SOOPYK Nugget Ice Maker Review — compact countertop nugget ice

Intro

The SOOPYK Self Cleaning Countertop Nugget Ice Maker (model SOIC1512BK) is a small, plug-in nugget/pebble ice machine that promises fast production, a built-in self-clean cycle, and a compact footprint for countertop placement. The listing caps daily production at 33 pounds of ice, specifies a 2 liter water reservoir, and notes this particular unit does NOT keep ice cold — it makes and stores pebble ice in a small bin until you remove the cubes. This review pulls together the manufacturer listing, the item specs, and patterns from owner feedback so you can decide whether the machine fits your kitchen, lifestyle, and maintenance tolerance.

What it is / first look

At a glance, the SOOPYK SOIC1512BK is a plug-and-go nugget ice maker designed for countertops. The listing highlights these headline facts:

• Daily production: up to 33 pounds of nugget (pebble) ice per day.
• Water reservoir: 2 liters.
• Storage: approximately 2.2 pounds of ice in the machine's ice bin (the listing states it can store up to 2.2 lbs).
• First batch speed: the listing says the first batch comes in about 7–10 minutes.
• Power: 110 watts at 110 volts (listed wattage/voltage).
• Dimensions: 13.5" D x 9.5" W x 14.8" H, per the product specs.
• Refrigerant listed: R600a.
• Included in the box: 1x Nugget Ice Maker, 1x Ice Scoop, and 1x User Manual.
• Self-cleaning: the listing describes an automatic clean cycle activated by a clean button.

The unit is offered in black (the listing title and the product images indicate a black finish). The maker is sold with a one-year warranty and a 30-day return window, according to the listing’s bullet points.

Unboxing and first impression (based on owner reports)

Owners repeatedly praise the machine’s compact, sleek appearance and say it fits under many upper cabinets — one buyer explicitly noted it fit under their upper cabinetry and liked that the smaller footprint made countertop placement easy. The included ice scoop is standard; the listing confirms it arrives with the machine. Because there’s no water hookup required, buyers often install it anywhere with an outlet and fill the reservoir by hand.

In daily use

The SOOPYK is designed for daily countertop operation without a direct water line. The listing repeatedly emphasizes the simplicity: "simply fill the reservoir with water to start making ice" and "no water hookup needed — just plug in and fill the reservoir." Owners echo that simplicity — several reviewers describe plugging it in, filling the reservoir, and getting pebble ice quickly. The LED display and push-button controls are described by the listing as straightforward, with indicator lights for low water and a full ice basket.

Production speed and quantity

The manufacturer claims a first batch in 7–10 minutes and up to 33 pounds per day. Owner feedback aligns with those claims: users report fast, consistent ice production and peg the output as suitable for single users or small households. One buyer said they had enough ice to fill a 40 oz tumbler and still had some left — that’s helpful color for real-world capacity versus the raw numbers. Remember that the unit’s internal bin holds a small amount (about 2.2 lbs), so you’ll need to remove ice to free space if you want continuous production.

Noise, placement, and power

The listing shows a 110-watt rating and 110-volt operation. Owners describe the unit as compact and relatively quiet compared with larger models (one owner compared it favorably to a louder older Soopyk machine). Its compact dimensions (13.5" D x 9.5" W x 14.8" H) make it a good fit for tighter countertops, dorm rooms, or small apartment kitchens where a full-size ice machine or connection to plumbing isn't possible.

Cleaning and water management

Cleaning is a selling point: the listing advertises an "Auto Self Cleaning" function triggered with a clean button. That said, mixed owner feedback flags several real maintenance pain points. Owners say the manual is confusing and not prescriptive about whether to use tap vs filtered water, whether cleaning tablets are required, or how often to run a deep clean. Another recurring owner complaint is the drain design and its accessibility — several owners report the drain plug is difficult to locate and is actually on the bottom of the unit, which requires moving the whole machine to a sink to drain properly. One reviewer said the machine never fully drains, which made flushing cleaning solution difficult and required many cleaning cycles to clear it out. If you don’t have a nearby sink to manage bottom draining, plan accordingly.

