The Ultimate Guide to the Top 10 Ice Makers

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Countertop ice makers differ by ice type more than by color: hollow bullets for fast cooler ice, chewable nuggets for fountain-style drinks, and clear cubes for a slower cocktail pour. This guide covers ten current Amazon machines—GE Profile Opal 2.0 Ultra and EUHOMY’s 34-lb nugget maker; Igloo, Frigidaire EFIC189, Silonn, EUHOMY, Newair, BLACK+DECKER, and Magic Chef in the 26–27 lb bullet class; and Newair’s 45-lb clear-ice maker—using the daily-output figures printed on those listings. We stay off prices that move weekly. Check tank size, self-clean, and whether the live title says nugget, bullet, or clear before you buy.

1. GE Profile Opal 2.0 Ultra Nugget Ice Maker (Amazon)

• Key Features: GE Profile Opal 2.0 Ultra nugget/pellet ice, 38 lbs in 24 hours on this listing, 0.75-gallon side tank, scale-inhibiting filter, scoop, Wi-Fi-class Opal Ultra controls
• Pros: Chewable nugget ice instead of hollow bullets; side tank stretches time between refills; filter plus GE Profile support is the premium path
• Cons: Nugget machines are bulkier and pricier than a 26-lb bullet maker; still needs descaling on the listing’s schedule; not a 45-lb clear-cube Newair
• Description: Opal 2.0 Ultra is GE Profile’s countertop nugget maker: the listing states 38 lbs in 24 hours, a 0.75-gallon side tank, a scale-inhibiting filter, and a scoop. Buy it when you want pellet ice at home rather than bullet cubes. Confirm Opal 2.0 Ultra on the live title—GE also sells other Opal Ultra tank sizes.

2. Igloo Portable Countertop Ice Maker, 26 lb (Amazon)

• Key Features: Igloo automatic portable ice maker with handle, 26 pounds in 24 hours, 9 cubes in about 7 minutes on this listing, self-cleaning, ice scoop and basket class
• Pros: Handle makes it a patio/RV mover; 26-lb class matches most compact bullet makers; self-clean is on the title instead of a separate kit
• Cons: Bullet cubes, not nugget or clear ice; 26 lbs/day is not Newair’s 45-lb clear maker; portable units are louder than a built-in undercounter machine
• Description: Igloo’s handled 26-lb portable is the classic countertop bullet maker: the listing cites 9 cubes in about 7 minutes, self-cleaning, and a scoop. It is the grab-and-go picnic/RV pick. If you want chewable nuggets, look at the Opal or EUHOMY nugget instead of this Igloo.

3. Frigidaire EFIC189 Compact Ice Maker, 26 lb (Amazon)

• Key Features: Frigidaire EFIC189-Silver compact maker, 26 lb per day on this listing, silver compact shell, appliance-brand alternative to no-name 26-lb bullets
• Pros: Frigidaire name and service path versus a generic bullet box; compact 26-lb class; silver finish is easy to match to other small appliances
• Cons: Still hollow bullet ice; compact means a small basket—empty it or ice melts back; not a nugget Opal
• Description: The EFIC189-Silver is Frigidaire’s compact 26-lb-per-day listing: a brand-name bullet maker without a carry handle pitch. Choose it when you want Frigidaire on the badge and a silver compact body. For a handle, the Igloo or EUHOMY 26-lb units on this list are the better shape.

4. Silonn Countertop Ice Maker, 26 lb (Amazon)

• Key Features: Silonn countertop ice maker, 9 cubes in 6 minutes, 26 lbs in 24 hours, self-cleaning, scoop and basket, two bullet ice sizes on this listing
• Pros: Two cube sizes on the title; 6-minute first-batch pitch; self-clean plus scoop/basket in the box
• Cons: Bullet ice only; 26 lbs is the compact class, not 45-lb clear; plastic portable shell is not a stainless undercounter unit
• Description: Silonn’s 26-lb countertop maker lists 9 cubes in 6 minutes, two bullet sizes, self-cleaning, and a scoop and basket. It is a straightforward kitchen/office bullet machine. Pick large vs small bullets on the control panel per the manual. For nugget ice, Silonn and EUHOMY sell separate chewable models—this ASIN is not one of them.

5. EUHOMY Countertop Ice Maker with Handle, 26 lb (Amazon)

• Key Features: EUHOMY portable ice maker with handle, 26 lbs in 24 hours, 9 cubes in 6 minutes, auto-cleaning, basket and scoop on this listing, home/kitchen/office pitch
• Pros: Handle like the Igloo for moving between kitchen and patio; 6-minute / 26-lb class; auto-clean on the title
• Cons: Bullet cubes, not EUHOMY’s separate nugget listing; portable compressors are audible; basket still needs emptying
• Description: EUHOMY’s handled 26-lb maker is the portable bullet sibling: 9 cubes in 6 minutes, auto-cleaning, basket and scoop. Use it when you want a handle and a fast first batch. If chewable sonic ice is the point, this list’s EUHOMY nugget (34 lb/day) is the other SKU—do not assume this handle model makes pellets.

6. Newair Bullet Ice Maker, 26 lb, Matte Black (Amazon)

• Key Features: Newair 26 lbs/day bullet ice maker, matte black, two cube sizes on this listing, compact countertop bullet machine versus Newair’s 45-lb clear-ice sibling
• Pros: Matte black hides fingerprints better than silver compacts; two cube sizes; Newair brand next to the 45-lb clear model if you own both looks
• Cons: 26-lb bullet class, not clear ice; smaller daily output than the 45-lb Newair clear listing; still a portable compressor on the counter
• Description: Newair’s matte-black 26-lb bullet maker is the dark compact option: two cube sizes for drinks versus a silver Frigidaire EFIC189. Buy it for looks and bullet ice. If you want restaurant-style clear cubes, the Newair 45-lb clear listing on this list is the different machine.

