The best nugget ice maker for most people is the GE Profile Opal 2.0 Ultra, which took the best average finish in a 10-machine test by Project Farm, a YouTube channel that runs side-by-side product tests, ranking first in every category except noise.
The GoveeLife Smart Nugget Ice Maker Pro is the strongest challenger: it out-produced the Opal in a three-machine test by Ben’s Appliances and Junk, an appliance-testing YouTube channel, in a video sponsored by GoveeLife. Below are top-selling nugget ice makers from multiple brands, with Amazon prices checked October 16, 2026.
Best nugget ice maker: picks at a glance
Prices checked on Amazon Oct 16, 2026. I may earn a commission from links, at no cost to you.
| Nugget ice maker | Price (Amazon, Oct 16, 2026) | Why it fits | Link |
|---|---|---|---|
| GE Profile Opal 2.0 Ultra | $499.47 | Project Farm’s overall winner | Check price |
| GoveeLife Smart Nugget Ice Maker Pro | $499.99 | Highest listed output; beat the Opal in Ben’s tests | Check price |
| GE Profile Opal Mini | $299.00 | Smallest Opal, with first ice in 5 minutes or less (listed) | Check price |
| GE Profile Opal Ultra with 1-gal XL side tank | $549.00 | Opal Ultra with a 1-gallon tank for parties | Check price |
| Frigidaire Gallery Nugget Ice Maker | $199.99 | Lower-cost nugget model with a 3.97 lb basket | Check price |
| EUHOMY Nugget Ice Maker | $149.98 | Compact nugget maker under $150 | Check price |
1. GE Profile Opal 2.0 Ultra: best overall
Project Farm tested the GE Profile Opal 2.0 Ultra against nine other ice makers from about $40 to about $500. It had the largest water capacity at about 93 fluid ounces (2.75 liters), held the most ice at 3.35 lb, and made ice fastest at 9.4 grams per minute, finishing first overall with an average of 1.4. Project Farm also gave it the best possible score for ice quality and said it made the most consistent pellet shape and texture. It drew about 154 W and measured 51.3 dB, among the quieter machines.
GE lists up to 38 lb a day, 1.6 lb per hour and first ice in 10 minutes or less, with Wi-Fi scheduling through the SmartHQ app. OnToReviews, a YouTube product-review channel, called it the Cadillac of countertop ice makers and highlighted the side tank, included water filter, rear air filter and citric acid for descaling. For a full breakdown, see GE Opal 2.0 Ultra Review.
2. GoveeLife Smart Nugget Ice Maker Pro: best for volume
In Ben’s Appliances and Junk’s three-day test, the GoveeLife Smart Nugget Ice Maker Pro averaged just under 2 lb of ice per hour over six hours, the most of three machines, and was the quietest at 64 dB inside a foam box and 48 dB at about four feet. It made first ice at 5 minutes 12 seconds, retained ice best when idle, and had the most robust app of the three. Ben said it beat the Opal in every test he ran, though some margins were close. GoveeLife lists up to 60 lb a day with 2.2-liter and 4.9-liter tanks, a touchscreen and 10- and 30-minute cleaning modes. Ben noted a three-year warranty versus one year on the other two machines he tested. See GoveeLife vs GE Opal Nugget Ice Maker.
3. GE Profile Opal Mini: best compact
The GE Profile Opal Mini is 8.6 inches wide, which GE says is 30% smaller than the original Opal. GE lists first ice in 5 minutes or less, up to 36 lb a day at 1.5 lb per hour, a 2 lb bin that fills all the way automatically, a top-fill station and a hidden front drain tube. The GE Profile Opal Mini Pro adds a side tank and a six-pack of descaler for $379.00.
4. GE Profile Opal Ultra with XL tank: best for entertaining
The Amazon-exclusive GE Profile Opal Ultra with 1-gal XL side tank pairs the Ultra with a 1-gallon side tank and a 3 lb bin, and includes a water filter and descaling powder, GE says. Patrick Michael, a YouTube vlogger who reviewed his Opal after 30 days, said the XL tank fills his bin two to three times and that the machine stays quiet and keeps ice fresh by remaking melted ice.
5. Frigidaire Gallery: best lower-cost nugget
The Frigidaire Gallery Nugget Ice Maker lists up to 44 lb a day, a 3.97 lb basket, a viewing window and one-button self-cleaning, with no water hookup needed. Project Farm picked a lower-cost Frigidaire bullet-ice model as his budget choice, saying it came out on top among bullet-ice machines; that was a different, cheaper model. The Frigidaire EFIC237 Nugget Ice Maker is Frigidaire’s other nugget model, listed at 44 lb a day with a 3 lb bin.
