Hi there.
If you’re reading this, it’s clear you’re interested in buying the Goveelife but aren’t quite convinced yet that it’s truly worth it. I get it; that’s why, in this article, I’ll share my honest opinion on the matter.
You see, I set out to find and rank the best countertop ice makers. To do this, I made it my goal to buy and test the most popular models on the market, specifically looking for ones with a unique feature or distinctive quality that set them apart from the rest.
My pick for today—the Goveelife Smart—looks like an interesting option. But does it really have that “something special” that makes it worth buying? I’ll tell you all about it below.
I can assure you that by the time you finish reading, you’ll have a clearer idea of whether it’s the ideal option for you or if you should look for another alternative.
Common Features
Before telling you what makes this machine special or different, let me first briefly tell you what its basic features are and what it has in common with other machines.
The Standard
Like most countertop ice makers, the Goveelife includes:
- an intuitive control panel
- indicator lights that signal when the ice basket is full or the water reservoir is empty
- sensors that monitor ice levels to start or stop production
- a self-cleaning function
- and a water drain outlet at the bottom of the machine
Production Capacity
In terms of output, it can produce:
- a batch of 9 ice cubes every 6 to 9 minutes
- up to 1.6 lbs of ice (its basket capacity) in just over an hour
- up to 26 pounds of ice in less than 24 hours
It is worth noting that while it can produce over 20 pounds in a day, this figure is mainly to give you an idea of its production capacity; achieving—or even approaching—that amount would require constantly refilling the water and emptying the ice throughout the day.
Honestly, I can’t imagine anyone having the willingness or the time to take on such a task.
Size and Weight
Regarding volume and space, it belongs to the most compact and portable kind of machines available.
- the Goveelife weighs around 16 pounds
- and its dimensions are 11″ wide by 12″ deep by 14″ high
This makes transporting it from one place to another no problem at all. And if you are short on space, you don’t need to worry either; the machine’s dimensions allow it to fit practically anywhere.
Key Features. What I Like About It
Now that you know the basics of this machine, let’s look at what makes it different—the reasons why it would be worth choosing over others.
Full-View Ice Basket
The first feature I want to highlight about this machine is the design of the ice basket. As you can see in the photos, the basket doesn’t just sit entirely inside the unit—as is the case with most countertop models—but is also transparent.
I think this is an excellent idea, as it allows you to check the ice level at any time, even from a distance.
With countertop models that lack this feature, you usually have to get very close to the machine to look through the lid and check the amount of ice.
I notice that this feature is becoming increasingly common in high-end countertop models (such as nugget ice makers), but I had never seen it before in machines that produce the same type of ice (bullet-shaped) as this one.
In fact, to be completely honest, I’ve seen quite a few bullet-shaped ice makers by now, and I can’t recall a single one having it.
RGB (indicator) Lights
Another feature I really loved about the Goveelife—and one I haven’t seen on any other machine, either—is the RGB lighting located right above the ice basket; these lights actually serve as status indicators.
What’s great about them isn’t just that they aren’t the typical tiny indicator lights found on most machines, but that they can also cycle through an impressive range of eye-catching colors, allowing you to assign your preferred colors to the machine’s different operating states.
I find this feature incredibly useful because it lets you know exactly what is happening with the machine, and even do so from much farther away.
Built-in Magnet Scoop
The next feature that caught my eye might not seem like a big deal to some, but I found it very handy: a magnet built into the ice scoop that lets you attach it to any side of the machine.
I remember having the same problem over and over with previous machines I owned in the past: I never knew where to put the scoop.
Thanks to this feature, the scoop stays in a specific spot, so you don’t have to leave it lying around or go searching for it later because you forgot where you put it.
As I said, it might not be a huge deal to you, but I’m sure many people—like me—will find it very convenient.
Remote Control
Now, the next feature could be considered the machine’s premium feature, although personally, I find it just “good”—nothing more.
I’m talking about the remote control. That’s right: you can control everything remotely—not just from home, but from wherever you happen to be.
You can manage everything from ice production, notifications for an empty water tank or a full ice basket, and activating self-cleaning mode, to scheduling the machine to turn on or off at a specific time and day of the week.
