Initially, I was skeptical of the practical value of an ice maker. After all, how much ice do I really need? A lot, it turns out, because when I have an essentially endless supply of ice on hand, I find myself sipping a lot more cold drinks.

I came to this conclusion while testing a whole bunch of nugget ice makers—an experience that inspired me to put away my ice trays for good. And while we recommend brands like Euhomy, Igloo, and Frigidaire, I found that the steady, rapid ice production, easy operation, and sleek looks of the GE Profile Opal 2.0 Ultra proved it more than worth the countertop real estate.

The Ultra version builds upon the previous Opal 2.0 by improving the production speed and construction quality, adding enhanced maintenance features that make it easier to clean and ensure it keeps running over time. It also includes a side tank and metal ice scoop.

After my testing, the Opal 2.0 Ultra has cemented itself as the paragon of home ice makers—at least without jumping up to massive units that require professional installation. For an easy-to-use countertop option, I’ve found there’s none better.

I’ve used the Opal 2.0 Ultra for about six months as of this writing, the last of six nugget ice makers I’ve tested over the past year. It has been plugged in and producing ice for the entire six months, except during cleaning. I’ve seen how it has performed when producing ice from empty, I’ve tested the limits of its production rate by serving a steady supply of cold drinks, and I took note on how it fares at storing ice when demand is low.

The main reason I like the Opal 2.0 Ultra is simple: It produces 38 pounds of ice a day (about equivalent to 5.5 standard-sized, store-bought bags) at a rate of 1.5 pounds an hour with minimal effort. Starting from off and empty, it churns out the first batch in about ten minutes, half as long as it took the original Opal 2.0.

You add water by either pouring it into the receptacle beneath the ice bin or into a larger external tank. Beyond that, there’s not much else to using it. Add water, out comes ice—cool drinks galore. I’ve had mine running for months, and love the convenience. Once it’s on, there are no buttons to push or switches to flip. As long as it has water and the bin is in place, it will produce ice.

Moreover, the Opal 2.0 Ultra holds ice perpetually, maintaining just the right temperature to prevent it from fusing into a solid block, while melting at just the right pace to have a slightly crunchy texture (as good nugget ice should).

I also appreciate that the Opal 2.0 Ultra’s design is sleek and minimalist in a way that feels kind of timeless. You can connect it to WiFi and pair it to an app, which I haven’t had much use for. Like I said: Water goes in, ice comes out.

Through that app, you can set a schedule and get alerts for maintenance. The ice maker is also compatible with Amazon Alexa and Google Assistant. The app is, however, straightforward to connect to and use, and it provides clear indicators when it’s time to clean or descale the Opal.

The Opal 2.0 Ultra’s footprint is just a smidge larger than a shoebox, which isn’t nothing if you have limited counter space. While it’s on the larger end of the size spectrum compared to our other recommended nugget ice makers (especially with the external tank in play), it’s not huge. You can also place it in a pantry, cupboard, or other out-of-the-way spot, which can eliminate this concern altogether.

For me, the only real downside to the Opal 2.0 Ultra—and this is true for all nugget ice makers—is that it requires regular cleaning. That means emptying it of water and running it through a cleaning cycle every week or so, and descaling about once a month by running white vinegar or a descaling solution through the system.

If you go too long between cleanings, the ice nugget maker won’t work as well and you’ll shorten its lifespan. So it’s worth the ten minutes or so necessary to run the clean cycle, plus switching it off for a night every so often to let it descale.

While most ice makers have cleaning cycles, the Opal 2.0 Ultra has a new scale-inhibiting filter that reduces hard water deposits and improves taste. It also features a removable air filter that’s easier to clean and longer lasting, alongside an upgraded cleaning and descaling program.

I could also see how some people might be bothered by the noise the Opal 2.0 Ultra produces, which isn’t nothing, at least not when it's cranking out ice. If it's just sitting dormant and storing the ice, it doesn’t make much sound at all. But when it’s actively producing ice, it hums at about the volume of a loud refrigerator. It’s not exactly noisy, but it’s also not silent.

The Opal 2.0 Ultra draws power continually to produce and store ice, so it will hike up your energy usage somewhat. How much it will impact your bill depends on a number of factors, but I’ve found that it adds between $15 and $20 a month when running continually. That’s worth considering if you’re on a budget.

I’m always happy to have a cool drink, whether water, something fizzy, or something stiffer, but I’m bad about refilling ice trays. Thankfully, with this Opal 2.0 Ultra, I no longer need to even think about that chore anymore.

I appreciate the overall simplicity of the device. Like I said before: You just add water in, and then ice comes out. It does the job that an ice maker should, and does it well. But if you like to tinker and automate things via an app or your smart home platform, you can.

To that end, the Opal 2.0 Ultra has found a long-term home in my kitchen. It’s reliable and easy to use with minimal downsides, and unlimited ice is a wonderful thing.

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