Best countertop ice maker

The best countertop ice maker for most people is the GE Profile Opal 2.0 Ultra — especially if you love the soft, chewable Sonic-style ice. But if you just want plenty of ice for everyday drinks, you can save hundreds of dollars with a simpler machine. Current 2026 reviews favor the Opal for nugget ice and more affordable models for ordinary cubes. Bon Appétit IceMakerVerdict

My top countertop ice maker picks

(Best overall)

GE Profile Opal 2.0 Ultra

$450–$550 approx.

Makes soft, chewable nugget ice, with app scheduling and an optional side tank to reduce refills. Produces up to 38 lb of ice per day in the reviewed configuration.

Downside: Expensive, takes up counter space, and needs regular cleaning. Bon Appétit Popular Mechanics

(Best budget nugget ice)

EUHOMY 35 Lbs. Nugget Ice Maker, 5–7 Min. Portable Counterto…

$189.99

Target · 4.8/5 (50 reviews)

A more affordable way to get soft, crunchy nugget ice for sodas, iced coffee and smoothies. A good option if you don't need the premium features of the Opal.

View at Target

(Best for regular ice)

Frigidaire EFIC452

About $130

A better fit if you want conventional ice for water, soft drinks, parties and coolers. Reviews highlight its output of up to 40 lb per day and value for the price. IceMakerVerdict

Downside: Makes hard, conventional ice rather than the soft, chewable nuggets.

(Best cheap option)

EUHOMY 26.5lbs Countertop Bullet Ice Maker

$79.99

Target · 4.7/5 (51 reviews)

An inexpensive, portable machine that makes bullet-shaped ice in minutes. Ideal for occasional use, small kitchens or an RV.

View at Target

Which one should you buy?

One important thing to know: most countertop ice makers don't keep the ice frozen. The ice in the basket gradually melts and the water recirculates, so you'll need to transfer ice to your freezer if you want to store it. Regular cleaning is also important to prevent mineral buildup.

Let me narrow it down for you

What kind of ice do you prefer?

1. Ice type

Soft, chewable Sonic-style nugget ice

Regular cubes for water and drinks

Either — I just want a good machine

2. Budget

Under $100

$100–$150

$150–$250

$250–$400

$400+ for the best

3. How will you use it?

Everyday household use

Lots of ice throughout the day

Parties and entertaining

RV, camping or occasional use

[Find my best pick]

The GE Profile Opal 2.0 Nugget Ice Maker is widely considered the best overall countertop ice maker for its fast production, chewable nugget ice quality, and smart connectivity. Forbes

Top Countertop Ice Makers by Category

Best Overall:GE Profile Opal 2.0 Nugget Ice Maker YouTube

• Why buy it: Produces soft, crunchy nugget ice (the kind found at restaurants) in 10 minutes or less, outputs up to 38 lbs per day, and includes app control and optional side tanks for extra capacity. YouTube

Best Value / Budget Nugget Ice Option:Frigidaire Gallery Countertop Nugget Ice Maker Forbes

• Why buy it: Delivers a high daily yield of nugget ice with an intuitive control panel and a self-cleaning function at a lower price point than the GE Opal 2.0, though it skips smart Wi-Fi features. Forbes

Best Budget / Compact Bullet Ice Maker:Frigidaire 26 lb. Portable Counter Top Ice Maker (or similar compact 26-lb models like the Mainstays Portable Countertop Ice Maker around $70)

• Why buy it: Great for small kitchens, RVs, or dorms. It makes classic bullet-shaped ice in 6 to 7 minutes and typically costs between $70 and $90 .

Best Portable / Handled Pick:Euhomy Countertop Nugget Ice Maker (or Igloo Automatic Self-Cleaning Portable Ice Maker) YouTube

• Why buy it: Features built-in transport handles and compact footprints for easy movement between a patio, boat, or kitchen. YouTube

Key Features to Consider

Ice Type:Nugget ice is soft, chewable, and cools drinks quickly (ideal for sodas and cocktails), while bullet ice takes longer to melt and keeps drinks cold longer. Forbes

Storage: Most countertop ice makers do not refrigerate their internal baskets. Finished ice needs to be used right away or transferred to a freezer. YouTube YouTube

Maintenance: Look for models with a self-cleaning cycle to prevent mold and hard-water scale buildup, especially if you use tap water. Reddit

To help you pick the right one, let me know:

Do you prefer soft nugget ice or traditional bullet ice ?

What is your budget ?

Will this stay on the counter permanently or need to be portable ?

When looking for the best countertop ice maker, the market is largely divided into two categories: nugget ice makers (the soft, chewable "Sonic-style" pebble ice that everyone loves) and bullet/traditional ice makers (faster, cheaper, but producing harder ice).

