Your first question may be, why do I need an ice maker? Well, why does anyone need an ice maker?
Most of us think that ice is ice, no matter the shape or size. Sure, maybe it’s just frozen water to keep drinks cold, but some people take their ice seriously.
Think about the mother with a teething toddler who lives on soft sonic ice. How about the professional bartender who understands the rate at which ice melts and how it affects flavor.
Whether for drinking or chewing, having a good supply of ice on demand at all times is a luxury worth splurging on. If any of this rings true and owning an ice maker appeals to you, we’re here to help. We have put together a list of the best sonic ice machines & nugget ice makers out there today.
So, let’s take a look at what makes an ice maker not only a superb addition to your home but almost essential…
The Best Sonic Ice Machines & Nugget Ice Makers Reviews
1. Opal Countertop Nugget Ice Maker
Let’s begin with the Opal Countertop Nugget Ice maker. You can show off your new appliance by installing this ice maker right on the counter. All you need is three inches of clearance for the sides and back. It doesn’t need much space to be the star of the show.
Ice when you want it…
In only 20 short minutes you’ll have more ice than you know what to do with. The bin holds only 3 lbs of ice at a time, and the machine itself can produce up to 24 lbs a day. You would have to throw a party for some seriously thirsty folks to max out this ice maker.
How it works…
The Opal Nugget Ice Maker is Bluetooth enabled so you can control your ice making schedule from an app on your smartphone. With a sensor to tell when the bin is full, you won’t be coming home to find Elsa paid you a visit.
Simply fill the detachable water reservoir with filtered water and watch your machine work. If any leftover ice melts, it filters back through to be made into more ice. Make sure the water is filtered to avoid mineral buildup in your pipes.
Just in case something isn’t functioning right, Opal includes a limited one-year parts and labor warranty.
So why is Opal the ice maker for you?
Opal floats in the middle of the price pool. It produces quality ice, is easy to use, and looks like it should be more expensive. It works faster for you to have ice on demand, and features that you can control when you aren’t home.
PROS
- Affordable quality.
- Countertop size.
- Soft but crunchy ice.
- Doesn’t require a water connection.
CONS
- Not suitable for outside use.
- Small bin capacity of 3 lbs.
- Requires filtered water.
2. Della Portable Ice Maker W/Easy-Touch – 26 Pounds Daily
Ice on the go…
This portable nugget ice maker from Della makes it easy to have your favorite ice with you wherever you go. If you have an outlet, you can have ice. This ice maker could be the perfect addition to your home on wheels or your basement bar.
Quiet operation makes it perfect for smaller spaces. It works so quickly, just set it up and have ice ready in the time it takes to unpack your suitcase. At 26 lbs of ice a day, you’ll have enough to keep the cooler stocked for a trip to the beach.
Easy to setup…
With a built-in water reservoir, you don’t need to worry about finding a water source. The tank holds up to 1.8 liters of water to keep you stocked long enough to pop out 1.5 lbs of ice.
This lightweight ice maker is only 21 lbs and can be placed on any countertop. The glossy red finish turns your camping trip into a glamping trip.
Sensitive touch buttons provide user-friendliness. All you need to do is plug in, add water and wait six minutes for soft chewable ice, almost anywhere.
Also, easy to clean…
You can clean this ice maker like you would a coffee pot. Simply wipe it down with vinegar and water and run a test round of ice. Make sure, though, that you don’t eat the test round.
PROS
- Lightweight and compact.
- Perfectly portable.
- Sleek design.
- 26 lbs of ice a day.
- Refillable water reservoir.
CONS
- Requires frequent cleaning.
3. Manitowoc Ice Maker And Water Dispenser, 315 Pound/24Hours
If you’re looking for an ice maker with a larger capacity, Manitowoc has you covered.
This two in one ice maker and water dispenser is the perfect addition to your small office or a large family. This nugget ice maker can stand on its own or fit perfectly on the kitchen counter, with just enough room to breathe.
Not just a pretty face…
Aside from its stainless steel finish, this air-cooled ice maker has a self-contained condenser. With LED indicators and a water refill alarm, this machine tells you when it needs attention. It won’t ever freeze up with an auto-defrost feature, but you do have to clean it yourself.
Cold as ice…
The built-in water dispenser gives you ice cold water whenever you want it. A lever activated ice dispenser is easy to operate, and you never have to scoop for yourself. You can even fill your cooler with its large storage capacity.
The Manitowoc ice maker can produce up to 315 lbs of ice in 24 hours. A 10lb storage bin gives you plenty of ice to last most of the day.
Prepare to splurge big if you’re considering this classy cooler. In this case, though, what you spend in the short term just may pay off in the long term.
