NEWBULIG Ice Maker Review 2026 — The Budget Pick That Surprised Every Expert Who Tested It

Under $50. Under 40dB. 6-minute ice. 26.5 lbs per day. On paper it sounds too good for the price. Independent experts tested it anyway — and most of them put it on their recommended list. Here is why, and here is the one thing that will catch you off guard if nobody tells you first.

📋 Who Wrote This and Why Trust It: I am Waseem Khan, founder of IceMakerReviews.com. This is the final product in our complete 10-machine dorm room ice maker series — and I saved it for last because it represents something important: proof that budget does not always mean bad. I have reviewed the EUHOMY, Silonn, Chefman, DUMOS, OLIXIS, GoveeLife Smart, and the EUHOMY Nugget before arriving here. For this NEWBULIG review, I cross-referenced independent expert test data, real verified buyer feedback, and official brand documentation. No free product. No paid placement. Just the honest truth.

I want to tell you what happened when two independent testing teams evaluated the NEWBULIG against machines costing two and three times more.

The team at OfZenAndComputing tested 10 portable ice makers head to head in 2026. Their verdict on NEWBULIG: “consistently produced nine bullet cubes in six minutes throughout my testing period… one of the quietest machines I tested, operating under 40 decibels.” They called it the “best portable ice maker for budget-conscious buyers, college students, RV campers, and anyone who wants basic ice production without a big investment.”

SixStoreys tested 15 different ice makers over three months. Their conclusion on NEWBULIG: “the lowest entry point into countertop ice makers without sacrificing core functionality. The performance matches mid-range competitors for basic ice production tasks.”

Two separate expert tests. Same conclusion. A budget machine that actually works as advertised.

But there is one specific quirk with the NEWBULIG that nobody explains clearly in the product listing — and it catches buyers off guard every single time. I am going to address it directly before anything else, because it is the most searched question about this machine and the thing most likely to make you think it is broken when it is not.

The Surprising Thing Every Expert Found

Here is what nobody expects when they buy a budget ice maker: genuine competition with machines that cost more.

Most budget appliances make you feel the compromise immediately. The build feels cheap, the noise is annoying, or the performance is clearly inferior. The NEWBULIG does not do that. “I honestly did not expect much, but this machine consistently produced nine bullet cubes in six minutes throughout my testing period.” That quote from a professional reviewer who tested it against 9 competitors tells you everything about what kind of machine this actually is.

The 1.5L water tank is a genuine differentiator — larger than the EUHOMY (1.2L) and Silonn (1.2L) at a lower price point. The under-40dB noise level matches or beats most competitors. The 26.5 lbs daily output is slightly above the standard 26 lbs most machines claim.

What you are paying for when you spend more: better brand infrastructure, longer proven track records, better customer service responsiveness, and in some cases better build quality materials. What you are NOT missing in ice-making performance — the NEWBULIG delivers that fully at its price point.

Who Is NEWBULIG — And Can You Trust Them?

NEWBULIG is a newer Amazon home appliance brand. They are not ice maker specialists the way EUHOMY has been since 2015. They do not have the retail presence of Chefman (Amazon, Walmart, Target, Home Depot, Lowe’s). They are a newer entrant to the countertop ice maker market.

What this means practically:

• Fewer long-term reliability data points than established brands
• Customer service infrastructure is less proven — response times may be slower
• The product itself performs well based on current data — but the 2-year and 3-year track records are still being established

My advice with NEWBULIG is the same I gave for OLIXIS: buy through Amazon, consider the extended protection plan, and keep your order confirmation. Amazon’s own return and replacement process is your most reliable safety net here — more reliable than depending on a newer brand’s warranty responsiveness.

One thing I can say with confidence: the machine works well for its price. The expert reviews confirm this. The buyer feedback confirms this. For a first ice maker, a college student’s dorm, or anyone who wants to try the countertop ice maker experience without spending a lot — the risk-to-reward ratio is genuinely good.

