The Best Self-Cleaning Ice Makers (2026)
Less scale, less scrubbing.
Our picks
The Pearl flushes its ice-making core after every cycle to cut mineral buildup, the biggest maintenance headache with nugget machines.
Frigidaire's Gallery nugget machine has the highest listed output here, up to 44 lb a day, plus an auto self-clean cycle.
Chewable nugget ice, the soft kind restaurants serve, in 4 to 5 minutes, and up to 40 lb a day according to Euhomy.
A cheap, simple bullet ice maker that's sat near the top of Amazon's ice maker list for years.
Mineral buildup is the biggest headache with countertop ice makers. The Euhomy Pearl L1 Max flushes its core after every cycle, and the Frigidaire Gallery and Silonn have self-clean modes.
Countertop ice makers plug in, fill from a jug and make ice in minutes, no water line needed. We compared five popular models from Euhomy, GE Profile, Frigidaire and Silonn on ice type, published output, cleaning and price.
Euhomy Pearl L1 Max Nugget Ice Maker
The Pearl flushes its ice-making core after every cycle to cut mineral buildup, the biggest maintenance headache with nugget machines. Worth the extra $10 if you have hard water.
Why we like it
- Self-cleans every cycle
- Nugget ice in minutes
Watch out for
- Slightly slower first batch
- Ice
- nugget
- First ice
- 5–7 min
- Cleaning
- dual-pump self-clean after every cycle
Frigidaire Gallery Nugget Ice Maker (2.0 Gen)
Frigidaire's Gallery nugget machine has the highest listed output here, up to 44 lb a day, plus an auto self-clean cycle.
Why we like it
- Up to 44 lb a day
- Auto self-cleaning
- Big appliance brand
Watch out for
- Usually costs more than the Euhomy
- Ice
- nugget
- Output
- up to 44 lb a day
- Cleaning
- auto self-cleaning
Euhomy Nugget Ice Maker with Handle
Chewable nugget ice, the soft kind restaurants serve, in 4 to 5 minutes, and up to 40 lb a day according to Euhomy. The carry handle makes it easy to move to a patio or party.
Why we like it
- Nugget ice for under $200
- Up to 40 lb a day
- Carry handle
Watch out for
- Small 1.3 lb basket, so empty it often
- Ice
- nugget
- Output
- up to 40 lb a day
- First ice
- 4–5 min
- Tank
- 1.3 qt
- Basket
- 1.3 lb
Silonn Countertop Bullet Ice Maker
A cheap, simple bullet ice maker that's sat near the top of Amazon's ice maker list for years.
Why we like it
- Very cheap
- Self-clean mode
Watch out for
- Bullet ice, not nugget
- Ice
- bullet, 2 sizes
- Output
- up to 26 lb a day
- First batch
- 9 cubes in 6 minutes
- Cleaning
- self-clean mode
GE Profile Opal 2.0 Nugget Ice Maker
The Opal is the machine that made countertop nugget ice popular, with Wi-Fi scheduling and a bigger tank. It usually costs two to three times as much as the Euhomy for similar output.
Why we like it
- Brand name
- Wi-Fi scheduling
- Bigger tank
Watch out for
- Usually much more expensive
- Ice
- nugget
- Output
- up to 38 lb a day
- Tank
- 0.75 gal
- Extras
- Wi-Fi app
Compare them side by side
| Model | Price | Ice | Notable |
|---|---|---|---|
| Euhomy Nugget | $179.99 | Nugget | 40 lb/day, handle |
| Euhomy Pearl L1 Max | $189.99 | Nugget | Self-cleans each cycle |
| GE Profile Opal 2.0 | See Amazon | Nugget | Wi-Fi, 38 lb/day |
| Frigidaire Gallery | See Amazon | Nugget | 44 lb/day, self-clean |
| Silonn | See Amazon | Bullet | Budget pick |
How to choose
Nugget vs bullet. Nugget ice is soft and chewable and soaks up flavor. Bullet ice is cheaper and fine for coolers.
Output. Countertop machines list 26 to 44 lb a day. For parties, pick one near the top.
Clean monthly. Run a vinegar or cleaner cycle, especially with hard water.
The bottom line
For most kitchens, the Euhomy Nugget Ice Maker at $179.99 gets you Opal-style nugget ice for far less. Need the most ice? The Frigidaire Gallery lists 44 lb a day. Want the brand name and Wi-Fi? Get the GE Profile Opal 2.0.
Check price at EuhomyMore guides like this
How we pick
We compare the products people actually shop for on what matters in this category: value, ice quality, speed & output, convenience, cleaning. Specs and prices come from each brand's own listing and can change, so check the seller's page before you buy. We haven't lab-tested these unless we say so. Brands can't pay to be on this list.