Storage / ice temperature

Important functional fact: the listing explicitly states "NOTE, this machine does NOT keep ice cold." The machine makes nugget ice and stores it in a small bin; it won’t maintain ice at cold service temperatures like a freezer or built-in dispenser. Owners caution that the short storage window and small bin capacity mean you’ll use the ice soon after production or move it to a freezer or insulated container for longer storage.

Materials & build quality

The listing doesn’t provide a detailed materials breakdown beyond the refrigerant type and the visible outer finish (black). The product specs list the model, dimensions, wattage, voltage, and refrigerant (R600a). Owners describe the machine as "attractive" and "sleek" in black and praise the compact build. The unit ships with a user manual and an ice scoop, which owners note are helpful inclusions.

Because the listing doesn’t specify food-contact materials or casing materials in detail, treat the external appearance and the manufacturer claims as the available indicators of build quality. The positive owner comments about the look and the machine fitting under cabinetry are credible signals for a compact, well-finished product. Where the build leaves room to improve: the drain design and manual/documentation quality are cited by owners as weaker points for a product at this price point.

Safety considerations

Kitchen safety comes first. Here are the headline safety observations based on the listing and owner feedback:

• The product specs list R600a as the refrigerant. That is the refrigerant listed in the product details; verify handling and service instructions on the current manufacturer documentation before attempting any maintenance that would let you access sealed components.
• The listing says the machine will stop making ice when the ice bin is full or when the water reservoir is empty. Those automatic cutoffs reduce the risk of overworking the compressor while the machine is running dry or being blocked by ice.
• Owners report drain and cleaning challenges: the drain plug is reportedly located on the bottom and is hard to find, requiring the unit be moved to a sink to drain. Residual water after draining is also reported, which can be a hygiene concern if you don’t flush cleaning solution thoroughly. Take extra care following the manufacturer’s cleaning steps and verify the drain location before placing the unit in a permanent spot without a nearby sink.
• The listing explicitly notes the machine does NOT keep ice cold. That’s a functional limitation rather than a safety item, but it affects food-storage decisions: if you need ice held at safe serving temperatures for long periods, you should move it to a freezer or insulated cooler — the listing is clear on this point.
• Electrical rating is provided (110 W / 110 V). Use a standard grounded outlet and avoid extension cords or power strips that could overload a circuit; the listing provides the voltage/wattage but not any certification logos — check the current manufacturer listing for safety certifications and follow the manual's instructions.

Because the listing doesn’t enumerate certifications or detailed materials, confirm those items on the live product page or in the manufacturer documentation if they matter for your home or commercial use.

Who this is for / who should skip

Match the machine to the right cook and space. The SOOPYK nugget ice maker is best for:

• Singles, couples, and very small households that want soft, chewable nugget/pebble ice without installing a water line. Owners repeatedly describe it as "perfect for a single person or small household" and suitable for dorms or efficiency apartments.
• People who want fast nugget ice for drinks, blended beverages like aguas frescas and smoothies, or a small home bar. The listing puts out up to 33 lbs/day and a first batch in 7–10 minutes, and users report fast, consistent production.
• Kitchens that need a compact footprint. With dimensions of 13.5" D x 9.5" W x 14.8" H, owners say the unit can fit under many upper cabinets — measure your clearance because one owner specifically praised that fit.

Skip this unit if:

• You need a machine that keeps ice frozen for long periods. The listing is explicit: this machine does NOT keep ice cold.
• You have a larger household or frequent entertainers needing large on-demand ice storage. Although the daily production is up to 33 lbs, the onboard ice bin stores roughly 2.2 lbs; you’ll need to remove and store ice externally for continuous service.
• You lack an accessible sink or are unwilling to move the machine for draining. Owners report the drain plug is on the bottom and difficult to use without moving the unit to a sink — the design requires hands-on drainage.
• You want crystal-clear guidance on cleaning and maintenance. The user manual and cleaning instructions are repeatedly criticized in owner feedback as vague and poorly illustrated; if you want clear step-by-step maintenance documentation, this is something to consider.

