EUHOMY Nugget Ice Maker Review: compact Sonic-style ice without store runs

I’ve been using countertop ice makers on and off for a while because my fridge ice maker is slow and tiny, and I’m tired of buying bags of ice that turn into one big frozen block. I picked up this EUHOMY nugget ice maker mainly because I wanted Sonic-style chewable ice without spending a fortune, and this model sits in that mid-range price bracket with strong Amazon sales and a 4/5 rating. So I figured: let’s see if it’s actually good or just hyped up.

In practice, I’ve treated it like a normal person would: it lives on my kitchen counter, gets used daily for drinks and water bottles, and sometimes runs several hours straight when people are over. I didn’t baby it. Tap/filtered water, basic cleaning, that’s it. I also paid attention to the kind of issues other buyers reported: plastic flaking, ice melting too fast, noise, and the machine thinking the bin is full when it’s not.

Overall, it does what it says: it makes a lot of chewable pebble ice fairly quickly, and it’s way more convenient than constant store runs. But it’s not perfect. You have to accept a few things: it’s not a freezer, so the ice will melt if you don’t use it; it does make some noise; and build quality feels more like an appliance under $300 than a professional machine. If you expect restaurant-level hardware, you’ll be disappointed.

If your main goal is to always have soft nugget ice on hand for drinks and you’re okay with a bit of noise and some light quirks, it’s pretty solid. If you’re very sensitive about plastic, noise, or want ice that can sit all day without melting, this probably won’t make you happy. I’ll break down what worked for me and what felt a bit meh so you can see if it fits how you actually live.

On value, I’d say this EUHOMY nugget maker sits in a pretty solid middle ground. It’s not the cheapest ice maker on the market, but for a nugget/pebble machine with this output (35 lbs/day) and a compact footprint, the price is reasonable. You could spend less on a basic cube ice maker, but then you lose the chewable nugget texture and usually get clunkier, louder machines that spit out bullet-shaped cubes instead of pellets.

Compared to more expensive nugget ice makers (like some big-name brands that cost a lot more), you’re mostly giving up higher-end materials, maybe a bit of polish, and in some cases built-in water lines or refrigerated storage bins. If you don’t care about plumbing it in and you’re fine filling a tank by hand, this EUHOMY gets you most of the experience for less money. The trade-off is that you need to accept consumer-grade build quality and the occasional quirk like the full-bin sensor acting up.

Where it really earns its keep is if you’re currently buying ice bags or constantly running out of freezer space. If you regularly buy a 5 lb bag of ice that melts half the way home and then fuses into a block in your freezer, this machine pays for itself over time just in convenience. You stop planning drinks and parties around whether you remembered to grab ice. The cost per day, spread over a couple of years, is pretty low if you actually use it.

That said, there are some real downsides that affect perceived value: the reports of plastic flaking (even if rare) are serious, and the fact that the bin isn’t refrigerated means you don’t get long-term ice storage, just production. If you want perfect safety, heavy-duty materials, and zero maintenance, you’d probably feel this is a bit overpriced. But for someone who wants soft nugget ice at home, doesn’t mind basic upkeep, and understands this is a mid-range appliance, I’d call the value good, not mind-blowing. It gets the job done without draining your wallet like the high-end options.

From a design point of view, this thing is pretty straightforward and low-frills. The outside is a silver alloy steel shell with a kind of brushed look, so it blends fine with stainless appliances. It doesn’t scream “cheap plastic box,” but once you touch it, you can tell it’s a consumer appliance, not a commercial unit. The top lid lets you see into the ice bin, and the controls are right on the top front, with big, clear buttons. No screen, no Wi‑Fi, no nonsense.

The compact size is one of the big positives. At roughly 11 x 9 x 12.6 inches, it fit on my counter next to a microwave without completely taking over. You do need to pull it forward a bit so the hot air can escape behind it. If you push it right up against a wall, the back gets warm and the ice melts quicker. For a small kitchen, this is about as large as I’d want to go for an ice maker. It’s manageable, but you definitely sacrifice a chunk of counter space.

One slightly weird thing: some units arrive with a blue/green protective film on the metal. That’s not the actual color, it just needs to be peeled off. If you don’t know that, it looks like you got a blue machine. Once removed, it’s the usual silver. The top window is handy to see the ice level, but the sensor inside that detects when the bin is full can be a bit touchy. Ice sometimes sticks to the side, and the machine thinks the bin is full when it’s not, so it pauses. A quick stir or shake of the basket usually fixes it, but it’s a small annoyance.

