Best ice cube trays for perfectly cool drinks 2024

Mumsnetters love Lakeland for all things kitchen gadget and this flexible ice cube tray comes highly recommended on the forums. Its oversized design is handy for keeping drinks chilled for longer and for storing soups, purées, fruit juice and more.

It boasts a steel frame so the whole tray will remain rigid (so you don’t have to) as you remove it from the freezer. The flexible silicone makes releasing the cubes a stroll in the park too.

We love the 'giant' ice cubes it makes – as they melt at a slower pace than standard-sized cubes, this makes them ideal for heatwaves if you don't have a portable air conditioner to rely on; simply run the ice over the sides of your neck and wrists for a cooling quick fix.

Read next: The best deodorants for kids, according to Mumsnet users

This IKEA ice cube tray may be basic, but it certainly doesn't compromise on fun; we love the cute nautical shaped-cubes it produces which are sure to delight little ones. It's fairly compact too, so you shouldn't have too much trouble slotting it into your freezer.

It's a little on the thin side so it's not the most robust option out there, but for just a pound you really can't go wrong with this if you’re looking for a cheap and cheerful tray this summer.

Related: The best desk fan for working from home, according to Mumsnet users

If the idea of water spilling out of your ice cube tray as you slot it in the freezer gives you the chills, a tray with a lid could be the solution. Not only does this style of tray reduce the chance of mess, but some consumers prefer a lid for hygiene reasons and to make it easier to stack.

This two-pack from Hobby Life is easy to use; you can fill them up through a hole, rather than having to remove and replace the lid. However, some users did find it tricky get the right volume for ice cubes as the base is opaque, so they had to take off the lid to check anyway.

It's also easy to remove the cubes from this tray too. The downside is you can't select the colours you receive and they're not the most stylish, but they do get points for practicality.

Want to really wow your dinner party guests? We think these quirky ice spheres would look fantastic in cocktails and G&Ts. Admittedly, they're a little gimmicky and you may also want a more standard tray for everyday drinks and for adding to your reusable water bottle, but they're ideal for something a little different when you're entertaining.

The moulds are dishwasher safe so clean up is nice and simple. They'd also be easy to slot in your freezer as you can scatter them about separately where there's space unlike a conventional ice tray - just make sure they're upright so the water doesn't leak out of the top.

Splash out on this set of four stackable trays for neat and tidy ice cube storage. It’s fantastic value for money and thanks to its simple silicone design, you’ll have 56 cubes ready to easily pop out at your convenience.

The manufacturer recommends leaving the trays for a few minutes after removing from the freezer in order to loosen the ice. Each tray comes with a lid to keep liquids in their rightful spot too.

Related: Best pedestal fans for a cooling breeze

For many parents, ice cube trays come into their own at the weaning stage of parenting, making it an essential bit of kitchen kit. The KIDDO FEEDO Baby Food Freezer Tray allows you to freeze and store freshly cooked baby food and purées safely. It’s great if you’re into a routine of batch cooking as it means you can store perfect portion sizes after whipping up some baby-friendly dishes.

It’s made from BPA-free plastic and is dishwasher safe. It also sports a highly flexible silicone tray design so dispensing individual portions is made easy. Its clickable lid will help you to avoid spillages and the 60ml cubes make it most suitable for the early days of weaning when portions are at their smallest, and for storing breast milk.

We’re huge fans of the OXO Good Grips tray – it can create 48 ice cubes in one neat unit. It features a plastic outer shell with two bendy silicone trays inside - the plastic container helps reduce annoying leaks when shifting items around the freezer and the stackable lid keeps freezer smells at bay.

We also love that the tray is available in small and large designs, depending on the size of the cube you’re looking to create. It’s both BPA- and PVC-free so it’s a safe option for leftover food as well as for a reliable drinks livener.

Related: Discover the best kids' water bottle to keep your little one hydrated

Shake up classic cocktails with ice cubes from a traditional stainless steel tray. This retro design is inspired by 1950s entertaining and can create 18 ice cubes in one go. It can be used to freeze sauces, purées and leftovers and you can throw it into the dishwasher for an easy clean.

It features a lever that can be flipped to release the cubes to add a bit of drama to your daiquiris. Made from robust stainless steel, it’s our most durable and stain-resistant option but it doesn't come cheap.