If you drink this stuff cold all year round, these cold brew coffee makers are definitely for you.
Just a cup of freshly brewed drip coffee in the morning is the most amazing thing. But there are moments when you can’t afford to wait for it to brew. Making cold brew concentrate the day before will also save this much time in the morning — just like making a jar of overnight coffee. For that reason, the coffee lovers in The Beauty Homes experimented with over a dozen of the leading cold brew coffee makers on the market: both manual and electric.
A standard cold brew coffee maker is somewhat like an art teacher from a kindergarten for coffee. And thus, it becomes clear that choosing the best cold brew coffee maker means not necessarily opting for the most sophisticated equipment.
It’s often a device that best performs the less-contrasting method, allowing cold-steep coffee grounds to slowly reveal their inherent natural sweetness profile and other subtle flavors, along with a good boost of the stimulant, caffeine. And this is a good one because it’s low in acidity, which makes it easy on the stomach, easy on the tongue too. But as with all delicate things, what can go wrong while making cold brew can also be delicate.
We also attempted a new generation of devices that attempt to speed up the process, from slow-drip coffee devices that resemble chemist’s equipment to some of the newest and most buzzed-about devices in the entire world of coffee—to see if any may come anywhere close to the lengthy and deliberate process of just letting coffee be a coffee.
In assessing and comparing cold brew coffee makers we calculated the yield, provided a taste test and looked into such aspects as filter type, material and measurement. From years of testing every kind of coffee maker, these are our top-tested choices listed below.
A brief review of the Best Cold Brew Coffee Makers
Best Overall Cold Brew Coffee Maker
OXO Cold Brew Coffee Maker
PROS
- Big shower head shaped like a “rainmaker” ensures that water splashes out evenly
- Filter is very easy to clean and the glass carafe is dishwasher safe
- Concentrate can last up to two weeks for the lid comes included
- Readings taken on carafe assist in establishment of right proportion
CONS
- Lid for brewing reservoir is missing
OXO’s most popular model brewed exceptional java, which was creamy, well-tasting, and had a good dose of chocolate notes. The ease of preparation was much appreciated by our testers; you simply add coarsely ground coffee and pour water through the ‘rainmaker’ lid, the holes of which help to evenly distribute the water over the coffee grounds.
Allow to settle for 12-24hr then filter off your grounds. The 32 ounces carafe allows for adequate concentration to serve about 14 cups of coffee. We appreciate that the appliance has a built-in feature to prevent messes: If ever the carafe leaves the desired location, the drip will also stop.
While many cold brews are recommended to be consumed within a week after brewing by most specialists, this model brews coffee concentrate that can be stored and enjoyed for up to two weeks due to it having a lid with a silicone seal to retain its freshness. However, we would have wanted it to have a lid for the brewing reservoir as well.
While this pick is mostly plastic, the cleaning process was nearly as good: Our testers gave it 4 out of 5 points thanks to the reusable, easy-clean stainless steel filter, and the glass carafe, which is dishwasher safe. Another tester said: ‘It cleaned up quickly and thoroughly without any problem encountered.’
When it came to design aspects, the measurement markings on the carafe were praised by our pros for the dosing water before brewing and the coffee after — and could conveniently fit into the fridge. Another plus which testers appreciated – the functionality of this large capacity model — you might need to brew only once a week, even if there are two people.
Dimensions: 9.5 x 9.5 x 14.72 inches | Weight: 2.5 pounds | Capacity: 32 ounces | Material: Plastic, glass
Best Value Cold Brew Coffee Maker
Takeya Deluxe Cold Brew Coffee Maker
PROS
- Safe for the dishwasher
- Simple to operate and came with a user-friendly manual
- Available in two sizes that can both be stored in a fridge
CONS
- There is no scale design or numbering on the side of the unit
Another excellent cold brew maker that is reasonably priced is the Takeya Deluxe Cold Brew Coffee Maker that is perfect and grows short of quality. The pitcher-style cold brew coffee maker garnered nearly perfect scores across all categories of usage. The manual is very specific and informative, the device itself is quite user-friendly, at least in our experience. It is easy to clean all the parts and this product is safe for the dishwasher.
The fine mesh filter is like a tea infuser; it is an assurance that the maker of the cold brew is going to produce a delicious, smooth, and intense concentrate that is free from sediments. It can also be used for brewing iced tea. In general, our testers were satisfied with the fact that the taste was rather enjoyable at the same time being quite affordable.
