14 Best Ice Cube Trays (Review) In 2022
- The Best Ice Cube Tray
- 1. OMorc Ice Cube Trays
- 2. Adoric Ice Cube Trays
- 3. WETONG Ice Cube Trays
- 4. Kitch Easy-Release Ice Cube Trays
- 5. Ticent Ice Cube Trays
- 6. Morfone Ice Cube Trays
- 7. Kootek 4-Pack Silicone Ice Cube Trays
- 8. GDREAMT Ice Cube Trays with Lids
- 9. Samuelworld Ice Cube Trays
- 10. Rubbermaid Easy-Release Ice Cube Tray
- 11. niceCube Mini Ice Cube Trays
- 12. Lily's Home Silicone Narrow Ice Stick Cube Trays
- 13. OXO Good Grips Covered Ice Cube Tray
- 14. HealthyLifeStyle! Ice Cube Tray
There’s nothing like an ice-cold drink to cool you down on a hot summer day, chilled courtesy of your trusty ice cube tray ready for your ice machine. Or perhaps you would rather use that ice to garnish a beautifully prepared gin and tonic for an after-work drink. Either way, you need the best ice cubes.
Nowadays, there is no shortage of different styles of trays, from the more traditional cube to novelty shapes and oversized balls of ice. The hard plastic cube trays from twenty years ago that were impossible to prize ice out of are, thankfully, a thing of the past. Stainless steel, silicone, or flexible plastic are now some of the best materials used in their construction.
We look at the best ice cube trays available on the market to help you make a purchase that meets your families, and your freezers’ needs. For similar products, make sure to check out our vacuum sealers guide.
The Best Ice Cube Tray
1. OMorc Ice Cube Trays

Key Features
Pack of four ice cube trays
14 ice cubes per tray
Spill-resistant removable lid
BPA free
Dishwasher safe
LFGB certified
Our first choice for the best ice cube tray is from Omorc and is an affordable option with a high capacity. The OMorc Ice Cube Trays come in a pack of four, with each tray holding 14 cubes. It is made from BPA free plastic, with slightly curved edges to make the cubes easy to remove. The removable lid also makes it easy to transport the tray around the kitchen, from tap to freezer, without causing any spillages. If you leave the lid on while freezing, this will prevent the cubes from being exposed to surrounding odors.
While the design of the ice cube tray is very simple, they are incredibly easy to use and dishwasher safe, so cleaning up is equally straightforward. They also come in different colors for an aspect of fun. Because the trays are very thin, they also have a tendency to break quite easily.
Pros
Pack of four produces 52 ice cubes
Removable lid
Dishwasher safe
Food safe quality
Cons
Durability concerns
2. Adoric Ice Cube Trays




Key Features
Black silicone material
Round and square molds
BPA free
Ideal for whiskey
Six 1.8inch ice balls and six 2inch cubes
Dishwasher safe
The Adoric Ice Cube Trays are great for making large blocks that are ideal for whiskey, bourbon or similar drinks as they melt more slowly. The trays are made from flexible, food-grade silicone that is completely safe and can be quickly cleaned in the dishwasher. If you want to, you can use this in the oven for small baking as it withstands extreme hot and cold temperatures.
The square ice cubes are relatively easy to move from the tray, and the black matt color gives them a classy edge. While the square cubes work very well, the seal of the top and bottom of the ball-shaped mold is not tight enough so it leaks a little and these shapes are hard to remove.
Pros
Large ice shapes
Food grade silicone
Anti-leak cove for ice balls
Dishwasher safe
Cons
The seal is not tight on the ball shapes
3. WETONG Ice Cube Trays





Key Features
74 cube capacity
Stackable trays
Sealable lid
BPA free
Hexagonal shapes
The Wetong Ice Cube Trays come in a pack of two trays, giving you a total of 74 hexagonal shaped cubes. One tray holds 37 ice shapes. They are made from silicone, food-grade certified, and BPA free and can be used to freeze filtered water, juice, or baby food. A silicone lid is included which not only protects the ice from surrounding aromas but also means the trays can be stacked on top of one another to save space in the freezer.
Both the Wetong trays, plus the lids, can be placed in the dishwasher. Due to the unusual shape, plus the soft, flexible material, it is quite tricky to fill the ice cube trays equally without causing any spillage.
Pros
Lids included
Large capacity
Flexible silicone material
Cons
Difficult to evenly fill
4. Kitch Easy-Release Ice Cube Trays


