Clear ice is the pinnacle for most professional bartenders. After all, they’re gorgeous, pure, and boost any drink—and the overall experience. And even if you don’t drink, it can make your favorite alcohol-free mixes colder and stylish. Fortunately, making clear ice at home is easy, and all you need is water and the best clear ice molds!
These help you make clear ice without much effort. Check out the five ice molds below for an easier search. Each one will help you make clear ice like a professional in no time.
| ICE MOLD | BRAND | EXPERT RATING | CHECK PRICE |
|---|---|---|---|
 | Our Top Pick! ClearlyFrozen Ice Mold |  | Check Price |
 | SIMPLETaste Ice Mold |  | Check Price |
 | Glacio clear cube duo Ice Mold | | Check Price |
 | Dexas ice•ology Ice Mold | | Check Price |
 | Goodvibe Crystal Clear Ice Skull Maker Mold |  | Check Price |
Best Clear Ice Molds – Our Top 5!
OUR #1 CHOICE
OUR TOP PICK: ClearlyFrozen Ice Mold
Product Name: ClearlyFrozen Ice Mold
Product Description: One of the best clear ice molds on the market is ClearlyFrozen's Ice Mold tray. This ice mold offers a lot of bang for your buck. It uses directional freezing, driving out the impurities and giving you transparent ice. Aside from that, this ice mold proved to be highly flexible. After all, it's made of silicone, giving you complete control of the freezing process. However, that's not where the fun ends with this ice mold. After all, it comes with a foam insulation box that gives you more control of the freezing process. It lets you adjust the direction in which the water freezes. But most notably, it uses BPA-free2 material that ensures your health and safety. So, not only are you making crystal clear ice, but you're also making one that's 100% chemical-free. Regardless, you're bound to get large and glass-like artisanal ice with ClearlyFrozen.
Offer price: $$$
Availability: InStock
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Durability
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Design
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Value for money
Overall
Summary
The ClearlyFrozen Ice Mold is flexible and efficient, perfect for home and professional settings. It guarantees clear and pure ice by insulating all the sides except the surface. This pushes all the impurities, such as air bubbles down, freezing from the top down.
However, the ice mold is a bit big, which proved to be a hassle in storing. So, unless you have enough freezer space, I don’t recommend this. If not, invest in ClearlyFrozen for large, glass-like ice!
Pros
- It can make ten cubes at a time.
- It’s easy to use.
- This ice mold guarantees clear ice every time.
- Affordable.
- BPA-free.
Cons
- It’s a bit big.
- It takes up too much freezer space.
RUNNERS-UP
SIMPLETaste Ice Mold
Are you looking to make clear ice but don’t want to blow your bank account? Consider the SIMPLETaste Ice Mold. This is an excellent budget pick for people looking to make clear ice like a pro at home.
This ice mold can make up to two professionally molded ice balls clear as diamonds. Each one is almost invisible, allowing you to whip up drinks like a pro at home in no time. It can keep the authentic flavor of all types of drinks.
Most notably, it can boost your favorite whiskey’s look and taste. However, whatever your drink may be, this ice mold elevates the entire experience.
Moreover, the ice mold uses food-grade silicone mold that’s 100% BPA-free. Therefore, you don’t need to worry about contaminating the ice—and yourself.
Another great thing about this ice mold is that its ice balls melt slowly. And this is all thanks to the ice balls’ sizeable shape and limited exposure. You can prolong your pleasure of enjoying an ice-cold drink at home.
However, what makes this ice mold stand out is its innovative design and handle. With its unique handle, you get to pull out the ice even after nearly a day of freezing with ease. And not to mention, its compact design makes it 100x easier to store in smaller freezers.
Unfortunately, this ice mold freezes very slowly. After all, it follows the slow freezing method. You must wait for at least 18 hours to get desirable results. So, if you don’t have time to wait almost a day for ice, I suggest looking at the other listed products here.
But if you don’t mind waiting, this ice mold lets you enjoy professionally molded ice balls for cheap! So, granted, you must plan to make drinks given its freezing time; it’s worthwhile.
Glacio clear cube duo Ice Mold
If you’re tired of unwanted odors invading your ice, the Glacio clear cube duo Ice Mold is here to save the day. This ice mold comes with a cover, keeping unwanted elements out—and keeps your ice pure.
Besides the ice mold, you’ll also get an enclosed box made from BPA-free silicone. So, not only can you secure your ice better, but it also gives you more versatility. Plus, it ensures that all produced ice cubes are clean and chemical-free.
Aside from that, this Glacio product is one of the easiest ice molds to use. You must fill it up with water and place it inside the fridge. Whatever water you use, you’ll always get two massive ice cubes clear as diamonds!
Also, thanks to the larger than average ice cubes produced, they boast a slower melting time. As a result, you can savor your drink without worrying about the ice watering them down.
Overall, if the taste is your priority, go with Glacio. This ice mold protects your ice from any unwanted impurity, keeping it clean.
