From 15-Cube Silicone Trays to 2.5-Inch Spheres: Best Ice Cube Tray Options for Every Freezer

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The best ice cube tray depends on what goes in the glass. A pitcher of iced tea needs lots of ordinary cubes, fast. An old fashioned wants one big cube or a sphere that melts slowly. And if the freezer also holds fish and onions, a lid that blocks odors matters as much as the cube shape.

We compared six trays and molds on their Amazon listings: lidded silicone trays for everyday cubes, a plastic push-release tray that empties into its own bin, a 2-inch large-cube mold, a sphere-and-square combo and a set of 2.5-inch sphere molds. We looked at material, cube size and count, lids, stacking and how each one releases its ice, and we attribute BPA-free and clear-ice claims to the brands that make them.

All six land in our lowest price tier, so the real choice is cube size and convenience, not budget.

Our Top Ice Cube Tray Picks at a Glance

Price key: $ under $50 · $$ $50–$100 · $$$ $100–$175 · $$$$ $175+. Prices change often; check Amazon for today’s price.

1. Tvmania 15-Cube Silicone Ice Cube Trays With Lids, 2-Pack: Best Overall

Tvmania’s trays are flexible silicone molds, sold as a set of two, that each make 15 cubes, so a full freeze gives you 30. Each tray comes with its own lid, which Tvmania says seals tightly to lock in freshness and keep freezer odors out of your ice.

Releasing the ice works the way most silicone trays do: you twist the tray or push up from the bottom and the cubes pop out, with no cracking plastic. The listing gives each cube as about 1.5 x 1.2 x 0.7 inches, a size Tvmania pitches for cocktails and everyday drinks, and the whole tray measures 7.3 x 5.1 x 1.2 inches, slim enough to slide onto a crowded freezer shelf.

Tvmania describes the material as BPA-free, food-grade silicone and lists the trays as compatible with the dishwasher, refrigerator, freezer and even the microwave. It says they handle temperatures from -40°F to 428°F. Beyond water, the brand suggests freezing cocktails, coffee, chocolates and candies in them.

It suits most kitchens that just want reliable ice with less freezer smell, and anyone tired of twisting rigid plastic trays. Because the cubes are on the small side, it is better for iced coffee, soda and water bottles than for a slow-melting whiskey cube.

Why we like it

• Twist-and-push release
• Lids against freezer odors
• Dishwasher safe

Watch out for

The listing doesn’t say the lidded trays stack, and the cubes are small for spirits.

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2. OXO Good Grips Flexible Ice Cube Tray With Lid, 2-Pack: Best Slide-Lid Tray

OXO’s Flexible Ice Cube Tray comes as a two-pack, one blue and one white, and each tray has a lid that does more than cover the ice. The lid slides open at one end, so you can tip out as many cubes as you want and leave the rest frozen and covered.

That design changes the daily routine. Instead of twisting a whole tray over a bowl and refilling it, you flex the tray slightly and slide the lid back far enough to release two or three cubes. OXO says the cubes have a rounded shape designed to release easily, and the cover keeps them from absorbing freezer odors in the meantime.

The lid is also built to be sturdy enough for efficient stacking, so two trays can sit on top of each other without the top one sinking into the ice. The trays are dishwasher safe, and OXO lists them as BPA free. The listed size is about 12.2 x 5.6 x 1.75 inches, longer than the other trays here, and the bullets don’t give the number of cubes per tray or name the material.

It suits households that use ice a little at a time, such as one glass of water at dinner, and freezers where trays need to stack neatly. If you need a big batch of cubes at once, a tray that empties into a bin is faster.

Why we like it

• Sliding lid dispenses a few cubes
• Stackable lid
• Dishwasher safe

Watch out for

The bullets skip the cube count and the material, and its sales rank is the weakest of the six.

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3. PHINOX Ice Cube Tray With Lid and Bin, 56 Cubes: Best Ice Cube Tray With Bin

PHINOX sells a complete small ice system: two 28-cube trays, a lid, a pillar plate, an ice scoop and a storage bin that the listing says holds nearly 84 cubes. It is built for a freezer without an automatic ice maker, where you want a stash of loose ice ready to scoop.

Release is the clever part. Once the trays are frozen, you set a tray upside down on the bin, close the lid and press the middle with both hands, and the cubes push out into the bin below. PHINOX says not to overfill the trays, and suggests twisting the tray or waiting a few minutes at room temperature if the ice sticks. The listing cites U.S. design patents for the design.

The trays are made of food-grade PP plastic, which PHINOX lists as BPA free, and the airtight lid is designed to cover the trays and keep odors and overflow in check. One bullet calls it a silicone tray, which conflicts with the PP material listed elsewhere, so treat the plastic description as the main one. The kit is not dishwasher safe and measures about 7.08 x 3.94 x 4.37 inches when assembled.

