Best Nugget Ice Maker In 2023
Ice is common, and I don’t think anyone would enjoy it in its pure solid state. However, the Nugget Ice, commonly called sonic ice, is getting too much attention nowadays. Due to its crunchy and chewy nature, this ice is getting popular in restaurants and homes.
The nugget ice is Ice in its soft form consisting of different flaked ice layers. It is used in various recipes and drinks as an alternative to hard, solid Ice. Due to its rising public demand, most restaurants and bars now prefer nugget ice over normal ice cubes.
Initially, Nugget Ice makers were available only for large-scale uses such as restaurants and Bars. However, with its rising demand, now small-size nugget ice makers are also available. Even you can find a portable ice maker if you love traveling.
So, if you are looking for the best nugget ice maker on the market, you are in the right spot. We have searched for the best 20 nugget ice makers and extracted the best ones for you. Based on the customer reviews, these nugget ice makers are the best you could find.
Top 7 Nugget Ice Makers – Expert Review
Let’s look at the top 7 nugget Ice makers that can help you offer a new dessert for your guests. These nugget Ice makers are best for home use and can manage the Sonic Ice requirement of several people.
GE Profile OPAL 2.0
GE Profile OPAL 2.0
SPECIFICATIONS
Capacity :3 Pounds | Voltage :120 Volts | Item Dimensions LxWxH :17.5 x 10.5 x 16.5 inches |
REASONS TO BUY
✓Excellent quality chewable sonic ice
✓Wireless connectivity
✓Removable side water tank
✓Easy-to-use interface
REASONS TO AVOID
✗A bit noisy
Here comes our top pick for you. If you are looking for a nugget ice maker for home use and don’t want to compromise on any of its features, here we go. GE Profile OPAL Nugget Ice Maker is the best product on this list that can be your dream nugget ice maker.
Features
GE Profile OPAL nugget ice maker upgrades your kitchen to the next level with advanced technology. The decent design of this product gives your kitchen a classy new look. Its sleek, modern, and attractive design makes it the best choice for any advanced kitchen.
It has a removable side water tank that allows you to place it anywhere in the kitchen. Unlike most nugget ice makers, you can place this anywhere without worrying about the water pipeline connection, thanks to the additional water tank.
Due to its latest technology features, this nugget ice maker can be your dream sonic ice maker. The working mechanism is highly oriented and makes perfectly chewable ice in just 20 minutes. Moreover, it can store up to 3 pounds of ice at a time.
Moreover, the smartphone app for this ice maker is a new chapter in kitchen appliances. It allows you to control the device from anywhere through your phone. It offers you Bluetooth connectivity to control it through Alexa or Google.
Also Read Why Is Opal Ice Maker Not Making Ice?
KBISE
KBISE Self Dispensing Nugget Ice Maker
SPECIFICATIONS
Capacity :30 Pounds | Voltage :120 Volts | Item Dimensions LxWxH :16 x 12 x 17.5 inches |
REASONS TO BUY
✓Highly affordable
✓Self-cleaning function
✓Environment and User friendly
✓No need for installation
REASONS TO AVOID
✗Some users may not like the Plastic body
Considering the rising air pollution in this modern era, this nugget ice maker is designed with environmentally friendly refrigerants. A self-dispensing sonic ice maker that has no bad impact on your environment is a great choice for home use.
Features
The ease of use is the most prominent feature of this nugget ice maker, making it suitable for home use. There is a side water tank that you have to fill with water with a handy funnel that comes with the pack. To collect ice, just press the “dispense ice” button.
Most of the outer parts of this gadget are made of plastic, which gives it increased portability due to its lightweight. Although most parts are made of plastic, the pellet ice quality is great compared to other ice makers. You get chewy, crunchy, and fresh ice within 30 minutes.
Price affordability is another bonus from KBISE’s self-dispensing nugget ice maker. Other brands, such as Scotsman, would produce the same product and sell it for thousands of dollars. Moreover, it has a self-cleaning function that most nugget ice makers do not offer.
However, due to its small bin, it can hold only up to one pound of ice. But this ice maker’s fast action and working mechanism can get you chewy ice in just 30 minutes. Moreover, it can make up to 30 pounds of ice daily, making it a perfect choice for home use.
Euhomy
Euhomy Nugget Ice maker
SPECIFICATIONS
Capacity :3.3 Pounds | Voltage :120 Volts | Item Dimensions LxWxH :17.64 x 9.69 x 17 inches |
REASONS TO BUY
✓Highly Durable
✓Autocleaning feature
✓Auto refill water tank
REASONS TO AVOID
✗Connecting it to the water supply may require a professional
Euhomy nugget ice maker is ideal for home use with several automatic functions. The perfectly designed Euhomy ice maker can add a cool, updated look to your kitchen. This is for you if you are after soft, crunchy, and airy ice that does not put any strain on teeth.
Features
The fast working mechanism of this machine can offer you soft, crunchy ice within 18 minutes. It can easily produce around 24-30 pounds of nugget ice daily. This nugget ice maker comes with a transparent and wide lid that lets you easily get the ice out of the bin.
