Beat the heat with the latest trend. Nugget ice is perfect for cooling your drinks in a jiffy without adding excess water to them. Apart from that, nugget ice is a treat in itself. If you love eating ice, nugget ice will be a delight for you.
Presently, many ice lovers have tried making nugget ice at home. However, they do not know the correct methods and eventually end up making regular ice cubes.
After realizing the trend, several kitchen appliance companies started manufacturing nugget ice makers to satisfy the huge demand. In this article, we will review the top trending nugget ice makers on Amazon!
This article will help you make the correct decision while choosing the best nugget ice maker and will prevent you from making the wrong purchase. Let’s get into it!
Top 5 Nugget Ice Makers in 2023!
- GE Profile Countertop Nugget Ice Maker – Best Nugget Ice Maker in 2023
- Cohotek Ice Maker – Best Affordable Nugget Ice Maker
- NewAir Portable Nugget Ice Maker
- Frigidaire Countertop Crunchy Chewable Nugget Ice Maker
- Frigidaire EFIC103-AMZ-SC Ice Maker – Best Ice Cube Maker
1. GE Profile Countertop Nugget Ice Maker – Best Nugget Ice Maker in 2023
REMARKABLE! I’m in love with the ice my nugget ice maker produces. One of my greatest buys ever!
– Specially Fried
- Dimensions: 15.5 x 10.5 x 16.5 inches
- Weight: 47 pounds
- Ice Tank Capacity: 3 pounds
- 24-hour Ice Making Capacity: 24 pounds
The GE Profile nugget ice maker produces chewable nugget ice that you can enjoy in your drinks, sodas, or any other delicious dish. With a capacity of 3 lbs, our top nugget ice maker can produce a whopping 24 lbs of nugget ice in a day.
If your family parties are always in a scarcity of ice, this ice maker is all you need to fulfill your requirements.
Give this machine 20 minutes and it will serve you with fresh nugget ice so that you can enjoy refreshing beverages on the go. The automatic feature in this ice maker starts producing ice whenever it notices the ice is running low. Thus, you don’t have to keep on monitoring this machine, it’ll do all the work for you.
Moreover, the built-in smart Bluetooth connectivity allows you to monitor the condition of your ice maker via a smartphone application. It notifies you whenever this ice maker is running low on water in the water tank.
Lastly, there is no need to hook up a water supply. Simply fill the water tank, and the ice maker will start its work. In case the ice nuggets aren’t used and they melt, the water will automatically return to the reservoir, where it will be reused to produce more ice.
Get your hands on the latest GE Profile countertop nugget ice maker today. Shop from Amazon now!
| Pros | Cons |
| Automatic ice feature | Can be a bit noisy while producing ice |
| Built-in Bluetooth for 24/7 monitoring via application | |
| Can produce 24 lbs of ice daily |
2. Cohotek Nugget Ice Maker – Best Affordable Nugget Ice Maker
A small addition to my kitchen that made my life so much easier!
– Specially Fried
- Dimensions: 14.09 x 9.52 x12.91 inches
- Nugget Ice Capacity at a Time: 9 nugget ice at a time
- 24-hour Ice Making Capacity: 33 pounds
The Cohotek nugget ice maker is a small-capacity ice maker that can work quickly. In just 8 minutes, you can get 9 chewy nuggets of ice. Per day, this ice maker can produce up to 33 lbs of ice at an unbelievably low noise level of just 45db.
The Cohotek nugget ice maker can be a long-term money-saver. Besides the saving on its price, this machine operates on just 130W. Meaning, you will be saving a lot on your monthly power bills if you are planning to use this machine daily.
The company has made this appliance easy to use even for kids. With the ice scoop included in this ice maker, kids can easily scoop out the ice without any hassle.
Moreover, the company offers a 1-year warranty with a 30-day refund policy so you can claim it in case you encounter an issue with this ice maker.
