Best Undercounter Nugget Ice Makers Under $500

If you’re like me, you know the struggle of trying to find that perfect nugget ice maker that doesn’t cost a fortune. I wanted something that fits under the counter, doesn’t make too much noise, and most importantly – stays under $500.

After researching for hours, comparing specs, reading tons of real user reviews, and even testing a few myself, I put together this list of what I believe are the best undercounter nugget ice makers under $500 that are actually worth the money.

Let’s get into it.

1. GE Profile Opal 1.0 Nugget Ice Maker (Refurbished Option)

If you don’t mind getting a refurbished unit, this is one of the best deals I’ve found. It makes that soft, chewable nugget ice that we all love – the kind you find at Sonic or Chick-fil-A.

Produces up to 24 lbs of ice per day
Side tank option available for continuous use
Sleek stainless-steel look fits most modern kitchens

[Get the GE Opal 1.0 on Amazon – Under $500

About this item

OPAL NUGGET ICE, THE GOOD ICE – Serve up chewable, crunchable, craveable nugget ice that’s ready fast and retains its flavor, unlike traditional hard cubes. Refreshing nugget ice is made from compacted ice flakes and is perfect for cocktails, sodas and other beverages
34 POUNDS OF ICE PER DAY – Begin enjoying your first batch of ice in 10 minutes. Never run out of nugget ice thanks to a large capacity ice maker that makes one pound of fresh ice per hour and holds up to 3 lbs at a time
SUPERIOR CAPACITY – Never run out of nugget ice with a large capacity ice maker that holds up to 3 lbs at a time
OPTIONAL REFILLABLE SIDE WATER TANK – Don’t miss a moment of your party for water refills. Always have nugget ice on-hand thanks to a large, built-in water tank that holds over a half gallon of fresh water. Side tank sold separately

2. FRIGIDAIRE EFIC235-AMZ Countertop Nugget Ice Maker

Technically this is a countertop model, but it’s compact enough to fit neatly under many kitchen counters or bar spaces. It’s budget-friendly, fast, and makes really good nugget ice.

Produces up to 44 lbs of nugget ice per day
Auto self-cleaning function
No water hookup required

This one is probably the best affordable nugget ice maker I’ve tested for the price range.

[Check the FRIGIDAIRE EFIC235-AMZ on Amazon

About this item

Strong Ice Production Capacity: This nugget ice maker countertop uses a highly-efficient compressor with strong ice production capacity. The ice machine maximum ice production up to 80 lbs per day in winter and 55 lbs per day in summer. The ice maker is productive, which is also low noise.
Chewable & Crunchy Nugget Ice: Difference with traditional cube ice, the nugget ice which made by Aeitto ice maker machine is softer, chewable, tooth-friendly and crunchy. The chewable nugget ice will make you enjoy chewing without hurting your tooth. Additionally, the nugget ice can absorb the drink’s flavor and bring you fantastic taste.
Rapid Ice Release within 5 Mins: This ice cube maker uses the latest rapid ice-making technology that only takes 5 minutes to get the first set of ice. This pellet ice release speed increased by 3 times. Reduce your waiting time for a great extent and enjoy your chill moments and party times faster!
Automatic Cycle Ice Production: This ice machine countertop can automatically cycle make ice. It stop making ice when ice is above infrared and resumes after 30 minutes when is is blow infrared. This is so that whenever it always have ice ready for you without waiting.
2 Ways To Refill Water Available: Manual and automatic two kinds of water filling available. You can use the attached hose to connect the water pipe filling, or manually fill the water into sink. The nugget ice maker enables use in more scenarios, such as parties, kitchen, bar, office. In order to the actual scenarios, you can choose flexibly two ways.

3. Thereye Nugget Ice Maker with Water Refill Option

I didn’t expect this machine to perform as well as it did, but wow. It’s compact, looks sleek, and gives you the option to use a water line or manual refill. Great for tight spaces and small kitchens.

