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GE Profile Opal 2.0 Nugget Ice Maker with Side Tank 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
GE Profile Opal 2.0 Nugget Ice Maker with Side Tank ranks higher (#3 vs #4 of 8) and scores better on ice speed & output, ice quality, easy cleaning. Igloo Portable Countertop Ice Maker with Self-Cleaning wins on quietness, reliability.
The biggest complaint about the GE Profile Opal 2.0 Nugget Ice Maker with Side Tank is stops working within a year; 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
| GE Profile Opal 2.0 Nugget Ice Maker with Side Tank | Igloo Portable Countertop Ice Maker with Self-Cleaning | |
|---|---|---|
| Rank in countertop ice makers | #3 | #4 |
| Price tier | $$$ | $ |
| Type | Nugget | Bullet |
| Amazon 1–2★ share | 32% | 16% |
| Overall score | 3.5 | 3.1 |
| Ice speed & output | 4.0 | 3.5 |
| Ice quality | 5.0 | 3.0 |
| Quietness | 2.5 | 3.0 |
| Easy cleaning | 4.0 | 3.5 |
| Reliability | 2.0 | 2.5 |
Price tiers: $ under $150 · $$ $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
GE Profile Opal 2.0 Nugget Ice Maker with Side Tank
- 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.
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 GE Profile Opal 2.0 Nugget Ice Maker with Side Tank if
Fans of chewable 'Sonic' nugget ice
Self-cleaning cycle and a refillable side tank
Making lots of ice ahead of a party
Skip it if: 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
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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