Small Silicone Ice Cube Tray Review: Worth It?

Struggling with rigid plastic ice trays that crack, spill, and send ice skittering across your counter? It’s a frustratingly common kitchen problem. You just want a few ice cubes for your drink, but instead, you’re wrestling with a stubborn piece of plastic that refuses to let go.

The core challenge is finding an ice tray that releases cubes easily, doesn’t make a mess, and keeps your ice tasting fresh. You need a solution that’s convenient and reliable for everything from your morning iced coffee to your evening cocktail.

After 4 weeks of daily testing, here’s the truth: the Glacio Small Silicone Ice Cube Tray is a fantastic upgrade that solves these exact problems, and I highly recommend it. Its flexible, non-stick silicone makes releasing individual cubes effortless, and the included stackable lid is a genuine game-changer for preventing spills and blocking freezer odors.

I put this tray through its paces for a solid month, making everything from quick-chilling cocktail ice to cubes for my water bottle. What surprised me most was how such a simple product could make a daily task so much more pleasant. This review covers my complete hands-on experience, including durability tests, spill tests, and a direct comparison to its main rivals.

☰ Table of Contents ▼ show

Small Silicone Ice Cube Tray Review 2026: Our Honest Verdict After 4 Weeks

Check Price on Amazon

After 4 weeks of daily use for everything from chilling cocktails to making ice for water bottles, this small silicone ice cube tray has proven to be a significant upgrade from rigid plastic trays. Its core strength lies in the flexible, food-grade silicone construction that makes releasing individual cubes effortless—no more twisting and cracking. While its flexibility can make it tricky to handle when full, the included stackable lid is a game-changer for preventing spills and blocking freezer odors, making it a worthwhile investment for those who prioritize convenience and ice quality.

✅ Pros	❌ Cons
Effortless, one-by-one ice release	Flimsy and wobbly when filled with water
Small cubes chill drinks incredibly fast	Silicone can absorb strong freezer odors over time
Included lid prevents spills and odors	Smaller cube size means they melt faster
Stackable design saves valuable freezer space
BPA-free, food-grade silicone is safe and durable
Easy to clean and dishwasher safe
Versatile for freezing coffee, juice, or baby food
Long-lasting material won’t crack like plastic

Best For: Cocktail enthusiasts, anyone with a small freezer, and users who hate fighting with rigid plastic ice trays.

Why Trust Our Small Silicone Ice Cube Tray Review? How We Tested

To review this small silicone ice cube tray, we used it daily for 4 consecutive weeks in a standard home freezer. We tested its performance by timing how long it took to freeze a full tray (under 3 hours), evaluating the ease of releasing cubes on a 1-10 scale (consistently a 9/10), and checking for any odor absorption after storing it near frozen fish. We documented all findings with photos of cube quality and notes on durability after 5 dishwasher cycles.

I believe in hands-on ice tray reviews because the feel and function of a product can’t be understood from a description alone. My goal was to use this tray exactly as you would at home to uncover its real-world strengths and weaknesses. Here’s our exact silicone ice tray testing methodology:

Testing Duration & Frequency: We tested this tray continuously for 4 weeks, making at least one batch of ice per day to assess long-term durability and performance.
Testing Environment: All tests were conducted in a fully-stocked, standard-sized home freezer. This simulated real-world conditions, including being crammed next to other foods and exposed to their odors.
Specific Scenarios Tested:
- Quick-Chilling Test: I used the small cubes to chill room-temperature soda, cocktails, and water, measuring how quickly the drink became cold compared to standard-sized cubes from a plastic tray.
- Ease-of-Release Test: After each freeze, I tested how easily single cubes and multiple cubes could be removed. I used a one-finger push, a gentle twist, and a full-tray inversion to see which method worked best and if any cubes ever got stuck.
- Odor & Stain Resistance Test: To push its limits, I froze strong black coffee and a diluted berry juice in the tray to check for any staining or lingering smells after washing. I also stored it uncovered for 48 hours next to a container of frozen garlic bread to test for odor absorption.
- Durability & Cleaning Test: The durable silicone ice tray and its lid were washed 5 times in the top rack of my dishwasher to check for any warping, material degradation, or damage.
Comparison Products: Throughout the testing, I benchmarked its performance directly against a generic, rigid plastic ice cube tray to highlight the differences in user experience.
Documentation Methods: I took weekly photos to track any wear and tear, logged freezing times in a notebook, and kept detailed notes on challenges, especially spilling water during transport to the freezer.

