The Igloo ICEB26HN, despite its long name, is truly what Igloo relies on to settle the competition. It offers the missing piece to become the ultimate portable ice maker at budget price, replacing the older Igloo IGLICEB26 completely. In my today Igloo ICEB26HN review, you will know another great option for ice making that doesn’t break your bank.
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
- Convenient handle
- Has self-cleaning feature
- Good durability
CONS
- Small storage
Igloo has been a household name in cooling solutions since 1947, originally making its mark with the iconic coolers that defined American outdoor adventures. The company has successfully transitioned into modern appliances while maintaining its reputation for reliable, portable cooling products. Their countertop ice makers represent a natural evolution of their expertise, bringing the same durability and user-friendly design that made their coolers legendary into the kitchen appliance market.
Igloo ICEB26HN Review: Price
- Available to buy now
- Costs $89 in the U.S market
- Comes with 5 different color options
The Igloo ICEB26HN comes one year later from the previous Igloo IGLICEB26, ready to bring the convenient handle into the ice maker market. It’s obviously a welcomed design, as the Igloo ICEB26HN is a success for Igloo Product Corps, and many Chinese names copied this design for their products. Though I choose the Frigidaire EFIC123-SS as the best budget ice maker in Ice Artisan, I really wish for a convenient handle. Think of when I’m back to RV camping with my friends.
To maintain its competitive slot in low-range ice maker market, the Igloo ICEB26HN has a staple price tag at $89. Nothing fancy, but having an American ice maker (despite it is made in China) is still better for most people. And the Igloo ICEB26HN does it with everything you can expect from the Euhomy IM-06D, which is currently the best seller for countertop ice makers.
Again, I must remind you that to search for the Igloo ICEB26HN on Amazon is an impossible task, because normally brands don’t advertise their products with the original names. Instead, you will look for a random Igloo portable ice maker, so I advise you to follow my link to get the correct Igloo model.
Related post: Best ice maker 2025.
Igloo ICEB26HN Review: Durability
Igloo ICEB26HN Review: Design
- Most portable ice maker
- Multiple color options
- Has convenient handle
Instead of inheriting the common design from the previous Igloo IGLICEB26 or Igloo ICEB33, Igloo opted for the common countertop ice maker design at the moment. As a result, the Igloo ICEB26HN looks and feels the same way as a lot of Chinese countertop ice makers out there with different names. Considering the popularity of the Igloo ICEB26HN, it is reasonable for a new name to copy the design, just remember to change the brand name.
So yes, the Igloo ICEB26HN is average in design, and it’s clearly not a premium-looking ice maker. The Igloo ICEB26HN measures 10.43″D x 12.8″W x 12.4″H and weighs 19.45 pounds, and it is smaller than some Frigidaire ice makers, like the Frigidaire EFIC103. It is suitable for anyone who wants a mobile countertop ice maker, as the handle is super convenient when you constantly want to host parties in the backyard.
For color options, the Igloo ICEB26HN uses the same things as all other Igloo portable ice makers. We have silver, black, white, pink and aqua for the Igloo ICEB26HN, the more the merrier. One thing I don’t really understand is why countertop ice makers opt for the aqua and pink colors. Not only the ice maker, many different appliances at the moment use the same two color option. Perhaps the Chinese manufacturers are influenced deeply by some Korean drama movies, with colorful kitchens.
Igloo chose to use top control board for the Igloo ICEB26HN, thus making the window lid smaller. Not really a problem because we have the “Ice full” feature on an Igloo countertop ice maker, but still, I prefer the larger lid.
Related post: Best countertop ice maker.
Igloo ICEB26HN Review: Build
- Igloo has better durability
- Not a name that needs servicing
Again, the Igloo ICEB26HN will feature the plastic exterior housing and same 4 legs, though shorter, which can help protect the countertop ice maker against vibration. The build helps the Igloo ICEB26HN in durability, too, because the firm placement can avoid an ice maker leaking water, thus preventing it from causing water damage.
As an American ice maker brand, the Igloo ICEB26HN is the symbol of durability. In my experience, I nearly didn’t see an Igloo portable ice maker that needs my repair. My customers also love their Igloo ice makers, especially the Igloo ICEB26HN as the most buying appliance, because the Igloo ICEB26HN can survive longer than some cheap random Chinese ice makers with no name.
Just one small reminder, you can’t bring the Igloo ICEB26HN to a physical service center, because Igloo doesn’t have one for small appliances. In the worst case scenario, the Igloo ICEB26HN is just like an Euhomy ice maker, as all warranties are handled through mail-in repairs.
Related post: Best undercounter ice maker.
