A built-in ice maker is the only ice machine that makes a finished basement bar look finished. The catch is that a basement has no floor drain under the bar, the room is already humid, and every one of these machines dumps heat and meltwater into the space. Choosing the best built in ice makers for finished basements means sorting first by drainage method and ventilation, then by output.
We went through the ten undercounter and 15-inch machines that fit a standard bar cabinet, pulled the spec sheets, and sorted them by what actually breaks an install in a below-grade room: whether the unit drains by gravity or pumps, whether it breathes out the front or the back, what its electrical draw does to a shared 15-amp circuit, and how much long-term owner feedback exists behind the star rating.
Every machine below makes ice fast. None of them cool a finished basement, and none of them hold ice frozen in an uncooled cabinet. What separates a good pick from a bad one is drainage, clearance and serviceability. Those are the criteria we used throughout, and every rating and review count here is copied straight from the listing rather than borrowed from a ranking.
Table of Contents
Top 3 Best Built-In Ice Makers for a Finished Basement in 2026
EUHOMY Under Counter Ice Maker with Drain…
- External drain pump drains upward and over distance
- 110 lbs per day output
- 33 lb storage bin
- 3-layer insulation
EUHOMY 15 Inch Under Counter Ice Maker
- True 14.96 inch width for a standard opening
- 90 lbs per day
- 24 lb bin
- Reversible stainless door
VEVOR 120 lbs Commercial Ice Maker
- 120 lbs per day with 33 lbs max bin
- 48-hour scheduling timer
- Under 50 dB operation
- One-touch self-cleaning
All 10 Built-In Ice Makers Compared (October 2026)
| Product | Specifications | Action |
|---|---|---|
| EUHOMY Under Counter Ice Maker with Drain Pump |
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| EUHOMY 15 Inch Under Counter Ice Maker, 90 lbs/24H |
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 Mojgar Commercial Ice Maker, 100 lbs/24H |
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 Gilati 15 Inch Commercial Under Counter Ice Maker |
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 ICYGLEE Under Counter Ice Maker with Drain Pump |
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| VEVOR Commercial Ice Maker, 120 lbs/24H |
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 Velieta 110 lbs Undercounter Ice Maker |
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 COTLIN 15 Inch Drainless Under Counter Ice Maker |
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 COSTWAY 15 Inch Under Counter Commercial Ice Maker |
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 EdgeStar IB450SSP 15 Inch Clear Ice Maker |
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Check Latest Price |
1. EUHOMY Under Counter Ice Maker with Drain Pump – the Best Overall Basement Pick
EUHOMY Under Counter Ice Maker with Drain Pump, 110 lbs/24H Commercial Ice Machine, Stainless Steel Ice Maker with 33 lbs Storage Bin, Freestanding Ice Maker for Home/Bar/Cafe/Restaurant
110 lbs/day
33 lbs bin
16.93W x 17.32D x 31.5H inch
External drain pump
110 volts
Pros
- Drain pump moves meltwater upward and over distance where no floor drain exists
- 4127 reviews give the deepest long-term feedback in the set
- 110 lbs per day with 45 cubes every 10-15 minutes
- 33 lbs bin and three-layer insulation slow melting
- Replaceable water filter is easy to reach
Cons
- Must stand upright 24 hours before first use
- Plumbed water supply and drain connection required at install
- One-star reviews make up 11% of the rating distribution
The single reason this machine leads the list is the external drain pump. In a finished basement there is almost never a floor drain under the bar cabinet, and a gravity-drain machine in that spot turns a weekend install into a plumber’s project. This unit pumps meltwater upward and over distance, so it can sit in a finished cabinet and still reach a sink drain or a standpipe.
Output is 110 lbs of clear ice per day with about 45 cubes every 10 to 15 minutes, which is far more than a household bar will ever pull in a day. The 33 lbs storage bin and three-layer insulation are what actually matter at 10pm on a Saturday, because an uncooled cabinet drains ice fast.
It measures 17.32 inches deep, 16.93 inches wide and 31.5 inches tall, so it is a shade wider than a true 15-inch opening. That matters if your cabinet is a tight 15-inch slot; measure the opening before you commit. It runs on 110 volts with R290a refrigerant and draws power like any standard undercounter machine.