The two-way water refill system of this ice maker allows you to get rid of refilling the water tank after some time. Besides manually filling the water tank, you can just connect it to the water supply system along with a water filter. The tank would auto-refill as it gets empty.
Cleaning these machines is always a headache for the users. However, with the auto-cleaning function of this nugget ice maker, you just need to press the clean button for a few seconds. It is better to run a cleanup program every time you operate the machine.
This machine is made of stainless steel for increased durability and a long life span. The ultra-efficient compressor fastens the ice-making process and helps reduce the noise. Moreover, its small footprint allows you to place it on any counter or small place easily.
Z5879-GREY AGLUCKY
Z5879-GREY AGLUCKY Countertop Ice Maker
SPECIFICATIONS
Capacity :1.5 Pounds | Voltage :110 Volts | Item Dimensions LxWxH :12.32 x 8.74 x 12.59 inches |
REASONS TO BUY
✓Noiseless
✓Different ice sizes
✓It takes only 6 minutes to make ice
✓Portable
✓Highly Affordable
REASONS TO AVOID
✗Less ice storage capacity
Z5879-GREY AGLUCKY countertop ice maker can be a good choice for home use, especially if you are tight on budget. This ice maker offers almost all the features that most high-priced nugget ice makers have.
Features
This ice maker comes with a compact design making it highly portable. This ice maker’s sleek and decent design makes it an excellent choice for your home kitchen. However, due to its compact design, it offers a small ice storage capacity.
As it is a countertop ice maker, you don’t have to worry about the installation. Just place it anywhere, plug it in, and get the ice. Moreover, as other ice makers offer, you don’t have to wait for like 18-30 minutes for the ice. Your ice would be ready to serve in just six minutes.
The low noise of this nugget ice maker allows you to make ice anytime. You don’t have to worry about the sleeping members of your family when you make ice at midnight for a coffee or something. Its quiet and efficient cooling system keeps the machine working for hours.
It also offers additional functions that you won’t find in most high-priced ice makers. You can select the size of ice you need from the selection panel. Moreover, the machine will inform you when your ice is ready and the basket is full.
Newair
Newair Countertop Nugget Ice Maker
SPECIFICATIONS
Capacity :44 Pounds | Voltage :120 Volts | Item Dimensions LxWxH :17 x 10 x 17 inches |
REASONS TO BUY
✓High-quality nugget ice
✓No installation hassle
✓Unbelievably fast
✓No dripping water issue
REASONS TO AVOID
✗Easily breakable due to plastic body
Newair Countertop mugget ice maker is perfectly designed for home use. Everything is according to a home kitchen, from design to budget and working. This ice maker is especially for you if you want perfectly made crunchy and chewy nugget ice.
Features
This nugget ice maker is made mostly from plastic. Though that may make some users uncomfortable due to its low durability, it has several advantages. The plastic parts make it lightweight and highly portable. Moreover, the parts are easily replaceable without any hassle.
When we talk about the quality of ice it produces, that’s admirable. No one can compete with this ice maker’s perfectly synthesized ice that is neither too crunchy nor too soft. Even the customers who didn’t like his ice maker could not say any bad about the quality of the ice.
It has a sleek and modern design making it a great addition to your kitchen appliances. Most ice makers have the issue of dripping water. This machine is designed with an opening at the top, so you may not always get your kitchen floor wet.
It has quick action and fast ice production speed. Within 15 minutes, your crunchy nugget ice would be ready to serve. However, wait sometime after installation so the oil can return to the compressor.
ER-IM03
ER-IM03 Thereye Countertop Nugget Ice Maker
SPECIFICATIONS
Capacity :30 Pounds | Voltage :120 Volts | Item Dimensions LxWxH :10 x 10 x 17 inches |
REASONS TO BUY
✓Less noise
✓Strong compressor
✓Great ice quality
✓Auto cleanup process
REASONS TO AVOID
✗No cons found yet
If you are looking for a nugget ice maker with a strong compressor and a long life span, here is your choice. With great design and tons of features, this ice maker is the top choice of most home kitchens. The ER-IM03 Thereye nugget ice maker is the one that you need.
Features
The most prominent feature of this nugget ice maker is its strong and quiet compressor. The noise level is less than 55 dB which is much better than other ice makers. It offers you 29 pounds of ice in one day, with the first batch of ice ready in 20 minutes.
Though many ice makers produce ice in less than 20 minutes, you would love ice quality with this ice maker. The soft and crunchy ice is best for any drink and recipe. Moreover, you can also eat that ice because its soft texture won’t strain your teeth.
With its auto cleanup system, you don’t have to worry about cleaning the machine daily. Just press the clean button to start an auto cleanup process. However, connecting it to a water system for auto cleanup would be better.
It offers you a two-way water input. Either you can hook it up to a water pipeline or add water manually to it. You can just place it anywhere and add the water manually. However, hooking it up to the water connection would be better for efficiently cleaning the machine.
