- I tried a nugget ice maker — now I can’t live without “the good ice” on demand.
- It chills fast, crunches perfectly and makes every drink (and guest) feel special.
- A few of our top-tested nugget ice makers are on sale for Prime Day.
I love hosting parties, but I have this recurring nightmare: a house full of guests and not enough ice. Because nothing screams “hot mess” like lukewarm margaritas when everyone's still sober.
I guess living in small New York City apartments with “European size” refrigerators (read: smaller) will do that to you. Even when I upgraded to ones with built-in ice machines, they would malfunction or reluctantly spit out weirdly-scented cubes. So instead, I'd freezing two ice cube trays at a time and transfer the cubes to resealable plastic bags weeks before game time. Don't get me started with store-bought bagged ice; typically, those cubes are all glommed together — not exactly what I want in my Negroni.
This model I tested has become my personal ice butler.
One day, however, I tested an ice maker for the Good Housekeeping Institute Kitchen Lab, and I found a solution to all my problems. This particular model produced fresh ice in 15 minutes flat and continuously replenished the supply.
These nuggets were shaped like tiny cylindrical barrels, with the satisfying crunchability of crème brûlée crust. It's the good ice — the kind you get at restaurants, most notably Sonic.
I noticed that a few nugget makers happen to be on sale for Amazon Prime Day, which is significant because these machines aren't cheap. If you're curious if you should buy a nugget ice maker, here are 11 reasons why I think you should:
Makes ice quickly
Unlike a standard ice cube tray that takes about four hours to freeze solid, a nugget ice maker can start delivering the good stuff in a fraction of the time. According to GE, its Opal 2.0 Nugget Ice Maker produces its first batch in 10 minutes or less — faster than it takes to run to the corner store. This model was named one of the three best Nugget Ice Makers and is currently $250 off for Amazon Prime Day.
Named easiest to use, according to testing by the Good Housekeeping Institute Kitchen Appliances and Innovation Lab
Some models don’t just make ice quickly — they keep it coming all day long. With outputs of up to 40 pounds a day, these machines can handle everything from spontaneous backyard hangs to full-blown cocktail parties. Think of all the last-minute ice runs to the gas station or grocery store... now think of never doing that again.
Unparalleled texture
No ice cube tray or built-in fridge ice machine can replicate the texture of nugget ice. The machine creates its signature pillowy chew by freezing water into flakes and then gently compressing them into airy, porous nuggets. The result: Light, crunchable ice that breaks apart easily between the teeth. It’s like biting into a tiny snowball that melts in surrender and doesn’t require dental work.
It’s the ice you find at places like Sonic or Chick-fil-A — the kind people crave, seek out and post about on TikTok.
Improves drink quality
It’s not just fun for your chompers. Nugget ice actually works smarter in your drink, too. “The crunchy yet chewable ice is known for melting slower, cooling down your beverage faster and retaining the flavor of your drink even longer,” says Kitchen Lab Reviews Analyst Eva Bleyer.
Thanks to its size and shape, nugget ice nestles perfectly into every corner of your glass, giving maximum surface area for chilling without overwhelming the drink. The benefit? Colder sips, faster without watering down your perfectly measured cocktail or morning cold brew.
The porous structure does more than go easy on your teeth — it pulls flavor into every icy bite. Nugget ice actually soaks up the drink it’s floating in, so every crunch delivers a tiny, satisfying burst. Think: a mini flavor bomb in every bite.
Named best overall nugget ice maker, according to testing by the Good Housekeeping Institute Kitchen Appliances and Innovation Lab
Boosts the fizz factor
Pouring soda or sparkling water over regular ice can feel like watching your bubbles vanish in real time. Nugget ice, however, preserves the carbonation instead of squashing it. Thanks to its rounded shape and soft, porous texture, nugget ice causes less agitation when poured over, which means your drink won’t foam up or go flat as quickly.
Plus, nugget ice chills faster than standard cubes and colder drinks naturally hold on to their bubbles longer. It’s a small detail, but if you’re serious about your seltzer, spritzes or afternoon Diet Coke, it makes a noticeable difference.
No-mess convenience
Gone are the days of filling up ice cube trays and scurrying them to the freezer, dribbling a trail of water along the way. No more rearranging frozen shrimp and pints of ice cream to wedge in a tray. This machine is like having a cool little valet that lives in its own tidy drawer, ready to serve you ice whenever you need it.
