What is the best ice cube tray?

If you want one ice cube tray that’s excellent for everyday use, I’d pick the Tovolo Perfect Cube.

• Tovolo Perfect Cube Silicone Ice Molds - Set of 2 - $14.99 (Tovolo)

Why it’s my pick

• Makes 15 uniform 1.25-inch cubes per tray.
• Flexible food-grade silicone makes individual cubes easy to remove.
• The cubes are a good all-purpose size for water, soda, iced coffee, and cocktails.
• It avoids the cracking and wrestling that can happen with rigid plastic trays. Independent testing also found the Tovolo design particularly sturdy and easy to unmold.
• The set is currently around $15, which is reasonable for two trays.

If you want something different

• OXO Covered Ice Cube Tray — Large Cubes - $14.99 (Target)

• Tovolo King Cube — 2-inch Cubes - $14.99 (Tovolo)

• OXO Ice Cube Tray with Lid — 2-Pack - $12.88 (Walmart)

• Rubbermaid Quick Release Ice Cube Tray - $2.87 (Walmart)

• Best for cocktails/whiskey: Tovolo King Cube — 2-inch cubes melt more slowly, so they dilute drinks less.

• Best for keeping freezer odors out: OXO Covered Tray — the lid is a genuinely useful feature for ice.

• Best cheap/simple option: Rubbermaid Quick Release — inexpensive and highly rated, without the premium silicone construction.

My overall ranking: Tovolo Perfect Cube for everyday use → OXO Covered for convenience → Tovolo King Cube for cocktails.

When looking for the best ice cube tray, the top pick depends on whether you want everyday cubes, large cocktail blocks, or space-saving options. Reviewers and testers consistently highlight a few standout choices:

Best Overall: OXO Good Grips Covered Ice Cube Tray Go to product viewer dialog for this item. is widely regarded as the best traditional everyday pick. It features a smart lid that prevents freezer odors from absorbing into the ice and allows you to stack multiple trays without spilling water on the way to the freezer. The cubes pop out easily, and it's durable and budget-friendly.

Best for Cocktails & Spirits: W&P Extra Large Ice Cube Tray Go to product viewer dialog for this item. is a favorite for making large, slow-melting 2.25-inch cubes that keep old-fashioneds or whiskey cold without watering them down too quickly. Its rigid internal frame keeps the flexible silicone stable while transferring it to the freezer.

Best All-in-One System: PHINOX Ice Cube Tray With Lid and Bin Go to product viewer dialog for this item. is praised by Serious Eats for coming with a complete lidded storage bin, letting you dump finished batches and keep a steady supply rolling without taking up extra loose space.

Best for Water Bottles: Lily's Home Narrow Silicone Ice Stick Trays Go to product viewer dialog for this item. produce narrow, cylindrical ice sticks designed to drop right into narrow-mouth water bottles and tumblers.

To help narrow down the best choice for you, tell me:

• Are you looking for standard cubes, large whiskey cubes , or specialty shapes (like spheres or water bottle sticks)?
• Do you prefer silicone for easy popping or rigid plastic for stability?

If you want one ice cube tray that’s genuinely good for everyday use, I’d pick the Tovolo Perfect Cube.

• Tovolo Perfect Cube Ice Molds – Set of 2 - $9.99 (Tovolo)

My picks

• 🏆 Best overall: Tovolo Perfect Cube — Makes 1.25" cubes, releases easily, and gives you 15 cubes per tray. Great for water, iced coffee, cocktails, and everyday drinks.
• 🥃 Best for cocktails/whiskey: Tovolo King Cube — Makes big 2-inch cubes that melt more slowly, so drinks stay cold with less dilution.
• 🧊 Best if you want lids: OXO Covered Silicone Large Cube — Six large cubes, flexible silicone, and a cover that helps keep freezer odors out. OXO currently lists it at about $15.
• 💰 Best cheap option: Rubbermaid Easy Release — Very inexpensive and extremely well reviewed; simple, no-frills design.

My choice for most people: the Tovolo Perfect Cube. If you primarily drink bourbon, Scotch, or cocktails, I'd spend a little more for the King Cube instead.

The "best" ice cube tray depends entirely on what kind of ice you want—whether you need standard daily-use cubes, a covered setup with storage, or large spheres for cocktails. Reviewers and culinary testers widely praise a few standout options:

Best Overall for Everyday Use: The OXO Good Grips Ice Cube Tray Go to product viewer dialog for this item. is a long-standing favorite (highlighted in testing by The New York Times Wirecutter ). It features a smart sliding lid that prevents freezer odors and allows stacking, and the half-moon cubes release effortlessly with a gentle push or flex.

Best with Storage Bin: The PHINOX Ice Cube Tray With Lid and Bin Go to product viewer dialog for this item. is a top pick from Serious Eats if you want a complete system. It comes with a dedicated lidded storage bin which makes batch-making and hoarding clear, fresh ice super convenient without cluttering the freezer shelves.

Best for Specialty/Cocktail Ice: The WIBIMEN Ice Cube Tray Go to product viewer dialog for this item. is a favorite for making large, slow-melting round spheres or specialty shapes ideal for neat pours and craft cocktails.

