Review: Ecozy Smart Nugget Ice Maker
The summer of 2025 kicked off with intense heat, making cold drinks more essential than ever—and quality ice can take any beverage to the next level. While most people rely on freezer-made cubes, Ecozy offers more specialized options designed to elevate the drinking experience. Drinkhacker previously reviewed the Ecozy 2” Clear Ice Ball Maker with Crystalflux Technology, a favorite for whiskey lovers. Now, we’re exploring the Ecozy Smart Nugget Ice Maker (model IM-NS451B), built for cocktail enthusiasts, daily hydration, and even light entertaining.
Nugget ice—known for its soft texture and fast chilling power—is perfect for water, iced coffee, tea, soda, and summery cocktails like mojitos and mai tais. It’s also widely used in hospitals for patients with chewing difficulties and makes a great option for ice packs and food displays. Though it melts quicker than traditional cubes, nugget ice is appreciated for being chewable and efficient at cooling drinks without immediate dilution.
Ecozy Smart Nugget Ice Maker Review
The Ecozy Smart Nugget Ice Maker impresses right out of the box. The design is modern, with an IceLumix full-color control panel that is both functional and visually appealing. Initial setup is minimal: wipe down the machine with warm soapy water, run the 20-minute self-cleaning cycle, and you’re ready to go. The display includes a countdown for cleaning, making the process foolproof. The machine uses a TDS sensor to read your water’s mineral content—Ecozy recommends water under 200 ppm for optimal clarity and performance. My local tap water read 198 ppm, so I opted for purified water (2 ppm) purchased from the grocery, which resulted in clear, high-quality ice.
The water tank is easy to access via a front flip door, and filling it is straightforward with clear “max” markings. Once the machine is filled and powered on, it starts producing ice within 10 minutes, though it takes around 60 minutes to fill the internal basket (about 11 cups or 2 1/4 lbs of nugget ice). The panel conveniently lights up when the basket is full or when more water is needed. A lighted viewing window lets you check progress without opening the machine.
Ecozy claims the machine can produce up to 44 lbs of ice per day, but this would require frequent emptying of the basket and refilling of the water tank—a more theoretical max than practical for most users. Nugget ice can be removed at any point, but storage is tricky. Whether stored in freezer bags, airtight plastic containers, or glass containers, the ice always froze into clumps in my testing, losing the signature chewable texture. The manual does suggest transferring ice to a freezer, but the experience is best when used fresh.
A standout feature is the machine’s Wi-Fi connectivity, allowing you to start or schedule ice-making via the Ecozy Home app, Google Assistant, or Amazon Alexa. The delayed start option is helpful for planning ahead, and every function on the machine can also be controlled directly via the display if preferred. While smart features are neat, they may not be essential for everyone. Personally, I found them fun but not necessary, and would gladly trade that feature for a lower price point.
Maintenance is relatively simple. A drain plug underneath allows for periodic emptying of excess water. While draining over a sink can be slightly awkward, it’s manageable. Ecozy recommends draining and drying the unit every 24 hours to prevent calcium buildup. Additionally, the display reminds you to run the self-cleaning cycle after every 50 hours of operation to maintain performance.
In testing across various beverages, performance was mostly strong. For whiskey, I found that the nugget ice diluted the drink too quickly; the Ecozy Ice Ball Maker or even regular cubes are better suited. For highballs, the nuggets floated to the top of the glass, creating an odd visual split and uneven cooling. Larger cubes again provided a more balanced experience. However, in drinks like boozy lemonade—especially MB Roland’s Kentucky Pink Lemonade—the nugget ice performed beautifully, keeping the drink cold without compromising flavor. Visually, it also added a nice touch, particularly for poolside sipping.
Beyond alcohol, the nugget ice excelled in everyday uses. My wife’s insulated tumbler, typically filled with refrigerator ice and water, stayed just as cold all day when using Ecozy’s nugget ice. In soda, it chilled quickly without overly fast melt, keeping the drink cool and crisp for over 40 minutes without excessive dilution.
In short, the Ecozy Smart Nugget Ice Maker delivers on its promises. It’s well-designed, easy to use, and produces high-quality nugget ice ideal for a wide range of uses. However, it carries a premium price tag at $400. If your primary goal is simply having more ice at home, there are cheaper machines that do the job. But if you appreciate the texture and functionality of nugget ice and want something that looks sharp and offers smart controls, the Ecozy is a great option—especially if fresh ice is your preference and you plan to use it regularly.
Through July 6, get 10% off at Amazon on the black nugget ice maker with code W84V3KYZ and 15% off the stainless steel model with code 5QOGFYTO.
A- / $400 [BUY IT NOW FROM AMAZON]
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