If you’re searching for a nugget ice maker under $200, this appliance must be your pick! Check more details from Amazon now!
| Pros | Cons |
| Quick ice-making feature; within 8 minutes! | Might produce watery-ice if operating under 130W |
| Low noise operation; under 45db | |
| Low operating cost; consumes only 130W | |
| Can produce 33 lbs of ice daily |
3. NewAir Portable Nugget Ice Maker
This compact machine works like a charm. It matches my kitchen’s décor as well!
– Specially Fried
- Dimensions: 14.25 x 16.88 x 16.75 inches
- Weight: 36.4 pounds
- Nugget Ice Capacity at a Time: 12 nugget ice at a time
- 24-hour Ice Making Capacity: 50 pounds
This is one of the quickest ice makers available online, with a production time of only 7 minutes.
NewAir’s portable nugget ice maker is quickly becoming one of the favorite ice makers in the market because it offers a large capacity and works remarkably.
Unlike other ice makers, the AI-215R works quietly. You will forget that it was even there, it’s that silent! This appliance offers 3 different sizes of ice. You can choose the size that is suitable for your drink, dish, or family/guests.
Moreover, the AI-215R offers a self-clean function that is rare in appliances within its price range. Though a premium feature, many high-end ice makers fall short of it.
With this nugget ice maker, you can make up to 50 lbs of ice per day.
Get this easy-to-maintain nugget ice maker at a jaw-dropping price from Amazon today!
| Pros | Cons |
| Self-cleaning feature for easy maintenance | You must take care of the sensors |
| 7-minutes quick production time | The condenser is sensitive to mineral build-ups |
| Offers nugget ice in 3 different sizes | |
| Can produce 50 lbs of ice daily |
4. FRIGIDAIRE Countertop Crunchy Chewable Nugget Ice Maker
A nugget ice maker that was in my budget and I’m loving my decision of buying this appliance!
– Specially Fried
- Dimensions: 12 x 17 x 19 inches
- Weight: 19 pounds
- Ice Tank Capacity: 3 pounds
- 24-hour Ice Making Capacity: 44 pounds
This FRIGIDAIRE nugget ice maker can impress all your guests and family members as soon as they try the nugget ice produced by this brilliant machine.
Install this countertop ice maker in your kitchen and produce up to 44 lbs of nugget ice daily. Moreover, this ice maker can produce up to 3 lbs at a time. So, in case of a hurry, you can get chewy nugget ice within 15 minutes. That’s quick!
Another cool feature of this ice maker is the automatic ice-making function. Once the ice melts, the water automatically goes to the reservoir where it is again made into ice.
If you’re planning to buy this ice maker, visit Amazon now and get this model at an unbelievable price!
| Pros | Cons |
| Automatic ice making | This ice maker is bulkier than its competitors |
| Get nugget ice within 15 minutes | |
| Can produce 44 lbs of ice daily |
5. Frigidaire EFIC103-AMZ-SC Ice Maker
My husband ordered the EFIC103-AMZ-SC ice maker for our home. I’m happy with this appliance, never lets me down!
– Specially Fried
- Dimensions: 14 x 12 x 15 inches
- Weight: 19.16 pounds
- Ice Tank Capacity: 2.2 pounds
- 24-hour Ice Making Capacity: 26 pounds
Frigidaire is slowly conquering the online marketplace with its impressive kitchen appliances. The EFIC103-AMZ-SC ice maker is one of those kitchen appliances that has caught the attention of many cooking enthusiasts.
In just 5-7 minutes, this ice maker can produce 9 cubes of ice. It has three size settings that you can set using its user-friendly interface. If you want to buy a heavy-duty ice machine, this can be a useful addition to your kitchen.
With a capacity to produce up to 26 lbs of ice in 24 hours, there’s no need to worry about ice if you suddenly get unexpected guests.
If you’re planning on getting a non-polluting and energy-efficient ice maker, head over to Amazon and add this model to your cart!
| Pros | Cons |
| Produce ice in 3 (small, medium, large) different sizes | It is sensitive to power fluctuations |
| Produces up to 9 cubes within 5-7 minutes | |
| Can produce 26 lbs of ice daily |
Buyer’s Guide – Best Nugget Ice Maker in 2023!
