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There is nothing that a nice refreshing drink can’t fix on a hot day. Whether you’re keeping bottles of Champagne cold or serving cocktails at a bar, the quickest way to serve them with ice is to have an ice bucket.
When choosing the ideal ice bucket, it shouldn’t only look aesthetically pleasing but also functional. Here are the best ice buckets that can keep your ice last longer.
Our Top Picks
 
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Best Insulation - OXO Good Grips Ice Bucket• 3.3 quarts size |
Best for Large Parties - Tablecraft Ice Bucket• Galvanized stainless steel construction |
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Most Sophisticated - Wenegg Ice Bucket• Made with polished, BPA-free stainless steel |
1. Prodyne Ice Bucket
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What Customers Have To Say
An Amazon customer shared that she wanted an all-plexiglass or acrylic ice bucket for her treat tables. Upon seeing this item, she immediately purchased one. She uses it to chill Italian wine, and she loves how it can make her drink cold in no time. On the other hand, another customer uses this ice bucket for her mimosa bar, and she commented that it is very stable.
Why We Think It’s Great
Simple and functional, this is what this ice bucket is about. This kind of bucket serves as an affordable way to chill wine, champagne, beer, and water bottles. Since it has a clear exterior appearance, it could showcase the bottles and the colors of assorted drinks.
Who Should Buy It
If you are hosting a large party and you intend to serve cold bottled beverages, skip the bar fridge and buy this ice bucket/tub instead. You can even highlight the beautiful drinks while you are chilling them.
2. Bellemain Ice Bucket
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What Customers Have To Say
An Amazon shopper stated that she is impressed with this product mainly because of its quality. She loves everything about it, how well it works, and the fact that it’s not messy. Moreover, she also said that it doesn’t even leave fingerprints. Overall, she is happy with her purchase.
Meanwhile, another buyer said that her item arrived on time for a party. She was quite amazed by the ice bucket’s quality as it still has ice on it the following day. She highly recommends this product for its beauty, quality, and price.
Why We Think It’s Great
Spare yourself from wet tables caused by the sweat of ice buckets because this one is double-wall insulated. This also means that the ice will last for at least 6 hours. This is possible since the drain feature on the bottom of the bucket keeps the remaining solid ice unsoaked in meltwater. Plus, it comes with tongs, making it easier to pick the ice cubes.
Who Should Buy It
Whether you’re serving cocktails at the bar or home, this ice bucket is the way to go. It looks classy and makes sure that you still have solid ice even after hours of being exposed to room temperature.
3. Twine Country Home Ice Bucket
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What Customers Have To Say
Most Amazon customers said that this ice bucket has a good quality for its affordable price. One shopper stated that she loves how this bucket looks and that it’s lightweight and has a lid and scoop. She uses it to cool wine and Champagne.
Why We Think It’s Great
Perhaps the most remarkable feature about this ice bucket is its look. Its classic construction gives a country or homey vibe that adds a nice touch to your party’s decor. It can also hold a bunch of ice cubes to keep your guests refreshed with their cold drinks. It's also compact as it is easy to carry. Plus, the hook for the scoop is an excellent and convenient bonus.
Who Should Buy It
If you’re hosting outdoor parties like backyard barbecues, this ice bucket is an ideal choice. You can use it to cool bottled drinks or hold ice cubes if you’re giving out glasses instead. Moreover, the elegant metallic finish makes it eye-catchy and perfect for any kitchen or bar counter.
4. Amerigo Ice Bucket
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What Customers Have To Say
A customer loves this product since it is well-made, has an excellent value for money, and is a must-have for bars. Another buyer also says that the Amerigo Ice Bucket is a good value purchase because of the additional items that come with the bucket. Plus, it does not condense, making her tabletop clean and dry every time.
Why We Think It’s Great
Serve cold drinks all around with this excellent ice bucket set. With the bonus scoop and tongs, you have more control over the ice proportions you add to your drink. You can easily carry this anywhere with ease. Moreover, its sleek look makes it fancy next to whiskey in rocks glasses.
Who Should Buy It
To anyone who enjoys drinks on the rocks, wine, or Champagne, this ice bucket is the tool you need to make them cool and refreshing for hours. Moreover, if you are the type to serve ice cubes in different containers, the scooper and tongs that come along will make it easier for you to distribute ice.
