Frigidaire Portable Ice Maker EFIC189 vs AGLucky Ice Maker HZB-12/B

Overall Verdict

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The Frigidaire EFIC189 and the AGLucky HZB-12/B are two closely matched ice makers. Overall, the Frigidaire had the performance edge in our tests with one basket load averaging 19.6 oz in 103 min compared to AGLucky’s 16 oz in 90 min. In terms of the 24 hr capacity, the AGLucky did 16 lbs while the Frigidaire produced 17.1 lbs. The Frigidaire has a more rounded and modern design with a wider transparent lid. On the downside, the ice basket sits a little high and can trigger the Ice Full alert if not pushed down securely. On the other hand, the AGLucky was easier to clean inside since the Frigidaire’s water guard and drainage plug were a little tough to deal with.

Pros & Cons

Performance
Production capacity
Internal visibility
Firm ice basket
Good insulation
Easy to clean exterior

Overall performance
Ice quality
Raised control panel

Ice basket fit
Drainage plug

Flimsy ice basket
Internal visibility

Key Specs

Dimensions LxWxH

9.5 x 14.1 x 12.9 inches

9.5 x 13 x 12.75 Inches

Weight

16.9 lbs (7.7 kg)

15.0 lbs (6.8 kg)

Ice bullet sizes

Small and Large

Small / Large

Indicators

Add Water, Ice Full, Power, S / L

Water reservoir

2.3 qt

1.9 qt

Average capacity / Basket

19.6 oz

16 oz

Where to Buy

Price at publication

$99.99

$109.99

Check Price on Amazon

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Analysis and Test Results

Performance

Overall Performance Scoring

8.0

7.9

Ice Capacity Test

7.7

7.4

The Frigidaire EFIC189 countertop portable bullet ice maker on a countertop with a full basket of ice and a timer showing 1 hr 48 min. In the background is a shelf with various kitchen appliances.

Top down view of the Frigidaire EFIC189 ice maker to the left with one load of ice removed and placed into a black colored baking tray on the right. Badly formed ice is seen separated into a bowl on a scale showing 15 grams.

A full basket of ice being taken out of a countertop ice maker with a number of ice makers seen on a shelf in the background.

Against a white background is a countertop ice maker to the left and on the right a pitcher filled with ice bullets on a scale registering 432 grams.

A portable ice maker on a countertop with a glass bowl to the right on a scale with badly formed ice inside weighing 6 grams.

Average Time Basket

103 min

90 min

Average Weight Basket

19.6 oz (555 g)

16 oz (456 g)

Average Waste Basket

0.6 oz (10 g)

0.32 oz (9 g)

Capacity Hr

11.4 oz (323 g)

10.7 oz (304 g)

Capacity24 Hrs

17.1 lbs (7.76 kg)

16 lbs (7.3 kg)

Ice Quality Test

8.5

8.6

The Frigidaire EFIC189 countertop portable bullet ice maker to the left and a bowl on a scale with one round of nine ice bullets measuring 63 grams.

The AGLucky Ice Maker HZB-12/B on a countertop with a glass bowl containing nine ice bullets in front showing a net weight of 54 grams, and a stopwatch to the upper right showing 8 min 21 sec for the time to make one round of ice bullets.

Nine ice bullets in a glass bowl on a scale showing a net weight of 59 grams.

Average Weight Bullet

0.2 oz (6.2 g)

0.2 oz (6.3 g)

Design

Overall Design Scoring

8.3

7.9

In The Box

The Frigidaire EFIC189 countertop portable bullet ice maker to the left with its box in the background to the right. In between is the included ice basket, ice scoop, and user manual.

Top down view of the unboxed AGLucky Ice Maker HZB-12/B with an ice basker, ice scoop, and user manual pictured slightly off to the left.

Dimensions

AGLucky Ice Maker HZB-12/B against a white background with annotations showing 9.5 inches in length, 12.75 inches height, and 13 inches depth.

Width

9.5" (24.1 cm)

Depth

12.8" (32.4 cm)

13.0" (33.0 cm)

Height

13.0" (33.0 cm)

12.8" (32.4 cm)

Weight

17.0 lbs (7.7 kg)

15.0 lbs (6.8 kg)

Build Quality

9.0

8.2

Top down view of the Frigidaire EFIC189 countertop ice maker with its lid open.

