Best Nugget Ice Makers
Updated How we research
GE Profile Opal 2.0 Nugget Ice Maker with WiFi, 0.75 Gallon Tank
GE Profile's Opal 2.0 nugget ice maker with WiFi and a 0.75 gallon tank, an updated version of the popular nugget machine.
GoveeLife Smart Nugget Ice Maker Pro, 60lbs Daily, Ultra-Quiet
GoveeLife's Smart Nugget Ice Maker Pro producing up to 60lbs daily with an ultra-quiet design for home bars.
Nugget ice is the soft, chewable kind that soaks up whatever you pour over it, which is why home bartenders love it for spritzes, sodas, and easy sippers. A good countertop maker keeps a steady supply going so you never run to the store for a bag before guests arrive. When you shop, look at daily ice output, hopper size, and how quickly the first batch drops. Self-cleaning cycles and a side tank you can refill by hand both make the machine easier to live with. Below we break down the models worth space on your bar top.
The short version
We compared 8 picks. Our scores range from 7.5 to 8.4 out of 10.
- Best overall:GE Profile Opal 2.0 Nugget Ice Maker with WiFi, 0.75 Gallon Tank. Highest overall score in this guide at 8.4/10.
- Also great value:EUHOMY Nugget Ice Maker Countertop, 35Lbs/24H Pebble Ice, Self-Cleaning. Value score of 9/10, overall 8.0/10.
- Solid build:GE Profile Opal Mini Nugget Ice Maker, Chewable Ice in 5 min, 36 lbs/Day | Soft Pebble Ice, Top Fill Water Reservoir, WiFi & App Control, Portable & Compact, 6 Pack Descalers & Scoop Included. Build and materials score of 8/10, overall 8.2/10.
- Feature-rich:GoveeLife Smart Nugget Ice Maker Pro, 60lbs Daily, Ultra-Quiet. Features score of 9/10, overall 8.4/10.
Scores are our editorial assessment, not customer ratings. How we score
- 1.GE Profile Opal 2.0 Nugget Ice Maker with WiFi, 0.75 Gallon Tank8.4/10See on AmazonCheck price
- 2.GoveeLife Smart Nugget Ice Maker Pro, 60lbs Daily, Ultra-Quiet8.4/10See on AmazonCheck price
- 3.GE Profile Opal Mini Nugget Ice Maker, Chewable Ice in 5 min, 36 lbs/Day | Soft Pebble Ice, Top Fill Water Reservoir, WiFi & App Control, Portable & Compact, 6 Pack Descalers & Scoop Included8.2/10See on AmazonCheck price
- 4.GE Profile Opal 2.0 Ultra Nugget Ice Maker, .75 Gallon Tank, 38 lbs/day | Soft Pebble Ice, First Batch in 10 Min, WiFi & App Control, Side Tank, Filter, Descaling Powder & Scoop Included8.2/10See on AmazonCheck price
- 5.GE Profile Opal MINI PRO Nugget Ice Maker w/Side Tank, Portable Countertop Pebble Ice Machine, 36 lbs/Day, Top Fill, 6 Pack Descaler & Scoop, Stainless Steel8.2/10See on AmazonCheck price
- 6.EUHOMY Nugget Ice Maker Countertop, 35Lbs/24H Pebble Ice, Self-Cleaning8.0/10See on AmazonCheck price
- 7.Silonn Nugget Ice Maker Countertop, Chewable Pellet, 36lbs/24H (Black)8.0/10See on AmazonCheck price
- 8.GoveeLife Smart Ice Maker Countertop, Voice Control, 26lbs/24H7.5/10See on AmazonCheck price
#1GE Profile's Opal 2.0 nugget ice maker with WiFi and a 0.75 gallon tank, an updated version of the popular nugget machine.
Fit for the job 9/10 · Features and specs 9/10 · Build and materials 8/10 · Value 7/10
- + WiFi connectivity allows remote scheduling and alerts
- + 0.75 gallon tank supports steady ice production
- + Newer generation Opal offers a refined user experience
- - Premium price compared with generic nugget makers
- - Takes time to fill the bin after first switching on
#2GoveeLife's Smart Nugget Ice Maker Pro producing up to 60lbs daily with an ultra-quiet design for home bars.
Fit for the job 9/10 · Features and specs 9/10 · Build and materials 7/10 · Value 8/10
- + 60lbs daily output keeps up with busy parties
- + Ultra-quiet design is better for open-plan living spaces
- + Smart features add convenient app-based control
- - Newer smart home brand with less ice maker history
- - High output model needs frequent water refills or a line
#3GE Profile Opal Mini nugget ice maker making up to 36 lbs of chewable ice per day, with top-fill reservoir, WiFi control and a compact footprint.
Fit for the job 9/10 · Features and specs 8/10 · Build and materials 8/10 · Value 7/10
- + Listed output of up to 36 lbs per day, with a first batch in 5 minutes or less.
- + Compact 8.6 by 15.6 by 14.56 inch body is listed as 30 percent smaller than the original Opal.
- + WiFi and SmartHQ app support for scheduling ice production and maintenance alerts.
