The 12 Best Cold Brew Coffee Makers You Can Buy Right Now
Stefan Csontos/Shutterstock By Clara Zervigon/Nov. 18, 2021 5:14 pm EST
We may receive a commission on purchases made from links. Although cold brew was invented in Japan in the 1600s, it only recently became popular in the United States. The cold brew craze of the mid-2010s saw a rapid increase in sales, with some stores even replacing iced coffee entirely with its more concentrated relative. Fans of cold brew appreciate its bold taste, which benefits from a much slower brewing time, as well as its increased caffeine content.
Since the initial buzz, a plethora of cold brew makers appeared on the market. Standard devices feature a brewing chamber that empties into a decanter, which allows the flavor to bloom and the grounds to be separated out. However, some models do the brewing and the serving all in one place. Classic brewers take their time, steeping grounds between 12 to 48 hours and drawing out each individual flavor in the process. However, some devices churn out cold brew in as little as 15 minutes! Some are smaller, some are bigger. Some make concentrate while others produce a diluted mixture that is ready to drink. With so many options out there, how do you pick the best one for you? We understand that coffee is deeply personal, so we’ve broken down some of the best brewers on the market that suit a variety of needs. Whether you need a quick caffeine fix while you’re running out the door or want to savor every sip, read on to find the best cold brew coffee maker for you.
The 12 Best Cold Brew Coffee Makers You Can Buy Right Now
Stefan Csontos/Shutterstock
By Clara Zervigon/Nov. 18, 2021 5:14 pm EST
We may receive a commission on purchases made from links. Although cold brew was invented in Japan in the 1600s, it only recently became popular in the United States. The cold brew craze of the mid-2010s saw a rapid increase in sales, with some stores even replacing iced coffee entirely with its more concentrated relative. Fans of cold brew appreciate its bold taste, which benefits from a much slower brewing time, as well as its increased caffeine content.
Since the initial buzz, a plethora of cold brew makers appeared on the market. Standard devices feature a brewing chamber that empties into a decanter, which allows the flavor to bloom and the grounds to be separated out. However, some models do the brewing and the serving all in one place. Classic brewers take their time, steeping grounds between 12 to 48 hours and drawing out each individual flavor in the process. However, some devices churn out cold brew in as little as 15 minutes! Some are smaller, some are bigger. Some make concentrate while others produce a diluted mixture that is ready to drink. With so many options out there, how do you pick the best one for you? We understand that coffee is deeply personal, so we’ve broken down some of the best brewers on the market that suit a variety of needs. Whether you need a quick caffeine fix while you’re running out the door or want to savor every sip, read on to find the best cold brew coffee maker for you.
We may receive a commission on purchases made from links.
Since the initial buzz, a plethora of cold brew makers appeared on the market. Standard devices feature a brewing chamber that empties into a decanter, which allows the flavor to bloom and the grounds to be separated out. However, some models do the brewing and the serving all in one place. Classic brewers take their time, steeping grounds between 12 to 48 hours and drawing out each individual flavor in the process. However, some devices churn out cold brew in as little as 15 minutes! Some are smaller, some are bigger. Some make concentrate while others produce a diluted mixture that is ready to drink. With so many options out there, how do you pick the best one for you?
We understand that coffee is deeply personal, so we’ve broken down some of the best brewers on the market that suit a variety of needs. Whether you need a quick caffeine fix while you’re running out the door or want to savor every sip, read on to find the best cold brew coffee maker for you.
OXO Good Grips 32 Ounce Cold Brew Coffee Maker
Bialetti Cold Brew Coffee Maker
CNET loves the Bialetti for its low price point, its wide-mouthed filter basket which eliminates grounds spills, and, of course, the extra strong coffee it makes. In fact, the Bialetti performs better than other compact coffee makers thanks to its free-floating filter, which spins around in the water and agitates the grounds to extract the maximum flavor (kind of like when you pulse a tea bag up and down). Its filter also holds more coffee than similar models, making it a great choice for those who prefer their coffee extra concentrated.