However, this ice mold isn’t the best pick for those with small freezers due to its large size. And even if it has a flexible silicone built, it’s still too big for most freezers. So, unless you have plenty of space to spare, consider the other products listed instead.
Dexas ice•ology Ice Mold
The Dexas ice•ology Ice Mold lets you recreate spherical ice like a pro at home. It’s one of the best picks for casual mixers that want to make their favorite bar drinks in their humble abodes.
Following the brand’s innovative ice•ology system, it keeps impurities out from the ice by separating the mold during the freezing process. As a result, you get impeccably clear ice cubes resembling a professional’s!
And, whether it’s air bubbles or stray dust, this ice mold keeps everything out.
You can make four sizeable clear ice spheres measuring up to 2 inches with each use. Notably, its large size lets the ice melt slower than usual, keeping your drink colder and less watery.
Also, this ice mold boasts a BPA-free silicone build, allowing you to pull ice out easily. With this, you don’t have to worry about ruining the final results.
Overall, this ice mold is an excellent pick if you want to make ice balls at home. And with Dexas, making bar-quality clear ice has never been easier.
My only issue is that this is pricier than other ice molds. But if you don’t mind splurging a bit or are looking to use the mold for a long time, this is a worthwhile investment.
Goodvibe Crystal Clear Ice Skull Maker Mold
My last pick for the best clear ice molds is a real conversation starter, making unique ice skulls. Goodvibe’s Crystal Clear Ice Skull Maker Mold is one-of-a-kind. And it doesn’t have to be Halloween to use this special ice mold!
It makes two sizeable crystal clear skulls, giving any drink fun and tasty improvement. And thanks to its size, the ice produced will melt slower than usual. As a result, you can indulge in your favorite drinks without them getting watery or warm.
Aside from the skull mold, this also boasts impeccable flexibility. It doesn’t require purified or boiled water to create crystal clear ice skulls. So, all you must do is fill it up with any kind of water and let it freeze.
Another great feature of this ice mold is that it is 100% BPA-free and non-toxic. Besides this, it’s also non-stick, making it easy to pop out the ice.
Impress your friends, family, and regular guests with Goodvibe’s skull ice mold and recreate bar-quality drinks with a unique touch!
However, the ice skulls might be too big for most glasses, so I suggest looking at bar glasses first unless you’re properly equipped. Otherwise, this unique pick will add a little pizzaz to your drinks.
Finding the Best Clear Ice Molds (Buying Guide)
Since ice molds are diverse, finding the best one can be difficult. After all, you must consider numerous factors, ranging from materials to design. I’ve listed a few factors to look for when searching for the best clear ice molds to help you out. Check these out below!
🧊 Material
Most ice molds are made of hard plastic as they’re easy to replicate and incredibly cheap! However, these proved to be a problem as they needed a good banging before getting the ice. That’s why I recommend choosing between steel or silicone ice molds.
Ideally, you’d want to get clear ice molds made from silicone. After all, they’re more flexible and smooth—making it easy to get the ice! I recommend getting food-grade BPA-free2 silicone for your utmost safety and convenience.
Fortunately, many clear ice molds today are made from silicone. So, your search shouldn’t be that challenging.
A great alternative to this material is steel. Steel ice molds are sturdier and don’t get contaminated quickly. As a result, you get to maintain your ice’s clarity for longer. Still, silicone is the best material.
🧊 Shape
Clear ice molds come in various shapes, and though this is subjective, there’s still a standard. Generally, the best clear ice molds come in spherical or cubic designs. The reason behind these is that both provide an ample amount of surface. With this, your clear ice gets to stay frozen longer.
Not to mention, those shapes prevented your ice from diluting your drink too fast. However, this shouldn’t deter you from getting other uniquely-shaped clear ice molds. After all, each one has its unique benefits and downsides to different drinks.
🧊 Size
Since freezer or refrigerator space can be limited, size is vital when choosing an ice mold. Luckily, most clear ice molds are smaller, making them easier to squeeze in tight spaces. However, some with more complex systems come in a large package. I suggest checking out the room in your freeze or fridge before searching for an ice mold.
🧊 Design
Since your ice mold will be staying inside your freezer or fridge, you need to get a stackable one. This way, you’ll be able to squeeze it amidst your frozen pizzas and other frozen essentials.
Aside from a stackable design, I recommend getting ice molds with a lid. This addition keeps your ice crystal clear while protecting it from invading smells. As a result, your crystal clear ice stays transparent and odor-free!
Finally, having a lid can do wonders in preventing spills. Just make sure you properly secure it. With these designs aspects, all you need to do now is grab a corkscrew and pop out your favorite drink.
How to Make Clear Ice? 4 Techniques to Explore
Investing in the best clear ice molds isn’t enough to make transparent ice every time. You need to learn the best ways to freeze water and how to drive impurities out. Although there are many things to consider, the most crucial factor is control.
After all, you’ll need to be able to control the direction of the water’s freeze slowly. With this, you can direct where the impurities go besides the center of the mass. Hence, you get clear ice every time.