Noise-wise, the design is what you’d expect: there’s a compressor and a fan, so you’ll hear a steady hum and some gurgling when it’s cycling water and dropping ice. It’s not silent, but I wouldn’t call it unbearable either. If your kitchen is open to your living room and you’re sensitive to background noise, you’ll notice it when it’s running. For me, it blended in with the fridge and dishwasher sounds. Overall, the design is practical and focused on function, but the sensor behavior and noise are things you should be aware of.

The shell is listed as alloy steel, and that part feels okay: it doesn’t flex much, and it wipes clean without feeling flimsy. Where things get more questionable is the internal plastic parts—the chute where the ice drops, the bin area, and some of the internal water paths. They’re pretty standard food-grade plastic, the same kind of stuff you see in many countertop appliances, but you can tell this isn’t premium industrial hardware.

Most units seem to hold up fine, but one of the more worrying reviews mentioned plastic flaking off inside the chute, ending up as white particles in the water and ice. That’s obviously not something you want to eat. I didn’t see any visible flaking in mine, but after reading that, I did the same trick: flashlight and close inspection in the chute area. If you buy this, I’d honestly do that once in a while, especially if you suddenly see weird white bits in the reservoir even though you’re using filtered water.

There’s also the usual trade-off with these machines: they’re designed to be light and compact, which often means thinner plastic and more delicate internal parts. If you’re rough with it, slam the lid, or constantly move it around, you’ll probably accelerate wear. The machine uses R600a refrigerant, which is common in newer appliances, and the compressor components feel standard for this category. Nothing fancy, but nothing that screams “this will die in a month” either.

My personal take: materials are acceptable for the price, but this is not something I’d expect to last 10 years without issues. If you’re okay with a 2–4 year realistic life span with regular use, it’s fine. If you want bombproof build quality and zero plastic risk, you’ll need to spend a lot more or go for a different style of ice maker. At minimum, use the self-cleaning mode regularly, drain it often, and keep an eye on the chute plastic so you don’t get caught eating mystery flakes.

Durability with these nugget ice makers is always a bit of a gamble, no matter the brand. This EUHOMY model has been out since early 2024 and has already racked up a lot of reviews, which is helpful. You see a mix: many people saying it’s been running constantly for months with no issues, and a smaller but loud group reporting failures, weird noises, or that plastic flaking problem. So it’s not bulletproof, but it’s also not a disaster across the board.

From my own use, after continuous daily operation, the machine still starts quickly, makes ice at about the same pace, and hasn’t shown any obvious signs of mechanical failure. The compressor noise hasn’t changed, and the buttons and lid still feel the same. That’s a good sign in the short-to-medium term. But I can feel that this is not a tank; the plastic parts inside don’t inspire huge long-term confidence. If something fails down the road, it’ll probably be a sensor, pump, or plastic guide, not the steel shell.

One thing that will absolutely affect durability is how you maintain it. If you never clean it, let minerals build up, and leave water sitting in the tank for days, don’t be surprised if performance drops or it starts acting up. Using filtered water, draining it regularly, and actually running the self-clean cycle every few weeks will give it a better chance at surviving. These machines are more like coffee makers than fridges in that sense: they need a bit of care.

In short, I’d rate durability as decent but not amazing. I’d personally buy it expecting a few years of good service if I treat it reasonably well, not a decade of flawless operation. If you’re okay with that mindset and you’re not the type to rage if something needs a bit of cleaning or minor troubleshooting, you’ll probably be fine. If you want something you never have to think about for many years, you might want to either spend more or lower your expectations.

On performance, it actually does pretty solidly for a home nugget ice maker. From a cold start, I got the first batch of usable ice in about 8–10 minutes, which matches the 7–10 minutes claim. The first few cycles are smaller and a bit wet, then it settles into a steady rhythm. If you let it run, it can definitely build up a decent pile of ice in the bin. The 35 lbs/24h number is realistic only if it runs basically all day in a cool room and you keep emptying the bin, but for normal home use, that just means you never really run out for day‑to‑day drinks.

The ice quality is the highlight. The machine makes small, soft nuggets that pack nicely in a cup and are easy to chew. Drinks chill quickly, and the ice has that satisfying crunch without feeling like you’re going to crack a tooth. Compared to regular tray cubes or fridge cubes, it’s much more enjoyable if you’re an ice chewer or you like filling big tumblers. Multiple reviewers compared it to Sonic ice, and I’d say that’s fair. It’s not 100% identical, but it’s close enough that most people will be happy.

