THE ICE & ENTERTAINING EDIT · UNITED STATES
The best countertop nugget ice makers
Chewable ice turns an ordinary drink into a small pleasure. Here is how to choose a machine that keeps up with your drinks without taking over your counter.
Find your fit ↓
THE SHORT ANSWER
What would suit your kitchen?
Start with the ice you need at one time. The bin size tells a different story from daily production; refilling, cleaning and placement decide how convenient the machine will be to live with.
A glass of chewable ice is easy to picture; refilling and cleaning are easier to overlook. Nine models offer different baskets, water setups and controls. Start with the ice you need at one time, then choose the ownership routine that fits your kitchen.
01 / THE EQUIPMENT, EXPLAINED
Different kitchens. Different choices.
Here is where each model earns its place, and what might make you choose another.
Newair · NIM044BSN2
44 lb Countertop Nugget Ice Maker
Nugget ice without a plumbed water line
Newair rates this countertop machine for up to 44 pounds of nugget ice a day. Its removable basket holds 2.7 pounds, so plan around the ice you need at one time.
The basket holds much less than a day’s output. You will need to refill water, clean regularly and plan freezer storage for larger gatherings.
THE DETAILS THAT MATTER
- Daily production
- 44 lb (manufacturer rating)
- Basket
- 2.7 lb
- Footprint
- 9.5 W × 13.6 D × 14.9 H in
Frigidaire Gallery · EFIC255 (Navy)
Gallery 44-lb Nugget Ice Maker (Navy)
Touch controls and a cleaning cycle for nugget ice
The Gallery EFIC255 family offers nugget ice with touch controls and a self-clean function. Its rated output is up to 44 pounds a day; the linked Amazon variant is Navy.
Confirm the Navy variant’s bin capacity and package. Daily output is not stored ice, and a self-clean cycle does not replace regular maintenance.
THE DETAILS THAT MATTER
- Rated production
- Up to 44 lb nugget ice per 24 h (manufacturer)
- Controls
- Touchscreen with self-clean function
- Finish on Amazon
- Navy (EFIC255 family)
- Amazon ASIN
- B0BCXJ5VQL
GE Profile · XPIO13BCBT
Opal 2.0 with 0.75-Gallon Side Tank
Nugget ice with a side tank and connected scheduling
This Opal 2.0 configuration adds a 0.75-gallon side tank and Wi-Fi controls. GE lists up to 38 pounds of ice per day and a 3-pound bin, so compare serving capacity as well as refills.
The side tank adds to the working footprint, and regular cleaning remains essential. This is XPIO13BCBT, not the held XPIOX3SZEB Ultra model.
THE DETAILS THAT MATTER
- Daily production
- Up to 38 lb; manufacturer rating
- Ice bin
- 3 lb
- Side tank
- 0.75 US gallon
- Connections
- Built-in Wi-Fi / SmartHQ
ecozy · IM-NS280B
Mistalo Smart Nugget Ice Maker
App scheduling in a smaller nugget ice machine
The Mistalo uses the EcozyHome app for start/stop control, scheduling and water/bin alerts. It is worth comparing if connected controls matter more than a larger side tank.
The app requires 2.4 GHz Wi-Fi. Source output claims differ, so check the selected offer rather than choosing it by a single daily-pound figure.
THE DETAILS THAT MATTER
- Controls
- EcozyHome app, onboard controls and alerts
- Wi-Fi
- 2.4 GHz; maker lists Alexa/Google support
- Maintenance
- Self-clean cycle plus manual care
- Output claim
- Amazon: 33 lb/day; maker page: 34 lb
EUHOMY · IM-16S
Pearl L1 Plus Nugget Ice Maker
Nugget ice with straightforward refill indicators
The IM-16S is rated for up to 44 pounds of nugget ice a day and includes a cleaning cycle. Compare it for a manually filled drinks station where status lights matter more than an app.
Daily output is not ice held at once. The current Pearl L1 Plus appearance may differ from older IM-16S listings; confirm the selected controls, water access and package.
