If you’re an ice person, then you may already know that the GE Profile Opal 2.0 Ultra is the best countertop ice maker money can buy. If you’re not an ice person, you may be surprised by just how much money it takes to buy it. But this machine does one thing better than any other ice maker out there: It produces perfectly chewable Sonic-style ice nuggets .

Our top picks

The best ice maker overall: GE Profile Opal 2.0 Ultra Nugget Ice Maker with Side Tank

Another great nugget ice maker: Gevi Household V2.0 Countertop Ice Maker

Budget pick: Frigidaire Compact Ice Maker

Though GE’s coveted machine is the best nugget ice maker out there, it’s certainly not the only option. And one thing is clear: After more than two years of living with a nugget ice maker, I don’t think I could ever go back to plain old freezer ice. That’s because a portable countertop ice maker produces ice much more quickly than freezing water in ice trays, and it’s more convenient to keep than you might imagine.…