Key Features
16 cube capacity
BPA free plastic
Dishwasher safe
Stackable
Our best value choice is the Kitch Easy-Release Ice Cube Trays. This model comes in a set of two, with each tray making 16 reasonably sized cubes. These trays are very basic and the shape of the ice cubes is very standard. However, you can stack these, even when full of water, so they save space in your freezer, and they are dishwasher safe so they can be cleaned thoroughly.
Made from plastic, the Kitch trays are quite sturdy but not very flexible. While they aren’t brittle and don’t seem to crack easily, the solid plastic does make it a little hard to get all the cubes out, despite it saying they can be released with ‘just a twist’.
Pros
Low cost
Good sized cubes
Dishwasher safe
Cons
Made from plastic – not very flexible
No lid included
5. Ticent Ice Cube Trays



Key Features
Silicone trays
Makes six ice balls and six large cubes
BPA free
Available in black or grey
No-stick design
This product from Ticent is very similar to the Adoric ice molds. With Ticent Ice Cube Trays you get two trays; one tray makes 1.8-inch spheres and the other tray makes 2inch cubes. They are best suited for the large ice designs you want in your whiskey or bourbon, but also work well for frozen juices or fruits. And, as they are silicone trays, they are flexible, don’t stick to the ice, and can be put in a dishwasher. When filling the molds, the water may spill due to the flexibility of the silicone, so you may want to place them on a flat place or board when you transport them to the freezer.
The other challenge with the Ticent is the same as the Adoric version. The cubed ice tray works very well, but the spherical one is not as successful. It is difficult to get the spheres completely filled, so you end up with more of a semi-circle result. If you do manage to get a fully circular ball it is not so easy to remove it from the tray.
Pros
Large size cubes
Works well for freezing fruit and juices
Easy to clean (dishwasher safe)
Cons
Tricky to fill the spheres
Water spills when transporting to the freezer
6. Morfone Ice Cube Trays



Key Features
Set of three ice cube trays
Silicone
Removable lid
Easy release
24 cubes per tray (72 capacity)
BPA free
The Ice Trays from Morfone are made from silicone and come in a pack of three brightly colored trays to liven up your freezer. Each silicone tray can produce 24 cubes and has a clear, removable lid. This lid makes it easy to transport water without any spillages, protects the ice from freezer odors, and also means the trays are stackable. The covers are not fully sealed, so care should still be taken when moving the ice mold around.
The cubes are fairly standard size (1 by 1 inch) so work perfectly for any type of drink, jelly, or even baby food. The Morfone ice tray has a smooth silicone surface which makes it easy to remove the ice cubes and can be cleaned in the dishwasher. However, it would be best if you remembered that the lid should only be hand washed.
Pros
Bright colors
Easy to clean
Lids included
Large capacity of ice cubes
Cons
The lid must be hand washed
Lids not sealable
7. Kootek 4-Pack Silicone Ice Cube Trays



Key Features
Pack of four ice trays
Spill-resistant cover
Stackable
Various bright colors available
Total capacity of 56 cubes
Silicone ice tray
The Kootek 4-Pack Silicone Ice Cube Trays all come with a silicone lid and are available in a selection of summer colors. Using all four ice cube trays, you get a capacity of 56 ice shapes (rectangular), which is a little lower than other trays. However, these are stackable, so you can use multiple trays if necessary without taking up too much space in your freezer.
As these ice molds are made from silicone, you would expect to be able to remove the ice without too much trouble by pushing the bottom. Some customer reviews have stated that they find this quite difficult and recommend to leave the ice at room temperature for a few minutes before attempting to push the cubes out. Others suggest that you run the ice cube tray under the tap quickly before extracting the ice and the manufacturer supports this recommendation.
Pros
Easy release
Stackable
Suitable for dishwasher
Cons
Tray capacity is smaller than similar products
Ice can be tricky to remove
8. GDREAMT Ice Cube Trays with Lids




