This GE Opal 2.0 Ultra review finds GE’s countertop nugget ice maker the overall winner of a 10-machine test by Project Farm, a YouTube channel that runs side-by-side product tests, with the biggest water tank, largest ice bin and fastest ice rate in that lineup.
Reviewers including OnToReviews, a YouTube product-review channel, and Patrick Michael, a YouTube vlogger who reviewed his Opal after 30 days, also found it easy to live with once set up. Here is what they measured, how setup and cleaning work, and current prices checked on Amazon October 16, 2026.
GE Opal 2.0 Ultra review: specs and prices
Prices checked on Amazon Oct 16, 2026. I may earn a commission from links, at no cost to you.
| GE Profile Opal 2.0 Ultra | GE Profile Opal 2.0 Ultra with Scale Inhibiting Filter | GE Profile Opal Ultra with 1-gal XL side tank | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Listed output | Up to 38 lb/day; 1.6 lb/hr (listed) | Up to 38 lb/day; 1.6 lb/hr (listed) | Up to 38 lb/day; 1.6 lb/hr (listed) |
| First ice | 10 min or less (listed) | 10 min or less (listed) | About 10 min (listed) |
| Water | 0.75-gal side tank (listed) | Side tank | 1-gal side tank (listed) |
| Ice bin | About 3.35 lb measured by Project Farm | TrueFill fills the bin all the way (listed) | 3 lb bin (listed) |
| Notable | Wi-Fi via SmartHQ; Alexa and Google | Includes scale-inhibiting filter and scoop | Includes filter and descaling powder (listed) |
| Buy | Check price | Check price | Check price |
What the Opal 2.0 Ultra is
The GE Profile Opal 2.0 Ultra is a countertop nugget ice maker that GE lists at up to 38 lb a day and 1.6 lb per hour, with first ice in 10 minutes or less. A removable side tank adds water capacity, and GE says it measures 17.5 x 13.43 x 16.5 inches with the tank attached, short enough for most cabinets. Wi-Fi lets you schedule ice, get maintenance alerts and update software through the SmartHQ app or Alexa and Google. The GE Profile Opal 2.0 Ultra with Scale Inhibiting Filter version adds a scale-inhibiting filter and scoop.
Project Farm’s results
Project Farm bought ten ice makers from about $40 to about $500. The Opal, made in Indonesia and weighing 39.53 lb, had by far the most water capacity at about 93 fluid ounces, or 2.75 liters. Ice began flowing at about eight minutes, and it filled its bin with 3.35 lb of ice, far ahead of second place at 1.76 lb. It made ice the fastest at 9.4 grams per minute and earned the best possible ice-quality score. At 51.3 dB it was among the quieter machines, finishing third for noise. It drew about 154 W while running. Its average finish of 1.4 made it the clear winner.
Ben’s Appliances and Junk’s results
Ben’s Appliances and Junk, an appliance-testing YouTube channel, in a video sponsored by GoveeLife, measured the Opal’s internal reservoir at 2.2 liters with a 3.75-liter side tank. First ice dropped at 5 minutes 38 seconds. Over six hours it averaged about 1.44 lb per hour, and it measured 68 dB inside a foam-lined box and 50 dB at about four feet. Its bin held about 3.1 lb, tying the GoveeLife Pro. Ben said the GoveeLife machine beat it in his tests, often by close margins; see GoveeLife vs GE Opal Nugget Ice Maker.
Living with it for 30 days
Patrick Michael said that after 30 days with the XL-tank version his family was drinking much more water. He found it very quiet and said its sensor notices when ice starts to melt and makes more, so the bin stays fresh and full. He noted that ice can clump if it sits but breaks apart easily, that the bin fills from the back so he shifts ice forward, and that the included drip tray catches condensation when you open the door. He also found the side tank fills the bin two or three times and can be refilled while the machine runs.
Setup, step by step
OnToReviews walked through GE’s first-time setup:
- Mix five cups of water with one teaspoon of bleach, pour it into the reservoir, then hold Clean for three seconds.
