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A practical 2026 guide to space, ice-making convenience, filtration, and maintenance

Ice water purifiers are no longer appliances used only during the hottest part of summer. As iced coffee, sparkling drinks, post-workout cold water, and entertaining at home become part of everyday life, they are increasingly used throughout the year. The important differences are not limited to ice output. Filtration method, ice storage, hot-water capability, installation footprint, and maintenance service all affect long-term satisfaction.

This review compares the Coway Icon Ice Water Purifier (CHPI/CPI-7400N series), Cuckoo Zero 100 Slim Ice Water Purifier (CP-AHS100H series), and Chungho Nais New Icetree (WI-36C90620N). Rental fees and promotions vary by contract term, service cycle, and affiliated-card discounts, so the comparison focuses on practical differences rather than a temporary advertised price.

1. Three products with different priorities

The Coway Icon is a balanced model for households that want cold, hot, and purified water plus ice without giving up too much counter space. Its clean exterior and intuitive controls reflect the familiar Icon design language, making it attractive to buyers who care about both convenience and kitchen aesthetics.

The Cuckoo Zero 100 Slim emphasizes a narrow installation width and 100°C hot-water capability. It is especially practical for homes that frequently prepare tea, coffee, instant noodles, or convenience meals. Its compact footprint also makes it a strong candidate for narrow counters and kitchen islands.

The Chungho Nais New Icetree is aimed at buyers who value the brand's long experience with ice water purifiers, filtration performance, and relatively generous ice storage. It deserves close attention in homes with high daily ice consumption or where reverse-osmosis-style filtration is preferred.

2. Key differences at a glance

Category	Coway Icon	Cuckoo Zero 100 Slim	Chungho New Icetree
Positioning	Balanced design and features	Slim fit and high-temperature water	Filtration and ice storage
Functions	Cold, hot, purified water and ice	Cold, hot, purified water and ice	Cold, hot, purified water and ice
Filtration	Direct-flow convenience	Direct-flow convenience	Reverse-osmosis-oriented system
Best space	Compact kitchen	Narrow installation area	Counter with more clearance
Best for	Typical 3-4 person household	Frequent hot-water use	High ice consumption

3. Ice dispensing and everyday convenience

All three models dispense ice at the touch of a button, making them more convenient than freezer trays. In practice, satisfaction depends on storage capacity, dispensing speed, ice clumping, and operating noise. For a family that prepares only a few drinks at a time, any of the three can be adequate. Homes that fill large tumblers repeatedly or host guests will benefit more from a larger storage bin.

Coway aims for balanced daily household use, while Cuckoo's strength is fitting an ice-making system into a compact body. Chungho Nais is the more natural choice for users who prioritize a larger supply of ready-to-use ice. Published maximum ice output is measured under specified conditions and may change with inlet-water temperature, room temperature, and cold-water demand.

4. Hot water and dispensing controls

For households that frequently use very hot water, the Cuckoo Zero 100 Slim's 100°C setting is its clearest advantage. It can support tea, pour-over coffee, instant noodles, and simple meal preparation from one appliance. Because near-boiling water creates a burn risk, homes with young children should carefully review lock settings and the required control sequence.

The Coway Icon focuses on intuitive temperature and volume selection. This is helpful when family members dispense different amounts of water or use it for formula, tea, and coffee. Chungho Nais also provides cold, hot, and purified water, but its stronger reasons for purchase are filtration design and ice supply rather than fine-grained convenience features.

5. Hygiene and maintenance

An ice water purifier has more maintenance points than a basic direct-flow purifier. The ice bin, dispensing outlet, drip tray, and faucet are exposed to air and frequent contact. Automatic sterilization can reduce risk, but it does not eliminate the need to clean removable parts.

·    Confirm the filter replacement interval and the exact scope of technician visits.

·    Ask whether the technician cleans the ice bin and ice dispensing pathway.

