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How loud are they, and how much power do they use?
Updated
Noise is the complaint that shows up in every owner summary we read, and most listings say nothing about it. Only two of the six picks give a figure: GE lists the Opal at 44 dBA, and Euhomy claims under 45 dB for its bullet machine. For scale, the NIDCD puts normal conversation at 60 to 70 dBA. Power is simpler. These are 105 to 170 watt machines.
What is on the listings
| Model | Listed watts | Most it could use in 24 h | Noise figure |
|---|---|---|---|
| GE Profile Opal 2.0 Ultra | 150 W | 3.6 kWh | 44 dBA (GE product page) |
| Frigidaire EFIC452-SS clear | 120 W | 2.9 kWh | None given |
| Euhomy IM013 nugget | 130 W | 3.1 kWh | None given |
| Frigidaire EFIC117-SS | 105 W | 2.5 kWh | None given |
| Euhomy IM001 with handle | 170 W | 4.1 kWh | Under 45 dB (maker claim) |
| Igloo IGLICEB26HNBK | 105 W | 2.5 kWh | None given |
- GE Profile Opal 2.0 Ultra3.6 kWh
- Frigidaire EFIC452-SS clear2.9 kWh
- Euhomy IM013 nugget3.1 kWh
- Frigidaire EFIC117-SS2.5 kWh
- Euhomy IM001 with handle4.1 kWh
- Igloo IGLICEB26HNBK2.5 kWh
The 24 hour figure is listed watts x 24 / 1,000. It is a ceiling, since the compressor does not run flat out all day. Euhomy's own listing says 4 kWh per 24 hours for the IM001, which matches its 170 watts (4.1 kWh by our math). To turn kWh into cost, multiply by the rate on your power bill.
Why a quiet number and loud reviews can both be true
A dB figure is one steady reading. An ice maker is not steady. The compressor hums, the fan runs, a pump moves water, and every few minutes a batch of ice drops into a plastic basket. Owner summaries for all six picks split on noise, from very quiet to loud. The Opal summary names loud noises outright, even with the lowest published figure here. GE's troubleshooting page lists loud pumping noises as a known topic.
What you can control:
- Give it air. GE asks for 3 inches of clearance on all sides so warm air can vent away, and says an enclosed cabinet or a warm spot can cut ice production. A machine that runs hot runs longer.
- Keep it clean. Euhomy's support page ties water changes to less noise, and says scale can block the pump.
- Put it where the drop does not matter. A pantry counter or a bar cart beats the counter next to the sofa.
- Turn it off at night. The basket is not a freezer, so an overnight run mostly remakes melted ice.
Plug any of these straight into a grounded wall outlet, as the manuals ask. None of them draws much, but they are compressors sitting next to water.
Check your own numbers with the pounds per hour calculator, or compare all six picks on the roundup page.