We’ve used the Opal 2.0 at home for months and have found that the ice production and quality is excellent. It’s quieter in operation than a kettle or coffee maker, save for the occasional “plink” frigidaire freezer of the ice pellets. Though it’s an investment in price and counter space, its sleek appearance, quality, and reliability make it a worthy option for those able to make the purchase.
Our pick for the best ice maker overall — the Luma Comfort Clear Ice Maker — offers a practically silent motor and exceptional water capacity. The machine’s less-than-stylish profile means you’ll need to find space for it in a cabinet. On the flip side, the Silonn Countertop Ice Maker was one we would happily display in our kitchens, but the machine’s small size meant less ice over time. Of the three nugget-ice machines we tested, the pricey Opal 2.0 made the most consistently chewable and crunchable ice, turning an everyday soda or an elevated cocktail into a festive summer drink. The machine is large; it takes up about as much room as an espresso machine.
The exterior not only gives the ice maker a sleek and modern appearance, with its stainless steel accent, but also provides durability and resistance to stains and fingerprints. This Frigidaire ice maker is designed to be portable, allowing you to move it around easily. It does not require a water hookup, as it has a built-in water reservoir that you can fill manually. This makes it convenient for frigidaire freezer use in various locations, such as kitchens, bars, offices or outdoor spaces. If you find yourself fresh out of ice, this compact automatic ice machine can give you nine cubes in six to eight minutes. It produces small or large cubes relatively quickly, and although we wished each batch dropped a few more, compromising on capacity may be worth it if you’re looking for a tiny, efficient option.
I got accustomed to the sound right away but still notice it here and there when I’m in or near the kitchen. Once I added in the water and started the machine, I left for a dinner with friends. A few hours later, I returned to tons of nugget ice in the bucket. The machine comes with a handy little plastic scoop so you can easily grab as much ice as you please.
The Humhold Nugget Ice Maker took forever to make ice, dropping just three to four nuggets at a time. It is also a much smaller machine than other nugget-ice machines we tested, so it requires much more frequent refills. We also like the Costway EP24228 bullet-ice maker, which has a matte finish that doesn’t show fingerprints as much as other frigidaire freezer machines’ surfaces did. It’s more expensive than our picks (the price was $250 at this writing), but if you happen to find it on sale, which it often is, it’s a good choice. Its see-through, illuminated reservoir for the ice reminded us of an aquarium. It also has a water tank that attaches easily to the side of the machine via magnets.