(checked 2026-10-10)Small sample: 1,403 ratings (side-tank listing). The tankless listing B09SBT74HX showed 31% from 445 ratings.
The nugget ice that experts like best. It has a self-cleaning cycle and a side tank, but it is big and expensive. About a third of Amazon ratings are 1 or 2 stars, and owners complain about units dying within a year and squealing during defrost.
Top complaints
- Stops working within a year
Amazon's review summary for the side-tank listing says several owners report it breaking within a year. The summary for the tankless listing says some units stop working after two months or fail within 30 days. Wirecutter notes a 1-year parts-and-labor warranty and a 60-day return policy.
- Noisy, with squealing during defrost
Amazon owners describe a terrible squealing sound during defrost, plus noise during cleaning. Serious Eats found it louder than a simple bullet-ice maker, and Good Housekeeping lists 'can be noisy' as a con.
- Expensive, large and heavy
Wirecutter says it typically costs almost five times as much as its bullet-ice picks and takes up as much space as an espresso machine. Serious Eats weighed it at 38 pounds. Amazon owners call it poor value for money.
What owners love
- The best nugget ice in testing
Wirecutter found its nugget ice the most chewable and least clumpy of the three nugget machines it tested. Serious Eats calls its ice the crunchiest and best.
Source: Wirecutter, Serious Eats - Self-cleaning cycle and side tank
Serious Eats likes the detachable side tank and the weekly self-cleaning cycle with diluted bleach. Food & Wine (testing the Ultra version) praises the built-in drain and self-cleaning system.
Source: Serious Eats, Food & Wine - Insulated bin keeps ice longer
Wirecutter says its double-pane bin holds about 3 pounds and resisted melting better than any other machine it tried.
Source: Wirecutter
- You're short on counter space (about espresso-machine size)
- You want a quiet machine
- You can't risk a costly unit failing after a year
- Fans of chewable 'Sonic' nugget ice
- Self-cleaning cycle and a refillable side tank
- Making lots of ice ahead of a party
Scores (tap for why)
What experts say
- Wirecutter (NYT): Best for nugget ice: the highest-quality nugget ice it tested, with Wi-Fi and a UV light. It is large and costs nearly five times as much as the bullet picks.
- Serious Eats: Best countertop ice maker overall: the crunchiest ice, with a self-cleaning cycle and side tank. It weighs 38 lb, needs a more involved setup, and is noisier than bullet machines.
- Good Housekeeping: Easiest to use (tested the Opal 2.0 Ultra): first ice within 10 minutes and alerts for cleaning; it is the most expensive on the list and can be noisy.