When GE Profile recently released the GE Profile Opal 2.0 Ultra, I had to try it, especially after using the GE Profile Opal and the GE Profile Opal 2.0 in the past.
I always thought I preferred room-temperature water until I started testing the GE Profile Opal 2.0 nugget ice maker at home. It’s also made making my iced double espresso so much easier since my fridge doesn’t make ice and I’m terrible at refilling ice cube trays (who isn’t?). I entertain often, and my friends love being able to serve themselves without digging through the freezer. The nugget ice also instantly upgrades any drink or cocktail. These perks earned it a prime spot on my appliance shelf, but now I even scoop the ice into my cups and insulated water bottles — and I can’t imagine going back.
So what did I think of the Opal 2.0 Ultra? Here's my honest review.
What is the GE Profile Opal 2.0 Ultra?
The GE Profile Opal 2.0 Ultra is the newest nugget ice maker from GE Profile. It's similar to the GE Profile Opal 2.0 with some upgrades. (The Opal 2.0 is a newer version of the Opal that has a more basic control panel and display.) The most noticeable difference between the Opal 2.0 Ultra and the Opal 2.0 is the control panel that alerts you when to sanitize your ice maker and when to descale it — keeping your ice maker clean is an important step in ensuring the best taste, preventing any potential buildup and prolonging the longevity of your ice maker.
The Opal 2.0 Ultra (left in image) comes with a water filter and a reusable air filter that GE says "prevents debris from building up inside of the machine and keeps ice production moving quickly." It also includes a stainless steel scoop with a magnetic holder you can attach to the side of the machine instead of a plastic one. (The Opal 2.0 doesn't have a scoop holder but you can rest and store it on the drip tray.) It comes in Stainless Steel, Stone White and Carbon Black.
Like the 2.0, the Opal 2.0 Ultra can connect to an app where you can monitor its status and create an ice-making schedule. It also provides easy access to use and care videos.
How does the GE Profile Opal 2.0 Ultra compare to previous models?
I’ve been using the Opal 2.0 Ultra for about three months and the Opal 2.0 for about one year. They each take up the same footprint and essentially work the same way. If I wasn’t studying them side-by-side, I wouldn’t notice any difference between the two.
The ice from each machine looked mostly the same, but when I fluffed it, the ice from the Opal 2.0 Ultra looked a little softer and slushier on one side of each nugget. Over time, I noticed this difference more and more. It also seemed to make my double espresso colder, faster.
When I spoke with GE Appliances, they confirmed that both Opal models produce the same ice — "the same chewable size and texture of traditional nugget ice found at restaurants," they explained. The machines freeze thin layers of ice, then compress and extrude the ice crystals into compacted cylinders. This advanced process is what makes nugget ice makers more expensive.
Nugget ice is designed to melt faster and make your drink colder than other ice. GE also explained that nugget ice betters absorb the flavors of your drink so when you chew on it, it tastes like the beverage you’re drinking.
When we put the same amount of ice from the Opal 2.0 Ultra and the Opal 2.0 in a margarita in our Lab test, we found that the Opal 2.0 Ultra's ice was a little more
translucent and it melted into a thinner layer, quicker.
How long does the GE Profile Opal 2.0 Ultra take to make ice?
In our Lab tests, the Opal 2.0 Ultra and the Opal 2.0 both started producing ice within 10 minutes. As promised, they both made about one pound of ice in one hour. The Opal 2.0 Ultra made a little more, however, at 1 pound 3.4 ounces versus 15.6 ounces.
Does the GE Profile Opal 2.0 Ultra hold ice?
Yes, the ice bin holds up to three pounds of ice.
Should you buy a GE Profile Opal 2.0 Ultra?
Pros
- As long as there's water in the reservoir, your ice maker is always ready for you
- It alerts you when to add water so it’s hard to be left without ice
- If you buy the version with the side tank, you’ll need to refill even less often
- You don’t have to fill up ice trays
- You don’t have to store ice trays in your freezer
- It makes making iced drinks easier
- It elevates drinks
- It eliminates having to ask people to stop and pick up ice before parties
- Can be used to make ice packs
Cons
- It’s pricey
- It can be loud when it’s making ice
- It requires sanitizing and descaling
- It takes up a good amount of counterspace
Is the GE Profile Opal 2.0 Ultra worth it?
As someone who didn't think they needed a nugget ice maker until now, the pros outweigh the cons for me. It felt like a privilege being able to use one of these ice makers every day. Maintaining it seemed a little daunting at times, but once I figured out a good method, sanitizing it and descaling it, as recommended by the manufacturers, it became so much easier.
I’d recommend the GE Profile Opal 2.0 Ultra to anyone looking for a nugget ice maker, whether they have a regular ice maker or not, and is willing to spend the money on one. (It costs the same as the Opal 2.0.) It also makes a great gift.
If you're simply looking for a countertop ice maker to make your drinks cold and aren't worried about the size or quality if the cubes, there are other, more affordable options out there.
How to clean your GE Profile Opal 2.0 Ultra
GE recommends sanitizing your ice maker weekly and descaling it monthly to keep it working at peak performance. They suggest doing this by bringing it over to the sink to complete the following steps. I learned that I could avoid lugging it over to the sink by positioning the tubes on the back of the ice maker that expel the liquid into a large container that I could more easily empty into the sink. This method may not be recommend because it’s a little less fool-proof but it makes the process less bulky.
To sanitize your ice maker, GE recommends filling the water reservoir with five cups fresh water and one teaspoon of bleach and then running a cleaning cycle. They then recommend flushing it with three cycles of fresh water. This process helps kill any germs living in the machine.
To descale it, they recommend filling the water reservoir with white vinegar, running a cleaning cycle and then letting it sit for 18 hours. During this time, you can wipe down any build-up or use a clean bottle brush to get into the crevices. They then recommend emptying the contents and then flushing it out the same way with three cycles of fresh water.
Each time you sanitize or descale the machines, it’s wise to wash the removeable bin, drip tray and scoop with soap and water. Never wash the inside of the machine with soap.
Why trust Good Housekeeping?
Nicole Papantoniou is the director of the Good Housekeeping Institute's Kitchen Appliances Lab where she oversees all related testing and content. She tested the GE Profile Opal 2.0 Ultra and GE Profile Opal and used them both for months. She's familiar with and has used other nugget ice makers and ice makers as well.
Nicole (she/her) is the director of the Good Housekeeping Institute's Kitchen Appliances and Innovation Lab, where she has overseen content and testing related to kitchen and cooking appliances, tools and gear since 2019. She’s an experienced product tester and recipe creator, trained in classic culinary arts and culinary nutrition. She has worked in test kitchens for small kitchen appliance brands and national magazines, including Family Circle and Ladies’ Home Journal.
