The 10 Best Cold Brew Coffee Makers of 2024

How We Tested

The cold brew coffee makers included in this article were tested firsthand by our expert food writers. Our team spent weeks evaluating the items in their kitchens to see how each one performed after everyday use. Some of the areas our reviewers focused on include how easy the brewer is to assemble, use, and clean; the style and efficiency of its design; and of course how good the coffee tastes. After testing, our writers submitted feedback about what they liked and disliked, and they rated each brewer on the following features: usability, design, performance, and value.

What to Look for in a Cold Brew Coffee Maker

By Derek Rose

Brewing Method

A cold brew maker will rely on one of two brewing methods: immersion or slow drip. Immersion, the most common style, is when coffee grounds are soaked in cold water anywhere from 12 to 24 hours. The resulting coffee is often so strong that it’s more of a coffee concentrate, meant to be mixed with water or milk before drinking. With slow drip (also called Kyoto or Dutch-style), cold water gradually drips through a bed of coffee grounds. This process takes about half the time of immersion and does not need to be diluted. There are also automatic cold brew makers out there as well, but they will utilize one of these two primary brewing methods nonetheless.

Filter or Infuser

Some cold brew coffee makers use paper filters, like a traditional drip machine, others use stainless steel mesh infusers. The difference may seem slight, but it affects an item’s ease of use as well as the ease of cleaning up afterward. On one hand, it’s simple to throw out a paper filter after brewing; on the downside, you have to keep replenishing them and they can be messy if you spill. Metal infusers save money in the long run. Just check reviews ahead of time, as low-quality infusers may allow loose grounds to slip into the coffee.

Size

Cold brew makers are generally quite compact, especially compared to other kinds of coffee makers. Many are designed to fit inside of a fridge, so they can be as small as an iced tea pitcher or Mason jar. That being said, you will also come across some rather large and bulky options that may not fit as easily in your kitchen. The overall capacity of cold brew makers also varies. If you prefer brewing a big batch at once and keeping it around to drink for a couple weeks, spend the extra money on a larger option, even if takes up a little more space. If you don’t mind making only a few cups at a time, you have even more options to choose from.

Price

While the majority of cold brew makers are affordable, there is certainly a wide range of prices. Think about the price range you are comfortable with, from a few dollars all the way up to a few hundred. Some factors that affect item cost include size, whether it's automatic or not, and the intricacy of its design. For example, there are some incredibly elaborate drip-style cold brew makers that are a couple feet tall and contain a system of glass beakers that will be on the highest end of the price range. Fortunately, even inexpensive models can make tasty coffee with the right bag of beans and proper measurements.

Types of Cold Brew Coffee Makers

Immersion

The majority of cold brew makers use what is known as an immersion brewing method. It’s where coffee grounds are directly soaked in water for several hours, slowly extracting all the wonderful flavor and caffeine. One of the most popular examples in this category is the Toddy Cold Brew System—though, there are many other reliable options out there. Immersion cold brew makers tend to produce incredibly strong coffee, even stronger than the second most common variety of cold brew maker, slow drip. While it all depends on the coffee-to-water ratio you use, you will likely have to dilute the final product with milk or water before drinking. The main downside to immersion brewing is that it takes so much time. But, aside from that, it remains the most tried-and-true method for delicious cold brew.

Slow Drip

Way back in the 1600s, Dutch merchants at sea, without access to hot water, began dripping cold water over coffee grounds. Thus, cold brew was born. It’s believed that they passed this brewing method along at Japanese trading ports. Centuries later, the style is still widely popular. Slow drip cold brew, also called Dutch or Kyoto-style cold brew, is made when water slowly passes through coffee grounds from above and then down into a carafe. The process is actually similar to that of an electric drip coffee maker, but with cold brew the ordeal takes several hours. The primary benefits of slow drip are that the coffee is less acidic than immersion cold brew (which is already low in acidity to begin with) and, secondly, that it’s a little faster than the immersion method. Keep in mind that drip cold brew makers are often quite tall, so measure the height of your cupboards or fridge shelves ahead of time.

Automatic

Cold brew is already easy to make—all you really need is ground coffee, water, and a jar—and yet brands are simplifying the process even further by manufacturing automatic cold brew makers. There are two clear advantages to this route. First, automatic cold brew makers prepare coffee much faster than non-electric devices, some as quickly as five minutes. Second, these items may offer greater versatility, especially regarding cold brew strength. On the downside, customers should expect automatic cold brew makers to be more expensive.

Brands/Manufacturers

OXO

There’s a good chance you already have an OXO product in your home. The American company originated 30 years ago when founder Sam Farber, whose wife had arthritis, sought to design more ergonomic kitchen items. The brand now manufactures everything from tiny utensils to full-sized appliances. OXO’s line of coffee products has especially grown over the years, today incorporating two different cold brew makers. Both options are immersion based and worth consideration. The main difference between them is that one holds 32 ounces and the other is a more compact 16-ounce brewer.

