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Manitowoc Ice Machine Review: Indigo NXT and NEO

A Manitowoc ice machine is a strong pick for most restaurants, bars and hotels, as long as you match the family to the job. The Indigo NXT line is a set of modular heads that sit on a separate bin; the heads in our table range from about 260 to 790 lb a day at the tougher 90°F air and 70°F water rating. The NEO line is a self-contained undercounter machine with its own bin, made for bars, cafes and small kitchens. Specs below come from our listings and Manitowoc’s website; we have not tested these machines ourselves.

The Manitowoc ice machine lineup at a glance

Manitowoc model codes tell you a lot. In our listings the second letter marks the cube: “D” is full dice, “Y” is half dice and “R” is regular. The last letter before the voltage code is the condenser: “A” for air cooled, “W” for water cooled. Here are nine representative models, all in stock and ready to order.

Model Family Width Cube Cooling Production per 24 hr (70/50, then 90/70) Built-in storage Price
IDP0300A head Indigo NXT 30 in Full dice Air 309 lb, 261 lb None (needs a bin) $3,651.00
IDP0620A head Indigo NXT 22 in Full dice Air 482 lb, 407 lb None (needs a bin) $4,302.00
IRP0500W head Indigo NXT 30 in Regular Water 484 lb, 374 lb None (needs a bin) $4,880.00
IDP0800A head Indigo NXT 30 in Full dice Air 775 lb, 674 lb None (needs a bin) $6,454.00
IDP1000A head Indigo NXT 30 in Full dice Air 970 lb, 790 lb None (needs a bin) $7,299.00
UYP0190A-161BX NEO undercounter 26 in Half dice Air 200 lb (rating basis not listed) 90 lb bin $3,332.00
URP0310A NEO undercounter Not listed Regular Air 300 lb, 245 lb 119 lb $4,187.00
UDP0310A-261ZG NEO undercounter 30 in Full dice Air 315 lb (rating basis not listed) 119 lb bin $4,133.00
RNP0620A with D320 bin Nugget head plus bin 22 in Nugget Air 591 lb, 451 lb 264 lb application capacity $7,227.00

Size on the second production number. The 90/70 figure (90°F room, 70°F water) is the AHRI certified rating and is closer to a summer kitchen than the 70/50 figure. Our guide to what size ice machine you need shows how to turn covers and drinks into pounds per day.

Manitowoc Indigo NXT: what you get

Every Indigo NXT head in the table shares the same control and sanitation package, according to both our listings and Manitowoc’s cube ice machine page. The highlights:

  • easyTouch display. 13 language options, reminder and alert icons, and automatic detection of accessories.
  • Programmable production. Set output by time, weight, or a day and night schedule.
  • Bluetooth and the Manitowoc Ice App. Manitowoc says select Indigo NXT machines pair with its app for real-time status, alerts, diagnostics, settings and energy, water and ice production data. Not every unit is compatible: Manitowoc says to look for a Bluetooth sticker on the front panel or a Bluetooth icon in the settings menu.
  • Cleaning. One touch cleaning with on-screen instructions, AlphaSan antimicrobial protection in the food zone, an all-white interior, a front-facing evaporator and tool-free snap-fit food zone parts. LuminIce II is an optional add-on that Manitowoc says protects against bacteria and yeast.
  • Water and refrigerant. R290 natural refrigerant. Manitowoc says updated firmware uses up to 22% less water on average compared with the previous Indigo NXT firmware, and notes results vary with use and conditions.

Heads need a bin, and sometimes an adapter, so budget for both. See modular vs undercounter ice machines for how heads and bins pair.

Pros and cons of Indigo NXT, from the specs

  • Pro: wide output range on one control platform, from about 261 lb at 90/70 (IDP0300A) up to 790 lb (IDP1000A).
  • Pro: a 22 in option (IDP0620A) gives 407 lb at 90/70 for tight lines.
  • Pro: air and water cooled versions of most sizes.
  • Con: the head price is only part of the cost; a bin is extra.
  • Con: app features depend on the specific unit being Bluetooth compatible.

