7 Foolproof Nugget Ice Makers for Crunchy Cubes Within Minutes

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YOU CAN tell a lot about someone based on what type of ice they prefer. There's the classic ice cube, the elongated ice cube, the fancy crescent shape; and then there's nugget ice, the hands-down best ice you can have in your drink. If you're unfamiliar with nugget ice, its the small crunchy pebbles that are soft and chewy—the same type of ice you get in your drink at Sonic Drive-In.

These days there are several amazing nugget ice makers you can buy to chill your favorite beverage. These makers don't cap out for single person use either, but rather they're capable of serving multiple guests at a dinner party or cookout.

Are Nugget Ice Makers Worth It?

Most nugget ice machines work via an auger system that pushes and compacts ice flakes into little bite-sized cubes, which results in perfectly chilled ice chunk that's malleable and easy to crunch down on. The catch is the technology to make nugget ice is more expensive than buying just a regular ice cube tray, so there is an investment you have to consider. But, if you want your beverage to get cold super fast, and you want to be able to chew down on your ice without having to worry about hurting your teeth, then a nugget ice maker is definitely worth buying.

Below, the Men's Health editors and writers rounded up the top nugget ice makers on the market in 2023. Some of the makers are more barebones and wallet-friendly, while others are more advanced and carry a sleek design. Now go and find the nugget ice maker that's fit for you. Your drink is getting warm.

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Opal 2.0 Nugget Ice Maker

The Ferrari of nugget ice makers, the Opal 2.0 packs beautiful stainless steel design and smart features into the nugget ice making process. The maker features a LED touch screen display for controls and a WiFi connectivity for controlling the Opal 2.0's status and schedule fresh batches of ice.

The Opal 2.0 is so tech saavy it also receives automatic software updates to boost its features, and it has voice control capabilities through Alexa and Google.

It's hard to knock the Opal 2.0, but the most glaring downside is of course its expensive price point. The ice maker will last you a long time though, and so if you're looking for a dedicated ice maker you plan on using on a daily basis, then the overall investment will turn to be quite good over time. In terms of cleaning, you do have to buy the water filter and cleaning kit separately after burning through the ones you get with your initial purchase.

The Opal 2.0 is a worthy purchase even with the high price tag, but sometimes the machine goes on sale though. If you find it available for anything less than what is usually goes for than we recommend buying ASAP.

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Opal 2.0 Nugget Ice Maker

The Ferrari of nugget ice makers, the Opal 2.0 packs beautiful stainless steel design and smart features into the nugget ice making process. The maker features a LED touch screen display for controls and a WiFi connectivity for controlling the Opal 2.0's status and schedule fresh batches of ice.

The Opal 2.0 is so tech saavy it also receives automatic software updates to boost its features, and it has voice control capabilities through Alexa and Google.

It's hard to knock the Opal 2.0, but the most glaring downside is of course its expensive price point. The ice maker will last you a long time though, and so if you're looking for a dedicated ice maker you plan on using on a daily basis, then the overall investment will turn to be quite good over time. In terms of cleaning, you do have to buy the water filter and cleaning kit separately after burning through the ones you get with your initial purchase.

The Opal 2.0 is a worthy purchase even with the high price tag, but sometimes the machine goes on sale though. If you find it available for anything less than what is usually goes for than we recommend buying ASAP.

Read more: Best Travel Mugs

Nugget Ice Maker Countertop

Capable of making up to 30 lbs of ice daily, this machine from Euhomy has a wide top lid that makes it easy to go in and scoop your ice. Due to its much cheaper price point, it's often viewed as the more affordable alternative to those who don't want to pay up for an Opal 2.0.

Compared to the Opal 2.0, the Euhomy doesn't have any fancy WiFi connectivity and voice control smart features. It also has a less-sexy appearance. But, the Euhomy does crank out quality nugget ice, and while the ice itself might not be as chewy as the Opal 2.0 ice it still is high quality and definitely better than other types of ice makers you could buy.

On top of the Euhomy's generous price point, you have an ice basket that can hold up to 4.8 pounds (the Opal 2.0 holds only about 3 pounds) and a self cleaning button that whirls the machine for about 5 minutes.

The Euhomy is a much more affordable ice maker buy that still delivers solid results. If you're looking for a barebones nugget ice maker that will get the job done, then this is your pick.

Nugget Countertop Ice Maker with Self-Cleaning Function

The NewAir ice maker is all about design and ice capcity, delivering up to 44 pounds of nugget ice daily from its sleek all-black stainless steel body. There are no smart features, but you do have a lot of the hot design notes that make the NewAir maker appealing on a countertop. Aside from the power and cleaning buttons on the machine, you have an LED light that illuminates the ice in the viewing window.

