There's nothing like a cool and refreshing drink on a warm summer day - or any day for that matter. If you like to keep your drinks cool, it's great to invest in a good-quality ice cube tray. This is a must-have, especially if you don't have an ice maker. You can also opt for ice cube trays with fun molds that will let you personalize your drinks.
We've made your search for the best ice cube tray easier by finding you 10 of the best products. Our favorite is from Doquas. These trays with lids combine silicone for easy removal of the cubes, and plastic for rigidity. Check out the rest of our picks and read on to see our handy buying guide that will help you make your choice.
Quick List - Top Ice Cube Trays
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When buying an ice cube tray, always consider the tray's material, capacity, size, and mold. This buying guide will help you come to a decision!
It's essential to consider the ice tray's mold shape by how you intend to use the ice. If you want to put ice in your narrow-mouthed water bottle, opt for long thin molds, but if you're going to keep drinks like whiskey cold without diluting it quickly, opt for big sphere-shaped ones that melt slowly.
You can go for square or rectangular molds if you want to freeze herbs to preserve their intense flavor for use later. Nowadays, you can even find ice cube trays with uniquely shaped molds like stars, hearts, and more. These will make your drinks look more personalized and fun, especially if you have kids. You can also use them to create homemade desserts.
You can also look for trays that come with lids. Lids will help keep your trays organized, prevent contamination, and keep your ice free from odors and flavors from other items in your freezer.
Ones that come with lids are also especially helpful if you’re going to buy multiple trays. Ice cube trays with covers make them easily stackable. These will save you space and allow you to make more ice at a time.
Ice cube trays are made of different materials like plastic, silicone, and steel. Each of these materials has advantages and disadvantages that you should keep in mind when choosing.
The most common kind of ice cube tray is made of plastic. Plastic trays are lightweight and easy to clean. However, these can be too rigid, which makes them susceptible to breaking when twisted too much.
Most plastic ice cube trays can also be easy to clean and dishwasher-safe. However, they tend to absorb food odors over time. You also might want to look for Bisphenol A or BPA-free plastic ice trays, since this chemical has been linked to health problems, especially in children, when used in food products.
Silicone trays are durable, lightweight, and more flexible than plastic and steel. However, just like plastic, silicone tends to absorb odors from the freezer.
These can be hard to fill up because of their flexibility. They might also have a sticky texture that is prone to trapping residue, which means they require more frequent cleaning, especially if you use them for freezing things other than water. Even so, they are easy to clean, and most are dishwasher safe.
Their main advantage is that it is much easier to remove the ice with silicone trays, and they can come in fun shapes that will help you personalize your drinks. You can also use these to make desserts like cheesecake pops, froyo pops, and Jell-O.
If you are worried that your ice cube tray is too flexible, you can opt for ice cube trays made of both plastic and silicone. These have the flexibility of silicone molds but with plastic frames that offer more stability.
You can also use some silicone ice cube trays for cooking and baking. These are great additions to your kitchen because they are safe to use in the microwave and oven. Silicone is temperature resistant to 450 degrees Fahrenheit. Check the manufacturer's specifications to make sure before making your chocolates or muffins in them, though!
Although not as common as plastic and silicone ice cube trays, you can also find stainless steel ice cube trays. These are heavier and more durable compared to plastic. They are less prone to absorbing food smells over time, plus, they're dishwasher safe.
Your ice should also freeze faster in a metal tray since metal doesn't insulate the water well. However, these trays do not form perfect cubes. Getting ice out of these trays can also be challenging. They usually come with a lever that you need to lift to break the ice cubes apart to remove them.
When thinking of which ice tray to buy, you also have to think about how big you want your ice cubes to be and how many you want to make. Ice trays that make larger three- to four-inch cubes are great if you want something that will melt slower. Although they take more time to freeze, they are ideal for drinks you don’t want to get diluted fast.
However, bigger ice means one ice tray can only make about two to four cubes. You also have to consider the freezing time, so this might not be as efficient unless you buy multiple trays.
There are others that make super small cubes the size of pebbles. Although these melt quicker, they work well with concentrated drinks. These are also useful for making smoothies since they will be easier for your blender to crush. Ice trays that make these can make up to 60 ice cubes.
If you want something in between, you can always opt for standard ice trays, making medium-sized cubes about one to one and a half inches and making around 12 to 16 or more ice cubes.
Products | Image | Click to purchase | Key features | |
---|---|---|---|---|
1 | Doquas Easy-Release Ice Tray | ![]() | Best Plastic and Silicone Trays With Lids | |
2 | Kitch Ice Tray Easy Release | ![]() | Best Simple and Easy Release Ice Cube Trays | |
3 | Arrow Home 60 Cube Ice Tray | ![]() | Best for Smoothies and Concentrated Drinks | |
4 | OXO Good Grips No-Spill Ice Cube Tray | ![]() | Best for Stacking and Easy Storage | |
5 | Adoric Ice Ball and Square Molds | ![]() | Best for Keeping Your Drinks Cold and Concentrated | |
6 | W&P Peak Silicone Everyday Ice Tray | ![]() | Best Silicone Ice Tray With Internal Frame | |
7 | Webake | ![]() | Best for Making Fun Drinks or Homemade Desserts | |
8 | Lily's Home Narrow Ice Stick Tray | ![]() | Best for Water Bottles With Small Openings | |
9 | Shaped 3D Skull Ice Mold | ![]() | Best for Unique Drinks to Serve at Parties | |
10 | RSVP International Stainless Steel Ice Cube Tray | ![]() | Best Stainless Steel Tray That Freezes Fast |
Pros:
Cons:
Daquas's ice cube trays are made with BPA-free plastic, which gives the tray structure, and silicone at the bottom, making ice easy to remove. The trays have rounded rectangle molds and lids that enable you to stack them easily and prevent contamination from other food in the freezer. These are also dishwasher-safe, making them a breeze to clean.