There are two sizes available in this design, namely the 1-quart and the 2-quart pots.Each is in the size of a standard pitcher of the same capacity, you could just put the whole thing inside the fridge and pour serving wherever required. But, It features no measurements on the side, which means that you need to estimate or, if you want to be accurate, use a separate measuring cup.
Dimensions: 5 x 7.5 x 9.5 inches | Weight: 9.6 ounces | Capacity: 33.8 ounces | Material: Plastic
Best Compact Cold Brew Coffee Maker
OXO Compact Cold Brew Coffee Maker
PROS
- It is easy to pour
- Creates rich cold brew concentrate for coffee
- Fit the components inside for easier storage
CONS
- Not as perfect for one or two drinkers
For people who do not brew large volumes of cold brew coffee or do not have room in their refrigerator for a large carafe, OXO also produced a small model that works as well as the large one and is easy to clean.
Moreover, one of our testers now enjoys using this Amazon’s choice cold brew coffee maker at home. Not only that but “The parts all nest, too, which is nice when you’re storing away.” He also says that it is small enough to go in his pantry or fridge. The same single cup coffee maker specialist said the model was easy to pour and further appreciated the bold, full-bodied taste of the coffee it made with no sediment found.
While it can take a few cycles to prepare enough cold brew for a group, it is perhaps the best option when you only need a few cups of coffee at home. It’s also a perfect choice if you are a college student and live in a dorm and can’t bear to part ways with fresh cold brew in the morning before classes. It’s also cheaper by a good $20 than our overall best, which makes it even more desirable.
Dimensions: 5.2 x 5.3 x 8.6 inches | Weight: 1.4 pounds | Capacity: 23.7 ounces | Material: Stainless steel, glass
Best Dual-Filter Cold Brew Coffee Maker
Toddy Cold Brew System
PROS
- Paper filters are easy to clean
- Function of two-filter design is to leave out sediment
- Instructions earned a perfect score for being easily understandable
- Is best for servings of up to eight portions
CONS
- The upper side is somewhat heavy
- Paper filter costs approximately $1 each
While the Toddy Cold Brew coffee maker is not the most attractive in the market, the top part is rather heavy and looks like it is floating, but our experts assure us that it is one of the best for the price. The instructions, which received maximum score in regards to simplicity of the guide throughout the entire set up, brewing and cleaning process, dictate that the coffee to water ratio produces a potent, full bodied, velvet textured brew.
This pick is intended to reduce sediment, It has a felt filter as well as a paper filter. The felt filters are fully reusable which makes it cost effective and eco-friendly. At the same time, the paper filters are averagely priced at $1 each, and clean-up is quite easy.
We also found that the Toddy output was more efficient. A brewing mixture of 12 ounces containing coffee and about 54 ounces of water, offers close to 4 full cups of concentrate, sufficient for eight servings.
Dimensions: 7.25 x 7.25 x 12.5 inches | Weight: 2.51 pounds | Capacity: 33.8 ounces | Material: Plastic, glass
Best Splurge Cold Brew Maker
Dash Rapid Cold Brew Maker
PROS
- Prepared cold brew with almost little amount of sediment
- It can prepare coffee and tea within 10 minutes
CONS
- It’s also the most expensive option on our list
This particular Dash model is on the pricier side but our kitchen appliance expert found that this appliance yielded cold brew with strong taste. If you are a lover of cold brew, you may identify with the uneven texture and off-putting taste that characterizes cold brew when sediments are allowed to float all over the brew. Compared to other cold brew coffee makers on the market, there was not a whole lot of sediment when using the Dash.
Most of the testers shared positive remarks like this comment from one of them, “This little machine is a beast and has enhanced my iced coffee experience so much!” Even quicker brewing time as well as constant and good tasting coffee was also valued by the Testers in addition to the useful user’s guide.
However, they did want a smaller base for the carafe along with more marking on the side of the carafe than just having the “max” line. However, we are glad that with this model, tea can also be brewed, which adds to its versatility in general. A reusable filter also helps save money because you will not need to purchase paper filters for each use.