Now that you’ve viewed the best nugget ice makers in the market, it’s time to familiarize yourself with the features they offer. You can’t just go ahead and purchase an ice maker without analyzing whether it suits your needs or not. That’s why we’ve compiled a thorough list of things that you should keep a lookout for before purchasing your desired machine!
Types of Nugget Ice Makers
Nugget ice makers come in a variety of installation options. Let’s go through all three of them, plus the pros and cons they offer so that you can choose the best one based on your needs!
Over the Counter
Over-the-counter or countertop models are super easy to install. Just purchase the ice maker, place it on the top of your counter, insert the plug, fill the water reservoir, and you’re good to go! Best of all, most of these countertop models do not require a water hookup.
| Pros | Cons |
| Very portable | Takes up counter space |
| Reasonably priced | Does not produce much ice compared to other options |
| Usually doesn’t need a water supply line | Limited to 25 to 40 pounds of ice nuggets per day |
| Easy installation |
Under-the-Counter
Under-the-counter ice makers can be placed in the empty space under your counter, leaving loads of space on top of the counter for you to use. These are larger compared to over-the-counter models, thus producing a larger quantity of ice nuggets as well. However, due to their larger sizes, they’re hard to move around. These come in both built-in and portable options.
| Pros | Cons |
| Produces a large number of ice nuggets; 30 to 400 pounds per day | Difficult to move around due to large size |
| Has a large ice storage bin | Takes a long time to finish a batch of ice nuggets |
| Leaves loads of room over the counter | The models without a freezer don’t store ice nuggets for long |
| The built-in option requires a water supply line |
Freestanding
Freestanding or standalone ice makers are best for commercial applications or for home bars. These ice makers are a bit on the pricey side but can produce loads of ice nuggets, about 50 to 300 pounds per day. Being freestanding, the said ice makers are pretty portable too. They just need water supply line installation.
| Pros | Cons |
| Very portable | On the pricey end |
| Produces a generous quantity of ice nuggets; 50 to 300 pounds per day | Requires a water supply line |
Production Capacity
If you’ve got a big family at home or multiple people in your office enjoy nugget ice, you definitely need an ice maker with a greater production capacity.
Small ice makers are perfect for domestic use as they can produce about 26 pounds of nugget ice per day. But if you’re looking for an ice maker for your office, it is better to go for a larger unit producing about 85 pounds of nugget ice every day. Moreover;
Countertop: 25 to 40 pounds of ice nuggets per day
Under-the-counter: 30 to 400 pounds of ice nuggets per day
Freestanding: 50 to 300 pounds of ice nuggets per day
Speed of Production
The speed of production is very important when it comes to choosing the best nugget ice maker. You can’t wait all day to get fresh ice nuggets for your drink, right?
Most nugget ice makers usually take between 6 to 20 minutes to produce a fresh batch of nugget ice. But some models might take up to 30 minutes! This usually happens when they’re preparing a huge batch of nugget ice. If you prefer speed over quantity, make sure to go for an ice maker that delivers fast.
Storage Capacity
If you use loads of ice regularly or need ice for a huge gathering, you would obviously need a large storage capacity in your ice maker.
When it comes to producing and storing ice, smaller units are speedier, but larger units have bigger storage bins (about 26 pounds). If the storage capacity matters to you, go for a larger unit.
Note: Keep in mind that the ice production stops in the machine once the storage bin is full.
Size of Unit & Portability
Ice makers come in all shapes and sizes, but you need to select one that would fit well in your planned environment. You might be attracted to a more aesthetically pleasing or larger option, but you need to keep in mind the area designated for the ice maker.
The portability of an ice maker is directly proportional to its size. The smaller the ice maker, the easier it is to carry from place to place. Another factor that is significant regarding portability is the connection to a water supply line. If your ice maker doesn’t need a water supply line, it can be easily moved around.
Easy to Use
Ice makers might seem like simple machines, but they do get a bit complex if the brand has added additional features. Some buyers might prefer the said additional features, the buttons, and the multiple ice sizes, but others would rather go for a simple one-button-push mechanism.