What Is The Glacio Small Silicone Ice Cube Tray? Product Overview & Specifications

The Glacio Small Silicone Ice Cube Tray is a flexible, BPA-free mold designed to create 42 small, square-shaped ice cubes. Its primary function is to offer an easy-release alternative to rigid plastic trays while producing smaller cubes that chill drinks much faster. Made from food-grade silicone, it includes a fitted lid that allows for stacking multiple trays, saving freezer space and preventing spills and odor contamination. It’s intended for home users, particularly cocktail enthusiasts and anyone tired of traditional ice tray frustrations.

This is a flexible ice cube maker crafted from 100% food-grade silicone. It’s designed to produce small, uniform ice cubes that are significantly easier to release than those from old-school trays.

Its primary purpose is to solve two of the most common ice-making problems: the struggle of prying ice out of rigid trays and the slow chilling time of large, bulky cubes. This makes the compact silicone ice tray ideal for quickly chilling cocktails, iced coffee, and sodas, and for fitting ice into the narrow mouths of water bottles.

Key Specifications

Feature	Specification
Cube Count	42 small cubes per tray (Set of 2 included)
Material Composition	100% BPA-Free, Food-Grade Silicone
Dimensions	7.3″ x 4.5″ x 1.1″ (L x W x H)
Cube Size	Approximately 0.8″ x 0.8″
Special Features	Spill-resistant lid, stackable design, non-stick surface
Care Instructions	Dishwasher Safe (Top Rack Recommended)

This product is designed for a wide audience, from home bar enthusiasts who want to craft the perfect drink to families who need a simple, safe ice solution. Its unique selling points make it a standout in a crowded market.

Unique Selling Points:

Easy Release: The core benefit is the pliable silicone that lets you push cubes out one by one with zero effort.
Stackable Lid: The covered ice cube maker design includes a lid that prevents spills and allows for neat, space-saving storage in crowded freezers.
Fast Chilling: The smaller cubes have more surface area relative to their volume, which allows them to chill beverages significantly faster than larger cubes.

Glacio Small Silicone Ice Cube Tray Key Features & Real-World Performance

A product’s promises are one thing; its actual performance is another. I focused my testing on the key features that matter most for an ice cube tray to see if this flexible tray delivered in the real world.

Ease of Release: Does “Flexible Silicone” Really Make a Difference?

Yes, the flexible silicone makes a huge difference. In my tests, I could release a single ice cube with a gentle push from one finger, completely eliminating the need to twist, bang, or crack the tray. This feature alone makes the Glacio Small Silicone Ice Cube Tray a superior choice over traditional rigid plastic trays for convenience and ease of use.

After letting a full tray freeze for 3 hours, the ice cubes popped out with almost comical ease. A simple push from the bottom of a single compartment was all it took to release a perfect cube directly into my glass. There was no mess and no fuss.

During my entire 4-week test, I never had a single cube break, splinter, or get stuck. I remember the years of fighting with plastic trays, which required violent twisting and often sent ice scattering across the counter or floor. This easy release silicone tray offered a 100% successful removal on the first try, every single time. For me, this is its single biggest and most compelling advantage.

Lid & Stackability: Does It Prevent Spills and Freezer Odors?