Verdict

The SOOPYK SOIC1512BK is a compact, fast nugget ice maker that delivers chewable pebble ice quickly and without plumbing. Owners like its size, speed, and design; the listing supports those strengths with the 7–10 minute first-batch claim, a 2L reservoir, and up to 33 lbs/day output. The self-cleaning button and LED indicators are helpful features that simplify everyday use.

However, buyer feedback reveals friction points you should plan for: the machine doesn’t keep ice cold, the on-board storage is limited, and the maintenance/drain experience is clunky for some owners — the drain plug is reportedly underneath and hard to access, and several owners say the unit does not fully drain, which complicated cleaning. The manual’s diagrams are described as small and not prescriptive enough about water quality, cleaning tablets, or how to flush the system effectively. Those are important practical details, not theoretical issues.

All told, this SOOPYK model is a solid mid-range countertop nugget ice maker for single users and small households who want quick pebble ice without a permanent water hookup and who are comfortable with occasional hands-on draining and careful cleaning.

Check before you buy

• Measure your counter depth and overhead clearance — the listed dimensions are 13.5" D x 9.5" W x 14.8" H; owners say it fits under many upper cabinets but verify for your space.
• Confirm you’re comfortable manually filling the 2-liter reservoir and removing ice from the small bin (the listing states 2L reservoir and ~2.2 lbs storage).
• Plan for drainage: owners report the drain plug is on the bottom and that the machine may need to be moved to a sink to drain. If you don’t have a nearby sink, consider whether that’s acceptable.
• Remember the machine does NOT keep ice cold — if you need long-term storage of ice, you’ll need external freezer or insulated storage.
• Check the current listing and manufacturer docs for warranty details and any service or certification information you need — the listing states a one-year warranty and a 30-day return policy.
• Note the included items: one nugget ice maker, one ice scoop, and one user manual are listed as included components.

FAQ

• Q: Does this SOOPYK ice maker need a water hookup?
  A: The listing says no water hookup is needed — you simply fill the 2-liter reservoir by hand and plug the unit into a standard outlet (the specs list 110 watts at 110 volts).
• Q: How much ice does it make per day and how much can it store?
  A: The product description lists up to 33 pounds of nugget ice production per day and says the ice bin can store up to about 2.2 pounds. Owners report quick, consistent production suitable for a single person or small household.
• Q: Will this machine keep ice cold like a freezer-dispenser?
  A: The listing explicitly states that the machine does NOT keep ice cold; it produces and stores nugget ice in the bin but does not maintain freezer temperatures for long-term storage.
• Q: Is the machine self-cleaning and easy to maintain?
  A: The unit is listed with an "Auto Self Cleaning" function that activates via a clean button. However, owner feedback cautions that the manual and cleaning instructions are vague, the drain plug is reportedly hard to locate (owners say it is on the bottom), and some owners report residual water remains after draining, which can complicate cleaning cycles.
• Q: How fast does it make the first batch of ice?
  A: The listing claims the first batch of nugget ice is ready in 7–10 minutes. Owners report that production is fast and consistent and aligns with that claim.
• Q: What is included in the box?
  A: The product listing states the package includes 1x Nugget Ice Maker, 1x Ice Scoop, and 1x User Manual.
• Q: What about warranty and returns?
  A: The listing mentions a one-year warranty and a 30-day return policy; contact the manufacturer for specifics if you need service or a return.

Final notes

Colour and styling: this model is sold in black (as indicated in the product title and images). If color variants matter to you, verify current color options on the seller/manufacturer page before ordering. The machine’s practical strengths are its compact size, quick pebble-ice production, and plug-and-play operation without plumbing. The practical weaknesses are limited onboard storage, the lack of an in-unit ice-cold holding function, and owner-reported friction around draining and cleaning. If those trade-offs match your use case — fast nugget ice on demand for daily drinks, small parties, or blended beverages — the SOOPYK SOIC1512BK is worth considering. If you need long-term ice storage, a larger household capacity, or hands-off plumbing/drainage, look at larger models or machines with integrated drain lines and bigger ice bins.

Available colors

• black