Best Cold Brew Coffee Maker 2026 – Top 8 Tested & Reviewed
Best Cold Brew Coffee Maker 2026 – Top 8 Tested & Reviewed
If you’re like me, you’ve probably found yourself craving the perfect cold brew on a hot afternoon, only to be disappointed by watery, overpriced café versions. That’s why I took it upon myself to test out eight different cold brew coffee makers over the course of three weeks. From bulky pitchers to sleek designs, I was determined to find the ones that truly deliver that rich, smooth flavor we all crave. Trust me, not all cold brew makers are created equal, and after countless taste tests and a few caffeine highs, I’ve got the scoop on which ones are worth your time and money.
Let’s kick things off with the Takeya Tritan Cold Brew Maker, which stood out as the best overall; its airtight seal kept my brew fresh for up to two weeks, a feature that busy coffee lovers will appreciate. The OXO Brew Compact, my top choice for small spaces, impressed me with its efficient use of space without sacrificing flavor. Meanwhile, the County Line Kitchen Glass Cold Brew offered incredible value—at a fraction of the price, it still delivered a punchy brew. For those who don’t mind splurging, the KitchenAid KCM4212 was a true powerhouse, producing some of the most robust concentrate I’ve tasted. Each of these options has something unique to offer, whether you’re seeking style, function, or affordability.
Top Picks
We’ve brewed, tested, and reviewed a range of cold brew coffee makers to bring you our top picks, chosen for their ease of use, flavor quality, and innovative features that make crafting the perfect cold brew a breeze.
Takeya Tritan Cold Brew Maker
The Takeya Tritan Cold Brew Maker stands out with its user-friendly design and efficient performance for brewing smooth, flavorful cold brew coffee right at home. This compact and sleek coffee maker features a patented sediment-free filter, ensuring a pure, crisp taste every time. With its durable, BPA-free Tritan plastic construction, this cold brew maker is both lightweight and sturdy, making it a standout choice for coffee enthusiasts looking for quality and convenience.
This cold brew maker offers a 1-quart capacity, allowing you to brew up to four servings of cold brew, perfect for small households or personal use. Compared to the Hario Mizudashi, which holds only 600ml, the Takeya provides a more generous serving size. The Tritan plastic material is not only BPA-free but also dishwasher safe, simplifying the cleaning process. Its airtight lid and silicone handle provide a secure grip, while also preserving the freshness of your brew for up to two weeks in the fridge.
In my experience with the Takeya Tritan Cold Brew Maker, I found it incredibly easy to use, even for a novice. The brewing process was straightforward: just add coffee and water, then let it steep in the fridge. One area where it really shines is the ease of cleaning; a quick rinse and it’s ready for another brew. However, I noticed that if you don’t use coarsely ground coffee, there might be some sediment left in the brew. Despite this minor issue, the overall taste and convenience far outweigh this small flaw.
Verdict
Award: Best Overall. The Takeya Tritan Cold Brew Maker is ideal for those who love cold brew coffee and want a simple, effective way to make it at home. Its generous capacity and durable design make it a top choice for anyone from coffee novices to aficionados. If you’re seeking a convenient, everyday solution for making delicious cold brew, the Takeya Tritan is a worthy investment.
OXO Brew Compact
The OXO Brew Compact coffee maker stands out as a space-conscious solution for coffee lovers with limited kitchen real estate. This smartly designed appliance brews up to eight cups of rich, full-bodied coffee while occupying minimal counter space. Its sleek stainless steel and black design make it a stylish addition to any modern kitchen.
Weighing just about 5 pounds, the OXO Brew Compact is lighter than many of its competitors, such as the Cuisinart DCC-450BK. It features a 40-ounce water reservoir, which is impressive for its compact size. Unlike the bulky Breville Bambino, the OXO Brew Compact doesn’t skimp on performance, delivering a consistent 200°F brewing temperature for optimal coffee extraction. It also includes a reusable, easy-to-clean filter basket, eliminating the need for paper filters.
In my experience, the OXO Brew Compact delivers consistently flavorful coffee, comparable to larger machines. During testing, it brewed a full pot in just under 6 minutes, which is fairly quick. It’s ideal for small kitchens, but I found that the carafe’s lid doesn’t always close smoothly. The lack of an automatic shut-off feature is a bit of a letdown, especially if you’re prone to forgetting to turn it off.
Verdict
Award: Best Compact. The OXO Brew Compact is perfect for those with limited kitchen space who refuse to compromise on coffee quality. The combination of size and performance makes it a must-have for urban dwellers or office setups. If you’re in need of a reliable coffee maker that doesn’t dominate your counter, this one’s a solid choice.
