Top 3 Quietest Nugget Ice Makers
When taking a quick trip to the review section of the most popular nugget ice maker products, you can see that the noise being generated by nugget ice makers is one of the main pain points among users. With that in mind, it is important to consider how much noise the machines produce, particularly if they are likely to be running non-stop in the same room you socialize in, for example, the kitchen.
If quiet is the most important factor, you should consider buying these 3 nugget ice makers
Our top 3 quietest nugget ice makers are the following:
- Northair Countertop Nugget Ice Maker
- CROWNFUL Nugget Ice Maker
- Frigdaire EFIC235-AMZ Countertop Crunchy Chewable Nugget Ice Maker
Based on user feedback, the Northair Countertop Nugget Ice Maker is the clear winner for us with some testers describing the amount of noise produced as comparable to that of drops of rain.
You can read our full review on those three devices below.
Northair Countertop Nugget Ice Maker
The Northair nugget ice maker is a very solid ice machine that creates ice incredibly fast (while keeping noise production low). With its moderate price, it’s definitely an interesting nugget ice maker worth considering if you’re on a budget. On this page, we will take a look at the specs as well as look at the pro’s and cons.
Pros
- Fast ice production
- Easy to clean and maintain
- Great customer service
- Great price-quality ratio
Cons
- Noisy
- Storage is temperature is variable
- Can leak water
CROWNFUL Nugget Ice Maker
It’s very quiet for a nugget ice maker, plus it’s easy to use, clean, and maintain with its simple interface. This nugget ice maker sits at the cheaper end of the market and is well worth considering as an option if you are looking for a stainless steel design but don't have $500 to spend.
Pros
- Both a water tank and water line feature
- Easy to clean and maintain
- Very quiet (for a nugget ice maker)
- Very solid build
Cons
- Softness of the ice isn't always consistent
- You cannot put a water filter on the line and hard water is likely to cause maintenance issues over time
Frigidaire EFIC235-AMZ Countertop Crunchy Chewable Nugget Ice Maker
At only 17 inches wide, this little nugget ice maker produces over 40lbs of ice a day and comes in at a lower price point that most competitors, there is a lot to like about the Frigidaire EFIC235-AMZ. Having said that, it is relatively loud and the finish doesn't feel quite as premium as some stainless steel competitors, we have seen this ice machine produce enough nugget ice to support a medium sized restaurant (we literally got served up nugget ice made by this machine in Mexico at this great little restaurant)!
Pros
- Creates ice very fast (15 minutes)
- Large water reservoir
- Relatively low price point
- Easy to clean and set up
Cons
- Relatively loud
- Some users have commented on a life span of <2 years (Source: Amazon reviews)
FAQs
Are all nugget ice makers noisy?
No. All nugget ice makers produce noise but they are not all 'noisy'. Whilst I probably wouldn't want a nugget ice maker in my bedroom the amount of noise produced by nugget ice makers sits on a similar spectrum to washing machines. The quietest nugget ice maker we reviewed, the Northair, produces 38 decibels of noise according to the manufacturer. To put it in perspective, that is somewhere between a whisper and ambient library sounds according to hearing specialist Audious. Some testers described the noise as comparable to drops of rain.
Why do nugget ice makers produce noise?
Nugget ice makers have a number of moving components and are required to pump water from either a tank or source via line into the maker which causes a small amount of vibrations and creates noise. In addition, the area where ice is stored needs to be cooled. This cooling element will also produce a small amount of noise and heat. The noise produced is by a nugget ice maker is typically less than that of a dishwasher but more than a fridge.
Is there a way to make nugget ice makers quieter?
The most significant source of noise produced by nugget ice makers is the device vibrating on the surface which it is placed. Therefore, the simplest and most effective way of reducing the noise produced by nugget ice maker would be to place the device on a rubber mat like this one on Amazon.
However, if noise is a really important factor to you I would simply recommend buying the Northair nugget ice maker.