What we like most is the review depth. At 4127 ratings with a 4.3 average, this is the one machine here with enough long-term owner feedback to tell you what actually breaks, and the recurring notes are consistent: the pump is why people could install it at all, and the water filter is simple to swap.
Why it works in a finished basement
Two things separate it from the rest. The drain pump removes the single biggest install risk in a below-grade bar, and the self-cleaning cycle matters more in a damp basement than in a dry kitchen, where reviewers say mold and scale are the usual complaints on machines without one.
The 24-hour timer is also more useful below grade than anywhere else. You can set production to run while the room is empty rather than through the evening when people are sitting two feet away from the harvest cycle.
Where it falls short
It needs a real water supply and a drain connection, so there is a plumber in the picture unless you already have a stub-out inside the cabinet. You also have to leave it upright for a full day before the first use and run the cleaning program twice.
The 11% one-star share is worth reading before you buy. If your bar cabinet is narrower than 17 inches of clear width, this one does not fit and the picks below are your starting point.
2. EUHOMY 15 Inch Under Counter Ice Maker – the Best Value True 15-Inch Fit
EUHOMY 15″ Under Counter Ice Maker, 90lbs/24H, 24lb Bin, Gravity Drainage
90 lbs/day
24 lbs bin
14.96 inch true width
Gravity drain
203 watts
1 year warranty
Pros
- True 14.96 inch width fits a standard bar cabinet opening
- 90 lbs per day with 40 cubes every 11-20 minutes
- Reversible stainless door hinges on either side
- Three-layer housing slows melting
- Responsive service team replaced a failed unit under warranty
Cons
- Gravity drainage only so a floor drain is required
- Cubes can release as a connected sheet that is hard to pull apart
- Some 1-star reviews report water pump failure within about a year
This is the machine we would look at first if your bar cabinet is a genuine 15-inch opening and you have a floor drain or a standpipe nearby. At 14.96 inches wide it is one of the few units in the set that actually measures like a standard undercounter appliance rather than a slightly wider box.
Output is 90 lbs of clear ice in 24 hours, roughly 40 cubes every 11 to 20 minutes, into a 24 lbs bin. That bin size is modest against that output, which means in practice ice accumulates faster than a household drinks it during a long evening.
The drain is gravity-only, and the drain pipe must sit below the machine’s drain outlet. In a finished basement that is often the whole problem. If your bar is at one end of the room and the nearest drain is across the wall, budget for a plumber before you fall in love with the width.
Other details are genuinely useful for cabinet work: the stainless door is reversible and can hinge on either side, and the LCD panel shows ambient temperature and adjusts cube size. Self-cleaning runs from a Timer Clean button, and a 24-hour timer is included.
What makes it a fair value pick
The width is the story. Reviewers who bought it for a tight under-counter opening report that it dropped straight into a standard cabinet without cutting the face frame, which is exactly the problem with several wider machines in this list.
The reversible door and adjustable feet make it workable in a finished cabinet where the hinge side is already decided by the surrounding cabinetry. A 203-watt draw is comfortable on a normal kitchen-style circuit, which is more than can be said for some of the higher-output machines here.
What to watch before ordering
Cube separation is the most repeated complaint. Reviewers describe ice dropping as a connected sheet that has to be broken apart by hand rather than as individual cubes, which changes the feel of a drink and slows service at a busy bar.
Reliability is the second concern. A meaningful group of one-star reviews reports the water pump failing somewhere around 8 to 12 months, alongside difficulty reaching a human agent. Budget for that possibility, and check the drain slope twice.
3. Mojgar Commercial Ice Maker – the Best Fit for a Shallow Bar Cabinet
Mojgar Commercial Ice Maker Machine, 100lbs/24H with 18-33lbs Ice Storage
100 lbs/day
18-33 lbs bin
15.16 x 15.75 x 29.88 inch
42.3 lbs weight
R290a
290 watts
Pros
- Shortest body in the set at 29.88 inches tall
- Front venting works built-in or freestanding
- 100 lbs per day with first batch in 10-18 minutes
- One-touch self-cleaning
- 12-month machine and 36-month compressor warranty
Cons
- Gravity drainage only with no drain pump included
- Storage bin is not a freezer
- 4.1 average across 210 reviews reflects mixed reliability signals
Counter height is the problem most people hit in a finished bar, because cabinetry under a wet bar is often built around a shorter standard. This machine is 29.88 inches tall against a 31.5 to 33.9 inch body on most of its competitors, which can be the difference between fitting under a raised bar top and losing an inch of toe-kick.