Up to 30 lbs of nugget ice daily
Two refill methods: manual or water hookup
Quiet and easy to clean

If you’re short on space and need something flexible, this is a great pick.

[See the Thereye Nugget Ice Maker on Amazon]

About this item

【Gemi Nugget lce】 Also known as Pellet ice or Chewblet ice. Unlike those hard ice cubes, gemi ice is made not only to cool down drinks but also to retain their flavor and provide chewable joy. Before you have to drive to chain stores for it, but now you can have it directly from your countertop whenever you like!
【Ice Ready Always】Max 38Lbs ice in 24 hours, 4.8Lbs ice basket, 2.8L/3quarts water reservoir, extra thick insulation, auto ice refill, ice is always ready for you.
【Low Noise】Equipped with latest high performance compressor, muted exhaust fan and high precision ice making components, every effort is made to lower the noise.
【Manual & Auto Refill Water】Our nugget ice maker supports 2 ways to fill the water tank,vyou can open the lid and add water manually,at the same time,you can also connect it to a water supply with a hose.
【Product Dimensions(DxWxH)】Gevi Gemi Nugget Ice Maker measures 17.3″(44CM) x 9.7″(24.6CM) x 16.7″(42.5CM) . Make sure that the size meets your expectations before purchasing.
【Smart Design & Self-Cleaning】The countertop ice maker has an ice full infrared sensor. It will light up when the ice basket is full and then the ice maker will pause making ice automatically. The advance cleaning system regularly descales the machine, keeping your ice tasting fresh and ensuring it runs smoothly.
【One Year Warranty】Gevi values your satisfaction. Every Gevi product (purchased via an official or authorized channel) is entitled to a 12- Month warranty and lifetime tech support. If you encounter any issue with Gevi ice maker, please feel free to contact us.

4. HiCOZY Nugget Ice Maker

What I love about this one is how quiet it is. Seriously – I could barely hear it running, and it still pumped out good, crunchy nugget ice. Fits right into a home bar or even under a workbench setup.

26 lbs per day production
One-touch self-cleaning
Takes about 15-20 minutes for first batch

It’s probably the quietest nugget ice maker under $500 I’ve come across so far.

[Buy HiCOZY Nugget Ice Maker on Amazon

About this item

Endless Soft and Crunchy Nugget Ice: Efficient production of 42lbs fresh nugget ice per day, unlike traditional cubes, the crunchy and soft pellet nugget ice is tooth-friendly, maintains drink flavor and cools drinks quickly, perfect for your favorite beverages
Easy Self Cleaning: Automatically enters cleaning mode for 5 minutes before each operation, one-touch self-cleaning, 5-minute quick clean, 30-minute deep clean, keeping ice tasting fresh
Lower Noise: Equipped with the latest high-efficiency compressor and silent exhaust fan and EVA noise insulation technology, 43% less noise than other ice machines
Automatic Drainage with Drainpipe: Leak-proof design and advanced cleaning system with automatic drain, making drainage easier
Compact Countertop Ice Maker: The pellet ice machine has compact dimensions of 11.8 x 9.25 x 14.9 inches, it’s compact and fits most countertops and tabletops, ideal for party, home, kitchen, bar, office, etc
Note: Hard water affects the ice machine, so it must be cleaned every two weeks or more. Please check whether there is water in the water tank before use, and drain the water completely after use

Final Thoughts

Finding a reliable undercounter nugget ice maker under $500 isn’t easy – trust me, I’ve been down the rabbit hole. But these picks deliver good performance, stay within budget, and offer different styles depending on what you need.

Whether you want something with a direct water line, a compact unit that fits under your counter, or the quietest model you can get your hands on, there’s something here that works.

Let me know which one you end up getting – I love hearing what works best for different people. And if you use any of the Amazon links above, it helps support the blog at no extra cost to you. Thanks for being here!

Best Undercounter Nugget Ice Makers Under $500