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The smart home gadget you didn’t know you needed in the kitchen (and why it’s worth it)

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Also: This portable ice maker makes ice so fast, I can’t imagine living without it

GoveeLife (a sub-brand of Govee, who specializes in smart lighting) already has a countertop ice maker, but this version produces ice at a much faster rate, and, more importantly, makes the absolutely addictive nugget ice. Like similar products, it comes with a price that might make you pause at first — $500. 

govee-nugget-ice-maker

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Like any tech product these days, this ice maker includes AI. The company touts “AI NoiseGuard technology” that’s supposed to eliminate disruptive noise and automatically thaw to prevent freeze-ups. That’s actually a problem I’ve had with my current ice maker; in my short time so far with Govee’s, I haven’t encountered it. 

GoveeLife’s nugget ice maker has a constant hum while making ice, but it’s not loud. It was noticeable throughout my kitchen, but it wasn’t overbearing by any means, and I couldn’t hear it at all from the next room.

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The app is easy to use. I could start the machine with a tap, and it followed the schedules I set. The reminders when the machine is out of water or needs cleaning were a nice touch, too. It’s compatible with Alexa and Google Assistant for voice control, and I quickly found that “Alexa, make ice” is one of my new favorite smart home commands. 

GoveeLife claims the machine can start producing ice in as little as 6 minutes and produce up to 2.5 pounds per hour. Both claims seem pretty spot-on. I schedule ice production to start about 15 minutes before I wake up each morning, and the bucket is full enough for a glass by the time I reach the kitchen.

The ice is on par with what I’ve seen from similar products — soft, chewable nuggets that are just like some of my favorite fast food spots. 

ZDNET’s buying advice

So is it worth $500? I’d say yes. It’s a luxury purchase for sure, and you might get some raised eyebrows from friends when you tell them how much you spent just to have nugget ice every day (in all fairness, that price will buy more than 160 10-pound bags of Sonic ice). But if you’re willing to push past that barrier, you’ll likely have no other complaints. 

I love nugget ice, and I actually find myself drinking more water if I have constant, easy access to it. For the convenience of having a fresh supply every morning when I wake up or within a few minutes of tapping the app, it’s worth it. Additionally, a machine like this is always great for hosting parties, as it makes ice faster than my refrigerator (and most people prefer nugget ice anyway when given a choice). 

If you’re looking for a simple-to-use ice maker that provides as much nugget ice as you can handle and you don’t mind the eye-catching, modern design, the GoveeLife Smart Nugget Ice Maker Pro

Source : ZDNet

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