The NewAir AI-110SS is the brand’s latest countertop ice maker, aiming to reclaim market share from emerging rivals. Does it succeed? Let’s dive into our NewAir AI-110SS review to find out.
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- I give you honest review (both pros and cons) of an ice maker. No hidden deal behind the website.
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PROS
- Has self-cleaning feature
- Good simplicity
CONS
- More expensive
- Customer service
NewAir has operated in the compact appliances market for over two decades. Luke and Mariella Peters founded the company in 2001 in Orange County, California, starting from their garage with portable air conditioners and evaporative coolers.
NewAir AI-110SS Review: Price
- Available to buy now
- Costs $119 in the U.S market
The NewAir AI-110SS is a compact ice maker that costs quite a bit less than the symbolic NewAir AI-100, but arrives with fewer features and smaller output. Its space-saving design does not feel like a huge compromise for solo users, especially when people are acquainted with the capacity of 26 pounds per day for a countertop ice maker.
It is one of the newest countertop ice maker on market, launched after the NewAir NIM026, and is available to buy now where it costs $129. That positions it as a more expensive ice maker, because the Euhomy IM-06 effectively sets the price for a portable ice maker to only $89. The NewAir AI-110SS seems a bit behind the times when it comes to pricing.
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NewAir AI-110SS Review: Durability
NewAir AI-110SS Review: Design
- Front control board
- Has steel texture in its finish
Look at the NewAir AI-110SS front-on and you immediately notice how much smaller it is than the NewAir AI-100. Its dimensions of 7.3″W x 10.8″D x 11.9″H represent a 30% space reduction compared to the AI-100’s 9.5″ x 14″ x 12.9″ footprint, and the unit weighs just 13 pounds. It is indeed a portable ice maker.
There’s character in the compact design, as NewAir has maintained a stainless steel exterior finish rather than cutting costs with all-plastic construction. The sleek surface resists fingerprints reasonably well, though the black plastic top lid and interior liner reveal where the company trimmed expenses. The NewAir AI-110SS looks and feels budget-conscious from certain angles, although the overall aesthetic remains clean and professional.
You can find the NewAir AI-110SS to be similar to the Igloo IGLICEB26, both have four legs and a front control panel. However, the control panel is relatively basic with only one button to operate the ice maker. This is likely a choice based on the ‘value’ NewAir wants for the NewAir AI-110SS. A viewing window provides ice level visibility without opening the lid.
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NewAir AI-110SS Review: Build
- NewAir has mixed durability, but this one is good
NewAir usually has mixed reviews for their ice makers’ durability, but the latest NewAir AI-110SS seems to have better materials to withstand residential daily ice production. You won’t find an all-metal construction for your budget appliance, but you don’t need that to have a good durable ice maker. The NewAir AI-110SS uses a newer compressor system and better plastic component for its storage, so I expect it to be much better than the NewAir AI-100.
The problem is, NewAir’s customer service still isn’t great. I’ve seen plenty of reviews mentioning that their support is slow or even non-existent, which can be frustrating if your unit develops issues after purchase.
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NewAir AI-110SS Review: Performance
NewAir AI-110SS Review: Capacity
- Produces up to 26 lbs of ice daily
- Internal storage: 1.2 lbs
Daily capacity of the NewAir AI-110SS is a bit less than the NewAir AI-100, because it makes less ice per batch, and has a smaller storage. The internal storage of the NewAir AI-110SS is only 1.2 pounds, so it is more similar to the newer countertop ice makers like the Igloo IGLICEB26.
The NewAir AI-110SS produces only 8 pieces of ice for each cycle, and the first batch takes a bit longer than its competitors. How much does this affect daily use? Less than you might think for solo users or couples. But it makes the NewAir AI-110SS a bit less than 26 pounds daily capacity.
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NewAir AI-110SS Review: Ice Quality
- Bullet ice
- Medium firm
The NewAir AI-110SS produces bullet ice, cylindrical pieces with hollow centers and rounded tops. It has only one size, unlike other countertop ice makers you can find in 2025. I measured the ice at approximately 0.6 inches tall and 0.4 inches diameter, a bit smaller than the default small setting of other countertop ice makers.
Clarity and texture meet expected standards for rapid-freeze ice makers. The bullets show moderate cloudiness from trapped air bubbles, a universal characteristic of countertop ice makers that freeze water in 8 minutes rather than the hours required for crystal-clear ice. The firmness of the NewAir AI-110SS’ ice is medium, which isn’t as hard as Euhomy.
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NewAir AI-110SS 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. At 2 amps and 120 volts, the NewAir AI-110SS draws 240 watts during active ice production cycles. NewAir specifies 86.4 kWh monthly consumption, which assumes approximately 15 hours daily operation. My testing with 8-hour daily use yielded 20-25 kWh monthly, more realistic for typical household patterns.
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 AI-110SS Review: Noise Level
- Decent operation
The NewAir AI-110SS operates at 50 decibels according to specifications, which I verified with measurements averaging 48-52 dB at three feet distance during normal operation. Peak noise during compressor startup and ice ejection briefly hits 55-58 dB for 2-3 seconds per cycle. These levels compare favorably to typical refrigerator noise of 38-43 dB, positioning the NewAir AI-110SS as noticeable but not disruptive.
For reference, 50 dB equals light rainfall or a quiet office environment – audible from across a room but not interfering with conversation or television. A normal conversation measures 60 dB, meaning the ice maker sits 10 decibels quieter.
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NewAir AI-110SS Review: Features
- Has self-cleaning feature
- Add water alert, ice full notification
Marketed as a simple and budget-friendly countertop ice maker, the NewAir AI-110SS comes with no extra features, just a single button to power the appliance on. However, it’s too soon if you skip this section for the ice maker review.
There are two indicator lights signal water level and ice basket status. This stripped-down interface works perfectly well for straightforward ice making, though it lacks the sophistication of LCD-equipped models.
The self-cleaning function stands out at this price point. Press and hold the power button for 5 seconds to initiate a cleaning cycle that circulates water through the system. Add a 1:1 vinegar-water solution as recommended, and the function effectively manages mineral buildup without manual scrubbing of internal components. With that important self-cleaning feature, the NewAir AI-110SS seems to be better pricing, but you can opt for the Igloo ICEB26HN or Frigidaire EFIC117-SS at much cheaper price.
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Verdict
The NewAir AI-110SS is a good comeback for the brand NewAir, but it is still much pricier than its competitors.
NewAir AI-110SS Review: Trusted Review in 2025
NewAir AI-110SS review at IceArtisan.com! We tested its stainless steel design, ice-making speed, and ease of use to see how it compares to newer countertop models.
Product Brand: NewAir
Product Currency: USD
Product Price: 129
Product In-Stock: InStock
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