5. OXO Good Grips Ice Bucket
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What Customers Have To Say
Most Amazon customers commend this ice bucket’s ability to hold ice for a long time and its strong handle for convenience. They also found the tongs and tray useful and stylish. A customer said that this ice bucket is made of thick plastic, which worked well in keeping the ice stable.
Why We Think It’s Great
The handle makes it easy to be transported anywhere, and the knobs that connect the handle to the body can be used to hang the tongs. Moreover, the tongs are very efficient in grabbing ice, and the tray can be placed inside the bucket to keep the garnishes cold.
Who Should Buy It
If you are looking for an ice bucket that can work both indoors and outdoors, this one is an excellent choice to have. Although you can use this with your small get-together inside your home, the OXO Good Grips Ice Bucket is ideal for outdoor parties since you don’t usually have a freezer around in this kind of setup.
6. Jozo Ice Bucket
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What Customers Have To Say
A buyer commented that this bucket is first class. It is beautiful and solid enough to hold ice cubes for several hours without melting them thoroughly. Meanwhile, another shopper thought this ice bucket is perfect for his outdoor parties since it looks presentable.
Why We Think It’s Great
If you think that ice buckets can’t be elegant, you are deeply mistaken. Just take a look at this beauty! And it’s not just about looks; it’s also functional. The walls are built extra thick to keep ice cubes last longer, and the lid fits the bucket perfectly.
Who Should Buy It
This can be a fantastic gift to a bar owner or an avid fan of wine or Champagne. The chic design will go well with any fancy drink. Plus, the material it is made from ensures that you will keep your ice cubes insulated to slow down the melting process.
7. Tablecraft Ice Bucket
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What Customers Have To Say
Most Amazon customers shared that they used this bucket for large gatherings, and they appreciated that it could fit more bottles than other coolers. One customer said that she bought this ice bucket for her mimosa bar at a bridal shower, and it worked well.
Why We Think It’s Great
It is simple but can accommodate many people. It gives a rustic look that suits any fun and carefree occasion. It is a blank slate, though, but you can choose to give it a makeover, perhaps paint it or decorate it. The bottom line is that it makes drinks cold quickly and keeps them cold throughout the party.
Who Should Buy It
This ice bucket/tub is used best for barbeque parties or generally large outdoor gatherings. If you hope to serve bottled or canned beer, this is the right tool to keep them ice-cold. We also love the vintage vibe on this ice bucket/tub.
8. Fine Dine Ice Bucket
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What Customers Have To Say
A customer said that this product is just what he wanted, and it met all his expectations when it comes to ice buckets. Meanwhile, another shopper shared that this is an excellent addition to their dinners since they don't need to run towards the freezer for additional ice. For him, it is a solid ice bucket that maintains the ice’s shape and temperature.
Why We Think It’s Great
One of the most satisfying moments in life is inviting friends and enjoying a cold and delicious beverage together. This can quickly happen with this excellent ice bucket. The strainer tray inside ensures that the ice cubes remain solid since it drains the meltwater.
The lid is also built with rubber to create a tight seal, contributing to maintaining the ice’s temperature. The lid and the tongs also have a proper place to stay, which is by the built-in hook. Finally, the overall look is spectacular with its smooth finish.
Who Should Buy It
If you want a neat-looking ice bucket that keeps ice cubes stable for a couple of hours, this product will not let you down. Its clean and classy design also makes it a great addition to your home bar.
9. Wenegg Ice Bucket
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What Customers Have To Say
A customer shared a comparison picture of when she put ice cubes in her ice bucket, and 9 hours later, they are still solid enough to be served. She also said that there was no condensation on the bucket. Meanwhile, another buyer said that this is an excellent product because it can keep ice cubes stable for hours. He is also satisfied with the product quality and the lifetime warranty.
Why We Think It’s Great
This product is built to last. It also comes with useful accessories, including a user guide on how to chill beverages faster. Its sleek and cool design makes any event classy. You are guaranteed slow-melting ice cubes with their overall construction. And since the strainer is removable, it will be easier to clean the bucket.
Who Should Buy It
This ice bucket set is a great value and would be great for both indoor and outdoor events. It also makes a great gift to a cocktail lover.
10. MKRSD Ice Bucket
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What Customers Have To Say
An Amazon shopper loves this ice bucket because it has the right size to hold ice cubes. It is not that small or big, but just enough to serve a suitable amount of people in one sitting. Another customer said that this bucket kept the ice cubes cold for 4 hours. He also noted that the tongs are a nice feature because they didn’t typically lay around or hang somewhere.