Some buyers said that the trays broke just after a few uses. You should not twist them to remove the ice cubes! Still, many more reviewers loved that the trays were easy to use, and the stable stacking helped keep their freezer more organized. They also liked that the lids prevented spills and leaks.
Pros:
Cons:
Made in the USA, these ice trays are simple and straightforward to use. They are made of plastic that is flexible for easy release. The trays are also stackable, allowing you to save space, as well as BPA-free and dishwasher-safe.
Some said that the trays did not stack well together, but the majority of buyers were happy that ice cubes came out with ease. They said the handles at the edge of the trays helped in quickly releasing the ice cubes. They also are happy with the size of the cubes they make.
Pros:
Cons:
If you are looking for a mold to make tiny ice, these trays are the ones for you. They make 60 mini ice pebbles each, which are great for water bottles and smoothies. The trays are made of BPA-free plastic and are dishwasher-safe.
Some reviewers complained about how hard the ice was to remove from the trays. A few also said that they didn't stack well. But for the most part, customers liked that the ice pebbles worked well with their blenders. They also appreciated that they freeze quickly and that they can make a lot.
Pros:
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OXO's ice cube tray comes with a silicone lid and grip handles that make it easy to store and stack. Not only that, but the cover also keeps the ice from absorbing freezer odor and lets you freeze ice sideways! The tray is made of plastic and has a rounded cube mold for easy release. The lid is silicone.
A few reviewers had trouble filling the tray and made a mess when they tried to do so. Nonetheless, most buyers were happy with their purchase. They loved how easy it was to get the ice cubes out. They also liked that they can place it at any angle in the freezer without leaking.
Pros:
These are great if you like to enjoy cocktails, whiskey, or if you're looking for bigger ice. You get two ice trays that have large rounded and cube molds. The silicone is dishwasher-safe and even safe to use in the oven or microwave if you want to use them for baking.
Some buyers had issues with a strong chemical smell and a white film that's hard to remove. But, other than that, more reviewers loved that the ice came out perfectly and quickly every time. They also liked that the trays made their drinks look cooler.
Pros:
Cons:
This 12-cube tray is flexible and rigid at the same time. It is made with a silicone-wrapped stainless steel frame, making filling and transporting easier. In addition, the provided lid will block out flavors and odors from your freezer. This ice tray is available in other fun colors and prints too!
A few reviewers disliked the lid design. It's not meant to seal tightly, but will make stacking easier. Meanwhile, many said that they loved how the tray looked and how practical it was. They liked that it didn't take up much room in the freezer and that it was easy to use.
Pros:
Cons:
These fun ice cube trays come with heart-shaped molds that are perfect for kids, romantic cocktails, or fun parties. You can also use them to make homemade desserts and candies. They are made of flexible silicone, making them easy to unmold and clean.
A small number of reviewers said that the tray was too flimsy and that it was hard to fill up and place in the fridge without spilling. Still, the majority loved that the ice cube tray made perfectly shaped hearts and it was easy to remove them from the tray. They liked that it was adorable and easy to use.
Pros:
Cons:
These trays may be worth having if you want ice sticks for bottles with smaller openings. The trays are made with flexible and soft silicone for a quick release. With these, you'll get 10 ice sticks per colorful tray.
A few reviewers noted that the trays were flimsy and hard to stack. Some also said they were messy to fill because they're shallow. On a positive note, many said that the ice sticks froze quickly and most importantly, they fit in bottles.
Pros:
Cons:
This tray features a skull mold that will let you put your own twist on a drink. This makes large skull-shaped ice that lasts longer and is great if you don't want to dilute your drink fast. It is made from dishwasher-safe silicone and comes with a lid.
However, there were a few reviewers who said it was hard to get the two parts to seal together and turn out perfect skulls. Overall, though, many thought the ice the tray produced was cool. A lot of them used it for parties or as a gift. They also said the ice came out of the tray easily.
Pros:
Cons:
This stainless steel tray can make 18 ice cubes. This type of tray came about in the 1950s. It has a two-part system, and it comes with an easy-release handle, so you won't have to struggle with releasing the ice. It's great if you're looking to reduce your use of plastics.
Reviewers say it does have a bit of a learning curve, so you don't end up with ice all over your kitchen when you pull the handle. But they say once you get the technique down, this brand is built to last and makes great ice. They also like that it freezes fast and doesn't hold odors.
Need to make icy drinks, or freeze baby food in bulk? Chill out and cool down with these other great kitchen items.
No. 1: Doquas|Easy-Release Ice Tray
No. 2: Kitch|Ice Tray Easy Release
No. 3: Arrow Home|60 Cube Ice Tray
No. 4: OXO|Good Grips No-Spill Ice Cube Tray
No. 5: Adoric|Ice Ball and Square Molds
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