Choosing a water dispenser with ice maker comes down to a few practical questions: Do you need hot water? Would you rather refill a small tank or replace a water bottle? Where will the machine fit, and how will you collect the ice?
Answer those first. They will tell you more about which model suits your home than the daily ice-production figure alone.
Is a combination unit worth buying for your home?
A combination unit makes sense if you regularly drink water and use ice in the same area. It gives you one place to fill a water bottle or prepare an iced drink. A hot-and-cold model also covers tea and other hot drinks.
If your existing water dispenser already meets your needs, a countertop ice maker gives you more choice of ice types and lets you replace either appliance independently. If you rarely use ice, a standard water cooler may be enough.
Both Antarctic Star models below make bullet ice. Choose a different ice-maker type if soft nugget ice or clear cocktail cubes are essential to you.
Refillable tank or top-loading bottle?
Our countertop model has a removable 3.3 L tank. You take the tank to a water source, refill it, and put it back. This suits someone who prefers smaller refills to handling a large water bottle. You will need access above and behind the machine to remove the tank.
Our freestanding water cooler with ice maker uses a bottle mounted on top. Consider the effort of lifting and positioning a full bottle, as well as where you will keep replacements. Its listed height of 32.91 inches is the appliance height; the bottle adds height above it.
The water-supply method also affects ongoing costs. A bottled-water routine involves purchasing or refilling bottles. With a refillable tank, you supply the drinking water yourself.
Which Antarctic Star model fits your routine?
| Your needs | Model to consider | What you get |
|---|---|---|
| Hot and cold drinking water, plus ice; available floor space | Antarctic Star Water Cooler Dispenser with Ice Maker | Top-loading bottle design, bullet ice, child safety lock, low-water and ice-full alerts |
| Chilled water and ice on the counter; a removable refill tank | Antarctic Star 26 lb Countertop Ice Machine | 3.3 L removable tank, two bullet-ice sizes, one-touch ice dispensing |
What does getting it ready involve?
Plan for an initial clean and water filling before making your first drinks. Place the appliance upright on a stable, level surface, keep its ventilation openings clear, and use a suitable grounded outlet.
For our countertop water dispenser with ice maker, preparation includes cleaning the removable tank, filling it with drinking water, and returning it to the machine. Its panel has separate controls for ice making, ice dispensing, and water dispensing, along with small and large ice selections.
For the freestanding model, preparation includes fitting the water bottle and establishing the water supply before enabling heating. Its heating, cooling, and ice-making controls are separately labelled.
Allow time for the water to reach temperature and for ice to be made. Neither the daily output rating nor the presence of an ice bin means a full supply will be ready immediately after switching on.
What should you expect from everyday use?
Daily ice production and storage capacity are different. If several people want ice together, the amount available in the bin matters more than a 24-hour production rating. Do not assume the storage area works as a freezer. Our guide explains whether countertop ice makers keep ice frozen.
You will also need to clean the parts used for drinking water and ice. The countertop model’s removable tank makes it accessible for cleaning. Keep the dispensing outlets and drip tray clean, and include the freestanding model’s accessible ice compartment in your routine. Unplug the appliance before manual cleaning, and avoid taking apart internal water lines.
Have questions about which ice maker with water dispenser fits your space or how to get it ready for use? Contact us, and we’ll help you choose and prepare for setup.