It suits families, party hosts and small freezers where a stackable kit makes more sense than loose trays and a separate ice bucket. Plan to wash it by hand.

Why we like it

• 56 cubes per round
• Built-in bin and scoop
• Press-to-release design

Watch out for

It isn’t dishwasher safe, and the listing describes the material inconsistently.

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4. KitchFort Large Silicone Ice Cube Tray, 2-Inch, 2-Pack: Best Large Ice Cube Mold

KitchFort’s large ice cube tray makes 2-inch square cubes, the size usually served in a rocks glass. The set includes two black silicone trays with lids, and together they freeze 12 big cubes at a time.

Each cube sits in its own cavity, so release is a twist and a push from the bottom of the flexible mold, with no need to chip one cube off the next. KitchFort says the large cubes melt slowly to limit dilution, which is the main reason people buy big-cube molds for spirits, cocktails and iced coffee.

The lid is listed as preventing spills, blocking freezer odors and keeping the ice clean, and KitchFort says the lidded tray stacks easily to save freezer space. The trays are food-grade, BPA-free silicone per the listing and are dishwasher safe. KitchFort also suggests freezing baby food, purees, sauces and homemade portions in them. The listed tray size is about 7.1 x 4.5 x 2.1 inches, and the warranty field reads 30 days against manufacturing defects.

It suits anyone who wants a few large, square cubes for drinks that should stay cold without watering down quickly. For a full pitcher of lemonade, a tray of smaller cubes will chill it faster and fill more glasses.

Why we like it

• Big 2-inch cubes
• Stackable lids
• Light and dishwasher safe

Watch out for

Twelve cubes per freeze is not much for a crowd, and the slow-melt benefit is KitchFort’s own claim.

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5. FOSOE Silicone Ice Ball Molds, 2.5-Inch, Set of 4: Best Ice Sphere Mold

FOSOE’s ice ball molds are four separate round makers that each freeze one 2.5-inch sphere, the largest ice on this page. Each mold pairs a soft silicone bottom with a harder, transparent top made of AS plastic, and FOSOE says the two materials seal well enough that the sphere keeps its round shape.

Filling is easier than with many sphere trays. The mold separates in the middle, so you can pour water straight into the bottom half, add a sprig of mint or a slice of lemon if you like, then close it. The transparent lid lets you see the water level and stop before it overflows.

To release, you squeeze the silicone bottom and the ball pops out; FOSOE suggests letting the mold sit for a minute first. Because each mold stands alone, about 2.55 x 2.55 x 3.15 inches per the listing, they can tuck into gaps between frozen packages rather than needing a flat tray-sized shelf. The listing calls the materials BPA free and odorless.

It suits people who drink spirits on the rocks or serve cocktails that look better with a single large sphere. Four balls per freeze is plenty for a couple of drinks at a time, not for a party.

Why we like it

• Biggest spheres here
• Easy split-mold filling
• Fits in small freezer gaps

Watch out for

Only four spheres come out of each freeze, and the listing doesn’t say whether the molds are dishwasher safe.

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6. Rottay 2-Inch Sphere and Large Square Ice Trays, 2-Pack: Best Sphere and Square Combo

Rottay’s set pairs two silicone trays: one makes six 2-inch ice spheres and the other makes six 2-inch square cubes. Together they cover the two classic big-ice shapes for spirits and cocktails without buying separate molds.

The sphere tray closes with a quick-open buckle, and Rottay includes a funnel so you can fill the round cavities through the top without spilling. Rottay says bumping seals help the balls form perfectly round and that a balanced base keeps the tray from leaning in the freezer. Once frozen, you open the buckle and the balls are meant to pop out of the flexible silicone; the square tray releases with a twist.

Rottay calls the result six crystal-clear 2-inch ice balls at one time, but the listing doesn’t describe any special clear-ice method, so treat clarity as the brand’s claim; tap water frozen in an ordinary freezer is usually cloudy in the middle. The trays are listed as safe for the freezer, microwave and dishwasher, and Rottay suggests them for chocolates, puddings and jellies as well as ice.

It suits home bartenders who switch between a sphere for whiskey and a square cube for an old fashioned, and anyone who wants a dozen big cubes per freeze. The listing doesn’t mention BPA, so if that matters to you, look at the brands that state it.

Why we like it

• Two shapes in one set
• Funnel for easier filling
• Dishwasher safe

Watch out for

Clear ice is a marketing promise here, and the BPA and warranty details are missing.

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How We Chose the Best Ice Cube Trays

We compared each tray’s Amazon listing, spec fields and sales rank, and repeated only what the listings say:

• Material: silicone, plastic or a mix, as each listing describes it; BPA-free statements are the brands’ claims.
• Cube size and count: small everyday cubes, 2-inch squares or spheres, and how many each freeze yields.
• Lid and stacking: whether a lid is included and whether the listing says trays stack.
• Release design: twist-and-push silicone, sliding lids, press-out bins or split molds.
• Care and warranty: dishwasher guidance and the warranty field, flagged when empty.
• Availability: every pick was in stock and sold by Amazon.com or the brand’s own store when we checked.

