Best countertop ice makers for home

Top pick: GE Profile Opal 2.0 Nugget Ice Maker — the chewable "Sonic-style" nugget ice most people actually want at home, 38 lb a day, and it's the best-known name in countertop nugget machines. Its rating is only middling (3.9/5), so buy it for the ice, not the reliability record.

Who the others suit:

• COWSAR Silent Nugget 44 lb — want nugget ice in bigger batches and a quieter machine; strong owner ratings.
• Newair Countertop (AI-215SS) — the safe all-rounder: bullet ice, self-cleaning, and the highest rating of the group.
• Igloo Premium Self-Cleaning — small kitchens and light use; compact and self-cleaning.
• Frigidaire 26 lb bullet — a cheap first machine for parties and summer.
• Antarctic Star Gen 2 nugget — nugget ice on a tighter budget.

Skip the tiny 1.5 L units if you fill pitchers daily.