The catch
NewAir ClearIce40
When checked, there was no direct stock, and with marketplace sellers the condition and warranty coverage can differ.
Side by side
NewAir: Everyday bullet ice takes less counter room than clear ice
Quick verdict
Give ClearIce40 the extra space if clarity and slow dilution are the whole point. For everyday water and soda, or for a small counter, NIM026MB00 is the easier machine.
Before you buy
Why, and what it costs you
Output: how big the gap is
The published “Output” figure is 54% higher on NewAir ClearIce40: 40 pounds per day, against 26 pounds per day on NewAir 26 lb Bullet Ice Maker.
Where this comes from
Higher published output is useful only if your room, surface or workload calls for the extra headroom. It does not, by itself, prove better results. The percentage comes from the lower published figure.
The catch
NewAir 26 lb Bullet Ice Maker
NewAir now promotes a newer SKU, so make sure you are buying model NIM026MB00 before you check out.
NewAir ClearIce40
- Why pick it
- Drinks led by the spirit
- Clear, dense cubes
- The catch
- When checked, there was no direct stock, and with marketplace sellers the condition and warranty coverage can differ.
NewAir 26 lb Bullet Ice Maker
- Why pick it
- Plain ice for daily use
- A small body
- The catch
- NewAir now promotes a newer SKU, so make sure you are buying model NIM026MB00 before you check out.
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What this page compares
Decide between dense clear cubes and quick bullets for every day.
This one comes down to ice and output first, then to the limits of your own setup.
Which one fits
Pick the situations that sound like you
Cocktails and spirit-forward drinks are what I make
NewAir ClearIce40 lists “Clear cube” for ice, while NewAir 26 lb Bullet Ice Maker lists “Hollow bullet”. This affects the wait for the first batch, the usable output or the kind of result you get for your routine.
- NewAir ClearIce40
- Better fit
- NewAir 26 lb Bullet Ice Maker
- Good
Ice for a busy household or a gathering is what I need
NewAir ClearIce40 lists “40 lb” for output, while NewAir 26 lb Bullet Ice Maker lists “26 lb”. Extra published output only helps when your room, surface or workload needs the headroom. On its own, it does not prove better results.
- NewAir ClearIce40
- Better fit
- NewAir 26 lb Bullet Ice Maker
- Depends
Ordinary bullet ice does the job for me
Quick hollow bullets come out of it, which suit water, soda and everyday chilling.
- NewAir ClearIce40
- Depends
- NewAir 26 lb Bullet Ice Maker
- Better fit
I want my first ice in a hurry
Under suitable conditions, the documented first batch arrives in about ten minutes or less.
- NewAir ClearIce40
- Good
- NewAir 26 lb Bullet Ice Maker
- Better fit
I don't have much counter room
The body is narrow or shallow enough for counters that could not take a full-size nugget machine.
- NewAir ClearIce40
- Depends
- NewAir 26 lb Bullet Ice Maker
- Better fit
I want to refill less often
Longer runs between manual fills are possible with a larger reservoir or an included side tank.
- NewAir ClearIce40
- Better fit
- NewAir 26 lb Bullet Ice Maker
- Depends
In practice
Differences you will notice
Output: how big the gap is
The published “Output” figure is 54% higher on NewAir ClearIce40: 40 pounds per day, against 26 pounds per day on NewAir 26 lb Bullet Ice Maker.
How we worked this out
Higher published output is useful only if your room, surface or workload calls for the extra headroom. It does not, by itself, prove better results. The percentage comes from the lower published figure.
Where these two really part ways
NewAir ClearIce40 is the better match for “Cocktails and spirit-forward drinks are what I make” and “Ice for a busy household or a gathering is what I need”. NewAir 26 lb Bullet Ice Maker is the better match for “Ordinary bullet ice does the job for me” and “I want my first ice in a hurry”.
How we worked this out
This lines up the current strong and useful fit ratings for the exact products. It does not roll them into one overall score.
