Data as of Sep 24, 2026 · Based on 372 AI responses from ChatGPT Search and Google AI Mode · See how Parse measures this
For most people, DOQAUS Ice Cube Trays (4‑pack) is the Best Overall choice: easy‑release silicone, stackable design, and lids to prevent odors. If you prioritize the cheapest, very flexible silicone for easy pop‑out, choose Table/Thyme & Table; if you need spill‑proof filling or transport, pick OXO's covered/no‑spill trays.
If you want one ice cube tray that’s excellent for everyday use, I’d go with the Tovolo King Cube Silicone Ice Mold with Lid. It makes large cubes that melt slowly, releases easily, and the lid helps prevent freezer odors and spills. Food Network also highlights Tovolo among its top 2026 ice molds.
Tovolo King Cube Silicone Ice Mold with Lid - $9.99 (Tovolo)
My picks by use
Best overall / cocktails: Tovolo King Cube — large, slow-melting cubes and a lid.
Best everyday ice:OXO No-Spill Ice Cube Tray — particularly good if you hate spilling water while carrying a filled tray to the freezer.
Best for lots of ice: Look for a covered, stackable multi-tray system; -style trays are designed around easy release and stacking.
The "best" ice cube tray depends entirely on what kind of ice you want—whether you're looking for standard everyday cubes, giant cocktail squares, or spill-proof designs. Testing highlights from expert publications like The New York Times Wirecutter and culinary reviews pinpoints the top choices for each category:
The best plastic tray . It features a smart silicone lid that creates a tight seal, letting you stack multiple trays in the freezer without spilling water everywhere, and individual cubes pop out easily.
The best for large cubes . If you want massive 2-inch slow-melting cubes for whiskey or bourbon that won't water down your drink too fast, this rigid-framed silicone tray is a favorite.
The best basic traditional tray . If you prefer a classic twist-to-release hard plastic tray that freezes quickly and feels nostalgic, this reliable design gets the job done cleanly.
The best for spherical ice . Perfect for craft cocktails, this specialized mold creates seamless round ice balls that look impressive in a glass.
A top contender for design enthusiasts. It features an internal steel frame that keeps the silicone rigid so it doesn't flop when full, plus a lid to block out weird freezer odors.
The "best" ice cube tray depends entirely on whether you want classic small cubes for everyday hydration, slow-melting giant cubes for cocktails, or a budget option that just works. Testing highlights a few standout winners for different needs:
Add to list Recognized as a top basic/budget pick by The New York Times Wirecutter . It costs just a few dollars, features a rigid plastic design that twists effortlessly, and pops out standard cubes without a struggle.
Add to list Available at retailers like Crate & Barrel , this silicone mold features a built-in internal steel frame that keeps the tray rigid so it won't spill when you carry it to the freezer. It makes four massive 2.25-inch cubes that melt slowly and look great in spirits, plus it comes with a lid to block out freezer odors.[1][2]
DOQAUS
Best budget large-cube option:Houdini Large 6-Cube Silicone Tray, currently around $8.
If I were buying one for a normal kitchen: Tovolo King Cube. The combination of sturdy silicone, easy release, large cubes, and a lid makes it a particularly versatile choice.
If you tell me your budget (e.g. under $15/$25) and whether you want regular cubes, large cocktail cubes, or nugget/pebble ice, I can narrow it down to the best 2–3 options.
To help narrow it down, tell me:
What kind of drinks are you mostly making (cocktails, iced coffee, everyday water)?
Do you prefer standard small cubes or large slow-melting cubes?
The "best" ice cube tray depends on how much ice you need, the size of your drinks, and whether you hate wrestling with traditional plastic trays. Kitchen testers from culinary and review publications like The New York Times Wirecutter and Serious Eats generally categorize the top options based on specific needs:
Best Overall / Bulk Production: Phinox Ice Cube Tray With Lid and Bin
Why it's great: Highly recommended for households without built-in fridge ice makers. It comes as a compact system with a lidded tray to prevent spills in the freezer and an accompanying storage bin that holds a surprisingly high volume of ready-to-use ice.
Best Classic / Traditional Style:OXO Good Grips Ice Cube Tray
Why it's great: A long-standing favorite for reliability. It features a clever sliding lid that lets you stack trays neatly in the freezer without water spilling out, and it yields classic half-moon shaped cubes that release easily with a light twist.
