I almost exclusively drink iced coffee and water with ice, but I never felt the need for a dedicated ice maker. That changed after joining the Good Housekeeping Institute Kitchen & Cooking Lab this summer as a contributing analyst and testing three countertop ice makers.
The new GE Profile Opal Mini Pro Nugget Ice Maker promises the same nugget ice as GE Profile’s larger Opal in a machine that’s less expensive and 30% smaller, with upgrades that make it easier to fill and clean. The GH Kitchen Lab has been testing ice makers since 2023, and previous GE Profile models have performed well in our Lab tests. Kitchen Lab Senior Director Nicole Papantoniou told me she was a big fan of both previous models, so I was especially excited to see how this new, more compact version performed.
How does the GE Profile Opal Mini Nugget Ice Maker work?
The GE Profile Opal Mini Nugget Ice Maker is a compact countertop appliance that makes soft, chewable nugget ice pellets. It starts to make fresh batches of nugget ice in 15 minutes after you fill the reservoir with water. It comes with a built-in water filter and recirculation system, so you can go longer between refills. Through the SmartHQ app, you can schedule ice production, track maintenance, and order additional machine accessories. Plus, it comes with a sturdy metal ice scoop and a side hanger for it, which is so convenient.
How did the GE Opal Mini Nugget Ice Maker perform in testing?
In the Kitchen & Cooking Lab, we evaluate ice makers on how quickly they produce ice, how much they make per day, how long the ice lasts, and how much the storage bin holds. We also assess the quality of accessories, such as the scoop and drip tray, and how easy each machine is to use—from reading the controls and filling the water reservoir to scooping ice and opening the drawer. For the new GE Profile Opal Mini, we looked closely at its compact design and updated features, including the top-fill water reservoir and drainage system. Through rigorous testing, we identified where the newest GE Profile ice maker stands out and where it has room for improvement.
Pros:
- Easy to assemble and set up
- Two distinct ways to add water: directly into the reservoir or through a spout on top of the machine
- Starts to produce ice 15 minutes after you fill the machine and turn it on
- Includes a water supply line for easy draining and a side tank for increased water capacity and ice production
- Very quiet during production
- Stylish, sleek, small, and compact
- Has a side attachment that holds the ice scoop when not in use
- During testing, ice took over 20 minutes to melt, and it holds up well in iced beverages
Cons:
- Did not come with a physical user manual, but you can access it via the ice maker’s mobile app, SmartHQ
- Drawer handle could be larger for easier use
Is the GE Profile Opal Mini Nugget Ice Maker worth it?
The GE Profile Opal Mini Nugget Ice Maker is a great addition to the GE Opal lineup and an excellent choice for nugget ice fans who want reliable performance without giving up much countertop space. Its compact design and fast ice production impressed me, but the ice itself was the standout. The nuggets are crunchy, soft, and pleasantly chewy, and they hold their shape without melting too quickly.
In my testing, I found that ice from other ice makers would sometimes produce inconsistent shapes and become further misshapen as it sat in the basket. That was not the case with the GE Profile Opal Mini. Nearly every ice nugget I evaluated was uniform in size and shape, and the pieces maintained their form even after several hours in the ice basket post-production.
Why trust Good Housekeeping?
Justine Lee is a writer, recipe developer, food editor, and product tester with over six years of experience in digital food media. She has tested three ice makers since becoming a contributing analyst in the Good Housekeeping Institute Kitchen & Cooking Lab.
Justine worked with Nicole Papantoniou, the senior director of the Good Housekeeping Institute Kitchen & Cooking Lab, to test this ice maker. Nicole oversees all food and appliance testing at Good Housekeeping and has been testing the original GE Nugget Ice Maker for years. She now drinks a double espresso over nugget ice daily.
