Do you dream of that perfect, chewable ice, the kind that makes every sip of your drink feel like a mini-vacation? That soft, crunchy nugget ice is a game-changer, but finding a refrigerator that delivers it can feel like searching for buried treasure. Many people want this amazing ice, but they get stuck when looking at all the different models. How do you know which one is reliable? Which one fits your kitchen? It’s easy to feel overwhelmed by all the features and brand names.
This confusion stops now. We cut through the noise to bring you the best information about refrigerators that make this coveted ice. By the end of this guide, you will know exactly what to look for, what features matter most, and which models stand out from the crowd. Get ready to ditch those hard, clunky ice cubes forever. Let’s dive in and find your perfect nugget ice companion!
Top Refrigerator With Nugget Ice Maker Recommendations
No. 1
Kenmore 36" Side-by-Side Refrigerator with Freezer - Accela Chill, Water & Ice Dispenser, Adjustable Glass Shelves, ENERGY STAR Certified, 20 cu. ft. Capacity - Fingerprint Resistant Stainless Steel
- Counter Depth, Large Capacity: This 36-inch, counter-depth refrigerator offers 20 cu. ft. of space-saving storage, maximizing your kitchen’s footprint while providing ample room for fresh and frozen foods - perfect for families and entertaining
- Chill & Multi-Flow Air System: Quickly cool groceries with a dedicated chill feature, and enjoy even temperature throughout with a multi-flow air system for fresh food on every shelf
- Water & Ice Dispenser with Water Filter: Enjoy fresh, filtered water and cubed or crushed ice instantly with a factory-installed ice maker and dispenser. Every drink tastes pure—perfect for any kitchen
- Adjustable, Edge-to-Edge Glass Shelves: Sleek, spill-proof glass shelving stretches from edge to edge for a modern finish and flexible storage. Easily customize your refrigerator interior to fit platters, jugs
- ENERGY STAR Certified: Bright LED lighting illuminates every area, so food never gets lost, while the inverter compressor runs quietly and efficiently; the fingerprint-resistant finish keeps your refrigerator stylish
No. 2
Kenmore 4675525 30' French Door Refrigerator with Freezer - Accela Chill, Ice Maker, Adjustable Glass Shelves, ENERGY STAR Certified, 17.5 cu. ft. Capacity - Fingerprint Resistant Stainless Steel
- Counter-Depth Space Saver: This 30-inch counter-depth refrigerator offers 17.5 cu ft. of ample storage, saving space and giving your kitchen a sleek, built-in look
- Chill & Multi-Flow Air System: Quickly cool groceries with a dedicated chill feature, and enjoy even temperature throughout with a multi-flow air system for fresh food on every shelf
- Gallon Door Bins & Organization: Six gallon-size bins fit large bottles, and a two-tier freezer drawer keeps frozen items organized and easy to access for busy families
- Factory-Installed Ice Maker & LED Lighting: Enjoy ice on demand with the built-in ice maker plus bright, long-lasting LED lighting for easy visibility, day or night
- Fingerprint-Resistant & ENERGY STAR Certified: The stainless steel finish resists fingerprints, and ENERGY STAR certification plus an inverter compressor help reduce energy costs
No. 3
Kenmore 36" French Door Refrigerator with Freezer - Accela Chill, Adjustable Shelving, Dual Evaporator, ENERGY STAR Certified, 28.6 cu. ft. Capacity - Fingerprint Resistant Stainless Steel
- Counter Depth with Extra Large Capacity: This 36-inch French door refrigerator offers 28.6 cu. ft. of storage in a sleek, space-saving counter-depth design. Two gallon door bins and a full-width pantry drawer maximize space for family meals or parties
- Rapid Cooling with Accela Chill + Inverter Compressor: Accela Chill boosts fan speed to quickly cool groceries. The Inverter Compressor maintains a consistent temperature with less noise and wear for long-term performance and efficiency
- Filtered Water & Ice Dispenser: Enjoy great-tasting, NSF-certified filtered water and up to 3 lbs. of cubed or crushed ice per day, all at the touch of a button. A built-in water filter offers peace of mind for the whole family
- Custom Storage: Crispers, Foldable Shelf, Snack Drawer: Humidity-controlled crispers keep produce fresh. A foldable sliding shelf creates vertical space for tall items, and the multi-functional drawer is ideal for snacks or delicate foods
- ENERGY STAR Certified + Even Cooling System: ENERGY STAR Certified to help reduce utility bills. Dual evaporators and a Multi-Flow Air System maintain optimal temperature and humidity throughout the fridge and freezer
No. 4
Kismile Nugget Ice Makers Countertop,Portable Ice Machine with Crushed Ice, 35lbs/Day,Self-Cleaning,One-Click Operation for Home Use(Silver)
- 【Rapid Ice Production】New Nugget ice maker machine is remarkably efficient! With its 1.1L water tank, it produces 35 pounds of ice within 24 hours. Our countertop ice maker machine churns out the first batch in just 7 minutes,ensuring continuous and rapid ice-making. No more trips to the store for ice!