Scotsman UN0815A-1
Scotsman UN0815A-1
SPECIFICATIONS
Capacity :36 Pounds | Voltage :115 Volts | Item Dimensions LxWxH :15 x 24 x 38 inches |
REASONS TO BUY
✓Easy installation
✓Stainless parts
✓Highly durable
✓Tons of ice production
✓Environment friendly
REASONS TO AVOID
✗Repairing costs are high
Scotsman-A company that introduced nugget ice to the world. Scotsman has been in action since the 1950s and produced some desirable machines for cooling purposes. This machine is another achievement of Scotsman for commercial purposes.
Features
Scotsman UN0815A-1 is an environment-friendly pellet ice maker that uses 40 percent less energy than other ice makers of its type. With its small size and less consuming power, this machine can do wonders to meet the needs of your small restaurant.
If your whole family is a pellet ice lover and needs perfectly chewable ice, then this product is for you. Scotsman UN0815A-1 is an under-counter pellet ice maker suitable for bars and large families. It can produce 80 pounds of ice daily, which is enough even for a restaurant.
This machine produces nugget ice with perfect texture and size to increase your craving for nugget ice. Being only 15 inches wide, you can easily fit this machine anywhere in your kitchen. Moreover, there is no need for installation as it is a free-to-stand machine.
Scotsman UN0815A-1 has aluminum parts that are highly durable and stainless. The stainless steel evaporator increases its durability and reliability. Moreover, a QR code leads to the user manual, cleaning guide, and warranty history.
Things To Consider While Buying A Nugget Ice Maker-Buying Guide
Buying a nugget ice maker could be a tough and daunting task for anyone who buys it for the first time. The same is the case with almost every machine. You need proper guidance about what factors to consider while buying any product.
Here are some factors one should consider while buying a Nugget Ice Maker. This has no pros or cons as every feature or characteristic has its own advantages and disadvantages depending on the situation. Let’s dig deeper to know about the factors to consider.
Water Input Type
There are three types of nugget ice makers based on the type of water input they require. Some ice makers need a water connection from the house water supply, while others need manual water. There are ice makers who have both of these options.
Those with a separate water tank are best for home use as they don’t need installation and can be placed anywhere. On the contrary, you must add a water supply system in your house for the other type of ice makers.
Size And Weight
It depends on where you want to place or install the ice maker. For a countertop, you need a lightweight ice maker of a small size. Similarly, an under-counter ice maker should be perfect in size to fit under the counter.
Large-size ice makers are also available for commercial purposes. These ice makers may be heavy, but mostly they are lightweight and of a small refrigerator size. Make sure you buy the right size and weight, so you don’t have to worry later.
Ice Producing Capacity
For what purpose do you need this ice maker? Ask yourself this question to know how much ice you need per day. Usually, home ice makers make around 24-30 pounds of ice daily. On the other hand, commercial ice makers can make a minimum of 80 pounds of ice.
However, you should remember that an ice maker has an ice storage capacity. That is more important as the more ice it can store, the better it is. Moreover, an important thing to note is how long it keeps the ice cold enough that it doesn’t convert to liquid.
Ease of Operation
Though most nugget ice makers have an easy-to-use interface, there are chances that you might get the wrong one. Some ice makers require installation, while others just need a space to place them.
Moreover, ice makers with too many advanced features can be a bit complex to control. Some ice makers offer different sizes of ice, making them a bit complex for home use. So, getting one with a simple and easy-to-use interface is better.
Ease of Cleaning
Cleaning is probably the most critical thing when it comes to electrical appliances. You need to regularly clean your device or machine for efficient working and the long life of the device. In another case, the device may start malfunctioning within a few days.
So, check whether the device cleaning process is easy to follow or not. Moreover, nowadays, auto cleanup devices are also available. You just need to press the clean button, and it does all the cleaning process itself.
Power Consumption
Nowadays, the latest technology nugget ice makers offer low power consumption along with an environment-friendly process. In some cases, a low-power-consuming machine may cause problems after some time. So, check the motor of the machine before buying.
Check these factors before buying a nugget ice maker so it doesn’t cause a headache for you later.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do you need filtered water for the nugget ice maker?
It is better to use filtered water for the nugget ice maker as it is suitable for healthy hygiene. You may filter the water and then add it to the water tank. Moreover, filters are also available that auto-purifies the tap water as it goes to the nugget ice maker.
How often should I clean my nugget ice maker?
It depends on the water that you use. For normal tap water, you should consider a thorough cleaning of the machine every month. However, cleaning once in six months would be enough if you are using soft water. A regular short cleanup every day is also essential.
Is it okay to use tap water for ice?
For healthy hygiene, it is necessary to use filtered water in the nugget ice maker. However, some nugget ice makers need a direct water connection from a tap. In such a case, you may use a small water filter available on the market as an ice maker accessory.
Conclusion
Nuggets ice can be a great thing to serve your drinks with. And a premium-quality nugget ice maker can get you the best nugget ice that is neither too hard to chew nor too soft to melt. Above, we discussed some nugget ice makers, among which the best is OPAL 2.0.
This was all about the best nugget ice maker that can get you the best quality nugget ice for your guests. In a nutshell, there can be other ice makers too, but these are the best. We hope you enjoyed the article, and best of luck with your nugget ice.
