How many fit
8 of the 23 models checked meet every need here: “I need ice to share at work”, “I need a usable amount ready right away”, and “I want to refill less often”.
8 models fit, out of 23 checkedPicked for one job
For a small office, GE Opal Ultra is the best all-rounder
Top pick
GE Profile Opal 2.0 Ultra
Opal Ultra brings a large drawer, a side tank and app alerts. With KBice, fewer people touch a shared scoop. Whynter fits a busier office that has a water connection.
Why it suits this job
- Capacity on hand
- Refill workload
- The catch
- Add the required rear clearance to its 17.5-inch depth and it takes up far more counter than compact machines do.
- Go with KBice Self-Dispensing Nugget Ice Maker if
- Nugget ice dispensed by push button into bottles and cups
More reasons we picked it
- Hygienic serving
- Who handles cleaning
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Shared machines call for useful output, easy serving and a named person who owns cleaning.
By the numbers
What the data shows
What we found across the countertop ice makers we compare, plus the checked facts behind each finding.
Why it helps
GE Profile Opal 2.0 Ultra lists 38 lb/day for listed daily ice output, 46% above the 26 lb/day median.
- GE Profile Opal 2.0 Ultra
- 38 lb/day
- Typical (median)
- 26 lb/day
- Models with this figure
- 19 of 23
Show the facts and the math
How we countedThe count uses each product's current fit ratings for “I need ice to share at work”, “I need a usable amount ready right away”, and “I want to refill less often”. A need with no documented match is not counted.
How we calculatedDaily output is the maximum the maker publishes. Room temperature, water temperature and the size of the storage bin can all lower what you get in practice. The median draws on the 19 of 23 models that publish comparable figures.
| Product | Needs it meets | Facts we checked | Sources |
|---|---|---|---|
| GE Profile Opal 2.0 Ultra |
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| KBice Self-Dispensing Nugget Ice Maker |
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| Whynter 49 lb Portable Ice Maker |
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3 options
The top pick and the alternatives
GE Profile, XPIO13SWSS
Opal 2.0 Ultra
App control, a scale-inhibiting filter and a 0.75-gallon side tank come with this premium nugget machine, along with a large three-pound drawer.
Top pick ifEveryday premium nugget ice with less refilling and guided upkeep
Key facts
- GE's production rating is 38 pounds per day and 1.6 pounds per hour.
- Up to three pounds fit in the removable drawer, and the included side tank holds 0.75 gallon.
The catch
Add the required rear clearance to its 17.5-inch depth and it takes up far more counter than compact machines do.
KBice, FDFM1JA01
Self-Dispensing Nugget Ice Maker
This tall nugget dispenser is filled with water by hand, and it keeps hands and scoops out of the ice path.
Best forNugget ice dispensed by push button into bottles and cups
Key facts
- The manufacturer manual names the model as FDFM1JA01 and lists touch-button dispensing.
- Storage is two pounds, and official production comes to 24 pounds per day.
The catch
It weighs 40 pounds and stands 17.5 inches high, so it is hard to call portable, and it needs plenty of room at the sides.
Whynter, IMC-491DC
49 lb Portable Ice Maker
The highest daily rating in the set belongs to this large bullet machine, which also has a five-liter tank, three sizes and an optional direct water connection.
Best forBullet ice at high output over long stretches, with less refilling
Key facts
- Whynter's production rating is 49 pounds per day, with storage of 2.7 pounds.
- You can fill the five-liter tank by hand or through the included 12-foot direct-water hose.
The catch
Side handles notwithstanding, a 32-pound body and 17-inch depth mean it is going to stay on the counter.
Ready to buy
See today’s price and what owners say
Top pick for this job
GE Profile Opal 2.0 Ultra
Capacity on hand
See price & reviews on AmazonPick this instead if
KBice Self-Dispensing Nugget Ice Maker
Nugget ice dispensed by push button into bottles and cups
See price & reviews on AmazonWe may earn a commission from qualifying Amazon purchases. How we make money