Which makes ice faster?

Both start producing quickly. The COWSAR lists first nugget ice in about 15 minutes. The Newair runs a batch every 6 to 15 minutes depending on cube size. Daily output claims differ by source, so treat the numbers as rough.

Which is better for chewing ice?

The COWSAR. Nugget ice is soft and crushable, which is why people seek it out. Newair's bullet cubes are solid and hard.

Does either need plumbing?

No. Both are manual-fill countertop units. You fill the tank yourself, and neither needs a water line.

Which holds more ice at once?

The COWSAR, at a 3.3 lb ice box that keeps ice for about 5 hours. The Newair bin holds 2.4 lb.

Which is easier to clean?

The Newair, which has a self-cleaning cycle and a side drain. The COWSAR has no listed self-clean function, so you clean it by hand.

Is the COWSAR worth stepping up to over the Newair?

Only if nugget ice and no-scoop dispensing matter to you. If you just want plenty of standard cubes and easier cleaning, the Newair covers it.

COWSAR Z5820DN Nugget Ice Maker vs Newair Countertop Ice Maker

Buy the COWSAR if you want chewable nugget ice and hands-free dispensing. Its pull-lever dispenser drops ice without a scoop, and nugget ice is the soft, crunchy kind people seek out for sodas and cocktails. The Newair is the sturdier, simpler choice for classic bullet ice: three cube sizes, a self-clean cycle and a larger bin. Owners rate the COWSAR higher, but the Newair has far more ratings behind it. Neither is built for a plumbed-in kitchen.

Choose the COWSAR if you want soft nugget ice, a no-scoop dispenser and a narrow footprint on the counter.
Choose the Newair if you want standard bullet ice in three sizes, a self-cleaning cycle and a bigger ice bin.

Prices

COWSAR Z5820DN Nugget Ice Maker: $299.97 at Amazon (checked today)
Newair Countertop Ice Maker: $149.00 at Home Depot (checked today)
Difference: the Newair Countertop Ice Maker is $150.97 cheaper than the COWSAR Z5820DN Nugget Ice Maker today

COWSAR Silent Nugget Ice Maker 44lbs/24H Countertop Dispenser

	COWSAR Z5820DN Nugget Ice Maker	Newair Countertop Ice Maker
Ice style	Soft, chewable nugget ice	Bullet-shaped cubes
Dispensing	Pull the lever and ice drops into your cup, no scoop	Scoop from a removable bin
Ice size options	One nugget size	Three selectable cube sizes
Bin capacity	3.3 lb ice box, holds ice about 5 hours	2.4 lb bin
Self-cleaning	Not listed	Built-in self-clean cycle
Footprint	About 10.6 x 15.9 in, 16.9 in tall	About 11.8 x 13.8 in, 14.6 in tall
Build	Plastic body, 200 W	Stainless steel finish, BPA-free parts, about 30 lb
Owner feedback	4.8 of 5 from 444 ratings	4.5 of 5 from 1,232 ratings

Spec	COWSAR Z5820DN Nugget Ice Maker	Newair Countertop Ice Maker
Use	Home	Home, Commercial
Installation	Countertop	Countertop
Portable	Yes	Yes
Daily Production	34 lb daily production	28 lb daily production
Width	8.66 in wide	11.75 in
Height	12.68 in high	14.60 in
Depth	16.93 in deep	13.75 in
Model Number	—	AI-215SS
Weight	—	30 lb
Dimensions	—	13.5 x 16 x 16 in
Self-Cleaning	—	Yes
Number of Ice Size Options	—	3

Spec	COWSAR Z5820DN Nugget Ice Maker	Newair Countertop Ice Maker
Ice Produced in 1 Hour	—	1 lb, 14.3 oz
Storage Capacity	—	5 liters (Water Tank Capacity)
Ice Type	—	Bullet ice
Ice Shape	—	Bullet-shaped
Ice Size	—	3 sizes
Bin Capacity	—	2.4 lbs
Cycle Time	—	Every 10 minutes, 6 minutes
Installation Type	—	Countertop
Installation Location	—	Outdoor, Indoor
Water Supply Type

COWSAR Z5820DN Nugget Ice Maker vs Newair Countertop Ice Maker

Prices

COWSAR Z5820DN Nugget Ice Maker vs Newair Countertop Ice Maker

Prices

Newair Countertop Ice Maker

What separates them

Price history

Prices at every store