Making the soft and chewable ice often found at fast food chains is actually a difficult task for a small machine. In the past, home ice makers were famous for being very loud and breaking down because ice would get stuck inside the gears. At the CES 2026 tech show, a company called GoveeLife introduced a new solution called the Smart Nugget Ice Maker Pro. This machine uses smart software to fix the most common complaints people have about owning an ice maker. Instead of just spinning a motor, the machine uses sensors to watch for problems before they happen.
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So, how does the machine operate ‘silently’?
Most ice makers make a loud grinding sound because they use a metal blade to scrape ice off a cold wall. If the ice gets too thick or hard, the motor has to work extra hard, which creates a high-pitched noise. GoveeLife solved this by creating a system called AI NoiseGuard. This system listens to the machine and feels for tiny vibrations that humans cannot notice.
The software is very accurate at spotting a potential jam. When it senses that ice is starting to get stuck, it automatically warms up just enough to clear the path. This keeps the machine running smoothly without those loud clanking sounds. It means you can keep the ice maker on your kitchen counter without it ruining a conversation or a movie in the next room. This change from old fashioned machines to “smart” ones makes the appliance much more pleasant to live with every day.
What if you have a big group coming and need some quick ice?
Many people worry that a small machine will take hours to make enough ice for a party. The Smart Nugget Ice Maker Pro is designed to be much faster than older models. It has a powerful cooling system that allows it to start dropping fresh ice into the basket in only six minutes. This is a big improvement for anyone who has ever forgotten to start their ice maker until guests were already at the door.
In a full day’s operation, this machine can produce 60 pounds of ice. To put that in perspective, that is enough for about 60 large drinks. The machine has a main water tank inside and an extra tank on the side that you can take off to refill at the sink. This design means you do not need a plumber to hook the machine up to your house pipes. You just plug it in and add water. The ice it makes is also specifically designed to stay solid longer so it does not turn into a watery mess as soon as it hits your cup.
Can this machine be operated with your smartphone?
Modern appliances are often confusing, but this ice maker uses a simple touch screen on the front. It has a bright light bar that changes color to tell you if it needs more water or if the ice bin is full. You can see everything you need to know without even opening the lid. This is helpful because keeping the lid closed keeps the cold air inside so the ice stays frozen for up to six hours.
You can also connect the machine to your smartphone using a dedicated app. This lets you tell the machine when to start making ice. For example, you can use your phone to start the machine while you are at work so that a full bin of ice is waiting for you when you get home. The app also tells you when the machine needs to be cleaned. Instead of guessing when to wash it, the app tracks how much you have used it and sends a reminder to your phone. This helps the machine last a lot longer because it prevents minerals from the water from building up inside.
Will this device fit in a modern, or smaller kitchen?
Even though this machine can make a lot of ice, it is small enough to fit under most kitchen cabinets. It uses a laser sensor to know exactly when the basket is full. Older machines used a simple mechanical flap that would often get stuck, causing ice to spill out. The laser is much more reliable and ensures the machine stops exactly when it should.
The stainless steel look is designed to match other modern appliances. GoveeLife is focusing on making a machine that does not require you to be a tech expert to use. By automating the cleaning and the noise control, they have turned a high maintenance tool into something that just works in the background of a busy home. It offers a professional level of ice making without the need for a professional to install or fix it.
Release and pricing information
The company has not given a final price for this specific Pro model yet, but their standard ice maker usually costs around $180. Because the Pro version has the new quiet technology and makes much more ice, it will likely cost a bit more than the basic version. You will be able to find it on the official Govee website and on Amazon once it officially goes on sale.
