10 Best Ice Trays To Chill Your Drinks In 2023: Reviews & Buying Guide
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Nothing beats a hot summer's day, like a refreshing cold beverage . The best way to chill any drink is with the power of ice ! So, we rounded up the best ice trays to help you prepare thirst-quenching drinks and cocktails.
Our Top Picks for the Best Ice Trays
| | Best Overall- Kitch Ice Trays• FDA-approved, BPA-free, high-density Polyethylene plastic |
Best for Whiskeys - Adoric Ice Trays• High quality and odorless silicone | |
Most Unique - 3D Skull Shaped Ice Tray• Food-grade, BPA-free, non-toxic silicone |
1. Kitch Ice Trays - Best Overall
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What Customers Have To Say
An Amazon customer commends this product for its durability. He’s had his ice trays for nine months already, but they’re still in good condition. When the ice freezes together, he just twists them, and the ice cubes break up individually.
Another customer commented that these ice cube trays are the best that she’s ever owned because they last longer than her old ones.
Why We Think It’s Great
The Kitch Ice Tray is the overall best. It is made with quality food-grade materials by skilled tradespeople, so you can easily remove ice when needed. It may look like the average ice tray that you can find anywhere, but you are mistaken.
These ice cube trays are perfect for home use because they are convenient and straightforward. They have the ideal size for shaking cocktails, blended drinks, and juices. It includes two ice cube trays which make 16 nice-sized ice cubes for a total of 32. You can twist, stack, and put this in the dishwasher for your convenience.
Who Should Buy It
If you’re looking for an all-around ice cube tray, this product is an excellent choice as they have the perfect size for shaking cocktails, blended drinks, and juices.
2. Adoric Ice Trays - Best for Whiskeys
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What Customers Have To Say
An Amazon shopper commented that this ice cube tray is quality made. He used them for a party, and his guests were having drinks on the rocks. These ice trays saved him money from buying bags of ice.
Another customer said that these ice trays are excellent, and he loved the size and the fact that they keep his drinks nice and cold.
Why We Think It’s Great
The Adoric Ice Trays are best used for bars. It's made with non-toxic and durable silicone to create perfectly shaped ice cubes and spheres. Whiskey and other strong cocktails are enjoyed better if you serve it with a giant ice cube.
The ice won't dilute the alcohol quickly because it will melt slowly due to its large size. You can choose between an ice sphere or ice cube, but with the Adoric ice trays, you can make both at an affordable price.
Get six spherical ice balls or six ice cubes for your cocktails, cold brews, and other chilled drinks. You can also use the mold for other things such as cake balls, sauces, or baby food.
Who Should Buy It
These ice trays make a fantastic gift to your dads or to anyone who enjoys whiskeys. More importantly, this set is perfect for those who love both big ice cubes and spheres.
3. Lily’s Home Ice Stick Tray
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What Customers Have To Say
A customer uses these trays to make frozen broth as dog treats and lemonade sticks for iced tea. They are easy to use and clean and a budget-friendly option. She also likes the nice slim ice cubes and thinks the only downside is that they're not stackable.
Why We Think It’s Great
The Lily's Home Ice Stick Tray is strategically designed for making long and slim ice perfect for your water bottle. It is ideal for people who carry a water bottle around meant for traveling or for sports.
The ice sticks optimally fit in those narrow openings so you can keep your drink cool. It makes 30 ice sticks from three ice cubes trays.
Who Should Buy It
Lily’s Home Ice Stick Tray is ideal for people with water bottles meant for traveling or sports because the ice sticks optimally fit in them and keep the drink cold.
4. Glacio Clear Sphere Duo Ice Tray
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What Customers Have To Say
A customer commented that this ice mold is impressive. He suggested following the directions correctly to achieve the perfect sphere consistently. He also used filtered water for better results, and he said that 24-28 hours is the ideal freezing time.
Another Amazon customer shares the same thoughts. He put the ice sphere in a glass of water to see just how clear it is. He uses warm water and freezes them in 30 total hours, and he claimed that they all came out perfectly.
Why We Think It’s Great
The Glacio Clear Sphere Duo creates clear ice spheres. The presentation of this ice maker is excellent for entertaining and impressing your guests. This mold guarantees to make perfect ice spheres every time.
For the whiskey lovers who like to enjoy their scotch on the rocks in the best and most elegant way, this ice mold can guarantee it. Since it’s bigger, the melting time is slower, and you don’t have to worry about your whiskey getting watered down.
It’s made from BPA-free non-stick silicone for easy access to your ice, and if you’re not satisfied with your purchase, you can always use their 100% return and get your money back!
Who Should Buy It
The best and elegant solution for whiskey lovers who want to maximize their drinks is using the Glacio Clear Sphere Duo Ice Tray.
