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Kitchen appliances · Buyer guide
Short answer: choose the Newair NIM044BSN2 when counter width is the main constraint, the GE Profile Opal 2.0 Ultra XPIO13SWOW when a side tank, connected controls, and scale-management features matter more, and the Frigidaire EFIC255-CREAM when you want a straightforward drawer-style machine with touch controls. The published 38- and 44-pound daily figures are manufacturer claims, not a controlled head-to-head test. Counter fit, refill setup, and cleaning effort are more useful decision points.
Disclosure: As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. Hamejur does not receive payment for choosing one product over another. Product specifications and listings can change, so confirm the exact model before ordering.
Quick verdict
Best for a narrow counter: Newair NIM044BSN2. Its published 9.5-inch width is the smallest in this comparison, and its removable reservoir and basket should make routine refilling and cleaning easier to manage. It has no comparable connected-control layer.
Best for refill convenience and connected features: GE Profile Opal 2.0 Ultra XPIO13SWOW. It pairs a side tank with Wi-Fi-connected controls and a scale-inhibiting filter. Its 13.43-inch width and 17.5-inch depth demand considerably more counter space.
Best for simple drawer access: Frigidaire EFIC255-CREAM. The verified Amazon listing combines touch controls, a pull-out ice area, and a claimed 44-pound daily output. Model suffixes and published dimensions vary across EFIC255 listings, so check the exact variant carefully.
The three picks at a glance
NARROW-COUNTER PICK
Newair NIM044BSN2
Only 9.5 inches wide by the published specification, with a removable 1.8-liter reservoir and 2.7-pound basket.
Watch for: no built-in smart-home layer comparable with GE.
CONNECTED PICK
GE Profile Opal 2.0 Ultra XPIO13SWOW
A side tank, Wi-Fi-connected controls, and a scale-inhibiting filter make it the most feature-rich option here.
Watch for: the largest footprint in this group and an ongoing filter and cleaning routine.
DRAWER-ACCESS PICK
Frigidaire EFIC255-CREAM
Touch controls and drawer-style access suit buyers who want a conventional appliance workflow without an app.
Watch for: EFIC255 variants and listing dimensions are inconsistent, so verify the suffix and finish.
Countertop nugget ice maker comparison
| Decision factor | Newair NIM044BSN2 | GE Opal 2.0 Ultra XPIO13SWOW | Frigidaire EFIC255-CREAM |
|---|---|---|---|
| Best fit | Narrow counters | Connected controls and fewer refills | Drawer access and simple controls |
| Claimed daily output | Up to 44 lb | Up to 38 lb | Up to 44 lb |
| Published dimensions | 9.5 W × 13.6 D × 14.9 H in. | 13.43 W × 17.5 D × 16.5 H in. | 10 W × 14.6 D × 16.75 H in. on the checked listing |
| Water setup | Removable 1.8 L reservoir | Side tank included | Built-in reservoir with drawer-style access |
| Controls | Touch panel | Physical and connected controls | Touch panel |
| Maintenance help | Self-clean function; removable basket and reservoir | Scale-inhibiting filter and cleaning cycles | Auto self-clean function |
| Main caution | No comparable app layer | Largest counter footprint | Variant identity and dimensions need extra checking |
Daily production figures are manufacturer claims under stated conditions, not results from Hamejur testing. Published dimensions were checked on August 23, 2026.
What matters more than the pounds-per-day number
Measure the usable counter, not the empty counter
Newair is the narrowest model here, but width is only the first check. You also need depth for the body and power cord, height for opening or accessing the machine, and ventilation space around the unit. GE’s side tank reduces refill frequency but adds another object to the counter. Frigidaire’s exact footprint depends on the verified variant, which makes suffix checking part of the buying decision.
A larger output claim does not guarantee a better daily fit
Newair and Frigidaire state up to 44 pounds of production per day, while GE states up to 38 pounds. Those figures come from different manufacturers and are not a common laboratory comparison. Ambient temperature, incoming water temperature, ventilation, how often you empty the basket, and how long the unit runs can all change practical output. For most households, refill effort and basket access will be felt more often than the difference between 38 and 44 pounds.
Self-cleaning does not eliminate manual care
A self-clean cycle can rinse internal water paths, but it does not make food-contact surfaces, baskets, scoops, reservoirs, and drains maintenance-free. Mineral scale is also separate from ordinary surface cleaning. Hard-water households should pay particular attention to the manual’s descaling procedure and compatible filters rather than treating a self-clean button as the entire maintenance plan.
Newair NIM044BSN2: the narrow-counter choice
Choose the Newair NIM044BSN2 when counter width is your first constraint and you do not need app control. Newair publishes dimensions of 9.5 inches wide, 13.6 inches deep, and 14.9 inches high. The official product page also lists a removable 1.8-liter reservoir, a detachable 2.7-pound ice basket, touch controls, a self-clean function, and first ice in about 10 to 15 minutes.
The narrow body is the useful differentiator. A removable reservoir can also be easier to fill and wash than a fixed tank, although you still need clearance to remove it comfortably. The stated 44-pound daily capacity should be treated as an upper production claim, not proof that it will outperform the other machines in a warm or crowded kitchen.
