Best Nugget Ice Maker 2023

Nugget ice makers produce pellet-style ice that’s soft and chewable. We researched the best nugget ice makers to keep your beverages perfectly chilled.

Nugget ice makers bring a whole new level of enjoyment to making and sipping your favorite drinks. Unlike traditional ice makers or ice cube trays, nugget ice makers produce ice that’s known for being small and chewable. Sometimes called Sonic ice, pellet ice and pebble ice, these coveted cubes are typically used at fast-food chains and people love them because they’re crunchy, yet also airy and light. 

These appliances create ice by compacting ice flakes, resulting in a unique texture that is perfect for cocktails, mocktails, and other refreshing drinks. Owning a nugget ice maker offers several advantages, the biggest of which is having a constant nugget ice at your fingertips! Depending on the model, nugget ice makers can work quickly and make pounds of ice a day so you have plenty for parties, gatherings, or everyday use.

Buying a nugget ice maker is an investment. They’re more expensive than the typical countertop ice maker, but Investing in one of these best nugget ice makers will help elevate every drink you make.

Our Top Nugget Ice Maker Picks:

In this article you’ll find our favorite nugget ice makers as listed below. Click the title to read all about it, or check out the price if you know which one best fits your needs!

Best Overall	GE Opal 2.0 Countertop Ice Maker	PRICE
Best Budget	Kndko Nugget Ice Maker	PRICE
Best Value	Frigidaire Countertop Nugget Ice Maker	PRICE
Best Under-Counter	U-Line 15-Inch Freestanding Nugget Ice Maker	PRICE
Best Compact	HiCOZY Dual-Mode Nugget Ice Maker	PRICE
Best for Large Groups	NewAir Nugget Ice Maker	PRICE

Best Overall Nugget Ice Maker

Best Overall: GE Opal 2.0 Countertop Ice Maker

Pros

• Side tank holds extra water
• Large bin capacity
• Integrated water filter
• Wi-Fi connectivity

Cons

• Expensive
• Takes up a lot of counter space
• Slow production speed

When it comes to nugget ice makers, the GE Opal 2.0 Countertop Ice Maker is widely considered the gold standard and for good reason. It yields high-quality nugget ice that’s crunchy, chewy and, most importantly, uniform in size.

A built-in water filter and high-tech UV light ensure that the ice tastes great, too. The large capacity bin holds up to three pounds — it can make up to 24 pounds daily — and this model has a 0.75-gallon side tank that allows for easy refilling and extra water storage.

While there’s one that comes without a side tank, the price difference is small enough that the upgrade is worth it. The only downside? It takes at least 20 minutes to make the initial batch of ice, making the Opal one of the slower ice producers.

That means you’ll either have to plan ahead to have ice ready for your pitcher of lemonade or take advantage of the ice maker’s Wi-Fi capabilities, which allow you to schedule start times via a smartphone app.

Dimensions:	17.5 x 13.43 x 16.5 inches
Weight:	38 pounds
Ice Bin Capacity:	3 pounds
Water Tank Capacity:	1 gallon
Ice Making Speed:	10 minutes
Warranty:	1 year limited warranty

Best Budget Nugget Ice Maker

Best Budget: Kndko Nugget Ice Maker

Pros:

• Budget price (Under $300)
• Self-cleaning function
• Portable handle

Cons:

• Ice cubes are on the larger side
• Ice production not as uniform
• Small ice bin

For those who want an affordable, no-frills nugget ice maker, then this is the one. At under $300, the Kndko Nugget Ice Maker is more budget-friendly than most models and produces the same soft, chewy ice — though not always at the same consistency.

Reviewers have noted that, although this machine is speedy, the ice sometimes comes out in sheets. Otherwise, the ice maker is fairly straightforward to use; ice production starts with the push of a single button and there are two handy alerts, one for “Ice Full” and another for “Add Water.”