Key Features
Pack of two trays
Each ice tray holds 36 cubes
BPA free
Dishwasher safe
Removable lids
The Ice Trays from GDREAMT come in a pack of two; one baby-blue color and one pale green. Each tray makes 36 ice cubes, so you get a generous supply for 72 ice molds with just two trays. The cubes are just under an inch in size. Made from silicone, they are durable, BPA free, and flexible for easy removal of the ice. The manufacturer recommends waiting for two minutes after taking the trays out of the freezer to make popping out the ice easier.
Each tray has its own silicone lid, so they are stackable and will stay free from odors. As with the other similar products, this can be used to make jelly, frozen fruit, frozen coffee cubes, and numerous other items. The GDREAMT Ice Trays have a very flexible design, so again you may want to place the ice cube trays on a flat board or plate when filling it with water and moving it to the freezer; otherwise, the base will sag and the water will spill.
Pros
Large capacity per tray
Easy clean
Flexible
Stackable
Cons
The base will sag when full of water
Some people find the cubes too small
9. Samuelworld Ice Cube Trays




Key Features
Pack of two trays
Eight large cubes per tray
Black, silicone tray
Makes 2inch cubes
Freezer, dishwasher and microwave safe
Lifetime guarantee
The Samuelworld Ice Cube Tray is promoted as a whiskey mate, thanks to the large-sized ice shapes that it produces. The 2inch cubes are slow to melt, so they some of the best to keep your drink cold but without diluting it quickly. With the large, silicone cavities, this tray can work well for making small ice creams, jam, or even as a baking tray for square cupcakes. Suggested uses also include filling it with water and herbs, to get scented ice cubes to complement your spirits.
Despite it being made from flexible silicone, this design is pretty solid, so the base doesn’t sag when full of water. This means it is easy to transport without spilling. This particular ice cube tray does not come with a lid, so it won’t protect your ice from any surrounding odors and can’t be stacked.
Pros
Great for whiskey or similar drinks
Relatively rigid for easy transportation
Multi-functional
Cons
No lid
10. Rubbermaid Easy-Release Ice Cube Tray


Key Features
Pack of 8 trays
16 cubes per tray
Easy release
Stackable
As our premium pick for best ice cube tray, we picked the model which ensures that you can very easily remove ice cubes from it. The Rubbermaid Easy-Release Ice Tray has a basic design, no fancy shapes or colors, and the cubes are slightly smaller than other models, but it is incredibly user friendly.
You get a pack of four ice cube trays, each tray holds 16 cubes, and while there are no lids, they can still be stacked on top of each when full. Minimal effort is required to remove the cubes, just a quick twist and they will all pop out. These Rubbermaid trays are also highly durable, lasting for years without cracking, provided you clean them thoroughly and regularly.
Pros
Easy to remove cubes
Stackable
Easy to fill and transport
Cons
Small cubes
No lid
11. niceCube Mini Ice Cube Trays





Key Features
Makes 1cm cubes
Two-pack
160 cubes per tray
Quick freezing
BPA free
Oven safe
If you want crushed ice for smoothies, cocktails or slushies, then the niceCube Mini Ice Cube Trays are one of the best options for you. These trays produce 160 tiny (1cm) cubes, and, because of the cube size, they freeze very quickly. Perfect for popping in a blender or fitting into a water bottle for instant cooling. You could also use them for making small sweets if you wanted. As they are made from silicone, you get a great deal of flexibility to twist, bend, and roll the tray for removal of the ice.
However, despite all the twisting and rolling, it is very tricky to get all the ice out. You will need to hold it over a bowl or plate to catch the ice as it pops out in all directions and it requires a lot of patience. Filling the tray evenly is also not so straightforward and they do provide a video link to help you master this, but even then it requires practice.
Pros
Quick freezing due to size
Perfect for smoothies or water bottles
Cons
Difficult to clean
Hard to remove the ice
12. Lily’s Home Silicone Narrow Ice Stick Cube Trays