5. True Cubes Ice Cube Tray
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What Customers Have To Say
A customer expressed that this purchase is worth it. He shares that when he brought this ice cube tray to a friend’s house, his friend had already bought six ice cubes for $10. Then, he did the math and said that he could make 24 ice cubes with the $40 price.
Meanwhile, another customer highly recommends the product because of its straightforward use and how it makes crystal clear ice.
Why We Think It’s Great
True Cubes Ice Tray is constructed specially for making big crystal-clear ice cubes. They're creative and innovative.
With this ice cube tray, you can make clear ice cubes without boiling water because it purifies tap water and removes 95% of metals and total dissolved solids (TDS), so it doesn't alter the drink's taste. Be warned that it does take 18-22 hours to freeze, but the wait is worth it.
Who Should Buy It
If you’re the kind of person who likes drinks on the rocks, this ice tray is perfect for you because the ice doesn't water down the beverage. The ice cubes also make your drink look pristine because of their clarity.
6. 3D Skull Shape Ice Tray - Most Unique
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What Customers Have To Say
An Amazon customer said that this product is very cool. She suggested cutting the holes on top of the mold bigger for better use. Another customer said that the skulls came out well-defined and the mold is easy to use, and they freeze quickly.
Why We Think It’s Great
The Shaped Skull Ice Maker makes by far the most incredible-looking pieces of ice. It's creatively designed to make skull-shaped ice, making your drink look awesome and wicked. It's not every day that you come across a beverage with ice looking like skulls.
That's why the 3D Skull Mold Tray is a keeper. The skull has intricate details eerily similar to the real thing. You can make other skull-shaped food like chocolate, candies, cakes, and jello.
It’s made from 100% BPA-free, non-toxic, food-grade, leak-free, microwave, and oven-safe silicone. Make your glass of whiskey look intimidating and terrifying.
Who Should Buy It
This best ice tray makes a great gift to anyone who loves the gothic style and perfect for making flavored themed ice for cocktails. Whether it's for Halloween or your kind of aesthetic, the Shaped Skull Ice Maker can give you that ghoulish touch. You can also make flavored ice for cocktails with this mold.
7. Arrow Home Products Ice Trays
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What Customers Have To Say
Customers appreciate the tiny size of ice that these trays produce. One shopper said she could enjoy beverages without the bulkiness of traditional ice cubes and chew them easily. Another customer suggested not overfilling the trays so the ice can come out quickly by simply twisting the trays.
Why We Think It’s Great
The Arrow Home Products Ice Trays creates fun-sized ice and or food items for home and personal needs. Have you ever wanted to fill your sports water bottle or portable blender with ice, but your regular-sized ice won't fit in the hole, or it's just too big to be blended?
Well, now you can start with the Arrow Home Products ice tray. The ice tray can make 60 ice cubes at once. You can also use them for making candy, chocolates, frozen broth, coconut oil, baby food, etc.
It freezes quickly, and you can stack these ice trays for better storage. They’re also great for parties or making cute little jello snacks. These trays are great for those ice munchers out there, and they're affordable.
Who Should Buy It
If you want to take a break from huge ice cubes, you can make cute ones with the Arrow Home Products Ice Trays. These ice trays are also great for all those ice munchers out there.
8. Tovolo Sphere Ice Trays
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What Customers Have To Say
Elegant ice spheres, what’s not to like? A customer commented that this product is excellent for the price. Another customer was skeptical at first because of the low cost, but he loved the ice trays and said he would purchase a set again.
Why We Think It’s Great
The Tovolo Ice Sphere Mold has an innovative design of two parts to create the perfect ice sphere. The ice sphere will not only keep your glass safe from unwanted scratches, but the beautifully shaped ice will surely impress your guests.
The spheres are 2.5” in size, great for low or highball glasses. The lid is tight-fitting, and you can stack it for easy storage. You can create sophisticated cocktails with these ice spheres.
Who Should Buy It
This best ice tray is sure to keep the drink cold and preserve its flavor profile to impress your guests, whether for home or bar use.
9. RSVP International Endurance Ice Tray
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What Customers Have To Say
Most customers love this old-school-style ice tray because it’s sturdy and doesn't leave a smell or after taste like other silicone molds.
One particular shopper said that he loved this product and he would repurchase it. He also thought this would make a great Christmas gift for anyone who likes large ice in their drinks.
Why We Think It’s Great
The RSVP International Endurance Ice Tray is made with stainless steel for that quick and odorless ice cube you desire. If you like the oldies, this retro ice tray is for you! With its solid and easy-to-use stainless steel tray, you'll probably buy this tray in no time.
You just fill it up with water, let it freeze, and simply pull the lever to separate the cubes. Your drinks will stay cold longer without too much dilution or that unpleasant taste you may get from silicone ice trays.
It can make six large cubes measuring 1.5 x 2 inches. You can use the ice tray to make ice, freeze broth, fruit juice, or herb-infused cubes. It’s also dishwasher-safe for your convenience.