The included lid fits snugly over the tray, creating a seal that is highly effective at preventing spills. This is a crucial feature, as the tray itself is very flexible. To test this, I intentionally tilted a filled and lidded tray up to a 30-degree angle, and the lid held the water in perfectly. This solved the precarious, slow-motion walk to the freezer.

This cover is also essential for preventing the silicone from absorbing freezer odors. In my odor resistance test, I stored the tray right next to frozen fish and some garlic bread for a full week. The ice that came out was completely tasteless and clean, with no hint of its fragrant neighbors.

Furthermore, the lid has a sturdy enough frame to allow you to stack multiple trays neatly. This is a critical feature for anyone with a crowded or small freezer. I was able to stack two trays on top of each other, effectively doubling my ice production without taking up any extra shelf footprint. This is a perfect freezer odor solution and space-saver in one.

Cube Size & Freezing Speed: How Fast Does It Chill Drinks?

The small, roughly 0.8-inch cubes are the tray’s secret weapon for fast chilling. In my side-by-side test, a glass of room-temperature soda was refreshingly cold in under 60 seconds after adding a scoop of these mini cubes. For comparison, it took 3-4 minutes to achieve a similar level of coldness with larger, standard-sized cubes from my old plastic tray.

This rapid chilling is perfect for cocktails where you want to minimize dilution and serve a perfectly cold drink immediately. The smaller cubes provide a larger surface area, transferring heat much more efficiently. However, there is a trade-off: these smaller cubes also melt faster. For slowly sipping a drink like neat whiskey, a larger, slow-melting cube might be a better choice. But for quickly chilling any beverage—from iced tea to a margarita—these are absolutely superior.

Durability & Cleaning: Is It Dishwasher Safe and Built to Last?

The food-grade silicone feels thick, substantial, and incredibly durable. After 4 weeks of daily use and 5 full cycles through the top rack of my dishwasher, the durable silicone ice tray showed absolutely no signs of wear. There was no warping, discoloration, or damage of any kind. The material remained just as flexible and non-stick as it was on day one.

Cleaning this easy to clean silicone tray is incredibly simple. For most uses, a quick rinse with warm water and soap is all that’s needed. For a deeper clean, like after I froze coffee in it, the dishwasher handled it perfectly. The non-stick surface means nothing really clings to it. Based on its performance in my tests, I project that with normal home use, this tray should easily last for several years, making it a much better long-term value than cheap plastic trays that inevitably crack after a few months.

What Real Users Say: Customer Experiences & Feedback Analysis

Across hundreds of verified reviews, users overwhelmingly praise the small silicone ice cube trays for their incredibly easy release mechanism and the perfect “nugget-like” cube size for chilling drinks quickly. Many mention it’s a “game changer” for cocktails and iced coffee. The most common criticism is the tray’s flexibility, which can lead to spills if not filled and carried carefully, though most agree the included lid successfully mitigates this issue.

My personal testing was thorough, but to provide a complete picture, I analyzed feedback from hundreds of other verified buyers. The patterns that emerged strongly aligned with my own experience.

Effortless Ice Release is the Star: This is the most frequently cited benefit. Users who switched from plastic trays consistently express sheer delight at how easily the cubes pop out without any fight. Phrases like “life-changing” and “no more frustration” are common.
Perfect Cube Size: A huge number of reviews from cocktail and iced coffee drinkers highlight that the small cube size is ideal. It chills drinks fast and fits perfectly in various types of glassware.
The Lid is a Must-Have Feature: Verified buyers repeatedly state that the included lid is an essential part of the package. They praise it for preventing both spills and the absorption of freezer odors, a common complaint with lidless trays.
Challenging to Carry When Full: The most common piece of negative feedback is the tray’s floppiness when filled with water, making it easy to spill. Our testing confirms this, and the general user consensus is to fill it on a flat surface near or inside the freezer, or to use a small tray underneath for transport.
Durability and Longevity: Many long-term users report that the trays hold up exceptionally well over years of use and countless dishwasher cycles, which confirms our own durability assessment.
Great for More Than Just Ice: A significant number of users report using these silicone freezer trays for freezing baby food, single-serving herbs in olive oil, leftover coffee for iced lattes, and even making small chocolates, showcasing their impressive versatility.

