Bistro Bounty

Best Nugget Ice Maker: 6 Countertop Picks Compared

The Euhomy IM013 is the safest buy for crunchy nugget ice; Govee's 60 lb machine is the upgrade. Six makers compared by output, noise, upkeep and owner reports.

By Bistro Bounty EditorialSeptember 30, 20268 min readHow we research

Overhead shot of mojito cocktails with ice and mint leaves, perfect for a cool refreshment.
Photo by alleksana on Pexels

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The short answer

  • Euhomy IM013 is our default pick: a 35 lb/day countertop maker that sells in the highest volume of the six and sits in the $100s.
  • GoveeLife H8120 is the only machine here built for heavy use: 60 lb/day, a dual-tank design and a claimed 40 dB. It costs roughly three times as much.
  • Silonn has the longest track record (listed since 2023), but owners report leaks and noise; Kismile draws the most early-failure reports, and Crzoe is the least proven.
  • Every countertop nugget maker has owners reporting wet ice or early failure. Buy where returns are easy and run it hard in the first two weeks.

The best nugget ice maker for most people is the Euhomy IM013: it makes the small, chewable ice you get at a good bar, claims 35 lb a day, and sits in the $100s. If you entertain or run ice all day, the GoveeLife H8120 is the machine built for it, with a 60 lb/day claim and a dual-tank design, but it costs roughly three times as much. The other four sit in between, with more reliability question marks than answers.

A few things are worth knowing up front. Nugget ice is compacted, which is why it is soft enough to chew and cools a drink quickly. Countertop machines do not keep it frozen, because the bin is not insulated. And every model here has owners who report an early failure. This guide is built around that reality: which makers draw the fewest complaints, and how to reduce your risk.

Bartender pouring liquor into a chilled cocktail glass with ice.
Soft, slow-melting ice is the reason people buy these. · Photo by Keegan Checks on Pexels

How we picked

We did not test these machines. Our method is manufacturer specs from Keepa, price history over the past year, and patterns in the owner reports we analyzed; the details are in how we research. We started with six countertop nugget makers that sell well on Amazon and compared them on what matters for a home bar or kitchen: daily output, the first batch, tank size, noise claims, counter footprint, and what owners report after weeks or months. Prices move often, so we give bands and use price history to say which machines tend to dip.

The six makers side by side

PickDaily outputFirst batchWater tankNoise (maker claim)Footprint
Euhomy Nugget Ice Maker IM013-NSI-USEH
Best overall
Up to 35 lbAbout 7 min1.1 L—11 x 9.1 x 12.6 inSee on Amazon
Euhomy Nugget Ice Maker IM039
Best redesign
Up to 35 lb5-7 min1.1 LUnder 45 dB11.1 x 8.5 x 12.3 inSee on Amazon
Silonn Nugget Ice Maker SLIM17B
Longest track record
Up to 33 lbAbout 6 min——8.7 x 11.3 x 12.7 inSee on Amazon
Kismile Nugget Ice Maker Z5825NB
Best customer service reports
Up to 35 lbAbout 7 min1.1 L43 dB12.2 x 8.3 x 11.0 inSee on Amazon
Crzoe Nugget Ice Maker HZB-15NH/S
Least proven
Up to 35 lb6-7 min1.1 L—11.0 x 8.3 x 12.2 inSee on Amazon
GoveeLife Smart Nugget Ice Maker Pro H8120
Best for heavy use
Up to 60 lbAbout 6 min2.2 L plus a 4.9 L secondary tankAs low as 40 dB15.2 x 18.5 x 15.9 inSee on Amazon

A dash means the figure was not in the data we reviewed, so we left it blank rather than guess. Noise and output figures are the makers’ own claims, and only three of the six state a decibel level.