PROS
- Commercial functionality.
- Large capacity.
- Durable construction.
- Can be used as a countertop unit.
- Auto-defrost feature.
CONS
- Very pricey.
4. Scotsman Brilliance Outdoor Ice Machine
Perfect for the backyard barbeque enthusiast…
Scotsman Brilliance has a legendary reputation as far as ice machine suppliers go. One of the foremen in the sonic style ice craze, they have won over the slushy lover in all of us with their home machines.
A standalone unit, this ice maker is not suitable for countertop placement or installation under the counter. But, do you know what it is perfect for? Producing some of the best chewable ice that will trigger childhood memories of snow cones in summer.
Ice ice baby…
The smooth, soft texture makes this the perfect ice for fussy babies whose gums are crying for relief. Its 85 lbs production capacity and 26 lbs storage capacity will claim you the summer party queen crown. Your ice will stay colder longer than anyone else with the Scotsman ice machine.
Gravity drain…
With such a large capacity, it’s not likely that you will regularly run through 26 lbs of ice, some of it will melt down. But where does it go? A gravity drain simply pulls the water downwards towards the floor drain.
That brings us to the setup…
A freestanding refrigerated unit needs to be installed somewhere with access to a water line and a drain. This may require extra effort upon set up, but at least you’ll never worry about the machine flooding out. Sensors tell the machine when the ice is getting low, and it immediately begins to make more until the bin is full again.
The Scotsman ice maker is the perfect addition to your summer porch and will quickly make you the neighborhood favorite.
PROS
- Enormous capacity.
- Makes perfectly chewable ice.
- Refrigerated unit keeps your ice colder longer.
- Suitable for outdoors.
CONS
- Drainage system causes extra steps in installation.
5. Frigidaire Counter Top Ice Maker 26lb Per Day
When speaking about refrigerated machines, we knew Frigidaire was bound to come up eventually.
Frigidaire makes its own portable countertop ice maker. Compact and lightweight, you can take it to the hotel with you to avoid late night walks down the hallway. This silver ice maker only weighs a mere 19 lbs, so it won’t be a hassle to lug it along with your suitcase.
Easy to setup…
You just need an outlet and access to 2.3 quarts of water to produce your favorite ice right in front of your eyes. After filling the removable water reservoir, plug the machine in and simply press the power button, and in six minutes, you’ve got fresh ice.
Two different sizes of ice can be made in quantities up to 26 lbs per day. LED indicators tell you when the machine is full, when to add water, and which size cubes you chose. The small storage bin holds 1.5 lbs of ice at a time, so you shouldn’t run through a whole day’s production unless you’re extremely thirsty.
Easy to clean…
Just like most portable ice machines, the lining is typically plastic, so if the ice sits too long, it’s likely to absorb that taste. To keep your machine running well and long lasting, a little TLC is often required. Don’t worry though, just occasionally wipe down the inside with a natural cleaner and run a test batch of ice through it.
PROS
- Compact and lightweight.
- Sleek silver finish.
- Affordable.
- 2.3-quart water reservoir.
CONS
- Requires frequent cleaning.
6. Ice-O-Matic Air Condensing Unit Self-Contained Ice Machine
Our next large capacity ice maker comes from Ice-O-Matic, another freestanding 85 lbs capacity machine.
Colder but not as long…
The Ice-O-Matic produces 85 lbs a day, but you can only use what it holds in the 22 lbs storage bin before waiting to refill. This silver pearl ice maker is 33 inches tall and makes the perfect addition to the office or small bar. It stands just short enough to qualify for under-counter installation.
Since the inside is insulated and not refrigerated, you may have to deal with melted messes more often. That is unless you use as much ice as the bin can hold in one go. Since the machine stops making ice once the bin is full, you’re protected from overflows.
Pearl nuggets…
Nugget ice is more cylindrical, while pearl ice is exactly what the name suggests, small round pearls. I guess in this case we can’t call them ice… cubes. Pearl ice closely resembles the original Sonic favorite. They make the perfect munching ice.
Helping hands…
Setup may require some assistance, but only when it comes to setting up the drain system and water line. After that, you can enjoy fresh ice nuggets at any time of day. Ice-O-Matic designed this ice maker with a door that opens up to all of your indicators, controls, and ice container.
So while you may have to open the door and scoop ice yourself, you can guarantee you are consuming the cleanest ice. Pure Ice protection is a built-in antimicrobial system that prevents all kinds of funk from growing inside of your ice maker.
PROS
- Pure Ice protection.
- Pearl ice is perfect for munching.
- Perfect for under-counter installation.
- Indicator lights for cleaning, refills, and water levels.
