Get ‘Sonic Ice’ at Home With the Best Nugget Ice Makers

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If you ask any ice lover, they’ll tell you that not all ice is created equal. In fact, many people swear that nugget ice—also called pebble ice and Sonic ice—is the best ice because it comes in small chunks that are soft and chewable. Your refrigerator’s ice maker, or freezer and ice cube trays method can’t achieve this delightful form, but a nugget ice maker can. As you might suspect, nugget ice makers aren’t as common as standard ice machines. But if you simply have to have those amazingly chewable cubes popularized by Sonic and Chick-fil-A, there are plenty of high quality nugget ice makers you can fit right on your kitchen counter.

Nugget ice makers come in the form of countertop models, mostly designed for home use, and commercial models, which are designed for restaurants and caterers. However—because of the complex mechanisms required to make nugget ice—none of the options are cheap. Small home units cost upwards of $400—but they typically have capacity to create and hold much more ice than your freezer’s built-in ice maker. Before giving into sticker shock, imagine hosting a big party and never having to worry about running out for more ice.

The Best Nugget Ice Makers

• Best Overall: GE Profile Opal 2.0 Countertop Nugget Ice Maker

• Best Value: Euhomy Countertop Nugget Ice Maker

• Most Affordable: Frigidaire Countertop Nugget Ice Maker

• Best for Parties: GE Profile Opal Countertop Nugget Ice Maker

• Most Aesthetic: NewAir Tip-Out Door Countertop Nugget Ice Maker

How Do Nugget Ice Makers Work?

Countertop nugget ice makers use an auger system. A large metal cylinder with an auger inside freezes as the machine runs. Water pours into the cylinder and starts to freeze along the walls, producing a thin sheet of ice that the auger scrapes and pushes through the machine as ice flakes.

These flakes are then compacted and dropped into the ice bin and what you get is a soft, porous nugget of ice that (probably) won’t crack your teeth when you chew it. They’re ideal for beverages because they take on the flavor of the drink. Trust us, this is nothing like the ice that’s dispensed from your refrigerator—you can even use it to craft an attractive plate of oysters or shrimp since nugget ice melts more evenly than traditional cubes.

Maintenance

Nugget ice makers are not a set-it-and-forget-it machine—they require regular cleaning and additional upkeep. Some models have self-cleaning modes that you should run at least once a month but if you’re a frequent party host, every other week wouldn’t hurt. Add bleach or vinegar to the reservoir and run the cycle a couple of times if you want to do a deep clean.

You also need to descale your nugget ice maker every couple of months because calcium builds up from tap water over time. Using distilled water can reduce buildup but even still, every ice maker requires descaling at some point. Some nugget ice makers that hook up to a water line would benefit from an inline filter. You can also vacuum out the fan and blow out the condenser since these can get clogged up with dust or debris and end up overheating and getting fried. The general consensus is to get a warranty if there’s one available since so much can go wrong with maintaining these machines.

Production and Capacity

Nugget ice makers can make anywhere from 24 to 44 pounds of ice in a 24-hour period. They start up relatively quick (as little as 10 minutes) but can take up to an hour to fully fill the ice bin. Models with large capacity bins are best for big groups while smaller ones are good for home bars and entertaining a couple of friends. Some options have ice bins that are insulated to keep ice from melting while others just have an acrylic bucket and ice melts faster.

Features

Most of our picks use a water reservoir but some can be hooked up to a water line so you don’t have to worry about refilling. All of the nugget ice makers we cover below have an ice bin that recirculates melted ice back into the reservoir to avoid clumping and leaks. The majority of nugget ice makers rely on an ice bin for scooping and are great for parties. However, our best dispenser pick can plop nugget ice into your cup or water bottle on the go, ideal for daily use. Also consider the aesthetics of the nugget ice maker you choose. The majority come in black and silver but our pick for the largest capacity nugget ice maker was one of the few available in white.

How We Selected

There’s a fairly limited selection of nugget ice makers available today, so we did a lot of research to find only the best options. We looked at each machine’s ease of use and reliability, as well as the quality of the ice according to reviewers. The original author personally tested the first-generation GE Opal nugget ice maker, and we called in the updated GE Opal 2.0 to test the new features and performance. We corralled a variety of products at different price points that suit common applications, including home, office, and commercial use.

Profile Opal 2.0 Countertop Nugget Ice Maker

The GE Profile Opal 2.0 is the next-gen version of the lauded Opal (below) and it comes with several upgrades, including Wi-Fi connectivity that lets you control the machine from anywhere from the SmartHQ app which interacts with all GE smart appliances.

The appliance has a streamlined design and a smaller footprint than the previous edition since its water reservoir is integrated into the bottom of the unit. Set up was straightforward, as the unit pretty much arrives completely assembled.