When we’re talking about ease, the cleaning of the ice maker is also of importance. If you’re not a fan of cleaning, then it’ll be better to go for an ice maker that either auto-cleans itself or is easy to take apart and wash.
Ice Size
Some ice makers provide you with the option of selecting different nugget ice sizes. This feature comes very much in handy when you need ice nuggets for different purposes. Whether it be putting ice inside a narrow-mouthed bottle or putting it into a glass or goblet, you’ll always have the right-sized ice at hand.
If you’re picky about the size of your ice nuggets or require different sizes due to different applications, you should keep a lookout for this option!
Ice Bin Refrigeration
Ice bin refrigeration is a critical factor when it comes to storing ice. Most ice makers do not come with a refrigeration option. They usually allow the ice to melt in the bin, and then carry that water back to the reservoir for refreezing.
If you know that you won’t be using your nugget ice quickly, having ice bin refrigeration is necessary. This is so that your ice nuggets won’t melt and will stay crisp and chilly until you finally get your hands on them.
Special Features
Many new models are coming with advanced features that will make your ice-making experience automated and quicker. Some of these features include Bluetooth and Wi-Fi technologies, alarms, a special finish, extra hardware, self-cleaning, self-dispensing, and a self-timer.
However, models with these advancements are a bit on the pricier end. If you believe you will require these technologies in your daily use, then do get units integrated with them!
Price & Warranty
Nugget ice makers come in a wide range of prices between $100 to $5000. However, countertop units are on the cheaper end compared to freestanding and under-the-counter options. Do keep in mind that the expensive units offer better quality ice and last longer. In the end, the choice is up to your budget and your preference!
You should always check for the warranty when purchasing a nugget ice maker. These aren’t cheap machines, so the warranty becomes way more important in case anything happens. Be sure to message the seller on Amazon for warranty confirmation before purchasing your ice maker.
Power Consumption & Heat Release
Knowing how much power your ice maker will consume will help you stay on the safe side. If you’re going around in a vehicle and have the ice maker plugged in, you wouldn’t want the ice maker to pull too much power from the vehicle. Plus, if you don’t want to spend too much electricity on an ice maker, get one that consumes less power.
Like all other appliances, cooling machines such as fridges, freezers, and ice makers expel heat when they keep their insides cool. Being aware of how much heat your ice maker releases will help you decide where to put the said appliance, for example, away from other machines like a fridge or a freezer.
FAQs of the Best Nugget Ice Maker
Why are nugget ice makers so expensive?
Nugget ice isn’t like the normal ice cubes you freeze; it is softer and chewable. The technology and compressor used for making these ice nuggets are costly; thus, nugget ice makers are expensive.
What size is nugget ice?
Nugget ice can come in sizes ranging from 0.375 inches up to 0.5 inches in width.
Is Sonic ice nugget ice?
Yes, Sonic ice and Nugget ice are different names for the same type of ice. Other names used for Sonic ice include cubelet ice, Chick-fil-A ice, and pellet ice.
The popular drive-in food chain Sonic utilizes these special chewable ice nuggets in its slushes and drinks. That’s why this type of ice is also referred to as Sonic ice.
Is nugget ice bad for your teeth?
Yes, ice can damage your teeth, the enamel, and your gums.
We all love chewing on ice in those hot summer months but try to avoid doing so a lot as it can harm your teeth and gums.
Can you put nugget ice in the freezer?
You can technically put your ice nuggets in the freezer, but they would just clump up together into a block of ice.
To avoid this, you can freeze the ice nuggets up with enough spaces between them so that they don’t clump together; however, that would be a hassle.
Wrapping up our thoughts on the best nugget ice maker in 2023!
Nugget ice makers surely come in handy when you’re looking for the perfect ice for chilling your drinks! We’ve included the best nugget ice makers on the market in this article for you to choose from. Each ice maker has its own pros and cons, so choose the one you think would suit you best! Also, be sure to go through the buyer’s guide to learn and select the perfect option just for you. Happy buying!