9 Best Ice Cube Trays: Top Picks for Every Need from Cocktails to Quick Cooling
When it comes to refreshing your drinks, nothing beats the simplicity of a well-made ice cube. Whether you’re hosting a summer party or just enjoying a quiet evening with a cool beverage, the right ice cube tray can make all the difference. But with so many options out there, how do you choose the best one for your needs?
1. Best Overall Ice Cube Tray
When looking for the best ice cube tray, you want one that seamlessly fits into your lifestyle while offering quality and convenience. The top choice combines innovative design with practical features that make a difference.
Features That Stand Out
The best overall ice cube tray boasts a flexible silicone construction, making it easy to release ice cubes without a struggle. It also includes a sturdy, spill-proof lid, ensuring no water sloshes out in the freezer. The tray’s compact design allows it to stack neatly, saving valuable freezer space. Its dishwasher-safe feature simplifies cleaning and maintenance.
User Reviews and Ratings
Users rave about this ice cube tray’s durability and ease of use. With an average rating of 4.8 stars from over 1,000 reviews, customers highlight its consistent performance and convenience. Many appreciate the perfectly shaped cubes it produces, adding a touch of professionalism to homemade beverages. The tray’s high rating ensures it’s a reliable choice for your ice-making needs.
2. Best Silicone Ice Cube Tray
Silicone ice cube trays are favored for their flexibility and durability. Let’s explore why these trays are a must-have in your kitchen.
Benefits of Silicone Material
Silicone trays offer unmatched flexibility, making it easy to pop out ice cubes without breaking them. Their non-stick surface ensures that ice cubes release smoothly, reducing frustration. Silicone is also highly durable and resistant to extreme temperatures, so they won’t crack or warp in the freezer. Additionally, these trays are dishwasher-safe, simplifying cleanup after use. The material is also free of harmful chemicals, ensuring safe, toxin-free ice cubes for your drinks.
Top Picks and Their Advantages
Tovolo Perfect Cube Ice Mold Trays: These trays excel with their sturdy silicone build, preventing spills as you transfer them to the freezer. They produce uniform ice cubes that melt slowly, perfect for cocktails. Each tray has a simple design, and they are stackable for efficient freezer storage.
OXO Good Grips Silicone Ice Cube Tray: Known for ease of use, the OXO option comes with a cover to minimize spills and freezer odors. The rounded cube shape fits well in glasses and yet releases easily with just a bit of pressure. The tray’s clear lid also makes it easier to see how much space is left.
Vremi Silicone Ice Cube Trays: These trays feature an easy-push design, making ice cube removal effortless. Each tray produces large ice cubes that keep drinks cold longer. They are also stackable and come with a lid to prevent spills and contamination in the freezer.
Choosing the best silicone ice cube tray can enhance your drink-making experience, ensuring you always have the perfect cubes ready to use.
3. Best Large Cube Ice Tray
Large ice cubes are perfect for those who want their drinks cooled without diluting them quickly.
Ideal Uses for Large Ice Cubes
Large ice cubes excel in cocktails, whiskey, and other spirits, ensuring a slow melt to preserve flavor. They’re also great for cold brew coffee and iced tea, keeping beverages chilled longer. Additionally, these cubes work well in punch bowls and pitchers at parties, maintaining drink temperatures without compromising taste.
- Tovolo King Cube Ice Tray: Known for producing 2-inch cubes, this tray is made from durable silicone, ensuring easy release and flexibility. It’s also BPA-free and dishwasher safe.
- W&P Design Everyday Ice Tray: This tray creates slightly larger cubes with a built-in lid to prevent spilling and freezer odors. Its food-grade silicone offers both rigidity and flexibility for effortless ice removal.
- OXO Good Grips Large Cube Ice Tray: Featuring a sturdy design and a silicone lid, this tray keeps cubes contained and stackable. The flexible silicone base makes it easy to pop out the cubes, while the tray’s solid form ensures minimal water spillage.
4. Best Small Cube Ice Tray
Small ice cubes are perfect for chilling your drink quickly and evenly.
Benefits of Small Ice Cubes
- Fast Cooling: Small ice cubes chill your beverage faster. Ideal for those who prefer an instantly cold drink.
- Even Distribution: These cubes spread evenly in your glass. Best for drinks like iced coffee, tea, and cocktails.
- Easy to Blend: Great for smoothies and blended drinks. They break down more easily in blenders.
- OMorc Ice Cube Trays: OMorc trays produce 1-inch cubes. They’re made of BPA-free silicone for easy removal.
- Vremi Small Cube Trays: Vremi trays make 0.75-inch cubes. Their flexible silicone design ensures effortless cube release.
- OXO Good Grips Covered Ice Cube Tray: This tray creates small cubes with a covered design to prevent spills and freezer odors.
5. Best Novelty Ice Cube Tray
Novelty ice cube trays add a fun twist to your drinks with unique shapes and designs. They’re perfect for parties and themed events.
Unique Designs Available
You’ll find trays that feature shapes like skulls, animals, and even Star Wars characters. These designs are great conversation starters and can add a touch of whimsy to any drink. Look for trays made from high-quality silicone for easy release of these intricate shapes.
Popular Choices Among Consumers
Consumers often love the Fred & Friends Freeze Handgun Tray for its playful gun-shaped ice cubes. The Shaped Tray Animal Paws Ice Molds are also a hit, especially for kids’ parties. Another top pick is the Kikkerland Rocket Ice Tray, which creates fun rocket-shaped cubes perfect for space-themed events.
