If you’re on the hunt for a high-tech kitchen gift for a home cook, this was one of the best ice makers we tested. This machine has three UV light settings so you can dim or brighten the viewing window and protect against bacteria growth throughout use. The cleaning setting is super easy to use, and the machine is quiet while running, save for the pitter-patter of those nuggets being made. It’s sleek and comes in both stainless and black stainless finishes.
I’m not the most tech-savvy person, so I was a bit worried about setting up the ice machine properly, but the instructions were thorough and self-explanatory. This basically just meant filling up the reservoir with fresh new water, inserting the ice bucket, and pressing the main button on the screen to start ice production. The machine runs constantly, but you can set a timer if you only want it to be on and produce new ice for a certain period. With any ice maker, you’re looking for a machine that drops ice at the fastest possible speed.
Though many of the ice makers we tested showed streaks on their stainless-steel finishes, this model showed them more prominently. But because of its slightly smaller size, you need to refill it a bit more frequently. We won’t call it a steal, but this is still a hard-to-beat price on a high-capacity ice machine that can have you enjoying a few nuggets of ice in as little as 10 minutes. Remember to regularly clean your ice maker to maintain its performance and prolong its lifespan. Check the user manual for recommended cleaning frequencies and other maintenance tips.
The Iceman Nugget Ice Machine did a good job for half the price of the GE Profile Opal 2.0 (our also-great pick), but we don’t know much about the company. We noticed several virtually identical machines under other name brands (like other ice makers we tested), including this model from Mueller. If you really want nugget ice but don’t want to invest in the Opal 2.0, the Iceman model works. Of the three models we tested, the Opal 2.0 made the highest-quality nugget ice. The ice is chewy, fluffy, and doesn’t clump (the machine keeps the pebbles separated by draining melt water quickly). The Opal 2.0 makes about 1.5 pounds of ice per hour, and the double-pane reservoir holds roughly 3 pounds of ice and prevents it from melting longer than any other ice machine we tried.
Though it’s bulky, you’ll want to make room on your counter to get the full benefit of it. However, the machine only held eight cups of water, which made it tough to handle everyday use. LifePlus Portable Countertop frigidaire nugget ice maker Ice Maker (Walmart)This machine massively underperformed compared to other ice makers of similar size. Though the cubes were clear and evenly shaped, we wished the machine formed and dropped ice faster.
Use gentle circular motions to remove any residue or mineral deposits. Stainless Steel Ice Maker offers a quick and efficient ice-making process, providing you with fresh and ready-to-use ice in as little as six minutes. The clear window on the lid allows you to check the ice level without opening the machine, saving energy and preventing unnecessary heat exchange. The Frigidaire Gallery EFIC255 Nugget Ice Maker is an attractive machine that churns out slow-melting nugget ice.