- A top-quality cold brew coffee maker produces a large quantity of full-bodied and flavorful concentrate, is easy to use, and can withstand years of regular use.
- The OXO Good Grips Cold Brew Coffee Maker is our top pick because it will supply you with rich, delicious coffee at a low cost per cup. Plus, its sleek design stands amongst its somewhat clunky competitors.
As the temperatures heat up, many of us put away our automatic drip coffee machines and turn to a cooler alternative. You can pick up some excellent cold brew concentrates at your local market or coffee shop. Or, for a fraction of the price and minimal effort, you can make your own using a cold brew coffee maker.
Even if the weather is freezing where you are, there are countless reasons why you might want to consider cold brew. The process produces a coffee that is less acidic and generally smoother. And, unlike hot-brewed coffee, you can store cold brew in the fridge for up to two weeks without a noticeable decline in flavor. Also, cold brew coffee makers do not require any electricity, so you can take it with you camping or just reduce your carbon footprint.
If you own a French press and are not sure if you want to invest in a cold brew coffee maker yet, you can try a test batch. Use 4 ounces of water for each ounce of coarse coffee grounds. After letting the mixture sit for 12 to 24 hours, put it through a cheesecloth or paper filter. If you like the results, you are sure to enjoy the concentrate produced by cold brew coffee makers, which are much easier to clean and use.
We should point out that these brewers produce a highly concentrated coffee. Therefore, you will want to dilute it with milk, water, or pour it over ice. As tempting as it may be, do not drink an entire carafe of the stuff. We've read enough horror stories.
While researching the best cold brew coffee makers, we looked at hundreds of ratings and reviews of countless cold brewers from both experts and buyers. The ones included in our guide are durable, user-friendly, and, most importantly, produce a cold brew concentrate that is smooth and full of flavor.
Here are the best cold brew coffee makers you can buy:
- Best overall: OXO Good Grips Cold Brew Coffee Maker
- Best no-hassle system: Toddy Cold Brew System
- Best on a budget: Takeya Patented Deluxe Cold Brew Iced Coffee Maker
- Best for small kitchens: Hario Mizudashi Cold Brew Iced Coffee Pot
- Best for a fast cold brew: Cuisinart Automatic Cold Brew Coffeemaker
- Best for rich flavor: Filtron Cold Water Coffee Concentrate Brewer
Updated on 11/20/2019 by Caitlin Petreycik: Updated prices, links, and formatting. Added related guides.
SEE ALSO: The best pour-over coffee gear you can buy
The best overall cold brew maker
The OXO Good Grips Cold Brew Coffee Maker brews smooth, balanced cold coffee, and its sleek design will perk up any countertop.
There are a few features that set the OXO Good Grips Cold Brew Coffee Maker apart from the rest of the cold brewers on this list. First, there is a unique perforated "rainmaker" top that helps distribute the water evenly over the coffee grounds, which is key for optimal flavor extraction. Also, rather than using a stopper or plug at the bottom of the coffee bowl, there is a valve that is easy to turn on and off.
The OXO cold brew maker features a fine, stainless steel mesh filter that you can reuse, though you may still want to use a paper filter for easier cleanup. The carafe is made of borosilicate glass, which is quite resilient since it does not expand or contract like normal glass. The carafe is shaped like an Erlenmeyer flask, which is sure to appeal to science fans. Lastly, this OXO gadget can produce up to 32 ounces of cold brew at a time.
Insider Picks Senior Editor Malarie Gokey uses the OXO cold brew maker in her own kitchen every day during the hot summer months when hot coffee just isn't appealing. It's incredibly easy to use because you don't have to worry about any filters or small parts.
The simple design is incredibly smart. You just ensure that the release valve is locked, add the amount of coffee you want to use, pop the rainmaker top on, and pour the right amount of water over the grounds in a circular motion. The water will rain down on the grounds and get brewing.