Dimensions: 8 x 7.5 x 16 inches | Weight: 4.7 pounds | Capacity: 2.5 pounds | Material: Glass
Best with a Spout Cold Brew Coffee Maker
KitchenAid Cold Brew Coffee Maker
PROS
- Both makes cold brew and tea
- Users’ manual contain instructions and recipes
- Every time produces smooth flavorful results
CONS
- Difficult to clean
This KitchenAid cold brew coffee maker is very glamorous and is made of stainless steel and glass, so it looks sleek and modern, and looks cool on the countertop and in the refrigerator. The interface was very clear and considered to be incredibly user-friendly.
The user’s guide is elaborated in a simplified manner, contains illustrations and also clear, structured instructions, and recipes for the use of the concentrate. Opening the lid is easy because it comes with an oversized knob, and making a coffee has been made easier since the reservoir comes with a fill guideline on it.
One downside was that she stated that the fill line was not very accurate, the measured grounds were just over the line, a helpful hint, therefore, to use the kitchen scale for accurate results since all the grounds can be of various sizes. When left for a period of 12 hours, the outcomes resembled smooth and good taste.
Our tester had no issues with the spout which gradually poured at a moderate flow rate that is easy to regulate. They also enjoyed taking the concentrate with the help of ice and with hot water. You also don’t need to choose another, as you can use this pick for brewing tea. Cleaning the unit is a bit of a challenge because it has many crevices and it is not suitable for the dishwasher.
Dimensions: 8 x 7 x 6.9 inches | Weight: 5.5 pounds | Capacity: 28 ounces | Material: Glass, stainless steel
Best Immersion Cold Brew Coffee Maker
Ovalware Airtight Cold Brew Iced Coffee Maker
PROS
- Brew quality in the cups and milliliters
- Silicone base pad and Comfortable handle
CONS
- Extra decanting
- Slim head for cleaning
Regarding the variety of immersion filter cold brew coffee makers, Ovalware is among the best filtering coffee makers in our rating. We also appreciated that about the brewer making us aware of sweeter profiles. With regards to the brew ratio this is determined to be 1:11 and this is quite standard especially for similarly styled brewers.
With a relatively porous, long filter which extends from the narrow neck to the wider brewing area at the bottom of this brewer appears to be the best in this brewer. However, we noticed that more decantation was needed to fully clear the brew of the sediment. Some of the design aspects we liked the most included the rubber base pad, small lip that won’t chip off easily and the perfect grip and pouring.
Cleaning is a bit time-consuming because if you choose to wash a bottle by hand, you will have to use a bottle brush. The only area they could make slight improvements is on the quality of the silicone seals they use which are comparatively average.
Dimensions: 8 x 5.4 x 4.7 inches | Weight: 16 ounces | Capacity: 2.1 pounds | Material: Borosilicate glass, silicone
Best Automatic Cold Brew Coffee Maker
Cuisinart Automatic Cold Brew Coffee Maker
PROS
- Quick brewing and variable brewing options
- Modernity Convenience features and dishwasher-safe parts
CONS
- Lightweight filter basket and Noisy while brewing
Most cold brew coffee makers are simple appliances that may take a long time to steep. This is not the case with the Cuisinart Automatic Cold Brew Coffeemaker. While relatively expensive, it is capable of producing 7-cup cold brew in approximately 25 to 40 minutes.
The time taken to brew cold coffee depends on whether one wants the coffee to be mild, medium or strong. While still, on the longest setting, however, it is significantly faster than multiple hours required for other cold brew makers. Don’t be disheartened by the fact that it has an automated feel to it.
This coffee machine is very user-friendly and in fact, almost as easy to use as a conventional drip coffee maker – put the grounds in the filter, pour the water in the tank, and switch it on. A disadvantage is that the machine is quite noisy during the brewing process and since it takes longer time to brew than a drip coffee maker.
Moreover, some of its customers pointed out that the filter basket is relatively delicate. Of course there are advantages and disadvantages of exploring the Cuisinart Automatic Cold Brew Coffee maker but if you are looking for convenience and speed where you just have to press a button, then this is the best pick.
Dimensions: 8.88 x 11.75 x 15.25 inches | Weight: 6 Pounds | Capacity: 35 ounces | Material: Glass, plastic, and stainless steel
Best Ease of Use Cold Brew Coffee Maker
Hario Mizudashi Cold Brew Coffee Maker
PROS
- Cheap and dishwasher safe
- Available in various sizes
CONS
- Tall for some refrigerators and Glass is thin
The cold brew coffee flavored coffee maker is easily one of the most laid back methods of preparing coffee as it is, but the Hario Mizudashi Cold Brew is simplicity to the extreme.