- - Top-fill reservoir and a 2 lb bin mean more frequent refills than a side-tank model.
- - At $299 it costs more than many non-GE nugget makers.
#4GE Profile Opal 2.0 Ultra nugget ice maker with a 0.75 gallon side tank, up to 38 lbs of ice per day, scale-inhibiting filter, WiFi and touch display.
Fit for the job 9/10 · Features and specs 9/10 · Build and materials 8/10 · Value 6/10
- + Up to 38 lbs of nugget ice per day, with a first batch in 10 minutes or less.
- + Removable side water tank is listed to need fewer refills than a top-fill design.
- + Includes a scale-inhibiting filter, WiFi app control and a touch display.
- - Priced at $499, a premium step above most countertop nugget makers.
- - Tank is 0.75 gallon, smaller than the 1 gallon tank of the unit it replaces.
#5GE Profile Opal Mini Pro nugget ice maker with side tank, stainless steel finish, up to 36 lbs of pebble ice per day and WiFi control.
Fit for the job 9/10 · Features and specs 8/10 · Build and materials 8/10 · Value 7/10
- + Listed at up to 36 lbs per day, with a first batch in 5 minutes or less.
- + Stainless steel finish with a side tank and top fill, in a 11.6 inch wide body.
- + WiFi support through the SmartHQ app for scheduling and maintenance alerts.
- - The 2 lb ice bin is modest for large parties.
- - At $379 it sits above the standard Opal Mini but below the Ultra models.
#6EUHOMY's countertop nugget ice maker making up to 35Lbs/24H of pebble ice with a self-cleaning function.
Fit for the job 8/10 · Features and specs 8/10 · Build and materials 7/10 · Value 9/10
- + Self-cleaning cycle reduces routine maintenance
- + 35Lbs/24H output suits most home bars and families
- + Pebble ice is great for juleps and tiki drinks
- - Lower output than bigger smart nugget makers
- - Self-cleaning does not replace occasional descaling
#7Silonn's countertop nugget ice maker producing chewable pellet ice at up to 36lbs/24H, in black.
Fit for the job 8/10 · Features and specs 8/10 · Build and materials 7/10 · Value 9/10
- + Chewable pellet ice is ideal for crushed-ice cocktails
- + 36lbs/24H output covers everyday and party needs
- + Black finish looks sleek on dark countertops
- - Budget brand may be louder than premium models
- - Water tank needs manual refilling during use
#8GoveeLife's smart countertop ice maker with voice control, producing up to 26lbs/24H for household drinks.
Fit for the job 7/10 · Features and specs 8/10 · Build and materials 7/10 · Value 8/10
- + Voice control works with smart home assistants
- + Compact design suits small kitchens and bars
- + Smart scheduling means ice is ready when guests arrive
- - 26lbs/24H output is lower for big parties
- - Check the ice shape before buying if you specifically want nugget ice
Before you buy: trade-offs we flagged
No pick is perfect. These are the main compromises we noted for the top products in this guide, so you can check they will not matter for you.
- Premium price compared with generic nugget makers (GE Profile Opal 2.0 Nugget Ice Maker with...)
- Newer smart home brand with less ice maker history (GoveeLife Smart Nugget Ice Maker Pro, 60lbs...)
- Top-fill reservoir and a 2 lb bin mean more frequent refills than a side-tank model. (GE Profile Opal Mini Nugget Ice Maker,...)
- Priced at $499, a premium step above most countertop nugget makers. (GE Profile Opal 2.0 Ultra Nugget Ice Maker,...)
- The 2 lb ice bin is modest for large parties. (GE Profile Opal MINI PRO Nugget Ice Maker...)
- Lower output than bigger smart nugget makers (EUHOMY Nugget Ice Maker Countertop, 35Lbs/24H...)
Frequently asked questions
›What is the best choice among nugget ice makers?
GE Profile Opal 2.0 Nugget Ice Maker with WiFi, 0.75 Gallon Tank is our top overall pick. GE Profile's Opal 2.0 nugget ice maker with WiFi and a 0.75 gallon tank, an updated version of the popular nugget machine. It earns our score of 8.4/10, based on fit for the job, features, build and value.
›What is a good budget option?
GoveeLife Smart Nugget Ice Maker Pro, 60lbs Daily, Ultra-Quiet is the strongest low-cost pick in this guide. GoveeLife's Smart Nugget Ice Maker Pro producing up to 60lbs daily with an ultra-quiet design for home bars.
›How much should I expect to spend?
Picks in this guide span See on Amazon price bands (roughly: $ = under $30, $$ = $30 to $100, $$$ = over $100). We never display exact prices because they change constantly, so the buttons above always show Amazon's current price.
›How were these products chosen?
We shortlist products that fit the job this guide solves and compare their published specifications, such as size, capacity, materials and what is included. Each pick gets an editorial score out of 10 for fit, features, build and value, and we write the pros and cons from those details. Our score is not an Amazon customer rating. We earn a commission if you buy through our links, which never affects the ranking.
Cocktail Gear Hub independently selects every product; we may earn a commission from links above.
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