This machine doesn't quite measure up, but it's better than my broken refrigerator icemaker, and much less expensive than repairs to the refrigerator. The large cubes are small and hollow. When set to small cubes they are like crushed ice. The machine starts making cubes as soon as you push the button, but you must keep emptying the bin or they begin to melt and end up a big chunk of melting ice. It only stops when you shut it off, or when the water is gone.UPDATE: I've been using this icemaker now for a while and have upgraded my review. I discovered that if I keep a pitcher of water in the refrigerator and use that to make ice, the machine works much better. The cubes aren't so mushy and wet and they're a bit bigger. For the price this really is a good little machine.Purchased this Ice Maker since my Samsung Fridge Ice Maker decided to give up after 4 fixes. The wife was very happy to have ice in the house. It does its job of making ice, but it is far from quite. I can hear the ice maker working from the other room, it's advertised as a quite machine but its far from it. But it's an ice machine, and it does its job.We've become addicted to these counter top ice makers. I would say this is our third purchase of similar models. From our experience, these ice makers last about one year. For us this is still cheaper than buying ice weekly. It might be slighlty noisier than units we've had, but it looks very nice on the counter. The branding on the front came off easily with a magic eraser, to make it look even sleeker. I wish I could add more; it works, it produce ice fact and in the shape/style we like. As for the durability, it's too soon to tell. Ask me in a year.the icemaker in our refrigerator stopped working and we did the store bought ice before we came across this machine. we love it.It's a great ice maker, only complaint is that it makes the ice super thin so they melt before you can even sit down with your drink, I practically have to dump the whole tray into my glass. Other than that, it's greatI love this ice makerLove everything! We were spending a lot of time & money on bags of ice. Couldn't be happier so far with this purchase!Now need to get one for our camper! :)Really surprised at how easy to use, our in refrigerator ice maker went out this is a great alternative. Make sure you put ice in bag to freeze before dumping in refrigerator bin. It comes out a little wet and will freeze in bin.