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The best cold brew coffee makers for 2024, tested and reviewed
Energize your mornings with top picks from Oxo, Hario, Braun and more.
Are you spending a chunk of change (not to mention time and gas) on cold brew runs every morning? Wish you could whip up barista-level concoctions at home? You’ve come to the right place! We tested top-rated coffee makers to see which ones could deliver refreshing, quality cold brew, and the results … revived us. Read on for the best cold brew coffee makers for 2024, then keep scrolling for more on our testing process, along with how to choose the right cold brew coffee maker for your needs. And if you're more of an iced coffee lover, check out our guide to the best iced coffee makers of 2024.
Best overall cold brew coffee maker
Takeya Cold Brew Coffee Maker
Best compact cold brew coffee maker
Hario Mizudashi Coffee Maker
Best automatic cold brew coffee maker
Braun MultiServe Plus Drip Coffee Maker
Table of contents:
A quick note before we dive in: Every cold brew coffee maker mentioned in this roundup was evaluated by Yahoo editors (who, when it comes to cold brew and iced coffee, don't mess around). Most models come fully assembled, save for some light tinkering with filters, lids and spouts. Our top picks are pitchers and machines that yielded what we'd consider ready-to-drink cold brew — similar to cold brews and strong iced coffees we've had at premium coffeehouses. We also found some great systems that let us make even stronger cold brew concentrates that you would then dilute with water or milk (read about these in our "other cold brew coffee makers" section below). At the time of publication, every coffee maker we tested was available for purchase on Amazon, many with free shipping and expedited delivery options.
The best cold brew coffee maker overall
Size: 5"D x 7.5"W x 9.5"H | Capacity: 32 ounces | Brewer type: Pitcher with infusion filter | Function: Cold or hot brew
How it works: This three-piece system includes a heat-safe Tritan pitcher, a finely woven mesh filter and a screw-style top. To make cold brew, you measure coffee grounds into the filter, fill with water and then lower the filter into the water and secure the lid — it couldn't be simpler. Takeya recommends shaking the pitcher for 30 seconds to kick-start the brewing process, then leaving it in your refrigerator to brew for 12 to 24 hours. Once it's brewed to your taste, you just remove the filter and reseal the lid.
Why it's great: The Takeya Cold Brew Coffee Maker is not only easy to use but easy to maintain — all the parts are top-rack dishwasher-safe. At less than 10 inches tall, the pitcher is large enough to yield 1 quart of cold brew coffee yet compact enough for smaller refrigerators, narrow cabinets and traveling. (The brand also sells a 2-quart version for larger batches.)
The pitcher is shatter-proof, plus stain- and odor-resistant, and has a handle for carrying. The lid screws on tightly so your coffee stays fresh for up to two weeks at a time. Unlike some other cold brew coffee makers we tested, it's also completely spill-proof — even when you turn the pitcher upside down.
Last but not least, the cold brew itself is high quality, similar to what you might expect from a premium café or coffeehouse. The Takeya Cold Brew Coffee Maker, which also happens to be an Amazon No. 1 bestseller, yielded strong, flavorful cold brew coffee within a half day's time.
Bonus: While cold brew is the focus here, it's worth noting the Takeya moonlights as a hot coffee maker, especially helpful if you take it on the road. Just substitute the cold water for boiling water, give it a few minutes and your brew is ready to go.
- Spill-proof
- Budget-friendly
- Dishwasher-safe
- The handle isn't closed (though it has a nonslip grip)
More cold brew coffee makers we recommend
Size: 3.7"D x 3.7"W x 8.19"H | Capacity: 20.2 ounces | Brewer type: Pitcher with infusion filter | Function: Cold or hot brew
If you have limited space or are trying to keep your caffeine consumption in check, we liked the Hario Mizudashi Coffee Pot. With a capacity of 600 milliliters (or 20.2 ounces), it is the most compact cold brewer we tested.
How it works: Like the Takeya Cold Brew Coffee Maker, the Hario Mizudashi Coffee Pot comes with three pieces: a glass pitcher, a finely woven mesh filter and a screw-top lid. You scan a QR code to get the instructions, but basically, to use this brewer, you add coffee grounds to the filter, fill the pitcher with water, secure the lid and leave it to brew. We didn't see a recommendation for how much coffee to use or for how long to let it brew, so we used 1 cup of grounds and tested the cold brew at 6-, 12- and 24-hour intervals.