- 【Effortless Care, Uninterrupted Freshness】Bid farewell to laborious cleaning tasks. A mere 5-second press of the ON/OFF button activates the pebble ice maker machine's self-cleaning feature. In just 15 minutes, a brand-new ice maker emerges, ready to serve you with fresh ice.
- 【Chewable Nugget Ice】Crafted by crushed ice maker, chewable nugget ice stands apart. Its delightful crunchiness arises from compacted, layered ice flakes, boasting a slow melt and superior texture. Ideal for slushies, cocktails, sodas, and more, it preserves the authentic flavors like no other ice.
- 【Quiet and User-Friendly】Portable ice maker rigorously tested in a noise-controlled environment, producing a mere 43 DB to ensure a tranquil atmosphere for any occasion.Plus, Sonic ice maker's intuitive LED indicators keep you informed about water levels, ice production, and self-cleaning status, making ice preparation a breeze.
- 【Compact Countertop Ice Maker】 It's more than a ice machine; it's a modern work of art. With dimensions of 12.8" x 11.22" x 8.86", Small ice maker's stylish design adds an elegant touch to any space. The transparent casing lets you check ice storage at a glance, and you can savor ice with the included scoop.
No. 5
KoolMore 30-Inch and 18.5 cu. ft. Counter Depth French Door Refrigerator with Three Doors and Deep Freezer in Stainless-Steel (KM-RERFDSS-18C)
- Premium French Door Refrigerator – The KoolMore Stainless-Steel Refrigerator Provides All The Storage And Accessibility You Need With Plenty Of Room For Food And Drinks, And Double Crispers With Humidity Control
- Spacious Capacity And Adjustable Shelving – At 18.5 Cu. Ft. This Refrigerator Clearance Lines Up With Your Kitchen Counters But Still Provides Two Large Freezer Drawers, 6 Door Bins, And Adjustable Glass Shelving For All Your Food Items.
- Modern Stainless-Steel Design – A Flat Finish With Easy-Open Handles This Counter Depth French Door Refrigerator Fits In Seamlessly With Your Other Appliances And Sits At Just The Right Height And Depth For Contemporary Kitchens
- Precision Temperature Control Designed with a double-flow cooling system and digital temperature control our stainless-steel fridge offers equal distribution of cool temperatures to keep fruit, vegetables, and meat fresher, longer.
No. 6
EUHOMY Nugget Ice Maker Countertop with Handle, Ready in 6 Mins, 34lbs Per Day, Removable Top Cover, Auto-Cleaning, Portable Sonic Ice Maker with Basket and Scoop, for Home/Party/RV/Camping (Black)
- 6 MINS ICE-MAKING & NUGGET ICE: Quench your thirst fast with efficient EUHOMY nugget ice maker! You can enjoy fresh sonic ice and cold drinks in 6 to 8 mins. Featuring a 1.2Qt water tank, it easily makes up to 34 lbs of ice daily and has a 1.8 lbs removeable basket. The unique, crunchy soft pellet ice won't hurt your hands or mouth and cools drinks quickly while retaining their taste, providing a joyfully chewable experience. It's so perfect for icing coffee, smoothies and munching on ice as a snack
- COMPACT & PORTABLE DESIGN: Our nugget ice maker has a sturdy handle, a compact size (LWH) of 9.45x11.61x12.99 inch and pretty light weight. Those features make our pebble ice maker easy to carry and so excellent for any occasions such as Home/Office/Camping/Party/Bar/RV. Another user-friendly design is the ice scoop holder on the back that allows easy storage when not in use, the large viewing window allows direct monitoring of the ice-making process. Buy now and enjoy refreshing drinks all summer long
- SMART & AUTO-CLEANING: Unlike other ice makers that run in cycles, aging the internals. EUHOMY nugget ice maker features "ICE FULL" indicator to stop ice-making and remind you to take out ice. The "ADD WATER" will alert you to add water. Pellet ice maker will run a 15 mins self-cleaning by a simple press the "Ice/Clean" for 3s after adding water. The top cover is also easily lifted for more thorough cleaning. Our double cleaning design provides a safe and clean ice-making experience
- QUIETER & ENERGY-SAVING: Our countertop nugget ice maker excellent at refrigeration while running at less than 50 dB noise, ensuring a comfortable and quiet environment for working or sleeping. With its low energy consumption of about 3 kWh/Daily, you'll save more on electricity bills while enjoying refreshing drinks. And by choosing our ice maker, you'll wow your guests before they try delicious sonic ice