Manitowoc NEO undercounter machines

The NEO is a one box machine: ice maker and bin together, sized to slide under a counter. Manitowoc’s NEO page lists these features:

  • Integrated water filtration (our URP0310A listing specifies an on-board 5 micron filter).
  • A touchpad with on/off, delay, cleaning, filter replacement, full bin and service indicators.
  • A removable, forward-sliding storage bin that gives access to refrigeration parts without pulling the machine out.
  • Front ventilation, so it can sit under a counter or next to other equipment.
  • An angled door, AlphaSan antimicrobial and R290 refrigerant; Manitowoc says some NEO models are ENERGY STAR qualified.

Pros and cons of NEO, from the specs

  • Pro: lowest entry price in our lineup ($3,332.00 for the UYP0190A-161BX) with storage included.
  • Pro: service access from the front, which matters under a bar top.
  • Con: output tops out around 300 lb a day in the models above, and storage is 90 to 119 lb.
  • Con: once installed, you cannot add capacity the way you can by swapping a modular head.

Nugget and specialty options

For chewable nugget ice, the RNP0620A head on a D320 bin makes 451 lb at 90/70 in a 22 in footprint. It costs more than a cube head of similar output, so choose it for the ice style, not for capacity.

Manitowoc ice machine warranty

Manitowoc’s warranty page lists these terms for commercial applications:

  • Indigo NXT, Indigo and NEO undercounter cube machines: 3 years parts and labor, 5 years parts on the compressor, and 5 years parts and labor on the evaporator.
  • RN series nugget machines: 3 years parts, 2 years labor, and 5 years compressor parts with 2 years labor.
  • Replacement parts bought after the product warranty ends: 90 days from installation, or 1 year for a compressor or evaporator.

Labor coverage excludes travel, normal maintenance, cleaning, adjustments and improper installation. Read Manitowoc’s full warranty document for your model, and call us if you want help confirming which terms apply.

Who each family suits

  • Bar, cafe or coffee shop with one service well: a NEO undercounter such as the UYP0190A-161BX (half dice) or the UDP0310A-261ZG (full dice).
  • Restaurant with a 22 in gap: the IDP0620A head on a matching bin.
  • Busy restaurant or hotel floor: the IDP0800A or IDP1000A head with a bin sized for your peak.
  • Hot or cramped kitchen with poor airflow: a water cooled head like the IRP0500W, if local code allows. Our air vs water cooled ice machine guide covers the trade-offs.

Power, water supply, drains and condenser choice all affect installation. A licensed electrician and plumber, along with your local code, have the final word.

Frequently asked questions

What is the difference between Manitowoc Indigo NXT and NEO?

Indigo NXT machines are modular heads that sit on a separate bin and offer more capacity, with the easyTouch display and app connectivity on select units. NEO machines are self-contained undercounter units with a built-in bin, a simpler touchpad and integrated water filtration.

How much ice does a Manitowoc NEO undercounter make?

The NEO models above are listed at 200 to 315 lb a day. The URP0310A is rated at 300 lb at 70/50 and 245 lb AHRI certified at 90/70, with 119 lb of storage.

What is the Manitowoc ice machine warranty?

For Indigo NXT, Indigo and NEO undercounter cube machines, Manitowoc lists 3 years parts and labor, 5 years compressor parts and 5 years evaporator parts and labor in commercial use. Check Manitowoc’s full warranty for exclusions.

Browse every model on our Manitowoc brand page, or start with the commercial kitchen equipment guide if you are planning a full build-out. We ship freight free on orders of $999 or more, with a $200 flat rate below that. Questions about sizing, bins or which Manitowoc ice machine fits your space? Call us at 866-777-2590, Monday to Friday, 9AM to 6PM PST. Sources: Manitowoc Indigo NXT, Manitowoc NEO, Manitowoc warranty.

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