Hario Mizudashi Cold Brew Coffee Pot
As far as on-the-go brewers go, there are two categories: the ones that are small in size, but take the same amount of time as the big guys to brew; and the ones which are both smaller and more efficient. The Hario Mizudashi Cold Brew Coffee Pot is the latter. While it can be hard to attain the same depth of flavor in these shorter-brewing machines, Hario is successful on that front. HomeGrounds points out that there is room for extra grounds in the Hario beyond the factory recommendation, and that slightly increasing the grounds to water ratio will leave you with a strong cup of coffee in no time. They also note that it is budget-friendly and uses only three parts, making it “a very approachable system.”
Like the Bialetti, the Hario is a brewer-carafe hybrid, giving it points for ease of use. The difference between the two models is the shape: The Hario is slightly smaller and skinnier, making it a better choice for cupholders and folks on the move. This maker is ideal for those who want a quick and hassle-free experience, but don’t care as much about the specifics of the brew. If you’re a coffee snob who wants to taste each note of your beans, this might not be the device for you. However, if you’re just trying to quit your Starbucks or Dunkin’ addiction (like these reviewers), look no further than the Hario.
Like the Bialetti, the Hario is a brewer-carafe hybrid, giving it points for ease of use. The difference between the two models is the shape: The Hario is slightly smaller and skinnier, making it a better choice for cupholders and folks on the move.
This maker is ideal for those who want a quick and hassle-free experience, but don’t care as much about the specifics of the brew. If you’re a coffee snob who wants to taste each note of your beans, this might not be the device for you. However, if you’re just trying to quit your Starbucks or Dunkin’ addiction (like these reviewers), look no further than the Hario.
Filtron 30L Cold Water Coffee Concentrate Brewing System
Toddy Cold Brew Coffee Maker System
This simple brewer is the original American cold brew system. Since launching in 1964, The Toddy has sold over a million units to date. While it’s not the prettiest device to look at, its large size and “strong, potent concentrate” (via The Spruce Eats) make it stand out from the crowd. Using 12 ounces of coffee grounds to make over a liter of coffee concentrate, this device makes roughly 14 individual beverages per brew, which is pretty high.
Are there fancier cold brewers? Yes. Are there better looking ones that take up less space on the countertop? Also yes. However, the Toddy is a classic for a reason. Reviewers at The Spruce Eats, The Coffee Maven, and HomeGrounds all love it, mostly for its concentrate’s superlative strength and clarity. The Toddy is well-suited to those who care more about a trusty, long-lasting product and strong coffee than newfangled bells and whistles.
Are there fancier cold brewers? Yes. Are there better looking ones that take up less space on the countertop? Also yes. However, the Toddy is a classic for a reason. Reviewers at The Spruce Eats, The Coffee Maven, and HomeGrounds all love it, mostly for its concentrate’s superlative strength and clarity. The Toddy is well-suited to those who care more about a trusty, long-lasting product and strong coffee than newfangled bells and whistles.
Ninja Hot and Cold Brewed System
County Line Kitchen Cold Brew Mason Jar Coffee Maker
OXO Compact Cold Brew Coffee Maker
For a classic-style brewer that takes up a minimal amount of space, try the OXO Compact Cold Brew Coffee Maker. It’s essentially the same as the larger OXO model — which means it has the same great taste and aesthetic charm — it just has the added perk of being size-efficient. Not only does this mean it takes up less of your precious counter real estate, but it can easily steep in the fridge, which removes the extra step of cooling the coffee once it’s done brewing.
Pure Wow loves this coffee maker for its ease of use, as well as its ability to not “upset the delicate balance of refrigerator organization.” Additionally, they note that the Compact’s 24oz output is not as small as it sounds, as the concentrate is meant to be diluted and can actually run “about seven drinks.” Other reviewers rave about this product, calling it “Ingenious in the fact that it’s brain dead simple to use while providing great results.” For cold brew at its finest (and simplest!), the OXO Compact is a great choice.
Pure Wow loves this coffee maker for its ease of use, as well as its ability to not “upset the delicate balance of refrigerator organization.” Additionally, they note that the Compact’s 24oz output is not as small as it sounds, as the concentrate is meant to be diluted and can actually run “about seven drinks.” Other reviewers rave about this product, calling it “Ingenious in the fact that it’s brain dead simple to use while providing great results.” For cold brew at its finest (and simplest!), the OXO Compact is a great choice.