Ideal for home entertaining
It’s a party perk that’s a win-win for guests and hosts alike. I now have friends looking forward to coming over specifically to indulge in some “fancy ice.” Even if I’m just pouring seltzer over it, the drink feels elevated with no extra work.
Kitchen Lab Director Nicole Papantoniou, who reviewed the GE Profile Opal 2.0 Ultra Nugget Ice Maker, has also made it part of her hosting setup. “I entertain often, and my friends love being able to serve themselves without digging through the freezer,” she says.
Nugget ice scoops easily and won’t clump or stick together like cubes. No hammer, no freezer tongs, no drama — just perfect little pearls every time.
It’s a small daily luxury
You’ll find that it’s not just a huge improvement for gatherings, nugget ice will quickly become a part of your everyday routine. I started adding nugget ice to my blender for the silkiest smoothies. It blitzes more easily than ice cubes, which would leave big chunks. I use it to fill glasses for iced matcha latte and other iced teas.
“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,” exclaims Papantoniou.
It's arguably more hygienic
Freezer ice can be questionable. It’s butting up against food and possibly coming into contact with dirty hands. Even ice from a built-in ice maker can pick up smells from the fridge.
With a nugget ice maker, you get ice from a closed, self-contained system, which means your ice is never exposed to freezer odors, forgotten leftovers or grubby fingers. Most models come with a dedicated drawer and scoop, so everyone can help themselves without touching the ice. And since the machine keeps making fresh batches automatically, the ice you’re serving is consistently clean and crisp.
Bonus: Many models have easy cleaning cycles built right in so it’s no extra work for you. It’s a feature worth looking for if you want a noticeably fresher, more hygienic experience.
Small kitchen footprint
You don’t need a palatial kitchen to enjoy “the good ice” — just a bit of counter space and the right machine. One of our best tested nugget ice makers is only about the size of a shoebox for boots: The COWSAR Nugget Ice Maker, which got top marks for best value.
Named best value nugget ice maker, according to testing by the Good Housekeeping Institute Kitchen Appliances and Innovation Lab
Great beyond the glass
Nugget ice makes a chic bed that’s also functional for presenting:
- Shrimp cocktail, oysters on the half shell or grander seafood towers, keeping everything fresh without leaving puddles.
- Mini bottles of champagne or rosé at a brunch bar, keeping them chilled and Instagram-ready.
- Salads or deviled eggs at a summer picnic, staying cool without getting soggy.
These circumstances provide proof that nugget ice doesn’t just elevate what you drink, it transforms how you serve.
Another cool (ha) non-potable benefit: It’s ideal for icing wounds, much the same way a bag of frozen peas can mold to the shape of your knee or noggin.
Need to de-puff under eyes or cool down after a workout? Scoop some nugget ice into a towel — it melts at just the right pace.
Saves money over time
“Nugget ice makers are pricier due to their advanced engineering, which involves rapidly compressing ice and extruding nugget-shaped cubes within minutes,” explains Bleyer. That engineering is much more complex than in a traditional ice maker, which just fills an ice cube tray, rapidly freezes it and then releases it. “Nonetheless, this compact kitchen appliance quickly pays itself off with each iced beverage.”
Whether it's for parties, road trips or just stocking the freezer, bagged ice adds up. At $3 to $5 a bag, buying ice weekly could cost over $200 a year. With a nugget ice maker, you’ve got a 24/7 supply at home, no gas station stops (or last-minute panics) required.
It’s helped curb my iced matcha latte habit, saving me about $7 each time I DIY one at home.
The lifestyle upgrade and everyday convenience of nugget ice won’t just make you a better host — it’ll be the reason people want to come over. The sensory satisfaction, clever design and our collective obsession with making home feel a little more luxe has propelled nugget ice makers from niche appliance to modern bar must-have.
After all, anyone can offer wine, but not everyone has “the good ice.”
Susan (she/her) is the recipe editor at Good Housekeeping, where she pitches ideas, parses words, and produces food content. In the Test Kitchen, she cooks (and samples!) recipes, working with developers to deliver the best written versions possible. A graduate of Brown University and a collaborator on several cookbooks, her previous experience includes stints at Food & Wine, Food Network, three meal kit companies, a wine shop in Brooklyn and Chez Panisse, the pioneering restaurant in Berkeley, California. She enjoys playing tennis, natural wines and reality competition shows.
