The Klaris Mini debuted last month to an incredible response. It brings the same crystal clear, bar quality ice as the original Klaris machine, now in a smaller, more accessible format designed for everyday use.
As Chase, our founder, shares, every Klaris product begins with a story of craftsmanship, community, and a desire to elevate the at home drink experience. The Mini is the next chapter in that story.
Why the Klaris Mini Exists
The Mini was shaped by years of listening to the Klaris community, and the same themes surfaced again and again: people wanted clear ice that was easier to own, easier to use, and easier to fit into everyday life.
- Accessibility -The original machine delivered unmatched clarity, but many people wanted a more affordable way to join the Klaris experience.
- Size and space -Homes needed a machine that fit comfortably under cabinets or tucked away without dominating the counter.
- Convenience - Most community members made clear ice a few times a month and prioritized convenience over high volume.
From these insights, the Mini was designed with the following in mind:
- Simplicity -A single button and intuitive lights make clear ice effortless for anyone.
- Consistency - Dependable clarity in any environment, warm or cold.
- Space - A compact footprint that fits naturally into any kitchen or bar setup.
- Cost - A price built to welcome more people into the Klaris community.
The Mini stays true to the Klaris standard while making crystal clear ice more accessible, more practical, and easier to enjoy every day.
Product Development Process
Designing the Klaris Mini meant more than shrinking the original machine, it meant reimagining how clear ice could fit into everyday life. The team revisited nearly every component with real user feedback in mind.
Rethinking What Matters
One of the earliest challenges was height. Many people struggled to open the original machine under cabinets, so the team rerouted the heat exchanger to the back. This single decision reshaped the internal layout and made the Mini far more countertop friendly.
The interface came next. With less surface area to work with, simplicity became essential. The team landed on one button, a progress bar, and clean indicator lights - all the information you need without added screens or clutter.
Thermal performance brought its own challenges. To increase speed while maintaining clarity, especially in warm environments, the team redesigned the heat exchanger and refined the cooling process. The result is a smaller machine that still delivers the consistency Klaris is known for.
Finding the Right Form
Early prototypes took on many shapes. The team explored stacked, hamburger, and hotdog layouts using foam models to see how each felt in a real kitchen. The hamburger format stood out immediately for its balance of size, usability, and visual appeal, and it became the foundation of the final product.
Moments of Clarity
One of the first moments that truly felt like success was when the team created painted models in three different colors and shared videos of them with people. The reaction was overwhelmingly positive and gave a clear signal that the design direction was resonating. Another strong datapoint came later as early users began sharing their experiences with the Mini. Hearing how closely their real world feedback matched the team’s assumptions made it clear that the product was landing exactly as intended.
Timeline: From Idea to Launch
The Mini moved from concept to production in a little over a year. Foam models began in November 2024, followed by 3D printed prototypes and fully painted looks-like and works-like units. In February 2025, tooling was kicked off and the first molded prototypes arrived in April, with May and June devoted to testing and refinement. By July, pilot builds and beta units were in the hands of testers, leading to a community launch in August and September. The Mini went public in October 2025, reaching full volume shipping in November.
This development process and production ramp demanded confident decisions, rapid iteration, and the support of many talented people across teams and partners.
Final Thoughts from Chase
The Klaris Mini is the next evolution of craft ice at home - shaped by community insight, thoughtful design, and countless prototypes, all with a single goal: bring beautiful clarity to more people. It is compact, accessible, and simple, yet delivers the unmistakable Klaris quality with confidence.
It is more than ice. It is a piece of the Klaris community, made to be part of yours.
We can’t wait to see what you craft with the Mini.