- ETL CERTIFICATION & SERVICE PROMISE: Our nugget ice maker is ETL certified to promise safety. You can use pebble ice maker with confidence. Our mission is to provide premium ice makers at reasonable prices. We offer 1-year after-sales service from the original purchase date & technical support. Suppose you have any questions about using our pellet ice maker, please reach out to us anytime! Our customer teams are always ready to help you with anything you need
No. 7
SenCre Nugget Ice Maker 40lbs/Day, Countertop Ice Maker Soft Chewable Ice, Ice Makers One-Click & Self-Cleaning, Crushed Pellet Ice Machine with Scoop&Basket for Home/Kitchen/Office, Stainless Silver
- 5-Minute Ice: Ready in Minutes: Experience quick and efficient ice production with SenCre high-performance ice maker. Equipped with a 1 L water tank and a reliable compressor, it can produce up to 40 lbs of ice per day. Your first batch of soft, fresh ice is ready in just 5 minutes. Ideal for family gatherings or daily use, this ice machine provides a steady supply of chewable ice without long waiting times.
- Soft Chewable Nugget Ice: This ice maker produces chewable nugget ice using specialized technology. The resulting ice is soft and elastic, making it enjoyable to chew while preserving the original flavor of your beverages. Whether paired with juice, soda, or cocktails, it delivers a satisfying and refreshing experience.
- Self-Cleaning Function: Maintain hygiene with the built-in self-cleaning feature. With just a button press, the machine automatically cleans the interior, removing residues and ensuring safe, fresh-tasting ice every time. This function simplifies maintenance, making it ideal for busy households.
- Compact & Space-Saving Design: Featuring a sleek and space-saving design, this countertop ice maker fits seamlessly into various settings, including kitchens, bars, and offices. Its compact dimensions of 7.28 ′′ ×13.0 ′′ ×12.68 ′′ allow it to blend into any environment while adding functional elegance.
- Easy to Use & Complete Set: Operate the ice maker easily with the one-touch control. It comes with helpful accessories: a 2-pound ice basket, an ice scoop, and a drip tray for convenient scoop storage. The included drain hose ensures smooth and leak-free drainage, offering added convenience and peace of mind.
No. 8
Kenmore 36" French Door Refrigerator with Freezer - Accela Chill, Adjustable Shelving, Humidity Controlled Crispers, ENERGY STAR Certified, 20.3 cu. ft. Capacity, Fingerprint Resistant Stainless Steel
- Counter Depth, Space-Saving Capacity: This 36-inch counter-depth French door refrigerator offers 20.3 cu. ft. of interior space in a sleek, built-in look that fits flush with cabinetry—ideal for a modern kitchen layout
- Quick Cooling with Accela Chill + Inverter Compressor: Accela Chill blasts cold air to cool fresh groceries fast. The Inverter Compressor maintains even temps with less noise and wear, helping your food stay fresher longer
- Customizable Storage with Pantry Drawer: A full-width pantry drawer holds party platters and deli trays. Adjustable glass shelving, deep gallon door bins, and humidity-controlled crispers let you organize food your way
- Factory-Installed Icemaker + LED Lighting: A built-in icemaker produces up to 4 lbs. of crescent ice daily. Bright, energy-saving LED lighting helps you find what you need without wasting energy or space
- ENERGY STAR Certified + Even Cooling System: This ENERGY STAR certified fridge uses a Multi-Flow Air System and Dual Evaporator technology to circulate cold air evenly across shelves - keeping fruits, veggies, and leftovers at ideal temps
Your Guide to the Best Refrigerator with a Nugget Ice Maker
Do you love those soft, chewable ice cubes? They are often called “nugget ice” or “Sonic ice.” A refrigerator with a built-in nugget ice maker brings this treat right to your kitchen. Buying one can be exciting, but you need to know what to look for. This guide will help you choose the perfect model.