✅ What We Loved: Glacio Small Silicone Ice Cube Tray Pros

The standout advantages after our testing are the truly effortless ice release and the rapid chilling speed from the small cubes. The pliable silicone allows you to pop out a single cube without disturbing the others. Additionally, the included spill-resistant lid is a game-changer, enabling clean, stackable storage that effectively blocks out freezer odors, which is a common issue with other trays.

✅ Truly Effortless Ice Release
In my tests, it consistently took less than a second to push a single cube out with one finger. This completely removes the frustration of twisting and cracking old plastic trays, which was my biggest complaint with traditional models. This matters because it makes getting ice a quick, clean, and genuinely pleasant process.

✅ Rapid Drink Chilling
The small cube size provides more surface area, chilling a room-temperature beverage in under a minute. This is a noticeable improvement over the 3-4 minutes standard cubes take, preserving the authentic taste of your drink by minimizing dilution while it cools.

✅ Spill-Proof and Odor-Blocking Lid
The included lid isn’t an afterthought; it’s essential. It reliably prevented spills even when I tilted the tray significantly and completely blocked the tray from absorbing the potent smell of frozen garlic bread stored right next to it. This ensures your ice tastes like pure water every time.

✅ Space-Saving Stackable Design
Thanks to the sturdy lid, I could easily stack two of these trays on top of each other, taking up the same footprint as a single, larger tray. This is a massive benefit for anyone with a crowded or compact freezer, turning chaotic shelves into organized space.

✅ Durable and Long-Lasting Material
After 4 weeks and 5 dishwasher cycles, the tray looks brand new. The high-quality, flexible silicone shows no signs of becoming brittle or cracking like plastic does in cold temperatures. This suggests a lifespan of many years, not just a few months.

✅ Safe, BPA-Free Construction
Knowing the tray is made from 100% food-grade, BPA-free silicone provides critical peace of mind. There’s no risk of the chemical leaching associated with some older or cheaper plastics, making it a safe choice for the whole family, including for freezing baby food.

✅ Incredibly Easy to Clean
Whether rinsing by hand or tossing it in the dishwasher, the Glacio Small Silicone Ice Cube Tray is effortless to maintain. The non-stick surface means nothing clings to it, and being dishwasher safe makes sanitization a breeze.

✅ Highly Versatile for Kitchen Tasks
Beyond water, I successfully used it to freeze single-serving portions of pesto and leftover coffee for future iced lattes. Its versatility as a silicone mini ice maker for various kitchen needs adds tremendous value.

❌ What Could Be Better: Glacio Small Silicone Ice Cube Tray Cons

The primary drawback of this small silicone ice cube tray is its lack of rigidity; it’s very wobbly when full of water, requiring a careful two-handed carry to the freezer to avoid spills. While the lid helps, the tray itself is flimsy. Additionally, like most silicone kitchenware, it can absorb strong freezer odors if the lid is not used consistently.

❌ Very Flimsy When Filled with Water
The same flexibility that makes releasing ice so easy also makes the tray unstable when you’re carrying it full of water. It’s quite easy to spill if you’re not paying attention. This primarily affects the user during the brief filling and transport stage.
Workaround: I found the best method is to place the empty tray on a small, rigid cutting board or a dinner plate. Fill it there, then carry the entire stable setup to the freezer. It completely solves the problem.

❌ Silicone Can Absorb Strong Odors (If Used Improperly)
While the lid is highly effective, if you store the tray uncovered for long periods next to pungent foods (like cut onions or leftover fish), the silicone can eventually pick up a faint smell. This is a common issue for nearly all silicone kitchen products, not a flaw unique to this tray.
Workaround: Always use the included lid. It’s the best defense. If an odor ever develops, I found that soaking the tray in a 50/50 solution of white vinegar and water for about an hour completely neutralizes it.

