Best Countertop Ice Makers in 2026: Nugget or Bullet?
Quick answer
First choose ice texture. GE’s Opal 2.0 XPIO13SCSS produces compacted nugget ice with a side tank. Frigidaire EFIC189-SILVER and Newair AI-100SS make bullet ice; Newair adds three size settings. None of these countertop bins is a freezer, and daily output is not the amount of ice waiting in the basket.
The practical choice is ice texture: chewable nuggets or hollow bullet ice. Compare what is ready in the bin, ventilation clearance and cleaning access rather than daily-output headlines.
Compare the configurations
| Model | Role | Choose another when… |
|---|---|---|
| GE Profile Opal 2.0 XPIO13SCSS | Nugget ice with side tank | bullet ice meets your needs or a smaller countertop and simpler cleaning routine matter more. |
| Frigidaire EFIC189-SILVER | Compact bullet ice | you need true nugget texture or enough bin storage for a group without transfers. |
| Newair AI-100SS countertop ice maker | Three bullet-ice sizes | you want nugget texture or a hands-off self-cleaning cycle. |
GE Profile Opal 2.0 XPIO13SCSS: Nugget ice with side tank
GE’s current XPIO13SCSS makes compacted-flake nugget ice and includes a 0.75-gallon side tank. Its maker page lists 38 pounds per day under 70°F ambient/60°F water conditions, with a lower 30.9-pound/day DOE value under warmer conditions, and a 3-pound bin. The side tank is about fewer refills, not frozen storage. GE lists four inches of side and rear clearance, so the footprint is larger than the body dimensions alone.
Pros
- Actual nugget ice is a different texture from the hollow bullet ice of simpler machines.
- Side tank, automatic refill and a three-pound bin suit frequent drink service with fewer manual water top-ups.
Cons and trade-offs
- The side tank plus GE’s four-inch side/rear ventilation clearance demand significant counter space.
- The bin is not a freezer; melting ice recirculates, and regular cleaning/descaling remains necessary.
Best for: A household that specifically wants chewable nugget ice throughout the day and has space for the side tank.
Choose another if: bullet ice meets your needs or a smaller countertop and simpler cleaning routine matter more.
Our recommendation
Choose this exact Opal 2.0 side-tank model for nugget texture, while budgeting for clearance, cleaning supplies and the maker’s real temperature-dependent output.
Search Amazon for GE Profile Opal 2.0 XPIO13SCSS
Frigidaire EFIC189-SILVER: Compact bullet ice
The Frigidaire-branded EFIC189 is documented by licensee Curtis International. The silver configuration makes bullet ice, with a maker claim of up to 26 pounds per day, a small 1–1.5-pound bin, a 2.3-quart water reservoir and an exterior drain. Its window shows production without opening the lid. The bin capacity, not daily production, governs how much ice can wait for a party before transfer.
Pros
- Compact see-through-lid design and add-water/full-bin indicators simplify occasional countertop use.
- Exterior drain and removable scoop make end-of-session emptying more practical than a sealed base.
Cons and trade-offs
- The 1–1.5-pound bin must be emptied repeatedly to approach the maker’s daily output figure.
- It makes hollow bullet ice, not Opal-style compacted nugget ice.
Best for: Occasional drinks where a small batch of bullet ice is sufficient.
Choose another if: you need true nugget texture or enough bin storage for a group without transfers.
Our recommendation
Choose EFIC189-SILVER for a straightforward compact bullet-ice workflow; confirm the silver SKU and planned freezer transfer.
Newair AI-100SS countertop ice maker: Three bullet-ice sizes
Newair lists the AI-100 family as a 28-pound-per-day bullet-ice countertop maker, and the selected stainless variant is AI-100SS. It offers three bullet sizes, a removable basket, side drain and simple two-button control. The maker’s spec table explicitly lists no self-cleaning function. The page’s promotional subheading calls it “nugget” ice, but the title and technical specifications say bullet ice; use the specific ice-type specification.
Pros
- Three selectable bullet sizes allow some adjustment for a glass versus cooler without changing machines.
- Removable basket, drain and clear indicators make the fill-empty-clean routine straightforward.
Cons and trade-offs
- It has no self-cleaning program according to Newair’s own specification table.
- The selected stainless AI-100SS differs from the original article’s red AI-100R; availability and finish must be checked separately.
Best for: Someone who wants bullet ice with size choices and can empty the basket during heavier use.
Choose another if: you want nugget texture or a hands-off self-cleaning cycle.
Our recommendation
Choose the AI-100SS for its documented size selection, not for the page’s ambiguous “nugget” promotional text.
Buying guide
- Decide on nugget versus bullet. Opal’s compacted flakes have a different texture from hollow bullet pieces. The maker’s technical specification, not a promotional headline, establishes the ice type.
- Separate production from storage. GE lists a three-pound bin; Curtis lists about 1–1.5 pounds for EFIC189. A 26- or 38-pound/day rating assumes the ice can keep cycling and often must be removed. Freeze ice separately for a party.
- Measure ventilation space. GE requires four inches at the sides and rear for XPIO13SCSS. Include its side tank, scoop handling and drain access in the countertop plan.
- Plan cleaning water paths. Drain the reservoir, clean and descale per the exact manual, and use compatible filters only where the model supports them. A self-clean cycle does not replace hygiene maintenance.
- Check temperature assumptions. GE publishes a lower daily output under warmer test conditions. Kitchen heat and water temperature may affect all makers; do not promise the maximum output at every home. For long-term frozen storage see our refrigerator guide; for blended drinks that use the ice, see our blender comparison.
The “best” machine depends on how much ice is removed and where it goes afterward. If you want one bowl of ice for a few drinks, the small bullet-ice machines may fit. If you specifically want continuous nugget texture, make room for the Opal and its maintenance routine.
FAQ
Does the ice maker store ice overnight?
A countertop ice maker is generally not a freezer. GE describes meltwater recirculation, and Newair also says its portable units recycle meltwater. Move finished ice to a freezer if it must stay frozen.
Is the Newair AI-100SS a nugget-ice maker?
No. Newair’s product title and specification table identify bullet ice, despite a conflicting promotional subheading.
How much ice is ready at once?
Use bin capacity, not 24-hour output. GE lists three pounds for XPIO13SCSS; Curtis says the EFIC189 bin stores about one to one-and-a-half pounds.
Is self-cleaning enough?
No. Follow the manufacturer’s cleaning and descaling instructions, especially for the water path and reservoir. Newair AI-100SS lists no self-cleaning function.
Sources and method
We checked exact manufacturer/licensee pages and visually inspected the chosen product images. Recommendations are based on documented ice type, capacity and maintenance, not our own output or reliability tests. Read our research methodology.
- GE Profile Opal 2.0 XPIO13SCSS manufacturer documentation
- Frigidaire EFIC189-SILVER manufacturer documentation
- Newair AI-100SS countertop ice maker manufacturer documentation
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