Updated 19 July 2026 · Specifications and Amazon availability checked 19 July 2026 · Written by Daniel Wright
A countertop ice maker gives you ice on demand with no plumbing, and the biggest choice is the ice it makes. Quick bullet-ice machines are cheap and fast, while nugget-ice makers produce the soft, chewable ice people love but cost more and work slower. We compared five from a value bullet maker to a premium nugget machine, and matched each to how you use ice. We did not run an output lab, so each score is a research-based composite from manufacturer specifications and owner feedback.
For most kitchens the Frigidaire 26 lb is the fast, affordable bullet-ice pick. Love soft, chewable ice? The GE Profile Opal makes the good nugget ice, though it costs more and works slower. Want self-cleaning for less? The Igloo.
- Best overall: Frigidaire 26 lb Portable · Check price
- Best nugget ice: GE Profile Opal 2.0 · Check price
- Best self-cleaning value: Igloo Self-Cleaning · Check price
- Best value with handle: Euhomy Countertop · Check price
- Best compact: NewAir Countertop · Check price
Affiliate Disclosure: As an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases. This never changes our rankings, and the specifications below come from each manufacturer’s current listing.
Side-by-Side Comparison
| Ice maker | Ice type | Output | Self-clean | Best for | Buy |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Frigidaire 26 lb | Bullet | 26 lb/day | No | Fast everyday ice | Check price |
| GE Profile Opal 2.0 | Nugget (chewable) | Slower | Yes | Soft chewable ice | Check price |
| Igloo | Bullet | 26 lb/day | Yes | Self-cleaning value | Check price |
| Euhomy | Bullet | 26 lb/day | No | Value with scoop | Check price |
| NewAir | Bullet | Compact | No | Small spaces | Check price |
How We Evaluated These Picks
We are a research desk, not a lab, so we did not measure output with instruments. We compared ice type and quality, how fast and how much ice each makes, self-cleaning and maintenance, size and noise, and long-run owner feedback. The composite score is weighted as follows.
- Ice quality and output: 30%
- Speed and capacity: 25%
- Maintenance and self-cleaning: 20%
- Size, noise and ease of use: 15%
- Value: 10%
Bullet Ice vs Nugget Ice
The main split is bullet versus nugget ice. Bullet-ice makers form hollow cylinders quickly, so a machine has a batch ready in six to fifteen minutes and makes plenty through the day. They are affordable and fast, but bullet ice is hard and melts fairly quickly, which is fine for cooling drinks.
Nugget ice, the soft, chewable pellet ice from restaurants, is made by a different, slower process that shaves and compacts ice. Machines like the GE Profile Opal make it well but cost far more, work more slowly, and need more upkeep. If you love chewable ice and will pay for it, nugget is the draw; if you just want cold drinks fast and cheap, bullet ice is the sensible choice.
Best Overall: Frigidaire 26 lb Portable
Research-based composite: 9.0 / 10 · Best for: Most households that want fast, plentiful ice with no plumbing
Specifications
| Ice type | Bullet |
| Output | 26 lb/day |
| Sizes | Two |
| Install | No plumbing |
| Self-clean | No |
| Brand | Frigidaire |
The Frigidaire 26 lb is the fast, affordable ice maker most kitchens should buy. It makes a first batch of bullet ice in well under fifteen minutes, produces up to 26 pounds a day, and offers two cube sizes, all from a compact countertop unit that needs no plumbing, just water poured in. It is simple to run with a clear indicator for when to add water or empty the basket.
It makes hard bullet ice rather than chewable nugget, it does not store ice frozen so it melts back into the reservoir over time, and it is not self-cleaning. But for fast, plentiful everyday ice it is excellent value. Who should skip it: anyone who specifically wants soft nugget ice. Pros: fast, plentiful, two cube sizes, no plumbing, affordable. Cons: hard bullet ice, no cold storage, manual cleaning.
Model reviewed: Frigidaire 26 lb Portable Countertop Ice Maker, ASIN B07JBJWP2W
Best Nugget Ice: GE Profile Opal 2.0
Research-based composite: 9.1 / 10 · Best for: People who love soft, chewable pellet ice and will pay a premium for it
Specifications
| Ice type | Nugget, chewable |
| Output | Slower |
| Self-clean | Yes |
| Control | App |
| Best for | Nugget lovers |
| Brand | GE Profile |
The GE Profile Opal 2.0 makes the good stuff: soft, chewable nugget ice like the kind from restaurants and hospitals. It produces that sought-after pellet ice reliably, has a self-cleaning cycle and app control, and a side tank option can extend how long it runs unattended. For nugget-ice devotees it is the countertop machine to own.
It is expensive, makes ice more slowly and in smaller batches than a bullet maker, and needs more regular cleaning to stay fresh. But nothing else here makes chewable ice this well. Who should skip it: anyone who just wants fast, cheap cooling ice. Pros: excellent nugget ice, self-cleaning, app control. Cons: pricey, slower output, more upkeep.
Model reviewed: GE Profile Opal 2.0 Nugget Ice Maker, ASIN B0F1Z3T3DS
Best Self-Cleaning Value: Igloo Self-Cleaning
Research-based composite: 8.5 / 10 · Best for: Cooks who want easy maintenance and fast bullet ice without spending much
Specifications
| Ice type | Bullet |
| Output | 26 lb/day |
| Self-clean | Yes |
| Sizes | Two |
| Best for | Easy upkeep |
| Brand | Igloo |
The Igloo adds a genuinely useful self-cleaning cycle to an affordable bullet-ice maker. It makes 26 pounds of ice a day in two sizes, produces a first batch quickly, and runs a self-clean routine that keeps the internals fresh with far less effort than manual cleaning. It is a practical everyday machine at a fair price.