The top-performing countertop ice makers break down by category:

1. Best Overall: GE Profile Opal 2.0 (with Side Tank)

• Ice Type: Nugget Forbes / Pebble
• Daily Yield: Up to 38 lbs Forbes
• Why it wins: The GE Opal line is widely considered the gold standard of home ice makers. The Opal 2.0 fixes earlier reliability issues, produces its first batch of ice in about 10 minutes, features smart Wi-Fi/app integration, and includes an elegant matching side tank so you rarely have to manually refill it.
• The downside: It has a large footprint and carries a premium price tag. Popular Mechanics

2. Best Value Nugget Ice Maker: Euhomy Smart Nugget Ice Maker

• Ice Type: Nugget / Pebble
• Daily Yield: Up to 34 lbs Forbes
• Why it wins: If you want that soft, chewable nugget ice without spending GE Profile money, Euhomy's model delivers similar performance and high output speed at a fraction of the cost. It’s relatively compact and features a sleek design that fits well in smaller kitchens.

3. Best for Small Spaces / Bar Carts: Typhur Nugget Ice Maker or Kismile Countertop Nugget

• Ice Type: Nugget
• Daily Yield: ~33–35 lbs Forbes
• Why it wins: Many high-end nugget ice makers are bulky, but models like the Typhur and Kismile feature narrower, space-conscious profiles. Forbes They easily tuck onto shallow counters or bar carts without sacrificing crunchable ice quality or self-cleaning capabilities. Forbes

4. Best Budget / Traditional Bullet Ice: Igloo Portable Ice Maker

• Ice Type: Bullet
• Daily Yield: ~26 lbs Forbes
• Why it wins: If you just want standard, hollow bullet-shaped ice quickly and cheaply for parties or RV trips, classic budget portable makers like the Igloo cost a fraction of nugget ice machines (usually under $100) and churn out ice in under 10 minutes.

What to Consider Before Buying:

• Ice Texture: Decide if you truly care about nugget ice. Nugget ice machines have complex internal mechanisms (an auger scraping ice against a cylinder) and cost significantly more than standard bullet ice makers.
• Water Source: Most countertop units require you to manually pour water into a reservoir. If you hate refilling tanks, look for models that support an optional direct water-line hookup (like the GE Opal 2.0 XL or Gevi V2.0).
• Maintenance: Ice makers require regular cleaning to prevent mold and mineral scale buildup. Look for units with a self-cleaning mode.

The GE Profile Opal 2.0 is the best pick if you want chewable nugget ice: recent reviews praise its ice quality, speed, and build, but it’s a premium-priced option. For a cheaper, straightforward machine that makes traditional bullet ice, consider the Magic Chef.forbes.comnytimes.com

The best overall countertop ice maker for most people who want soft, chewable “nugget” (or pellet) ice is the GE Profile Opal 2.0 (including the Ultra version with side tank). It consistently ranks at or near the top in independent tests from Forbes Vetted, CNET, Serious Eats, and side-by-side measurements for ice quality, output, and capacity. www.forbes.com

Why the GE Profile Opal 2.0 stands out

• Produces soft, crunchy/chewable nugget ice (the Sonic-style texture many people specifically want).
• High daily yield: around 38 lbs per day.
• Large holding capacity (up to ~3+ lbs in the bin on the Ultra) and a large water tank (especially with the optional/side tank versions that reduce refill frequency).
• First ice in roughly 6–10 minutes.
• Self-cleaning cycle, app control/scheduling on many versions, and solid build.
• Quiet enough for most kitchens (~50–52 dB in tests).

Drawbacks: It’s the most expensive option (typically $400–$550+ depending on model and sales), larger and heavier than basic units, and uses more power. Ice still melts if left too long (these are not freezers—transfer excess to your freezer).

Strong alternatives by need

Quick buying advice

• Nugget vs. bullet ice: Nugget is softer and more chewable (preferred for drinks and snacking). Bullet/square is denser, clearer, and cheaper to produce in volume. Decide which texture you care about first.
• Key features to look for: Self-cleaning cycle (highly recommended to fight scale), removable basket, transparent lid or sensor, and daily output of at least 26–30+ lbs if you entertain. Most countertop units need regular water refills and ice transfer because the bin isn’t refrigerated long-term.
• Practical tips: Use filtered or distilled water to reduce mineral buildup. Clean regularly. Measure your counter space—premium nugget units are bulkier. Check current prices and reviews, as sales and minor model updates are common.
• Reliability note: No countertop unit is perfect long-term (compressors and sensors can fail after a few years). Stick with well-reviewed brands that have good return policies or extended warranties when possible.

If you mainly want everyday ice volume at a low price and don’t care about the soft nugget texture, go with a well-reviewed Frigidaire or Igloo bullet model. If soft chewable ice is the priority and budget allows, the GE Opal is the clear winner based on recent testing. Let me know your budget, preferred ice type, or space constraints for a more tailored pick!