Claimed ice output per day
GoveeLife Smart Nugget Ice Maker Pro H812060 lb
Euhomy Nugget Ice Maker IM013-NSI-USEH35 lb
Euhomy Nugget Ice Maker IM03935 lb
Kismile Nugget Ice Maker Z5825NB35 lb
Crzoe Nugget Ice Maker HZB-15NH/S35 lb
Silonn Nugget Ice Maker SLIM17B33 lb

Best overall: Euhomy IM013

Best overall

Euhomy Nugget Ice Maker IM013-NSI-USEH

by Euhomy

6.6our score

Best for: Households that want the crunchy, chewable restaurant-style ice on the counter without a big investment

Ice quality7
Output & capacity7
Noise & daily use6
Reliability record5
Value8
Daily output
Up to 35 lb
First batch
About 7 min
Water tank
1.1 L
Footprint
11 x 9.1 x 12.6 in
  • 35 lb/day claim and a first batch in about 7 minutes
  • Press-and-hold self-cleaning cycle (about 5 seconds to start)
  • Compact enough for most counters and the highest monthly sales volume of the six
  • Positive owners describe small, chewable ice, easy cleaning and fast output
  • Sits in the $100s, with a past-year low near the bottom of that tier
  • Several owners say ice piles up at the exit chute and the machine reads full before the basket is
  • Reports of leaks from underneath and loud squeaking after a few months
  • Owners say the exposed bin does not insulate, so ice melts and recycles
  • Some units stopped working within one to four months

What owners report

In the owner reports we analyzed, the happy group said it makes small chewable ice quickly, is easy to clean and descale, and is a workable replacement for a failing refrigerator ice maker. A few said the ice texture depends on the water you use and that a new unit needs several cleaning cycles to lose its first-use smell. The critical group centered on design: ice jamming at the outlet so the basket never fills, an uninsulated bin that melts ice, leaks, loud squeals and machines that quit early. One owner could not reach support by phone.

Verdict: The default buy for most people: cheap enough to gamble on and proven by sheer volume. Expect to nudge the ice along at first and treat a one-year lifespan as a real possibility.

The IM013 is our pick because it gets the basics right at a price that makes a gamble reasonable. It claims 35 lb a day from a 1.1 L tank, a first batch in about 7 minutes, and a 5-second button hold to start a cleaning cycle. It is about 11 by 9 inches on the counter, which fits most countertops, and it has the highest monthly sales volume of the six.

The design has a known quirk. Several owners say ice piles into a mound at the exit chute, triggers the full sensor early and stops production before the basket is half full. The bin is also uninsulated, so melted water drains and the machine keeps cycling. Both are design complaints, so expect to nudge ice aside while it runs or move it to the freezer.

Price history puts it in the $100s, with a past-year low near the bottom of that tier, so it is worth setting an alert.

Best redesign: Euhomy IM039

Best redesign

Euhomy Nugget Ice Maker IM039

by Euhomy

6.0our score

Best for: Buyers who want a newer Euhomy with a dual pump, a quieter claim and a stated two-year warranty option

Ice quality6
Output & capacity7
Noise & daily use7
Reliability record4
Value6
Daily output
Up to 35 lb
First batch
5-7 min
Water tank
1.1 L
Ice storage
1.8 lb basket
Noise (maker claim)
Under 45 dB
Footprint
11.1 x 8.5 x 12.3 in
Warranty
1 year, 2 with registration
  • Dual-pump system that the maker says reduces scale buildup
  • Stated under-45 dB operation and a three-color status panel
  • Four citric-acid cleaner packs included, and a 15-minute deep-clean cycle
  • ETL certified, with a one-year warranty that extends to two on registration
  • Owners who are happy call it quiet enough and say the nugget texture is right
  • First listed in April 2026, so very little long-term evidence
  • Many owners report wet, slushy ice that freezes into a block
  • Reports of no ice at all, slow cycles well past the stated time, and mildew that needs constant washing
  • Priced higher than the IM013 for the same 35 lb claim

What owners report

Among the owner reports we reviewed, satisfied owners said it is not too loud, makes the tiny nugget ice fast and works daily, with the usual caveat that you must move the ice to a freezer because the bin is not insulated. The critical group described machines that made only slush or a pebble-sized trickle, units that hummed without making ice, cycles taking far longer than the stated time, mildew growth and a few failures within three months. Several returned it.

Verdict: A reasonable second choice only if the warranty and the quieter claim matter to you. It is new, pricier than the IM013 and draws a lot of wet-ice complaints.

The IM039 is the newer Euhomy. Its listing highlights a dual-pump system meant to reduce scale buildup, a claimed sound level under 45 dB, a 1.8 lb removable basket, four packs of citric-acid cleaner and a one-year warranty that extends to two with registration. That is a more complete package than the IM013 on paper.