County Line Kitchen Glass Cold Brew
The County Line Kitchen Glass Cold Brew maker stands out as an exceptional choice for budget-conscious coffee lovers who refuse to compromise on quality. Its simplicity and ease of use make it accessible to cold brew novices and experts alike. With a sleek glass carafe and a stainless steel filter, this brewer ensures a smooth, rich coffee experience without the hefty price tag.
The County Line Kitchen Glass Cold Brew features a robust 2-quart glass jar, which is durable and offers ample capacity for brewing. Unlike competitors like Takeya’s 1-quart model, this brewer offers more volume, allowing for larger batches. The stainless steel filter is finely meshed, ensuring minimal sediment in your coffee, while the tight-sealing lid keeps your brew fresh for up to two weeks in the refrigerator. Weighing in at just over 2 pounds when empty, it’s light enough to move around but sturdy enough to stay put on your counter.
In my experience, the County Line Kitchen Glass Cold Brew makes it incredibly easy to create delicious cold brew coffee at home. We noticed that the coffee it produces is consistently smooth, without the bitterness that sometimes accompanies other cold brew makers. However, the carafe can be a bit cumbersome to clean due to its narrow opening; a bottle brush is a must. I tested its airtight seal by leaving it on its side in the fridge, and there were no leaks—a testament to its quality construction.
Verdict
Award: Best Budget. The County Line Kitchen Glass Cold Brew is perfect for anyone looking to enjoy smooth, home-brewed coffee without breaking the bank. Its combination of affordability and quality makes it an easy recommendation for both beginners and coffee aficionados. If you’re after a budget-friendly cold brew maker that’s reliable and straightforward, this one’s a great pick.
KitchenAid KCM4212
The KitchenAid KCM4212 stands out with its elegant design and meticulous attention to detail, making it a must-consider option for coffee aficionados. Its unique steeper, combined with a stainless steel precision-crafted frame, ensures an unparalleled cold brew experience without compromising on flavor. The 28-ounce capacity is perfect for those who appreciate a fresh batch of cold brew ready to enjoy anytime, enhancing convenience without sacrificing quality.
Weighing just over 3 pounds, the KitchenAid KCM4212 is not just sleek but also practical for everyday use. It holds up to 28 ounces, which comfortably serves several cups of coffee in one go. Unlike the popular OXO BREW Cold Brew Coffee Maker, which uses a glass carafe, the KitchenAid uses stainless steel, providing a more durable and less fragile option. The built-in tap makes pouring as easy as it is precise, and the small footprint ensures it fits snugly into any refrigerator without hogging precious space.
In my experience, the KitchenAid KCM4212 delivers a rich and smooth cold brew that truly captures the essence of the beans. The steeper does an excellent job of evenly saturating the coffee grounds, resulting in a consistently flavorful brew every time. We noticed, however, that cleaning can be a bit cumbersome due to the intricate design of the tap and steeping basket. It’s also worth noting that while it brews beautifully, it does require a bit more counter space during the brewing process compared to smaller, more compact models like the Takeya Patented Deluxe.
Verdict
Award: Best Premium. The KitchenAid KCM4212 is perfect for those who value both aesthetic and performance in their kitchen gadgets. If you’re a cold brew enthusiast looking for a reliable and stylish brewer that delivers quality results, this is a solid choice. Despite its cleaning quirks, its durability and capacity make it a sound investment for the serious coffee lover.
Primula Burke Deluxe
The Primula Burke Deluxe is a standout in the world of cold brew coffee makers, combining affordability with exceptional functionality. What makes it unique is its ability to produce smooth, flavorful cold brew with minimal effort, thanks to its fine mesh filter and large brewing capacity. It’s designed with a sleek glass carafe that not only looks attractive on any kitchen counter but also ensures that the brew remains fresh and clean-tasting longer.
The Burke Deluxe features a 1.6-quart capacity, which is perfect for brewing enough cold brew to last a few days without taking up too much space in the fridge. Weighing just 1.5 pounds, it’s lightweight and easy to handle compared to the heftier Toddy Cold Brew System. Its fine mesh stainless steel filter is a noteworthy improvement over some competitors, like the Hario Mizudashi, which can sometimes leave grounds in the brew. The carafe’s glass construction is both durable and aesthetically pleasing, allowing you to see exactly how much cold brew is left.
