REBENUO Hicon HZB-16AL Smart Ice Maker – 2L Tank, Adjustable Cube Size, Fast & Quiet, Full Sensor, 105W, White

The Hicon HZB-16AL Smart Ice Maker makes bullet ice on a kitchen counter. Before any feature, there is one thing worth knowing — it is the single biggest cause of disappointment with this class of appliance.

1. The basket is not a freezer

In every countertop ice maker — this one included — the ice basket is not refrigerated. It is storage only.

What happens in practice? Ice left in the basket begins to melt, and the meltwater drains back into the reservoir to be frozen again. The machine does not store ice for you; it makes ice on demand.

In the UAE this is more pronounced than almost anywhere. In a kitchen at 26°C the melt is far faster than it would be in a cold climate, which means the unit keeps cycling and re-freezing for as long as it is plugged in.

So how do you use it properly? Run it half an hour before you need ice, and move the ice to the freezer if you want it stored. Do not leave it running for 24 hours expecting a full basket — you would be paying for electricity to re-freeze the same water.

2. How it actually works

Some listings describe machines of this type as using “thermoelectric cooling”. That is incorrect.

Bullet ice makers run on a compressor and refrigerant — the same principle as a fridge. The system has a compressor, condenser and evaporator, and the cold is concentrated in metal prongs that lower into the water so ice forms around them — which is exactly why the cubes come out bullet-shaped and hollow in the middle.

Why does this matter to you? It explains three things: the unit has compressor noise like a fridge; it must be kept upright and not tilted in transit (if it has been tilted, stand it upright for two hours before switching on); and the ice will not be clear like restaurant ice — it comes out slightly cloudy and hollow, which is normal for this method.

3. The 2L tank and 105W

The reservoir holds 2 litres — a respectable figure for a countertop unit, meaning one fill covers several consecutive cycles without standing over it with a jug.

The trade-off nobody mentions: a larger tank means more standing water sitting in the machine, and because the water recirculates, minerals concentrate in it with every cycle. Empty it if you will not use the machine for a couple of days.

Power draw is 105W. Given there is a compressor, that is a sensible, low figure for a refrigeration appliance — far less than a mini fridge. But do not read “105W” and assume it will run off a small car inverter: compressors draw a startup surge well above their running figure at the moment they kick in.

4. 40dB, the full-ice sensor and self-clean

Published noise is approximately 40dB — in context, that is close to a whisper or a quiet fridge, and about twenty decibels below normal conversation. It can run in a kitchen without being intrusive.

But note: the compressor cycles on and off, and ice dropping into the basket makes an audible sound. So 40dB is a running average, not silence. We would not recommend it in a bedroom.

There is a full-ice sensor that stops the machine when the basket fills — a practical feature that prevents ice piling up and fusing together — and a self-cleaning function that flushes the channels with water. That is not a substitute for descaling; with hard UAE water you will still need a diluted-vinegar clean periodically.

The official user manual is available on the HZB-16AL manual page, where the manufacturer states that only potable water should be used.

5. What the manufacturer does not publish

We would rather be direct than guess: there is no published figure for ice production per 24 hours, none for cubes per cycle, none for cycle time, none for weight, and none for the operating ambient-temperature range.

Some retailers quote “6–8 minutes per cycle” — a plausible figure for this class, but we did not find it published by the manufacturer for this unit, so we will not present it as confirmed. And any production figure would vary for you anyway depending on your kitchen temperature and the temperature of the water you pour in.

A practical tip: use cold water from the fridge rather than tap water — it noticeably shortens the first cycle.

6. Who this does not suit

Not for anyone wanting a machine that stores ice — the basket is unrefrigerated and the ice melts back into the reservoir.

Not for anyone wanting clear restaurant-style ice — bullet ice is hollow and slightly cloudy by nature.

Not for a bedroom — there is a compressor that cycles, and dropping ice makes noise.

Not for anyone who needs documented production figures — the manufacturer does not publish them.

Technical Specifications

FAQ

Does it keep ice frozen?

No. The ice basket is not refrigerated, so ice melts over time and the water returns to the reservoir to be re-frozen. Move the ice to a freezer if you want it stored.

Does it use thermoelectric cooling?

No — it uses a compressor and refrigerant, the same principle as a fridge. Metal prongs lower into the water and ice forms around them, which is where the hollow bullet shape comes from.

Why is the ice cloudy rather than clear?

Fast freezing traps air bubbles inside the cube. This is normal for every countertop ice maker, not a fault in the unit.

How much ice does it make per day?

The manufacturer does not publish a figure, and we will not guess one. Output varies with your kitchen temperature and the temperature of the water you use.

What water should I use?

Potable water only, per the manual. With hard UAE water, filtered is better — recirculation concentrates minerals in the reservoir.

Can I run it in a car?

Not advisable. It has a compressor, and compressors draw a startup surge well above the 105W running figure, which a small car inverter usually cannot handle.

What about warranty and delivery?

1-year warranty from Totot against manufacturing defects, and returns within 14 days for defective items. Aramex delivery across the UAE for AED 10, with cash on delivery, Tabby and Tamara available.