Key Features
Set of three
Narrow ice sticks
Brightly colored
Ten sticks per tray
The Lily’s Home Silicone Narrow Ice Stick Cube Trays have a unique shape. With each tray, you get 10 long ice sticks, instead of the traditional cube shape. These sticks are designed so they can fit inside water bottles of very thin glasses and the narrow shape freezes more quickly than cubes. You could even place the ice stick directly into a can of drink for instant cooling. The trays are all BPA free, made from flexible silicone, and come in three bright colors.
The biggest criticism about this product is that you can’t stack the trays in the freezer. As each tray only produces ten ice sticks, you will probably want to use all three trays at the same time, but because you can’t place them on top of each other, there may not be space in your freezer.
Pros
Perfect for bottles
Ice removes easily
Cons
No lid
Not stackable
13. OXO Good Grips Covered Ice Cube Tray




Key Features
Sliding lid
Easy release design
Stackable
14 cubes per tray
BPA free plastic
The Oxo Good Grips Ice Trays are very user friendly and affordable. With this tray, you get half-moon ice shapes that fall out of the mold with very little effort or pressure from you. The sliding lid also means that you can remove one ice cube at a time, so you only tip out what you need, not the whole tray each time. Each tray can make 14 ice cubes so you may want to purchase multiple products to increase the capacity.
The patented sliding lid also protects your ice from being infiltrated by unwanted odors and makes the ice trays stackable to save room in your freezer. Closing the lid without spilling takes a little bit of practice, but once you have the technique mastered, it is easy to operate.
Pros
Easy extraction
Stackable
The sliding lid to control the number of cubes released
Cons
The lid is tricky to operate to start with
Small capacity
14. HealthyLifeStyle! Ice Cube Tray




