VIVOHOME Automatic Ice Maker vs Frigidaire Portable Ice Maker EFIC189

Overall Verdict

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The VivoHome and the Frigidaire are a close match for overall performance. The Frigidaire won out in capacity producing 11.4 oz (323 g) per hour versus 10.5 oz (298 g) for the Vivohome. The key difference being the Frigidaire was faster at producing ice while the capacity per basket was around 19 oz (550 g) or slightly above for both. If you like large and chunky ice bullets, then the VivoHome is better. It averaged 7 g per bullet, sometimes reaching 8.7 g, while the Frigidaire averaged around 6.2 g and only occasionally managed 7 g per bullet. The Frigidaire, however, has a more modern-looking and open design while the somewhat dated design of the VivoHome has a much more user-friendly control panel.

Pros & Cons

Large chunky ice bullets
Spacious control panel
Large ice basket
Reservoir capacity
Easy-to-clean body

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

Lid insulation
Bulky design

Ice basket fit
Drainage plug

Key Specs

Price at publication

$133.64

9.5 x 14.1 x 12.9 inches

Dimensions

L13.1 x W9.5 x H13 inches

16.9 lbs

Weight

15.4 lbs (7.0 kg)

Small and Large

Ice bullet sizes

Small / Large

Add Water, Ice Full, Power, S / L

Indicators

Add Water, Ice Full, Power, S / L

2.3 qt

Water reservoir

2.3 qt (2.2 L)

19.6 oz

Where to Buy

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Analysis and Test Results

Performance

Overall Performance Scoring

8.5

8.0

Ice Capacity Test

7.5

7.7

A full basket of ice being removed from a countertop bullet ice maker. — Removing a full basket of ice.

A full basket of ice from the Vivo Home countertop ice maker being weighed in at 576 grams. The ice is in a jug resting on a digital scale.

A stop watch showing 1:44:57 or the typical amount of time taken to produce a full basket of ice with the Vivo Home countertop ice maker.

A sample of ice bullets produced from the Vivo Home countertop ice maker held between two gloved hands.

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.

Average Time Basket

115 min

103 min

Average Weight Basket

23 oz (561 g)

19.6 oz (555 g)

Average Waste Basket

0.2 oz (5.7 g)

0.6 oz (10 g)

Capacity Hr

10.5 oz (298 g)

11.4 oz (323 g)

Capacity24 Hrs

15.9 lbs (7.2 kg)

17.1 lbs (7.76 kg)

Ice Quality Test

9.9

8.5

Nine ice bullets in a small dish on a scale showing 78 grams or the typical amount of ice produced in one round of ice making by the Vivo Home portable ice maker.

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.

Average Weight Bullet

0.25 oz (7 g)

0.2 oz (6.2 g)

Design

Overall Design Scoring

7.6

8.3

In The Box

The navy blue Vivo Home countertop ice maker picture from above with the contents of the box displayed to right namely the user manual, a removable ice basket, and an ice scoop.

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.

Dimensions

Width

13.1" (33.3 cm)

9.5" (24.1 cm)

Depth

9.5" (24.1 cm)

12.8" (32.4 cm)

Height

13.0" (33.0 cm)

Weight

15.4 lbs (7.0 kg)

17.0 lbs (7.7 kg)

Build Quality

8.0

9.0

The navy blue Vivo Home portable ice maker pictured with the ice basket and ice scoop in front.

A picture of the underside of the Vivo Home countertop ice making machine.

The rear view of the Vivo Home countertop ice maker.

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.

Panel Design

8.9

7.5

A top down view of the lid and control panel of a portable countertop ice maker.

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

Buttons

On/Off, Select

2 - On/Off, Select

Power Indicator

Yes

Ice Full Indicator

Yes

Add Water Indicator

Yes

IceS Indicator

Yes

IceL Indicator

Yes

Lid Design

5.8

7.5

The lid of the Vivo Home countertop ice making machine being held up with black-gloved hand.

The degree of ice degradation after the Vivo Home countertop ice maker was left running overnight.

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.

Material

Plastic

Transparent plastic

Ice Basket

8.3

8.0

A picture of an empty ice basket resting inside a portable countertop ice making with the scoop placed inside.

A hand holding up an empty ice basket in front of a portable ice making machine.

A top down view of an ice basket and ice scoop resting next to a portable countertop ice maker.

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

Length

7.9" (20.1 cm)

Height

3.9" (9.9 cm)

3.6" (9.1 cm)

Depth

4.9" (12.4 cm)

5.0" (12.7 cm)

Material

Hard white plastic

Water Reservoir

Water being poured from a jug into the Vivo Home portable ice maker.

Top view of the Frigidaire EFIC189 countertop portable bullet ice maker showing its large 2.2 liter water reservoir.

Capacity

2.3 qt (2.2 L)

Drainage Plug

Material

Plastic and silicone

Hard plastic and silicone

Ice Scoop

Material

Hard white plastic

Cord and Plug

The white three pronged plug of a portable countertop ice maker pictured against the background of the technical information sticker on the back of the machine.

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

Length

5.8 ft. (1.8 m)

5.9 ft (1.8 m)

Plug Type

3-prong earthed

3-pronged

Usability

Overall Usability Scoring

8.6

8.4

Ease of Use

8.7

8.5

A man standing behind a navy blue Vivo Home ice maker and giving a thumbs up. — The Vivo Home gets our ‘thumbs up’!

A finger pointing to an Ice Full red alert indicator on a portable countertop ice maker.

A sticker on a countertop ice maker showing technical information and a caution about risks and a notice for proper disposal.

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.

Noise

8.3

8.2

A sound meter standing upright near the fan vent of a navy blue Vivo Home portable ice maker and showing 66.6dB on the screen. — Vivo Home measured 66.6 dB.

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

Decibels

66.6 dB

67.2 dB

Cleaning

8.5

8.3

The lid of the Vivo Home navy blue portable ice maker being held open. — The open lid of the Vivo Home.

The removed white silicone and plastic drainage plug of a countertop ice maker held up for a closer view.

The front of a countertop ice maker being wiped down with detergent and a pink cloth.

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

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.

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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.

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