The Best Nugget Ice Maker: A Buyer’s Guide

Price: $299.00

Capacity: 44 Pounds of Ice Per Day

The FRIGIDAIRE Gallery Countertop Nugget Ice Maker is perfect for crafting chewable, nugget-style ice in your home. Its compact design ensures it fits seamlessly on most countertops, making it an excellent choice for everyday use. Featuring an efficient self-cleaning function and intuitive touch controls, it offers convenience and ease of use. With the ability to produce up to 44 lbs of ice per day, this ice maker ensures you'll always have plenty of ice on hand for drinks, snacks, or entertaining guests.

Features:

• Produces up to 44 lbs of nugget ice per day
• Sleek, countertop-friendly design
• Built-in self-cleaning function
• User-friendly digital controls
• Fast ice production within minutes

Pros:

• The compact and stylish design fits well on most countertops
• High ice production capacity, ensuring plenty of ice for any occasion
• Quick and efficient ice production
• Self-cleaning feature for hassle-free maintenance
• Produces soft, chewable nugget ice that's perfect for drinks and snacks

Cons:

• It may take up more space compared to smaller models
• Requires regular water refills depending on usage

Price: $424.00

Capacity: 35 Pounds of Ice Per Day

The Gevi Countertop Nugget Ice Maker is convenient for creating soft, chewable nugget ice in your kitchen. With a compact design, it easily fits on most countertops, making it ideal for home use. The self-cleaning function and easy-to-use touch controls add to its convenience, while the 35 lbs per day ice production ensures you never run out of ice. This ice maker is a great addition to any household whether for drinks, snacks, or parties.

Features:

• Produces 35 lbs of nugget ice per day
• Detachable and leak-proof basket with a 2.5-pound capacity, ideal for 4-6 people, allowing for easy access to fresh ice.
• One-click operation for automatic interior cleaning, ensuring fresh and hygienic nugget ice.
• Soft, chewy nugget ice enhances the taste of beverages, cocktails, milkshakes, and slushies.
• Retains up to 60% of ice cubes after 6 hours at 80°F, even when the machine is turned off.

Pros:

• Compact and space-saving design
• Fast ice production for immediate use
• The automatic cleaning function ensures clean, fresh ice with minimal effort.
• The insulation function helps preserve ice cubes for longer, even after the machine is turned off.
• Gemi nugget ice provides a unique, enjoyable texture that improves the taste of various drinks.

Cons:

• The ice basket holds only 2.5 pounds, which may require frequent emptying during heavy use.
• Depending on usage, the water tank may require frequent refilling to maintain consistent ice production.

Price: $493.00 

Capacity: 38 Pounds of Ice Per Day

The GE Profile Opal Nugget Ice Maker brings the luxury of chewable, restaurant-quality nugget ice right into your home. With its sleek stainless steel design and advanced technology, this countertop ice maker is perfect for elevating your everyday beverages, cocktails, and more. Effortlessly produce soft, chewable nugget ice that's ready in minutes, offering a refreshing and satisfying experience for you and your guests.

Features:

• Produces chewable, crunchy, and airy nugget ice made from compacted ice flakes, perfect for enhancing the texture and flavor of your beverages.
• Capable of producing up to 38 pounds of ice per day, with a rapid production rate of 1.6 pounds per hour. The large-capacity bin holds up to 3 pounds of ice at a time.
• Integrates with the SmartHQ app for monitoring and scheduling ice production, along with voice control compatibility via Alexa and Google.
• Eliminates the need for an external water source, allowing for up to three times more ice production. The tank is easily detachable for refilling and cleaning.
• Features an advanced cleaning system to sanitize and descale the machine, maintaining fresh-tasting ice and optimal performance. Optional water filter and cleaning kit available separately.

Pros:

• Built-in WiFi and voice control offer convenient management and monitoring of the ice maker.
•  The 3-pound capacity ice bin ensures you always have plenty of ice on hand.
• Produces the first batch of ice in 10 minutes or less, ensuring a continuous supply of ice.

Cons:

• The water filter and cleaning kit are sold separately, adding to the overall cost.
•  The ice maker's larger capacity may take up more counter space compared to smaller models.
• Although the water tank increases ice production, it still requires regular refilling, especially during heavy use.