Key Features to Look For
A great nugget ice maker fridge offers more than just cold storage. Pay close attention to these features:
- Ice Production Rate: How much ice can it make in 24 hours? If you host parties often, you need a high rate (like 25 lbs or more).
- Ice Storage Capacity: How much ice can the bin hold? A bigger bin means less frequent refilling.
- Ice Type Selection: Some models let you switch between nugget ice and regular cubed ice. This offers flexibility.
- Water Filtration: Good water filtration is vital for great-tasting ice. Look for NSF-certified filters that are easy to change.
- Smart Features: Some newer fridges offer Wi-Fi connectivity to monitor ice levels or order new filters.
Important Materials for Longevity
The materials used affect how long your fridge lasts and how easy it is to clean.
- Stainless Steel Finish: This is popular because it looks good. However, look for “fingerprint-resistant” stainless steel. Standard steel shows smudges easily.
- Durable Ice Maker Components: The actual ice-making mechanism should use strong, food-grade plastics and metals. Cheaper plastic parts can crack over time.
- Interior Shelving: Glass shelves are better than wire shelves. Glass is easy to wipe clean and prevents small items from falling through.
Factors That Improve or Reduce Quality
Not all nugget ice makers are created equal. Some factors seriously impact your experience.
Quality Boosters:
- Automatic Cleaning Cycles: These cycles keep the internal components fresh without you scrubbing them constantly.
- Quiet Operation: Ice makers can sometimes be noisy. Check reviews to see if the crushing and dispensing sounds are low.
- Flexible Installation: Some units require specific water line hookups. Flexible plumbing options make setup easier.
Quality Reducers:
- Slow Thaw Rate: If the fridge temperature fluctuates too much, the ice melts quickly inside the bin.
- Difficult Access: If the ice bin is hard to reach or remove for cleaning, you will avoid using the feature.
- High Energy Use: Ice makers use extra power. Look for an Energy Star rating to keep electricity bills down.
User Experience and Use Cases
Think about how you will actually use the fridge. These appliances are perfect for several situations.
- Everyday Sipping: If you drink iced coffee or soda all day, having instant nugget ice is a game-changer.
- Entertaining Guests: Serving drinks with premium ice impresses visitors. You will not need separate ice buckets.
- Kitchen Layout: Measure your space carefully. These refrigerators are often wider or deeper than standard models because they house the ice machinery.
A refrigerator with a nugget ice maker is a luxury appliance. By focusing on production rate, build materials, and ease of use, you ensure you buy a machine that brings you joy (and chewable ice) for years to come.
10 Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) About Nugget Ice Maker Refrigerators
Q: How is nugget ice different from regular ice?
A: Nugget ice is soft, chewable, and made of compressed ice flakes. Regular ice is hard, clear, and made in rigid molds or tubes.
Q: Do these refrigerators take up more space inside?
A: Yes, the ice-making components take up some freezer or refrigerator space. Check the cubic footage specifications carefully before buying.
Q: How often do I need to clean the nugget ice maker?
A: Most manufacturers recommend a deep clean every six months. Many modern units have a self-cleaning cycle to help maintain freshness between deep cleans.
Q: Is the nugget ice maker noisy?
A: Noise levels vary by brand. The crushing mechanism can make a distinct sound. It is best to read user reviews focusing specifically on operational noise.
Q: Can I turn the nugget ice maker off if I don’t need it?
A: Usually, yes. Most models include a control panel setting that allows you to pause ice production to save energy or if the bin is full.
Q: What is the typical cost difference between a fridge with and without this feature?
A: Refrigerators with built-in nugget ice makers are generally more expensive. They are considered premium appliances, often costing several hundred dollars more than base models.
Q: Does the ice maker need a dedicated water line?
A: Yes. Like standard in-door ice dispensers, the nugget ice maker requires a connection to your home’s cold water supply line.
Q: Will the ice melt if the power goes out?
A: All ice will eventually melt. Nugget ice, because it is less dense, may melt slightly faster than large, solid cubes if the power is off for an extended time.
Q: Are replacement filters difficult to find?
A: No. If you buy a major brand (like GE or Whirlpool), replacement water filters are widely available online and in appliance stores.
Q: Can I use this feature on a French door model?
A: Yes. Nugget ice makers are commonly found in French door styles, but they are also available in side-by-side and bottom-freezer configurations.