Best Refrigerators With Ice Makers: 6 Picks by Layout 2026

The best refrigerator with an ice maker for most households in 2026 is the LG LMXS28626S if you want a 4-door French door layout with a door dispenser, the Samsung Bespoke RS28CB7600 if you want a side-by-side with a dual ice maker, and the Whirlpool WRB322DMBM if you want a lower-cost bottom freezer with a built-in ice maker. Which one fits depends less on the brand than on three decisions: where the ice maker lives, whether you want a door dispenser, and how deep the refrigerator can stand in your kitchen.

A refrigerator ice maker is a built-in, plumbed appliance: a water line feeds an ice mold, and finished cubes drop into a bin. Typical output is modest. GE says side-by-side models make about 4 to 4.5 lb of ice (roughly 100 to 130 cubes) per day and top-freezer models about 3.5 lb, and other sources put standard units at about 3 to 5 lb per day. That is enough for one or two people, but not for a party. This guide compares six real models by capacity, dimensions, dispenser type and ice features, using manufacturer specification sheets and retailer listings, and it explains the numbers that matter before you buy.

Quick Comparison of the 6 Best Refrigerators With Ice Makers

Best Overall: LG LMXS28626S

The LG LMXS28626S is a 36 inch, 4-door French door refrigerator with 27.8 cu ft of space (18.6 cu ft fresh food and 9.2 cu ft freezer). Its Slim SpacePlus ice system moves the ice maker into the refrigerator door, which frees freezer space, and it has an external ice and water dispenser. It also carries Energy Star certification, an inverter compressor, Wi-Fi with Alexa and Google Home support and double freezer drawers. Listed dimensions are about 35.75 inches wide, 69.75 inches tall (to the top of the hinges) and 36.25 inches deep including door and handles, and it weighs about 311 lb. Annual energy use is listed at about 724 kWh. The water filter is the LT1000P.

Who it suits: families who want a French door layout with door dispenser convenience and a big freezer. Pros: large capacity, in-door ice leaves more freezer room, smart features. Cons: it is not counter-depth, so it sticks out past standard cabinets, and in-door ice makers have a smaller bin than a freezer-based one.

Best Side-by-Side With Dual Ice: Samsung Bespoke RS28CB7600

The Samsung RS28CB7600 is a 28 cu ft side-by-side (17.9 cu ft refrigerator and 10.1 cu ft freezer) that replaces the traditional door dispenser with a Beverage Center and an AutoFill water pitcher. The freezer holds a dual ice maker that produces cubed ice or Ice Bites, which are the soft, chewable pieces. Samsung lists dimensions of about 35 7/8 inches wide, 70 5/8 inches tall and 33 3/4 inches deep, with the door open at 90 degrees needing about 51 3/8 inches. It is a 36 inch standard-depth model, weighs about 263 lb in the white glass version, and is ADA compliant with Wi-Fi and SmartThings. Note that retailer listings disagree about Energy Star status, so confirm on the label.

Who it suits: households that want two types of ice and a flexible beverage station. Pros: two ice types, large capacity, pitcher fills without lifting. Cons: no through-the-door ice dispenser, so you open the freezer or use the beverage center for water, and the narrow side-by-side format limits wide platters.

Best Counter-Depth: Samsung RF27CG5010S9

The RF27CG5010S9 is a counter-depth, 3-door French door model with 26.5 cu ft total (19 cu ft fresh food and 7.5 cu ft freezer). Samsung’s spec sheet gives about 35 3/4 inches wide, 70 inches tall and 29 1/2 inches deep with handles and doors, roughly 282 lb in weight, and 44 inches of depth with the door open at 90 degrees. It has a dual auto ice maker with two removable buckets in the freezer, Wi-Fi, Power Cool and Power Freeze, and ADA compliance. There is no door dispenser: the ice maker sits in the freezer.

Who it suits: kitchens with cabinetry that the refrigerator should line up with. Pros: flush look, dual ice types, strong feature set. Cons: less interior space than a standard-depth unit, and no dispenser. Consumer Reports lists lower usable capacity than the headline cubic feet figure, a reminder that rated capacity includes door bins and shelving space.

