“I clean my ice maker by unplugging it and then removing any ice cubes that may be in the reservoir. Then I fill the machine with clean water and run the self-cleaning cycle. When that is finished, I drain all the water, wipe down the inside of the ice maker with a clean, damp cloth, then dry it thoroughly before plugging it back in.”

Sure, you can get standard ice cubes from a countertop ice maker, but for the ultimate ice upgrade, we recommend a nugget ice maker. Also known as pellet ice (or even Sonic ice), the superiority of nugget ice comes from its diminutive size and irresistible crunchy texture. Nugget ice is small enough to pack into a travel coffee mug, Moscow Mule mug, or highball glass, while the compressed layers of frozen water comprising each well-honed nugget allow liquid to flow around each piece of ice. The clever shape melts slowly, keeps drinks cold, and is fun to chew on afterward.

"Something I loved about the Opal is how it is continually recycling water and melted ice through the system to produce fresh nuggets, so you're never stuck with a hard, frozen mass of ice," says Arnesia Young, Commerce Editor who helped test the best nugget ice makers in our lab.

We tested five of the most popular nugget ice makers on the market. Our tests included the popular GE Profile Opal 2.0 Countertop Nugget Ice Maker, the slightly more affordable Frigidaire Countertop Crunchy Chewable Nugget Ice Maker V2, and the Frigidaire Gallery Countertop Nugget Ice Maker. We evaluated each nugget ice maker based on these metrics:

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One of the sleekest models we tested, we immediately loved the design of the Newair Nugget Countertop Ice Maker and noted that we'd proudly leave it out on display in our kitchens. However, this was one of the loudest nugget ice makers we tested, and the sound of the ice cubes dropping was particularly loud and distracting. We also found the insulation of the hopper to be lacking, which led to ice at the bottom of the hopper melting quicker than we'd like.

Dimensions: 16.5 x 10.5 x 15.5 inches | Storage Bin Capacity: 3 pounds | Daily Ice Production Max: 38 pounds | Batch Production Speed: 20 minutes

We won’t call it a steal, but this is still a hard-to-beat price on a high-capacity ice machine that can have you enjoying a few nuggets of ice in as little as 10 minutes.

Generally, a countertop nugget ice maker will yield enough ice for one to three people per day. While some models produce up to 50 pounds daily, keep in mind your ice maker’s storage bin capacity. If you think you’ll need more ice, consider an undercounter ice maker or freestanding model with larger bin capacities.

All of the ice machines we’ve recommended here can produce between 24 and 44 pounds of ice in 24 hours. Unless you’re regularly throwing parties, you likely won’t have to worry about capacity. That said, they’re all fairly bulky machines, so choose based on the yield that makes the most sense for you.

The Frigidaire V2 produces an impressive amount of crunchy, satisfying ice for its compact size, which makes it great for anyone who entertains or regularly hosts dinner parties. The Frigidaire V2 comes with simple and clear instructions to help you figure out how to set the timer for easier use. Adding water is as easy as removing the ice tray and pouring water directly into the machine. Keep this on hand for ice as often as you want since the ice melts into the water reservoir to be recycled for the next cycle.

Widely considered to be the gold standard among at-home nugget ice makers, the GE Profile Opal 2.0 can produce an impressive 38 pounds of ice per day. It also has Wi-Fi and voice control capabilities, which don’t necessarily seem like things you’d need in an ice maker, but as the old saying goes, go big or go home. With this machine, you’ll be going big at home.

Dimensions: 11.65 x 16.93 x 20.87 inches | Storage Bin Capacity: 3 lbs | Daily Ice Production Max: 44 lbs | Batch Production Speed: 10 minutes

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An earlier model of the Frigidaire V2, the Frigidaire Gallery Nugget Ice Maker scored highly in all of our tests in terms of ice quality, ice yield, and performance. We liked the generous size of the 1-gallon water reservoir, and we found that this machine produced a significant amount of ice per cycle. However, it's quite tall and boxy, and we noted that it's difficult to move. We docked points for portability, plus the fact that this model does not auto-recycle leftover water from melted ice.