In our tests, we let it brew for 12 to 24 hours, depending on the flavor we wanted. When it's done brewing, you just flip the release valve and watch the coffee pour down into the carafe. Perhaps best of all, OXO includes a secure stopper for the top of the carafe, so you can just pop it on and put the entire carafe in the fridge.
The machine turned out excellent cold brew every time we used it. It does take some trial and error to get the flavor you want, but OXO's guidelines give you a good idea of where to get started. We recommend experimenting with different kinds of coffee to see which flavors and strengths you like. We were particularly fond of a fruity Colombian blend a family friend gifted us because it almost tasted like chocolate milk when we made cold brew with it.
The machine is remarkably easy to clean after, too. You just scoop the grounds into the trash and rinse it out. The OXO cold brew machine makes brewing coffee an incredibly simple and effortless experience.
Other expert reviewers also rate the OXO machine highly. Wired, CNET, and The Wirecutter all recommend it.
Pros: Stylish design, easy to store, convenient valve for pouring
Cons: Relatively expensive
The best no-hassle cold brew maker
The Toddy Cold Brew System has a long track record of providing a great balance of simplicity and flavor.
Cornell chemical engineer graduate Todd Simpson developed the Toddy Cold Brew Systemin 1964. The system includes a brewing container with a handle, two reusable filters, a rubber stopper, a glass decanter with a lid, a recipe guide, and instructions. The filters are designed to last for three months or up to 12 uses, whichever comes first.
Seattle Coffee Gear recommends the Toddy Cold Brew System because of its design and ease of use. The reviewer found that a single filter did an excellent job of trapping bitter acids for up to a dozen uses and liked the smooth taste of the concentrate.
Coffee Review tested the Toddy, and while the reviewer appreciated the simplicity of the system and the quality of the concentrate it produced, the writer would have liked it if the system came with a lid to keep out oxidation and dust. The reviewer also found that the filter was prone to clogging, but still recommended it as an affordable and dependable option.
Pros: Easy to use, produces smooth-tasting cold brew
Cons: Doesn't have a lid, long-term durability concerns
The best budget cold brew maker
The Takeya Patented Deluxe Cold Brew Iced Coffee Maker is a smart solution if you are on a budget and like your cold brew mild.
Although the Takeya Patented Deluxe Cold Brew Iced Coffee Maker relies on the same cold-brewing principles as the other models we've covered, there are some basic differences. Up to 8 ounces of coffee grounds are added to the filter, which is then screwed into the pitcher, which holds 32 ounces of water. Rather than removing a plug or opening a valve to release the cold brew, you remove the filter and grounds from the water. This leaves you with a pitcher of cold brew concentrate.
Since the Takeya brewer uses half the grounds to produce the same amount of cold brew as the makers we've already mentioned, the resulting concentrate is decidedly weaker. Yet, this may not be a problem since most people dilute their cold brew anyway.
CNET tested the Takeya Patented Deluxe Cold Brew Iced Coffee Maker and gave it high marks because it's easy to maintain, well-designed, and it performed well. The reviewer recommended this model for buyers who don't mind a weaker coffee. The Takeya coffee maker is also recommended by Consumer Search, Heavy, and The Inventory.
The Takeya Patented Deluxe Cold Brew Iced Coffee Maker is the preferred cold brew maker of Insider Picks Guides Editor Les Shu. He likes the price, but it's the convenience that he appreciates: Simply dump the coffee grounds into the filter (a medium or dark roast ground coarse works best), add cold filtered water, place in the fridge overnight, and you have cold brew coffee waiting the next morning.
To counter the weakness that many reviewers mentioned, he strongly shakes the bottle for 30 seconds before placing it in the fridge — this is where the leak-proof cap comes in handy — which leads to a much stronger-tasting concentrate. Then, he lets it brew for at least 12 hours. The fine mesh of the built-in filter does a good job keeping the grounds from getting into the concentrate. The pitcher also makes it handy for pouring (pro tip: try making coffee ice cubes).
The filter can be a bit difficult to clean and over time, it will discolor and could take on the taste of a particular coffee. That being said, it's not a real issue for most people, and Takeya sells replacement filters.