Why it's great: The Hario is a tiny dynamo of a cold brew coffee maker, yielding strong, tasty, sediment-free cold brew coffee within 12 hours (or sooner, depending on how strong you like your coffee). It can be assembled in a matter of seconds, and the bottom of the filter insert pops off so you can easily hand wash it. Just know that the pitcher is made of glass, so you'll have to take a bit more care when using it. Also, while the lid offers a good amount of protection against leakage, it isn't spill-proof when turned on its side or upside down.
- Compact
- Budget-friendly
- Dishwasher-safe
- Not completely spill-proof
- Glass can break
Size: 15"H x 13"W x 7.1"D | Capacity: 40 ounces | Brewer type: Automatic machine with filter basket and carafe | Functions: Over ice, cold brew, gold, bold, keep warm
How it works: Like magic! Add water to the reservoir and coffee grounds to the reusable filter basket, portioning your grounds based on desired strength (you can do a single serve or make a larger batch). Choose the "Cold Brew" option from the touchscreen buttons, turn the dial to select your desired cup size and let the Braun do the work for you.
Why it's great: You can choose from a range of cup sizes (6, 8, 12, 14 or 20 ounces) or make a 40-ounce carafe of cold brew. The machine whips up a 12-ounce cup in under two minutes and half a carafe of cold-brew-style coffee in under five. Both modes yielded strong, smooth cold brew with no sediment. The water reservoir is substantial and there's a handle for easy carrying from the sink to the counter. There are also automatic shutoff, drip-stop and self-cleaning functions, making this machine pretty self-sufficient. We'd consider it a worthy investment for anyone who wants the flexibility to whip up cold brews, pour-over iced coffees and more, without having to spend a lot of time or effort on their brew.
- Quick brewing
- Bright LCD display
- Can choose from carafe or single-serve
- Self-cleaning
- Doesn't support pods
- Not very travel-friendly
What to look for when choosing a cold brew coffee maker
Size/capacity: The larger the brew basket or bucket and, respectively, pitcher or decanter/carafe, the more cold brew (or cold brew concentrate) you'll be able to make in one go. More compact systems tend to yield less, but are ideal for smaller spaces and when you need to take your cold brew maker on the road. We recommend transferring the cold brew to a traditional pitcher or container with an airtight lid for times when you need to free up the original to make another batch.
Materials: Plastic brew baskets, buckets and pitchers are less prone to breakage, but will likely need to be hand-washed, while glass decanters and pitchers can usually go in the dishwasher (just check the instructions to confirm).
Brewer type: In bucket-style systems, such as those from Toddy and Oxo, coffee grounds are steeped in a bucket of water for a long brewing period (12 to 24 hours). Once ready, the final product then goes through a filter at the bottom of the bucket and into a decanter or carafe for storing and pouring.
Infusion-style systems, like Takeya and Hario, typically consist of a reusable filter inner tube that is filled with coffee grounds and immersed in a container (usually a pitcher) of water, then kept there until the coffee is brewed. It takes the same amount of time to brew as the above but requires less storage because all of the pieces live in one place.
Automated (often basket-style) systems, like Braun, typically instruct you to place coffee grounds in a filtered basket. Water from a reservoir is pulsed through and the brewed coffee drips into a cup or carafe. Automated systems are a lot faster than manual, the downside being that machines take up room on your countertop and aren't as travel-friendly.
How we tested
We tested these cold brew coffee makers by getting into serious barista mode. We evaluated them based on form (are they easy to use and clean?) and function (do they yield good cold brew?), along with factors like practicality and portability. We also took into account additional features and accessories that add to their overall value. For the automatic machines, we paid attention to how quickly they brewed, particularly important during busy mornings and weekends.
We followed product guidelines closely, using the same coarse cold brew coffee grounds as a control for comparing strength and flavor profile. While taste is subjective, we had the same testers evaluate the integrity of the final product, paying attention to things like strength, acidity and whether any sediment was left behind.
Other cold brew coffee makers we tested
So many great coffee makers, so little counter space! Read about more brands and styles we tested for different budgets and tastes.
