WhichOneToGet
Compare Β· Updated 19 Oct 2026

Igloo 26 lb Self-Cleaning Ice Maker with Handle vs GE Profile Opal 2.0 Ultra Nugget Ice Maker with Side Tank

Get the Igloo 26 lb Ice Maker. Unless you love nugget ice and have little counter space β€” then the Opal 2.0 Ultra, if you can live with the noise.

Igloo 26 lb Self-Cleaning Ice Maker with Handle
Our pick

Igloo 26 lb Self-Cleaning Ice Maker with Handle

A cheap, quiet ice maker that makes bullet ice in minutes, cleans itself and has a carry handle. The basket is small, so you'll empty it often.

GE Profile Opal 2.0 Ultra Nugget Ice Maker with Side Tank

GE Profile Opal 2.0 Ultra Nugget Ice Maker with Side Tank

The best-known nugget ice maker: crisp, chewable ice, a great app and a smaller footprint than the Govee. But it's slow, needs regular descaling, and some owners say it gets loud or fails within months.

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The short answer

The Igloo makes bullet ice in about seven minutes, up to 26 lb a day, runs quietly and cleans itself for a fraction of the price. The Opal makes crisp, chewable nugget ice and has an excellent app, but it's slow, hums loudly and needs descaling every month.

Get the Igloo 26 lb Ice Maker if
  • β€”Ordinary ice cubes are fine.
  • β€”You want something quiet.
  • β€”You want extra ice cheaply.
Check price on AmazonBuy β†—
Get the GE Profile Opal 2.0 Ultra if
  • β€”You love nugget ice.
  • β€”You want a great app.
  • β€”You don't mind a weekly clean and a monthly descale.
Check price at Best BuyBuy β†—

Key differences

Ice
Bullet-shaped cubes
Igloo 26 lb Ice Maker
Crisp, chewable nugget ice
GE Profile Opal 2.0 Ultra
Speed
First ice in about 7 minutes
Igloo 26 lb Ice Maker
About a pound an hour
GE Profile Opal 2.0 Ultra
Noise
Quiet
Igloo 26 lb Ice Maker
Hums like a loud fridge
GE Profile Opal 2.0 Ultra
Upkeep
Self-cleaning
Igloo 26 lb Ice Maker
Clean weekly, descale monthly
GE Profile Opal 2.0 Ultra

Pros and cons

Igloo 26 lb Self-Cleaning Ice Maker with Handle
  • +First ice in about 7 minutes
  • +Self-cleaning
  • +Carry handle
  • βˆ’The basket only holds about a pound of ice.
  • βˆ’Ice starts melting once it's made, so move it to the freezer.
  • βˆ’The cubes are small and can stick together.
GE Profile Opal 2.0 Ultra Nugget Ice Maker with Side Tank
  • +Crisp, chewable nugget ice
  • +Excellent app
  • +Smaller than the Govee
  • βˆ’It hums loudly while it's making ice.
  • βˆ’It needs a cleaning cycle every week and descaling every month.
  • βˆ’Slow: around a pound of ice an hour.

Ready to choose?

How we reached this verdict

We compared independent expert reviews with the manufacturer's specifications, then checked it's sold at a major retailer where you live. We don't test products ourselves.

Sources: Reviewed, Food Network, manufacturer specifications.

Updated 19 Oct 2026How we decide