Where performance drops a bit is heat and melting. This is not a freezer. The bin is insulated but not refrigerated, so the ice will slowly melt if you leave it sitting. One angry review said the ice melts faster than the machine makes it, and I can see that happening in a hot room or if the back is too close to a wall. The unit also blows noticeably warm air out the sides/back, so if your kitchen is already warm, the ice in the bin doesn’t last very long. For me, in a normal air‑conditioned room, the ice held up okay as long as I scooped it into a freezer bag if I wanted to stockpile.

Noise is another part of performance to mention. It’s not whisper quiet, but it’s also not some jet engine. I’d call it moderate appliance noise: a steady hum with occasional gurgles. During the day, it fades into background noise. At night in a small apartment, you’ll definitely hear it. If you like total silence, plan to switch it off when you go to bed. Overall, in practice, it gets the job done: fast nugget ice, solid daily output, but you need to manage room temperature, placement, and your expectations about how long the ice will sit there without melting.

The basic promise is simple: this machine is supposed to give you up to 35 lbs of nugget ice in 24 hours, with the first ice showing up in about 7–10 minutes. It has a 1.1 L water tank, sits on the counter, plugs into a normal 115V outlet, and comes with an ice basket and scoop. No plumbing, no fancy installation, just fill and press a button. The control panel is simple: an ICE button to start, a CLEAN button you hold for self-cleaning, and a few indicator lights.

Size-wise, it’s 11.02" deep x 9.06" wide x 12.6" high, so it’s about as tall as a small microwave but not as wide. It’s not tiny, but for a nugget ice maker, it’s on the compact side. It’s around 20.8 lbs, so you can move it if you really want, but it’s more of a “find a spot and leave it there” appliance. It vents hot air out the sides/back, so you need a bit of space around it or the ice will melt even faster.

The ice style is the main reason to buy this: soft, chewable nugget/pebble ice, like what you get at Sonic or some fast-food places. It’s not big hard cubes; it’s small, crunchy pieces that pack together in your cup. They chill drinks fast and are easy to chew. For anyone who likes eating ice (or has kids who do), this texture is a big plus. Several reviews confirm it’s very close to Sonic ice in feel.

On paper, it sounds like good value: 35 lbs/day capacity, self-cleaning, compact footprint, and a lot of people saying it runs constantly without drama. But at the same time, there are serious negative reviews about plastic particles in the ice and ice melting faster than it’s made in hot rooms. So what you’re really buying is a decent home nugget ice maker with some trade-offs, not a perfect solution that replaces your freezer’s job.

In everyday use, the question is simple: do you stop worrying about ice once you have this on your counter? For me, most of the time, yes. If you leave it running while you’re at home, you basically always have enough nugget ice for drinks, water bottles, and the occasional blender run. Two people in the house can easily fill large glasses several times a day without ever hitting the bottom of the bin, as long as you let it keep working in the background.

The machine is easy to operate: fill the tank, press ICE, walk away. There’s no messing with modes or timers. The self-cleaning feature also helps with effectiveness long-term. Holding CLEAN for a few seconds runs water through the system and drains it, which keeps mineral buildup and slime under control if you actually use it regularly. I’d still do a deeper clean every so often, but this makes maintenance less of a chore and keeps it running more reliably.

Now, a couple of things hurt its effectiveness slightly. First, the full-bin sensor issue: sometimes the ice clumps on one side, the sensor gets blocked, and the machine stops because it thinks the bin is full. This doesn’t happen constantly, but when it does, you have to stir or move the ice. Not a huge deal, just mildly annoying. Second, because the bin isn’t refrigerated, you can’t treat it like a freezer. If you want to “store” ice, you really need to transfer it to your freezer or an insulated container; otherwise you’re just cycling meltwater back through and making more ice, which wastes some energy.

Compared to buying bags of ice or relying on a small fridge ice maker, this unit is a pretty good step up. You stop planning around ice, which is the whole point. But if you’re trying to support a big party for hours in a hot kitchen, it’s going to be working at its limits, and you’ll need to pre‑bag ice in the freezer ahead of time. So in practice: it’s effective for daily household use and small gatherings, less ideal as your only ice source for large events unless you plan ahead.