Pros: Affordable, fits in your refrigerator door, does not require paper filters, easy to use
Cons: May not satisfy people who like strong coffee
The best for small kitchens
The Hario Mizudashi Cold Brew Iced Coffee Pot has a sleek design that fits into your refrigerator door and produces cold-brewed coffee in just eight hours.
At first glance, the Hario Mizudashi Cold Brew Iced Coffee Pot appears to be just like the Takeya brewer. They both use a process where the filter — full of coffee grounds — is removed from the water after steeping. However, the Hario Mizudashi has a filter that requires fewer grounds to fill (about 2.8 ounces). And, you slowly pour water over the grounds and stir the mixture to start the brewing process. The Hario maker has a glass container versus the plastic of the Takeya.
Hario recommends letting the coffee steep for eight hours, but our research found that this produces a weak concentration. Instead, for a stronger cup of joe, consider brewing the coffee for 12 to 24 hours, like most other cold brew coffee makers.
Oddly Correct recommends the Hario Mizudashi Cold Brew Iced Coffee Pot because of how easy it is to use and the strength of the concentrate it produces. However, the reviewer was concerned about the long-term durability of the glass carafe and fine nylon mesh filter.
Coffee Detective likes the Hario Mizudashi for cold brew lovers who have a small kitchen. The reviewer likes the sleek design but found that the concentrate could have been stronger.
There are complaints that the directions only came in Japanese. If you come across this issue, you can find English instructions on Hario's website.
Pros: Compact design, durable construction, easy to use, dishwasher safe, doesn't require paper filters
Cons: Produces somewhat weak concentrate
The best for fast cold brew
The Cuisinart Automatic Cold Brew Coffeemaker speeds up the cold brew process with a spinning chamber that agitates the coffee and the water.
The only real downside to cold brew is that it takes time. If you're impatient and never plan ahead, you may want to try a fast-brewing cold brew machine like this one from Cuisinart.
We tried it out at home, and though it didn't produce cold brew that was as aromatic and flavorful as our OXO, the coffee it did produce was still delicious and it was ready in just 25 to 45 minutes as opposed to 12 to 24 hours.
The machine is easy to use, though it does require electricity. You simply add ground coffee to the filter basket and fill the water tank with cold or room temperature water. It will take some time to figure out how much water and coffee you want to use, but Cuisinart has very clear guidelines that worked well enough for our tastes.
The machine has three different coffee strengths, each of which corresponds to a different brew time: mild (25 minutes), medium (35 minutes), and bold (45 minutes). Once you've chosen your strength, you press "brew" to begin. The coffee filter basket spins to agitate the grounds and the water and speed up the extraction process.
Once it's done brewing, you slide the lever to the release the coffee into the carafe below. The carafe also has a filter top, so you shouldn't get too much sediment in your cup, though you will see some as you reach the end of the carafe. Some people hate this and say it tastes "dirty," but others don't seem to mind.
We thought the Cuisinart Cold Brew Coffeemaker did best on the bold setting, which makes sense because it's the longest period of extraction. Keep in mind that it's not true cold brew because you simply can't beat a good, long extraction time with this type of brewing. Still, for cold brew in less than an hour, this is the best machine you can buy.
The main concern we had was that the machine has moving parts, so it is more at risk of breaking than the other cold brew makers we recommend, all of which require no electricity. — Malarie Gokey
Pros: Fast brewing process, easy to use, effective, good flavor
Cons: Moving parts risk failure, needs electricity, cold brew purists may not like the speedy extraction time
The best for rich flavor
The Filtron Cold Water Coffee Concentrate Brewer produces remarkably rich, sediment-free cold brew, thanks to its multi-chamber filter system.
What sets the Filtron Cold Water Coffee Concentrate Brewer apart from other brewing systems is its use of a water bowl. This system evenly saturates the coffee grounds to draw out the flavors of the beans and make delicious coffee.
