Nugget Ice Makers - Water Lines vs Water Tanks

If you’re looking for a nugget ice maker for home, one of the first things you’ll have to decide on is the water supply.

Some nugget ice makers come with a built-in (or attachable) water tank, while other machines come with a water line.

Each one has its own set of advantages and drawbacks, and which one is best for you ultimately boils down to personal preference. You can take a look at the full list and decide for yourself. But, if you have trouble answering the question “should I go for a nugget ice maker with a water line or a nugget ice maker with a water tank?”, we’re here to help you out!

In this article, we’ll compare the 2 so you can make an informed decision.

Nugget Ice Makers with Water Lines

Benefits of Nugget Ice Makers with Water Lines

• No need to go through the hassle of regularly refilling your nugget ice maker
• Saves time (and possibly money if you'd use bottled water)
• More powerful freestanding and under-counter models to choose from
• Less dripping and leaking from the water tank
  

Disadvantages of Nugget Ice Makers with Water Lines

• You'll have to place your nugget ice maker near a water supply.
• You can't take the machine with you to a party or social gathering.
• Fewer affordable countertop models to choose from.
• You'll have to go through the process of hooking up to a water supply (can be quite a hassle).

Nugget Ice Makers with Water Tanks

Opting for a nugget ice maker with a water tank means having more affordable countertop models to choose from. However, most of the more expensive under-counter and freestanding nugget ice makers need to be hooked up to a water supply which means there are fewer options.This is due to the fact that these more expensive nugget ice makers are more powerful and have a higher capacity which means they will need large amounts of water.

Benefits of Nugget Ice Makers with Water Tanks

• Having more flexibility on the nugget ice maker placement in your home.
• You can take the machine with you to parties or social gatherings.
• More affordable countertop models to choose from.
• No need to go through the process of hooking up to a water supply (can be quite a hassle).

Disadvantages of Nugget Ice Makers with Water Tanks

• You'll have to keep doing the same action (refilling) regularly.
• You'll lose more time (and possibly money if you're using bottled water).
• Less powerful freestanding and under-counter models to choose from.
• More potential leaking and dripping from the water tank.

Conclusion

As you can see there are perks and drawbacks to both types of water supply. Which one is best for you depends on your own personal preference as well as your housing facilities.

I personally like the portable countertop models with water tanks as they give me more flexibility with regards to placement and transport.

If you feel the same way, I highly recommend you to check out my list of the best countertop nugget ice makers currently available (on the homepage). It contains reviews, ratings, buying guides, and everything else you need to know!