Once the warm weather rolls in, hot coffee just doesn’t fit the vibe anymore — switch on over to cold brew with these at-home coffee makers that specialize in making exactly that.
Best for Large Batches
Bodum Bean
Brewing in bulk saves time and ensures you’ll have cold brew ready to drink every day of the week — the Bodum Bean is a great way to do that, and it’s really cheap.
Hot coffee isn’t everyone’s cup of tea (which is a separate yet also delicious warm beverage). And even if it is your thing, it probably doesn’t stay your thing all year round. TL;DR: Sipping a piping hot beverage on a sweltering day is not advised.
Instead, you might want to transition to cold brew. And rather than making daily (or twice daily) trips to your local coffee spot, you should try your hand at brewing it yourself. Besides, you’ll save money and produce less waste by keeping it all in the kitchen. But to do that, you’re going to need a cold brew coffee maker.
The thing is, there are a lot of options out there. Like the vast array of hot coffee makers on the market, they come in different shapes, sizes, and varying levels of convenience, and it’s likely that not all of them will fit your lifestyle and taste.
Worry not, though — instead of stressing about which cold brew maker to purchase, allow us to help you pick one out.
Cold brew vs. iced coffee
Yes, they are both cold, coffee-based beverages, but iced coffee and cold brew are actually quite different. We know it sounds confusing, but it actually isn’t all that complicated. Keep reading.
Simply put, iced coffee is just hot coffee that has been allowed to cool and put over ice. Cold brew, however, is steeped using cold water over a much longer period of time. Both are delicious, but if you’re dead-set on cold coffee, you’ll get a much more robust flavor from cold brew (as long as you’re prepared to put in the time to make it). Cold brew is also way less acidic than iced coffee, and can be stored in the fridge for up to two weeks before waning in flavor.
Just be warned: cold brew is a far more concentrated type of coffee, meaning you should pour yourself a smaller glass or water it down if you’re not used to drinking it. If you don’t, you’ll be bouncing off the walls in no time.
Image: oxo
What to consider in a cold brew coffee maker
Cold brew coffee makers aren’t one and the same — they come in many different forms. Knowing that, you’ll want to consider a few things when figuring out what kind of cold brew maker will fit into your daily life.
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Size: You’ll want something that you can easily store, but you should also take into account how much cold brew you think you’ll be making. Are you going to brew large quantities at once so you can stay stocked all week, or are you more likely to brew on a cup-by-cup basis?
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Filter type: Your options here will usually come down to either paper filters or stainless steel, and both are fine options. Paper filters are said to make a more flavorful batch and are better at keeping sediment from entering your brew, but they do produce more waste, as they are single-use only. Stainless steel mesh filters cut down on waste and are really easy to clean, but there’s a better chance you’ll find some sediment in your cup after. So, pick your poison.
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Ease of use: Making cold brew doesn’t necessarily have to be a whole thing. A lot of cold brew makers are actually quite simple to use, but the ones that take more patience (like a drip coffee maker), will most likely get you a better result. You really get what you give — it’ll just be up to you how much you’re willing to give.
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Cleanup: Finally, you’ll want something that isn’t a total pain to clean out after you use it, as well as something that isn’t going to make a mess during brew time. Dishwasher-safe parts rule. We probably don’t have to tell you why.
Once you get your preferences squared away, you’ll be able to make an informed decision on your final purchase.
What’s the best cold brew coffee maker?
We’ve kept you waiting long enough. Below, our top picks for the best cold brew coffee makers that you can buy to satiate your appetite for caffeine.
1. OXO Good Grips Cold Brew Coffee Maker
The OXO Good Grips cold brew maker doesn’t risk performance by getting too fancy — its simple design helps make it our top pick.-
Capacity:
32 fluid ounces -
Filter type:
Paper
First off, ease of use — it couldn’t be simpler. You just put your grounds inside the top reservoir, add water through the rainmaker top that ensures even distribution, and let it steep for 12 to 24 hours. When you’re ready, hit the release valve and let your finished cold brew funnel into the beaker below. That’s it. That’s all it takes.
Cleanup is just as low-effort, only requiring you to dump the leftover grounds in the reservoir. In the size department, it might not be the best choice for those who have limited counter space, but the whole set stores away nicely thanks to its nesting design. The carafe also comes with a stopper that allows for refrigeration if you’re not drinking it all in one go.
The OXO Good Grips does everything you need a great cold brew maker to do, all while producing a delicious end result without charging an astronomical price.