Ice Cube Tray Buying Guide

Best Silicone Ice Cube Tray With Lid

Silicone flexes, so cubes pop out with a twist instead of cracking out of rigid plastic. Tvmania, KitchFort and Rottay are silicone trays, and all six picks include a lid or cover of some kind. Lids matter more than they seem: OXO, Tvmania and KitchFort all say their covers keep freezer odors out of the ice, and a lid also stops spills while you carry a full tray to the freezer.

Best Large Ice Cube Molds

Large cubes have less surface area for their size, which is why brands like KitchFort pitch them as slow-melting. KitchFort makes 2-inch squares, Rottay adds 2-inch squares alongside its spheres, and both suit rocks glasses and cold brew. The trade-off is quantity: KitchFort’s pair makes 12 cubes per freeze, while PHINOX makes 56 standard cubes. If you also want to shake drinks, our cocktail shaker guide covers the bar tools that go with big ice.

Best Ice Sphere Mold

Spheres look great in a glass and are the largest ice here. FOSOE makes four 2.5-inch balls in separate molds that open in the middle for easy filling; Rottay makes six 2-inch balls in one tray with a fill funnel. On clarity, only Rottay promises “crystal-clear” ice, and it doesn’t describe how. In a home freezer, ice usually freezes cloudy in the center, so treat clear-ice promises with caution.

Best Stackable Ice Cube Trays

In a full freezer, stacking matters. OXO says its lid is sturdy for efficient stacking, KitchFort says its lidded tray stacks easily, and PHINOX says its trays stack for storage. Tvmania doesn’t mention stacking, and FOSOE’s individual molds are designed to tuck into gaps rather than stack.

Best Ice Cube Tray With Bin

Only PHINOX includes a storage bin, along with a scoop: you press the frozen trays out into the bin and refill, so a supply of loose ice builds up. If you want ice on tap without filling trays at all, a countertop ice maker is the next step up.

Beyond Water: Coffee, Purees and Portions

Several brands pitch their trays for more than ice. Tvmania and Rottay mention chocolates and candies, KitchFort mentions purees and sauces, and Tvmania suggests coffee. For storing larger portions once they’re frozen, see our food storage container guide, and for keeping drinks cold on the go, our water bottle guide lists insulated options that hold ice.

Freezer Safety and Keeping Ice Clean

An ice tray is only as clean as the freezer it sits in. A few habits help:

• Keep the freezer cold. The FDA says the freezer should be at 0°F (-18°C) and the refrigerator at or below 40°F (4°C), and recommends appliance thermometers to check.
• Don’t pack it too tight. The FDA also advises against crowding the refrigerator or freezer so tightly that air can’t circulate.
• Cover the ice. Lids on the OXO, Tvmania and KitchFort trays are meant to keep freezer odors out, per their listings.
• Wipe up spills. Water sloshed from an overfilled tray freezes onto shelves and door seals; PHINOX specifically warns not to overfill. Wash trays as each listing directs, since PHINOX is not dishwasher safe.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the best ice cube tray for everyday use?

The Tvmania 2-pack is our overall pick. It ranks #7 in Ice Cube Molds & Trays, makes 30 cubes per set, has removable lids and is listed as dishwasher safe and BPA-free silicone.

What is the best silicone ice cube tray with lid?

Tvmania for small everyday cubes and KitchFort for 2-inch cubes. Both list food-grade silicone and lids that block freezer odors, and KitchFort says its lidded trays stack.

Which ice cube tray comes with a bin?

The PHINOX set includes two 28-cube trays, a lid, a scoop and a bin that holds nearly 84 cubes, per the listing. You press the trays out into the bin. It is not dishwasher safe.

What is the best ice sphere mold?

FOSOE makes the largest spheres here, 2.5 inches, in four separate molds that split open for filling. Rottay makes six 2-inch spheres plus six 2-inch squares if you want both shapes.

Do ice cube trays make clear ice?

Usually not. Of our picks, only Rottay promises “crystal-clear” ice balls, and its listing doesn’t explain a clear-ice method. Ordinary freezer ice tends to be cloudy in the middle.

The Bottom Line

The Tvmania 2-pack is the best ice cube tray for everyday drinks: the best-ranked pick here, with lids, silicone release and dishwasher-safe cleanup. OXO dispenses a few cubes at a time through its sliding lid, PHINOX makes the most cubes and stores them in a bin, KitchFort freezes 2-inch squares, FOSOE makes the biggest spheres, and Rottay covers spheres and squares in one set.

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