'I ditched time-consuming trays for compact ice maker - it's now my heatwave must-have'

Whether it's for a morning iced coffee or a cooling afternoon drink, adding ice cubes to my beverage elevates an ordinary drink into something more luxurious and satisfying. As someone without a fridge featuring a built-in ice cube dispenser, I found myself continually refilling ice cube trays and then trying to balance them in the remaining freezer space.

The alternative was splurging on overpriced bags of frozen ice during my weekly grocery shop. Dreaming of a constant supply of fresh ice cubes for my drinks, I seized an Amazon offering and purchased the - one of the best purchases I made last summer.

Priced at £71.88, it can produce up to Measuring 30D x 22W x 32.5H centimetres, it barely takes up any space on my countertop and once turned on, the low-noise machine is hardly noticeable. It's incredibly easy to use and takes roughly 6 minutes to make enough ice for two drinks. However, I usually prepare a large batch and store it in the freezer for when I need it.

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To operate it, simply fill the tank with water, select your desired ice size, and your cubes will be ready in no time. The ice maker comes with a smart feature that automatically halts production once there's enough ice, and if the water tank needs topping up, an LED indicator on the control panel gives you a heads-up. It also includes a handy ice scoop for scooping out the ice from the basket, or you can simply lift the basket and pour the ice directly into a bag.

I've found it incredibly handy to have around when hosting events like barbeques, as it can easily be relocated to another room where guests can help themselves to a steady flow of ice. It even boasts a self-cleaning function to keep it in pristine condition and prevent any unpleasant grime build-up.

The ice cubes aren't particularly large, so I do find that I need quite a few if I don't want them to melt quickly in my drink. However, it can store up to 100 ice cubes, so you're unlikely to run out anytime soon once it gets going. And I'm not the only one who's been thoroughly impressed with this Amazon ice maker. It has received from over 1,000 people.

One satisfied customer raved: "I don't think I've ever written a review but this machine deserves one. I've only had it a few days, so far so brilliant! It is about the size of a small bread maker, but it is so good. We go through large amounts of ice, so we thought we'd try this one as the price was good. It makes ice fast, short minutes and they are a good size, hollow in the centre. It comes with a few large plastic drawstring bags, so we kept it running until we had filled them all, probably 4 or 5 hours, we have a freezer full of ice and won't need to use it for a few days .The running costs are negligible. If you don't have a huge budget but are looking for a good machine, I would highly recommend this one."

Another happy user echoed similar sentiments, stating: "I decided to upgrade to this ice cube maker to say goodbye to the hassle of traditional ice cube trays. This modern machine simplifies the entire process, it fills with water up to a specific point and then operates automatically. When the ice reaches the sensors, it pauses production until some melts, triggering the machine to start making more ice. Providing a , it can fill your glass with plenty of cubes. As soon as you start using them, the machine immediately starts producing more, so you never have to worry about running out."

One customer did encounter a slight hiccup with their ice cubes clumping together in the freezer, leading them to knock off a star. They advised: "The ice bullets are quite wet and when bagged and placed in a freezer, stick together. I found it useful to remove the bag from the freezer after 30 -60 minutes, manipulate to loosen the bullets and then replace in the freezer. The bullets then remain separate."

For those looking to upgrade their ice-making game, is offering the Ice Cube Maker With 15kg capacity for £79.99. Its sleek design allows for versatile placement, be it in a kitchen, office, or behind a bar, and it boasts a self-cleaning function along with a choice of two ice cube sizes.

If you're in the market for something with a bit more storage, the can hold 20kg of ice and is currently discounted at Debenhams, going for £139.99, down from its original price of £209.99.