We tested the unit with the optional side tank which is a worthy investment and frequently goes on sale on Amazon. It’s nice to not to have to fill the reservoir at the bottom of the unit because taking the bucket out can be finicky at times. The drip tray slides underneath the unit but doesn’t clip into anything which feels flimsy, but it is something you’ll frequently rinse off at the sink.

We ran the clean cycle without a cleaning solution to give it a rinse before making the first batch. After the clean cycle we detached the hoses from the back and side tank into the sink to drain. Hose clips hold these neatly in place when the ice maker is in use and they’re easy to take off for cleaning and draining. We then started making ice. It started churning out ice around 10 minutes after starting up and had enough ice for a couple of drinks at the 16-minute mark. A full bin didn’t happen until about an hour.

The first couple of pellets were watery and not fully formed, but soon it was making the soft and chewable ice you know and love from your favorite fast food joints. The pull-out bucket is locked into place so you don’t have to worry about pulling the entire thing out when going for ice—an issue many experienced with the first Opal. The fan is also easily accessible to blowout with compressed air after a couple months of use.

Countertop Nugget Ice Maker

If you need a serious amount of nugget ice daily—up to 44 pounds, to be exact—this compact Frigidaire model can keep up. It has a stainless steel exterior, a front control panel, and a clear top for a polished look. It also produces ice in about 15 minutes and holds up to three pounds at a time.

Most other models have light up buttons for operation but that can sometimes get confusing when turning the machine on or toggling between settings. This model has an LCD display that lights up and alerts you when the reservoir is empty, the ice bin is full, and when it’s in standby and hibernation mode. The ice bin has thin insulation so be sure and use your ice up within a couple of hours.

Countertop Nugget Ice Maker

The machine has a compact design that fits on your countertop and an angled opening to make scooping ice easier for you or your guests.

Your first cubes of nugget ice will be ready in around 18 minutes, and as the ice melts in the bin, the water is funneled back into the reservoir to be remade into ice again. You can fill the reservoir as needed or hook it up to your house’s water system so it’s automatically refilled. It has a self-cleaning function and two indicators to alert you when it’s full or needs water. There’s nowhere to place the included ice scoop, but you can attach a magnet to the stainless steel body as a quick fix.

Customers that had issues months after buying were impressed by the excellent troubleshooting and assistance from customer service. A huge plus since nugget ice makers are finicky in general.

V2.0 Countertop Nugget Ice Maker

The Gevi has a large ice bin that holds almost five pounds. You can place the full ice bin on the pull-down lid when entertaining and the lid acts as a drip tray—that way, you can leave the ice out for your guests during cocktail hour.

The ice bin nixes the glass window that other models have for thick insulation on all sides. As you use up ice, the machine automatically produces more to top off the bucket so that you’re not scarping one or two watery pieces from the bottom. It can be hooked up to a water line and has a self-cleaning function. It also includes a descaling powder for deeper cleaning.

Profile Opal Countertop Nugget Ice Maker

The first iteration of GE’s Opal makes enough ice for a couple of drinks within 15 minutes and makes a full batch in about 45 minutes. The side tank is included with purchase thought—at 24 lbs.— the daily production is less than the Opal 2.0.

The Opal alerts you when it needs more water and continuously makes ice as you use more from the bin. Reviewers noticed an electric hum when its running and some random squeaking but say the noise isn’t a deal-breaker, especially going unnoticed during large gatherings.

Judging from reviews, this unit makes ice faster than the Opal 2, needing around 45 minutes for a full bin. It’s 10 lbs heavier than the Opal 2.0 and won’t make as much ice in a day, but when you’re needing ice fast during parties, it’s a solid bet.

This unit’s compressor is harder to access because it’s behind a soldered plate so in-depth cleaning of the fan and compressor are going to be tough.

KBice Self Dispensing Countertop Nugget Ice Maker

Many pellet ice makers require you to scoop the nuggets out of an ice bin, but the KBice nugget ice maker has a built-in dispenser that drops it right into your glass, making it ideal for busy households or office break rooms.

The machine can produce around 30 pounds of ice per day, producing its first nuggets as quickly as 30 minutes after turning it on. The downside is the limited, one-pound storage capacity, but that won't be a problem if you're using high volumes of ice all day long. The KBice Maker requires distilled or purified water for best results and it has a self-cleaning function for easy maintenance.

Tip-Out Door Countertop Nugget Ice Maker

This compact nugget ice maker from NewAir features an attractive all-black exterior. The purple LEDs are a sleek accent and easy on the eyes at night.

It has a relatively small footprint considering it generates an impressive 44 pounds of ice per day. You might not be able to use all that ice though—the storage capacity is less than competitors at 1.5 pounds. The bin is insulated to keep your ice frozen for a couple of hours.

Other highlights include an easy-access tip-out door, a self-cleaning function, and a removable ice drawer.

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