GE Ice Maker Guide: Which Opal Nugget Ice Machine Suits Your Counter?
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If you typed “ge ive maker” into a search bar, you almost certainly meant a GE ice maker, and on the countertop that usually means the GE Profile Opal. GE Appliances is known for the Opal line because it makes nugget ice, the soft, chewable little pellets many people know from fast-food drinks and coffee shops. Nugget ice is made by pressing thin flakes of ice together, which is why it crunches easily and soaks up the flavor of your drink.
The GE models below differ mainly in size, daily output and whether they come with a side tank (an extra water container that clips on so you refill less often), and we also cover a renewed Opal and one non-GE cube maker from Igloo that appears in the same search results.
GE Nugget Ice Makers Compared
| Model | Ice Per Day | Ice Bin | Side Tank | First Batch |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Opal Mini | Up to 36 lbs | 2 lbs | No | 5 minutes or less |
| Opal Mini Pro | Up to 36 lbs | 2 lbs | Yes, size not fully listed | 5 minutes or less |
| Opal Ultra (Amazon Exclusive) | Up to 38 lbs | 3 lbs | 1 gallon | About 10 minutes |
| Opal 2.0 Ultra | Up to 38 lbs | Not listed | 0.75 gallon | 10 minutes or less |
| Opal Nugget Ice Maker (Renewed) | Up to 24 lbs | 3 lbs | Yes | 15 minutes or less |
| Igloo Countertop (not GE) | 26 lbs of cubes | 1 lb | No | Nine cubes in 7 minutes |
GE Profile Opal Mini Nugget Ice for Small Counters
Best for: Nugget ice on a tighter budget
Pros
- Side tank included
- 3 lb bin
- Auto-refill recirculation
Cons
- Only 90-day warranty
- 24 lbs per day, slowest here
Profile
GE Profile Opal 2.0 Ultra Nugget Ice Maker with .75 Gallon Side Tank and Scale Inhibiting Filter, Scoop Included, 38 lbs in 24 Hours, Pellet Ice Machine with WiFi & Smart Connected, Stainless Steel…
Price and specifications are read from the Amazon product page and can change.
GE Profile Opal 2.0 Ultra Nugget
Best for: Design-minded buyers wanting smart features
Pros
- 75-gallon side tank
- Scale-inhibiting filter
- Touch display
- Metal scoop with magnetic holder
Cons
- Smaller tank than Opal Ultra
- Warranty wording unclear
Best for: Families and frequent entertainers
Pros
- 38 lbs per day
- 1-gallon side tank
- 3 lb bin
- Filter and descaler included
Cons
- First batch takes about 10 minutes
Best for: Mini size with fewer refills
Pros
- Side tank design
- Colored bin lighting
- Descaling filter included
- First ice in 5 minutes
Cons
- Wider than the Mini
- 2 lb bin
Best for: Small kitchens and first nugget ice
Pros
- First ice in 5 minutes
- 30% smaller footprint
- Wi-Fi scheduling
- Six descaler packs included
Cons
- No side tank
- 2 lb bin
The GE Profile Opal Mini Nugget Ice maker is the compact entry point to the Opal family. It measures 8.6 inches wide, 15.6 inches deep and 14.56 inches tall, and GE says it is 30% smaller than the original Opal. Despite the smaller body, it makes up to 36 pounds of ice a day, about 1.5 pounds an hour, with the first batch ready in five minutes or less.
You pour water in from the top, which is easier than pulling out a reservoir. The 2 pound bin fills itself and stops when full, and melted ice is filtered and recirculated to make new ice. Built-in Wi-Fi connects to the SmartHQ app so you can schedule ice production, get maintenance alerts and update software, and it also works with Amazon and Google voice devices. For upkeep, there is a hidden front drain tube, a Drain and Dry system that clears leftover water between cycles to limit mineral build-up, and a front slot to store the included six-pack of descaler. A scoop and drip tray are also in the box, and the warranty is a limited one year.
This is the easiest pick for apartments, dorm-style kitchenettes and gift-givers who want a small, smart machine. If the person drinks a lot of iced drinks and hates refilling, the Mini Pro or Ultra make more sense.
GE Profile Opal MINI PRO Nugget for Fewer Refills
The GE Profile Opal MINI PRO Nugget ice maker is the Mini with a side tank and a few extras. It shares the Mini’s 36 pounds per day, 1.5 pounds per hour, five-minute first batch, top-fill station, Wi-Fi control, front drain tube and Drain and Dry system. The listing gives its size as 11.6 inches wide, 15.6 deep and 14.56 tall, so it is about three inches wider than the Mini, which makes sense with a tank on the side.
The product description refers to an included half-gallon side tank, although the text is cut off, so we cannot confirm every detail of how it attaches. Other extras are clearly listed: colored ice bin lighting you can customize in the SmartHQ app, a stainless steel finish, and a descaling filter alongside the six descaler packs, scoop and drip tray. The bin still holds 2 pounds, and the warranty is a limited one year.
Choose the Mini Pro if you like the Mini’s size but want to refill less often, or want a fun lighting touch for a home bar. For bigger households, the Ultra’s larger bin and tank are a better match.
GE Profile Opal Ultra for Families and Parties
The GE Profile Opal Ultra is an Amazon Exclusive model built for higher demand. It makes up to 38 pounds of nugget ice a day, about 1.6 pounds an hour, and stores it in a removable 3 pound bin. The first batch takes about 10 minutes, slightly longer than the Mini models.