It produces up to 100 lbs of crystal-clear ice per day with the first batch in 10 to 18 minutes, and the storage bin expands to 33 lbs. Front venting means it can sit built-in under a cabinet or freestanding against a wall without a rear clearance chase.
Setup is three steps: a half-inch male threaded faucet connection, a drain hose and power. That simplicity is the appeal for a first-time built-in install, and the warranty is the strongest in this group at 12 months on the machine and 36 months on the compressor.
It weighs 42.3 lbs and pulls 290 watts on 110 volts, which is a moderate load for a residential circuit. The stainless body is rust-proof and the interior components are food-grade, both of which matter more than usual in a space that runs damp in summer.
Where it earns its place
The height is the deciding factor for shallow cabinets, and reviewers specifically call out the compact footprint as the reason the install was painless. The front venting also means it works freestanding if you are not ready to cut cabinetry at all.
The warranty length is unusual at this output level and gives some long-run protection on the compressor, which is the part that usually decides whether a machine survives past year two.
What it does not solve
It drains by gravity and no pump is included. In a finished basement without a floor drain this is a non-starter, so it earns its place only if you already have a drain within reach and below the outlet height.
The 4.1 average from 210 reviews sits below most machines in this roundup, with a 10% one-star share, and the bin is not a freezer. Banking ice for a party means moving it into a cooler or freezer bag first.
4. Gilati 15 Inch Commercial Under Counter Ice Maker – the Most Flexible Install
15″ Commercial Under Counter Ice Maker Machine, Built-in or Freestanding
120 lbs/day
30 lbs bin
14.96 x 18.50 x 32.28 inch
R290a
Stainless steel body
Pros
- Installs built-in or freestanding depending on cabinet depth
- True 15 inch width at 14.96 inches
- Highest stated output per hour in the set with 40 cubes every 10-16 minutes
- Reversible stainless door
- Three-layer insulated construction
Cons
- Gravity drain needs a floor drain below the outlet
- One-star reviews are 16% of the distribution
- Heavier and costlier than the entry-level options here
This is the machine to consider when your cabinet is shallower than the machine is deep and you are not sure whether you can commit to a built-in install at all. It runs both ways: built into the cabinetry or freestanding in place, which keeps the option open if the plumbing plan changes.
Output is the highest claimed here at up to 120 lbs of clear ice per day, about 40 cubes every 10 to 16 minutes, into a 30 lbs bin. That is more capacity than most home bars need, but it means the bin rarely runs empty during a long evening.
At 18.5 inches deep and 32.28 inches tall it fits under a standard counter height but needs real depth behind it for the water line and drain hose. Budget that clearance before you order, because a cabinet with a 20-inch interior depth leaves nothing for plumbing.
The LCD panel shows ambient temperature and adjusts ice thickness through ice-making time, and self-cleaning is a five-second press. A 24-hour timer is included, which is the feature you will use most if the bar is in a room that is empty during the day.
Why we rank it fourth
The dual built-in or freestanding capability is genuinely useful in a remodel where the cabinet depth is still in question. The reversible door and three-layer insulation both help in a tight fit, since the door swing and melt rate are the two things that go wrong first in a shallow install.
For most basements, though, drainage decides the order of this list, and this machine is gravity drain only. If you already have a drain, its output and flexibility move it up your own list considerably.
What the reviews warn about
The 16% one-star share is the second-highest in this roundup, which points to a real durability risk rather than a rounding error. Reviewers who installed it report good output and clean stainless construction, so the failures appear to be early-life rather than gradual.
It is also the heavier, costlier option among the true 15-inch machines here, which matters when the cabinet depth is tight and you are paying for capacity you may never use.
5. ICYGLEE Under Counter Ice Maker with Drain Pump – the Best Pumped 15-Inch Alcove Fit
ICYGLEE Commercial Under Counter Ice Maker with Drain Pump, 100Lbs Daily
100 lbs/day
24 lbs bin
14.96W x 20.4D x 33.9H inch
Electric drain pump
203 watts
Pros
- Electric drain pump removes the gravity-drain constraint
- True 14.96 inch width in a full-height body
- Adjustable cube thickness for different drinks
- Reversible door plus water and ice-full reminders
- Automatic cleaning and 24-hour timer
Cons
- 24 lbs bin is small against the claimed daily output
- Listing still advises keeping the drain pipe below the machine drain
- Costlier than most gravity-drain machines in the set
This machine solves the same core problem as our top pick but in a different shape. Where the EUHOMY pump unit is wider and shorter, this one is a true 15-inch width with a full 33.9-inch body, which fits a standard under-counter alcove in cabinetry built for a 15-inch appliance.
