The Frigidaire EFIC118 updates the dated design of the Frigidaire EFIC108, instead of going through the Frigidaire EFIC117-SS‘s way. The makeover mostly works, but when a Frigidaire portable ice maker doesn’t make any differences from one another, it just comes down to which one is cheaper. In our today Frigidaire EFIC118 review, I hope you will clearly decide whether to buy it or not.
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
- Lacks self-cleaning feature
Frigidaire, a trusted member of the Electrolux Group, has been a leading name in home appliances for over 100 years. The company continues to innovate with products designed to make everyday living easier and more efficient. The Frigidaire countertop ice makers are affordable yet durable, and I always consider to get one Frigidaire unit when my pocket is tight.
Frigidaire ice makers
Frigidaire EFIC118 Review: Price
- Available to buy now
- Has only one color option
- Similar to the Frigidaire EFIC189
The Frigidaire EFIC118 was supposed to be the cheaper model of the Frigidaire EFIC108, launched back in 2019, which is more than 5 years ago. With so many countertop ice makers in its lineup, Frigidaire can confuse the customers to mistake one from another. Hope that Ice Artisan will be the solution for you to tell exactly which ice maker you should buy.
So, the Frigidaire EFIC118 is released in the same year with the Frigidaire EFIC121, which I deem as the best budget ice maker. But what if I tell you that the Frigidaire EFIC118 has the same price tag at $89, and sometimes it goes on sale, like when you collect a deal on my website? Would you prefer this Frigidaire portable ice maker instead?
It isn’t as portable as the EFIC121 for sure, instead the Frigidaire EFIC118 is as big as the Frigidaire EFIC117-SS and the EFIC108, just so you know. But wait a minute, I find the Frigidaire EFIC118 is extremely affordable at the moment. It is only $82 for a Frigidaire countertop ice maker, and at this price, I think the Frigidaire EFIC118 can be a good option.
But still, most of the time, the Frigidaire EFIC189 and Frigidaire EFIC108 have better price for the same ice capacity. I will update this review whenever an ice maker in unavailable, but at the moment, these aforementioned Frigidaire portable ice makers are the cheapest to get.
Related post: Best ice maker 2025.
Frigidaire EFIC118 Review: Durability
Frigidaire EFIC118 Review: Design
- Portable ice maker
- The same as the Frigidaire EFIC189
Just take a glance and you will be forgiven if you think the Frigidaire EFIC118 is the same as the Frigidaire EFIC189. They feature a big window lid, share the same color and label under the Frigidaire name. Its dimension measures 11.4 x 8.7 x 11.6 inches and weighs 14.44 pounds.
The Frigidaire EFIC118 is available in a silver finish, giving it a modern appearance that complements most kitchen décors. It features a larger see-through window, which is something I prefer rather than the lids from the Frigidaire EFIC101 and Frigidaire EFIC102. The unit’s design prioritizes functionality with its top-loading configuration and front-facing control panel for easy access.
We will have the normal Frigidaire control board on top, instead of what we found on the Frigidaire EFIC103 and Frigidaire EFIC117-SS. It isn’t a big deal with a common control board, and I like it to be simple that way.
There will be only one color option for the Frigidaire EFIC118, which is not a surprise for the price. If you want to buy a colorful ice maker, you should head for the EFIC102, EFIC103 and EFIC117-SS instead.
The Frigidaire EFIC118 features a combination of durable plastic and stainless steel-look materials in its construction. While not a full stainless steel unit, the silver finish provides an attractive appearance that resists fingerprints and is easy to clean.
Related post: Best countertop ice maker.
Frigidaire EFIC118 Review: Build
- Frigidaire has better durability
- Plastic construction
For the durability, the Frigidaire EFIC118 is just another Frigidaire portable ice maker that rarely appear on my work bench, but it’s just because the appliance is too cheap for many people to fix it. I remember seeing one or two Frigidaire ice makers each year, and after testing the Frigidaire EFIC118, I find it to be the same as other Frigidaire units. It is stable, the construction is not cheap, and I note the Frigidaire EFIC118 as a well-made countertop ice maker.
From the customer review, I can find many more people praise about the Frigidaire EFIC118’s durability than the Frigidaire EFIC189. Testing both units side-by-side reveal it isn’t true, because they must be the same unit with different name in my technician eyes. I highly recommend you to follow my ice maker FAQ to maintain your countertop ice maker better.
