Don’t even get us started about the ice cube trays currently stacked in your freezer. We already know the ones. Those ugly, smelly, hard, plastic trays that never unhinge their grip from fresh-made ice are our one true enemy. Like, you’re built to create and release ice, not keep it for yourself. So, why does it always feel like we’re trying to break open a coconut with our bare hands in order to chill our liquids? It’s madness. Thankfully, we’ve ditched the hard plastic trays for silicone ice cube tray alternatives, and it’s time for you to join us — because, adding ice to your drink shouldn’t be an Olympic sport.
Silicone ice cube trays are an efficient and easier way to make ice than any hard plastic tray you’ve ever worked with. This is because silicone ice cube trays have total flexibility, meaning you can stretch and pull the material to effortlessly push and slide ice out into your glass. Hard ice cube trays, on the other hand, take at least four different friends, a bit of hot water, some prayers and then maybe you’ll successfully push a cube out without cracking or breaking the tray. Because silicone is so flexible and rubbery, there’s nothing to break. You can bend and twist the material as much as you want and a crack will never form.
Once you make the switch to silicone ice cube trays, you’ll begin to wonder why you never did so sooner. It will dramatically save time in the kitchen when pourin’ up your next drink and cause much less frustration. Looking to find one that’s right for you? Check out some of our favorite silicone ice cube trays below.
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1. Ozera 2 Pack Silicone Ice Cube Tray
BEST OVERALL
When it comes to a simple replacement for the current ice cube trays you have in your freezer, look no further than this two-pack from Ozera. These trays are as simple as it gets and are made to resemble what you’re already used to. Each tray has three rows of five, with a mass cube-make of fifteen total cubes each. To fill up your cup, you won’t have to exert all of your energy to bend and pry cubes out, simply twist and push to make your drinks icy cold.
2. VEHHE 3 Pack Reusable Silicone Ice Cube Trays
RUNNER-UP
If you can’t let go of the hard plastic material that comes along with the ever-so-classic ice cube trays you grew up with, this three-pack from VEHHE is a great choice for you. The material is made entirely from a hard plastic that normal trays are made from, but, the bottom of each individual ice cube holder is made with silicone. Meaning, you can get the non-flimsiness that comes with the hard trays you’re used to, but the effortless release you get from silicone ice cube trays. Also, each tray comes with a lid so you can stack them on top of one another for fewer messes and more storage in your freezer.
3. Samuelworld Ice Cube Tray
BEST FOR LARGE CUBES
Why use three ice cubes in your drink when, instead, you can use one large ice cube that makes up for three smaller ones? With Samuelworld’s silicone ice cube tray two-pack, making bigger ice comes easy. These trays have the ability to make eight large cubes each to provide 16 in total. Having larger cubes is great for whiskey and cocktails because large cubes melt much slower. Meaning, as you sip on your favorite alcoholic beverage, you won’t get that watered down taste as quickly as you would with smaller cubes. Pop just one of these into your favorite drink and expect a colder consistency and more flavor for much, much longer.
4. Silicone Mini Ice Cube Trays
BEST FOR SMALL CUBES
For those of you that love to chew on ice post-drink, this silicone ice cube tray two-pack has you covered. Each tray has the ability to create 160 tiny cubes that will both keep your beverage chilled and leave an icy snack behind afterward. Because they’re so small, they freeze a lot faster than any regular-sized cube or larger, so you can enjoy your chilled drink quicker. These are also tiny enough to slide down the neck of a recyclable, plastic water bottle, so you can even chill drinks that you’d like to take on the go.
5. LYWUU Dachshund Dog Shaped Silicone Ice Cube Tray
BEST SHAPED ICE
Ice just wants to have fun. Sorry, been listening to too much Cyndi Lauper lately. Anyway, spice up your ice with this fun Weiner dog-shaped ice mold for dog lovers and fun-seekers alike. This tray makes for an exciting surprise to add in any punch bowl during the holiday season that your guests will totally get a kick out of. Nine dachshunds can be found in this tray, so if you’re planning on icing an entire bowl or pitcher, we suggest you double or triple up on your purchase.
6. Housewares Solutions Froz Ice Ball Maker
BEST ICE BALLS
Whiskey lovers will know that these silicone ice balls are a game-changing unit to your favorite glass on the rocks. The silicone tray comes in two parts to create the perfect spherical shape you want for your ice. These slow melters are also pretty huge in size, so you won’t need more than one to chill up your glass. While it works as a delicious addition to keep the flavor in alcoholic beverages, we also love these ice balls for iced coffee and juices. The silicone trays are easy to use, dishwasher safe and leak-proof to make perfectly seamless ice balls no matter where you are, as long as you have a freezer nearby.
7. Long Ice Stick Tray Silicone Trays
BEST FOR WATER BOTTLES
Stop shoving regular-sized ice into your water bottle. It didn’t fit yesterday and it’s sure as hell won’t fit today. Give it up and snag yourself this three-pack silicone ice cube tray to create bottle-perfect ice sticks that are made to be as on-the-go as you are. Each tray has 10 different grooves to create ice and comes with a few lids for stacking. If you don’t normally bring water on the go, these trays are also great for taller cups in order to evenly distribute coldness faster in your glass. And for just $10? Why aren’t these in your cart yet?
8. WETONG 2 Pack Silicone Ice Cube Molds
BEST SPACE SAVER
This two-pack of silicone ice cube trays from WETONG is an excellent option if you’re looking to save space in your freezer. The two molds create 74 cubes in total and stack right on top of one another when stored. Each tray is pretty tiny, and although the cubes are pretty small as well, the ice provided goes a long way and effectively chills your drink quickly. These are perfect for you ice-chewers out there too, because as you slurp your drink, these cubes will shrink to a size perfect for munching.
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