The catch
GE Profile Opal 2.0 Ultra
Add the required rear clearance to its 17.5-inch depth and it takes up far more counter than compact machines do.
Side by side
GE Profile Opal 2.0 Ultra vs NewAir 44 lb Nugget Ice Maker: NewAir’s tank comes off for refills, and Opal manages scale and scheduling
Quick verdict
Wi-Fi, a side tank and scale management make the case for Opal Ultra. Higher rated output, a removable reservoir and direct touch controls make the case for NewAir NIM044.
Before you buy
Why, and what it costs you
The smaller basket belongs to the machine with higher output
NewAir is rated to make more ice per day yet stores 0.3 pound less, so frequent serving or transfer stays part of using it at higher output.
Where this comes from
Storage of 2.7 versus 3 pounds goes with 44 versus 38 pounds per day.
The catch
NewAir 44 lb Nugget Ice Maker
For a machine in the premium output class, it offers no app or voice controls.
GE Profile Opal 2.0 Ultra
- Why pick it
- Connected scheduling appeals to you
- A side tank to cut down on refilling helps you
- The catch
- Add the required rear clearance to its 17.5-inch depth and it takes up far more counter than compact machines do.
NewAir 44 lb Nugget Ice Maker
- Why pick it
- You are after the higher daily rating
- Carrying the reservoir to the sink suits you
- The catch
- For a machine in the premium output class, it offers no app or voice controls.
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What this page compares
Opal Ultra comes with Wi-Fi, a side tank and scale management. NewAir NIM044 leans toward higher rated output, with a removable reservoir and direct touch controls.
Higher output with a removable reservoir, or scheduling with a side tank
Which one fits
Pick the situations that sound like you
A target of higher sustained production
Daily, NewAir lists 44 pounds.
- GE Profile Opal 2.0 Ultra
- Good
- NewAir 44 lb Nugget Ice Maker
- Better fit
A little more ice waiting in the bin
Three pounds of storage is what GE lists.
- GE Profile Opal 2.0 Ultra
- Better fit
- NewAir 44 lb Nugget Ice Maker
- Good
Run scheduling, connected
The Wi-Fi platform comes from GE.
- GE Profile Opal 2.0 Ultra
- Better fit
- NewAir 44 lb Nugget Ice Maker
- Not suitable
Taking the reservoir over to the sink
A removable refill tank is on NewAir.
- GE Profile Opal 2.0 Ultra
- Good
- NewAir 44 lb Nugget Ice Maker
- Better fit
In practice
Differences you will notice
The smaller basket belongs to the machine with higher output
NewAir is rated to make more ice per day yet stores 0.3 pound less, so frequent serving or transfer stays part of using it at higher output.
How we worked this out
Storage of 2.7 versus 3 pounds goes with 44 versus 38 pounds per day.
The NewAir reservoir is smaller than GE’s side tank alone
Against NewAir’s 1.8-liter removable tank, the included 0.75-gallon side tank is about 2.84 liters.
How we worked this out
Multiply 0.75 × 3.785 to get 2.84 liters. Then 2.84 - 1.8 = 1.04 liters more in the side tank alone.
With NewAir, refill handling is kept apart from app setup
GE’s connected system is valuable when remote scheduling itself matters, whereas a removable reservoir directly helps the water routine.
How we worked this out
GE specifies a side tank and built-in Wi-Fi, and NewAir a removable 1.8-liter tank and direct touch controls.
Option A
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.
- Best for
- Everyday premium nugget ice with less refilling and guided upkeep
Facts we checked
- 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.
- Built-in Wi-Fi, a scale-inhibiting filter and an advanced cleaning system are what the Ultra adds.
Option B
NewAir, NIM044BSN2
44 lb Nugget Ice Maker
Narrower than the Opal, this high-output nugget machine has a 2.7-pound basket, a dual-fill design and one-touch cleaning.
- Best for
- A lot of nugget ice, minus the cost of smart controls
Facts we checked
- For the machine, NewAir's rating is 44 pounds per day.
