Best Nugget Ice Makers for Home (Sonic-Style Ice)

Soft, chewable nugget ice at home: our picks from GE Profile Opal, Frigidaire, GoveeLife, Gevi and Igloo, plus which keeps ice frozen longest and what to know before you spend $400.

By Amanda RobertsUpdated October 30, 2026How we pick products

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Nugget ice, also called pellet, chewable or “Sonic” ice, is made from flakes of ice pressed together. It’s soft enough to chew, soaks up the flavor of your drink, and cools a glass fast. It’s also the hardest ice to make at home, which is why nugget machines cost more than basic bullet-ice makers.

All countertop ice makers, nugget included, store ice in an insulated basket, not a freezer. Ice slowly melts back into the reservoir and gets remade. So no countertop machine “keeps ice frozen” like a freezer does. If you want ice on hand all day, look for a well-insulated basket, or move a batch to a freezer bag.

Quick comparison

Test notes are from Reviewed and Popular Mechanics. Daily output ratings vary by source and room temperature; GE's own figure for the Opal has changed between model years. Prices are typical October 2026 prices.

How we picked

We compared Reviewed’s and Popular Mechanics’ hands-on testing, which timed first batches and full baskets and noted noise, ice quality and leaks, with manufacturer specs. We focused on:

• Ice quality: soft, chewable nuggets
• Speed and daily output
• Basket size and insulation
• Noise
• Cleaning features

We haven’t tested these machines ourselves. Read more about how we pick products.

1. GE Profile Opal 2.0 XL: Best overall

Buy it if: Nugget ice lovers who want the best-known machine.

Both Reviewed and Popular Mechanics named the Opal their best nugget ice maker. Reviewed’s testers said it quickly turned out loads of high-quality nugget ice and called it quiet. The XL adds a detachable one-gallon side tank, so you refill far less often. The SmartHQ app lets you schedule ice for when you get home, and the machine flushes itself and reminds you when it’s time to clean.

What bugs us: It’s expensive. One Popular Mechanics tester heard a loud grinding noise from their unit, and found the drip tray flimsy and the side tank finicky to remove. Popular Mechanics also found the first pellets came out watery before it settled in.

Skip it if: you don’t want to spend $500 on ice. The Frigidaire is close for half the price.

2. Frigidaire Gallery EFIC255: Best value

Buy it if: Most people who want real nugget ice without Opal pricing.

Reviewed’s best-value pick made fresh-tasting nugget ice at about 1.5 pounds an hour, so a full 3-pound basket takes a couple of hours. It’s rated for about 44 pounds a day and has a built-in handle on the back for moving it.

What bugs us: It’s noisy when running, and there’s no self-clean cycle, app or lights. Watch the model name: Frigidaire also sells a cheaper “chewable” machine that actually makes bullet ice.

Skip it if: the machine will sit in a quiet living room.

3. GoveeLife Smart Nugget Ice Maker Pro: Most ice, fastest

Buy it if: Big households, parties and smart-home fans.

In Reviewed’s testing, the GoveeLife made its first batch in as little as six minutes, and it’s rated for up to about 60 pounds a day, the most here. It self-cleans, sends low-water alerts and works with Alexa and Google Assistant.

What bugs us: It weighs about 40 pounds, so pick its spot carefully. It’s somewhat louder than the Opal, and the modern look with LED lighting won’t suit every kitchen.

Skip it if: you only want a glass or two of ice a day.

4. Gevi V2.0 Countertop Nugget Ice Maker: Keeps ice frozen longest

Buy it if: People who want ice ready all afternoon.

Popular Mechanics picked the Gevi for storage. Its basket holds almost 5 pounds, the most in their test, with thick insulation on all sides to slow melting. The door swings open 90 degrees with no window in the way, so scooping is easy. The tester saw the first pellets in about 9 minutes.

What bugs us: Filling the big basket takes a few hours, and the water reservoir is awkward to reach. A hose kit for automatic filling is available.

Skip it if: counter space is tight.

5. Igloo Self-Cleaning Countertop Nugget Ice Maker: Best budget

Buy it if: Curious about nugget ice but not ready to spend $250.

Popular Mechanics’ budget pick made its first batch in under 9 minutes, and its slim body fits small kitchens. A simple vinegar-and-water clean cycle takes about 10 minutes.

What bugs us: The “ice full” light came on before the basket was actually full, likely because a cube blocked the sensor. Expect a less sturdy build than pricier machines.

Skip it if: you’ll run it every day. A sturdier machine will hold up better.

Before you buy

• Plan to clean it. Nugget machines need regular cleaning and descaling, especially with hard water. Here’s how to clean a countertop ice maker.
• Use filtered or soft water if your tap water is hard. Scale is the most common cause of trouble.
• Leave space around it. Most need a few inches on every side for airflow.
• Let it settle. After moving or unboxing, most makers ask you to wait a few hours before the first run.

Not sure nugget is for you? Read nugget ice vs bullet ice, or see all our best countertop ice makers.

FAQ

Do nugget ice makers keep ice frozen? Not for long. The basket is insulated but not refrigerated, so ice slowly melts and gets remade. Bag extra ice and freeze it.

Why are nugget ice makers so expensive? Making nugget ice takes an auger that scrapes and compresses ice flakes, which is more complex than freezing water in a tray.

Can I hook one up to a water line? Some, like the Gevi, have optional hose kits. Most are filled by hand.