Pros
- Nugget ice that tastes the same as the GE Opal
- Higher daily output (44 lbs) than the Opal
- Roughly $150 cheaper
- Fast first batch (~10 minutes)
Cons
- Louder, with irregular operating noise
- No WiFi, app, or UV sanitization
- Weaker long-term reliability and support
Specifications
- Type
- Countertop nugget ice maker
- Daily output
- 44 lbs / 24h
- Storage bin
- 3 lbs
- WiFi / app
- None
- First batch
- ~10 minutes
- Dimensions
- 16.75"D × 11.75"W × 20.25"H
- Warranty
- 1 year
Performance
On the thing that matters most — the ice — the Frigidaire holds its own: reviewers describe the nugget output as crisp and chewable, and several say a blind taste test against the GE Opal is a coin flip. It even out-produces the Opal at 44 lbs a day. The pellets run slightly harder, and the machine growls rather than hums.
Build Quality
This is where the savings show. Built under license by Curtis International, it is plastic-heavy, and owners report panel-light failures, a flaky water-shortage sensor, and ice-quality decline after six to twelve months. Its Amazon rating has slipped as the fleet ages, pointing to inconsistent quality control.
Value Assessment
At around $260 it is the clear value pick — near-identical ice for well under the Opal’s street price. You are trading smart features, quiet operation, and long-term durability for the lower sticker, which is a fair deal if you treat it as a few-year appliance rather than a forever one.
Who Should Buy It
Budget-minded buyers who just want great nugget ice and do not care about WiFi, quiet operation, or maximum longevity.
Who Should Skip It
Anyone who wants app scheduling, the quietest possible operation, or a machine likely to last many years — the GE Opal is the safer long-term buy.
Final Recommendation
The Frigidaire EFIC255 is the smart pick if your priority is the cheapest path to genuinely good nugget ice. Just go in knowing it is a value appliance — louder, simpler, and less durable than the Opal it imitates so well on taste.