If you’re on the quest for the best ice molds to keep your drinks cold and refreshing, the key factors to look into are material, cube size and shape, in addition to the overall design. To help you shop, I’ve rounded up some of the best ice molds on the market. If you want to look at other options beyond this list, I’ve also curated a handy buying guide.
Sometimes, the ice from your freezer’s ice machine is just not good enough for your mocktails. And forget about those cheap, plastic ice trays that crack while twisting and rotating to remove that one meager ice cube. The days using those are long gone, and for good reason.
Ice molds come in all styles, shapes, and sizes – for each type of drink you might be serving. Far from the fragile nature of most plastic trays, ice molds made of silicone or a mix of silicone and plastic offer perfectly-shaped, clear ice. And the best part is that keeping your crafted drink cold doesn’t have to require a machine – just your ice molds and a freezer!
Regular ice cubes are perfectly acceptable options for your drinks, but manufacturers have also gotten more creative and introduced uniquely-shaped ice molds to give your drinks a little pizzazz. Let’s be honest, why even bother making a mocktail without pizzazz?
There are crushed ice trays for tiki mocktails to 3D skull “rocks,” and you can even get molds making large ice balls and slow melting cubes for a drink like a Negroni.
No matter the type, you need reliable ice molds. So, I dove into the world of ice cubes by testing molds at home, carefully going through firsthand user reviews, and selecting the best ice molds for various kinds of drinks and sippers.
The items on this list were evaluated based on factors such as ease of removal, size, flexibility, form, and design. Let’s now have a look at my top picks!
The Best Ice Molds
| IMAGE | PRODUCT | |
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Editor’s Choice  |
| Check Price →Read Our Review |
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| Check Price →Read Our Review |
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| Check Price →Read Our Review |
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| Check Price →Read Our Review |
Crushed Ice  |
| Check Price →Read Our Review |
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| Check Price →Read Our Review |
Best Overall
Tovolo Sphere Ice Molds
For those wanting ice balls for their favorite rocks glasses, the Tovolo Sphere Ice Molds are my top pick for ice molds. The set includes two plastic ice molds that make large 2.5-inch spheres. This makes them perfect for keeping your drinks cold while not diluting them.
What I like about these ice sphere molds is that they are stackable – all thanks to the anti-slip lids. The lid forms a seal by fitting into the silicone lip, while the sturdy base fits snugly on top of the lid of another mold. And this allows you to stack additional silicone ice molds.
This ice mold’s robust plastic structure, leak-proof design, and water fill line make it simple to use at home.
And since there are only two of them, you may need to buy a few of them to have enough supplies of perfect spheres. It may be a hassle having to freeze only two spherical ice cubes at a time, but you’ll be happy with the results.
Pros:
- Durable construction
- Stackable
- Makes large ice balls, perfect for both low and highball glasses
Cons:
- Freezes only 2 ice spheres at a time
Best Large Cubes
W&P Peak Extra Large Cube Ice Tray
The W&P Peak Extra Large Cube Ice Tray makes some of the largest square ice cubes compared to other molds – 2.25 inches. I also appreciate the simple yet visually appealing design of this ice cube tray. Looking at this ice cube tray, I can tell it’s user-friendly and designed with convenience in mind.
With a food-grade silicone-wrapped steel rim frame, this ice cube mold is strong and rigid for easy filling and less spills when moving to your freezer.
The tray’s molds produce amply sized, flawless cubes with an optimal surface area for refreshing drinks. You can expect that your cocktails will not dilute; instead, they will stay cool in style.
Another thing I love about this purple beauty is the “Peak” relief on the lid. I do think it adds to the aesthetic appeal of the tray. The lid sits on the tray and simply peels off, and allows you to stack other items on top of it for more space-efficient freezer storage.
Pros:
- Durable silicon-wrapped steel construction
- Comes with lid for easy stacking and keeping odor at bay
- Visually appealing
Cons:
- Lid doesn’t fit snugly on the rim
Best Set of Ice Cube Molds
Samuelworld Ice Cube Trays
Looking to make more cubes at once? the Samuelworld Ice Cube Trays. This silicone ice cube tray set of two sports an all-black design. Each tray makes eight 2-inch ice cubes that are perfect for mocktails, non-alcoholic whiskey, and more decorative drinks.
These ice cube trays are flexible, yet rigid enough to sit level on your freezer shelf. Plus, the 2” ice cubes are a good medium size that can even be used in taller glasses like a Collins glass.
The only downside I see with these ice cube mold trays is that they don’t come with lids so there’s no way you can stack them easily. Some customers also claim the cubes have a rubber smell that transfers to the ice cubes, which is common in many silicone ice molds. Washing them in warm dish soap a few times seems to do the trick.
Pros:
- Durable construction
- Classy all-black design
- Makes medium-large ice cubes
Cons:
- Rubber smell
- Removing the ice might get tricky
- Not stackable
W&P Peak Speckled Pink Ice Tray
Ice molds are typically utilitarian, but W&P Peak Speckled Pink Ice Tray is my pick for best-looking ice mold. There’s more to this ice cube tray than meets the eye; it’s just as durable as the larger ice cube tray from the same brand that I mentioned earlier.
This speckled pink ice cube tray is beautifully crafted for usability. It features a silicone-wrapped steel interior rim that surrounds the tray to offer added strength and stability for effortlessly filling and less spills when placed in your freezer.
The tray creates 1.25-inch ice cubes, which is much smaller than the previous W&P large ice cube tray. But, it will give you twelve ice cubes at once. This size would be perfect for highball mocktails, or drinks you want more ice in, like this version of a non-alcoholic Aperol spritz.
I appreciate how it has a lid to keep the ice fresh. It also minimizes freezer smells, sits on the tray, and simply comes off. Best of all, it lets you stack other items over the tray for more space-efficient freezer storage.