In the owner reports, though, the newer design drew a lot of wet-ice complaints: slush instead of nuggets, ice that freezes into a block in the freezer, and cycles taking far longer than the stated 5 to 7 minutes. The listing only dates to April 2026, so there is no long-term record at all, and it is priced above the IM013 for the same 35 lb claim. We like the warranty, but the evidence does not justify the premium yet.

Longest track record: Silonn SLIM17B

Longest track record

Silonn Nugget Ice Maker SLIM17B

by Silonn

6.2our score

Best for: Shoppers who prefer a model that has been on sale for years over the newest listing

Ice quality7
Output & capacity7
Noise & daily use5
Reliability record5
Value7
Daily output
Up to 33 lb
First batch
About 6 min
Footprint
8.7 x 11.3 x 12.7 in
  • Listed since June 2023, the longest history here
  • Removable cover for cleaning, plus a self-cleaning cycle started by holding the button for 5 seconds
  • Fast first batch of about 6 minutes
  • Recent price sits at the bottom of its past-year range, which reached the $220s
  • One owner reported nearly three years of use before it quit
  • Owners report leaks, including one at the tank-to-base connection that cannot be fixed
  • One owner says it became loud after about three months, and others describe screaming or squealing
  • Reports of failure within days, weeks or a few months
  • Support was unreachable for some owners

What owners report

In the owner reports we analyzed, the positive group said it makes ice fast, is easy to clean and refill, and works well for a dorm or daily use; one said it lasted almost three years. The critical group described leaks from the third use, a loud or screaming compressor, units that failed within a couple of days to a few months, one owner who went through two in a year, and a support line that did not connect.

Verdict: Buy it when it is at the low end of its price range and you want a model with a record. The leak and noise reports are the main risk.

The Silonn has been listed since June 2023, the longest history of the six. It has a removable cover that makes hand cleaning easier, a self-cleaning cycle started by holding the button for 5 seconds, and a claimed first batch in 6 minutes. Its listing gives the daily output as 36 lb in the title and 33 lb in the bullets, so the chart above uses the lower figure; keep that in mind when you compare it to the 35 lb claims elsewhere.

The owner reports explain the middle score. Several buyers describe leaks, including one at the connection between the tank and the base, one says the machine became loud after about three months, and others describe screaming or squealing. One reported almost three years of use before it quit, which is a longer record than any other machine here can point to. Its recent price is at the bottom of its past-year range, which reached the $220s, so it is worth considering when it dips.

Glass of iced latte and a metal coffee kettle on a kitchen table.
Iced coffee is the use most owners describe. · Photo by Betül Nur on Pexels

Best customer service reports: Kismile Z5825NB

Best customer service reports

Kismile Nugget Ice Maker Z5825NB

by Kismile

5.2our score

Best for: Buyers who care how a maker handles a bad unit and want a clear-sided stainless design

Ice quality7
Output & capacity6
Noise & daily use4
Reliability record3
Value6
Daily output
Up to 35 lb
First batch
About 7 min
Water tank
1.1 L
Noise (maker claim)
43 dB
Footprint
12.2 x 8.3 x 11.0 in
  • Stainless body with a transparent panel to watch ice storage
  • 15-minute self-cleaning cycle and a stated 43 dB claim
  • Several owners praised customer service that replaced a faulty unit or a warped basket
  • Owners who like it call the ice right and say it keeps the basket full
  • Many owners say it stopped making ice within one to two months
  • Several describe it as very loud, and one said the sound became unbearable
  • One owner found gnats under the lid, and another lost the drain cap
  • One happy owner doubts the 35 lb/day figure, saying it makes enough for two people

What owners report

Among the owner reports we reviewed, the positive group said the ice is the right size and the machine is quick, and several singled out customer service for sending replacements without argument. The critical group described machines that failed after one to two months, noise loud enough to hear across the house, a lid that does not seal against insects, a lost drain cap, and support lines that did not connect. One owner said the claimed daily output is not realistic.

Verdict: Decent if service is your priority, but the failure reports are frequent. Keep your receipt and plan to use the support team if it quits.