Best Silicone / Easy Release: W&P Peak Everyday Ice Tray (or similar rigid-frame silicone trays)
Why it's great: Traditional all-silicone trays can feel floppy and leak on the way to the freezer, but W&P’s design features an internal wire frame that keeps the tray rigid. Each cube pocket is totally independent, allowing you to pop out individual cubes or invert the flexible silicone pocket without wrenching the whole tray.
Best for Cocktails / Large Cubes: W&P Extra Large Ice Cube Tray or Cocktail Kingdom Large Cube Tray
Why it's great: Essential if you want slow-melting large square cubes for Old Fashioneds or spirit-forward drinks that won't dilute your cocktail in two minutes.
Are you looking for an everyday ice solution, large cocktail cubes , or a space-saving tray with a storage bin ? Let me know and I can help you choose the exact model for your freezer setup.
If you want one tray that’s excellent for everyday use, I’d pick the W&P Peak Silicone Everyday Ice Tray.
Tovolo Perfect Cube Silicone Ice Mold with Lid - $9.99 (Tovolo)
Actually, based on the current testing I found, the W&P Peak is the strongest overall choice: it makes 12 uniform 1¼-inch cubes, has a rigid internal frame so it doesn’t flop when filled, and the silicone lets individual cubes pop out easily. It also has a lid for stacking and preventing freezer odors. Food Network and Liquor.com both selected it as their overall/best cube pick.
My shortlist
Best overall: W&P Peak Everyday — easiest combination of stability, easy release, and good-sized cubes.
Best value:OXO Good Grips — inexpensive, covered, stackable, and very easy to unmold. Good Housekeeping named it its best-value pick.
Best for cocktails/Old Fashioneds: W&P Peak Extra Large — 2¼-inch cubes melt slowly and dilute drinks less.
Best inexpensive silicone option:Tovolo Perfect Cube — 15 cubes, durable silicone, and easy release.
OXO Good Grips Ice Cube Tray with Lid - $12.88 (Walmart)
Tovolo Perfect Cube Ice Mold with Lid - $9.99 (Tovolo)
OXO Covered Large Ice Cube Tray - $14.99 (Target)
Tovolo King Cube Ice Trays - $13.19 (Target)
Bottom line: For ordinary water, soda, iced coffee, and cocktails, I'd get the W&P Peak Everyday. If you want to spend less, get the OXO.
If you mean the best all-around ice cube tray for most people, I’d pick the W&P Peak Silicone Everyday Ice Tray. It makes consistently shaped cubes, is easy to release, stacks well, and avoids many of the usual silicone-tray problems because it has a more rigid design. It has also been a top pick in several hands-on reviews.
Tovolo Perfect Cube Ice Tray - $19.99 (Wayfair)
OXO Good Grips No-Spill Ice Cube Tray - $12.99 (Target)
Tovolo Perfect Cube Silicone Ice Mold With Lid - $9.99 (Tovolo)
Tovolo King Cube Silicone Ice Molds - $14.99 (Tovolo)
Best choices by use
Best everyday tray: W&P Peak Silicone Everyday Ice Tray — great for water, iced coffee, soda, and cocktails; easy cube removal and good freezer organization.
Best simple, practical option: OXO Good Grips ice cube tray — sturdy, has a lid, and is designed to reduce spills and freezer odors.
Best for cocktails/whiskey: Tovolo King Cube — makes large cubes that melt more slowly and dilute drinks less.
Best if you want classic cubes with easy release: Tovolo Perfect Cube Ice Tray — makes 1.25-inch cubes and is designed to pop cubes out individually.
A quick buying rule:
Choose silicone + a lid if you want easy release and stacking.
Choose plastic with a firm frame if you prioritize stability when carrying a full tray.
Choose large cubes for cocktails; choose smaller cubes for fast chilling.
For a normal household freezer, I’d buy a good everyday tray with a lid rather than a novelty sphere or oversized mold.
The absolute best ice cube trays combine spill-free transport, odor-blocking lids, and easy-release mechanisms so you don't have to battle your tray to get a clean drink. Top kitchen experts from publications like The New York Times' Wirecutter, Food Network , and Serious Eats highly recommend the following models based on rigorous hands-on testing:
Top Ice Cube Trays
Best Overall : A long-standing expert favorite that makes 14 half-moon or cocktail cubes.
Key Features : Features a rigid plastic frame to prevent floppiness and a unique sliding or locking silicone lid that completely seals out freezer smells and allows easy stacking.
Best Budget Choice : The top choice for high-volume daily use, providing four trays that make 56 total cubes for a very affordable price.
