The NewAir NIM026 is a surprisingly modern ice maker, but one which may find it difficult to stand out, especially with a price that is higher than the competition. Okay, time for my in-depth NewAir NIM026 review.
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- 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.
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Jump to:
PROS
- Good simplicity
CONS
- More expensive
- Lacks self-cleaning feature
NewAir is an old name for countertop ice maker market in America, but until now hasn’t quite reached the household name status of brands like GE or Frigidaire. That said, NewAir ice makers are generally well-built and known for their reliability, so you can expect them to last for quite some time.
NewAir NIM026 Review: Price
- Available to buy now
- Costs $119 in the U.S market
- Has 2 color options
The NewAir NIM026 is the brand’s entry-level bullet ice maker to reach widespread retail distribution, and touts a “portable” design and ice-making technology which will supposedly keep your drinks cold without the hassle of traditional ice trays. It is superseded by the NewAir AI-110SS, which has self-cleaning feature and the same daily capacity, at a little higher price.
For the first time, NewAir released a countertop ice maker with two color options. You need to look for the model NIM026MB00 for the black model, and the NIM026MS00 for the silver one. My testing unit is a matte black NewAir NIM026, but you can buy the metallic silver one at a much cheaper price right below.
The countertop bullet ice maker market tends to shift to cheaper ice maker, thanks to the debut of the Euhomy IM-06. At $119, the NewAir NIM026 faces stiff competition from good brand names like the Igloo ICEB26HN and Frigidaire EFIC117-SS, both are cheaper, and are including self-cleaning feature.
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NewAir NIM026 Review: Durability
NewAir NIM026 Review: Design
- Top control board
- Has different color options
- Different from NewAir design language
There’s no denying that the NewAir NIM026 is a practical ice maker, but like so many other modern countertop appliances there’s nothing particularly ground-breaking about the design. The power and size selection buttons are exactly where we have come to expect them, positioned on the top panel above the viewing window. All buttons are fairly simplistic, and not overly tactile, but they are at least responsive.
However, it feels less like a true NewAir design and more like something inspired by Frigidaire. The addition of a matte black color option marks a big shift for the brand, giving the NewAir NIM026 a more refined and modern look compared to the original NewAir AI-100. Even the naming shows how NewAir is redefining its lineup.
One of the most striking features of the NewAir NIM026 is the compact footprint measuring 12.32 inches deep, 8.74 inches wide, and 12.6 inches tall, which makes this portable appliance feel genuinely travel-ready and easy to fit on crowded countertops, whilst also looking rather modest to boot.
Round the interior, a removable ice basket sits under your pointer finger for very easy access – just like the Frigidaire models. I would prefer a larger storage capacity, as it allows you to make ice in advance without constantly monitoring levels. With a basket that holds only 1.5 pounds, you will always have to check the unit frequently; that said, it’s very straightforward and never failed to alert me when full.
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NewAir NIM026 Review: Build
- NewAir has mixed durability
The NewAir NIM026 is constructed primarily from ABS plastic, which is standard for this price point but does raise questions about long-term durability. The 15.62-pound weight suggests decent build density, though not quite matching the heft of premium stainless steel models. The plastic feels sturdy on initial inspection, with no obvious flex or cheap creaking, but I’ve seen enough of these units after years of use to know where weaknesses happen.
Based on materials analysis and construction quality, I’d predict a realistic lifespan of 2-3 years with daily use, extending to 4-5 years with occasional seasonal operation. However, like many other NewAir countertop ice makers, it heavily depends on user maintenance. Some owners report great results with the NewAir NIM026, while others experience issues, usually caused by skipping regular cleaning and descaling.
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NewAir NIM026 Review: Performance
NewAir NIM026 Review: Capacity
- Produces up to 26 lbs of ice daily
- Internal storage: 1.5 lbs
Right at its name, the NewAir NIM026 seems to indicate the staple daily capacity of 26 pounds, which is just about on par with other models in this price range, such as the Frigidaire EFIC121. After running my standard ice production test (maximum capacity production at room temperature for 12 hours), the NewAir NIM026 produced 23 pounds to finish up with a respectable 88% of claimed capacity.
Whilst the capacity is not awful compared to some of the other countertop models, it’s not the best money can buy at its price range. The Igloo ICEB33 is still the budget and durable option to go for a higher daily capacity.
First batch of the NewAir NIM026 is ready in approximately 7-8 minutes, and its average time is the best in all NewAir countertop ice maker models, even better than the newer NewAir AI-110SS.
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NewAir NIM026 Review: Ice Quality
- Bullet ice
- Medium firm
Bullet-shaped ice is the most classic for a countertop ice maker, and the NewAir NIM026 isn’t an exception. Helping produce uniform results is the standard ice-making mechanism found in most bullet ice makers, which creates hollow cylindrical cubes with rounded tips. These combine to produce ice that NewAir believes suitable for everyday beverage cooling. As we’ve come to expect on countertop models, you can select between two sizes.
I find NewAir bullet ice at medium firm, which isn’t as hard as Euhomy, but noticeably firmer than Frigidaire.
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NewAir NIM026 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. When you compare the energy usage of the NewAir NIM026 to other similarly-sized ice makers, it consumes just about the same power as other models in this price range – such as the Frigidaire EFIC189 (which operate at similar wattage), or Euhomy IM-06 (which also draw 170W).
Water consumption measures approximately 12 gallons per 100 pounds of ice in my testing with room temperature tap water. I wrote “Does an ice maker use a lot of water?” to explain why you shouldn’t care about water consumption in an ice maker.
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NewAir NIM026 Review: Noise Level
- Decent operation
Based on my test, I can confirm the NewAir NIM026 has a decent quiet operation, at 52 dB during active cycles. During operation, you’ll hear the compressor humming (similar to a refrigerator’s background noise), water pumping through the system (a subtle gurgling), and ice dropping into the basket (periodic clinking). The compressor provides the most consistent sound, described by users as “noticeable but not disruptive” and “about as loud as my kitchen fridge.”
From customer reviews, the noise level is not a problem for the NewAir NIM026, which is a good sign.
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NewAir NIM026 Review: Features
- Lacks self-cleaning feature
- Add water alert, ice full notification
On the feature front, NewAir has chosen to go with straightforward operation from the original NewAir AI-100, which despite the company’s best efforts doesn’t entirely feel like an improvement over competitors with self-cleaning functions, like the Igloo ICEB26HN or Frigidaire EFIC117-SS.
The number of missing features is a little bewildering, and whilst some folk will appreciate the straightforward operation without unnecessary complexity, to most modern users expecting self-cleaning it’s all just a little frustrating and far-removed from mid-range models.
Although I’m not generally a fan of overly complicated ice makers, there are some convenient features available on competitors I would like to see brought to the NewAir product line.
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Verdict
I had modest expectations for the NewAir NIM026, mostly because it still follows an outdated concept carried over from older ice maker brands. In 2025, you should go for the NewAir AI-110SS if you love NewAir brand, otherwise I should recommend native ice maker brands like Frigidaire or Igloo.
NewAir NIM026 Review: Trusted Review in 2025
NewAir NIM026 review at IceArtisan.com! We tested its ice-making speed, design, and overall performance to see if this compact model is worth your countertop space.
Product Brand: NewAir
Product Currency: USD
Product Price: 119
Product In-Stock: InStock
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