Best With a Hidden Water Dispenser: GE GNE27JYMFS

The GE GNE27JYMFS has 27 cu ft of capacity (18.82 cu ft fresh food and 8.17 cu ft freezer), a factory-installed ice maker in the freezer and an internal water dispenser inside the fresh food compartment, so you get filtered water without a door dispenser. Retailers list about 35.75 inches wide, 69.9 inches tall and 35.9 inches deep, and about 332 lb. GE states that the filtration system reduces over 50 impurities, including chlorine and lead. It is Energy Star qualified at about 633 kWh per year and is not counter-depth. Retailers cite different filter numbers (RPWFE and XWFE), so check the manual before ordering a replacement.

Who it suits: buyers who want a clean door front and low risk of dispenser leaks. Pros: fewer door parts to fail, filtered water on demand, sound efficiency rating. Cons: no external ice, so you open the freezer to get cubes.

Best Value Dispenser Model: Whirlpool WRS321SDHZ

The WRS321SDHZ is a 33 inch side-by-side with 21.4 cu ft of capacity (14.63 cu ft fresh food and 6.77 cu ft freezer) and an external ice and water dispenser with filtration. Listed size is about 32.75 inches wide, 66.6 inches tall and 33.6 inches deep including handles, with about 49.3 inches of depth when the door is open. It has automatic defrost and a fingerprint-resistant finish.

Who it suits: apartments and smaller kitchens that still want a door dispenser. Pros: fits a 33 inch opening, door ice and water, shorter height. Cons: smaller than the 36 inch models, and side-by-side shelves are narrow.

Best Bottom Freezer Under Standard Width: Whirlpool WRB322DMBM

The WRB322DMBM is a 33 inch bottom freezer with 22.07 cu ft (15.62 cu ft fresh food and 6.45 cu ft freezer). The ice maker sits in the freezer drawer, and there is no ice or water dispenser. Whirlpool lists about 32 5/8 inches wide, 70 inches tall and 33 3/8 inches deep, with about 62 inches of depth needed when the door is open at 90 degrees. It has four glass shelves, six door bins, reversible hinges and Energy Star certification on a 120 V circuit.

Who it suits: buyers who want eye-level fresh food and a simple layout. Pros: low-profile ice maker with fewer parts to leak, lower freezer cost, Energy Star listing. Cons: you must bend to reach the freezer, and the bin is a freezer-drawer unit rather than a door dispenser.

A Note on the GE Profile PFE28KYNFS

You will still see the GE Profile PFE28KYNFS recommended in older roundups. It is a 27.7 cu ft French door model with a dispenser for cubes, crushed ice and water, but GE’s own page states it is no longer manufactured, so it is not a sensible purchase target. If you find one new-in-box or at a discount, treat it as an end-of-line model and confirm filter and part availability before you buy.

How to Choose a Refrigerator With an Ice Maker

Where the ice maker sits

• In the freezer: the traditional spot, with a large bin and easy servicing. It takes freezer room, though.
• In the door (LG Slim SpacePlus): frees freezer space but the bin is smaller.
• Dual ice makers (Samsung): two ice types or two buckets for more volume.

Decision matrix

Worked example: do you have enough ice?

Suppose your household drinks 6 glasses of iced drinks a day, using about 8 cubes each. That is 48 cubes. A GE side-by-side makes about 100 to 130 cubes per day, so 48 is comfortable. Now imagine a party of 20 guests, each using 12 cubes: 240 cubes. A bin that holds 100 cubes (about 3 to 4.5 lb in bottom-freezer models) runs out after 8 to 9 guests, and it needs another 2 to 3 days to refill from empty. That is the moment a dual-bucket Samsung or a bag of store-bought ice earns its place.

Check the clearances before you order

Measure the opening and also the path to the kitchen. A 36 inch refrigerator with 1/8 inch side clearance, 1 inch above and 2 inches behind needs roughly a 36 inch wide opening and about 70 inches of height, while its open door needs 44 to 51 inches of floor depth. Counter-depth models trade about 5 to 6 inches of depth for less storage. Add the water line: most models need a 1/4 inch supply line within reach, and you should shut off the valve before moving the unit.