To use the brewer, you first plug the bottom of the coffee bowl and insert the reusable sealed filter. For easy cleanup, insert a large coffee filter on top of that and fill it with up to a pound of ground coffee. Next, place the plastic guard on the coffee and put the water bowl on top. You then fill the water bowl to the appropriate level and let the coffee steep for 12 to 24 hours. Lastly, you place the setup over the 1.5-liter carafe and pull the plug.
We admit, the Filtron requires a bit of work, but you'll be rewarded with great tasting cold brew coffee for the effort.
The Filtron Brewer comes with two sample paper filters and a measuring cup. One unique and somewhat irritating feature is that the reusable filter pad must be stored in the refrigerator in water to stave off mold.
Product reviewers and buyers alike agree that this cold brew coffee maker is excellent. CNET praises the Filtron Cold Water Coffee Concentrate Brewer because of the rich and delicious quality of the coffee it produces. As for downsides, the reviewer found that the Filtron was more difficult to use than others because of the multi-chamber filter. Still, the reviewer recommends it as an affordable, effective cold brew option.
Of the half-dozen cold brew systems The Wirecutter tested, the Filtron brewer consistently supplied the best-tasting concentrate. The reviewer also found that the brewer produced the least expensive cold brew per cup. However, the writer noted that it is more cumbersome to replenish its supplies and to store it. Wired thought the Filtron "makes rich, full-bodied cold-brewed coffee that has the least sediment of any product" it tested, but like CNET's review, it found the process a bit involved.
An important perk: you don't need to buy Filtron-specific filters. Standard large coffee filters work fine with this cold brew maker.
Pros: Takes many different filters, produces rich and delicious coffee at a low cost per cup
Cons: Hard to store, difficult to use at first
Check out our other great coffee maker buying guides
The best stovetop espresso machines
Stovetop espresso makers (also known as moka pots) are easy to use, make excellent strong espresso-like coffee, and last for decades. The Bialetti Moka Express Stovetop Espresso Maker has been around since 1933, and it is still the best stovetop espresso maker you can buy to make strong, delicious coffee right at home. That being said, maybe you want an electric espresso maker, or something more design-forward. Check out our full list of the best stovetop espresso machines you can buy:
- Best overall: Bialetti 6-Cup Moka Express Stovetop Espresso Maker
- Best for gas stoves: GROSCHE Milano Stovetop Espresso Maker
- Best luxury moka pot: Cuisinox Roma 6-Cup Stainless Steel Stovetop Espresso Maker
- Best affordable moka pot: Bialetti Kitty Espresso Coffee Maker
- Best espresso-esque shots: Bialetti Mini Express Espresso Maker
- Best-looking moka pot: 6-Cup Alessi Pulcina Stovetop Espresso Maker
- Best electric moka pot: Delonghi EMK6 Alicia Electric Moka Espresso Coffee Maker
The best pour-over coffee gear
Pour-over coffee is having a renaissance. Some baristas and coffee enthusiasts make the pour-over method look painstaking, but it's actually quite easy once you get the steps down. While you just need a cone, a filter, and a mug to get started, if you're serious about your coffee, then you're going to want some other gear to complete your pour-over kit. That's why we rounded up a few must-have accessories. Here is the best pour-over coffee gear you can buy:
- Best pour-over cone: Kalita Ceramic Coffee Dripper
- Best pour-over coffee server: Hario V60 Glass Server
- Best pour-over cone and carafe combo: Bodum Pour-Over Coffee Maker With Permanent Filter
- Best pour-over kettle: Fino Pour-Over Coffee Kettle
- Best digital scale and timer: Drita Nourish Digital Scale and Timer
The best French Presses
You can brew coffee in a number of ways, but many caffeine addicts swear by the French Press method. Of all the French Presses we researched, these are our favorites:
- Best high-end: Frieling Double Wall Stainless Steel French Press Coffee Maker
- Best affordable: Bodum Brazil French Press Coffee Maker
- Best affordable stainless steel: SterlingPro Double Wall Stainless Steel French Press
- Best travel-friendly: Bodum Stainless-Steel Travel French Press Mug