It makes up to 100 lbs of clear ice per day on an 8 to 16 minute average cycle. The drain pump is electric and moves water without relying on gravity, so it can discharge into a sink drain or a standpipe above the cabinet floor.
Owners name the drain pump as the deciding feature, and the 14.96-inch width as the reason it went into a tight mechanical alcove in the first place. The control panel adds water-shortage and ice-full reminders, which is a small thing that prevents the two most common service calls.
It pulls 203 watts on 115 volts, which is modest for this output, so it can share a general-purpose circuit with a bar refrigerator in most cases. Confirm the receptacle is GFCI-protected and inside the cabinet run rather than at counter height.
Where it fits a basement better than most
The combination of a pump and a true 15-inch width is rare in this roundup, and it is the exact pairing a finished basement bar needs. It can be plumbed into a cabinet that was framed to a standard appliance opening and still drain upward to a nearby sink.
Cube thickness is adjustable from the control button, so you can run thin ice for a party and thicker cubes for everyday drinks. That matters more in a basement bar than a kitchen because the drinks are mixed, not just served over ice.
Where it disappoints
The 24 lbs bin is small for 100 lbs of claimed daily output, so during a long evening you will empty it more often than the spec sheet suggests. The ice scoop is included, which is the one accessory you genuinely need at that fill rate.
The listing still advises keeping the drain pipe below the machine drain, which sits oddly next to the pump. Ask the manufacturer how the pump changes that instruction before you design the plumbing, because that detail decides whether the cabinet floor gets cut.
6. VEVOR 120 lbs Commercial Ice Maker – the Best for Planned Parties
VEVOR Commercial Ice Maker Machine, 120 lbs/24H Ice Production, 19-33 lbs Storage Bin, 45 Cubes per Cycle, Stainless Steel Under Counter & Freestanding Ice Maker with LED Display, Self-Cleaning
120 lbs/day
19-33 lbs bin
15.16 x 15.75 x 29.88 inch
450 watts
Under 50 dB
Pros
- Self-cleaning cycle reduces mold risk in a humid basement
- First batch of ice in 10 minutes with 120 lbs per day
- 48-hour scheduling timer for planned gatherings
- Under 50 dB operation suits an entertainment space
- Detachable water tank simplifies maintenance
Cons
- One-star reviews are 16% of the distribution
- Highest electrical draw in the set at 450 watts
- 19-33 lbs bin is a working range and not a freezer
The 48-hour scheduling timer is the feature that separates this machine for a basement that gets used in bursts. You can start production a day ahead of a gathering so the bin is full when guests arrive, instead of watching cubes form in real time.
It produces up to 120 lbs of ice per day, more than 6000 cubes, with about 45 cubes per cycle and the first batch in 10 minutes. Storage runs up to 33 lbs with an ice-full indicator that triggers at 19 lbs, so the machine stops making rather than overfilling and spilling.
Ice thickness is adjustable, with thin cubes in 9 minutes and thick cubes in 14 minutes. Operation is listed under 50 dB, which matters in a finished basement at night where a rear-vented compressor rattling against a stud wall would be audible through the seating area.
At 450 watts this is the highest electrical draw of the ten machines here. That is a real consideration in a finished basement, where the bar often shares a circuit with a mini-fridge and a beverage fridge. Plan a dedicated circuit rather than sharing.
Why it suits an entertainment space
Two things stand out for a basement bar. The self-cleaning cycle matters more in a damp below-grade room than in a dry kitchen, and the detachable water tank makes routine maintenance without tools, which matters if the machine is behind finished paneling.
The stainless under-counter and freestanding configuration means it can sit in an open bar run rather than a fully enclosed cabinet, and the fast first batch means recovery after a busy night is fast. That is why it takes the third slot rather than a lower one.
What to be careful about
The 16% one-star share is the highest negative share in this roundup, so the specification sheet is stronger than the reliability record. At 56.2 lbs it is also the second-heaviest unit here, which affects how you get it into a finished cabinet.