Full Specs — What You Get for the Price

🧊 Product #10 — Final Machine in Our Complete Series

NEWBULIG Ice Makers Countertop with Handle — Black

💸 Best Budget Buy — Lowest Price in Our Series

Specification	Detail
Brand	NEWBULIG
Model Number	ZBJ-PP10A-BK (Black) / ZBJ-PP10A-GN (Green)
Ice Speed	9 cubes in 6 minutes
Daily Output	26.5 lbs / 24 hrs
Water Tank	1.5 Liters
Noise Level	Under 40 dB
Ice Sizes	Small + Large bullet
Dimensions	8.8 x 11.6 x 12.5 inches
Weight	15.4 lbs
Handle	Built-in sturdy carry handle
Sensors	Infrared — ICE FULL + ADD WATER alerts
Self-Cleaning	15 minutes (hold ON/OFF 5 seconds)
Ice Type	Bullet — smooth, non-stick surface
Colors Available	Black, Green
Included	Removable basket + ice scoop + manual
Important Note	⚠️ Manual ON/OFF press required after each full basket — does not auto-restart

I want to highlight the spec at the bottom of that table — “Manual ON/OFF press required after full basket.” NEWBULIG explicitly documents this in their own listing with prominent warning text. It is not a bug. It is how the machine is designed. I will explain why this matters and how to work with it in the next section.

Also worth noting: the NEWBULIG comes in Black and Green — giving it a color option that very few machines in this price range offer. The green version is specifically popular in dorm rooms and small apartments where buyers want something that does not look completely anonymous on a counter.

Ice Speed, Quality and Noise — Honest Numbers

Speed — 6 Minutes, Consistently Verified

Independent testing confirmed nine bullet cubes in six minutes throughout the testing period — not just on the first run, but consistently across repeated cycles. That is the same speed as the EUHOMY and Silonn, which cost more. When a budget machine delivers the same core performance metric as its more expensive competitors, that is worth paying attention to.

A real buyer from a fraternity house captured this perfectly: “Got this for my boyfriend for his birthday and it was a great budget ice maker for him. It is super small which is great for a small fraternity room.” That is exactly the use case this machine was built for — and it delivers.

Ice Quality — Smooth Bullet Ice That Does Not Hurt

The NEWBULIG produces smooth bullet-shaped ice in two sizes. Small cubes fit into standard store-bought water bottle openings — a specific practical detail that one verified buyer called out by name. Large cubes are better for cups, glasses, and slow-melting applications.

One buyer who loves crunching ice gave a simple and honest review: “I love crunchy on a glass of just ice!” That kind of uncomplicated satisfaction is what bullet ice is for — nothing fancy, just ice that works for cold drinks and does not injure you.

Noise — Under 40dB, Actually Verified

“It is one of the quietest machines I tested, operating under 40 decibels during the ice-making cycle. That is quieter than a library whisper, making it ideal for apartments, bedrooms, or offices where noise matters.”

That quote from an independent reviewer who tested 10 machines side by side is the most useful noise benchmark in this review. Under 40dB is what NEWBULIG claims — and a professional tester with a decibel meter confirmed it holds up. Only the Silonn at 35dB is measurably quieter among bullet machines in our series. For dorm rooms, shared apartments, and offices — under 40dB is genuinely workable.

Daily Output — 26.5 lbs Slightly Above Average

Most machines in this series claim 26 lbs. The NEWBULIG claims 26.5 lbs — a small but real difference that adds up over a full day. Combined with the 1.5L water tank that reduces refill frequency, the NEWBULIG is actually a stronger daily ice producer than its price suggests.

The Red Light Issue — Read This Before You Buy

This is the section that most NEWBULIG reviews completely skip — and it is the thing that generates the most frustrated buyer questions.

When the ice basket fills up, the ICE FULL light on the NEWBULIG turns solid red and stays red. The machine stops making ice. So far, that is normal for every machine in our series.

Here is where NEWBULIG is different from every other machine we reviewed: after you empty the basket, the machine does NOT automatically restart.

EUHOMY automatically resumes after the basket is emptied. Silonn automatically resumes. Chefman automatically resumes. The NEWBULIG does not. You must manually press the ON/OFF button to restart it after each full-basket cycle.