Again, what I like to buy the Frigidaire EFIC118 is because of its origin. Buying an ice maker from Frigidaire is usually an assurance for real customer service, something that you never have from buying a random no-name Chinese knock-off, just to save a few dollars.
Related post: Best undercounter ice maker.
Frigidaire EFIC118 Review: Performance
Frigidaire EFIC118 Review: Capacity
- Produces up to 26 lbs of ice daily
- Internal storage: 1.5 lbs
The Frigidaire EFIC118 is just another Frigidaire portable ice maker that has daily production of 26 pounds. It has the same storage capacity of 1.5 pounds and water reservoir capacity of 2.1 quart. It is enough for continuous ice production without frequent refilling, and the Frigidaire countertop ice maker will make the first batch of 9 bullet ices every 7-15 minutes.
In my testing, the Frigidaire EFIC118 is a bit slower than other units, though the difference is negligible. I want to emphasize that the number below is made average, so sometimes even the Frigidaire EFIC128 will take longer to make first batch of ice than, for example, the Frigidaire EFIC118.
The first ice-making cycle will last approximately 8-13 minutes depending on the ice size that is selected. This quick startup time means you can have fresh ice ready almost immediately after filling the reservoir and powering on the unit.
Related post: Best commercial ice maker.
Frigidaire EFIC118 Review: Ice Quality
- Bullet ice
- A bit softer than fridge’s cube ices
Again, we will have another Frigidaire countertop ice maker that makes bullet ice, also known as hollow ice cubes. The bullet ice will be a bit softer than the cube ice in your fridge, but it melt a bit slower. There are two sizes to select on the Frigidaire EFIC118, though I don’t find the size matter.
Bullet ice from the Frigidaire EFIC118 features the characteristic cylindrical shape with a hollow center, which allows for faster cooling of beverages. Bullet ice, also sometimes called hollow cube ice, is more cylindrical in shape than nugget ice and works great in everything from soda to mixed drinks.
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.
Related post: Best clear ice maker.
Frigidaire EFIC118 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. The Frigidaire EFIC118 has an average energy consumption of about 150 watts, which is not as good as the Frigidaire EFIC121 and Frigidaire EFIC117-SS, but is still quite better than the rest in Frigidaire lineup.
For water consumption, portable ice makers are generally efficient as they recycle melted ice back into the reservoir, maximizing water efficiency. The 2.1-quart reservoir can produce multiple batches before requiring a refill, making it water-efficient for daily use. I estimate the Frigidaire EFIC118 would need 12 gallons of water to make 100 lbs of ice, which is decent. For deeper explanation, I wrote an article “Does an ice maker use a lot of water?”, so my beloved readers can double check why a countertop ice maker doesn’t waste water.
Related post: Best nugget ice maker.
Frigidaire EFIC118 Review: Noise Level
- Quiet operation
One of the standout features of the Frigidaire EFIC118 is its quiet operation. Extremely quiet design runs at 44 decibels means your party music will never be over shadowed by your ice maker. To put this in perspective, 44 decibels is the same as a quiet library. This makes the Frigidaire EFIC118 one of the quieter countertop ice makers available.
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?” Not many people mentioned about the noise level of the Frigidaire EFIC118, and in my tests, I don’t notice the Frigidaire EFIC118 making any abnormal sound.
Related post: Best ice maker for RV.
Frigidaire EFIC118 Review: Features
- No self-cleaning feature
- Add water alert, ice full notification
- Adjusts ice size
We are back to basics with the Frigidaire EFIC118, so no self-cleaning function. Other than that, we have the same features: add water alert, ice full notification and ice size adjustment. We also have a scoop, a large window like the Frigidaire EFIC189, and a convenient drain plug, like all other Frigidaire countertop ice makers.
As you can see, nothing fancy, but the Frigidaire EFIC118 packs enough features to justify its price point.
Related post: Best budget ice maker.
Verdict
The Frigidaire EFIC118 is a solid value, and it is really just the same unit as the Frigidaire EFIC189. Both power and casual users don’t need to compare that much between two ice makers, just look for which one is cheaper.
Frigidaire EFIC118 Review: Trusted Review in 2025
Read our Frigidaire EFIC118 review at IceArtisan.com. We cover ice-making speed, ice quality, design, and real-world performance in kitchens and RVs.
Product Brand: Frigidaire
Product Currency: USD
Product Price: 89
Product In-Stock: InStock
2.8