If you'd like to narrow this down, let me know:

• Are you looking for classic cubes, large cocktail cubes/spheres , or crushed ice?
• Do you need a lid to prevent freezer smells or spilling?

If you mean the best everyday ice cube tray, my pick is the OXO Good Grips Covered Silicone Ice Cube Tray.

OXO Good Grips Ice Cube Tray

Price not available

Why I like it

• Easy release: silicone makes getting cubes out much less frustrating.
• Has a cover: keeps freezer odors out and lets you stack trays.
• Good everyday cube size: the standard version makes 7/8-inch cubes.
• Dishwasher safe and BPA-free.

If you want really good cocktails

I'd choose the OXO Large Covered Silicone Tray, which makes six 1¾-inch cubes. Bigger cubes melt more slowly and dilute drinks less.

OXO Covered Ice Cube Tray Large Cubes

Price not available

If you want the nicest-looking cubes

The Tovolo Perfect Cube is excellent: 1¼-inch square cubes, silicone construction, and very easy release. It's a particularly good choice for whiskey, cocktails, and iced coffee.

Tovolo Perfect Cube Ice Trays

Price not available

My ranking:
🥇 OXO Covered Silicone — best overall
🥈 Tovolo Perfect Cube — best for drinks/cocktails
🥉 Rubbermaid Quick Release — best cheap option; it's currently around $3 and has thousands of reviews.

If you tell me whether you want regular cubes, large cocktail cubes, or ice that comes out one cube at a time, I can narrow it down to one specific tray.

The "best" ice cube tray depends entirely on what kind of ice you want and how you plan to use it. Top-performing choices categorized by functionality include:

• Best Overall for Everyday Use: OXO Good Grips No-Spill Ice Cube Tray Go to product viewer dialog for this item. . Highly recommended by testers at The New York Times Wirecutter , this tray features a hard, sliding plastic lid that completely prevents water from sloshing out on the way to the freezer and blocks funky freezer odors. It yields 14 classic half-moon cubes that pop out effortlessly.
• Best for Cocktails & Large Cubes: W&P Peak Silicone Everyday Ice Tray Go to product viewer dialog for this item. . If you want large, slow-melting 2.25-inch square cubes for bourbon or whiskey, this silicone tray features an internal steel wire frame that keeps the tray rigid and stable when full of water—solving the floppy-silicone mess problem.
• Best for Spherical/Round Ice: Tovolo Sphere Ice Molds Go to product viewer dialog for this item. . A longtime favorite for home mixologists, these feature a sturdy plastic base paired with a silicone top lid, making them easy to stack and balance while yielding perfect, slow-diluting ice spheres.
• Best for Iced Coffee & Pebble/Mini Ice: Wibimen Round Ice Cube Tray Set Go to product viewer dialog for this item. . This viral Amazon favorite comes with a storage bin and a scoop, making tons of tiny 0.8-inch round ice balls that crowd a glass beautifully and chill iced coffee instantly.

To help narrow down the ideal option, tell me:

• What type of drinks do you mostly use the ice for (water/soda, cocktails, or iced coffee)?
• Do you prefer standard cubes, large cubes, or crushed/pebble ice?

If you want one ice cube tray that’s great for everyday use, I’d pick the OXO Good Grips Covered Ice Cube Tray.

OXO Covered Ice Cube Tray Large Cubes

$14.99

Why I’d choose it

• Large 1¾-inch cubes melt more slowly, so drinks stay cold without getting watered down as quickly.
• Silicone + rigid frame makes it easier to fill, carry, and release the cubes.
• Cover keeps freezer odors off the ice and lets you stack things on top.
• Dishwasher-safe.
• Currently around $15, which is reasonable for a quality tray.

If you want maximum ice for the money: the DOQAUS 14-cube trays with lids are a better everyday/bulk option; Food Network named them its best overall ice tray in its 2026 testing.

If you mainly make cocktails/Old Fashioneds: I'd go with a 2-inch cube tray instead—the larger cubes melt considerably slower.

OXO Covered Ice Cube Tray

$14.99

Tovolo Perfect Cube Ice Mold

$9.99

True Colossal 2-inch Ice Cube Tray

$12.99

Tovolo King Cube Ice Trays

$10.49

My quick verdict: OXO for everyday use; Tovolo/True for cocktails.