Like other bullet makers it produces hard ice and does not store it frozen, and build quality is midrange. But the self-cleaning at this price is a real convenience. Who should skip it: nugget-ice fans or anyone wanting premium build. Pros: self-cleaning, fast bullet ice, two sizes, affordable. Cons: hard ice, no cold storage, midrange build.
Model reviewed: Igloo Self-Cleaning Countertop Ice Maker, ASIN B09HJBXFQR
Best Value with Handle: Euhomy Countertop
Research-based composite: 8.3 / 10 · Best for: Households that want plenty of bullet ice with a handy scoop and basket
Specifications
| Ice type | Bullet |
| Output | 26 lb/day |
| Extras | Scoop, basket |
| Sizes | Two |
| Best for | Value |
| Brand | Euhomy |
The Euhomy is a strong value bullet-ice maker with thoughtful touches. It makes up to 26 pounds a day in two cube sizes, includes an ice scoop and a removable basket for easy serving, and starts producing ice quickly. It covers the everyday ice job well for a low price.
It makes hard bullet ice, does not keep ice frozen, and is not self-cleaning, so it needs periodic manual cleaning. But for plentiful ice with convenient serving, it is good value. Who should skip it: anyone wanting nugget ice or self-cleaning. Pros: plentiful ice, scoop and basket, two sizes, cheap. Cons: hard ice, no cold storage, manual cleaning.
Model reviewed: EUHOMY Countertop Ice Maker, ASIN B0BWHZJHPL
Best Compact: NewAir Countertop
Research-based composite: 8.1 / 10 · Best for: Small kitchens, offices and RVs that want ice from a tiny footprint
Specifications
| Ice type | Bullet |
| Size | Compact |
| Sizes | Two |
| Best for | Small spaces |
| Self-clean | No |
| Brand | NewAir |
The NewAir is the compact bullet-ice maker for tight spaces. Its small footprint suits an office, RV or small kitchen, it still makes bullet ice quickly in the usual two sizes, and it is simple to fill and run. For a portable ice source where space is limited, it fits where larger machines cannot.
The compact size means smaller output than the bigger units, it makes hard ice, and it is not self-cleaning. But as a small, portable ice maker it does exactly what it should. Who should skip it: big households or anyone wanting nugget ice. Pros: compact, portable, quick bullet ice, simple. Cons: smaller output, hard ice, manual cleaning.
Model reviewed: NewAir Countertop Ice Maker, ASIN B0017Y8X3O
Which Ice Maker Should You Buy?
Best for fast everyday ice
The Frigidaire 26 lb, which makes plenty of bullet ice quickly at a fair price.
Best for chewable nugget ice
The GE Profile Opal 2.0, the countertop machine that makes soft, chewable pellet ice well.
Best for easy maintenance
The Igloo, whose self-cleaning cycle keeps the machine fresh with minimal effort.
Best for small spaces
The NewAir, compact enough for an office, RV or small kitchen.
Best value
The Frigidaire or Euhomy for plentiful bullet ice, or the Igloo if you want self-cleaning too.
Buying Guide
Bullet or nugget ice
Bullet ice is fast, cheap and fine for cooling drinks; nugget ice is soft and chewable but pricier, slower and needs more upkeep. Choose for the ice you actually want.
Output and reservoir matter
Most countertop makers do not keep ice frozen, so it melts back into the water over time. Make ice as you need it, and check the daily output against your use.
Self-cleaning saves hassle
Ice makers need regular cleaning to stay fresh. A self-cleaning cycle, like the Igloo’s and Opal’s, makes that far easier.
Mind the noise and footprint
These machines hum and take counter space. Check the size and, if noise matters, look for owner notes on how loud each runs.
Care and Cleaning
- Empty and refill the water reservoir every day or two to keep the ice fresh.
- Run a cleaning cycle, or wipe with a vinegar-water solution, regularly to prevent buildup and odors.
- Use filtered water for cleaner-tasting ice and less scale.
- Leave the lid open to dry the interior when the machine is not in use for a while.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the difference between bullet and nugget ice?
Bullet ice is a hard hollow cylinder made quickly and cheaply, good for cooling drinks. Nugget ice is soft, chewable pellet ice made by a slower, pricier process, like the ice from restaurants. Choose for the texture you prefer.
Do countertop ice makers keep ice frozen?
Most do not. They make ice on demand but are not freezers, so ice melts back into the reservoir over time and is recycled. Make ice as you need it rather than storing it.
How much ice does a countertop machine make?
Many make around 26 pounds a day in batches, which is plenty for a household. Nugget-ice machines make less and more slowly. Match the output to how much ice you use.
Do ice makers need cleaning?
Yes, regularly, to prevent buildup and off tastes. A self-cleaning cycle helps, but all machines benefit from periodic cleaning with a vinegar-water solution and fresh water.
Sources and References
Specifications were checked against each manufacturer’s Amazon listing on 19 July 2026 (Frigidaire, GE Profile, Igloo, Euhomy and NewAir). Where a maker does not state a figure, we describe the design rather than invent a number.
Final Verdict
For most kitchens the Frigidaire 26 lb is the best countertop ice maker: fast, plentiful bullet ice with no plumbing at a fair price. The GE Profile Opal 2.0 is the pick for soft, chewable nugget ice if you will pay the premium and accept slower output, the Igloo adds handy self-cleaning for less, the Euhomy is the value choice with a scoop and basket, and the NewAir is the compact option for small spaces. Decide between bullet and nugget ice first, then pick for output, self-cleaning and your counter.