Key Features
Stainless steel ice tray
18 slot capacity
Easy release handle
Freezes contents quicker than plastic
This is an old-fashioned design for an ice cube, made from stainless steel and built to last. The HealthyLifeStyle Ice Cube Tray can make eighteen good sized ice cubes in one go and comes with an easy release handle. With this model you don’t need to pop the cubes out one by one, you simply lift up the handle, and all the cubes are freed from the tray. You get the best results if you leave the tray at room temperature for a minute or two before moving the handle.
As this is stainless steel, it is not recommended to clean this in the dishwasher, and if you are not putting it directly into the freezer then ensure it is fully dried before storing. Some customer reviews have reported the product rusts after a while, so proper cleaning and drying is essential.
Pros
Quick freezing
A great alternative to plastic
Good capacity
Cons
Handwash only
Not stackable
May rust
Features To Consider With Ice Cube Trays
Number of Ice Cubes
When you are selecting the best ice cube trays you need to consider how important the capacity is for you. If you need to produce a large volume of ice cubes then the best option will be to purchase a set of two or three trays to give you high capacity.
Most individual trays come with a capacity of between 8 and 18 cubes, but if you want to get multiple sets then you should source an ice cube tray that is stackable, so you can fit numerous trays in your freezer without taking up too much space.
Material
The best ice cube trays come in either silicone, stainless steel, or plastic.
With stainless steel models, you get a higher level of durability, and your ice will freeze relatively quickly, but it is not flexible. These ice cube trays will not absorb any odors, but unless a lever or handle is fitted, it is a struggle to make the ice cubes fall out of the tray.
With silicone, you get a lot of flexibility and this material is often the easiest to remove cubes from. The downside is that because it is so flexible, it may bend and lose shape when full of water, so tends to spill when you transport it. It is also an ultra absorbant material, so even with a silicone lid fitted you may find that your ice soaks up some of the odors in your freezer.
Plastic ice cube trays are becoming less common but they are still user-friendly and affordable options. They are lightweight, easy to wash but they are probably the worst option when it comes to the removal of ice cubes.
Ice Cube Shape
Ice cube trays can make a variety of different shaped ice products, all with different purposes. If you are looking for fun ice cubes then the best ice tray for you is one that makes unusual shapes, such as hearts, smiley faces, stars, or Christmas trees. If you want a clear ice cube that looks amazing in an elegant glass of whiskey or rum, then sphere-shaped ice will be more eye-catching.
For easy to remove ice then the best ice cube tray for you will be one that has slightly curved edges instead of right angles. Ice cubes will pop out of these designs must more quickly.
Ice Cube Size
While ice cube tray shapes vary, they also vary in terms of cube size. For ice that will be more suitable for smoothies, blenders, and frozen cocktails, then the best ice cube tray will make tiny fragments, almost like crushed ice. For slow diluting ice cubes, more suited for use in spirits, then it is best to find an ice cube tray that makes large blocks, usually around the two-inch size. They make take longer to freeze but the resulting ice cube will melt slowly in your drink.
Standard ice cube trays, if there is such a thing, will make blocks around 1 inch in diameter. Some will be slightly smaller and some slightly bigger. With these designs, there is no best option, it is a personal preference on which one works best in your glasses.
Ice Cube Tray FAQ
Q: Are silicone ice cube trays safe?
Yes. Silicone ice cube trays are flexible, easy to use, and no chemicals that were used during their manufacturing will leach into your water, even at extremely cold temperatures. They are safer than plastic trays as some of those models may still contain BPA.
Q: What can I use instead of ice cubes trays?
If you don't have a cube tray, but really need to make ice, then there are a number of alternatives. One of the most popular solutions is to use a sandwich or Ziploc bag. You simply fill it with water (or use a small quantity if you only want some amount of ice), seal the bag and put in the freezer for a few hours. Other alternatives include silicone cake moulds, jelly moulds, empty yoghurt pots or the trays from inside a chocolate box.
Q: How do you make clear ice balls?
Often, when you use regular plastic or silicone molds, the water can freeze from every direction, thanks to the thinness of the walls. As the air bubbles freeze in a slightly mixed formation, the ice appears slightly cloudy. If you want clear ice, you need to find a way to force the air bubbles downwards. You can buy specific freezer molds to help you do this, and the best are silicone ice ball trays.
For a more DIY approach, you can get a spherical shaped ice mold with a small hold in its base. Fill a pot with water, fill the ice ball mold with water, and then balance this over the pot. The mold should be positioned so the tiny hole is submerged in the pot of water. You can use wire to help achieve this balance.
Place the whole pot in the freezer, for several hours. This method will ensure the ice in the ball freezes first, which is what allows it to be clear. The ice that freezes last (the pot) will be cloudy.
Q: Can you put the ice cube trays in the dishwasher?
Most models can be placed in the dishwasher, but it is always best to check the manufacturers' guidelines before doing so. Inappropriate use may damage the freezing properties of the tray.
Q: Why won't my ice cubes come out?
Ice cubes often get stuck in the tray because of the material that has been used. Plastic trays are often more prone to ice becoming stuck, and if this happens repeatedly, it is worth investing in a silicone version. The minerals that can build up in trays, such as calcium, will cling to the water, encouraging the ice to stick to the tray. Regular washing, ensuring there are no scratches on the material, and ensuring you don't overfill the tray will help to prevent sticking.
Some products recommend running the ice tray under warm water to help remove the cubes.
Q: Why do ice cube trays smell?
An ice cube tray will absorb any odors that are in your freezer, from the surrounding freezer walls. If ice cube trays are not thoroughly cleaned regularly with warm water and soap, or placed in a dishwasher, these odors will linger. If you find that the ice mold still smells, despite regular cleaning, then it may be time to clean your freezer walls.
Sources
How to Clean an Ice Cube Tray - Martha Stewart
How to Stop Ice in Ice Trays From Sticking - Leaf
How To Clean Your Ice Cube Tray, An Oddly Dirty Spot In Your Freezer - HuffPost
Silicone Ice Cube Tray: the Kitchen Tool You Didn’t Know You Needed - Food & Nutrition