After the launch of the Frigidaire EFIC108 and Frigidaire EFIC117-SS, Frigidaire is gearing up itself with another model to refresh its budget lineup. The Frigidaire EFIC189 is this ice maker, and it’s still a strong budget ice maker even in this 2025. In my today Frigidaire EFIC189 review, I want to introduce to ice lovers a portable ice maker that is even smaller than the Frigidaire EFIC121.
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
- Compact size, budget price
- Decent ice making process
CONS
- Lacks self-cleaning feature
- Smaller capacity
Frigidaire – a subsidiary of Electrolux Group – has been a trusted name in home appliances for over 100 years. The company’s reputation for building durable, affordable kitchen products extends to their compact ice maker line. So we have basic Frigidaire countertop ice makers that are ready to cool your drinks in the heat of summers.
Frigidaire ice makers
Frigidaire EFIC189 Review: Price
- Available to buy now
- Costs $89 in the U.S market
- Hot pick
The Frigidaire EFIC189 currently retails at $89.99, positioning it firmly in the budget-friendly segment of countertop ice makers. This price point makes it one of the more affordable options in the 26-pound daily capacity category. Perhaps Frigidaire is clearing the Frigidaire EFIC189 out of stock, as I found the latest Frigidaire EFIC128 being advertised more frequently.
Being sold and guaranteed by Amazon for years, the Frigidaire EFIC189 continues to be another solid option for budget ice maker. I must admit, the technology on a simple ice maker stopped 10+ years ago, and unless we have a huge leap, I will only check brand, price and the build of one Frigidaire portable ice maker.
For regular users, the launching date of the Frigidaire EFIC189 is never important, especially when countertop ice makers don’t have any progress after 10 years. In comparison to the best-selling Euhomy IM-06D that you can easily find on Amazon, the Frigidaire EFIC189 looks similar, but lacking a handle that could be useful for a mobile ice maker. But still, if we don’t plan to make ice in the backyard, checking deal on the Frigidaire EFIC189 seems to be the best practice to do.
Related post: Best ice maker 2025.
Frigidaire EFIC189 Review: Durability
Frigidaire EFIC189 Review: Design
- Portable ice maker
- Silver finish resists fingerprints
- Smaller ventilation than the Frigidaire EFIC121
The Frigidaire EFIC189 measures 11.6 x 8.7 x 11.4 inches and weighs 17 pounds, making it relatively compact among 26-pound daily capacity models. The silver finish resists fingerprints while complementing modern kitchen aesthetics. The rounded front design with large transparent lid provides excellent visibility for monitoring ice production and troubleshooting. In my years of testing countertop ice makers at this budget range, I prefer one with bigger window, and that’s the upside of the Frigidaire EFIC189, in comparison with something like the Frigidaire EFIC108.
All countertop ice makers implement with only air-cooled ventilation to help cool down the appliance while running, and I believe an affordable product like the Frigidaire EFIC189 is not an exception. One thing I wish the Frigidaire EFIC189 to have is bigger ventilations. It’s not really important in countertop ice maker models, because the fan power of these units tend to be weak, but it’s quite difficult to clean the vent in the Frigidaire EFIC189.
The unit features a single silver color option without variations available. The control panel looks super Frigidaire, because I swear all of the budget countertop ice makers from this brand are starting with this control board.
Related post: Best countertop ice maker.
Frigidaire EFIC189 Review: Build
- Frigidaire has better durability
- Frequently appear in my shop than the Frigidaire EFIC121
The Frigidaire EFIC189 features a silver-colored exterior with a fingerprint-resistant finish that maintains its aesthetic appeal. The transparent lid uses high-quality plastic that resists staining and maintains clarity over time. The ice basket consists of hard plastic rather than flimsy materials, supporting comfortable scooping without flexing under pressure.
When buying a budget countertop ice maker, I usually lean toward Frigidaire for its better durability reputation. However, the Frigidaire EFIC189—despite being a very popular model—often ends up on my workbench, to be honest. I’ve seen quite a few of these come in for repairs.
Still, the Frigidaire EFIC189 receives better support than a typical Euhomy ice maker in 2025. If anything changes, I’ll update this content to reflect the truth immediately. As a product from a former American brand with many service centers nationwide, it benefits from more accessible customer service.
In terms of build quality, the Frigidaire EFIC121 remains my top choice in this budget range. However, if you prefer the design of the Frigidaire EFIC189, it’s a close call. After all, thousands of Frigidaire EFIC189 units have been sold, and only a small percentage have shown faults.
Related post: Best undercounter ice maker.