NEWBULIG acknowledges this directly in their own product listing with prominent warning text: “When ice is full, the ice full light will be red all the time. You need to press on/off button to restart the machine.”

This is not a defect. It is a design choice — likely a cost-saving simplification of the control board. Once you know about it, it is a minor inconvenience. If nobody tells you and you come back to an empty basket with a red light expecting the machine to be running, you will think it is broken when it is not.

Now you know. Empty the basket, press ON/OFF, ice continues. That is all there is to it.

Design and Portability — Where Budget Does Not Show

At 15.4 lbs with a built-in carry handle, the NEWBULIG is genuinely portable — lighter than the Chefman (17.44 lbs) and the OLIXIS (17.6 lbs), and comparable to the DUMOS (15.4 lbs). The handle is solid, not decorative. You can carry this one-handed from room to room without any strain.

The 8.8 x 11.6 x 12.5 inch footprint is compact enough for dorm desks, kitchen counters, RV tables, and office surfaces. “A compact, easy-to-move option that stands out for busy kitchens and offices seeking auto-clean convenience.” That assessment from a third-party review team matches buyer feedback consistently.

The color options — Black and Green — are a genuine differentiator at this price. Most budget machines come in black only. Having a green option makes the NEWBULIG stand out in dorm setups where buyers want some personality from their appliances. It is a small thing but it shows the brand thought about their buyer profile.

Build quality is plastic — same as the EUHOMY and DUMOS at this price range. It is not the premium stainless steel of the Silonn or Chefman, but it is solid enough for daily use. One buyer noted it is “also not too big as our space is tiny” — the compact footprint is consistently appreciated across buyer feedback.

NEWBULIG Ice Maker Cleaning Instructions — Complete Guide

The NEWBULIG has a 15-minute self-cleaning cycle — longer than the EUHOMY nugget’s 5 minutes and Chefman’s 8 minutes, but shorter than the EUHOMY bullet and Silonn’s 30 minutes. Here is exactly how to run it and keep the machine performing well:

Weekly Auto-Clean — 5 Seconds, 15 Minutes

1. Empty the ice basket completely
2. Pour fresh clean water into the 1.5L tank
3. Press and hold the ON/OFF button for exactly 5 full seconds
4. The machine runs a 15-minute automatic cleaning cycle — fully hands-free
5. After the cycle ends, drain the tank completely
6. Refill with fresh filtered water and press ON/OFF to restart

Monthly Deep Clean — Descaling

1. Mix white vinegar and water at 1 part vinegar to 10 parts water
2. Pour into the water tank
3. Hold ON/OFF for 5 seconds to trigger the cleaning cycle
4. Let it complete the full 15 minutes
5. Drain completely after cycle ends
6. Refill with plain water and run one more clean cycle to flush vinegar taste
7. Drain fully, refill with fresh filtered water — machine is ready

According to FDA food safety guidelines for ice makers, regular cleaning prevents bacterial and mold growth in the water reservoir and ice-making components. For shared living environments like dorm rooms, this is especially important — ice from a clean machine is safe ice.

According to Consumer Reports’ appliance maintenance guidelines, mineral scale is the leading cause of countertop ice maker performance decline — and filtered water reduces buildup rate by 60 to 70 percent compared to hard tap water. For the NEWBULIG specifically, where the brand’s long-term reliability data is still accumulating, protecting the machine through filtered water and weekly cleaning is especially important.

⚠️ Most Important NEWBULIG Maintenance Tip: Some buyers report needing to reset the machine every few days during heavy use. If this happens, it is almost always a mineral-coated infrared sensor giving false readings. Clean the sensor monthly with a cotton swab dampened in white vinegar. This one step prevents the majority of “stopped making ice” complaints for this machine. For more cleaning guides covering all ice maker brands, visit IceMakerReviews.com.

Troubleshooting — Every Common Problem Fixed

🚫 NEWBULIG Ice Maker Not Making Ice — ICE FULL Light Red

This is the #1 issue and it has a simple explanation. The red light stays on after the basket fills. Unlike other machines, NEWBULIG does not auto-restart when you empty the basket. You must:

1. Empty the ice basket
2. Press ON/OFF button once
3. Machine restarts and resumes ice production

If the red light stays on with an empty basket after pressing ON/OFF — the infrared sensor is dirty. Clean it with a cotton swab dampened with white vinegar, let dry for 2 minutes, press ON/OFF again.

