- I've been using the Takeya Deluxe Cold Brew Iced Coffee Maker instead of buying my favorite brew at a coffee shop, saving me hundreds of dollars a year.
- It's one of the best cold brew coffee makers you can buy overall in our buying guide and really easy to use, making delicious cold brew each time.
- See more: The best cold brew coffee makers
Like many people who prefer cold brew or iced coffee, I usually found myself at a personal — and financial — crossroads.
The Starbucks app makes it easy to order on my way to work, but I'm spending an irresponsible amount on something I could make easily at home. And beyond money, it doesn't seem justifiable using that many plastic cups and straws on a personal luxury. You can bring in a reusable travel mug, but it's not uncommon to see a plastic cup used to measure ingredients and then thrown out after the finished drink is transferred to its now decidedly less "green" substitute.
A better option for saving money and avoiding single-use plastic is getting an at-home cold brew maker. Rather than using heat to extract the coffee's oils and caffeine, cold brew relies on time so you'll have to leave coarse-ground coffee steeped in water overnight. In reward though, cold brew is less acidic and bitter than cold coffee dunked over ice. It would be more convenient if it took only the push of a Keurig button, but then it wouldn't be cold brew.
In other words, you can't cut corners. If you want good quality cold brew and plenty of it for less than $40, I recommend checking out the Takeya Cold Brew Coffee Maker, which is a small sensation in its own corner of the universe.
The Takeya Cold Brew Coffee Maker has more than 4,200 5-star reviews on Amazon and as an owner of one myself, I'm not surprised: It does what it's supposed to, and it's pretty affordable to boot.
The Takeya goes for $15-$35 depending on size, and is durable, dishwasher-safe, and makes up to eight servings of coffee at once. It also fits comfortably in most refrigerator doors. Some purists prefer glass, but the Takeya's BPA-free material won't bother the average user. Glass brewers are more eco-friendly and skirt some concerns about being able to repurpose the container for drinks like tea without a lingering coffee taste, but plastic appeals to those looking for a cheap cold brew maker that they can handle without much care.
For me, it was a pretty simple decision in terms of cost, easy steps, positive reviews, and quantity of coffee. I try to spend as little of my free time on routine as possible, so a one-time, 30-second chore for several days' worth of cold brew was very appealing.
The process is extremely simple. You dump 14-16 tablespoons of your favorite coarsely ground coffee into the infuser, attach it to the lid, and fill the pitcher with 32 ounces of cold water. Then, you lower the infuser into the water and secure the lid. Shake it well, and store it in the refrigerator overnight or up to 36 hours for extra-strong coffee concentrate which can be diluted if you choose. The Takeya top has an airtight seal, so I've never had an issue with leaking, even when the pitcher was laid on its side.
Once the brewing process is finished, just remove the infuser, and replace the lid. If your schedule is hectic and you miss a couple of mornings, the brewed coffee will stay fresh in your Takeya for up to two weeks.
The only thing to note is that the Takeya uses half the grounds to produce the same amount of cold brew as other coffee makers out there, meaning you're more likely to get a weaker brew. If you don't plan to dilute your cold brew concentrate with milk or water, though, this may not ultimately matter to you. If you're sensitive to caffeine, it could also be an advantage.
Insider Picks named the Takeya one of the best cold brew makers you can buy. On my most caffeine-dependent weeks, I save $20-plus just by using this. Over the course of a year, that's hundreds of dollars. I still occasionally forget to make cold brew ahead of time and wind up at the local Starbucks, but the trips make less of a dent on my wallet now that they've become so minimal.
The Takeya may not be the perfect option for everyone, but it's a great option for anyone looking for delicious and affordable cold brew at home with as few steps, storage space, and hassle as possible.