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Frigidaire Gallery Countertop Nugget Ice Maker vs Igloo Portable Countertop Ice Maker with Self-Cleaning
Which one has the downsides you can live with?
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The short answer
Frigidaire Gallery Countertop Nugget Ice Maker ranks higher (#1 vs #4 of 8) and scores better on ice speed & output, ice quality, easy cleaning.
The biggest complaint about the Frigidaire Gallery Countertop Nugget Ice Maker is breaks within months; for the Igloo Portable Countertop Ice Maker with Self-Cleaning it's breaks after about six months. Pick the one whose catch bothers you less.
Side by side
| Frigidaire Gallery Countertop Nugget Ice Maker | Igloo Portable Countertop Ice Maker with Self-Cleaning | |
|---|---|---|
| Rank in countertop ice makers | #1 | #4 |
| Price tier | $$ | $ |
| Type | Nugget | Bullet |
| Amazon 1–2★ share | 22% | 16% |
| Overall score | 3.7 | 3.1 |
| Ice speed & output | 5.0 | 3.5 |
| Ice quality | 4.0 | 3.0 |
| Quietness | 3.0 | 3.0 |
| Easy cleaning | 4.0 | 3.5 |
| Reliability | 2.5 | 2.5 |
Price tiers: $ under $150 · $$ $150–400 · $$$ over $400. Highlighted = clearly better (a score gap of 0.3 or more, or a 1–2★ share at least 3 points lower). Scores are explained, with sources, on each product's page.
Top complaints
Frigidaire Gallery Countertop Nugget Ice Maker
- Breaks within months
Amazon's review summary says reliability is mixed and units typically last only 3-8 months before breaking. Many owners call it a waste of money.
- Loud grinding noise for some
Amazon owners find it super loud, with grinding noises. In Serious Eats' test, though, it was super quiet.
- Heavy and tall
Serious Eats weighed it at 44 pounds and says it likely won't fit under overhead cabinets (20.25 inches tall). Good Housekeeping found the nuggets less uniform than other machines'.
Source: Serious Eats, Good Housekeeping
Igloo Portable Countertop Ice Maker with Self-Cleaning
- Breaks after about six months
Amazon's review summary says durability is a concern, with many units breaking after 6 months, and that reliability is mixed.
- Too loud for some
Amazon's summary says noise gets mixed reviews: some call it relatively quiet, others find it too loud.
- Smaller reservoir, cloudy ice
Wirecutter says the smaller reservoir needs refilling a bit more often and that the bullets are cloudy, which makes fizzy drinks go flat faster.
Source: Wirecutter
Who should pick which
Pick the Frigidaire Gallery Countertop Nugget Ice Maker if
Maximum nugget ice per hour
Fewer refills (large tank)
Opal-level output for less
Skip it if: It must fit under upper cabinets; You want perfectly uniform nuggets; You need proven long-term reliability
Pick the Igloo Portable Countertop Ice Maker with Self-Cleaning if
Small counters or seasonal storage
An easy self-clean mode
Budget bullet ice
Skip it if: You want clear or nugget ice; You hate refilling (smaller reservoir); You need something that lasts years
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