·    Check whether the faucet, drip tray, and ice outlet can be removed by the user.

·    After a long absence, follow the manufacturer's draining and cleaning procedure.

Coway suits buyers who prefer an established technician-visit service. With Cuckoo, sterilization features and removable-part cleaning are worth reviewing together. The New Icetree is often valued for its electrolysis-water sterilization coverage and care service, but the visit frequency and exact service scope can vary by contract.

6. Installation space and noise matter

A purifier does not fit simply because its body fits on the counter. Clearance from the wall, interference with doors or upper cabinets, the route of the water line, and space for removing the drip tray must all be considered. Cuckoo is strongest in a narrow installation area, while the Coway Icon is also relatively compact. Chungho Nais should generally be given more surrounding space because it prioritizes ice storage capability.

Ice-making systems use a compressor and release ice into a storage bin, so complete silence is unrealistic. In a small home where the kitchen is close to the living or sleeping area, startup and ice-drop sounds may be more noticeable at night. Listening to a display model or checking a credible real-use video is more useful than relying on a single decibel figure.

7. Compare total cost, not the promotional monthly fee

Advertised monthly rental prices often include a limited discount period or affiliated-card spending requirements. Total payments can change according to a three-, five-, six-, or seven-year term, self-care versus technician service, and the ownership-transfer date. Compare the total obligation and early-termination cost rather than the first month's payment.

·    Regular monthly fee after the promotion ends

·    Mandatory-use period, full contract term, and ownership-transfer timing

·    Registration, installation, removal, and early-termination charges

·    Whether filters, consumables, and technician visits are included

·    Actual base fee before affiliated-card discounts

8. Which model suits which household?

The Coway Icon is a sensible recommendation for a typical three- to four-person household seeking a balanced combination of design, footprint, water functions, and ice. Its strength is not one extreme specification but a well-rounded daily experience.

The Cuckoo Zero 100 Slim fits users with limited counter space who frequently need very hot water. If you often prepare instant noodles, tea, or pour-over coffee and want one machine to provide ice as well, its priorities are easy to understand.

The Chungho Nais New Icetree is suitable for households with heavy ice consumption that place strong emphasis on filtration. Buyers who prefer the simplicity of a direct-flow system or have very limited kitchen space should inspect the body and storage configuration in person before deciding.

9. Final verdict

Although the three models share the same basic functions, their ideal users are different. Choose the Coway Icon for kitchen aesthetics and overall balance, the Cuckoo Zero 100 Slim for a narrow footprint and 100°C hot water, and the Chungho Nais New Icetree when filtration approach and ready ice capacity take priority.

The best ice water purifier is not the model with the longest feature list. It is the one that matches your daily ice use, hot-water habits, available installation space, and preferred maintenance method. Before signing, obtain written confirmation of installation feasibility, total payments, and service coverage.

Frequently asked questions

Q1. Does an ice water purifier use a lot of electricity?

It generally uses more electricity than a basic direct-flow purifier because it must cool water and make ice. Actual cost varies with ice-making frequency, cold- and hot-water settings, room temperature, and use of energy-saving modes.

Q2. Is automatic sterilization enough for the ice bin?

Automatic sterilization helps, but it cannot replace regular cleaning of exposed and removable parts such as the drip tray and dispensing outlet. Follow both the manufacturer's cleaning schedule and the contracted care-service requirements.

Q3. Which of the three is unconditionally the best?

There is no universal winner. Coway is relatively strong in space and design, Cuckoo in high-temperature water and slimness, and Chungho Nais in filtration and ice storage.

Sources and important notes

Information checked on August 31, 2026. Specifications and rental conditions may vary by color, care plan, contract term, and promotion. Confirm the current official product page and written agreement before signing a contract.

·    Coway official product information: https://www.coway.com/

·    Cuckoo official rental product information: https://www.cuckoo.co.kr/

·    Chungho Nais official product information: https://www.chungho.co.kr/