6. Best Ice Cube Tray for Whiskey
Finding the perfect ice cube tray for whiskey can significantly enhance your drinking experience. Whiskey deserves the best, and the right ice cube tray makes all the difference.
Why Size and Shape Matter for Whiskey
Larger ice cubes melt slower, keeping your whiskey chilled without diluting it quickly. Spheres and oversized cubes are ideal because they offer minimal surface area relative to their volume. This ensures your drink maintains its integrity and robust flavor for longer.
Best Trays for Whiskey Enthusiasts
Tovolo Sphere Ice Molds
These molds create perfectly round ice spheres that melt evenly. The slow-melting properties make them excellent for whiskey.
Wintersmiths Ice Baller
If you want crystal-clear ice balls, this tray’s your best bet. The unique design ensures flawless clarity that’s as impressive as it is functional.
Glacio Ice Cube Molds
Known for their durability and ease of use, these molds produce large cubes that enhance your whiskey’s taste. The silicone construction makes it easy to pop out the cubes.
True Cubes Clear Ice Cube Tray
For enthusiasts who prefer traditional square shapes, this tray delivers clear, large cubes. It’s a favorite among whiskey lovers for its ability to produce crystal-clear ice with minimal effort.
Peak Ice Works Extra-Large Ice Cube Tray
This tray creates substantial cubes that slowly melt, keeping your drink cool without watering it down quickly. The sturdy silicone makes removal simple and hassle-free.
7. Best Covered Ice Cube Tray
Covered ice cube trays offer many benefits. They’re perfect for keeping your ice fresh and free from freezer odors.
Advantages of Covered Ice Cube Trays
- Prevents Odor Absorption: Lids keep your ice cubes from picking up unwanted freezer smells, ensuring a cleaner taste.
- Reduces Spills: Covered trays minimize the risk of water spilling when placing the tray in the freezer.
- Keeps Ice Clean: Lids protect ice cubes from potential contamination from other food items in your freezer.
- OXO Good Grips Covered Ice Cube Tray: This tray features a secure-fitting lid that prevents spills and keeps your ice fresh. It’s easy to stack, saving you precious freezer space.
- Glacio Ice Cube Tray with Lid: Durable and BPA-free, this model has a tight-sealing cover that prevents odors and spills. The flexible silicone bottom makes for easy ice removal.
- OMorc Covered Ice Cube Trays: Known for their compact design, these trays come with easy-release silicone bottoms and snug-fitting lids. They’re a great option for anyone with limited freezer space.
8. Best Ice Cube Tray for Easy Release
Struggling to get ice cubes out of the tray can be frustrating. That’s why finding an ice cube tray designed for easy release is essential.
What Makes an Ice Tray Easy to Use
Flexible materials, like silicone, stand out for easy use. They let you bend and twist the tray without cracking. Trays with push-button mechanisms also offer convenience; a simple press releases the ice cubes. Smooth, non-stick surfaces minimize the effort needed to extract the cubes. Handles or grips add stability when filling and carrying, reducing spills.
High-Rated Easy Release Trays
Several highly-rated trays make releasing ice a breeze:
- Tovolo Perfect Cube Ice Mold Tray
Made of durable silicone, this tray is flexible and non-stick, making cube removal quick and simple. It’s dishwasher safe, ensuring easy cleaning. Its compact design fits any freezer. - OXO Good Grips No-Spill Ice Cube Tray
This tray features a unique push-button for easy cube release. Its silicone lid ensures no spills or odors, and the transparent lid helps you see ice levels at a glance. - Glacio Ice Cube Tray
Featuring a sturdy, yet flexible silicone build, it allows easy manipulation for ice removal. Its sleek design also ensures it won’t take up much space in your freezer.
9. Best Budget Ice Cube Tray
Finding an ice cube tray that won’t break the bank yet delivers on performance can be tricky. We’ve got you covered with some top picks that strike the perfect balance between affordability and quality.
Affordable Yet Quality Options
Investing in a budget ice cube tray doesn’t mean you have to compromise on quality. The Kitch Easy Release Ice Cube Tray, for example, comes in a set of 4 and is praised for its durable yet flexible plastic. These trays are stackable, saving valuable freezer space. Each tray makes 16 perfectly sized cubes that easily pop out with a gentle twist.
The ForHauz 3-Pack Ice Cube Trays are another excellent choice, offering quality at an unbeatable price. Made from BPA-free plastic, these trays are safe for your family. The minimalist design ensures ease of use, and the material’s flexibility guarantees that the ice cubes release without too much effort.
Best Picks for Value Seekers
For those who are searching for maximum value, the Ticent Ice Cube Trays Silicone Set is a standout. This set includes two trays—one for standard-sized cubes and the other for larger cocktail cubes. Made from food-grade silicone, these trays are designed for easy release and cleanup, all while maintaining an affordable price point.
Another option worth considering is the W&P Everyday Ice Cube Tray. This tray, though budget-friendly, offers a unique spill-proof design. Its rigid frame makes it easy to fill, and the silicone lid prevents leaks and odors. The tray’s compact design means you can stack multiple ones conveniently in your freezer, making it a great pick for value-conscious buyers.
Conclusion: Finding Your Ideal Ice Cube Tray
Choosing the right ice cube tray can elevate your drink experience and meet your specific needs. Whether you prefer silicone trays for their flexibility or covered trays for cleanliness, there’s a perfect option out there for you. Consider your lifestyle and the types of drinks you enjoy most to select the best tray. From budget-friendly options to those designed for easy release, the right ice cube tray can make a world of difference in your kitchen. Explore the featured trays and find the one that fits seamlessly into your routine.