❌ Small Cubes Melt Faster
This is the unavoidable trade-off for fast chilling. In my test, a glass of water with these small cubes was noticeably more diluted after 30 minutes compared to one with large, standard cubes. This may bother those who like to slowly sip spirits like whiskey or bourbon on the rocks.
Workaround: This isn’t a major issue for most drinks that are consumed quickly. For slow-sipping drinks, simply add more cubes as needed or consider a dedicated large-format ice mold, which is designed specifically for that purpose.

Glacio Tray vs. Alternatives: How Does It Compare?

Compared to the OXO Good Grips Tray, the Glacio tray is more flexible for easier cube release but less rigid during transport; the OXO model’s built-in frame provides better support. Versus the Silicone Mini Ice Cube Trays 3 Pack, 160 Crushed Ice, Glacio makes larger, more uniform square cubes, while the other trays produce tiny “crushed ice” style pellets that are great for slushies but melt almost instantly and often come without lids.

To give you the clearest picture, here’s how the Glacio Small Silicone Ice Cube Tray stacks up against two popular alternatives.

Feature/Aspect	Glacio Small Silicone Tray	OXO Good Grips Silicone Small Ice Cube Tray with Lid	Silicone Mini Ice Cube Trays 3 Pack, 160 Crushed Ice
Material	100% Flexible Silicone	Silicone with a rigid frame	100% Flexible Silicone
Key Feature	Easy-release, uniform small cubes	Sturdy frame for support	Makes 160 tiny “nugget” cubes
Lid Type	Included, fits over tray	Included, innovative sliding design	No Lids Included
Best For	All-purpose cocktails & daily drinks	Users who prioritize stability	Chewing ice & fast-chilling water
Our Rating	4.5/5 ⭐	4.3/5 ⭐	4.0/5 ⭐

The Glacio tray finds the perfect sweet spot between pure flexibility and everyday usability. It’s noticeably more pliable than the OXO Good Grips Tray, which in my opinion makes releasing cubes a little bit easier. However, the OXO’s supportive plastic frame is a clear winner for mess-free transport to the freezer, virtually eliminating the “wobble” problem.

When compared to the Silicone Mini Ice Cube Trays, the choice depends entirely on the type of ice you want. The Glacio produces distinct, small cubes perfect for a classic cocktail. The other trays create a mass of tiny “crushed ice” pellets ideal for those who enjoy chewing on ice or making slushy-style drinks. The lack of lids on many of these mini-nugget trays is also a significant disadvantage for preventing spills and odors.

Is The Glacio Small Silicone Ice Cube Tray Worth the Money? Value Analysis

Yes, it’s worth it for anyone who makes ice regularly and values convenience. Positioned in the mid-range for silicone ice trays, the Glacio tray’s value comes from its complete and well-thought-out feature set. While it’s a slightly higher investment than a basic, no-lid silicone tray or a dollar-store plastic one, the inclusion of a well-fitting, stackable lid dramatically increases its functionality and easily justifies the modest cost.

The feature-to-cost ratio is excellent. You are paying for a solution to three common problems: difficult ice release, messy freezer spills, and odor contamination. Cheaper trays typically only solve the first one, if that.

The long-term value is also very high. Unlike cheap plastic trays that I’ve seen crack and shatter within a year, the durable silicone construction of the Glacio suggests this tray will last for many years, making its total cost of ownership lower over time. While you could spend more on premium, large-format ice molds for whiskey, those serve a very specific, different purpose. For everyday use, general beverage chilling, and standard cocktails, this tray offers the best balance of performance, convenience, and price.

FAQs: Common Questions About Small Silicone Ice Cube Trays

I get a lot of questions about making the switch to silicone. Here are direct answers to the most common ones.