It can produce up to 100 pieces of ice in four minutes, but since the bin only holds 1.5 pounds, so this is a better option for smaller households who may only need ice for glasses of daily cold brew or orange juice. The machine also has a self-cleaning function, which is a great perk given its relatively low price tag.

Dimensions:	11.3 x 8.6 x 12.6 inches
Weight:	21.85 pounds
Ice Bin Capacity:	1.5 pounds
Water Tank Capacity:	1.1 liters
Ice-Making Speed:	14 minutes
Warranty:	1 year limited warranty

Best Value Nugget Ice Maker

Best Value: Frigidaire Countertop Nugget Ice Maker

Pros:

• Mid-range price
• High-capacity production
• Durable stainless steel exterior

Cons:

• Can be loud
• Flip-top lid may not work under cabinets
• Not the best-looking appliance

This newer generation of the popular Frigidaire EFIC235-AMZ Countertop Nugget Ice Maker has all the great capabilities of its predecessor with an additional improvement: a polished stainless steel shell instead of plastic. That upgrade puts it in line with the GE Opal 2.0, though the overall design is still not quite as sleek.

The Frigidaire is also missing some of the high-tech bells and whistles, but its ability to do the basics, along with a lower price tag, makes this a best value nugget ice maker. The machine can yield up to 44 pounds of soft, chewy ice daily — three pounds can fit in the storage bin at a time — and your first batch is ready in 10 to 15 minutes.

Another nifty feature that stands out: As the ice starts to melt, the water goes back into the reservoir for future ice so you’ll have plenty to use for pitchers of mojitos or pineapple agua fresca. 

Dimensions:	10.2 x 8.1 x 11.4 inches
Capacity:	2 quarts
Settings:	Air fry
Weight:	5.7 pounds
Non-Stick Coating:	Yes
Wattage:	1000 watts

Best Under Counter Nugget Ice Maker

Best Under Counter Ice Maker: U-Line 15-Inch Freestanding Nugget Ice Maker

Pros:

• Fast and efficient
• High capacity production
• Soft-close, reversible door

Cons:

• Expensive
• Takes up an entire cabinet’s worth of space
• Requires servicing if parts break down

U-Line has been a trusted manufacturer of refrigerated appliances since 1962, so it’s no surprise that the company makes an excellent under-counter nugget ice maker. Like other under-counter and freestanding models, this behemoth of a machine requires a water line hookup, but that means you get a constant supply of ice.

The bin holds 30 pounds and the machine can deliver up to 90 pounds a day while keeping it cold. One of this ice maker’s most unique features is the “U-Choose” function, which allows you to select from five levels of ice density, ranging from soft and chewy to hard and crunchy.

Other enhancements include a built-in water filter and dispenser, adjustable LED lighting and a soft-close door. To make the most of your premium purchase, don’t forget to register the ice maker online to get a free cleaning kit.

Dimensions:	22.93 x 33.68 x 14.93 inches
Weight:	112 pounds
Ice Bin Capacity:	30 pounds
Water Tank Capacity:	N/A
Ice Making Speed:	Minutes
Warranty:	1 Year Limited Warranty

Best Compact Nugget Ice Maker

Best Compact Ice Maker: HiCOZY Dual-Mode Nugget Ice Maker

Pros

• Relatively small footprint
• Fast production
• Two ice-making modes

Cons

• Can be noisy
• Light can’t be turned off
• Controls aren’t intuitive

Nugget ice makers aren’t known for being space-saving appliances, the reason being there are many pieces of machinery needed to create the pellet-like ice in the first place. The HiCOZY Dual-Mode Nugget Ice Maker is on the smaller end of the spectrum, but still has all the parts needed to make good nugget ice.

Despite its compact size, the machine is highly efficient and starts producing ice in a mere five minutes, a big plus if your morning iced espresso ASAP. The bin is — not surprisingly — smaller, able to hold only 2.5 pounds at once. One of the HiCOZY’s more interesting functionalities is the two modes.