THE DETAILS THAT MATTER
- Rated daily output
- Up to 44 lb / 24 h
- Maker first-ice claim
- 7–10 minutes, conditions apply
- Cleaning cycle
- 20 minutes (manufacturer)
- Water supply
- Manual refill
Frigidaire · EFIC237-SSBLACK
44-lb Nugget Ice Maker (Black Stainless)
A three-pound serving basket for manually filled ice
Curtis documents a three-pound basket, manual refilling and a cleaning function for the EFIC237 family. Compare it with the EFIC255 by serving access and the complete countertop setup.
The official page contains inconsistent dimension fields, so confirm the actual unit measurements before buying. The 44-pound figure describes a full day, not the basket.
THE DETAILS THAT MATTER
- Rated daily output
- Up to 44 lb
- Basket claim
- Up to 3 lb (manufacturer)
- Water supply
- Manual fill; no water hookup
- US electrical
- 115 V grounded outlet (maker guidance)
Iceman · RJ56-PB18-SS
Pebble Countertop Ice Maker
A generous serving basket without connected controls
The stainless-finish Iceman combines a documented 2.4-pound ice basket with manual filling and status indicators. Consider the basket size for several drinks made together.
The 33-pound figure is potential production over a full day, not ice stored at once. You still refill, drain and clean the machine.
THE DETAILS THAT MATTER
- Rated daily output
- Up to 33 lb / 24 h
- Basket
- Up to 2.4 lb
- Water reservoir
- 1.8 L
- US electrical
- 120 V / 170 W
Iceman · RJ56-PB-V2
Compact Pebble Ice Maker
A smaller ice station for everyday glasses
A compact manually filled nugget ice maker with a 1.5-pound removable basket and one-touch cleaning cycle. Compare it for an everyday drinks corner rather than a large party.
Its smaller basket needs more attention when several people want ice together. The first-ice claim describes an initial batch, not a full basket.
THE DETAILS THAT MATTER
- Rated daily output
- Up to 26 lb / 24 h
- Basket
- Up to 1.5 lb
- Maker first-ice claim
- As little as 8 minutes; conditions apply
- US electrical
- 120 V / 140 W
Gevi · GIMN-1000B
V2.0 Nugget Ice Maker
Choose manual filling or a compatible water-line setup
A countertop nugget machine with manual and automatic water-filling options. Its appeal is a more permanent drinks station, provided the hose routing and maintenance suit your kitchen.
Current Gevi and Amazon descriptions disagree on daily output. Confirm the supplied revision; automatic filling still requires installation checks and regular cleaning.
THE DETAILS THAT MATTER
- Water handling
- Manual or automatic refill; verify installation kit
- Exterior
- 9.7 W × 17.3 D × 16.7 H in
- Output evidence
- Maker page 30 lb/day; selected Amazon title 38 lb/day
02 / AT A GLANCE
What changes the decision?
Newair 44 lb Countertop Nugget Ice Maker
NIM044BSN2
- Daily production
- 44 lb (manufacturer rating)
- Basket
- 2.7 lb
- Footprint
- 9.5 W × 13.6 D × 14.9 H in
Frigidaire Gallery Gallery 44-lb Nugget Ice Maker (Navy)
EFIC255 (Navy)
- Rated production
- Up to 44 lb nugget ice per 24 h (manufacturer)
- Controls
- Touchscreen with self-clean function
- Finish on Amazon
- Navy (EFIC255 family)
- Amazon ASIN
- B0BCXJ5VQL
GE Profile Opal 2.0 with 0.75-Gallon Side Tank
XPIO13BCBT
- Daily production
- Up to 38 lb; manufacturer rating
- Ice bin
- 3 lb
- Side tank
- 0.75 US gallon
- Connections
- Built-in Wi-Fi / SmartHQ
ecozy Mistalo Smart Nugget Ice Maker
IM-NS280B
- Controls
- EcozyHome app, onboard controls and alerts
- Wi-Fi
- 2.4 GHz; maker lists Alexa/Google support
- Maintenance
- Self-clean cycle plus manual care
- Output claim
- Amazon: 33 lb/day; maker page: 34 lb
EUHOMY Pearl L1 Plus Nugget Ice Maker
IM-16S
- Rated daily output
- Up to 44 lb / 24 h
- Maker first-ice claim
- 7–10 minutes, conditions apply
- Cleaning cycle
- 20 minutes (manufacturer)
- Water supply
- Manual refill
Frigidaire 44-lb Nugget Ice Maker (Black Stainless)
EFIC237-SSBLACK
- Rated daily output
- Up to 44 lb
- Basket claim