Toddy Cold Brew System ($55): While our top picks above produce ready-made cold brew, the Toddy is different in that it yields a cold brew concentrate. You brew the coffee in a bucket separate from the corresponding decanter (there's also an optional filter), but while the process was more hands-on, it wasn’t overly complicated. Plus, it yielded about 36 ounces of strong concentrate (the brand recommends diluting it at a 1:3 brew to water or milk ratio so, once prepared, you're looking at about three times that amount in cold brew). The tradeoff is that you'll have to dedicate a good amount of counter and storage space to the process (the paper and felt filters will also need replacing every once in a while).
Oxo Cold Brew Coffee Maker ($52): Oxo operates similarly to Toddy in that it's a concentrate system. It involves a bucket for brewing and a separate glass decanter for storing, complete with a round "rainmaker" insert that helps to evenly distribute water when pouring over the grounds. We followed the directions and got about 28 ounces of strong concentrate — similar in strength and taste to Toddy — which comes out to almost 90 ounces in cold brew when we diluted it at the brand's recommended 1:3 ratio. The decanter looks chic — and it's smaller than Toddy's — but the Oxo system will take up more room than that of Takeya and Hario.
Oxo Brew Compact Cold Brew Coffee Maker ($37): The Oxo Compact is essentially a mini version of the Oxo concentrate system described above. A few distinctions: The parts are smaller, the brew bucket releases coffee into the decanter automatically (no switch to flip), and the decanter's lid is made of cork and rubber (versus plastic). It yields 24 ounces of cold brew concentrate — similar in strength and taste to the original Oxo — and nests for easy storage, making it a good option for someone with a small space. Though, the Oxo Compact lid is less secure than the Hario, and in this case the glass doesn't have a handle, so you'll want to heed extra caution if transporting it anywhere.
Mueller Cold Brew Coffee Maker ($30): Mueller's design mirrors that of our top pick from Takeya — with a mesh filter inner tube and screw-top lid — and is almost as easy to figure out. The filter was easy to clean, and just like with the Hario, the bottom of the tube pops off for cleaning. Mueller makes more cold brew than both — 64 ounces — and is ready in the same amount of time. Though, despite being referred to as a concentrate, the cold brew turned out less concentrated than other concentrate and ready-made systems we tested, so you'll likely need to add more coffee grounds than suggested in the instructions if you like your coffee strong.
Bodum Cold Brew Coffee Maker ($20): We'd recommend this product from Bodum for anyone who's looking for the convenience of a pitcher system — and a brew similar in strength to Takeya — in larger quantities (in this case, up to 51 ounces). In lieu of a filter inner tube, the Bodum pitcher comes with a bonus plunger lid (like what you use for a French press). You add the grounds right to the pitcher along with water, then once you're done brewing, you swap in the plunger lid and push down the knob. It takes up a bit more room in the fridge than Takeya's 1-quart cold brew maker and it isn't completely spill-proof (if you turn it over, liquid will slowly drip), but it comes in several colors and is dishwasher-safe. At only $20 — or less (we often see it on sale) — it's also budget-friendly.
KitchenAid XL Cold Brew Coffee Maker ($140): The KitchenAid XL couldn't be easier to use: You close the tap, distribute the recommended amount of coffee grounds in the steeper, fill the rest of the pitcher up with water and add the lid until pouring time (the brand recommends 12 to 24 hours). The tap is convenient for entertaining, and it makes up to 28 ounces. We used the recommended amounts of coffee grounds and water from the instructions, and despite its being referred to as a concentrate, the strength of the yield reminded us more of a lighter cold brew or iced coffee, pour-over style. It's pricey for a manual coffee maker system and, at over 6 pounds, it's also heavier than the others we tried.
Gourmia Brewdini Digital Cold Brew Coffee Maker ($125): The Brewdini serves up three styles of cold brew in a fraction of the time you'd typically allow a cold brew system to "bake," with little setup. You can choose from several settings — "light" (two minutes), "medium" (four minutes) and "concentrate" (15 minutes). The cold brew concentrate was strong, with no sediment, though the machine was a bit noisy from all the ground pulsing and the customizable "strength" buttons felt a bit arbitrary. A good option for someone whose main focus is cold brew and has the counter space to dedicate. Otherwise, we preferred the more elevated displays and wider range that we experienced with more expensive options.