Why We Think It’s Great
It may be smaller than other ice buckets, but it’s what makes it cute and ideal to fit your favorite bottle of wine or Champagne. The tongs have teeth for easy grabbing of ice. Moreover, when the tongs are not in use, you can simply slide them in the lid for convenient storage, so you never have to lose them. The insulation and the lid that fits perfectly also make the ice melt slower.
Who Should Buy It
If you like hosting small get-togethers and don’t want to waste ice, you can rely on this product. It would also be a thoughtful gift to a loved one.
Best Ice Bucket Buying Guide
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Construction
Ice buckets have evolved from the traditional kind to stainless steel. They are mostly used for a large number of bottled drinks, usually at a backyard party. Other ice buckets feature insulated walls to make the ice cubes melt slower and keep the drinks colder. This also prevents condensation from forming on the outside of the bucket.
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Material
Ice buckets are made with a combination of plastic, stainless steel, and sometimes glass. However, some ice buckets only use a single material, such as all plastic or all glass.
Stainless steel is the ideal material because it is a good temperature conductor. It allows the ice cubes to melt slower, mostly if the stainless steel ice bucket is covered. On the other hand, some plastic ice buckets are transparent, so you can see the ice and the drinks and know precisely when to refill.
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Size
One of the ice buckets’ primary purposes is to hold as much ice as possible so you can reduce the time and effort of going back and forth to get more ice. Having said this, you should look for an ice bucket that has an ideal size to serve as many people as possible.
However, it also depends on what you’re using the ice bucket for. If you are to put soda bottles in, then opt for a larger bucket. If you’re just using it for wine bottles, you can choose one with an average size.
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Price
There are a lot of great deals on the market when it comes to ice buckets. Price is linked with the quality, so make sure that you’re picking functional ones worth their price.
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Convenience
When filled with a lot of ice already, ice buckets can become heavy. But, to make your life easier, they are designed with handles for easy carriage and transportation. But, just how convenient are these handles? Do they require only one hand or two hands? Are they ergonomically designed? Make sure to consider these features too.
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Accessories
If you’re not using the bucket as a tub for bottled drinks, you would generally use them as a container for ice cubes. When picking ice cubes, it is common knowledge not to use your hands as it is unsanitary.
Most ice buckets come with ice tongs to quickly pick up ice. Others also have lids and strainers for better temperature retention. These accessories add significant value and convenience to the bucket itself.
Ice Bucket FAQ
1. How long will ice last in an ice bucket?
It depends on what type of ice bucket. If it is closed with a lid and has double-wall insulation, ice can last for about 10 hours or more. The size of the ice cubes is also a factor. The bigger they are, the slower they’ll melt. Ice in buckets or tubs that are left exposed to air (those without lids) is more likely to melt faster.
2. Should you add water to an ice bucket?
There are two functions of an ice bucket: to cool a bottled drink and hold ice cubes until they are put in a glass. If you are to chill bottles of wine, Champagne, or beer, it is okay to add water with the ice cubes to make the vessel a colder environment for the drinks.
But if you’re drinking whiskey, which needs ice cubes to be added into the glass, there’s no need to add water to the ice bucket. That’s why some ice buckets have strainers, so the ice does not soak in the meltwater. The idea here is to keep the ice frozen until it is consumed.
3. Why do you put salt in an ice bucket?
This is only applicable to the first purpose of ice buckets, as mentioned just previously. Besides adding water, people also found that adding salt into the mix can make the ice cubes melt faster and make them colder.
When salt comes into contact with ice cubes, it lowers the freezing point from 0 °C to about -21 °C. So, the water molecules become imbalanced, and heat/energy is absorbed from the environment to fight off the hydrogen that bonds the water molecules together.
4. What is the best insulation to keep ice from melting?
It is said that styrofoam is the best insulator for making the ice melt slower. But, its structural integrity doesn’t compare to that of metal buckets. Today, most ice buckets are made with stainless steel, and if you are to buy one, opt for a double-wall insulated one with an airtight lid.
Conclusion
With an ice bucket, you never have to wait for long hours to cool your beverages. Plus, they come at affordable prices, so it shouldn’t be too hard to make a choice now. Whether you’re hosting a formal or casual event, ice buckets will always do a spectacular job.
An ice bucket doesn’t create ice cubes, so you’re going to need a trusty ice tray or a portable ice maker. And if you serve champagne, take a look at these excellent Champagne glasses that you can use for your next picnic or dinner party.
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