CONS
- Extremely costly.
- Installation requires help with drainage.
7. Newair Portable Ice Maker 50 Lb. Daily, Countertop Design
The NewAir portable ice maker is the largest capacity compact coolers we have seen today.
Small and mighty…
This countertop ice maker is perfect for a large family or a house warming party. With 50lbs per day capacity, you won’t have to worry about running out to the shop for yet another plastic bag of ice. In as short as seven minutes, you will have the perfect solid nugget ice available to you.
With ice this thick, it will remain in your glass longer without watering down your whiskey. Just as easy to use, just fill the reservoir and plug your maker into the nearest outlet.
Worry-free…
Indicator lights tell you when to refill or when your ice is full and ready to use. A self-cleaning function takes the labor out of cleaning. So you can skip the hard stuff straight to kicking back with your ice cold drink.
Bulkier nuggets…
The bulkier ice may be better for keeping your drinks colder longer, but it doesn’t make for the best chewing ice. You just have to wait for your drink to finish before chewing the leftovers, wondering whether you should go back for round 3.
The only downside to this ice maker is its weight. This heavier model is not suitable for traveling with, so once you find its new countertop home, it will probably stay there.
PROS
- Self-cleaning.
- 50 lbs per day production.
- Longer lasting ice nuggets.
- Ice scoop and basket included.
- Easy to setup and use.
CONS
- Heavy.
- Insulated v refrigerated.
Best Sonic Ice Machines & Nugget Ice Makers Buying Guide
Since you’ve made it this far, you must be considering purchasing an ice maker. We’re sure that you still may have some questions and things to consider, though. Let us help guide you before you buy.
Some of the things we considered about these Best Sonic Ice Machines & Nugget Ice Makers are as follows:
Type Of Ice
Which type of ice do you prefer, nuggets, or sonic ice? Nuggets tend to be bulkier, so they melt slower, yet soft enough to still crunch down on. Sonic ice begins as munching ice and is finer, making it best for smoothies and snow cones.
How Much Ice Do You Need?
Some of you may have a small bar in your man cave and just need enough ice to get through poker night. Some may like to throw house parties on a regular basis and want to ensure every guest is satisfied. Covering every detail down to the ice in a drink is important when competing for the hostess with the mostess.
Consider the Best Sonic Ice Machines & Nugget Ice Makers with the right capacity to fulfill your needs, whether its 26 lbs or 85 lbs.
That brings us to our next consideration…
Portability
Do you have a home on wheels or like to camp frequently enough to justify purchasing a travel ice machine? Some of the portable ice makers we listed here today are lightweight enough to take just about anywhere. All of them will work wherever you have access to an outlet and fresh water.
Portability goes hand in hand with installation…
Setup
Are you so afraid of commitment you move your couch once a month? If this is the case, you probably want a freestanding or countertop unit. This avoids the need to commit to a specific location. If you don’t handle change well, you can step up your ice game with an installed unit.
The installed units tend to be larger and have a larger production capacity. This also means that you will most likely require some assistance when it comes time to install. The water lines and drainage on these units can be complicated if you don’t know what you’re doing.
That brings us right back…
Ease Of Use
Most of these best Sonic Ice Machines & Nugget Ice Makers come with some sort of alarm or indicator telling you what it needs. They also include easy to use touch-sensitive buttons. Since this is ice making and not rocket science, all of these machines are easy to navigate. If all you know is power on and off, even you can figure the rest out.
And lastly…
Price
A sonic ice machine and nugget ice maker is already on the list of luxuries not everyone can afford. If you’ve made it this far, you probably want to make sure that you aren’t just spending on any old machine.
You want to put your money into a machine that will deliver quality ice over a longer period of time. If you plan on using your ice machine frequently, you may need a larger capacity and more expensive machine. If it’s as much of a luxury to use as it is to purchase, you can safely buy a more budget friendly machine.
So, What Are The Best Sonic Ice Machines & Nugget Ice Makers?
It’s likely that all of this information can be overwhelming, considering all of the similarities between products. So how do you choose the absolute best sonic ice machine and nugget ice maker? We will let you in on the one we love the most so you can hopefully choose the one that’s best for you.
We think that the best Best Sonic Ice Machines & Nugget Ice Makers is, therefore, the…
Opal Countertop Nugget Ice Maker
…is the coolest ice maker out there. It is the perfect balance of size and functionality.
We can’t quite see ourselves remembering to pack the ice maker for the family camping trip. This takes the portability card off the table. All of its other features, including Bluetooth capability, ease of use, and the quality of ice, won us over. Thrown together with its affordable price tag, the Opal Countertop Nugget Ice Maker is the star of our ice show.
