFIC128 Review: Noise Level
- Quiet operation
The Frigidaire EFIC128 is so quiet that we forgot it was even on. My testing unit operates at 39 decibels, and to help you imagine better, think of the noise level of a library. However, I find some users telling me that the noise during the ice-dropping phase can shock users the first day and make dogs bark. I laugh for the idea, but hey, if you’re sensitive to noise, you can think of putting a cloth inside the Frigidaire EFIC128 to damp the noise of this ice-dropping phase.
Again, I must remind that all ice makers make sound when dropping the ices. It is the nature of a countertop ice maker, as I wrote in “Are countertop ice makers loud?”
Related post: Best ice maker for RV.
Frigidaire EFIC128 Review: Features
- Lacks self-cleaning feature
- Add water alert, ice full notification
- Adjusts ice size
It’s strange that in 2025, the latest Frigidaire EFIC128 can lack the self-cleaning feature which is the signature of the Frigidaire EFIC123-SS. Without this feature, it’s difficult for the new Frigidaire portable ice maker to keep up with the competition.
You still have the same old features like ice level checking, adding water alert or ice size adjustment. These features are still helpful, and the Frigidaire EFIC128 will automatically turn off whenever it detects it’s full of ices. Still, sometime a portable ice maker can produce too much ice, but it’s easy to troubleshoot it.
Related post: Best budget ice maker.
Verdict
While the Frigidaire EFIC128 is a good portable ice maker, it’s under heavy competition not from other brands. The Frigidaire EFIC123-SS is my number one pick for the price, providing better housing and useful self-cleaning feature.
Frigidaire EFIC128 Review: Trusted Review in 2025
Read our Frigidaire EFIC128 review at IceArtisan.com. We test its ice-making speed, noise level, and build quality—see if it’s the right countertop model for your space.
Product Brand: Frigidaire
Product Currency: USD
Product Price: 89
Product In-Stock: InStock
3.3