Ninja XL Hot & Cold Coffee Maker ($150): For $25 more than the Gourmia, the Ninja XL features a "cold brew" setting, along with hot ("classic" and "rich") and pour-over ("over ice") modes. The water reservoir is 40 ounces, slightly smaller than the Braun, and it takes a bit longer for cold brew (in this case 10 minutes), but it functions very similarly and yields a solid cold brew (similar in strength to Braun, Takeya, Bodum and Hario). The water reservoir detaches and, like many machines and decanters on this list, has measurements, so it's easy to fill. We'd recommend it for those interested in a versatile machine — with cold brew capabilities — in a competitive price range.
Breville Precision Brewer Drip Coffee Machine ($330): Breville's Precision Brewer works similar to the other automated machines on this list (with or without a paper filter) — with the ability to whip up hot, iced and cold brew coffee — but uses a special thermal precision technology, and features a custom "My brew" setting, for getting the strength and temperature just right. The polished stainless steel is sleek, the machine is compact, and the resulting product is strong, rich cold brew like you'd expect from a high-end coffee shop. The tradeoff is that we had to wait longer to yield four cups than we did with some of the other automated machines (though not as long as the manual designs). And at $330, we'd definitely put the Precision Brewer in our "splurge" category.
De'Longhi La Specialista Arte Evo Espresso Machine with Cold Brew ($750): Unique from other automatic machines on our list, the De'Longhi La Specialista Arte Evo is equipped with a grinder for supporting whole coffee or espresso beans, to be used to create espressos, lattes, and Americanos, plus — you guessed it — cold brew drinks. Despite its many bells and whistles, we found the instructions helpful and the Arte Evo intuitive to use, and it didn't take long to yield (about five minutes for a single cup of cold brew), the results strong and smooth. Thanks to the built-in frother, you can also add cold foam. We'd consider the La Specialista Arte Evo a worthy contender if you're looking to splurge on a fancy espresso machine and want the added flexibility to make cold brew at home. Though, at 21.5 pounds and around $700, it's a big (countertop and financial) investment if all you need is something bare bones.
Cold brew coffee FAQs
How do you make cold brew coffee?
Cold brew coffee is traditionally made by steeping coffee grounds in cold water, either in a separate container to then be filtered into another or via an infusion-style pitcher. Automated machines pulse coffee grounds and water, to then drip the final product into a carafe or decanter. The best coffee for cold brew typically comes down to personal taste, at least flavor-wise. That said, there are companies like the one that makes the coffee we used in our testing that sell specific grounds with cold brew in mind.
Is cold brew stronger than iced coffee?
In pour-over-style iced coffee, coffee is typically brewed using traditional coffee methods (with hot water; some machines implement a cool-down aspect), then served over ice. Because of this, the ice tends to melt resulting in the iced coffee becoming at least slightly diluted. When brewing cold brew coffee, the coffee grounds are allowed much more time to steep (upwards of 24 hours), often resulting in a stronger flavor profile.
What affects the strength and taste of cold brew?
Like flavor, strength is somewhat subjective. The brands that yielded what we'd consider true cold brew concentrates in our testing — Toddy and Oxo — recommend using a 1:3 ratio of concentrate to water or milk. That said, we found that a 1:2 ratio got us closer to the ready-made cold brew strength we experienced with the cold brew makers from Braun, Breville, Ninja, DeLonghi, Takeya, Bodum and Hario. When following the coffee to water ratios recommended by Mueller and KitchenAid, we found the cold brew to be lighter (more along the lines of pour-over style). Keep in mind this coffee hack: You can typically strengthen your brew by increasing the amount of grounds to water and allowing for longer immersion time. As mentioned above, the Gourmia machine also has a feature that helps you further customize.
Can you make cold brew without a cold brew coffee maker?
In order to make cold brew coffee, you need a bucket or pitcher, room temperature or cold water, coffee grounds and a finely meshed filter to separate the grounds from the rest of the liquid, either while in the container or as you're pouring the finished product out. As recommended by many of the brands featured above, we suggest allowing the coffee grounds to steep in the water for at least 12 hours for optimal strength and flavor transfer. Companies like Bizzy sell micro-sifted brew bags (like you often see with tea) that can easily be removed once seeped so no grinds are left behind, as well as premade concentrates that can be diluted with water or coffee depending on your personal preference.
The reviews quoted above reflect the most recent versions at the time of publication.