- The basket lifts out and holds 2.7 pounds, while the reservoir is 1.8 liters.
- Per official dimensions, it stands 14.9 inches high, 13.6 inches deep and 9.5 inches wide.
Spec by spec
Where they really differ
| Spec | GE Profile Opal 2.0 Ultra | NewAir 44 lb Nugget Ice Maker | In practice |
|---|---|---|---|
| Daily output ceiling | 38 pounds | 44 pounds | Higher accumulated production is listed for NewAir. |
| Ice storage | 3 pounds | 2.7 pounds | A little more ready ice is held by GE. |
| Water arrangement | 0.75-gallon side tank | Removable 1.8-liter reservoir | A larger supply and easier refills at the sink are separate benefits. |
| Control platform | Wi-Fi and SmartHQ | Direct touch panel | In this pair, GE alone lists app control. |
Trade-offs
What each pick costs you
With GE Profile Opal 2.0 Ultra
- Filters and descaling keep adding cost over time, and the insulated bin still will not freeze the ice stored in it.
With NewAir 44 lb Nugget Ice Maker
- The water fill is behind the ice drawer, which means refilling interrupts scooping and requires open space in front of the machine.
Change of plan
When the answer changes
A target of higher sustained production
Go with NewAir 44 lb Nugget Ice Maker. Daily, NewAir lists 44 pounds.
A little more ice waiting in the bin
Go with GE Profile Opal 2.0 Ultra. Three pounds of storage is what GE lists.
Run scheduling, connected
Go with GE Profile Opal 2.0 Ultra. The Wi-Fi platform comes from GE.
Taking the reservoir over to the sink
Go with NewAir 44 lb Nugget Ice Maker. A removable refill tank is on NewAir.
Decision guide
How to decide
Opal Ultra stands for Wi-Fi, a side tank and scale management. NewAir NIM044 stands for higher rated output plus a removable reservoir with direct touch controls.
Daily production and ready storage do not line up
NewAir lists 44 pounds per day to GE’s 38, but GE lists three pounds of storage to NewAir’s 2.7. A higher daily output does not automatically translate into more ice waiting in the basket.
Refills get easier in two different ways
GE’s 0.75-gallon side tank adds to the supply on hand, while NewAir’s removable 1.8-liter reservoir is easier to carry to and from the sink.
Whether to go connected is a real ownership decision
SmartHQ support and scale-management equipment come with the Opal. NewAir relies on direct touch controls and a cleaning cycle. If you do not want another app, you can still have the higher rated production.
What this page can’t tell you
- This comparison rests on manufacturer specifications for equipment and capacity. Cooking or preparation outcomes have not been independently tested.
By the numbers
What the data shows
What we found across the countertop ice makers we compare, plus the checked facts behind each finding.
How many fit
Only 3 of the 23 models checked meet every need here: “I want to refill less often”, “Ice for a busy household or a gathering is what I need”, and “I want control by app or voice”.
3 models fit, out of 23 checkedThe gap in numbers
NewAir 44 lb Nugget Ice Maker lists 44 lb/day for listed daily ice output, 16% more than the 38 lb/day on GE Profile Opal 2.0 Ultra.
- GE Profile Opal 2.0 Ultra
- 38 lb/day
- NewAir 44 lb Nugget Ice Maker
- 44 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 want to refill less often”, “Ice for a busy household or a gathering is what I need”, and “I want control by app or voice”. 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. For context, 19 of 23 models publish comparable figures.
| Product | Needs it meets | Facts we checked | Sources |
|---|---|---|---|
| GE Profile Opal 2.0 Ultra |
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| NewAir 44 lb Nugget Ice Maker |
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Ready to buy
See today’s price and what owners say
Open either model on Amazon for the current price, customer reviews and delivery options.
GE Profile Opal 2.0 Ultra
Connected scheduling appeals to you
See price & reviews on AmazonNewAir 44 lb Nugget Ice Maker
You are after the higher daily rating
See price & reviews on AmazonEach link opens in a new tab.
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