2. OXO Compact Cold Brew Coffee
The OXO Compact is basically the Good Grips model on a smaller scale, giving you all the same great perks but saving you ample counter space.-
Capacity:
16 fluid ounces -
Filter type:
Stainless steel
The OXO Compact works almost the same way as the Good Grips model does — grounds go in the top, water poured over the rainmaker lid, and steeped for 12 to 24 hours in your fridge. Instead of employing a release switch, though, the Compact uses an auto dispenser that empties the finished brew as soon as it’s placed on the included carafe. Like the Good Grips, you’ll also get a stopper to store the carafe, and the set is easy to clean and store (this model also nests).
If you want the perks of the OXO Good Grips but also want to save space or just make smaller quantities of cold brew at a time, the OXO Compact should more than satisfy.
3. Bodum Bean
Brewing in bulk saves time and ensures you’ll have cold brew ready to drink every day of the week — the Bodum Bean is a great way to do that, and it’s really cheap.-
Capacity:
51 fluid ounces -
Filter type:
Stainless steel
You’ll dump in your coarsely ground beans and fill it up with water as you would a normal French press, but with the added step of sealing it up and letting it steep in your fridge. Once the brew is ready to drink, you’ll switch the seal for Bodum’s French press lid, and push the plunger down to filter out the grounds. Then you’ll have a big old pitcher of cold brew that can last you throughout the whole week (unless you’re having multiple cups per day, that is).
Cleaning up is a total breeze, as it can also be placed in the dishwasher for a deep clean. Another great aspect of the Bean is the locking lid that keeps you safe(r) from spills and leakage.
If cold brew is a daily part of your morning routine, the jumbo-sized Bodum Bean will fit into your habit nicely and keep you stocked for more than just a few days at a time. And did we mention that it’s under $20? Score.
4. Cold Brew Mason Jar Coffee Maker
Don’t have the luxury of having your morning brew at home? Try this Mason jar brewing system that comes with a flip-top for on-the-go consumption.-
Capacity:
32 fluid ounces -
Filter type:
Stainless steel
To brew, you just pack the included filter with your grounds, insert it into the water-filled Mason jar, then store it overnight in your fridge after sealing. In the morning, you can simply take the filter out of the jar and start chugging. The best part? The jar comes with a flip-top for easy (and portable) consumption.
If you’re worried about taking glass along with you on your day, rest easy knowing that the Ball brand jar is super durable and made to withstand the canning process. Obviously try not to drop it, but don’t be nervous to leave the house with it. (If you’re super accident prone, there are some great options out there for silicon sleeves that can help protect the glass.)
While the stainless steel filter isn’t perfect at keeping out sediment, the convenience of this Mason jar and filter combo is too good to pass up for coffee drinkers who are out and about.
5. Cold Bruer Drip Coffee Maker
The drip-style Cold Bruer may take more time to produce your beloved cold brew, but the wait is worth it once you taste the end result.-
Capacity:
20 fluid ounces -
Filter type:
Paper
The device’s tower design may intimidate at first glance, but it’s actually less complicated than it looks to get it working. There are two reservoirs, one for cold water up top, and one below that’s for your coffee grounds. Once both are filled and sealed, the water will slowly drip down from the top onto the grounds, depositing a small amount of cold brew in the carafe below. Then, all that’s needed is patience.
Cleanup is a little more involved, as all three pieces of the coffee maker require hand washing. But it’s a small price to pay for something so tasty. If you don’t mind waiting, the Cold Bruer is for you.
6. Cuisinart Automatic Cold Brew Coffee Maker
If you’re going to go the automated route for your cold brew maker, this one from Cuisinart is your best bet for getting a quick cup in just 25 minutes.-
Capacity:
56 fluid ounces -
Filter type:
Stainless steel
The only thing you have to do is place coffee grounds in the removable basket, add the water into the reservoir, and select your brew strength. The machine’s unique spin brewer then circulates the coffee grounds through the water for a full flavor extraction, and does it in as little as 25 minutes. That means you won’t need to wait for the usual 12 to 24 hours to start drinking your cold brew — you can make it the morning of and still get your daily cup.
All parts are safe to put in the dishwasher, and the Cuisinart’s carafe can also be stored in your fridge after brewing for up to two weeks. You’ll get little to no sediment in your final brew thanks to the high-performance filter and seal.
If you want a more low-effort way to make your cold brew, or often forget to make it the day before, the Cuisinart automatic cold brew maker is the way you should go.
7. Hario Mizudashi Cold Brew Coffee Pot
The Hario Mizudashi coffee pot is great for stowing away in your fridge for multiple pours, and rounds out the experience with simple brewing and cleanup processes.-
Capacity:
33 fluid ounces -
Filter type:
Stainless steel
It uses the same basic steps for brewing as the jar method, though — the removable filter just needs to be filled with grounds and then placed into the pot that has been pre-filled with cold water. Stuff it in the fridge to let it steep, then pour straight from the pitcher into your glass when it’s ready. It’s convenient, wallet-friendly, and totally fuss-free.