And the bin is a working range rather than a freezer. Plan on bagging or coolering the ice ahead of a large gathering instead of assuming 33 lbs stays frozen in an uncooled basement cabinet overnight.
7. Velieta 110 lbs Undercounter Ice Maker – the Best for the Narrowest Opening
110 lbs Commercial Ice Maker Undercounter Built-in Freestanding Self-Clean
110 lbs/day
20 lbs bin
13.26 x 13.65 x 28.08 inch
36.3 lbs weight
R290a
115 volts
Pros
- Narrowest footprint in the set at 13.65 inches wide
- Lightest unit at 36.3 lbs for easier placement
- 110 lbs per day with fresh ice every 8-15 minutes
- Three ice thickness settings
- Dual water input accepts tap or bottled water
Cons
- Gravity drain so a floor drain is needed
- 20 lbs bin against a 110 lbs per day output claim
- Smallest review pool at 99 ratings so long-term data is thin
Some finished basement bars have an awkward narrow opening remaining from a previous appliance, and this machine is the smallest of the ten at 13.65 inches wide and 28.08 inches tall. If your cabinet is tighter than a standard 15-inch opening, this is the one that goes in without cutting the face frame.
Output is 110 lbs of ice per day with fresh ice every 8 to 15 minutes, into a 20 lbs bin. It supports freestanding, undercounter or built-in placement with front ventilation, so it is not committed to a built-in install if your plans change.
The dual water option is unusual and practical. It accepts tap water or top-load bottled water, so if your basement is on a private well or you simply do not like the taste of your municipal supply, you are not forced into a filtration setup.
It weighs 36.3 lbs, the lightest unit here, which matters when you are lifting a machine into a finished cabinet over a toe-kick. A water filter is included, and the controls carry a timer, one-touch self-cleaning, full and water alerts and auto-stop.
Where it makes sense
The size is the whole argument. Reviewers consistently mention the compact, light body as the reason the install was easy, and the flexible placement options mean it works in a half-height basement bar as well as a full-height one.
Three thickness settings and the blue LED under the sliding lid are small quality-of-life touches that show up when you are making drinks for people rather than filling a glass with ice at lunch.
Where it falls down
The 20 lbs bin is the smallest meaningful capacity in the set against a 110 lbs per day claim, so during a party the bin needs clearing more than once. The drainage is gravity only, so the same floor-drain constraint applies.
With 99 ratings it also has the thinnest review record here. Its 73% five-star share is the highest in the roundup, but a small sample means that reflects limited history as much as proven long-term reliability. Treat it as the compact option, not the proven one.
8. COTLIN 15 Inch Drainless Ice Maker – the Best When No Drain Can Be Run
COTLIN 15″ W Drainless Under Counter Ice Maker with 22LBS Storage Bin
42 lbs/day
22 lbs bin
14.9 x 18.6 x 33.8 inch
Drainless design
600 watts
Pros
- Drainless design removes the drain line and the plumber entirely
- Highest average rating in the set at 4.5
- Crescent cubes shaped for slow melting
- ETL certified with lifetime service support
- Reversible door
- hinges and adjustable feet
Cons
- Lowest stated output in the set at 42 lbs per day
- Door seal can rebound slightly ajar and slowly melt stored ice
- 600-watt draw is high for a residential circuit
If your finished basement has no drain anywhere near the bar and running one would mean opening a finished wall, this drainless design is the cleanest answer on the list. It needs only a water supply connector and a power cord, which removes the single most expensive line item from a built-in ice maker install.
The trade is output. It makes 42 lbs of ice per day into a 22 lbs bin, the lowest claimed daily production of the ten machines here. For a household wet bar that is still plenty. For a room that hosts fifty people, it is not, and a pumped model would serve you better.
The ice itself is crescent-shaped and built for slow melting, which is genuinely useful for cocktails where a fast-melting cube thins the drink by the third sip. The freezing system holds cubes between 26.6 and 32F specifically to keep them from melting in the bin, which is the flaw on most insulated bins.
It is the heaviest unit in this roundup at 62 lbs and draws 600 watts, the highest electrical figure here. It is also ETL certified with lifetime service support, both of which are stronger credentials than most machines at this level carry.
Why the drainless route deserves a place on this list
Owners confirm the premise works as advertised: it installs next to a refrigerator with only a water line and no drain. For a finished basement where the bar sits far from a stack, that single fact can be worth more than any output number.