6. EUHOMY Nugget Ice Maker: best small and simple
The EUHOMY Nugget Ice Maker measures 11 x 9.1 x 12.6 inches and lists first ice in 7 minutes, up to 35 lb a day and a press-and-hold self-cleaning cycle. Its 1.1-liter tank is smaller than the Opal’s, so expect more frequent refills.
Nugget ice makers compared
| GE Profile Opal 2.0 Ultra | GoveeLife Smart Nugget Ice Maker Pro | GE Profile Opal Mini | GE Profile Opal Ultra with 1-gal XL side tank | Frigidaire Gallery Nugget Ice Maker | EUHOMY Nugget Ice Maker | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Listed output | Up to 38 lb/day; 1.6 lb/hr (listed) | Up to 60 lb/day (listed) | Up to 36 lb/day; 1.5 lb/hr (listed) | Up to 38 lb/day; 1.6 lb/hr (listed) | Up to 44 lb/day (listed) | Up to 35 lb/day (listed) |
| First ice | 10 min or less (listed) | 6 min (listed) | 5 min or less (listed) | About 10 min (listed) | See listing | 7 min (listed) |
| Water | 0.75-gal side tank (listed) | 2.2 L + 4.9 L dual tanks (listed) | Top-fill station (listed) | 1-gal side tank (listed) | Removable reservoir | 1.1 L tank (listed) |
| Ice bin | About 3.35 lb measured by Project Farm | About 3.1 lb measured by Ben’s Appliances and Junk | 2 lb bin (listed) | 3 lb bin (listed) | 3.97 lb basket (listed) | See listing |
| Notable | Wi-Fi via SmartHQ; Alexa and Google | Touchscreen; 10- and 30-minute cleaning modes (listed) | 8.6” wide; 30% smaller than the original Opal (listed) | Includes filter and descaling powder (listed) | Self-cleaning; viewing window (listed) | Self-cleaning; 11 x 9.1 x 12.6 in (listed) |
| Buy | Check price | Check price | Check price | Check price | Check price | Check price |
How to choose a nugget ice maker
- Water capacity: Ben said refilling was the bane of his tests; side tanks on the GE and GoveeLife were huge usability benefits.
- Bin size: Project Farm measured 3.35 lb in the Opal’s bin; larger bins mean ice on hand for guests.
- Noise: fans run constantly while making ice, Ben said; check reviewer decibel figures if it sits near a living area.
- Height: GE lists the Opal 2.0 Ultra at 16.5 inches tall, so it fits under most cabinets.
- Maintenance: plan on regular cleaning and descaling; see How to Clean an Opal Ice Maker.
Nugget vs bullet ice
Nugget ice (also called pellet or Sonic-style ice) is made from compacted ice flakes, which is why it is soft and chewable, GE explains. Project Farm found that the bullet-ice machines in his test performed very similarly on melting speed, while the GE and a Tyfor pellet model made very soft, chewable ice. Nugget machines also cost more; in his lineup, bullet models started around $40.
Video: Project Farm: “Never Buy Ice Again! One Clear Winner!”. Embedded with credit; the findings are the creator’s own.
Video: Bens Appliances and Junk: “Which is the Best Ice Maker in 2026? Nugget Ice Makers Honest Review!”. Embedded with credit; the findings are the creator’s own.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the best nugget ice maker?
The GE Profile Opal 2.0 Ultra won Project Farm’s 10-machine test. The GoveeLife Pro beat the Opal in Ben’s Appliances and Junk’s sponsored three-machine test.
Which nugget ice maker makes the most ice?
GoveeLife lists up to 60 lb a day for its Pro; Ben measured just under 2 lb per hour. GE lists the Opal 2.0 Ultra at 38 lb a day.
How fast does the Opal make ice?
Project Farm saw ice start at about 8 minutes; Ben measured 5 minutes 38 seconds. GE lists 10 minutes or less.
Is the Opal Mini as good as the Opal 2.0?
GE lists the Mini at 36 lb a day versus 38 lb for the Ultra, in a footprint 30% smaller, with a 2 lb bin.
Do nugget ice makers need a water line?
No. The GE, GoveeLife, Frigidaire and EUHOMY models listed here fill from a reservoir or side tank.
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?”
Related: GE Opal 2.0 Ultra Review | 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.
Affiliate Disclosure: If you purchase an item through the links on this page, I may receive a commission, at no additional cost to you. Thank you for supporting the channel.