Keeping your drinks cold without watering them down is a fine art—one that can be easily mastered with the right ice cube tray. The best ice cube trays create ice cubes that are easy to remove and perfectly sized for your drinkware. But one key feature takes the title home: a lid. Here’s why the best ice cube tray comes with one.

Firstly, a lid prevents spills. Filling an ice cube tray to just the right level can feel like a balancing act. One wrong move, and you’re sloshing water all over your freezer floor (or worse, onto other food items). A lidded tray allows you to fill it more confidently, knowing any excess will be caught by the lid.

Secondly, it maintains cleanliness. A lidded ice cube tray keeps unwanted flavors and odors at bay. Without a barrier, your ice can absorb smells from other foods in your freezer, resulting in an unexpected taste when you finally put that ice in your drink.

Thirdly, it’s about stackability. Space optimization in the freezer is crucial, especially when you’re dealing with limited real estate. A lidded ice cube tray can be stacked upon without fear of them merging into one giant ice block or sticking to whatever is placed on top.

Lastly, lidded trays usually mean they’re designed with functionality in mind—which often translates to easier cube removal. Whether it’s made from silicone for easy pushing or has a quick-release mechanism, these trays avoid the struggle of prying out individual cubes.

Finding an ice cube tray with all these qualities will ensure your cooling game is not only efficient but sanitary and space-saving too. It seems like a small addition, but a lid can make all the difference in finding the best ice cube tray for your needs.