The crescent cubes and the temperature-controlled bin also make it the pick here for drink quality rather than volume, and the reversible door with adjustable feet makes it forgiving in an existing cabinet.
What to plan around
The first full bin takes about 24 hours because the machine has to cool down first. Plan production around that, especially if you need ice for a specific date.
The door seal is only magnetically strong enough that an over-closed door can rebound slightly ajar, which owners report lets ice melt back into water. Reviewers also note heat building above the unit when it is cabinet-mounted, so leave the top clearance clear. One 1-star review reports the unit stopped working after just over a year.
9. COSTWAY 15 Inch Under Counter Ice Maker – the Best for Quiet Operation
COSTWAY 15″ Under Counter Commercial Ice Maker, 110Lbs/24H, Silver+Black
110 lbs/day
25 lbs bin
15 x 21.1 x 33.7 inch
56.8 lbs weight
Stainless steel
Front vent
Pros
- Quiet operation reported by multiple reviewers
- Front ventilation for under-counter
- built-in or freestanding use
- 110 lbs per day with 40 cubes every 12-15 minutes
- Three thickness settings plus a 1-23 hour reservation timer
- Two-tone silver and black fascia looks like a designed appliance
Cons
- Ice does not stay frozen long in an uncooled cabinet
- Two 1-star reviews report internal water line or bottom leaks
- Only 51 ratings
- the smallest pool in the set
In a finished basement, the bar often sits inside the seating area rather than behind a wall, so compressor noise becomes a design problem rather than an annoyance. Quiet operation is the most repeated theme in the reviews for this machine, and it is the reason it makes this list.
Output is up to 110 lbs per day, about 40 cubes every 12 to 15 minutes, into a 25 lbs bin. Front ventilation allows under-counter, built-in or freestanding placement, and the body is stainless steel with a two-tone silver and black fascia.
The controls are the most useful part for a basement. There are three thickness settings, with thin cubes in 12 minutes, medium in 15 and thick in 18, plus a reservation timer you can set anywhere from 1 to 23 hours so the bin fills while the room is empty.
Automatic cleaning runs three pump cycles when you hold the Reservation and Cleaning button for two seconds, and a water filter is built in. At 21.1 inches deep it needs real clearance behind the cabinet wall for the water and drain lines.
Where it earns its badge
Multiple reviewers describe the machine as quiet, and consistent cube size is the other thing they single out. For a bar serving guests in a finished room, predictable and silent beats a slightly higher output number.
The reservation timer is unusually flexible for this category. Being able to start production up to 23 hours ahead of a gathering makes the machine usable for events without anyone needing to be home while it runs.
What the reviews flag
Two 1-star reviews report internal water line or bottom leaks and a difficult return process, which is a serious problem for any machine installed inside cabinetry. With only 51 ratings, this is the smallest review pool in the set and the thinnest evidence base.
The most repeated practical note is that the bin is not a freezer. In an uncooled basement cabinet you will be moving ice out to a freezer before guests arrive, regardless of the 25 lbs capacity.
10. EdgeStar IB450SSP 15 Inch Clear Ice Maker – the Best Clear Cube Pick with a Drain Pump
EdgeStar IB450SSP 50 lb. 15 Inch Wide Undercounter Clear Ice Maker with Drain Pump
50 lbs/day
25 lbs storage
15W x 23.6D x 32.8H inch
76.7 lbs weight
414 watts
Pros
- Internal drain pump means no gravity drain is required
- Restaurant quality clear cubed ice
- Removable ice bin and computerized controls
- Reversible door and adjustable leveling legs
- One long-term owner reports years of running after replacing an older machine
Cons
- Ice drops in sheets that must be broken apart by hand
- Lowest average rating in the set at 3.9 with 12% two-star reviews
- Owners report loud operation
- beeping that needs a restart
- and leaks after a shutdown with ice in the bin
This is the only machine in the roundup that produces clear cubed ice, rather than bullet cubes or crescent shapes, from a unit with an internal drain pump. If the look of the drink matters and you cannot run a gravity drain, it fills a gap none of the other nine fill.
Output is up to 50 lbs per day with 25 lbs of storage, which is well matched to a home bar rather than a restaurant. At 76.7 lbs it is the heaviest unit here, and at 23.4 inches deep it needs the most cabinet depth, so measure before you order.
