- Is the Simzlife nugget ice maker worth it?
- If you want chewable nugget ice at home and don't want to spend $300 or more, yes. At $149.99 at Target as of November 4, 2026, it is one of the cheapest ways into nugget ice. Expect more noise and more refilling than a plumbed fridge ice maker.
- How is nugget ice different from regular ice?
- Nugget ice is made by scraping compacted ice flakes, so it is soft, porous and chewable. It chills drinks fast and absorbs the flavor of what it sits in. It also melts faster than hard cubes, so a full bin doesn't last as long.
- Does it need a water line?
- No. It is a countertop, portable unit, so you fill the reservoir by hand and plug it into a standard outlet. That makes it easy to move to a patio or bar, but you will refill water more often than with a plumbed machine.
- How much ice does it make, and how big is the bin?
- Simzlife rates it at up to 35 lb per day, which is roughly enough for a family or a small party. Real output depends on room temperature and how cold the water is, and the bin holds far less than a day's production, so it runs in batches.
- How often should I clean it?
- Plan to descale the water system and clean the auger and bin every few weeks with regular use, and more often in hard-water areas. Nugget machines build up mineral scale faster than cube makers because of the auger.
- When is it cheapest?
- Countertop ice makers usually drop during summer and around Black Friday and holiday sales. The current best new price is $149.99 at Target as of November 4, 2026, and only one store lists it new, so compare before assuming a sale price is lower.
- Where is the Simzlife Nugget Ice Maker Countertop 35 Lbs cheapest?
- At Target, for $149.99, as of our latest check.
- What do buyers say about the Simzlife Nugget Ice Maker Countertop 35 Lbs?
- Rated 4.2 out of 5 from 109 ratings.
