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The best nugget ice makers to buy in 2026
The GE Profile Opal 2.0 Ultra wins for fast, consistent nugget ice and a useful side tank; Euhomy and COWSAR cost much less.
| Best overall | Best value | Cheapest that's still good | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Product | GE Profile Opal 2.0 Ultra Nugget Ice Maker | Euhomy Smart Countertop Nugget Ice Maker | COWSAR Nugget Ice Maker |
| Price | about $449 | about $153 | about $200 |
| Why | Popular Mechanics names it its best overall and reports a first batch in about 10 minutes, a 3-pound bin and up to 38 pounds of ice per day. It combines strong output with a side reservoir and cleaning features. | Popular Mechanics recommends it as its best value: it makes ice quickly and claims up to 40 pounds a day, at far less than the Opal’s price. Popular Mechanics lists a first batch in about seven minutes. | Good Housekeeping picked it as its best value after lab and home testing, finding clear, soft, uniform nuggets and a useful self-cleaning cycle. It is a lower-cost alternative to the GE, though it requires more frequent refills. |
| Good to know | It takes up substantial counter space and can be loud while making ice. | The small 1.6-pound bin needs frequent attention when serving several people. | Its small water tank runs out quickly, so expect frequent refills. |
| See on Amazon | See on Amazon | See on Amazon |
picture by AIPopular Mechanics names it its best overall and reports a first batch in about 10 minutes, a 3-pound bin and up to 38 pounds of ice per day. It combines strong output with a side reservoir and cleaning features.
Good to know: It takes up substantial counter space and can be loud while making ice.
See on Amazonpicture by AIPopular Mechanics recommends it as its best value: it makes ice quickly and claims up to 40 pounds a day, at far less than the Opal’s price. Popular Mechanics lists a first batch in about seven minutes.
Good to know: The small 1.6-pound bin needs frequent attention when serving several people.
See on Amazonpicture by AIGood Housekeeping picked it as its best value after lab and home testing, finding clear, soft, uniform nuggets and a useful self-cleaning cycle. It is a lower-cost alternative to the GE, though it requires more frequent refills.
Good to know: Its small water tank runs out quickly, so expect frequent refills.
See on AmazonDanilli may earn a small commission from Amazon or the store when you buy through these buttons. The price is the same for you. Pictures marked "picture by AI" are made by Danilli's AI to show the product; check the real photos on the store page.
What matters
Check the ice-bin and water-tank sizes as well as how quickly a machine makes its first batch; daily-output claims assume frequent refills. Countertop ice makers are not freezers, so ice left in the bin can melt.
Who this is for
These picks suit people who want chewable nugget ice at home, from frequent users willing to pay more to occasional users watching their budget. If countertop space is tight, compare the machine’s dimensions before buying.
The picks, one by one
Best overall: GE Profile Opal 2.0 Ultra Nugget Ice Maker
Popular Mechanics names it its best overall and reports a first batch in about 10 minutes, a 3-pound bin and up to 38 pounds of ice per day. It combines strong output with a side reservoir and cleaning features. In testing, reviewers timed first-batch production and how long each machine took to fill its basket, while assessing ease of use, reliability and ice quality. The Opal’s side tank means fewer refills, and its app can schedule ice making and send maintenance alerts. Its 3-pound bin is roomier than Euhomy’s compact model. Skip it if your counter is cramped, you need a quiet machine, or the premium price is hard to justify.
Good to know: It takes up substantial counter space and can be loud while making ice.
See on AmazonBest value: Euhomy Smart Countertop Nugget Ice Maker
Popular Mechanics recommends it as its best value: it makes ice quickly and claims up to 40 pounds a day, at far less than the Opal’s price. Popular Mechanics lists a first batch in about seven minutes. A reviewer used it for several weeks, timed production from empty and watched how well the bin held ice. Its compact footprint suits small kitchens and RVs, and app or voice controls add convenience. The trade-off is a 1.6-pound bin, so it holds less ice at once than the GE. Choose another model if you regularly need a large bin ready for a crowd.
Good to know: The small 1.6-pound bin needs frequent attention when serving several people.
See on AmazonCheapest that's still good: COWSAR Nugget Ice Maker
Good Housekeeping picked it as its best value after lab and home testing, finding clear, soft, uniform nuggets and a useful self-cleaning cycle. It is a lower-cost alternative to the GE, though it requires more frequent refills. Good Housekeeping timed a full bucket at about one hour and 13 minutes and found one tank produced about 3.25 pounds of ice. The compact machine has a simple one-button control and a 15-minute cleaning cycle. Its 1.6-pound bin and small water reservoir make it better for one or two people than for parties. The reviewed listing did not show a dependable current Amazon price, so check the listing before purchasing.
Good to know: Its small water tank runs out quickly, so expect frequent refills.
See on AmazonHow we chose
Reviewers timed the first batch and how long bins took to fill, weighed ice output, and assessed ice texture, noise, usability and cleaning. Good Housekeeping also ran machines through daylong production and compared how quickly the ice melted in drinks. Danilli read the reviews and tests listed below and compared current prices; it does not take money from brands to pick a product.
Sources
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Written with Danilli's AI from the sources above and refreshed about once a month; prices change, check Amazon for today's price. Danilli may earn a small commission from Amazon or the store when you buy through these buttons. The price is the same for you. Pictures marked "picture by AI" are made by Danilli's AI to show the product; check the real photos on the store page.