The internal drain pump removes the gravity requirement, but the drain hose is only 4.5 ft. That single number decides whether it works, because the unit has to sit within that distance of the drain location or you are back to running new plumbing.
Construction is commercial-grade stainless with a removable ice bin, computerized controls, a reversible door and adjustable leveling legs. Installation by a licensed plumber is strongly recommended, and the ice scoop is included.
Where it still makes sense
Clear cubed ice is a real difference in a bar that serves whisky or sparkling cocktails, where bullet ice looks wrong in the glass. The removable bin is also easier to lift out and wash than a fixed bin, which reduces the maintenance burden in a damp room.
One long-term owner reports the machine running for years after replacing an earlier unit, which is the kind of durability data this category badly lacks. The bin is insulated but is explicitly not a freezer.
What holds it back
The 3.9 average across 105 ratings is the lowest in this roundup, with a 12% two-star share. Reviews split sharply: some owners describe fast production and excellent clear ice, while others document loud operation, beeping roughly every two weeks that needs a restart, and water on the floor after a mid-cycle shutdown.
The ice also arrives in sheets that have to be broken apart by hand, and several owners report warranty service being effectively unavailable after a failure. Buy it for the clear cubes and the pump, and go in knowing the support record is the weak point.
Do Built-In Ice Makers Need a Drain?
Yes, most of them do. A built-in ice maker continuously drains meltwater from its insulated bin, and it must go somewhere. Either the unit drains by gravity into a floor drain or standpipe below the machine’s outlet, or an internal or external pump pushes the water up and over distance into a sink drain. Drainless recirculating designs are the exception, and they trade output for that convenience.
You do not need a floor drain specifically. A standpipe, a sink drain nearby, or a sump pump connection all work, provided the drain line runs at least 5/8 inch inside diameter and drops about 1 inch for every 48 inches of run so gravity flow never stalls.
Above that, an air gap between the machine drain and the receiving drain prevents the drain line from siphoning the machine’s water supply backward into the plumbing.
Gravity drain, drain pump or drainless: what each one means
Gravity drain is the cheapest to install and the easiest to forget about when planning a bar. The drain hose must sit below the machine outlet at a continuous slope, and if your finished basement has no floor drain under the bar, this becomes the most expensive path of the three.
A drain pump — either internal or external — moves meltwater upward or over distance, so the unit can sit in a finished cabinet and discharge into a sink drain a few feet away. Our top pick takes this route, which is why it leads a list written for finished basements.
Drainless recirculating machines hold meltwater in the bin and re-freeze it, so nothing leaves the appliance. That removes the plumber entirely, at the cost of lower daily output, because the machine has to re-cool water it has already made.
For a finished basement with no accessible drain, one of these three always applies: a gravity unit if you have a floor drain, a pumped unit if you have a sink or standpipe within reach, and a drainless unit if no plumbing can be run without opening a finished wall. If you want a comparison outside the built-in format, our countertop ice maker picks are worth a look too.
Ventilation, Heat Load and Humidity in a Finished Basement
An ice maker dumps heat into the room and adds moisture at the same time, and a below-grade room already runs damp in summer. This is the factor no retailer page mentions, and it decides whether your bar stays comfortable after a long evening.
Front-breathing units push air out the front face, so they can sit inside a finished cabinet with the door closed or open. Rear-breathing units exhaust out the back or top and need clearance behind them, which in a finished basement usually means either an open cabinet run or a service chase. Every machine on this list is front-vented or built-in capable, but confirm the vent direction in the installation sheet before you frame anything.
Dehumidification is where basements behave differently from kitchens. The meltwater leaving the machine carries the ambient humidity of the room back out through the drain, so a pumped unit in a damp basement is effectively moving humid air out of the space as a side effect. A portable dehumidifier on the same circuit space handles the rest, and our sump pump guide covers the drainage side of a finished below-grade room if your bar is near one. If you host large gatherings, our nugget ice maker picks cover the other end of the ice-quality spectrum for a home bar.
Noise follows the ice type. Bullet cube machines spray water against a freezing plate and drop ice on a harvest cycle, which is a splatter followed by a mechanical clunk. In a finished room with seating nearby that is audible. Reviewers report the quieter units in this roundup as noticeably calmer, and the sub-50 dB figure on the VEVOR reflects that.
