The Frigidaire EFIC102 has one sole mission, to be the Frigidaire portable ice maker to bring more color options that you miss from the Frigidaire EFIC101. I’d say it’s a lazy naming choice by Frigidaire, perhaps because their kitchen appliances are generally referred to as just “Frigidaire countertop ice maker” rather than having a proper model name. Okay, if this is your first time in Ice Artisan, get ready for my Frigidaire EFIC102 review.
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
- Even more budget price
- Good durability
CONS
- Lacks self-cleaning feature
- Ice quality is thicker
Frigidaire established in 1918 as a subsidiary of General Motors, has evolved into a household name in American kitchen appliances. The brand, now owned by Electrolux, maintains its reputation for affordable, practical appliances designed for everyday use. Their expansion into portable ice makers represents a natural progression from traditional refrigeration, bringing commercial ice-making technology to residential countertops through products like the Frigidaire EFIC102.
Frigidaire ice makers
Frigidaire EFIC102 Review: Price
- Available to buy now
- Different price based on color option
- Red version is the cheapest
The Frigidaire EFIC102, released at the same day as the Frigidaire EFIC101, starts at the same price as its brother model. It was $150 in the past, but down to only $99 for keeping up with the tight competition in the countertop ice makers market.
However, I’ve noticed significant price variations across the three Frigidaire EFIC102 models. The white version (EFIC102-WHITE) costs over $99, while the red version (EFIC102-RED) offers the best value at just $66. That’s a great deal for a Frigidaire portable ice maker, especially since it’s the end of the product line and the company is likely just clearing out remaining stock.
At only $66, the Frigidaire EFIC102 red model represents the most competitive pricing. Only the “no-name” countertop ice makers (meaning no label can be found on the units) can be lower than the Frigidaire EFIC102. With an official 1-year warranty, the Frigidaire EFIC102 is truly a deal you don’t want to miss.
Related post: Best ice maker 2025.
Frigidaire EFIC102 Review: Durability
Frigidaire EFIC102 Review: Design
- Portable ice maker
- Exactly the Frigidaire EFIC101 with different colors
Writing about the Frigidaire EFIC102 after the Frigidaire EFIC101 is super easy, because I can just paste the whole content about its design and build, and I truly believe they are the same, both internal and external parts. So, we have a Frigidaire EFIC102 measuring at 14.1 inches deep, 9.5 inches wide, and 12.9 inches high, creating a footprint comparable to a large coffee maker.
At least your iPhone looks different every year, but the Frigidaire EFIC102 launched around the same time as the EFIC101, and honestly, the manufacturer probably knew no one really cares about an ice maker’s actual name. So, well… nothing more to say.
The Frigidaire EFIC102 weighs 18.3 pounds, thanks to its full-plastic housing. The air-cooled design relies on side ventilation grilles for heat dissipation, requiring 3-inch clearance on all sides for proper airflow. This cooling system proves effective for countertop use, maintaining consistent ice production without water cooling requirements.
Perhaps the only reason you will look for the Frigidaire EFIC102 is its color variations, including of red, white and silver. The silver edition looks quite similar to the Frigidaire EFIC108, albeit fully plastic, but nothing fancy happens here, just choose the most affordable Frigidaire portable ice maker for your kitchen.
Frigidaire countertop ice makers with lid opening up like the Frigidaire EFIC102 has a small viewing window, so you will know if you should take out the ice. However, I personally prefer the larger window on the Frigidaire EFIC189 and Frigidaire EFIC121.
Related post: Best countertop ice maker.
Frigidaire EFIC102 Review: Build
- Frigidaire has better durability
- Never see in my shop
The Frigidaire EFIC102 must be produced in the same batch as the Frigidaire EFIC101, only with different paints. As a result, I know exactly the build from these two Frigidaire portable ice makers are identical. The Frigidaire EFIC102 has construction materials consisting primarily of ABS plastic for the exterior housing and food-grade plastic for water-contact components. The plastic construction reduces manufacturing costs and unit weight but potentially impacts long-term durability compared to stainless steel alternatives, like the Frigidaire EFIC108.
However, as I never saw the EFIC101 to appear in my work bench, I remembered to fix a few Frigidaire EFIC102 models. Considering both of them under one product page, there is no way we can guess which one is sold better. My two cents are in for the Frigidaire EFIC102, with more color variations that suit more tastes.
