The Opal is the reason most people know countertop nugget ice exists. The 2.0 refined the original with a larger reservoir, side-tank support and app control, and it remains the reference point every rival is measured against.
This review is built from GE's published specifications and documentation together with widely reported owner experience. We have not tested this machine ourselves.
The product at a glance
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Reviewed
GE Profile
GE Profile Opal 2.0 Nugget Ice Maker
Best for: Households that specifically want nugget ice
Key feature: Soft, chewable nugget ice rather than hard cubes
The machine that made chewable nugget ice a countertop category. GE specifies production of up to 38 lb of nugget ice per 24 hours from a 0.75-gallon reservoir, with app control, scheduling and a side-tank accessory port for longer unattended runs.
Premium ($$$$)| Product | Our pick | Best for | Price tier | Key feature | Check price |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
GE Profile GE Profile Opal 2.0 Nugget Ice Maker | Reviewed | Households that specifically want nugget ice | Premium ($$$$) | Soft, chewable nugget ice rather than hard cubes |
Price tiers $ Budget · $$ Mid-range · $$$ Upper mid-range · $$$$ Premium · $$$$$ Flagship. We show tiers rather than prices — check Amazon for the current price.
The full review
Reviewed
GE Profile
GE Profile Opal 2.0 Nugget Ice Maker
The machine that made chewable nugget ice a countertop category. GE specifies production of up to 38 lb of nugget ice per 24 hours from a 0.75-gallon reservoir, with app control, scheduling and a side-tank accessory port for longer unattended runs.
Why it stands out
The most established nugget platform on the market, with the widest accessory and support ecosystem.
Best for
Households that specifically want nugget ice
Not ideal for
Tight budgets
Key features
- ◆Soft, chewable nugget ice rather than hard cubes
- ◆Rated up to 38 lb of ice per 24 hours
- ◆0.75-gallon onboard reservoir with side-tank accessory support
- ◆Wi-Fi scheduling and status through the SmartHQ app
- ◆Self-cleaning cycle built into the control panel
Pros
- Genuine chewable nugget ice
- Mature, well-supported platform
- App scheduling and self-clean
Considerations
- Premium pricing
- Nugget ice melts faster than cubes
- Not a freezer — ice must be used or transferred
Final verdict
GE Profile Opal 2.0 Nugget Ice Maker suits buyers who prioritise households that specifically want nugget ice. Worth knowing: The most expensive way to make nugget ice, and it needs regular cleaning cycles to keep producing well.
Who this machine is for
Households that specifically want chewable nugget ice every day and want the most established platform to get it from. That is a narrower buyer than 'anyone who wants ice', and the price reflects it.
It also suits anyone who wants scheduling: telling the machine to have a full basket ready by mid-afternoon is the feature owners mention most.
Output and reservoir in practice
GE rates the Opal 2.0 at up to 38 lb of nugget ice per 24 hours from a 0.75-gallon reservoir. Two things follow from that pairing: it comfortably keeps up with normal household drinking, and the tank is the limit on a hot day rather than the compressor.
The side-tank accessory exists for exactly that reason. If you routinely run the machine unattended, budget for it as part of the purchase.
App control and self-cleaning
SmartHQ gives scheduling, status and reminders. The reminders matter more than they sound: this is a machine whose long-term output depends on the cleaning cycle actually being run.
The cleaning routine itself is built into the panel, which removes most of the excuses for skipping it.
Where it falls short
Rated output is now below several cheaper nugget machines, including 40 and 44 lb models from Silonn, ecozy and EUHOMY. On paper, the Opal is no longer the biggest producer in its own category.
It is also tall, so under-cabinet clearance needs checking, and in hard water it needs disciplined descaling — the failure mode that ends most nugget machines.
Keep reading
Frequently asked questions
Final verdict
The Opal 2.0 is still the safest nugget purchase: a mature platform, real accessory support and app scheduling that gets used. What it is no longer is the highest-output machine on the counter — if raw ice per dollar is your priority, the ecozy and EUHOMY 44 lb machines beat it, and if raw output is the point, the Frigidaire EFIC237 is rated higher again.
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