Coffee is poured into the reusable mesh basket, no cloth or paper filter to fuss around with, and placed into cool or room-temperature water. It only requires time to do the remaining work. The coffee steep for 12-24 hours then you remove the grounds in the basket from the finished brew.
Overall, although metal mesh can be slightly more difficult to clean, it is still less of a pain than the soaking and rinsing that cloth filters require, and it’s surely less wasteful than paper. Hario is a manufacturer that really has its pulse on coffee, and this little inexpensive machine is perfect.
Dimensions: 12 x 11 inches | Weight: 1.32 Pounds | Capacity: 33.8 Ounces | Material: Material: Glass and silicone rubber
Best Rapid Brewer Cold Brew Coffee Maker
Presto Dorothy Electric Rapid Cold Brewer
PROS
- Easy to use and spin selectable speed capability
- Both carafe and filter are dishwasher safe
CONS
- Untidy
The cold brew often takes at least several hours, however the Presto Dorothy Electric Rapid Cold Brewer can prepare 22 ounces of the coffee in 15 minutes. The device functions by spinning coffee grounds as well as water in a glass decanter where the flavor dissolves almost instantly.
Some users say cold brew is tastier when left for a longer time, even 30 minutes, so one must try to get the right time. The device is simple: just add water through the tap, adjust the dial to the desired spin speed starting with low to avoid spilling and add the coffee grounds.
The second disadvantage that should be noted, together with the ruse, is that while the filter is not of the highest quality, so the last few drops may contain coffee sediment. When you are done brewing, the carafe and filter are dishwasher safe, so prepare to wash it. The Presto Dorothy also costs an affordable price despite being an automatic cold brew maker.
Dimensions: 5.5 x 6.5 x 10.5 inches | Weight: 1.5 Pounds | Capacity: 22 ounces | Material: Material: Plastic and glass
Best Kyoto Style Cold Brew Coffee Maker
Nispira Iced Coffee Cold Brew Drip Tower
PROS
- Delicious taste and richer in flavor
- More attractive than other cold brew makers
CONS
- Cleaning is a bit difficult
Kyoto style cold brew, is made by slowly dripping water onto the coffee grinds while the majority of cold brew makers immerse the coffee grounds in water. Such drip towers as the one presented above by Yama Glass are the best for making Kyoto-style cold brew because of that drop-by-drop process which enhances the smooth and sweet taste profile that cold brew already possesses.
As for the slow drip method, our top pick is the Nispira Iced Coffee Cold Brew Drip Tower. The appealing wooden structure combined with glass provides a fantastic appearance and is ideal for decoration of the kitchen.
It comes in two sizes: 600 ml (20 ounces) and 2500 ml (84 ounces). The smaller model produces between 6 to 8 cups of coffee, and this makes it appropriate for home use. As to the price, admittedly, it will be rather costly for a cold brew coffee maker; however, looking at how complex its design is and compared to other tower drippers, it is rather reasonably priced.
Customers report that assembly is simple, but the item seems rather delicate to use; moreover, the brand does not warranty the product. Still, for the true fans of caffeine, who are in search of a unique brewer and a beverage – it can be a perfect choice.
Dimensions: 8 x 20 x 8 inches | Weight: 3.99 pounds | Capacity: 84 ounces | Material: Material: Glass and wood
Best with Dispenser Cold Brew Coffee Maker
Willow & Everett Cold Brew Coffee Maker
PROS
- Reasonable prices, and large storage capacity
- A classic Mason jar look and dishwasher safe (except the filter)
CONS
- Cheap filter and the Spigot part often leakage
Could there be a more straightforward appliance than the Willow and Everett Cold Brew Coffee Maker? Simply put your preferred ground coffee into the removable stainless steel filter, and pour water and close the lid. Then put the brewer in the refrigerator to soak. In the morning, all you do is turn the spigot to release the coffee into your mug or a thermos and you are ready to go.
The coffee filter is very thin mesh stainless steel to give a smooth cup of coffee without the grounds in your beverage and no need to purchase disposable paper filters. Filter is user friendly; you can quickly and easily remove it after the coffee has steeped long enough and they are easy to clean.