- While it cleans, rinse the scoop, side tank and tray by hand; OnToReviews says these parts are not dishwasher safe.
- Drain through the rear drain tubes into a sink, keeping them lower than the machine.
- Run two more cleaning cycles with plain water, as GE recommends, then fill to the line and make ice.
Ben said GE’s startup instructions call for four six-minute cleaning cycles with water and a teaspoon of bleach, draining after each. OnToReviews also notes the unit weighs about 38 lb and should be lifted from the back bottom; the part at the back that resembles a handle is the air filter.
Side tank, filters and accessories
OnToReviews explained that the magnetic side tank latches onto the machine and connects with a tube, and that the optional GE water filter replaces the standard mesh screen. Ben said the filter cartridge should be replaced every three months. The rear air filter should be cleaned about every two months, OnToReviews said. GE includes citric acid for descaling, and the Amazon-exclusive GE Profile Opal Ultra with 1-gal XL side tank adds a 1-gallon tank, filter and descaling powder.
Cleaning and descaling
GE Appliances recommends descaling once a month, more often with hard water, by filling the reservoir to the max line with undiluted vinegar, running the cleaning cycle three times and letting it soak for 18 hours. Ben said cleaning every 100 hours of operation is a common guideline, depending on your water hardness. Full steps are in How to Clean an Opal Ice Maker.
Who should buy it
- Households that go through a lot of nugget ice and want the largest bin Project Farm measured.
- Anyone who wants app scheduling and maintenance alerts.
- Kitchens without space for a built-in ice machine; it fits under most cabinets, GE says.
If counter space is tight, the GE Profile Opal Mini lists first ice in 5 minutes or less in a body 30% smaller. If raw volume matters most, the GoveeLife Smart Nugget Ice Maker Pro out-produced the Opal in Ben’s test.
Video: OnToReviews: “GE Opal 2.0 Ultra Review: Worth the Upgrade?”. Embedded with credit; the findings are the creator’s own.
Video: Patrick Michael: “GE Profile Opal 2.0 Ice Maker: Is it REALLY WORTH the price?”. Embedded with credit; the findings are the creator’s own.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the GE Opal 2.0 Ultra worth it?
Project Farm ranked it first of ten ice makers, with the biggest tank, largest bin and fastest ice rate. It cost $499.47 on Amazon on Oct 16, 2026.
How much ice does the Opal 2.0 Ultra make?
GE lists up to 38 lb a day. Project Farm measured 9.4 g per minute; Ben measured about 1.44 lb per hour.
How loud is the Opal 2.0 Ultra?
Project Farm measured 51.3 dB; Ben measured 50 dB at about four feet.
How do you set up the Opal 2.0 Ultra?
Run a cleaning cycle with five cups of water and a teaspoon of bleach, drain, then run two plain-water cycles, per OnToReviews.
How often should you descale the Opal?
GE says once a month, and more often with hard water.
Sources
- Amazon product listings for the products linked above, checked October 16, 2026
- Project Farm: “Never Buy Ice Again! One Clear Winner!”
- Bens Appliances and Junk: “Which is the Best Ice Maker in 2026? Nugget Ice Makers Honest Review!”
- OnToReviews: “GE Opal 2.0 Ultra Review: Worth the Upgrade?”
- Patrick Michael: “GE Profile Opal 2.0 Ice Maker: Is it REALLY WORTH the price?”
- GE Appliances: “Descaling your GE Profile Opal Nugget Ice Maker”
Related: Best Nugget Ice Maker | GoveeLife vs GE Opal Nugget Ice Maker | How to Clean an Opal Ice Maker | Is a Nugget Ice Maker Worth It?
Notes and disclosure
Note: Prices come from Amazon listings checked on October 16, 2026. Prices change often, so check the current listing. Ice output, tank and size figures are the manufacturers’ listed numbers unless a reviewer is credited. Reviewer measurements reflect their own test conditions, water and room temperature. Follow GE’s and each maker’s manual for cleaning and descaling. Test results and tips quoted above come from the YouTube creators credited in each section; they are their findings, not hands-on claims from me.
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