Nugget ice, the soft, chewable pellets from fountain-soda machines, used to mean a commercial machine. Now a countertop maker does it for a few hundred dollars. We compared the four we'd consider on output, noise, water capacity and warranty.
- Best overallGE Profile Opal 2.0 with Side Tank$599 list
- Most ice, best warrantyGoveeLife Smart Nugget Ice Maker Pro$499.99 list
- Best valueFrigidaire Gallery EFIC255About $260
- CheapestEuhomy Nugget Ice Maker (34 lb)About $160
Side by side
| Model | Price | Rated output | Ice bin | Water | Noise | App | Warranty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| GE Profile Opal 2.0 with Side Tank | $599 list | 38 lb a day | 3 lb | 0.75 gal side tank | 39 dBA | Wi-Fi, SmartHQ app, Alexa and Google | See GE |
| GoveeLife Smart Nugget Ice Maker Pro | $499.99 list | 60 lb a day | 3.5 lb | 2.2 L tank + 4.9 L side tank | About 40 dB | Wi-Fi app, Alexa and Google | 3 years |
| Frigidaire Gallery EFIC255 | About $260 | 44 lb a day | 3 lb | Built-in reservoir | Louder than GE (not published) | None | See Frigidaire |
| Euhomy Nugget Ice Maker (34 lb) | About $160 | 34 lb a day | About 4 cups | Built-in reservoir | About 65 dB | None | See Euhomy |
Ice makers are rated in cool test conditions. In a warm kitchen, plan for noticeably less. Our ice calculator on the homepage assumes about 75% of the rating.
GE Profile Opal 2.0 with Side Tank
- Price
- $599 list
- Rated output
- 38 lb a day
- Ice bin
- 3 lb
- Water
- 0.75 gal side tank
- Noise
- 39 dBA
- App
- Wi-Fi, SmartHQ app, Alexa and Google
The Opal 2.0 is the most refined nugget maker you can buy. GE rates it at 38 lb a day, about 1.6 lb an hour, with the first ice in roughly 10 minutes and a quiet 39 dBA. The 0.75-gallon side tank means fewer refills, and the SmartHQ app lets you schedule ice so it's ready when you get home.
The catch is the drawer: it isn't refrigerated, so ice you don't use slowly melts back into the reservoir to be remade. GE also asks for 3 inches of clearance at the back and sides, and suggests distilled water to limit scale.
What we like
- Quietest in this group at 39 dBA
- Side tank and app scheduling
- Alexa and Google support
What to know
- Highest price here
- Needs regular descaling with hard water
- Drawer isn't refrigerated
GoveeLife Smart Nugget Ice Maker Pro
- Price
- $499.99 list
- Rated output
- 60 lb a day
- Ice bin
- 3.5 lb
- Water
- 2.2 L tank + 4.9 L side tank
- Noise
- About 40 dB
- App
- Wi-Fi app, Alexa and Google
GoveeLife's Pro is the output champion: up to 60 lb a day, a figure Reviewed reports was certified by TÜV Rheinland. It holds 2.2 liters in its main tank plus 4.9 liters in the side tank, runs at about 40 dB, and has a 10-minute quick clean and a 30-minute descale mode.
Its 3-year warranty is the longest of any nugget maker here. The trade-offs are weight, about 49 lb, so setup is a two-person job, and a bold design with RGB lighting that not every kitchen wants.
What we like
- Up to 60 lb a day
- 3-year warranty
- Large side tank
What to know
- Heavy, about 49 lb
- Bold styling with lights
Frigidaire Gallery EFIC255
- Price
- About $260
- Rated output
- 44 lb a day
- Ice bin
- 3 lb
- Water
- Built-in reservoir
- Noise
- Louder than GE (not published)
- App
- None
Frigidaire's Gallery EFIC255 makes real nugget ice and is rated for 44 lb a day, more than the Opal, for less than half the price. It holds 3 lb of ice and recycles meltwater back into the reservoir.
It's noisier than GE and has no app or smart features. Some owners report reliability problems after six to twelve months, so keep your receipt and register the warranty.
What we like
- 44 lb a day
- Less than half the Opal's price
What to know
- Louder
- No app
- Mixed long-term reliability reports
Euhomy Nugget Ice Maker (34 lb)
- Price
- About $160
- Rated output
- 34 lb a day
- Ice bin
- About 4 cups
- Water
- Built-in reservoir
- Noise
- About 65 dB
- App
- None
At about $160, the Euhomy is the cheapest way to try nugget ice. It weighs about 20 lb, has a carry handle and starts making ice within minutes. It's rated for 34 lb a day.
It's also the loudest machine Forbes tested, averaging about 65 decibels, and the build is a step below GE and Frigidaire. Good for a dorm, office or second home; not our pick for a kitchen you spend time in.
What we like
- About $160
- Light, with a handle
What to know
- Loud, about 65 dB
- Basic build
How to choose
- Output: use our calculator. Most households of three or four need well under 10 lb on a normal day.
- Noise: if the maker sits near a living area, the Opal and GoveeLife are the quiet ones.
- Water: filtered or RO water means less descaling. See the best water for an ice maker.
- Space: leave room around the vents; GE asks for 3 inches at the back and sides.
Questions
Is a nugget ice maker worth it?
If you drink a lot of soda, iced coffee or iced tea and love chewable ice, yes. If you mostly want ice for cocktails, look at clear ice makers instead.
Do nugget ice makers keep ice frozen?
No. Countertop makers use an insulated bin, not a freezer. Unused ice melts and is remade. Bag extra ice and move it to your freezer for parties.
How often should I clean one?
Follow your manual. GE recommends descaling the Opal about every four weeks, depending on how hard your water is.