Cleaning the glass jar is also easy and is really easy to clean there when you have finished the last of the coffee. Customers also note that due to the ease of use and the fact that it is relatively cheap, the Willow and Everett Cold Brew Maker is great for gifting. It also wins aesthetics on the counter and looks exquisite when placed in the refrigerator.
Dimensions: 7 x 7 x 10 inches | Weight: 2.61 pounds | Capacity: 128 ounces | Material: Material: Glass
Some factors to consider when buying a cold brew coffee maker
✔️ Style: Cold brew coffee makers can be categorized into two namely; the non-electric one and the electric one. Non-electric is the simplest, oldest, and most widely used system, and within it, there are two methods: immersion and slow dripping.
In immersion-style cold brew coffee makers such as Takeya, and Kitchenaid, the grounds are placed in a filter which is immersed in cold water for 12- 24 hours. In slow drip cold brew coffee makers such as Oxo and Toddy, cold water and grounds are soaked together and the infused water, or cold brew coffee, is collected in a jar once the user releases a stopper.
Electric cold brew coffee makers are somewhat faster because it tries to brew coffee faster through steeping the grounds and agitating them in as little as 5-40 minutes. In most cases they don’t employ heat to accomplish this. As for the electric cold brew coffee makers, though effective in saving time, failed to offer the rich intensity as the non-electric techniques would offer.
✔️ Type of filter: Some cold brew coffee makers come with paper filters while others are fitted with mesh stainless steel filters. Although both can create a fine cold brew, the paper is more disposable – just discard it after use. However, replacements require constant investment and aren’t as environmentally friendly as metal types. Although stainless steel mesh has a lifespan advantage in its side, it is considerably more challenging to clean.
✔️ Material: Cold brew coffee makers are available in glass or plastic materials or a combination of both materials. Although construction does not contribute efforts to the quality of the coffee produced it can be a factor of consideration when buying.
Compared to plastic glass is heavier, and better in terms of stability; however it is thinner and is easier to break. Plastic as a material is quite hard wearing, it is however not as stain and odor resistant as concrete. Even so, many glass cold brew makers are dishwasher safe, which is another handy feature to consider.
✔️ Size: Cold brew coffee makers come in many sizes, but they are relatively small since these appliances are meant to be stored in the refrigerator. If size is an essential factor to consider, you should go for the ones that are closely associated with a water pitcher or a jar made from Mason.
But if you wish to have more than a few cups of coffee so as to take for the whole week or even more, it is possible to find big appliances for cold brew that are larger — but you’ll definitely need some space for these bigger machines.
What is the process for brewing cold brew coffee?
Brewing your cold brew coffee at home is simple and much cheaper than buying from a coffee shop while it provides an opportunity to adjust to your liking. Fortunately, cold brew coffee makers do make preparation very easy. Follow these steps:
- Choose your grounds: Choose any of the roasts as you prefer but know that single origin beans are perfect for cold brew because it is a delicate process. It’s best to purchase whole beans and grind them yourself on the coarse setting, or buy coarsely ground beans. Finer grinds should be avoided since most of the flavors are brewed with efficiency in a shorter period resulting in a bitter coffee. If you use a more finely ground coffee, the grounds will clump and may even sediment. It may feel like you’re consuming an excessive amount of coffee, but it is important to note that you’re essentially using this concentrated form as the base of your beverage which is usually mixed with water, ice or milk.
- Use the right ratio of water. You will use less water to coffee than you normally would when brewing hot coffee because you are making a coffee concentrate. For every one quarter cup or four tablespoons of coffee use one cup of water which is about 16 tablespoons or a proportion of 1:4. TIP: While brewing, it is recommendable that only fresh cold water be used for the best flavors or fresh cold water allowed to warm at room temperature.
- Steep. Manufacturers’ guidelines regarding cold brew coffee makers vary by model, but the approximate brewing time ranges from 12 to 24 hours for non-electric cold brew coffee makers, and for electric cold brew coffee makers, from 5 to 40 minutes.
- Serve. After your cold brew is ready, let it filter the coffee, and keep the concentrate cold to ensure the product remains fresh. It’s best consumed within a few days to up to two weeks for the best taste. For serving, a mixture of 1 part coffee and 1 part of milk or water is most appropriate.