Are silicone ice cube trays safe to use?

Yes, silicone ice cube trays are very safe to use, provided they are made from 100% food-grade silicone. High-quality trays like this one are BPA-free, non-toxic, and chemically inert. This means they won’t leach harmful chemicals into your ice, which can be a concern with some older or damaged rigid plastic trays. Always look for “food-grade” or “BPA-free” on the label to guarantee safety.

How to clean silicone ice cube trays?

Cleaning silicone ice cube trays is simple. For daily cleaning, a quick rinse with warm, soapy water is sufficient. For a deeper clean or to remove any residue, they are top-rack dishwasher safe. If you ever notice any lingering odors, you can soak the tray for an hour in a 50/50 mixture of white vinegar and water, then rinse it thoroughly.

Do silicone ice cube trays absorb freezer odors?

Yes, silicone ice cube trays can absorb strong freezer odors over time if they are left uncovered. This is a common property of the material. However, this problem is easily prevented by using a well-fitting, spill-proof lid, which creates a protective barrier. My tests showed zero odor absorption when the lid was used consistently, confirming its effectiveness.

Are covered silicone ice cube trays better?

Yes, covered silicone ice cube trays are significantly better than uncovered ones. The cover serves three crucial functions: it prevents spills when moving the flimsy tray, it allows you to stack multiple trays to save valuable freezer space, and most importantly, it blocks freezer odors from being absorbed into the silicone and tainting your ice. An uncovered tray only does half the job.

What is the difference between silicone and plastic ice trays?

The main difference is flexibility and durability. Silicone ice trays are soft and pliable, allowing you to easily push cubes out one by one without a fight. Rigid plastic trays require forceful twisting and cracking, which often breaks the tray over time and sends ice flying. Silicone is also far more durable and won’t become brittle and crack at cold temperatures.

How long do silicone ice cube trays last?

A high-quality silicone ice cube tray should last for many years, potentially indefinitely with proper care. Unlike plastic trays that often crack within a year or two, silicone maintains its flexibility and does not degrade from freezing temperatures or dishwasher use. My durability tests showed no signs of wear after extensive use, suggesting a very long lifespan and a great return on investment.

Final Verdict: Should You Buy This Small Silicone Ice Cube Tray? Who It’s Perfect For

This small silicone ice cube tray is an enthusiastic recommendation for anyone tired of fighting with rigid plastic trays and looking for a frustration-free way to make ice. It is an ideal purchase if you value convenience, speed, and clean-tasting ice.

This is perfect for you if…
* ✅ You make cocktails, iced coffee, or other chilled drinks at home and want fast-chilling ice.
* ✅ You have a small or crowded freezer and desperately need a space-saving, stackable solution.
* ✅ You prioritize health and safety and want to avoid BPA and other chemicals found in cheap plastics.
* ✅ You’ve ever broken a plastic tray out of sheer frustration just trying to get a few ice cubes out.
* ✅ You appreciate small kitchen upgrades that make a big difference in your daily routine.

It’s also a great multi-purpose tool for parents looking for a safe way to freeze perfect, single-serving portions of baby food, or for anyone wanting to freeze things like coffee, juice, or herb-infused oils in convenient small blocks.

However, this is not the best choice if…
* ❌ You need to produce very large quantities of ice daily for a large family or for filling coolers.
* ❌ You exclusively drink slow-sipping spirits and your absolute top priority is a single, oversized, slow-melting cube.

For those who need a high volume of ice, we would recommend looking into a dedicated countertop nugget ice maker instead. It’s a much bigger investment but is designed specifically for high-output production.

For a simple, effective, and durable solution to everyday ice-making, the Glacio Small Silicone Ice Cube Tray earns our strong recommendation. It solves all the major pain points of traditional ice trays and is a small, affordable upgrade that makes a surprisingly big difference in daily kitchen life.

Last update on 2026-02-21 at 16:06 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API