Best Countertop Ice Makers in the UK: Palinth vs KUMIO
Search “countertop ice maker” in the UK and PALINTH and KUMIO are two of the names you’ll keep running into — both budget-friendly, both promising 9 cubes in around 6 minutes. So what actually separates them? Here’s a direct comparison based on verified specs from both listings.
The quick answer
- Want the quieter of the two? KUMIO is rated at ≤50dB — Amazon UK, KUMIO Ice Machine Maker Countertop
- Want the cheapest entry point? PALINTH regularly discounts to around £44.99 — Amazon UK, PALINTH Countertop Ice Maker
- Want the larger water tank for fewer refills? KUMIO’s 1.5L tank beats PALINTH’s 1.2L.
Quick comparison
| PALINTH | KUMIO | |
|---|---|---|
| Ice output | 9 cubes in 6–8 mins | 9 cubes in 6–8 mins |
| Daily capacity | 26 lbs/24h | 26.5 lbs/24h |
| Water tank | 1.2L | 1.5L |
| Noise rating | Not specified | ≤50dB |
| Cube sizes | 2 (small/large) | 2 (small/large) |
| Self-cleaning | Yes | Yes |
| Extras included | — | Scoop and basket |
PALINTH: budget-first, frequently discounted
Covered in full in our dedicated PALINTH review, this model’s biggest selling point is price — it’s regularly available well under its £89.99 RRP, often around £44.99 with an on-page voucher (Amazon UK, PALINTH Countertop Ice Maker). Real-world reviewer feedback is strong, though the smaller 1.2L tank means slightly more frequent refills during heavy use.
KUMIO: quieter operation, documented noise rating
The KUMIO is nearly identical on paper — 9 bullet-shaped ice cubes in 6–8 minutes, up to 26.5 lbs of ice in 24 hours — but it’s the only one of the two with a published noise figure: ≤50dB(A) (Amazon UK, KUMIO Ice Machine Maker Countertop). It also carries a slightly larger 1.5L water tank, meaning fewer refills across a long session, and comes with a scoop and basket included as standard. KUMIO’s self-cleaning function activates the same way — hold the start button for a few seconds — and the ICE FULL/ADD WATER alarm system works identically to PALINTH’s.
Which one should you actually buy?
- Kitchen counter where noise matters (open-plan living, small flat): KUMIO’s documented ≤50dB rating gives you something to actually check against.
- Tightest budget, don’t mind a slightly smaller tank: PALINTH’s frequent discounts usually make it the cheaper buy.
- Fewer refills during long sessions (parties, batch-cooking day): KUMIO’s larger 1.5L tank has the edge.
- Want scoop and basket included without extra cost: KUMIO bundles these as standard.
A few things worth checking before you buy
- Neither machine keeps ice frozen long-term — both recycle unused meltwater, so plan to use ice within a day or two of making it.
- PALINTH’s noise level isn’t published, so if a silent kitchen matters, KUMIO is the safer documented choice.
- Check current pricing on both — deep discounts and vouchers rotate regularly on both listings.
Quick FAQ
Is KUMIO actually quieter than PALINTH? KUMIO publishes a ≤50dB(A) noise rating; PALINTH doesn’t list one, so it can’t be directly compared on paper — but KUMIO is the one with a documented figure to hold it to.
Which holds more water before needing a refill? KUMIO’s 1.5L tank is larger than PALINTH’s 1.2L, meaning slightly longer runs between refills.
Do both machines make the same amount of ice? Nearly — PALINTH tops out at 26 lbs/24h, KUMIO at 26.5 lbs/24h. The difference is marginal in practice.