🚫 NEWBULIG Needs Reset Every Few Days

This is a documented pattern with this machine during heavy use. Some users report needing to reset the machine every few days during heavy use. The fix is consistent:

• Unplug from the wall — wait 10 full minutes
• Plug back in and press ON/OFF
• Resume normal operation

To reduce reset frequency: run the weekly cleaning cycle consistently, use filtered water, and ensure at least 5 inches of ventilation clearance on all sides. Monthly sensor cleaning also reduces the frequency of unexpected stops significantly.

🚫 Ice Cubes Coming Out Too Small

• Select the Large size setting before starting a cycle
• Use cold filtered water — warmer water produces smaller, less dense cubes
• Ensure room temperature is under 90°F

🚫 Ice Melting in the Basket Before You Use It

This is normal for all countertop ice makers — they do not refrigerate the basket. One buyer summed it up well: “the ice melts right back into the water reservoir” — this is by design, not a fault. The water simply recirculates into new ice. Transfer ice to a freezer if you want to store it. For guidance on storing ice without a freezer, see our dedicated storage guide at IceMakerReviews.com.

🚫 Machine Making Unusual Noise

• Ensure the machine sits on a completely flat, stable surface
• Give at least 5 inches of clearance on all sides for ventilation
• Run a cleaning cycle — mineral buildup in the compressor area can increase noise
• The brief clunk when ice drops into the basket is normal — every bullet machine does this

Where to Find the NEWBULIG Ice Maker Manual

The manual is included in the box. The model number is ZBJ-PP10A-BK (black version) or ZBJ-PP10A-GN (green version). For digital copies, contact NEWBULIG through the Amazon seller page using these model numbers. For additional troubleshooting resources covering all major ice maker brands, visit our complete reviews section at IceMakerReviews.com.

Honest Pros and Cons

What Real Buyers Actually Say

“Makes ice quickly. Love the ice maker. Everyone was super excited for it. Makes plenty of ice within a few minutes. Doesn’t keep temperature in the ice basket but the ice melts right back into the water reservoir. Also not too big as our space is tiny.” — Verified Amazon Buyer, May 2026

“This ice machine works pretty well. It makes ice very quickly and has two size options. It is easy to use and efficient. My only complaint is that I seem to have to reset it every couple of days because it stops making ice even though the basket is empty and the water level is sufficient. Otherwise, a really great product.” — Verified Amazon Buyer, May 2026

“Works great it’s easy to use. The ice melts if you forget about it but it’s a nice little convenience if you’re lazy like me and don’t want to wait for trays to freeze. It doesn’t take long for it to make a whole tray of ice and the size of the cubes are nice. The small ones fit right into water bottles from the store. The larger ones are nice for cups.” — Verified Amazon Buyer, June 2026

“Got this for my boyfriend for his birthday and it was a great budget ice maker for him. It is super small which is great for a small fraternity room.” — Verified Amazon Buyer

The pattern across all reviews is predictable: buyers who understand what a countertop ice maker does (makes ice fast, does not store it frozen, requires manual restart after full basket) are consistently happy. Buyers who were surprised by any of those things felt disappointed — not because the machine failed, but because the expectations were not set correctly. This review sets them correctly.