Sizing, Clearance and Electrical Requirements Before You Order
Width is the first constraint and it is not negotiable. The standard opening is 15 inches, and the machines that genuinely measure it are the EUHOMY 15-inch, ICYGLEE, Gilati, COTLIN, COSTWAY and EdgeStar. The EUHOMY pump unit at 16.93 inches wide, Velieta at 13.65 and Mojgar at 15.75 all need a wider or different opening, so measure the actual cabinet interior rather than the face frame.
Depth is the constraint that most basement installs fail on. The machines here run from 13.26 inches deep to 23.4 inches, and you need additional space behind the unit for the water line and the drain hose, plus the service access the manufacturer specifies. A 24-inch-deep cabinet with a 22-inch machine leaves almost nothing for plumbing, and that is where install costs jump.
Height matters for bar cabinets rather than standard counters. Most of these machines are between 28 and 34 inches tall, and a raised wet bar built at 30 inches of clearance rules out half the list immediately. The Mojgar at 29.88 inches is the shortest body in the set.
On the electrical side, draw runs from 203 watts on the ICYGLEE to 600 watts on the COTLIN, with the VEVOR at 450 and the EdgeStar at 414. Anything above roughly 400 watts wants a dedicated circuit rather than sharing with a bar refrigerator. In a finished basement the receptacle should be GFCI-protected, located inside the cabinet run rather than at counter height, and reachable without dismantling finished paneling.
Finally, permits. Adding a water line and a drain generally needs a plumbing permit, and a new circuit needs an electrical permit. Check your local requirements before opening a wall, because in a finished basement the finishing work is far more expensive than the appliance.
When a Freestanding Machine Is the Smarter Buy
If you do not want a plumber, an electrician and a permit, a freestanding countertop machine is the honest alternative. Our countertop roundup covers the format properly, and for occasional use the trade in output and bin size is worth more than cabinet integration.
Two warnings. Do not build a freestanding machine into finished cabinetry without proper airflow — a compressor with no clearance runs hot, shortens its life and is a fire risk. And remember that no built-in bin here is a freezer, so if you routinely need more than a bin’s worth of ice, you need a freezer or cooler alongside the machine regardless of which one you choose.
Two related appliances work alongside a bar ice machine. A good ice cream maker occupies the same counter run and faces the same humidity and clearance problems, and a compressor ice cream maker adds a second compressor’s worth of heat to a below-grade room.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do built-in ice makers need a drain?
Most do. A built-in ice maker continuously drains meltwater from its bin, either by gravity into a floor drain or standpipe below the machine, or through an internal or external pump into a sink drain. Drainless recirculating models are the exception.
Do you need a floor drain for an ice maker?
No, not specifically. A standpipe, a nearby sink drain or a sump pump connection all work. What matters is a 5/8 inch minimum drain line inside diameter with about a 1 inch drop per 48 inches of run, plus an air gap between the machine drain and the receiving drain.
What is the best drainless undercounter ice maker?
The COTLIN 15-inch drainless unit is the pick here. It needs only a water line and power with no drain pipe, holds 22 lbs in a temperature-controlled bin and makes crescent cubes, though its 42 lbs per day output is the lowest in this roundup.
What is the best panel-ready ice maker?
None of the machines in this roundup include a decorative panel, so panel-ready is a custom cabinet job on top of whichever unit you choose. The best starting points are the true 15-inch width units, the EUHOMY 15-inch, ICYGLEE and Gilati, since they drop into a standard appliance opening.
How loud is a built-in ice maker?
Expect a compressor hum, water spray and a distinct mechanical clunk at the end of each harvest cycle. Bullet cube machines tend to be louder than clear cube models, and in a finished basement with seating nearby the difference is noticeable. Night modes and timers reduce the noise impact.
Final Verdict for Your Basement Bar in 2026
The best built in ice makers for finished basements come down to one question before any feature: can you get water out of the cabinet? If a floor drain or nearby sink drain exists, the EUHOMY 15-inch is the value pick and the Mojgar solves shallow cabinets. If the drain has to travel, the EUHOMY pump unit we lead with removes the constraint and carries the deepest review history here.
If no plumbing can be run at all, the COTLIN drainless machine is the clean answer at the cost of output. Measure the cabinet width, depth and height before you order, plan for GFCI-protected power inside the cabinet run, and remember that in 2026 the bin still is not a freezer.