Who should avoid it: buyers who want scheduled production, remote status checks, or a side-tank system should look at the GE instead.
GE Profile Opal 2.0 Ultra XPIO13SWOW: the connected choice
Choose the GE Profile Opal 2.0 Ultra XPIO13SWOW when refill convenience, connected controls, and scale management justify a larger footprint. GE lists production of up to 38 pounds per day, first ice in 10 minutes or less, dimensions of 13.43 inches wide by 17.5 inches deep by 16.5 inches high, and a three-pound storage bin. This Ultra package includes a side tank and scale-inhibiting filter.
The side tank matters more than the difference in daily-output claims if you regularly make ice for a household or gatherings. Connected controls can help with scheduling and status, but they do not replace cleaning or descaling. The scale-inhibiting filter is useful only when it is maintained and replaced according to GE’s instructions.
Who should avoid it: buyers with shallow counters or limited width should measure carefully. The discontinued XPIO13SCSS from the previous draft is not the model recommended here; this comparison uses the current XPIO13SWOW Ultra variant.
Frigidaire EFIC255-CREAM: the drawer-access choice
Choose the Frigidaire EFIC255-CREAM when you prefer touch controls and drawer-style access without a connected-app layer. The checked Amazon listing identifies the model as EFIC255-CREAM and states up to 44 pounds of production per day, 115-volt operation, touch controls, and automatic self-cleaning. Its listed dimensions are 10 inches wide, 14.6 inches deep, and 16.75 inches high.
The important caution is variant control. Frigidaire’s public pages and marketplace listings use several EFIC255 suffixes and do not always show the same dimensions. Treat `EFIC255` as a family name, then verify the finish, model suffix, voltage, footprint, and included components on the exact listing you intend to buy.
Who should avoid it: buyers who want the clearest official model documentation or connected controls may find the Newair or GE easier to evaluate.
Choose based on your situation
Your counter is narrow: choose the Newair NIM044BSN2. Its 9.5-inch published width leaves more room beside other appliances, but confirm depth and ventilation clearance too.
You make ice frequently and dislike refilling: choose the GE Profile Opal 2.0 Ultra XPIO13SWOW. The side tank is the feature most likely to change the everyday routine.
You want ordinary appliance controls and drawer access: choose the Frigidaire EFIC255-CREAM, but verify the exact suffix because EFIC255 listings are not interchangeable.
You use nugget ice only for occasional parties: consider whether any countertop nugget machine earns its permanent counter space. A simpler bullet-ice maker or bagged nugget ice may involve less cleaning and storage burden.
Maintenance and ownership
- Cleaning and descaling are different jobs. Wash removable food-contact parts and follow the model-specific descaling procedure for internal mineral buildup.
- Nugget ice makers are not freezers. Ice can soften or melt in the basket, so transfer it when longer storage is needed.
- Water quality changes ownership effort. Hard water can increase scale; use only filters and cleaning products supported by the manufacturer.
- Ventilation affects operation. Leave the clearance required by the manual rather than pushing the appliance tightly between other warm machines.
- Accessories add recurring cost. Side-tank filters and scale-management products should be included in the ownership decision even when the machine itself is the main purchase.
Questions buyers usually ask
Is a 44-pound machine automatically better than a 38-pound machine?
No. Those are manufacturer capacity claims, not results from the same independent test. Counter fit, reservoir size, basket access, room temperature, ventilation, and how often you empty the ice can matter more in daily use.
Do countertop nugget ice makers keep ice frozen?
No. They produce and temporarily hold ice, but the basket is not a freezer. Some designs recirculate meltwater. Transfer ice to a freezer when you need longer storage and follow the manual’s guidance for standing water.
Does a self-clean cycle mean I never need to clean the machine by hand?
No. Self-cleaning usually addresses part of the internal water path. Baskets, scoops, reservoirs, drains, and exterior food-contact areas still need manual care, and mineral descaling may require a separate process.
Which model is easiest to fit under cabinets?
Newair has the smallest published height in this comparison at 14.9 inches, but cabinet fit also depends on how you access the reservoir and basket. Measure the open space needed to fill, remove parts, and ventilate the unit—not only the appliance body.
Should I choose the GE side tank?
Choose it if frequent refilling is a real inconvenience and you have enough counter room for the full setup. It is less useful when your kitchen is tight or your nugget-ice use is occasional.
Hamejur’s conclusion
The Newair NIM044BSN2 is the most practical default for a kitchen where counter width matters. The GE Profile Opal 2.0 Ultra XPIO13SWOW is the stronger fit when a side tank, connected controls, and scale management justify a larger machine. The Frigidaire EFIC255-CREAM suits buyers who prefer touch controls and drawer access, but it requires the most careful variant check.
That recommendation changes when your water is very hard, your counter is shallow, or you use nugget ice only occasionally. In those cases, maintenance access and the amount of permanent counter space should decide the purchase before the headline daily-output claim.
Ready to compare the exact listings? Verify the model suffix, dimensions, and included accessories before ordering.
Sources and method
Hamejur reviewed official manufacturer product pages, support material, and the public Amazon.com listing identity for each compared model on August 23, 2026. Output figures are manufacturer claims. Hamejur did not perform hands-on testing, verify long-term reliability, or use fixed prices, ratings, or review counts in this comparison.