- Up to 3 lb (manufacturer)
- Water supply
- Manual fill; no water hookup
- US electrical
- 115 V grounded outlet (maker guidance)
Iceman Pebble Countertop Ice Maker
RJ56-PB18-SS
- Rated daily output
- Up to 33 lb / 24 h
- Basket
- Up to 2.4 lb
- Water reservoir
- 1.8 L
- US electrical
- 120 V / 170 W
Iceman Compact Pebble Ice Maker
RJ56-PB-V2
- Rated daily output
- Up to 26 lb / 24 h
- Basket
- Up to 1.5 lb
- Maker first-ice claim
- As little as 8 minutes; conditions apply
- US electrical
- 120 V / 140 W
Gevi V2.0 Nugget Ice Maker
GIMN-1000B
- Water handling
- Manual or automatic refill; verify installation kit
- Exterior
- 9.7 W × 17.3 D × 16.7 H in
- Output evidence
- Maker page 30 lb/day; selected Amazon title 38 lb/day
03 / BEFORE YOU BUY
Choose for the way you cook.
Ice produced vs ice stored
A high daily production figure isn't necessarily a large built-in storage bin.
Water and sanitation
Different filling and cleaning procedures change the real ownership experience.
Footprint and sound
A frequently running appliance needs sensible placement near outlets and away from where people gather.
Start with ice ready right now
Newair documents a 2.7-pound basket and GE lists a three-pound bin. Their daily production claims are much larger because they describe output over time. Check the selected Frigidaire and ecozy configurations for bin capacity, and plan separate freezer storage if you need more ice ready for a gathering.
Check everyday upkeep
Ask whether you are willing to refill water and clean or descale the machine on the manufacturer schedule. A high-output countertop unit still requires consistent hygiene and can occupy a valuable outlet and ventilated counter location.
Choose around ownership, not the finish
GE’s XPIO13BCBT adds a side tank and SmartHQ connectivity; ecozy’s IM-NS280B offers app scheduling and alerts in a smaller format. Newair and Frigidaire provide other control and serving arrangements. Compare the complete water setup and cleaning access, not just the finish or daily-pound figure.
Check smart features and source disagreements
If scheduling matters, check current app and Wi-Fi requirements. Ecozy’s Amazon listing says 33 pounds a day while its manufacturer page lists 34; we retain that discrepancy. It is not a measured performance gap or a reason to ignore the amount of ice actually waiting in the bin.
Simple controls can be the right choice
EUHOMY IM-16S, now mapped to Pearl L1 Plus in official support, emphasizes status indicators and a cleaning cycle. It gives a different reason to buy from app scheduling. Confirm the selected revision because the current manufacturer presentation and older listing imagery can differ.
Check the serving basket and the actual dimensions
The Frigidaire EFIC237 family documents a three-pound basket, useful context beside its forty-four-pound daily claim. Its official unit and carton dimension fields are inconsistent. Confirm the assembled black-stainless model and ventilation needs before selecting it for a measured gap.
A smaller station for everyday glasses
Iceman Compact RJ56-PB-V2 combines a 1.5-pound basket with a 26-pound daily production claim. Compare it for a few drinks through the day. Confirm the full body dimensions and refill access; a small basket is a real compromise when several glasses need filling together.
A larger basket without an app
Iceman RJ56-PB18-SS lists a 2.4-pound basket and 33-pound daily output. The serving basket is the relevant starting point for several drinks together. Compare it with the Compact by ready ice, working space and cleaning routine, not just the quickest first-batch claim.
Consider an optional water connection
Gevi GIMN-1000B offers manual or automatic refill for a more permanent drinks station. Confirm installation requirements and the supplied revision: the maker currently describes thirty pounds per day while the Amazon title says thirty-eight. We do not treat the larger claim as settled.