That said, here are four techniques to help you make clear ice all the time:
❄️️ Igloo Cooler Freezing
You’ll need a lot of freezer space to do this technique. And I recommend using an ice mold made of rigid plastic. After all, it keeps your ice mold open during the entire freezing process.
Here’s how to make clear ice with the igloo cooler freezing method:
- Fill your cooler no more than halfway with fresh and clean water.
- Place the cooler into your freezer with the lid off.
- Leave the cooler inside the freezer for a couple of hours. Once you see the water freezing, remove it before it completely freezes.
- Pour out the remaining water in your cooler.
- Chip off bits of clear ice using an ice pick or a serrated knife.
Having your cooler opened allows the water’s surface to contact the freezer’s cold air directly. And this keeps the bottom part insulated. As a result, the slowly forming ice pushes the impurities downward as it freezes.
If you don’t have a cooler or want to use an ice mold, redo the process but put the water in the ice mold instead. And place the ice mold inside the cooler and surround it with water for better insulation.
❄️️ Small-Scale Freezing
If you don’t have enough freezer space, you can do this technique instead. Using a metal baking pan, you may hack an insulated holder for silicone ice molds.
Here’s how you can make clear ice with the small-scale freezing method:
- Poke a small hole in your flexible, silicone ice mold in each cube.
- Prop the ice mold one inch up off the bottom of the baking pan. Ensure you put it in the very middle.
- Fill the ice mold and baking pan with water.
- Place the ice mold and baking pan into your freezer.
- Leave it be for a couple of hours.
- After the allotted time, let the ice mold and baking pan sit at room temperature. Then, you can remove the ice from the ice mold.
This technique forces the impurities out of your ice, transferring them to the baking pan. With this, you can be confident of getting clear ice every time!
❄️️ Salt & Water Freezing
This directional freezing technique forms your clear ice starting from the bottom instead of the regular top-down. And it’s best for those with minimal freezer space.
Here’s how to make clear ice via the salt & water freezing method:
- Fill your silicone ice mold with water.
- Prop the ice mold at least an inch up off the bottom of the baking pan. Make sure to place it in the very middle.
- Fill the baking pan with water and stir in half a cup of salt.
- Place the ice mold and baking pan into your freezer.
- Leave it be for at least seven hours.
The presence of salt lowers the freezing temperature of the water, making it very cold. With this, the impurities in the water will rise out of your ice as it freezes from down under.
Also, keep in mind that your ice mold will float when you place it on the baking pan due to the salt. So, make sure to securely put it in place before storing it in the freezer.
❄️️ Slow Freezing
The slower you freeze ice, the more air bubbles and other impurities escape into the air. In other words, you’re allowing all the bad things to escape before the water freezes. And as a result, you get crystal clear ice every time!
Here’s what you need to do to make clear ice via the slow freezing technique:
- Place fresh and clean water into an ice mold.
- Put it in the freezer.
- Crank up your freezer to the highest setting and leave the water to freeze overnight.
This foolproof method leaves you with crystal clear ice every time. However, I don’t recommend this if you have a freezer filled with food or other items. After all, you will be exposing the ice mold to different odors.
Regardless, this method is easy enough for anyone and only requires a little patience.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Should I boil the water before freezing?
A: Although boiling water can kill off some germs, it doesn’t make a difference in clarity. It doesn’t change anything if you’re planning on creating clear-only ice. On the other hand, if you’re making cloudy ice, boiling might help. But generally, I don’t recommend doing this.
Q: Is it better to use filtered water than tap water?
A: If you’re making clear ice, it doesn’t matter what kind of water you use. So, it doesn’t matter if you’re using filtered or tap water. It’s still going to come out as ice. However, it might make a difference taste-wise, but just by a small margin.
Q: Does clear ice stay the same if you store them after releasing it from the tray?
A: Clear ice remains crystal clear once you create them. But this doesn’t save them from freeze or fridge smells or total sublimation. I recommend storing clear ice in airtight Ziploc bags or Tupperware. This way, your ice stays clear and odor-free.
Q: Does a silicone ice mold make clear ice?
A: Most ice molds are silicone, producing perfectly cut and crystal clear tubes. This material is the best for making ice as it’s smooth and stain-resistant. As a result, you can make clear ice without issues.
Q: Is it possible to make clear ice with ice molds?
A: The ice molds alone won’t make clear ice. Instead, they help shape it perfectly. However, I suggest filling up your ice molds at least half an inch below their top levels. This way, the ice can continually freeze without getting contaminated. And this increases your chances of making crystal clear ice.
Final Words
Whether you’re looking to make your favorite summer drinks look cooler or want to make cocktails like a pro, ice molds make it easier.
The five molds I’ve reviewed make crystal clear ice at a reasonable price. And whether you’re a professional bartender or casual mixer, these won’t disappoint! So, make your drinks colder and stylish by investing in the best clear ice molds today.