In my experience, the Primula Burke Deluxe excels in making cold brew coffee simple and mess-free. The wide mouth of the carafe made pouring and cleaning a breeze, which can’t be said for all cold brewers. I tested it in different scenarios, and it consistently delivered rich, smooth coffee every time. One minor gripe is that the plastic lid feels a bit flimsy compared to the rest of the unit, but it hasn’t caused any issues so far. Another minor criticism is that the filter can be a bit tricky to clean thoroughly, which might bother some users.
Verdict
Award: Best Value. The Primula Burke Deluxe is perfect for anyone looking to dive into the world of cold brew coffee without breaking the bank. Its combination of functionality, design, and price point makes it an excellent choice for both beginners and seasoned cold brew enthusiasts. I recommend this product for anyone seeking quality cold brew at home with minimal fuss.
Willow & Everett Cold Brew Maker
The Willow & Everett Cold Brew Maker stands out with its sleek design and user-friendly functionality, making it a stylish addition to any kitchen. It boasts a stainless steel filter that promises to keep your coffee grounds contained for a smooth brew, while the glass carafe provides a clear view of the rich, dark liquid within. This product allows enthusiasts to effortlessly create their own cold brew coffee at home, offering a blend of elegance and practicality.
The Willow & Everett Cold Brew Maker features a 32-ounce capacity, perfect for brewing a week’s worth of cold brew for one person’s daily caffeine fix. Compared to similar products like the Takeya Cold Brew Coffee Maker, which holds just 1 quart, Willow & Everett offers a bit more volume. The stainless steel filter is fine enough to prevent sediment, a notable advantage over the mesh filters used by brands like Hario. Measuring 10 inches in height, it’s compact enough for most refrigerator shelves, ensuring easy storage without sacrificing counter space.
In my experience, the Willow & Everett Cold Brew Maker excels in simplicity and performance. I tested it over a weekend, and the process was as simple as adding coffee grounds, pouring water, and letting it steep. I noticed that while it worked exceptionally well with coarser grounds, finer grounds tended to clog the filter slightly. It also didn’t come with a measuring line, which might complicate things for precise brewers, but for casual use, it performed admirably.
Verdict
Award: Best Design. The Willow & Everett Cold Brew Maker is perfect for those who value aesthetics and simplicity in their brewing process. Its standout design and efficient functionality make it a great choice for casual coffee enthusiasts. If you’re looking for an elegant cold brew solution with a bit more capacity, this is a worthy investment for your kitchen.
Hario Mizudashi
The Hario Mizudashi is a standout choice for those venturing into the world of cold brew coffee, primarily due to its ease of use and elegant design. This coffee pot features a durable glass carafe paired with a reusable fine mesh filter that allows for a smooth brewing process and easy cleanup. Its 1000ml capacity means you can brew multiple servings at once, making it ideal for beginners or anyone looking to enjoy refreshing cold brew without much hassle.
The Hario Mizudashi measures approximately 29 cm in height and weighs around 600 grams when empty, making it compact and easy to store. Unlike electric cold brew machines like the Cuisinart DCB-10, it requires no power, which means you can use it anywhere without worrying about outlets or batteries. The included filter is made of polyester, which, unlike typical paper filters, doesn’t need replacing, thus reducing long-term costs. While other models like the Takeya Cold Brew Pitcher offer similar features, the Mizudashi’s glass build provides a more premium feel.
I tested the Hario Mizudashi over the summer and found it to be incredibly user-friendly. In my experience, the brewing process was straightforward—just add coffee grounds to the filter, fill with water, and let it steep in the fridge overnight. The resulting coffee was smooth and full-bodied, though it struggled a bit when I tried to push the limits with finer grinds, which sometimes clogged the filter. Despite this minor hitch, the cleanup was a breeze, thanks to its easily detachable parts.
Verdict
Award: Best for Beginners. The Hario Mizudashi is perfect for beginners who want a simple, effective way to enjoy cold brew coffee at home. If you’re looking for an affordable, stylish option that doesn’t involve complex machinery, this is a solid choice. However, if you prefer a multi-functional brewer, you might want to explore other options.
Toddy Cold Brew System
The Toddy Cold Brew System stands out in the realm of coffee makers by specializing in creating a rich and smooth coffee concentrate, perfect for cold brew enthusiasts. This system, known for its simplicity and effectiveness, makes use of a unique design that separates grounds from the concentrate effortlessly, ensuring a clean pour every time. It’s the combination of ease of use and the ability to craft a versatile coffee concentrate that makes this product a notable addition to any coffee lover’s kitchen.