Cold Bruer Drip Coffee Maker
The Bruer also receives high marks for speed, coming in at only four hours on its quickest setting. You can also adjust the brew speed for a bolder, more concentrated flavor, but the longest batches still only take 12 hours, which is shorter than most makers. The Cold Bruer is perfect for people who want a hands-on brewing experience, and those who want to taste each specific flavor in their beans.
Takeya Cold Brew Iced Coffee Maker
KitchenAid KCM4212SX Cold Brew Coffee Maker
KitchenAid was somewhat late to the party, releasing their Cold Brew Coffee Maker in 2017, but the time they took in carefully designing the brewer was well worth the wait. It’s aesthetically great, made of shiny stainless steel and glass which won’t alter the taste of your brew. The intuitive design requires only a few pieces: the base, from which coffee is both brewed and dispensed; a stainless steel steeper basket; and a lid to keep everything air-tight. Its square shape means it will be easy to find room to store it in the fridge, plus it’s sturdy enough that it won’t accidentally topple over. And, last but not least, the coffee is dispensed via spigot, so you don’t have to lug the whole thing out every time you want a top-off.
Some reviewers, like the folks at Roasty Coffee, list the small 28-ounce capacity as this brewer’s main drawback. However, since it makes a concentrate, those 28 ounces translate to 14 cups of coffee, which means it is hardly the smallest on this list. Additionally, while Roasty Coffee discovered some sediment at the bottom of the carafe, Everything Kitchens noted the “raised bump pattern on the bottom of the glass which prevents the fine sediment from going into your coffee.” Although the KitchenAid is definitely one of the more expensive models on this list, it’s thoughtful design makes it a great choice for those willing to splurge a little.
Some reviewers, like the folks at Roasty Coffee, list the small 28-ounce capacity as this brewer’s main drawback. However, since it makes a concentrate, those 28 ounces translate to 14 cups of coffee, which means it is hardly the smallest on this list. Additionally, while Roasty Coffee discovered some sediment at the bottom of the carafe, Everything Kitchens noted the “raised bump pattern on the bottom of the glass which prevents the fine sediment from going into your coffee.” Although the KitchenAid is definitely one of the more expensive models on this list, it’s thoughtful design makes it a great choice for those willing to splurge a little.
Gourmia GCM6850 Automatic Digital Cold Brew Coffee Maker
If you want your cold brew in a fraction of the time, the Gourmia GCM6850 Automatic Digital Cold Brew Coffee Maker is the brewer for you. This little guy pushes and pulls the water over the grounds, allowing the coffee to brew quickly. Its four modes (light, medium, bold, and concentrate) last only four to ten minutes! It even has an option to run the whole brew over ice before serving, which means you don’t have to wait for it to cool down in the fridge.
Of course, this expedited process does come with some downsides. Number one is the price: The Gourmia retails at a little over $100 at time of writing, making it one of the most expensive options on the list. Additionally, despite its best efforts, the coffee will definitely be less complex and intense than one with a brew time over 24 hours. One reviewer notes they run the machine four times on the longest cycle to get their desired concentration. However, when you consider the difference between 40 minutes and a whole day, running the brewer for several cycles hardly seems like an inconvenience. Plenty of people also like the coffee just as it comes, including CNET, so this should only be a problem if you prefer a super strong brew. Lastly, CNET reported the Gourmia outperformed its competitor, the more expensive Dash Rapid Cold Brew System, in that it was quieter and easier to use.
Of course, this expedited process does come with some downsides. Number one is the price: The Gourmia retails at a little over $100 at time of writing, making it one of the most expensive options on the list. Additionally, despite its best efforts, the coffee will definitely be less complex and intense than one with a brew time over 24 hours. One reviewer notes they run the machine four times on the longest cycle to get their desired concentration. However, when you consider the difference between 40 minutes and a whole day, running the brewer for several cycles hardly seems like an inconvenience. Plenty of people also like the coffee just as it comes, including CNET, so this should only be a problem if you prefer a super strong brew. Lastly, CNET reported the Gourmia outperformed its competitor, the more expensive Dash Rapid Cold Brew System, in that it was quieter and easier to use.