Capacity numbers are not all the same

Total cubic feet includes freezer and fresh food. The LG lists 18.6 cu ft of fresh food in a 27.8 cu ft total, and the Samsung counter-depth lists 19 in 26.5. Because the freezer share differs, compare the two compartments separately against your habits. Consumer Reports’ usable capacity figures can be lower than the label, so treat marketing numbers as a ceiling.

Ownership Realities: Filters, Cleaning and Failure Points

• Replace the water filter on schedule. Most manufacturers recommend roughly every six months, but follow the indicator light and your model’s manual. A clogged filter slows ice and water flow.
• Use the right filter. Part numbers differ by model: LT1000P for the LG, HAF-QIN for the Samsung counter-depth, and RPWFE or XWFE for the GE depending on the listing.
• Expect a slow start. A new ice maker can take a day to begin and up to three days to fill the bin. Discard the first few batches to flush the line.
• Keep the freezer at 0 degrees F. Warmer freezers lead to clumped or cloudy ice.
• Clean the bin. Empty it and wash it every few months, because old ice absorbs freezer odors.
• Mind the supply line. A kinked or frozen water line is the most common reason ice stops, so leave slack when pushing the refrigerator back.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

1. Assuming every refrigerator with an ice maker has a door dispenser. The Samsung models and the Whirlpool bottom freezer above do not.
2. Forgetting the open-door swing. The Whirlpool bottom freezer needs about 62 inches when its door is fully open.
3. Skipping the water line plan. A refrigerator without a water supply cannot make ice.
4. Trusting one source for specs. Retailer listings contradict each other on weight, filter numbers and certifications, so check the manufacturer’s sheet.
5. Buying a discontinued model without checking that filters and parts are still sold.

Energy Use and Running Cost

The LG LMXS28626S is listed at about 724 kWh per year and the GE GNE27JYMFS at about 633 kWh per year. The difference is roughly 91 kWh annually, which at a typical household electricity rate is a modest amount, though it adds up over the 10 to 15 years most refrigerators stay in service. Features that raise consumption include door dispensers, dual ice makers and frequent door opening. Placing the refrigerator away from the oven and out of direct sun, and keeping the coils clean, helps any model run closer to its rating. Energy Star status also tells you the model meets the program standard, but remember that retailer listings sometimes disagree, as they do for the Samsung RS28CB7600.

Installation Notes

• Doorways and delivery path: a 36 inch wide refrigerator can be a tight fit through older doorways. Doors can usually be removed to reduce width; check the manual.
• Floor loading: unit weights range from about 263 lb for the Samsung side-by-side to about 332 lb for the GE and 311 lb for the LG, before food is added.
• Leveling: a slight rearward tilt helps doors close on their own and keeps the ice maker fill arm working properly.
• Power: all of the models above run on standard 115 to 120 V household power; the Whirlpool WRB322DMBM is listed at 120 V and 15 A.

Frequently Asked Questions

How much ice does a refrigerator ice maker make?

A typical refrigerator ice maker makes about 3 to 5 lb of ice per day. GE says its side-by-side models produce about 4 to 4.5 lb, or 100 to 130 cubes, per day. A bin that is completely empty can take two to three days to fill.

Do I need a water line for the ice maker?

Yes. Built-in refrigerator ice makers draw water from a house supply line, normally a 1/4 inch tube connected to a shutoff valve. Without it the ice maker cannot work, though you can still use the refrigerator for cooling.

Is a door dispenser better than an in-freezer ice maker?

It is more convenient, because you can get ice without opening a door. In exchange, dispensers add parts that can leak or jam and take up some door space. Models such as the GE GNE27JYMFS and Samsung RS28CB7600 avoid door ice and still offer filtered water or a beverage station.

What is Ice Bites?

Ice Bites is Samsung’s name for small, soft, chewable ice produced by a dual ice maker. It is similar to the nugget ice that many people prefer in drinks, and it sits alongside the standard cubes in the same freezer.

How often should I change the refrigerator water filter?

Manufacturers commonly recommend about every six months, and many refrigerators include a filter-change indicator. Use the exact filter listed in your manual, since part numbers vary even between models from the same brand.

Why is my refrigerator ice maker slow or making small cubes?

Common causes are a clogged filter, a partly frozen or kinked water line, a freezer that is too warm, or low water pressure. Check the filter first, then the line, then the freezer temperature. If none of those help, call a service technician.