The Kismile pairs a stainless body and a transparent panel with a 43 dB claim and a 15-minute cleaning cycle. What sets it apart is the owner feedback on support: several people said a faulty unit or a warped dishwasher-damaged basket was replaced promptly and without argument.

That goodwill is needed, because the failure reports are frequent. Many owners say it stopped making ice within one to two months, several call it very loud, and one said the sound became unbearable. One owner found gnats under the lid, and another lost the drain cap and could not reach the service line. If you buy it, keep your order paperwork handy.

Least proven: Crzoe HZB-15NH/S

Least proven

Crzoe Nugget Ice Maker HZB-15NH/S

by Crzoe

5.0our score

Best for: Buyers who want the newest listing and accept the gamble

Ice quality6
Output & capacity6
Noise & daily use5
Reliability record3
Value5
Daily output
Up to 35 lb
First batch
6-7 min
Water tank
1.1 L
Footprint
11.0 x 8.3 x 12.2 in
  • Same 35 lb/day and 1.1 L tank claims as the Euhomy and Kismile, with a 6-7 minute first batch
  • 15-minute self-clean cycle and one-button operation
  • Transparent window and scoop included
  • Owners who like it say it makes ice quickly and keeps it well
  • First listed in May 2026, so there is almost no track record
  • Owners report dead-on-arrival units or failures within days to six weeks, though many of those reports look older than this listing
  • Reports of fans that did not work or vibrated, and breaker trips during cleaning
  • Return costs and seller replacements were a problem for some owners

What owners report

In the owner reports we analyzed, the happy group called it a good little ice maker that produces a good amount of ice quickly, with one noting it does not heat up the room. The critical group described units that never turned on, stopped after days or weeks, a fan that would not cool, a breaker tripping mid-cycle, and sellers that would not replace defective units. Some of the reports look like they date from earlier versions of the listing, so read them as a pattern for the brand rather than this exact unit.

Verdict: The least proven machine here and the one with the most dead-unit reports. Only buy it where returns are free.

The Crzoe makes the same claims as the Kismile: 35 lb a day, a 6 to 7 minute first batch and a 1.1 L tank. It was first listed in May 2026, so there is almost no record, and the owner reports are the weakest and least reliable of the six. Buyers describe dead-on-arrival units or a failure within days to six weeks, though many of those reports appear older than this listing. One described a fan that did not work or vibrated, and another tripped a breaker during a cleaning cycle.

Owners who are happy say it makes ice quickly and does not heat up the room. A few of the owner reports appear to date from earlier versions of the listing, so treat them as a pattern for the brand. Given the return-shipping complaints, only buy it where returns are free.

Best for heavy use: GoveeLife H8120

Best for heavy use

GoveeLife Smart Nugget Ice Maker Pro H8120

by GoveeLife

7.0our score

Best for: Big households and entertainers who want high output, a dual-tank design and app scheduling

Ice quality9
Output & capacity10
Noise & daily use8
Reliability record4
Value4
Daily output
Up to 60 lb
First batch
About 6 min
Water tank
2.2 L plus a 4.9 L secondary tank
Noise (maker claim)
As low as 40 dB
Footprint
15.2 x 18.5 x 15.9 in
Weight
42.4 lb
  • Up to 60 lb/day and more than 15 lb of ice per fill
  • App, voice control and scheduling so it is not making ice all night
  • Claimed 40 dB with a noise-management feature
  • Two cleaning modes: 10 minutes for upkeep, 30 minutes for descaling
  • Owners praise genuinely chewy, compacted ice and quiet operation
  • Sits in the $400s, roughly three times the price of the others
  • Several owners received dead or leaking units, including one who got two
  • Reports of a broken internal pump and endless out-of-water errors
  • Large and heavy: about 15 by 18.5 inches on the counter, and hard to re-box for a return

What owners report

In the owner reports we analyzed, the happy group said it makes the real compacted nugget ice, is quiet, and lets them schedule production. Several who had worn out other countertop nugget makers said it beat them. The critical group described machines that were defective out of the box, leaks from the bottom, a pump that failed and out-of-water errors, support that did not reply, and a chemical taste in the ice for one owner. Several said the price made the defect more frustrating.

Verdict: The only pick for a household that runs ice all day, and the quietest claim. The price and the dead-on-arrival reports mean you should buy it where returns are simple.