It isn’t the first time, but I must assure you that a Frigidaire EFIC102 is guaranteed by a well-known company, with many service centers nationwide. If you’re satisfied with its price tag, you should consider the Frigidaire EFIC102, especially when it’s the most affordable Frigidaire portable ice maker at the time of writing. Soon it will be out of stock, and I believe it’s the last time you can have this exact model.
Related post: Best undercounter ice maker.
Frigidaire EFIC102 Review: Performance
Frigidaire EFIC102 Review: Capacity
- Produces up to 26 lbs of ice daily
- Internal storage: 1.8 lbs
The Frigidaire EFIC102 produces 26 pounds of ice daily through continuous operation, cycling every 6-8 minutes to create 9 bullet-shaped ice cubes per batch. Storage capacity reaches 1.8 pounds, requiring regular ice removal to maintain production efficiency. The 2.3-quart water reservoir supports approximately 3-4 hours of continuous operation before refilling.
It is quite strange that every time I test between the Frigidaire EFIC102 and the Frigidaire EFIC101 back and forth, the Frigidaire EFIC102 is always the loser at making ice faster. With its ice making speed, people who are impatient to cool their drinks may look for another Frigidaire countertop ice maker. Also, subsequent batches may take slightly longer as the compressor manages temperature cycling.
Related post: Best commercial ice maker.
Frigidaire EFIC102 Review: Ice Quality
- Bullet ice
- Thicker than normal Frigidaire bullet ices
The Frigidaire EFIC102 produces bullet-shaped ice, characterized by hollow cylindrical forms measuring approximately 1 inch in length and 0.8 inches in diameter. These ice bullets feature a distinctive hollow center that increases surface area for rapid cooling while maintaining structural integrity. The ice appears translucent rather than crystal clear, typical of rapid-freeze bullet ice production methods.
Size selection offers two options: small bullets measuring approximately 0.9 inches and large bullets reaching 1.1 inches in length. The hollow design creates ice that melts faster than solid cubes but cools beverages quickly due to increased surface contact. Clarity remains cloudy due to trapped air bubbles from the rapid freezing process, distinguishing bullet ice from clear gourmet ice produced by slower directional freezing.
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 EFIC102 Review: Energy and Water Consumption
- Normal water consumption
- Energy consumption is higher than the Frigidaire EFIC121
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. There is no difference between older Frigidaire portable ice makers up until the Frigidaire EFIC121, which consumes about 200 watts. As a result, it would cost $1.2 to produce 100 pounds of ices.
Again, as I wrote many times, you should read my article “Does an ice maker use a lot of water?” to understand the water consumption of most countertop ice makers. To produce 100 pounds of bullet ice, the Frigidaire EFIC102 needs about 12 gallons of water.
Related post: Best nugget ice maker.
Frigidaire EFIC102 Review: Noise Level
- Quiet operation
My testing unit Frigidaire EFIC102 has a noise level ranging between 45-55 decibels. It’s a bit noisier than other Frigidaire countertop ice makers, but it is comparable to a quiet conversation or moderate rainfall. Meaning you can hear the noise, but I don’t think anyone will be annoyed with such noise level.
I mean, all ice makers make sound when dropping the ices, so I guess if you can’t accept such simple noise, you must use your everyday ice tray in the freezer instead. 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 EFIC102 Review: Features
- Lacks self-cleaning feature
- Add water alert, ice full notification
- Adjusts ice size
Well, all Frigidaire portable ice makers will share the same control board (literally the same from every countertop unit under $100). As a result, if you’re a regular reader from Ice Artisan, you’re not surprised to find out the Frigidaire EFIC102 to have these features: add water alert, ice full notification and ice size adjustment.
In my testing of the Frigidaire EFIC102, the unit occasionally fails to detect when the ice basket is full, causing it to keep producing ice. I wrote an article “Why is my portable ice maker making too much ice?”, to help you troubleshoot this problem easier.
Sadly, the Frigidaire EFIC102 doesn’t have a self-cleaning feature, which is perhaps the only useful function I need for a countertop ice maker.
Related post: Best budget ice maker.
Verdict
The Frigidaire EFIC102 is cheap, and because of that, it is the better deal to get. It has the same quality as the Frigidaire EFIC101, which is not as good as the Frigidaire EFIC121. But hey, it’s worth to save a few dollars.
Frigidaire EFIC102 Review: Trusted Review in 2025
Read our Frigidaire EFIC102 review at IceArtisan.com. We tested ice speed, noise, durability, and portability to help you decide if it’s the right fit for your home.
Product Brand: Frigidaire
Product Currency: USD
Product Price: 66
Product In-Stock: InStock
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