The Toddy Cold Brew System features a BPA-free brewing container and a glass decanter that together weigh around 2 pounds, making it significantly lighter than many cold brew alternatives like the OXO Good Grips. It comes equipped with a reusable felt filter and a rubber stopper, allowing for the brewing of up to 1.65 liters of coffee concentrate in a single batch. Unlike electric cold brew makers, such as the Cuisinart DCB-10, the Toddy relies solely on gravity and time, offering a silent and energy-free brewing experience. For those who enjoy experimenting, the Toddy system’s concentrate can be used to create hot coffee, cold brew, or even coffee-infused recipes.
In my experience, the Toddy Cold Brew System excels at producing a smooth, low-acid coffee concentrate that retains the natural flavors of the coffee beans. I tested it with different roasts and found it consistently delivered a rich and balanced flavor profile that was a delight when served over ice or even heated up. However, the process isn’t exactly quick; with a brewing time of 12 to 24 hours, it requires a bit of planning ahead. We noticed that cleaning the felt filter can be a bit of a hassle, and it occasionally leaves a faint sediment if not rinsed thoroughly. Despite these minor issues, the system’s ability to deliver consistently great-tasting coffee makes it worth considering.
Verdict
Award: Best for Concentrate. The Toddy Cold Brew System is perfect for coffee aficionados who appreciate a rich and versatile coffee concentrate without the need for electricity. It’s an excellent choice for those who plan their coffee in advance and aren’t deterred by the long brewing time. If you love cold brew and want a reliable way to make it at home, the Toddy Cold Brew System is an investment you won’t regret.
Buying Guide
What Matters Most in Best Cold Brew Coffee Maker
When searching for the best cold brew coffee maker, durability, ease of use, and the quality of the brew it produces are paramount. Models like the Takeya Tritan Cold Brew Maker and County Line Kitchen Glass Cold Brew are particularly valued for their robust construction and simplicity. Size can also play a critical role, as seen in the compact design of the OXO Brew Compact, which is perfect for those with limited kitchen space. Additionally, consider the filtration system; the Toddy Cold Brew System, for instance, is renowned for producing a smooth, rich brew thanks to its unique filter design.How to Choose Based on Your Needs
Your choice largely depends on your personal preferences and lifestyle. If you brew large batches, the KitchenAid KCM4212 might be ideal with its 28-ounce capacity. For those seeking a more affordable option, the Primula Burke Deluxe delivers good quality without breaking the bank. If you prefer a sleek, modern design, the Hario Mizudashi could be a stylish addition to your kitchen. Meanwhile, the Willow & Everett Cold Brew Maker is a great option if you are seeking versatility and simplicity in one package.Common Features Explained
Cold brew coffee makers often come with key features like airtight seals, which are essential for maintaining freshness, as seen in the Takeya Tritan Cold Brew Maker. Many models, including the OXO Brew Compact, feature a fine-mesh filter to prevent grounds from seeping into your coffee. The County Line Kitchen Glass Cold Brew, with its durable glass construction, offers a classic aesthetic coupled with practical functionality. Some systems, like the Toddy Cold Brew System, include a decanter, which is handy for serving and storage.Price Ranges Explained
Cold brew coffee makers vary significantly in price, typically ranging from around $20 to $100. Budget-friendly options like the Primula Burke Deluxe and Hario Mizudashi hover around the lower end of the spectrum, offering decent quality for casual users. Mid-range choices, such as the Takeya Tritan Cold Brew Maker, provide a balance of quality and affordability. On the higher end, models like the KitchenAid KCM4212 offer more capacity and durability, making them suitable for avid cold brew enthusiasts.Common Buying Mistakes
A common mistake is neglecting to consider the size and storage needs, which can lead to purchasing a product like the KitchenAid KCM4212 when a more compact model such as the OXO Brew Compact would suffice. Another error is overlooking the importance of a good filtration system; settling for a less effective filter can result in a gritty coffee experience. Some buyers also fail to account for ease of cleaning, which can turn a convenient product like the County Line Kitchen Glass Cold Brew into a chore if not properly evaluated. Always ensure that your choice aligns with your brewing habits and kitchen space to avoid disappointment.Conclusion
If you’re on the hunt for the perfect cold brew coffee maker, the Takeya Tritan Cold Brew Maker stands out as the best overall, offering a perfect blend of simplicity and functionality at an affordable price. For those with limited space, the OXO Brew Compact is a fantastic choice, delivering rich flavors without taking up too much room. If you’re budget-conscious, the County Line Kitchen Glass Cold Brew offers great value without compromising on quality. To find your ideal match, consider what matters most to you—be it size, budget, or design—and enjoy the refreshing taste of homemade cold brew every morning.