Key Features : Built with a rigid plastic rim for stable transport and flexible silicone bottoms so you can easily pop individual cubes out with a light push.
Best Premium Silicone : Favored by cocktail enthusiasts for creating perfectly square, upscale cubes.
Key Features : Features an internal steel frame that keeps the premium silicone stiff during filling and isolated individual cube pockets so you can pop cubes out cleanly without twisting the tray.
Best Odor-Resistant : Ideal for anyone trying to completely avoid plastic and silicone, which can sometimes absorb freezer smells over time.
Key Features : Crafted from heavy-duty 18/8 stainless steel and utilizes a vintage, built-in metal lever mechanism to instantly crack and release 18 cubes.[3][7][10][11][13]
Quick Comparison
Model
Material
Ice Type
Standout Feature
OXO Good Grips
Silicone + Plastic
Half-Moon or Square
Best sealing lid to prevent spills
DOQAUS 4-Pack
Plastic + Silicone Base
Standard Block
What kind of ice do you need most? Let me know if you are looking for large cocktail spheres/cubes, mini pebble ice for iced coffee, or a space-saving set with a dedicated ice bin , and I can point you to the perfect option.
The absolute best ice cube trays combine spill-free transport, odor-blocking lids, and easy-release mechanisms so you don't have to battle your tray to get a clean drink. Top kitchen experts from publications like The New York Times' Wirecutter, Food Network , and Serious Eats highly recommend the following models based on rigorous hands-on testing:
Top Ice Cube Trays
Best Overall : A long-standing expert favorite that makes 14 half-moon or cocktail cubes.
Key Features : Features a rigid plastic frame to prevent floppiness and a unique sliding or locking silicone lid that completely seals out freezer smells and allows easy stacking.
Best Budget Choice : The top choice for high-volume daily use, providing four trays that make 56 total cubes for a very affordable price.
Key Features : Built with a rigid plastic rim for stable transport and flexible silicone bottoms so you can easily pop individual cubes out with a light push.
Best Premium Silicone : Favored by cocktail enthusiasts for creating perfectly square, upscale cubes.
Key Features : Features an internal steel frame that keeps the premium silicone stiff during filling and isolated individual cube pockets so you can pop cubes out cleanly without twisting the tray.
Best Odor-Resistant : Ideal for anyone trying to completely avoid plastic and silicone, which can sometimes absorb freezer smells over time.
Key Features : Crafted from heavy-duty 18/8 stainless steel and utilizes a vintage, built-in metal lever mechanism to instantly crack and release 18 cubes.[3][7][10][11][13]
Quick Comparison
Model
Material
Ice Type
Standout Feature
OXO Good Grips
Silicone + Plastic
Half-Moon or Square
Best sealing lid to prevent spills
DOQAUS 4-Pack
Plastic + Silicone Base
Standard Block
What kind of ice do you need most? Let me know if you are looking for large cocktail spheres/cubes, mini pebble ice for iced coffee, or a space-saving set with a dedicated ice bin , and I can point you to the perfect option.
If you want one great ice cube tray for everyday use, I’d pick the OXO Good Grips Covered Ice Cube Tray. It combines easy release, a rigid frame that makes filling and carrying less awkward, a cover to keep freezer odors out, and dishwasher-safe silicone. OXO’s large-cube version makes six 1¾-inch cubes that melt relatively slowly.
OXO Covered Ice Cube Tray Large Cubes - $14.99 (Target)
My picks
🥇 Best overall: OXO Covered Ice Cube Tray — Best balance of convenience, durability, and clean-tasting ice.
🍹 Best for cocktails/whiskey: Tovolo Perfect Cube — Makes 1¼-inch cubes; Good Housekeeping rated it its best overall tray, particularly for large cubes and easy unmolding.
💰 Best budget: Rubbermaid Quick Release — Extremely inexpensive and has a long track record; currently around $3.
🧊 Best if you want really big cubes: OXO's 1¾-inch covered version above. Larger cubes melt more slowly, so they're especially good for cocktails and iced coffee.
OXO Covered Ice Cube Tray Large Cubes - $14.99 (Target)
Add to list Highlighted by Epicurious , this covered tray prevents your ice from tasting like last week's frozen lasagna. The smart lid design allows you to stack multiple trays neatly, and the individual cubes release easily.
To help narrow it down, tell me:
What kind of drinks are you making (water bottles, standard cocktails, iced coffee)?
OXO No-Spill Ice Cube Tray — particularly good if you hate spilling water while carrying a filled tray to the freezer.