Its headline feature is a 1-gallon XL side tank. GE says the tank can make up to three times more ice than standard models before you need to refill, and it detaches for filling and cleaning. No water line is needed, which means you do not have to connect it to your plumbing. Wi-Fi and the SmartHQ app let you start or schedule ice, get cleaning reminders and receive updates, and it works with Alexa and Google Home. The LED display dims when idle, the stainless steel finish is designed to fit under most cabinets, and a water filter plus descaling powder are included. It is rated at 300 watts with a limited one-year warranty.
This is the model for families, home entertainers and office breakrooms. If counter space is tight or the ice is for one person, the Mini is the more sensible fit.
GE Profile Opal 2.0 Ultra Nugget for a Premium Finish
The GE Profile Opal 2.0 Ultra Nugget ice maker matches the Opal Ultra’s output of up to 38 pounds a day and 1.6 pounds an hour under the listing’s test conditions. The listing is also honest that output drops to 32 pounds a day in a hotter room with warmer water, which is a good reminder that any ice maker slows down in a warm kitchen.
It comes with a 0.75-gallon removable side tank, a scale-inhibiting filter to reduce mineral build-up, a premium stainless steel scoop and a magnetic scoop holder. A touch display lets you turn it on and off, check its status, start a cleaning cycle and connect to Wi-Fi, and it darkens when not in use. GE describes an advanced cleaning system that helps sanitize and descale when used regularly. The listing gives 150 watts and 120 volts, but it does not specify the bin size, and the warranty field simply says “1” without clarifying the length.
Pick the 2.0 Ultra if you want a polished look, a metal scoop and a touch display. If the biggest tank matters most, the Amazon Exclusive Ultra’s 1-gallon tank is larger.
GE Profile Opal Nugget Ice Maker (Renewed) for Value Seekers
The GE Profile Opal Nugget Ice Maker in this listing is a renewed unit, and that word matters. Renewed means it was returned or used, then refurbished by the manufacturer and tested before being resold. The listing describes it as an original Opal 1.0, model OPAL01GEWKT, with limited signs of wear, and it is backed by a 90-day warranty rather than the one-year warranty on the new models above.
It makes up to 24 pounds of nugget ice a day, the lowest output of the GE models here, with the first batch in 15 minutes or less. A side tank is included for roughly three times more ice before refilling, the bin holds 3 pounds, and a recirculating system sends melted ice back to the reservoir and refills automatically. It measures 14.25 inches wide, 17.25 tall and 15.5 deep. The listing gives a weight of 47 pounds, which seems heavy next to the other Opals, so treat that figure with some caution.
This unit suits someone who wants genuine Opal nugget ice and is comfortable with a shorter warranty. As a gift, a new Mini is the safer choice.
Igloo Ice Maker Countertop as a Non-GE Cube Alternative
Best for: Clear cubes for picnics and RVs
Pros
- Nine cubes in seven minutes
- Two cube sizes
- Self-cleaning cycle
Cons
- Not a GE product
- Makes cubes, not nugget ice
To be clear, the Igloo Ice Maker Countertop is not a GE product. The listing names Igloo as the brand and Nostalgia as the manufacturer, and it makes bullet-shaped cubes, not nugget ice. We include it because it shows up next to GE in searches and suits a different buyer.
It makes 26 pounds of ice a day, nine cubes in about seven minutes, with a choice of small or large cubes. The basket holds 1 pound and the machine stops when full. An LED panel tells you when to add water or empty the basket, and there is an auto-clean cycle. The listing is inconsistent on a couple of numbers: it mentions both a 1-quart and a 1.5-quart tank, and both a 120-watt motor and a 180-watt rating. It comes in aqua and is portable enough for picnics and RVs.
Choose the Igloo if you want regular cubes for a cooler or camper. If chewable nugget ice is the goal, stay with an Opal. For more cube options, see our guide to countertop cube ice makers.
How to Choose the Right GE Ice Maker
Start with how much ice you use. For one or two people, the Opal Mini or Mini Pro at 36 pounds a day is plenty. For families and parties, the Opal Ultra or Opal 2.0 Ultra at 38 pounds a day with a bigger tank keeps up better.
Next, think about refills. A side tank is the biggest convenience upgrade: the Ultra’s 1 gallon is the largest listed, the 2.0 Ultra has 0.75 gallon, and the Mini has none. Then measure your counter. The Mini is 8.6 inches wide, the Mini Pro 11.6 inches, and the renewed Opal 14.25 inches wide.
Finally, weigh warranty and condition. New Opals list a limited one-year warranty, while the renewed unit has 90 days. If you are still comparing brands, our look at other nugget ice makers covers alternatives.
FAQ
What is nugget ice?
Nugget ice, also called pellet, pebble or sonic ice, is made from flakes of ice pressed together. It is softer and easier to chew than hard cubes and absorbs the flavor of your drink.
Does a GE Opal need a water line?
No. You pour water into the reservoir or side tank. The Opal Ultra listing states that no water line is required.
What is the difference between the GE Opal Mini and Mini Pro?
Both make up to 36 pounds a day with a 2 pound bin. The Mini Pro adds a side tank, customizable bin lighting, a stainless finish and a descaling filter, and it is about three inches wider.
Which GE Opal makes the most ice?
The Opal Ultra and Opal 2.0 Ultra both list up to 38 pounds per day. The Ultra has the larger 1-gallon side tank and a 3 pound bin.
Do GE Opal ice makers work with Alexa?
The Mini, Mini Pro and Ultra listings mention Amazon and Google voice control through the SmartHQ app. The 2.0 Ultra lists Wi-Fi, and the renewed unit’s listing does not mention voice control.
Is a renewed GE Opal a good buy?
It can be if you accept a 90-day warranty and lower output of 24 pounds a day. For a gift, a new model with a one-year warranty gives more peace of mind.