Unlike the Opal ice makers, there aren't any filters you have to add to the NewAir. The NewAir is also cheaper than the Opal 2.0 (and the same price as the Opal 1.0). Here's a mid-tier nugget ice maker that provides desirable nugget ice while also prioritizing design.

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Opal 1.0 Nugget Ice Maker

If you're wondering what the original version of the GE Opal ice maker looked like, then here you go. The Opal 1.0 and Opal 2.0 are similar in both having the best nugget ice quality, but the 1.0 is a more stripped down model with a top-opening lid design.

Another huge difference between the two models is the Opal 1.0 does not have any LED touch screen or WiFi connectivity. You just have the button displays on top: one button for power and the other for cleaning.

You do have to buy filters for the Opal 1.0 like you do the 2.0, and the ice capacity of up to 3 pounds is the same. Ultimately the major difference with the Opal 1.0 is its cheaper and comes in a top-lid opening. Look here if you want a cheaper option that will still provide high quality nugget ice backed by GE performance and design.

KBice Self Dispensing Countertop Nugget Ice Maker

Kitchen Basics' self-dispensing nugget ice maker is a restaurant-like machine that's perfect for all-day enjoyment. Few brands have been able to nail the dispensing design, with many of the machines simply breaking or puttering out only after a short period of use.

This one is far from the case though, and it's perfect for the occasional trip to the kitchen for glass of water, or for making cocktails or iced coffee. You won't get a huge batch of ice like the other makers on this list, so its not the best pick for entertaining guests.

But if you're looking for an everyday nugget ice maker for your personal use, then this machine most definitely could be your best pick. It's also under $400—a great deal if you ask us.

Countertop Nugget Ice Maker

Another value option in the nugget ice space, Thereye's maker is simple and efficient, hitting top marks in ice quality and time. The big takeaway from this machine is it's sub-$350 price point, which is rare for a nugget ice maker of this quality and capacity.

The design of the maker is similar to the Euhomy and Opal 1.0. On the front is a power button and cleaning button, plus a light indicator that illuminates when you need to add more water to the machine. And in terms of capacity, you get a sizable 3 pounds of ice in the basket when full.

The cheaper price point is most attractive feature of the Thereye. It's a little big and the design is not as good-looking as other machines on this list, but if you can get over that fact then its a nugget ice maker to look at buying. Maybe you're not looking for nugget ice on an everyday basis but you want it for a home bar setup? If that's the case, then we love the Thereye for that kind of use.

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What To Consider When Choosing a Nugget Ice Maker

When choosing a nugget ice maker you should consider your the space you have and how you are going to be using it.

Design: Are you plopping your nugget ice maker on your kitchen countertop? If yes, then you want to consider the dimensions and look of the maker. Some of the cheaper nugget ice makers are great at performance but they lack a stylish look. The high-end ice makers (like GE and NewAir) have modern appeal and will look much better in a kitchen setting.

Type of Use: Are you planning on using your nugget ice maker on an everyday basis? Are you buying one for entertaining guests? Some nugget ice makers appeal to everyday use (like self dispensing and design-forward models) while others appeal to niche uses like home bar or for parties. If you are planning on buying a nugget ice maker for the latter then you could go for a nugget ice maker that's cheaper and more barebones.

Capacity: If for personal use, then a self-dispensing nugget ice machine could be a great pick. If for entertaining guests, then you might want to go with a nugget ice maker with lots of capacity and a fast ice generation cycle (10 to 15 minutes).

Why Do People Call Nugget Ice "Sonic Ice"?

If you hear us, or anybody else, refer to nugget ice as "Sonic ice" just know the phrase is in reference to Sonic Drive-In. The fast-food chain has generated a cult-like following for its ice over the decades, as Sonic's nugget ice seems to make beverages much more enjoyable due to the chewy ice texture and ice-y cold taste.

Anybody that has had Sonic ice know how unique it is compared to other types of ice, and so nugget ice makers—or "Sonic ice makers"—is the best way to get that iconic ice type from the comfort of your own home.

How We Selected

For the past year, the writers and editors of Men's Health carefully tested and reviewed the best nugget ice makers. Experts, including our Gear and Commerce Editor John Thompson, tried several nugget ice makers and evaluated each machine's design, ease-of-use, nugget ice quality, and price point. We also considered top-reviewed nugget ice makers that have high customer ratings on e-commerce websites that we trust.

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