With the arrival of spring comes a shift in our culinary habits: heavy stews are exchanged for crisp salads, and once the temperature goes up, we all crave chilled beverages. A key ingredient in making the perfect cold drink, whether it's a morning cold brew or an evening cocktail, is the use of good quality ice.

Among popular ice cube trays available from brands like OXO and W&P, we trialed 15 to determine which ones create exceptional ice for our drinks. Our selection also included options for sphere-shape ice, large rocks, and options for storing leftovers. The most useful ice cube tray additions to your kitchen are those that don’t take up much space, such as the compact ice makers which come just in time for the iced coffee season.

A product from W&P stood out due to its steel-reinforced frame, which provides enough stability to prevent spills and ensure safe transportation of a liquid-filled tray. The W&P Peak Silicone Everyday Ice Tray, popular due to its aesthetic appeal and quality, produces twelve 1.25-inch ice cubes, each easily ejected using a push of their silicone cube base. The tray also has a secure top, reducing the risk of liquid spills and preventing cubes from falling out once frozen.

What our team was partial to was the steady balance of the ice tray's structure, which facilitated stress-free filling and transportation to the freezer. Other pros are the protective cover, which prevents unwanted freezer smells from seeping in, though it could be improved if it held on more securely. The product results in solid ice cubes without any hollow or bubbled areas, though overfilling can lead to a thin freezer burn layer on top. The compact, dishwasher-safe tray is easy to clean by hand, making it ideal for the average household.

An appealing bulk option from Jrisbo can create up to 56 ice cubes in a single go, thanks to its four trays. The smaller cubes are perfect for non-alcoholic drinks like water or seltzer, though removing the cubes can be a bit of a struggle, fortunately, this skill can be mastered.

For those seeking a process to create crystalline clear ice cubes, the ClearlyFrozen option stands out. The tray which requires considerable freezer space and time for best results is a worthy consideration for cocktail enthusiasts.

If you fancy making eye-catching square ice cubes for your home-based drinks, Cocktail Kingdom's square ice cube tray won't disappoint. This tray uses soft, durable silicone that, unlike other options on our list, doesn’t come with any frame support, making it challenging to carry when full of liquid without causing spills.

Our search for the best sphere ice molds saw the awarding of top honors to the four-sphere silicone mold from Tinana. Filling the mold with water and then placing them in the larger insulated box, then waiting 24 to 36 hours, gives you four crystal-clear, round ice spheres perfect for a classic whiskey cocktail or Scotch on the rocks.

For those with limited freezer space, the OXO's space-saving ice tray, with its thin design and secure silicone lid, might be an ideal option.

When it comes to the ice cube tray that takes the crown, we ranked the W&P Peak Silicone Everyday Ice Tray at the top due to its sturdy and easy-to-use silicone mold. The size of the ice it produces is ideal for any drink, adding a modern and elegant touch to your beverage. Various factors were considered during testing, including the material of the tray, cube capacity, and size.