The "best" ice cube tray depends entirely on whether you want standard everyday ice, giant cubes for cocktails, or a plastic-free option. Reviewers and testers across major cooking and lifestyle publications consistently point to a few standout options:

• Best Overall / Everyday Tray: OXO Good Grips Ice Cube Tray Go to product viewer dialog for this item. . This long-standing favorite makes 14 half-moon shaped cubes similar to refrigerator ice makers. It features a rigid, sliding plastic lid that allows you to stack things on top of it without spills and prevents the ice from absorbing weird freezer odors (a common issue with floppy silicone lids).
• Best Silicone Cube Tray: W&P Peak Silicone Everyday Ice Tray Go to product viewer dialog for this item. . Favored by cocktail and home-cooking sites, this tray features an internal steel wire frame that keeps it rigid while you carry it from the sink to the freezer. The silicone body makes popping out large, perfect square cubes a breeze.
• Best for Whiskey and Spirits: Tovolo Sphere Ice Molds Go to product viewer dialog for this item. . If you want round ice that melts slowly in a glass of bourbon or scotch, these sturdy plastic-and-silicone hybrid molds are reliable, easy to fill, and won't tip over in the freezer.
• Best Plastic-Free / Non-Toxic: Onyx Stainless Steel Ice Cube Tray Go to product viewer dialog for this item. . If you want to avoid plastic and silicone entirely, this retro-style all-metal tray uses a classic lever mechanism to lift and release the cubes with a quick pull. It's virtually indestructible and won't absorb any lingering smells.

If you can tell me what you plan to use the ice for (everyday water bottles, cocktails, or keeping odors out of a tiny freezer), I can recommend the exact style and shape that fits your setup.

The [OXO Good Grips Ice Cube Tray Go to product viewer dialog for this item. ](https://www.oxo.com/shop/coffee-beverage/barware/ice-cube-tray.html?srsltid=AfmBOoof8xbxmGo4YHY29S1t9OquVK2G51M5kesM1PQ0VzUs-7WXp0TcjtQ) is widely considered the best overall ice cube tray because it costs around $8 to $13 , makes 14 easy-to-release rounded cubes , and features a sturdy sliding lid that prevents spills and blocks out stale freezer odors [0.28].

Different styles and materials suit specific needs depending on the intended use:

• Best Everyday/Cocktail Cube Tray: W&P Peak Silicone Everyday Ice Tray Go to product viewer dialog for this item. (approx. $16 ) features an internal steel frame that prevents wobbling and individual rigid pods so cubes pop out seamlessly without twisting.
• Best for Whiskey & Slow Melting: [Viski Glacier Ice Cube Tray with Lid Go to product viewer dialog for this item. ](https://viski.com/products/9575?variant=36128359743649&srsltid=AfmBOorRLtTVWTkiMm7d0hAn_41qbHE8uSR_9aWZxLLQjTE5FxyJVrFtXDA) (approx. $13–$17 ) crafts six large 2-inch cubes that chill spirits slowly with minimal dilution.
• Best Buy-It-For-Life/Plastic Alternative: [The Vermont Country Store Stainless Steel Ice Cube Tray Go to product viewer dialog for this item.](https://www.google.com/search?ibp=oshop&prds=pvt:hg,pvo:29,imageDocid:1914028203266878075,gpcid:1757608015128433436,headlineOfferDocid:15979466053545492745,catalogid:287082280260215652,productDocid:16509992499904653318,rds:PC_1757608015128433436%7CPROD_PC_1757608015128433436&q=product&sa=X&ved=2ahUKEwj_v_-3-puWAxWJmFYBHZPvNLgQxa4PeggIAggBCCIQEg) (approx. $33 ) uses heavy-duty 18/8 stainless steel with a classic lever mechanism to completely avoid plastic/silicone odors.
• Best for Clear Ice: True Cubes Crystal Clear Ice Maker Go to product viewer dialog for this item. (approx. $35–$48 ) uses directional freezing inside an insulated mold to push cloudiness out and leave four crystal-clear, bar-quality cubes.
• Best for Iced Coffee/Pebble Ice: WIBIMEN Round Ice Cube Tray Go to product viewer dialog for this item. (approx. $13–$20 ) produces hundreds of tiny 0.8-inch spheres and includes a handy storage bin and scoop.

If you'd like to narrow it down, tell me:

• What kind of drinks you usually make (cocktails, iced coffee, water)
• Do you prefer standard cubes, large blocks, or tiny/spherical ice?

If you want one ice cube tray that works best for most people, I’d pick the OXO Covered Silicone Ice Cube Tray (especially the no-spill/lidded versions). It’s easy to fill, keeps freezer odors out, stacks well, and the silicone makes cubes easier to release.

Other great choices depending on what you want:

Best overall: OXO Covered Silicone Ice Cube Tray

• ✅ Lid helps prevent freezer smells and spills
• ✅ Easy-release silicone
• ✅ Good everyday cube size
• ❌ Not the cheapest per cube

Best everyday cubes: Tovolo Perfect Cube Ice Tray

• Makes uniform ~1.25-inch cubes
• Flexible silicone releases cubes easily
• Great for water, soda, iced coffee, and cocktails
  

Best for cocktails / slow melting: Tovolo King Cube

• Large 2-inch cubes melt slowly and dilute drinks less
• Good for whiskey, old fashioneds, and iced coffee

Best budget pick: Rubbermaid Ice Cube Tray

• Simple, durable, inexpensive design
• Good if you just need lots of normal cubes

Best for water bottles: slim ice sticks

Look for long silicone stick trays; they slide into narrow bottles better than standard cubes.

My recommendation:

• For a normal kitchen freezer → OXO with lid
• For drinks/cocktails → Tovolo King Cube
• For a family that uses lots of ice → buy 2–3 standard silicone trays with lids rather than one fancy mold.