Under Eco mode, the ice maker will stop when the bin is full; with Cycle mode, it runs continuously to replace ice that’s being used. It also has a water line hook-up, which, if you have one available, means no constant refilling of the water tank is needed.

Dimensions:	14.2 x 9.6 x 16 inches
Weight:	28 pounds
Ice Bin Capacity:	2.5 pounds
Water Tank Capacity:	2 liters
Ice-Making Speed:	5 minutes
Warranty:	1 year limited warranty

Best Ice Maker for Large Groups

Best Nugget Ice Maker for a Crowd: NewAir Nugget Ice Maker

Pros

• Fast and efficient
• More affordable than most
• Self-cleaning function
• Sleek design

Cons

• Can be noisy
• Bin isn’t insulated
• No water filter

When it comes to feeding or entertaining a large group, two features always make life easier: speed and volume. That goes for selecting recipes — like mixing up a margarita pitcher instead of individual glasses or making a crowd-pleasing large batch skillet mac and cheese — and appliances, too.

If you have a big, ice-crunching family or love having friends over for cocktails, then the NewAir Nugget Ice Maker is the one for you. Not only can it produce an impressive 44 pounds of ice a day, but the bin holds over three pounds, making it one of the higher capacity countertop machines, plus ice is ready in 10 minutes.

The black stainless steel exterior is also a welcome change from the typical gray and the transparent window has a blue LED light that makes this one of the sleekest-looking nugget ice makers on the market. This model is great for making large amounts of ice and it’s guaranteed to become a

Dimensions:	17 x 10 x 17 inches
Weight:	34.2 pounds
Ice Bin Capacity:	3.3 pounds
Ice Making Speed:	10 minutes
Warranty:	1 year limited warranty

The Bottom Line…

 When it comes to shopping for a nugget ice maker to use at home, there are a number of features — capacity, production, ice quality, price — to keep in mind and one that checks off all the boxes: the GE Opal 2.0 Countertop Ice Maker. But if you have special considerations to take into accounts, like compact sizing or a small budget, then there are other great nugget ice makers to choose from as well.

Features to Consider When Buying a Nugget Ice Maker:

1. Ice Quality: The ability to produce ice with good texture is by far the most important feature to look for when shopping for a nugget ice maker! Since this type of ice is ideal for refreshing beverages, the cubes should provide a satisfying crunch and chew to enhance the overall drinking experience.
2. Production Capacity: Consider the nugget ice maker’s production capacity to make sure it can meet your ice demands. A higher capacity means more ice can be produced, making it suitable for parties or gatherings where a continuous supply of ice is needed.
3. Speed: Some ice makers are faster than others. Faster production ensures a steady supply of ice, reducing the waiting time between batches and keeping your drinks cool and enjoyable without unnecessary delays.
4. Ease of Use and Maintenance: Choose a nugget ice maker that is user-friendly and easy to maintain. Look for features like intuitive controls, removable parts for cleaning or even a self-cleaning function. This simplifies the ice-making process and ensures a smooth operation, allowing you to enjoy your ice hassle-free.

How We Chose the Best Nugget Ice Makers:

We carefully selected the best nugget ice makers based on several key factors. First, we considered the overall production capacity to make sure the appliances could meet the needs of both big and small households.

We also reviewed the speed of ice production, checking to see how long it takes the machines to generate ice. Ease of operation and cleaning were two other critical points of consideration so we looked for ice makers with straight forward controls and parts. 

Why Trust The Cookie Rookie

We’re all about making cooking and entertaining as easy as possible here at The Cookie Rookie. When it comes to appliances such as nugget ice makers, we know what qualities and features to look for that will help make your favorite drinks, from boozy summer sangrias to your morning glass of cold brew, taste even better. You can rely on our thorough research and expertise to help find the perfect nugget ice maker for you.