Configuration and maintenance are easy thanks to the Opal’s LED display and self-cleaning system; the only arguable downside to this nugget ice maker (other than a price tag that also makes it our pick for “best splurge”) is the counter space it requires. This is a large machine, and this particular model has an additional side tank for water. You can buy it without the tank, but at this price point, you might as well buy the whole thing and enjoy the Opal’s full potential.

After hours of testing (and several margaritas later), we revealed the price of each nugget ice maker to determine if the price was reflective of the product’s overall value. The nugget ice makers we tested ranged in price from $170 to $629, with an average price of $400.

Looks aren’t everything — especially when you’re purchasing an arguably non-essential appliance — but we can’t deny the aesthetic appeal of Frigidaire’s V2 nugget ice maker. The stainless steel body looks sleek and will match almost any kitchen setup, while its ability to produce 44 pounds of ice will ensure you’re kept flush with fresh, glorious nugget ice. In our tests, we found the curved top-opening lid very user-friendly and small enough to fit under an upper cabinet and slide out when you need to get ice whenever needed. It's not overly heavy, so if you need to move it, it is portable enough to store.

Since it’s not always practical to visit a restaurant purely for ice acquisition, nugget ice enthusiasts will be pleased to learn that it’s possible to make it right at home. We tested five of the best nugget ice makers on the market from brands including Frigidaire and GE to narrow down our list.

The AGLucky is pretty straightforward in operation: There is an "ice/clean" button, and that is all there is to it. Hold the button for five seconds, and it starts the self-cleaning process. Just a press of the button starts the machine making ice.

This nugget ice maker is self-cleaning and makes up to 44 pounds of ice per day. Plus, it's much more affordable than other options.

If you're investing in a nugget ice maker, you'll want to be sure you have enough space on your countertop if you plan to keep it out on display. For safety purposes, you'll also want to ensure there's plenty of clearance around the appliance. We recommend following your manufacturer's instructions to determine how much space is required before setup.

Most ice machines are — fortunately — self-cleaning, but you’ll definitely want to double-check the manufacturer instructions and discern whether your machine cleans itself regularly, or if there’s a cleaning cycle you’ll need to activate. Shelly Martin of Easy Kitchen Guide offers the following cleaning tips:

We named the Frigidaire Countertop Nugget Ice Maker V2 the best nugget ice maker overall due to its sleek design, compact footprint, and ice yield for its size. And while the GE Profile Opal 2.0 Countertop Nugget Ice Maker is worth the splurge, we'd recommend the AGLucky Countertop Nugget Ice Maker if you're looking for great performance at a fair price.

They’re the same thing! Both are characterized by their small size, compressed layers, and ability to be chewed without making every dentist in a 10-mile radius cringe at the very sound.

The side tank makes refilling the machine easy (the reservoir would require a kitchen faucet hose or large cup to pour otherwise), and the cleaning process is easy as long as the machine isn't too far from the sink for draining. Though it's an investment in price and counter space, its sleek appearance, quality, and reliability make it a worthy option for those able to make the purchase.

All five of these nugget ice makers just require an electrical outlet. They’re meant to sit on the countertop and get to work straight away. Some other nugget or countertop ice makers may require an additional water line, but none of the models we tested required this.

Best value is a tough category here since nugget ice makers are not, as a general rule, a budget appliance. That said, this one from AGLucky — which is both self-cleaning and capable of producing a whopping 44 pounds of ice every 24 hours — is priced at less than $300. It comes with an ice basket and ice scoop for easy ice storage. The viewing window is also helpful for keeping track of ice production and refilling the machine as needed. During our tests, we also loved how portable and lightweight this nugget ice machine is. There is even an included handle that can be installed to make carrying it easier.

These nugget ice machines are all self-cleaning and operate either with the touch of a button or an LCD screen. With that said, we did find some models to have an easier-to-remove water reservoir that made cleaning and sanitizing much quicker. Flip quickly through the user manual after setup, and you should be on your way to nugget ice in no time.

We've tested the Opal 2.0 in our lab and also used it at home for months. Through these tests, we have found that the ice production and quality are excellent. It's quieter in operation than a kettle or coffee maker, save for the occasional "plink" of the ice pellets.

Dimensions: 13.39 x 9.45 x 15.35 inches | Storage Bin Capacity: 2.6 lbs | Daily Ice Production Max: 44 lbs | Batch Production Speed: 10 minutes