Key takeaways
- Ice style: Confirm whether the appliance makes large round craft ice, soft nugget ice, or conventional cubes. These textures serve different drinks and preferences.
- Capacity and layout: French-door refrigerators make wide shelves convenient, while bottom freezer drawers improve access to fresh food. Check usable space, not just the advertised cubic feet.
- Fit: Measure cabinet depth, door swing, water connections, and surrounding clearance. Counter-depth models look integrated but usually sacrifice some interior volume.
- Maintenance: Ice makers need clean water, filter changes, and occasional bin cleaning. Look for accessible components and a design that does not let ice clump easily.
- Smart features: Wi-Fi controls can be useful for temperature alerts and diagnostics, but they should support—not distract from—quiet operation and reliable cooling.
What's inside
Best Refrigerator With Craft Ice Maker (2026) — Choosing a refrigerator that makes specialty ice is less straightforward than it sounds. Some models produce large, slow-melting craft ice, while others make nugget ice or simply include a standard cube maker. Capacity, counter depth, dispenser design, noise, and ongoing filter costs also matter once the novelty wears off.
This guide focuses on practical home comfort: how easily each option fits daily routines, whether its ice system suits drinks and entertaining, and what compromises to expect. We include full-size refrigerators, a value-oriented French-door model, and an undercounter alternative for homes that need more ice rather than more refrigerated storage.
As an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases.
How to Choose a Refrigerator With Craft Ice Maker (2026)
- Ice style: Confirm whether the appliance makes large round craft ice, soft nugget ice, or conventional cubes. These textures serve different drinks and preferences.
- Capacity and layout: French-door refrigerators make wide shelves convenient, while bottom freezer drawers improve access to fresh food. Check usable space, not just the advertised cubic feet.
- Fit: Measure cabinet depth, door swing, water connections, and surrounding clearance. Counter-depth models look integrated but usually sacrifice some interior volume.
- Maintenance: Ice makers need clean water, filter changes, and occasional bin cleaning. Look for accessible components and a design that does not let ice clump easily.
- Smart features: Wi-Fi controls can be useful for temperature alerts and diagnostics, but they should support—not distract from—quiet operation and reliable cooling.
The Best Refrigerator With Craft Ice Maker (2026)s Reviewed
LG 23 cu. ft. InstaView Door-in-Door Refrigerator
This LG is the strongest all-around choice for households that want a polished counter-depth refrigerator with genuine Craft Ice capability. The InstaView panel and door-in-door compartment can reduce cold-air loss during frequent grabs, while Wi-Fi monitoring adds useful temperature and maintenance alerts. Its narrower footprint looks built-in, though families may notice the reduced storage compared with full-depth models.
24 cu. ft. Smart Counter-Depth Refrigerator With Craft Ice
The 24-cubic-foot smart counter-depth model is a sensible pick for shoppers who want Craft Ice without moving into an oversized refrigerator. It offers a clean, space-conscious installation and enough capacity for typical family use. Before ordering, verify the exact internal layout and dispenser configuration, since counter-depth storage can feel tighter around large platters and weekly grocery loads.
Antarctic Star 20 cu. ft. French-Door Refrigerator
This Antarctic Star model stands out for offering both nugget-style and cube ice, plus a water dispenser and adjustable thermostat. That flexibility is appealing for households with mixed preferences, although nugget ice is not the same as LG-style Craft Ice. It is best viewed as a feature-rich value option for casual entertaining rather than a direct substitute for a premium craft-ice refrigerator.
18 cu. ft. French-Door Refrigerator With Ice Maker
With frost-free cooling, three smart cooling modes, a freezer drawer, and UL-certified performance, this model emphasizes dependable food storage over showpiece features. It is a practical choice for smaller kitchens or buyers who want French-door convenience at a more approachable scale. Its standard ice maker makes it less suitable if large specialty ice is your main priority.
2-in-1 Undercounter Ice Maker and Beverage Fridge
This stainless-steel undercounter unit is a clever supplement for a home bar, media room, or entertaining area. It makes substantial quantities of ice and provides two drawers for drinks and storage, with a reversible door and adjustable ice thickness. Because it is not a full refrigerator, it works best alongside an existing kitchen appliance rather than as a replacement.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Craft Ice?
Craft Ice generally refers to large, slow-melting spheres or similar specialty shapes designed to chill drinks gradually without watering them down quickly. It is particularly useful for cocktails, whiskey, iced coffee, and other beverages where dilution matters.
Is nugget ice the same as Craft Ice?
No. Nugget ice is soft, chewable, and often favored in sodas, while Craft Ice is typically larger and denser. Both are enjoyable, but buyers should choose based on texture and drink style rather than treating the names as interchangeable.
Do Craft Ice refrigerators require a water line?
Most built-in refrigerator ice makers use a plumbed water connection. Standalone machines may use a refillable reservoir, but their capacity and daily output vary. Always check installation requirements before selecting a model.
Is counter-depth worth it?
Counter-depth designs create a cleaner, less protruding look and can improve traffic flow in compact kitchens. The trade-off is shallower storage, so measure your largest containers and consider how often you stock bulk groceries.
Final Thoughts
The LG 23 cu. ft. InstaView model is the best balanced pick for dependable refrigerator storage and authentic Craft Ice. Choose the 24 cu. ft. counter-depth option for a simpler smart refrigerator, or the Antarctic Star if soft nugget ice and conventional cubes are more useful than true craft ice. For entertaining zones, the undercounter 2-in-1 unit is the most practical companion appliance.
