• Ice production drops approximately 23% to 586 lbs. per day at 90°F ambient air and 70°F inlet water conditions.
• RIDE installations require the correct kits, carefully planned tubing runs, and proper ventilation, drainage, and service access. The added flexibility can create problems if the installation isn’t planned and executed correctly.
• Its horizontal evaporator and auger system make preventive maintenance especially important. Poor maintenance can increase the risk of mechanical problems over time.
• Like the Icetro unit, the D710A uses R-404A refrigerant rather than the lower-GWP R290.
• Follett supports replacement parts through its own parts ordering and service network, so depending on the market, parts may need to be ordered and shipped rather than picked up from a local distributor.
• Upfront price can be a concern for some operations, as Follett machines can sit toward the higher end of the nugget ice category.

• Produces up to 759 lbs. of Chewblet ice per day under 70°F ambient air and 50°F inlet water conditions.
• Follett’s scale-inhibiting design regularly expels dissolved solids, helping reduce scale buildup and extending the time between descaling in challenging water conditions.
• RIDE remote ice delivery allows the machine to be located up to 75 feet from a compatible bin or dispenser, creating unique installation flexibility.
• The Horizon Elite platform is specifically designed for reliable dispensing from ice and beverage dispensers.
• Features semi-automatic cleaning and sanitizing, Agion antimicrobial protection on treated components, and an easy-to-read diagnostic display.
• The D710A is only 22.7 inches wide and is ENERGY STAR certified.

Follett’s Horizon Elite D710A stands out for businesses that care heavily about dispensing flexibility, scale management, and installation options. It produces up to 759 lbs. of Follett Chewblet ice per day and is designed around flexible, reliable dispensing. Its RIDE technology can also transport ice through tubing to a compatible bin or dispenser located up to 75 feet from the machine, which can solve installation challenges that a standard top-mounted head can’t.

• Ice production drops approximately 22% to 556 lbs. per day at 90°F ambient air and 70°F inlet water conditions.
• Icetro’s U.S. distributor network is not as deep as some longer-established commercial ice brands, so local parts availability may be limited in remote markets.
• The IM-0770-AN uses R-404A refrigerant rather than the R290 used by several newer competing models.

• Produces up to 717 lbs. of nugget ice per day under 70°F ambient air and 50°F inlet water conditions.
• An automatic flush cycle helps support cleaner operation and reduce buildup inside the ice-making system.
• The auger design and motor alignment are intended to improve reliability in the machine’s most mechanical components.
• A simple diagnostic panel and removable air filter make routine service and cleaning more approachable.
• Its 22-inch-wide footprint and 304 stainless-steel construction provide a compact, durable package.

The Icetro IM-0770-AN earns a spot on our list as a straightforward, mid-volume nugget machine with practical cleaning and service features. It produces up to 717 lbs. per day and features an automatic flush cycle, simple diagnostic controls, a removable air filter, and an auger-and-motor design focused on reliability. It’s a practical option for businesses that want a solid feature set without an overly complicated platform.

• The softer nugget can be more prone to clumping or inconsistent dispensing than a firmer style, so businesses using beverage dispensers need to pay close attention to compatibility and operating conditions.
• Ice production drops approximately 26% to 707 lbs. per day at 90°F ambient air and 70°F inlet water conditions.
• At nearly 1,000 lbs. of ideal-condition production, it may be unnecessarily large for lower-volume operations.
• The 27-inch-high machine is taller than Scotsman’s N0622 platform, so total machine-and-bin or machine-and-dispenser height should be checked before installation.

• Original Chewable Nugget is Scotsman’s softer 74%-hardness option, prioritizing the texture many customers associate with nugget ice.
• Produces up to 956 lbs. of ice per day under 70°F ambient air and 50°F inlet water conditions.
• Sealed, maintenance-free bearings and a stainless-steel evaporator and auger support durability.
• AutoAlert indicators, a removable air filter, a unit-specific service QR code, and optional Smart-Board and ice-level controls all help with ease of operation, service, and maintenance.
• Scotsman’s long-established U.S. distributor and service network can make parts availability and support easier in many markets.
• Uses R290 refrigerant and is ENERGY STAR certified.

The NS0922AX-1 is our pick when softer, more chewable ice and higher production are the priorities. This model makes Scotsman’s Original Chewable Nugget and produces up to 956 lbs. per day. That combination makes it especially attractive for applications where ice may be scooped from a bin or where softness matters more than maximum dispensing reliability.

• Ice production drops approximately 20% to 525 lbs. per day at 90°F ambient air and 70°F inlet water conditions.
• The F-822 platform is a long-established design rather than a newer-generation redesign. Buyers looking for the latest machine architecture may see that as a drawback. However, its long track record of reliability can also be seen as a positive.

• Produces up to 653 lbs. of small Cubelet ice per day under 70°F ambient air and 50°F inlet water conditions.
• Advanced CleanCycle24 performs a brief flush every hour to help remove sediment and support cleaner operation.
• A stainless-steel auger with a greaseless bearing reduces lubrication concerns, while a factory-installed ultrasonic bin control helps manage ice levels.
• Removable air filters and easily accessible components make routine cleaning and service more approachable.
• Hoshizaki has a long-established U.S. distributor and service network, which can make parts and qualified service easier to source in many markets.
• Uses R290 hydrocarbon refrigerant and is ENERGY STAR certified.

Hoshizaki’s F-822MAK-C is a strong mid-volume choice for businesses that want small Cubelet ice from a well-established manufacturer. It produces up to 653 lbs. per day and combines the time-proven auger-style platform with maintenance-focused features such as CleanCycle24 and a greaseless bearing. That balance of practical output, serviceability, and established support makes it a solid fit for restaurants and other beverage applications.

• While H² Nugget’s firmness makes dispensing more consistent, it gives up some of the softness and chewability of Scotsman’s Original Chewable Nugget.
• Ice production drops approximately 28% to 466 lbs. per day at 90°F ambient air and 70°F inlet water conditions.

• Scotsman’s H² Nugget Ice is firmer than its Original Chewable Nugget, which helps it hold its shape and dispense more reliably.
• Produces up to 644 lbs. of ice per day under 70°F ambient air and 50°F inlet water conditions.
• Sealed, maintenance-free bearings and a stainless-steel evaporator and auger help reduce routine mechanical maintenance and improve durability.
• Includes AutoAlert indicators, a unit-specific QR code for service information, a removable air filter, and optional Smart-Board diagnostic accessories that make cleaning and service needs easier to identify.
• Scotsman has a long-established U.S. distributor and service network, which can make local parts availability easier in many markets.
• Uses R290 refrigerant and is ENERGY STAR certified.

Scotsman’s NH0622AX-1 is one of our top choices for businesses where reliable dispensing is a must. This model produces Scotsman’s firmer H² Nugget, which is rated at 87% hardness, rather than its Original Chewable Nugget, which is rated at 74%. That added firmness can make a noticeable difference in dispensability, making this machine well-suited for restaurants with soda fountains and other high-use drink stations where reliability is just as important as chewability. The NH0622AX-1 produces up to644 lbs. per day in a compact 22.9” W x 24” D x 23” H footprint.