7. EUHOMY Nugget Ice Maker, 34 lb (Amazon)

• Key Features: EUHOMY nugget/sonic ice maker with handle, 34 lbs per day, ready in 6 minutes on this listing, removable top cover, auto-cleaning, basket and scoop
• Pros: Chewable nugget ice without GE Profile Opal pricing; 34 lbs/day beats most 26-lb bullet makers on volume; handle plus removable top for cleaning access
• Cons: Nugget makers are typically larger/heavier than a 26-lb bullet box; not Opal’s side-tank-and-filter story; still descales
• Description: EUHOMY’s handled nugget maker lists 34 lbs per day, a 6-minute start, auto-cleaning, and a removable top cover. It is the value chewable-ice pick versus Opal 2.0 Ultra. Choose it when pellet ice matters more than GE’s tank and filter bundle. Confirm “nugget” on the live title so you do not land EUHOMY’s 26-lb bullet model.

8. BLACK+DECKER BIMH326S Ice Maker, 26 lb (Amazon)

• Key Features: BLACK+DECKER BIMH326S, 26-lb capacity on this listing, bullet-shaped ice, compact countertop maker under a widely recognized tool-and-home brand
• Pros: Familiar BLACK+DECKER badge and filter/manual shopping path; 26-lb bullet class; stainless-leaning BIMH326S finish versus matte Newair black
• Cons: Bullet ice only; 26-lb compact basket; not a nugget or clear-cube machine
• Description: The BIMH326S is BLACK+DECKER’s 26-lb bullet ice maker: a compact daily driver if you already trust the brand’s small appliances. It will not make Opal nuggets or Newair clear cubes. Use it for drinks and coolers, and empty the basket so meltwater does not sit.

9. Magic Chef Portable Ice Maker, 27 lb (Amazon)

• Key Features: Magic Chef tabletop portable ice maker, 27-lb class on this listing, silver compact body, slightly higher stated daily output than many 26-lb bullets
• Pros: 27-lb claim is a hair above the usual 26-lb class; silver tabletop footprint; simple Magic Chef control layout
• Cons: Still bullet ice; tabletop units are not quiet built-ins; 27 vs 26 lbs/day is not a reason to skip nugget if chewable ice is the goal
• Description: Magic Chef’s silver tabletop listing is a 27-lb portable bullet maker: same job as the Igloo/Silonn 26-lb class with a slightly higher stated daily number. Buy it as a straightforward compact. Check the live page for cube size options and self-clean language before you assume they match a Silonn.

10. Newair Countertop Clear Ice Maker, 45 lb (Amazon)

• Key Features: Newair countertop clear ice maker, 45 lbs/day on this listing, self-cleaning, custom ice thickness, 24-hour timer, clear cubes rather than hollow bullets or nuggets
• Pros: Clear ice is the cocktail-cube look bullets cannot do; 45 lbs/day is the highest output on this list; thickness control plus a 24-hour timer
• Cons: Clear-ice machines are typically larger, slower per cube, and pricier than 26-lb bullets; not chewable nugget ice; needs counter depth and a drain/empty routine
• Description: Newair’s 45-lb clear ice maker is the cocktail-cube pick: the listing calls out self-cleaning, custom thickness, and a 24-hour timer. Use it when you want dense clear cubes, not hollow bullets. It is a different appliance from Newair’s 26-lb matte bullet model—measure the counter before you treat them as interchangeable.

Choose ice texture first (bullet, nugget, or clear), then the pounds-per-day number on the listing, then whether you need a handle or a side tank. Keep the basket emptied and the tank filled; a dry portable maker is just a warm box on the counter.

Ice Maker Buying Guide and FAQs

Bullet ice, nugget ice, or clear ice?

Bullet (Igloo, Frigidaire EFIC189, Silonn 26-lb, EUHOMY 26-lb, Newair 26-lb, BLACK+DECKER, Magic Chef) is hollow and fast. Nugget/pellet (GE Opal 2.0 Ultra, EUHOMY 34-lb nugget) is chewable. Clear cubes (Newair 45-lb) are denser cocktail ice. Pick the texture first; daily pound ratings are secondary.

How much ice per day do I need?

Most compact bullets list about 26 lbs/24 hours. That is plenty for a household of drinks if you empty the basket. Parties, coolers, or a home bar may want 34–45 lb nugget or clear machines. Stated lbs/day assume you keep water in the tank and ice does not sit melting in the basket.

Do these need a drain or plumbing?

The portable units on this list are countertop tanks: fill with potable water, empty meltwater as directed. They are not undercounter plumbed machines. Self-clean cycles still need you to add cleaner or drain per the manual. Do not run them dry.

Why is countertop ice maker noise a thing?

A small compressor and fan sit on the counter, not in a basement. Expect a fridge-like hum plus ice-drop sounds. Bedrooms are a poor location. Kitchens, offices, and covered patios are the intended rooms. If silence matters more than ice, a freezer tray is quieter.

How do I keep the ice tasting clean?

Use fresh drinking water, run the listed self-clean or a nickel-safe ice-machine cleaner on the schedule in the manual, and empty leftover ice if you will be away. Scale from hard water slows nugget makers in particular—Opal 2.0 Ultra includes a scale-inhibiting filter on this listing, which is not a reason to skip cleaning.