Igloo ICEB26HN Review: Performance
Igloo ICEB26HN Review: Capacity
- Produces up to 26 lbs of ice daily
- Internal storage: 1.3 lbs
The Igloo ICEB26HN delivers solid daily production capabilities with up to 26 lbs of ice in a 24-hour period. The ice storage basket holds up to 1.25 pounds of ice at a time, while the water reservoir has a 2-quart water tank capacity. So the Igloo ICEB26HN is about 50% less capacity then its brother – the Igloo ICEB33, meaning you need to take ice out more times to guarantee the advertised capacity.
The first batch of ice is ready in 6 minutes, producing 9 ice cubes per cycle. I find the Igloo ICEB26HN is the fastest one in making the first ice batch, and I recorded the average below. In comparison with a very old model like the Igloo ICEBNH26, the Igloo ICEB26HN is about 30% faster (don’t mistake their names, curse you Igloo).
If you’re stick with Igloo brand and looking for the best ice maker for RV, I recommend the Igloo ICEB26HNBK for its quick speed. But still, overall, the Igloo ICEB33 that can hold 50% more ice, is still my first pick for an Igloo portable ice maker, no contest.
Related post: Best commercial ice maker.
Igloo ICEB26HN Review: Ice Quality
- Bullet ice
- A bit softer but cloudier than fridge’s ices
The Igloo ICEB26HN produces bullet-shaped ice cubes, which are bullet shaped with hollow inside instead of having classic square shape. These cylindrical ice pieces have a rounded tip and hollow center, resembling elongated gum drops with a hole in the middle.
The Igloo countertop ice maker offers two ice size options – small and large – though it’s insignificant for separating the ice size. The large ones take longer to form, but the size difference is negligible in this ice maker. It is the same bullet ice that you have from all Igloo ice machines, cloudy but a bit softer than normal fridge ices.
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.
Igloo ICEB26HN 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. I tested and verified that the Igloo ICEB26HN has an power rate of 105 watts, meaning it takes approximately 10.08 kWh per 100 pounds of ices.
For water consumption, at this point I think my beloved Ice Artisan readers are well-aware that countertop ice makers use nearly full of what we poured in to make ices. As a result, you need about 12 gallons of water to make 100 lbs of ice, ratio nearly 1:1. I think my article “Does an ice maker use a lot of water?” will explain better.
Related post: Best nugget ice maker.
Igloo ICEB26HN Review: Noise Level
- Quiet operation
As a typical countertop ice maker, the Igloo ICEB26HN doesn’t make too much noise. Still, I will give you the result, it is only 39.5 dB when the ice maker is on. It’s lower than the common library’s noise level, and I doubt that anyone will notice its operating noise level.
You will hear sound when the Igloo ICEB26HN drops ices into its basket, but it’s super insignificant. The ice maker in a Samsung refrigerator can drop ices at louder sound, and even that it is not annoying at all.
Related post: Best ice maker for RV.
Igloo ICEB26HN Review: Features
- Has self-cleaning feature
- Add water alert, ice full notification
- Adjusts ice size
One thing that allows the Igloo ICEB26HN to fully compete with the Euhomy IM-06D is its self-cleaning feature. You can think of the self-cleaning feature as the revolution of a countertop ice maker, that helps unclog the ice maker water line easier. Old ice makers without this feature struggle when you need to clean, and most of the time you can only use filtered water for them. The Igloo ICEB26HN can tolerate hard water better with this necessary feature.
More than that, we have other useful features on this Igloo ICEB26HN, like the notifications for “ice full” and “add water”. Whenever your Igloo ICEB26HN is full of ice, you don’t need to keep checking the appliance because it will stop automatically. And when the ice machine needs more water to operate, it will alert you with LED notification.
As an usual Igloo portable ice maker, you can adjust the ice size on the top control board. It is an additional feature that Euhomy doesn’t think as important, and the brand removes from all of their countertop ice maker in 2025. So, if you feel like you need the feature, the Igloo ICEB26HN is one good option to buy.
Related post: Best budget ice maker.
Verdict
At $89, the Igloo ICEB26HN is legitimate the most affordable Igloo portable ice maker that you should buy. It has a good durability and thoughtful design, and it does everything a countertop ice maker can do at this price point.
However, if you don’t need a handle, the Frigidaire EFIC123-SS is still my number one pick for its steel housing and larger storage.
Igloo ICEB26HN Review: Trusted Review in 2025
Read our Igloo ICEB26HN review at IceArtisan.com. We test its self-cleaning function, handle design, and ice-making performance to see if it’s worth your counter space.
Product Brand: Igloo
Product Currency: USD
Product Price: 89
Product In-Stock: InStock
3.3