Side view of the Frigidaire EFIC189 countertop ice maker showing the quality of seem joining.

Side and rear view of the Frigidaire EFIC189 countertop ice maker.

Bottom view of the Frigidaire EFIC189 countertop ice maker.

Side view of the AGLucky Ice Maker HZB-12/B showing the extraction fan.

Panel Design

7.5

9.0

Close up view of the panel of the Frigidaire EFIC189 countertop portable bullet ice maker.

The slightly raised control panel on the AGLucky countertop ice maker.

Buttons

2 - On/Off, Select

On/Off, Select

Power Indicator

Yes

Ice Full Indicator

Yes

Add Water Indicator

Yes

IceS Indicator

Yes

IceL Indicator

Yes

Lid Design

7.5

7.1

Degraded ice shown in an ice basket of a portable ice maker after being left to run overnight for 8 hours.

Ice degradation shown in a baking tray after being left overnight in a working portable ice maker.

Top down view of the AGLucky Ice Maker HZB-12/B.

The lid of the AGLucky countertop ice maker showing much condensation after an 8-hour period.

The AGLucky countertop ice maker with ice spread in a baking tray to the right showing the level of ice quality degradation over an 8-hour period.

A black-gloved hand holding up partially melted ice.

Material

Transparent plastic

Ice Basket

8.0

7.0

White hard plastic basket of the Frigidaire EFIC189 countertop portable bullet ice maker.

Top down and close up view of a plastic ice basket for a portable ice making machine.

Length

7.9" (20.1 cm)

7.0" (17.8 cm)

Height

3.6" (9.1 cm)

3.8" (9.7 cm)

Depth

5.0" (12.7 cm)

5.1" (13.0 cm)

Material

Hard white plastic

Soft plastic

Water Reservoir

Top down view of the water reservoir of the AGLucky Ice Maker HZB-12/B.

Capacity

2.3 qt (2.2 L)

60.0 fl oz (1.8 L)

Drainage Plug

Material

Hard plastic and silicone

Plastic and silicone

Ice Scoop

Material

Hard white plastic

Cord and Plug

The white electric cord and three prong plug of the Frigidaire EFIC189 countertop portable bullet ice maker picture against the front of the machine.

The three pronged plug of a portable countertop ice maker pictured against the background of the lid.

Length

5.9 ft (1.8 m)

Plug Type

3-pronged

3-Pronged

Usability

Overall Usability Scoring

8.4

7.8

Ease of Use

8.5

7.5

Alt: The Select button being pressed on a countertop ice maker to choose the ice size.

Water being poured into the reservoir of the Frigidaire ice maker.

Ice being scooped out of the basket of a countertop portable ice maker.

The AGLucky Ice Maker HZB-12/B on a countertop with a water pitcher filter to the right.

A basket of ice being lifted out of a portable countertop ice maker.

Noise

8.2

8.1

A sound meter showing 67.2 dB being emitted from the working Frigidaire EFIC189 countertop portable bullet ice maker.

Decibels

67.2 dB

67.7 dB

Cleaning

8.3

8.5

The empty water tank of the Frigidaire EFIC189 countertop portable bullet ice maker with the water guard shown in the right hand upper corner.

A close up view of ice rods of a countertop bullet ice making machine.

The water drainage plug on the bottom of the AGLucky Ice Maker HZB-12/B.

Self Cleaning

Yes

Behind the Comparison

Roger ShitakiReviewer

Roger Shitaki is a writer, author, and editor. His niches are household appliances, health & wellness, and travel. He’s a freelance contributor to a Tokyo lifestyle website and a leading ophthalmology magazine in Asia.

Lap VoTest Lead

Lap is Head of the Research, Testing, and Review Team (RTR Team) at HealthyKitchen101.com, where he directs and supervises the testing of kitchen gadgets and appliances.

Nguyen NtkVisual Specialist

Nguyen Ntk is a graphic designer, photographer, and videographer whose philosophy centers around respecting and celebrating the beauty of reality. Through his lenses, Nguyen strives to capture the true essence of objects and events, showcasing and highlighting authentic features without distortion or exaggeration.