LIVING WITH YOUR EQUIPMENT
The part after unboxing.
Plan a peak-use workflow
If multiple people use ice simultaneously, compare the basket capacity with real portions. Production rate cannot instantly replenish all ice removed.
Verify stored ice behavior
Do not assume a countertop ice maker keeps ice permanently frozen like a freezer. Check its meltwater handling and storage instructions.
Check water and power
Locate a suitable outlet and room for refilling and draining. Confirm the current manual for cleaning agents, ventilation and recommended water quality.
04 / HEAD TO HEAD
Down to two options?
Newair 44-lb Nugget Ice Maker vs Frigidaire EFIC255
Both advertise 44 lb/day; this is a production measure, not 44 pounds held at once. Compare bin/storage capacity, water refills, cleaning and exact retail variant.
GE Opal 2.0 XPIO13BCBT vs Newair NIM044BSN2
GE documents a 0.75-gallon side tank and 3-pound bin; Newair lists a 2.7-pound basket and up to 44 lb/day production.
ecozy Mistalo IM-NS280B vs GE Opal 2.0
Ecozy emphasizes app scheduling and alerts in its smaller body; the linked GE configuration adds an external 0.75-gallon tank.
EUHOMY IM-16S vs ecozy Mistalo IM-NS280B
The current EUHOMY emphasizes status lights and a cleaning cycle; ecozy documents app scheduling and alerts.
Frigidaire EFIC237 vs Gallery EFIC255
EFIC237 has a maker-documented three-pound basket; the EFIC255 is a distinct Gallery family with its own controls and enclosure.
Iceman Pebble vs Compact Pebble Ice Maker
RJ56-PB18-SS lists a 2.4-pound basket and 33-pound daily output; RJ56-PB-V2 lists a 1.5-pound basket and 26-pound daily output.
Iceman Pebble vs Newair 44-lb Nugget Ice Maker
The Iceman documents a 2.4-pound basket and 33-pound daily production claim; Newair’s 44-pound headline is a different full-day output figure, not a same-size bin comparison.
Gevi V2.0 vs Newair NIM044BSN2
Gevi offers manual or automatic refill. Confirm its supplied revision because current Gevi and Amazon daily-output claims differ.
05 / YOUR QUESTIONS
A few things worth knowing.
Does 44 pounds a day mean I can pour out 44 pounds at once?
No. The documented Newair basket holds around 2.7 pounds, and daily output is a different metric.
Which nugget ice makers are compared here?
The nine researched options are Newair NIM044BSN2, Frigidaire EFIC255 Navy and EFIC237-SSBLACK, GE Profile Opal 2.0 XPIO13BCBT, ecozy IM-NS280B EUHOMY IM-16S, Iceman RJ56-PB18-SS and RJ56-PB-V2, and Gevi GIMN-1000B. Compare bin capacity, water handling and cleaning as well as daily output; exact-model reviews record source conflicts.
Is making nugget ice the same as storing it?
No. Production, temporary on-device storage and long-term freezing are three separate capabilities.
YOUR NEXT STEP
Make the shortlist your own.
Tell KitchenMatch what you want to make, how often you will use the appliance and whether size matters. Get a shortlist with the reasons behind each suggestion.
Find my equipment →EVIDENCE & EDITORIAL STANDARD
Research you can follow.
Our assessments are based on manufacturer documentation, not our own hands-on tests. Check the current Amazon offer for the selected model, accessories, seller and availability. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.
- Newair NIM044BSN2 — manufacturer source
- Frigidaire Gallery EFIC255 (Navy) — manufacturer source
- GE Profile XPIO13BCBT — manufacturer source
- ecozy IM-NS280B — manufacturer source
- EUHOMY IM-16S — manufacturer source
- Frigidaire EFIC237-SSBLACK — manufacturer source
- Iceman RJ56-PB18-SS — manufacturer source
- Iceman RJ56-PB-V2 — manufacturer source
- Gevi GIMN-1000B — manufacturer source