Each pocket is individually molded, allowing you to simply take out a single cube at a time without twisting and cracking the tray. A raised lip also filters out any excess water into the tray without spilling. This ice cube tray has the perfect combination of functionality and beauty.
Pros:
- Durable silicon-wrapped steel construction
- Beautiful, speckled pink design
- Stackable with a lid
Cons:
- Lid sometimes does not stay in place very well
Best for Crushed Ice
niceCube Mini Ice Cube Trays
If you want to make the best crushed ice for a Julep or Tiki-inspired mocktail hour, the niceCube Mini Ice Cube Trays will come in handy. The two silicone ice trays make ⅜-inch tiny ice cubes that replicate the effect of crushed ice, but are satisfyingly perfect cubes.
Each tray is flexible and makes 160 small ice cubes. According to reviews, some users find it hard to remove the tiny ice cubes from the small trays, but still love the result. The manufacturer recommends rolling and twisting the trays to remove them.
Pros:
- Durable construction
- Inexpensive
- Tiny cubes!
Cons:
- Can be hard to remove the ice cubes
Another crushed ice tray I considered was the W&P Peak Silicone Crushed Ice Tray, but it had its own set of difficulties, and still requires you to crush the ice. The tiny cubes in the niceCube tray are much more satisfying.
Best Themed Ice Mold
Shaped 3D Skull Ice Mold Tray
While most people are content with regular ice cubes, sometimes its fun to jazz up mocktail with a themed design. If you want to add a bit of a spooky twist to your drinks, the Shaped 3D Skull Ice Mold Tray is a great option.
It’s a quirky ice mold tray that creates four 3D skull ice balls that melt slowly, making them perfect for Tiki mocktails or a non-alcoholic Negroni for a Halloween party.
This silicone ice mold tray includes a handy lid. It not only expels excess water through the spilling holes on top, but it also allows you to stack other items above it. This ice mold makes it easy to inject some character into your cocktails.
Pros:
- Unique mold design
- Thick and durable construction
- Stackable
Cons:
- Ice mold parts are a struggle to lock together
What To Look For in an Ice Mold Tray
In order to find the best and most reliable ice molds, you must consider the material, cube size and shape, and the design of the product. You can refer to the handy buying guide below to learn more.
Material
Ice cube molds are traditionally made of plastic. But these days, you’ll find many ice mold options crafted from silicone and metal, with each having its own set of pros and cons.
Plastic trays are generally robust and easy to release cubes from, however, they are also prone to breaking. Extracting cubes from steel trays is rather more difficult. But, unlike plastic, they are more durable and basically crack-resistant.
Silicone trays are my personal favorite and many users favor them as well. It’s due to the fact that they are more flexible and durable than their metal and plastic counterparts. The downside with silicone ice molds is that they can absorb foul freezer odors. I recommend washing them right after use.
Cube Size
Ice molds are available in various sizes. Which means they make ice in a range of quantities and sizes, too.
Larger-than-average ice cubes and ice spheres melt a lot slower, making them excellent for spirit-forward cocktails, and they won’t water down or dilute your drinks too soon. Instead, they keep your drink flavorful and ice to the very last sip. There are also medium-sized cubes that are great for all kinds of drinks.
In addition, crushed ice is always a crowd pleaser. Perfect for Tiki drinks and summer mocktails, everyone loves the tiny cubes in crushed ice.
Cube Shape
Some say spherical ice melts slower and more evenly, while others prefer a perfect cube. For a more creative take on the one-cube cocktail, the Shaped 3D Skull Ice Mold Tray, features unique 3D skull ice molds. The skulls are perfect for occasions like Halloween. And they are definitely a conversation starter.
Design
As you shop for ice molds, you’ll come across stackable ice cube trays and molds. This design element makes it easy to make a large amount of ice while taking up less freezer space. Several trays include lids, which helps in keeping the trays stackable. The lids also help keep the smells away.
Ice Cube Molds FAQs
What is an ice mold?
Ice molds are handy tools to have in both the bar and kitchen. They are the simplest version of clear ice makers for home use. You can opt for food-grade material and a variety of shapes and sizes. And not only are they useful for making high-quality ice, but you can also use them to make homemade popsicles and more.
Do silicone molds work for ice?
Silicone molds and trays work well for making a perfectly-shaped ice cube and spherical ice. These ice molds are flexible, making it easier to remove the ice. They are also easy to clean, though they tend to retain smell better than plastic and metal trays.
How long do ice spheres take to freeze?
The length of time it takes to freeze ice spheres depends on the material, size, and type of freezer you have. Ice balls can take up to 4 hours to freeze, but some can take even longer.
Are ice spheres worth it?
Investing in a spherical ice mold is worth it. Ice spheres help prevent a watered-down drink while still chilling it in an attractive manner.
Does boiling water make clear ice?
Using boiling water doesn’t really produce clear ice. This could make the ice somewhat clearer than without. But, still, it makes no real difference in comparison to directional freezing.
Conclusion
My favorite ice mold is the Tovolo Sphere Ice Molds because it’s stackable and makes large ice balls that go perfectly with both lowball cocktails. They are the perfect gift for any bartender or cocktail enthusiast.
If you want to make crushed ice without using a bag, the niceCube Mini Ice Cube Trays is a cheaper option than purchasing a crushed ice machine. These ice cube molds make 160 tiny ice cubes that are perfect for ice-cold Tiki mocktails and more.
Thank you for reading all the way to the end! And I hope you’ve found the ideal ice mold for your needs and budget. All of the ice molds and trays I’ve mentioned here are made of food-grade materials. They are completely BPA-free and dishwasher-safe, making cleanup a breeze!
Happy mixing!