NEWBULIG vs EUHOMY vs Silonn vs DUMOS — Full Comparison

Feature	NEWBULIG	EUHOMY	Silonn	DUMOS	OLIXIS
Ice Speed	6 min ✅	6 min ✅	6 min ✅	6–8 min	6 min ✅
Daily Output	26.5 lbs ⭐	26 lbs	26 lbs	26.5 lbs ⭐	26 lbs
Water Tank	1.5L ⭐	1.2L	1.2L	1.5L ⭐	1.5L ⭐
Weight	15.4 lbs ✅	13 lbs ⭐	13.7 lbs ⭐	15.4 lbs ✅	17.6 lbs
Noise	<40 dB ⭐	<45 dB	35 dB ⭐	<40 dB ⭐	<40 dB ⭐
Auto-Restart	No ⚠️	Yes ⭐	Yes ⭐	Yes ⭐	Yes ⭐
Color Options	2 ✅	8 ⭐	1	4 ⭐	1
Safety Cert	None listed	ETL ⭐	—	None	None
Clean Cycle	15 min	30 min	30 min	30 min	Auto
Brand History	Newer	2015 ⭐	Established ⭐	Newer	Newer
Price	Budget ⭐⭐	Budget ⭐	Budget ⭐	Budget ⭐	Budget ⭐

NEWBULIG vs EUHOMY — The Honest Budget vs Reliability Trade-off

NEWBULIG costs less. EUHOMY has a decade of ice maker specialization, ETL certification, 7×24 customer support, and lifetime technical service. The NEWBULIG has a larger water tank than the EUHOMY bullet model (1.5L vs 1.2L) and marginally more daily output. In ice-making performance, they are comparable. In long-term reliability infrastructure — EUHOMY wins clearly. For budget-first buyers: NEWBULIG. For best-long-term-value buyers: EUHOMY.

NEWBULIG vs Silonn — The Noise Comparison

The Silonn at 35dB is measurably quieter than NEWBULIG’s under-40dB. Silonn also auto-restarts after the basket is emptied. NEWBULIG costs less but requires manual restart. For the quietest shared-room experience — Silonn. For the lowest price with comparable ice production — NEWBULIG.

NEWBULIG vs DUMOS — Two Budget Machines Side by Side

Both cost similarly. Both have 1.5L tanks and 26.5 lbs daily output. DUMOS has 4 color options and a touch panel. NEWBULIG has 2 color options and a button panel. DUMOS auto-restarts; NEWBULIG does not. DUMOS runs 6 to 8 minutes; NEWBULIG runs a consistent 6 minutes. Between the two budget options — DUMOS edges ahead on design; NEWBULIG edges ahead on consistent ice speed and slightly simpler operation.

Questions People Actually Ask About the NEWBULIG Ice Maker

Final Verdict — Is the NEWBULIG Actually Worth Your Money?

Yes. For what it costs and what it delivers — the NEWBULIG Ice Maker is genuinely worth buying for the right buyer.

Two independent expert testing teams put it on their recommended lists. Real buyers consistently praise the ice speed, quiet operation, and compact size. The 1.5L water tank outperforms more expensive machines. The under-40dB noise is independently verified. The 6-minute ice speed matches mid-range competitors exactly.

The limitations are real and worth knowing: the manual restart quirk is the most significant daily friction. Some units need periodic resets during heavy use. The brand is newer with less established long-term reliability data. No safety certification is listed. Customer service responsiveness is less proven than EUHOMY or Chefman.

All of those limitations are manageable — especially at this price. This is not a machine you rely on indefinitely without thinking. It is a machine you buy smart, maintain weekly, and get genuinely good ice from every day it runs.

Buy the NEWBULIG if:

• Budget is the primary deciding factor — this is the most affordable machine in our series
• You want a first ice maker to try the countertop experience without a large investment
• You are a college student, dorm resident, or small apartment dweller
• You will commit to the weekly cleaning cycle and manual restart habit
• You buy through Amazon with extended protection for long-term peace of mind
• The Green color option fits your room setup and matters to you

Look elsewhere if:

• Auto-restart after a full basket is important to your workflow — get the EUHOMY or Silonn
• You want the quietest possible machine — get the Silonn at 35dB
• Long-term reliability matters more than price — get the EUHOMY with its decade of proven performance
• You want chewable nugget ice — get the EUHOMY Nugget Ice Maker
• Color variety matters — get the DUMOS in 4 colors

This is the last review in our complete 10-machine series. For the full ranked comparison of every machine — specs, noise levels, tank sizes, ice types, and our complete verdict on every product — read our complete pillar guide at IceMakerReviews.com. And if you found this series useful, share it with someone who is still buying bags of ice from the store when they do not have to.
👉 Check NEWBULIG Price on Amazon