One of them covers more of your list
NewAir ClearIce40 meets 3 of the 3 needs this comparison is built around. NewAir 26 lb Bullet Ice Maker meets 2 and misses “Ice for a busy household or a gathering is what I need”.
How we worked this out
The count uses the current strong and useful fit ratings for these two products. Each need counts once, with no made-up score added on top.
How many models fit “Ice for a busy household or a gathering is what I need”
9 of the 23 countertop ice makers checked fit this need. NewAir ClearIce40 makes the cut. NewAir 26 lb Bullet Ice Maker does not.
How we worked this out
The count filters every model in the current category for a strong or useful fit on this single need.
Models that handle “Ice for a busy household or a gathering is what I need” and “I want to pick the ice size”
2 of the 23 countertop ice makers checked handle both “Ice for a busy household or a gathering is what I need” and “I want to pick the ice size”. NewAir ClearIce40 makes the cut. NewAir 26 lb Bullet Ice Maker does not.
How we worked this out
You can reproduce the count by filtering the current category for models with a strong or useful fit on both needs.
Option A
NewAir, ClearIce40
ClearIce40
This specialist clear-cube machine has a 40-pound daily rating and a control for adjusting cube thickness.
- Best for
- Cocktails that benefit from harder, clearer cubes that dilute slowly
Facts we checked
- Production is rated at 40 pounds per day by NewAir.
- About seven minutes is listed for the first clear cube batch.
- The unit measures 11.4 by 14.5 by 13.75 inches, and a thickness control changes cube density.
Option B
NewAir, NIM026MB00
26 lb Bullet Ice Maker
Compact and matte black, this bullet maker runs seven-minute cycles, has two size settings and holds ice in a 1.5-pound basket.
- Best for
- A tidy, basic bullet machine with a genuinely useful basket
Facts we checked
- A seven-minute first cycle and 26 pounds per day are listed by NewAir.
- Reservoir capacity is 0.6 gallon, and the basket holds 1.5 pounds.
- The top control panel offers two bullet sizes.
Spec by spec
Where they really differ
| Spec | NewAir ClearIce40 | NewAir 26 lb Bullet Ice Maker | In practice |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ice | Clear cube | Hollow bullet | It shapes how long you wait for the first batch, how much output you can use and what kind of result fits your routine. |
| Output | 40 lb | 26 lb | Higher published output is useful only if your room, surface or workload calls for the extra headroom. It does not, by itself, prove better results. |
| Control | Thickness | Two bullet sizes | Setup and everyday use depend on it more than the core physical job does. |
Trade-offs
What each pick costs you
With NewAir ClearIce40
- There is no self-cleaning function, and making clear ice takes more manual cleaning than basic bullet machines require.
With NewAir 26 lb Bullet Ice Maker
- It has neither a self-cleaning cycle nor smart control.
By the numbers
What the data shows
What we found across the countertop ice makers we compare, plus the checked facts behind each finding.
How many fit
Only 2 of the 23 models checked meet every need here: “Cocktails and spirit-forward drinks are what I make”, “Ice for a busy household or a gathering is what I need”, and “I want to pick the ice size”.
2 models fit, out of 23 checkedShow the facts and the math
How we countedThe count uses each product's current fit ratings for “Cocktails and spirit-forward drinks are what I make”, “Ice for a busy household or a gathering is what I need”, and “I want to pick the ice size”. A need with no documented match is not counted.
| Product | Needs it meets | Facts we checked | Sources |
|---|---|---|---|
| NewAir ClearIce40 |
|
| |
| NewAir 26 lb Bullet Ice Maker |
|
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Ready to buy
See today’s price and what owners say
Open either model on Amazon for the current price, customer reviews and delivery options.
NewAir ClearIce40
Drinks led by the spirit
See price & reviews on AmazonNewAir 26 lb Bullet Ice Maker
Plain ice for daily use
See price & reviews on AmazonEach link opens in a new tab.
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