The only thing I hadn’t perfected for my drinks was ice. So I grabbed three different ice cube trays off Amazon — all under $15 — to try out. I was looking for three things: ice cubes that were easy to pop out of their trays, would easily fill a glass in one go (no running out of ice while my glass is still half full), and felt a little more special (although I did test a standard ice cube tray for good measure). I truly like and use them all, but after a month of testing I’ve determined my hands-down favorite for the best iced coffee.
1. Wibimen Round Ice Trays with Lid
This best-selling set of round ice trays has become my go-to for daily (and sometimes twice daily) iced coffees. I got the two-pack to ensure I always have enough ice for two glasses at a time, although a single tray option that makes slightly larger ice cubes is also available for $10. This set also includes tiny tongs and a storage bin with a lid, so I can constantly make ice and have some stored away.
More than 10,000 shoppers bought this set in the past month, and I can totally see why. The 0.8-inch round cubes (think: a little bigger than a peanut M&M) are too cute and definitely give my drink that coffee-shop feel. Plus, it’s super easy to get the ice out; just twist the plastic tray back and forth. Don’t worry — it won’t break, unlike other ice cube trays I’ve used in the past.
I will say there is a little bit of a learning curve with these trays. Make sure you’re hitting the fill line when you’re refilling the trays, or the ice will come out more like pebbles (also cute, but not what we’re going for). I don’t get it exactly right every time — especially because my freezer has ridges on the bottom that make it hard for trays to sit completely flat. But most of the time I’m getting neat cubes that make my iced coffees feel extra special.
Buy: Wibimen Round Ice Trays with Lid, $11.99 at Amazon
2. Bidful 37 Grid Ice Cube Tray with Lid
A close second to the round ice cube trays is this 37-grid tray that makes honeycomb-shaped ice. The look of this ice is so fun, and it’s a little thicker than the round cubes, so you don’t need as much of it. For a single glass I’ll usually use two-thirds of the tray. I bought just a single tray for less than $6; you can also get a two-, three-, or four-pack (although the four-pack is currently sold out).
The silicone tray makes popping out the ice cubes really simple, and I can trust they’ll never get stuck. It doesn’t come with a storage bin like the other two (which is why it came in second). Plus the silicone lid for the tray is less sturdy, so it takes a moment to get it to stay on. For just $3.99, though, this is a great ice cube tray that I use for mocktails and sodas.
Buy: Bidful 37 Grid Ice Cube Tray with Lid, $3.99 (on sale!) at Amazon
3. Doqaus Ice Cube Trays with Lid
The Doqaus ice cube tray set comes with four, 10-cube trays, and you can choose from five different colors including sky blue, black, hot pink, powder blue, and lime green (which is what I have). Plus, it also includes a storage bin, lid, and scooper.
This is a very solid, respectable ice cube tray set. The silicone tray bottoms make it so easy to pop the cubes right out. Unlike the other two options, these trays produce standard-looking ice cubes. I was open to the possibility that maybe the best ice for iced coffee at home was the classic. That was not my takeaway from this experiment, but I have continued to use these ice cube trays for other drinks, like good ol’ water and soda, and to make snow cones.
Not to mention, I like the scooper so much that I actually use it with my round ice cubes instead of the mini tongs that set came with. I’m not the only one who likes these trays, either — more than 10,000 Amazon shoppers have bought it within the last month.
Buy: Doqaus Ice Cube Tray with Lid, $13.99 (on sale!) at Amazon
Which ice cube tray will you be buying? Tell us about it in the comments below.