You can even use voice commands via Google Home or Alexa—all from your phone.
The catch—and the reason it won’t always be useful—is that you can only control these functions remotely if there’s actually water in the machine.
If it runs out of water, the only thing you’re gonna see is a notification that the tank is empty, and that is an issue you can only resolve manually.
Water Capacity
The final feature—which I almost forgot to mention—is the water reservoir capacity, which holds up to 2 liters.
To put things in perspective, the water tank capacity of most bullet ice makers ranges from 1.1 to 1.5 liters. Only a few models, like this Goveelife unit, reach the 2-liter mark.
So, this machine’s water tank is definitely among the largest available. The great thing about this is that you don’t have to refill the tank as often as you would with lower-capacity models.
Downsides. What I Don’t Like About It
As with everything in life, nothing is perfect, and this machine is no exception. Let’s look at what might be considered its weak points.
Lack of Carrying Handle
In reality, this isn’t a major issue since the machine is quite lightweight, but I would have liked it to have a carrying handle.
It’s a fairly common feature on lightweight machines like this Goveelife—especially on newer models—so I don’t understand why they couldn’t include it on this one.
Difficult to Clean
Despite having a self-cleaning function, periodic manual cleaning is still necessary for any ice maker. The problem with this machine isn’t the cleaning itself, though, but rather the ice-making area, which is quite complicated to clean.
High Price
Even with all the “extra features,” the retail price—over $150—seems excessive to me compared to the average price for this type of ice maker, which is typically the most affordable kind on the market.
At that price point, I would prefer to buy a model that produces higher-quality ice, such as a nugget ice maker.
Good to Know
The type of ice produced by this machine is the lowest-quality ice a countertop ice maker can make. It is not necessarily bad ice, but it is not always the most suitable for every intended use.
If you use room-temperature water, it is normal for the first few batches of ice not to have the expected size or consistency, as the freezing system needs to stabilize. After those first 2 or 3 batches, the subsequent ones should come out as expected.
It is essential to follow the instructions in the user manual, especially those regarding the care and maintenance of the machine—such as keeping it in an upright position for the hours recommended by the manufacturer before its first use, among others.
Is the Goveelife Worth It?
You see, this machine belongs to the most basic—and therefore most affordable—type of ice maker out there: Bullet Ice Makers.
The average price for these machines usually ranges from $60 to $90. The thing is, the vast majority of them lack at least four of the five extra features offered by this specific model.
So, I think paying between $110 and $115 for this model would be worth it. Paying more than that would be absurd, in my opinion. I don’t care about the remote control, the transparent basket, or any other feature.
If the price went over $120, I’d rather opt for a more basic model for under 100 dollars. Or, better yet, at that price point, I would strongly recommend a model that produces higher-quality ice, like a nugget ice maker.
Frequently Asked Questions
Are counntertop ice makers noisy?
In general, countertop ice makers are not noisy. The most common sound during operation naturally comes from the cooling system, and it is perfectly acceptable.
In my honest opinion—and based on my personal experience—if one of these machines makes a very annoying noise right from the first few uses, the unit is defective.
Therefore, I would recommend returning it, provided it is still within the warranty period.
Can I leave my countertop ice maker on all the time (24/7)?
Yes, you can leave it on, as it features an automatic shut-off function that activates when the ice reaches maximum capacity.
However, it is important to know that countertop ice makers do not keep ice frozen like a freezer does.
Consequently, the ice melts, and the resulting water is recycled and pumped back to the production area to start a new cycle.
Ultimately, whether or not to leave it on depends entirely on your specific needs. However, if usage is moderate, it is best to turn it off; this prevents unnecessary wear and tear and saves electricity.
Do countertop ice makers get moldy?
Absolutely. Any water remaining inside the machine—if not removed or if left to sit for a long time—will eventually lead to mold growth.
While one might think that only tap water promotes mold proliferation, the reality is that bottled water does so as well.
Bottled water simply delays the appearance of mold because it contains fewer minerals, but over time, mold will eventually develop regardless.
Therefore, it is advisable to dry the machine after each use, especially if it is used infrequently or left unused for an extended period.