Frigidaire EFIC189 Review: Performance
Frigidaire EFIC189 Review: Capacity
- Produces up to 26 lbs of ice daily
- Internal storage: 1.2 lbs
The Frigidaire EFIC189 produces 9 ice cubes per cycle in 6-7 minutes, achieving its rated daily production of 26 pounds. The storage bin holds up to 1.2 pounds of ice at a time, requiring regular emptying to maintain continuous production. Testing revealed the unit produces approximately 19.6 oz (555g) of ice per basket, or roughly 11 oz per hour. A full basket takes an average of 103 minutes, meaning users should check the machine every hour and 45 minutes for optimal output. Here is a quick comparison between Frigidaire portable ice maker models.
I find the Frigidaire EFIC189 fix the ice size problem from the Frigidaire EFIC108, but remember that bigger ices require more time to form. You should read my article of “How long does an ice maker take to make ice?” to know which factors are delaying your ice making process.
The speed and capacity of the Frigidaire EFIC189 are on par with its competitors. However, when you’re running dozens of units, you’ll quickly notice that not all of them perform consistently—some will inevitably produce ice a bit faster than others. If you find your ice maker running slower than expected, I recommend checking out my article “How to increase ice production in ice maker?”, before rushing to replace it. Don’t toss your appliance too quickly—unless you’re planning a major upgrade, a little optimization might be all you need.
Related post: Best commercial ice maker.
Frigidaire EFIC189 Review: Ice Quality
- Bullet ice
- A bit softer than fridge’s cube ices
The Frigidaire EFIC189 produces bullet-shaped ice cubes in two selectable sizes. The ice bullets should weigh at least 5 grams each when properly formed, with the machine occasionally producing bullets exceeding the 7-gram benchmark. Bullet ice features a distinctive cylindrical shape with a hollow center, making it ideal for rapid cooling of beverages. The hollow design increases surface area contact with liquids while the rounded edges prevent clumping in storage.
The ice emerges at approximately 27 degrees Fahrenheit, softer than freezer ice at 0 degrees. This temperature difference means the ice melts faster in drinks compared to traditional freezer ice but still provides effective cooling for indoor use.
Related post: Best clear ice maker.
Frigidaire EFIC189 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. The Frigidaire EFIC189 has a power consumption rating of average 200W.
To produce 100 pounds of ice requires approximately 3.85 days of operation, consuming about 18.48 kWh of electricity. At typical rates of $0.10-0.15 per kWh, this translates to roughly $1.85-2.77 per 100 pounds of ice produced.
Again, since the Frigidaire EFIC189 produces bullet ice, it uses approximately 12 gallons of water to make 100 pounds of ice. There may be slight discrepancies, but they’re not significant. Read my article of “Does an ice maker use a lot of water?” to understand why you shouldn’t worry about water consumption for a Frigidaire countertop ice maker.
Related post: Best nugget ice maker.
Frigidaire EFIC189 Review: Noise Level
- Quiet operation
The Frigidaire EFIC189 operates at about 45 decibels, providing that we don’t count when it is dropping the ices, and we usually clean the ice maker. I find some sources saying the noise level can be as high as 67 decibels, but it’s certainly not my Frigidaire EFIC189 unit.
For context, even 70 dB is just comparable to a normal conversation, which is not quiet, but not loud either. In my case, the Frigidaire EFIC189 runs the same noise level as other Frigidaire countertop ice makers, meaning it’s quieter than even the quietest library I visited.
Related post: Best ice maker for RV.
Frigidaire EFIC189 Review: Features
- Lacks self-cleaning feature
- Add water alert, ice full notification
- Adjusts ice size
The Frigidaire EFIC189 includes essential features for convenient operation without advanced connectivity options. The LED control panel indicates when the water reservoir requires refilling and when the ice basket reaches capacity. Users can select between two ice sizes through simple button controls. The 1.2-quart water reservoir provides sufficient capacity for extended ice production between refills.
The large transparent lid has two purposes, allowing visual monitoring of ice production while maintaining insulation. An additional viewing window in the rear provides alternative sightlines for checking ice levels. Unlike premium models, the Frigidaire EFIC189 lacks automatic self cleaning cycles, which is perhaps the only feature that I need for a countertop ice maker.
Related post: Best budget ice maker.
Verdict
The Frigidaire EFIC189 ice maker delivers solid value for budget-conscious consumers needing supplemental ice production.
Again, I recommend the Frigidaire EFIC121, and later the Frigidaire EFIC123-SS for being less energy consumption, while making ice more stable than the Frigidaire EFIC189.
Frigidaire EFIC189 Review: Trusted Review in 2025
Read our Frigidaire EFIC189 review at IceArtisan.com. We tested its ice-making speed, build quality, and noise level—find out if it’s right for your countertop.
Product Brand: Frigidaire
Product Currency: USD
Product Price: 89
Product In-Stock: InStock
2.8
