Head-to-head · Best Portable Ice Makers

Frigidaire EFIC452-SS Clear Ice Maker vs GE Profile Opal 2.0

Which is the better buy? Side-by-side on rating, price, strengths, and watch-outs — with the published ratings we averaged to get there.

The short answer

GE Profile Opal 2.0 comes out ahead by a narrow margin (4.3 vs 4.6). The gap is mostly about Nugget-ice lovers who want the best soft, chewable ice and smart scheduling, and who can justify a premium countertop appliance. — read the strengths below before deciding.

Ranked #3 in Best Portable Ice Makers

Frigidaire EFIC452-SS Clear Ice Maker

4.3

$159as of Jun 7

The Frigidaire EFIC452-SS is the clear-ice specialist — a countertop maker that produces transparent, square cocktail-style cubes rather than cloudy bullets. IceArtisan rates it 3/5 with a B+ grade, praising the clear cubes while noting they emerge fused in sheets. With up to 40 lbs/day and a 2.3 qt tank, it is the pick for home bartenders who want presentation-grade ice, accepting slower cycles and manual cleaning.

Strengths

— Makes genuinely clear, square cocktail-grade ice cubes
— Up to 40 lbs/day with a generous 2.3 qt water tank
— Two cube sizes, first batch in about 15 minutes

Watch-outs

— Cubes come out fused in sheets that must be broken apart
— No self-cleaning — requires manual cleaning and descaling
— Slower 15-18 minute cycles than bullet makers

$159 · Check Price on Amazon Full review →

Higher ratedRanked #1 in Best Portable Ice Makers

GE Profile Opal 2.0

4.6

$147.16as of Jun 7

The GE Profile Opal 2.0 is the consensus best nugget ice maker, producing the soft, chewable Sonic-style ice that buyers crave. CNN Underscored tested it for two months and confirmed it lives up to the hype, calling it whisper-quiet; Wirecutter calls its ice the best of any countertop appliance tested. It is by far the most expensive pick here and needs regular maintenance, but for nugget-ice devotees it is the clear top choice.

Strengths

— Produces the best soft, chewable nugget ice of any countertop maker tested
— Whisper-quiet operation versus most countertop appliances
— First nuggets in about 10-15 minutes; up to 38 lbs/day

Watch-outs

— Expensive at $450-600, the priciest pick by far
— Slower output rate than bullet/clear makers despite fast first batch
— Requires regular cleaning and descaling to stay reliable

$147.16 · Check Price on Amazon Full review →

How they stack up

Frigidaire EFIC452-SS Clear Ice Maker

The only clear-cube maker among the picks, making presentation-grade square ice that differs from the bullet ice of the Frigidaire EFIC189 and Magic Chef MCIM22SV and the nugget ice of the GE Profile Opal 2.0 and Frigidaire Gallery EFIC255. It is pricier and slower than the bullet makers but cheaper than the premium Opal.

GE Profile Opal 2.0

The only nugget-ice maker among the top picks and the premium choice — its soft, chewable nuggets are a different product from the hard bullet ice of the Frigidaire EFIC189 and Magic Chef MCIM22SV or the clear cubes of the Frigidaire EFIC452-SS. The budget Frigidaire Gallery EFIC255 also makes nugget ice but with notable durability and noise drawbacks the Opal avoids.

Specs side-by-side

Spec	Frigidaire EFIC452-SS Clear Ice Maker	GE Profile Opal 2.0
Ice Type	Clear square cubes (2 sizes)	Nugget (chewable)
Output	Up to 40 lbs/day	Up to 38 lbs/day
Cycle Time	15-18 minutes	—
Water Tank	2.3 qt	—
Bin Capacity	2.4 lbs	3 lbs
Self-Cleaning	No (manual)	—
Noise	Quiet	Quiet (~44 dB)
Warranty	1 year	1 year
First Batch	—	10-15 minutes
Connectivity	—	Wi-Fi (SmartHQ app)
Water Supply	—	Side tank + onboard reservoir

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