The GoveeLife is a different class of machine. It claims 60 lb a day from a dual-tank design (2.2 L plus a 4.9 L secondary tank) that gives more than 15 lb of ice per fill, a 6-minute first batch, and a sound level as low as 40 dB. It also has an app with voice control and scheduling, plus two cleaning modes of 10 and 30 minutes.

It is large and heavy, at about 15 by 18.5 inches and 42.4 lb, so check the counter before you buy. It sits in the $400s, and owners say the ice is the real compacted nugget, not the small pebbles some cheaper machines make. Several owners who had burned through other countertop nugget makers said it beat them.

The catch is the dead-on-arrival rate. Multiple owners received leaking units, one got two bad units in a row, and another reported a broken internal pump. Support reports are mixed. It listed in March 2026, so there is no long-term data. Buy it for the output and the ice, and only where returns are simple.

Bartender pouring a drink into a glass with ice at a bar.
Nugget ice is the bar standard for a reason: it chills without over-diluting. · Photo by Gera Cejas on Pexels

Buying guide: how to choose a nugget ice maker

  1. Decide how much ice you really need. For one or two people with iced coffee and the odd cocktail, a 35 lb machine is plenty. The 60 lb GoveeLife makes sense for entertaining and large households.
  2. Plan for the bin. Because countertop bins are uninsulated, ice melts back into the tray. If you want to store ice, you need a freezer container or a machine you run on demand.
  3. Check the footprint. Five of the six fit in about 11 by 8 to 9 inches. The GoveeLife takes roughly 15 by 18.5 inches and weighs 42.4 lb.
  4. Look at the water. Owners say texture depends on the water you use, and scale is the main maintenance issue. Filtered water and regular descaling with citric acid are the best-documented habits.
  5. Take noise claims with salt. Only the Euhomy IM039, the Kismile and the GoveeLife state a decibel figure, and several owners say noise grew after a few months of use. If the machine sits in an open kitchen, noise matters more than a few extra pounds of output.
  6. Buy where returns are simple. The pattern across all six is early failure. Run the machine hard in the first two weeks, including a cleaning cycle, so you catch a defect inside the return window.
If you want Pick Why
A safe, cheap first machine Euhomy IM013 35 lb/day claim, compact, highest sales volume
A stated two-year warranty option Euhomy IM039 One year, two with registration, dual pump
The longest record Silonn SLIM17B Listed since 2023, one owner reports nearly three years
Support that replaces units Kismile Z5825NB Several owners praise replacements, but failure reports are frequent
A gamble on the newest listing Crzoe HZB-15NH/S Least proven, only buy with free returns
Heavy daily output GoveeLife H8120 60 lb/day claim, 2.2 L plus 4.9 L tanks, 40 dB claim

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Frequently asked questions

Which nugget ice maker lasts the longest?

No countertop model in the owner reports we analyzed is a clear winner. The Silonn has the longest listing history (since 2023), and one owner said theirs ran almost three years before it quit. The newer listings have too little history to say. Across all six, regular descaling and filtered water are the best-documented ways to get more life out of it.

Are nugget ice makers worth it?

They are if you care about the ice itself: nugget ice is soft, chewable and cools drinks fast without much dilution. Owners who like them use them daily for iced coffee, cocktails and water bottles. They are not worth it if you want a set-and-forget appliance, since every model here has owners who report leaks, noise or an early failure.

Do nugget ice makers keep the ice frozen?

Not well. Owners of several models say the bin is not insulated, so ice melts and cycles back through the machine. The usual workaround is to move the ice to a freezer container as it is made, or to run the machine only when you need ice.

Does a nugget ice maker need cleaning?

Yes. Every model here has a self-cleaning cycle, and the listed run times go from about 10 to 30 minutes, and owners recommend descaling with citric acid or the maker's cleaner. Several owners say a new machine needs several cleaning cycles before it stops smelling, and that water quality affects the ice texture.

Are the 35 lb per day claims realistic?

Treat them as a ceiling. One Kismile owner said the figure does not match what the machine produces but that it makes enough for two people. The claim is the maker's, measured under its own conditions, and the small bins mean you will never actually have 35 lb on hand.

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