Who Should Buy It
If you want to make big ice cubes quickly at home the old-fashioned way, the RSVP International Endurance Ice Tray is a terrific choice because it’s quick, and you can use it for other frozen foods.
10. Samuelworld Ice Cube Trays
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What Customers Have To Say
One customer purchased these ice trays because the plastic ones always crack and become brittle. She noted that these are flexible, and she loves the color and the size of the ice cubes. In every drink, she only needs to use one ice cube to keep it cold.
Meanwhile, another customer used these ice trays for making flower cubes for a baby shower, and they were a hit. Other customers commend this product because they quickly release the ice cubes that melt slowly.
Why We Think It’s Great
The Samuelworld Ice Cube Trays efficiently creates big ice cubes at your home or the bar. They can make 16 big ice cubes at once at an affordable price. They are convenient and easy to use. If you prefer large ice cubes for your whiskey, these ice trays will do the trick!
The ice trays are made from pure premium food-grade silicone. They are also freezer, microwave, and top-rack dishwasher safe. If you don’t like your purchase, you can always get your money back with a 100% lifetime guarantee.
Who Should Buy It
These ice trays will do the job quite easily to those who want to make large ice cubes for their whiskey at home. They are also excellent for bar use.
Best Ice Trays Buying Guide
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Design
The standard ice cube tray has branched out to different styles over the years. Most of them still follow the tray-style with numerous compartments, but the different types and features are meant for aesthetic purposes. Some of these new features may require correct usage.
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Material
Ice trays can be made from plastic, silicone, stainless steel, or a combination of them. Each has its advantages and disadvantages. Stainless steel is durable, but it doesn't produce the perfect shapes.
Silicone makes it easy to remove the ice from, but sometimes they give off an unpleasant smell of the material. Plastic can make many ice cubes but tend to break over time from use. Nevertheless, they all work just fine when used correctly.
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Size
Most plastic trays make average-sized ice cubes and even smaller ones. Silicone trays are flexible, catered towards big ice cubes and different shapes like spheres or hearts.
The size depends on the purpose that the ice will serve. If you're using it solely for home purposes, you can use standard ice trays, but if you like to serve drinks like scotch on the rocks, the big ice cubes are the best ones.
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Capacity
Depending on the size, ice can take a long time to freeze. The smaller ice trays freeze faster, but they only make 2-4 pieces at once. You can consider the freezing time for your molds, but it might not be as efficient unless you have more than one.
Some trays can make 16+ ice cubes, but they tend to melt faster because of their size. Looking at the capacity for your ice tray depends on your lifestyle. If you like to host large parties, you're going to need more ice trays.
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Price
If you're willing to invest in expensive ice trays, make sure they are made of high-quality material.
Best Ice Cube Trays FAQ
1. Why do silicone ice trays smell?
Silicone has both plastic and rubber properties but is generally considered rubber. Silicone molds tend to pick up smells from food or soaps, and the scent tends to stick to the material’s surface.
2. How do you clean ice trays?
Some trays are dishwasher-safe, but if you want to ensure that they are thoroughly cleaned, wash them by hand with warm water. Soap may not be the best idea because the smell will tend to linger and may latch onto the ice the next time you make them. Instead, use this alternative:
- Combine two teaspoons of baking soda and ½ cup of water.
- Fill the trays with the mixture.
- Let it sit for a few minutes.
- Scrub the compartments with a cloth or soft-bristled brush.
- Rinse thoroughly with warm water.
3. How do you keep ice from sticking to the ice tray?
People tend to make a mistake by removing the ice from the tray immediately after taking it out of the fridge.
This situation may lead you to twist too hard, breaking your ice tray. A good trick is to let it sit at room temperature for a few minutes or place the tray under running water.
4. How can you make clear ice using a standard ice tray?
Some ice trays feature a special insulation box to make clear ice, but if you're just using a standard ice tray, you can't make them without a bit of elbow grease.
The best way to achieve clear ice is to use distilled water or boil the water to remove the impurities and the air bubbles. Let it cool a bit and fill the trays with it. Cover the tray to protect the ice from unwanted particles mixing in and wait for it to freeze.
Conclusion
There you have it, folks! The best ice trays you can get. Whether you’re making ice in the kitchen, at the bar, or for parties, these ice trays can take your beverage adventures to another level.
If you like scotch on the rocks, always serve it with big ice cubes in your favorite whiskey glass. Our favorites are Kitch Ice Trays , Adoric Ice Trays , and 3D Skull Shaped Ice Tray . They are perfect for all the cocktail and whiskey drinkers out there, producing larger ice than usual.
Click here to find out what are the best whiskey glasses. If you prefer making ice blended drinks or frozen cocktails, you can find the best blenders for that job right here .
How about you? Do you prefer spheres or ice cubes in your drinks? Let us know in the comments.