Primula

Many brands only manufacture one kind of cold brew maker. Not Primula. The 30-year-old company offers several different models, from standard at-home cold brew makers to portable devices for those who want to take their joe on the go. Most Primula options are affordably priced and use the immersion brewing process. Even if the products all lead to a similar quality of taste, it’s still nice to have more options when searching.

Toddy

Toddy revolutionized homemade cold brew in the 1960s with its famous Toddy Cold Brew System. The simple, time-tested device uses immersion-style brewing to whip up extremely rich and flavorful cold brew. The coffee is so rich, in fact, that it’s usually closer to a cold brew concentrate, which should be diluted with water or your preferred milk before drinking. Toddy manufactures other cold brew makers too, but the original Toddy Cold Brew System remains its most popular item and one certainly worth checking out.

Maintenance

While maintenance instructions vary from product to product, cold brew coffee makers are much easier to use and clean than other brewing devices. Not only are many dishwasher safe, but you won’t have to endure the arduous process of descaling. However, some cold brew makers may have several small parts that need to be removed and hand-washed individually, especially if the item has a spout or overhead filter. Ease of cleaning is also affected by whether your cold brew maker uses paper filters or a metal infuser. Filters can be thrown out after brewing but may occasionally spill loose grounds on the countertop. Infusers can generally be put in the dishwasher but should ideally be cleaned after every use.

As far as brewing instructions go, the proper coffee-to-water ratio is very much up to personal preference. If you want medium-strength cold brew that does not need to be diluted before drinking, try a 1:8 ratio—one part coffee and eight parts water. Make sure to use coarse-ground coffee beans for optimal results. For cold brew concentrate, a 1:4 ratio (one part coffee, four parts water) is a good place to start. Timothy Johnson, the Head of Education and Training at Vibe Coffee Group, recommends letting the grounds steep for 18 to 20 hours for the best results.

FAQs

What coffee beans should I use for cold brew?

Darker roasts and a coarser grind size are recommended for cold brew. "We find that medium to medium-dark roasts extract way better," says Timothy Johnson of Vibe Coffee Group. "If you’re trying to brew something lighter and the flavor notes on the bag are like jasmine, lemongrass, and raspberries, that may not brew very well as cold brew. But if you look at something that’s like dark chocolate, cane sugar, and dried cherry, that might brew better as cold brew because it has deeper notes that will come through and shine with that longer brew method."

How is cold brew different from iced coffee?

Cold brew is not only different from iced coffee in the way it's prepared but in the overall taste too. Traditional iced coffee is made by brewing coffee hot first and then chilling it with ice afterward. Cold brew, on the other hand, is made by steeping coffee beans in nothing but cold water for several hours. This makes cold brew lower in acidity and able to stay fresh for a much longer period of time than iced coffee.

Timothy Johnson, the Head of Education and Training of Vibe Coffee Group, says the two drinks are so different in brew method that it's "like comparing a French press to a pour over." Cold brew is made through immersion brewing, whereas

What is cold brew coffee concentrate?

Cold brew can be broken down into two categories. One kind is ready to drink right when it’s finished brewing. The other kind, cold brew concentrate, is so strong that it should be diluted with milk or water before drinking. Most cold brew coffee makers can produce either kind. It all depends on the ratio of coffee grounds to water used. A mixture of one part coffee grounds to four parts water (1:4) is commonly used for cold brew concentrate, while a 1:8 ratio should be ready to drink as soon as it's finished steeping.

Is cold brew less acidic than other coffee?

Yes, cold brew is less acidic than other forms of coffee, whether it be traditional iced coffee or drip. Since cold brew is made by using cold water instead of hot, the coffee beans don’t release the same amount of oil that they would if brewed at higher temperatures. One last quick tip: dark roast coffee beans are less acidic than light roast coffee beans, so consider giving those a shot if you want even less acidity in your cold brew.

Why Trust The Spruce Eats?

Erin Meister has spent years both working in and reporting on the coffee industry. Since moving to New York City in 2003, she has worked at Joe Coffee Company and Counter Culture Coffee. Her writing has appeared in The Washington Post, The Boston Globe, Serious Eats, Rachael Ray Every Day, and more. Erin is also the author of "New York City Coffee: A Caffeinated History."

This piece was updated by Derek Rose, the coffee and tea expert for The Spruce Eats. He researches a variety of coffee products, from measuring scoops to commercial espresso machines, and interviews field experts for their insight. At home, he typically makes coffee with the Bodum Brazil French Press—a great budget option, especially for those who prefer non-electric brewers.

Sources

Timothy Johnson, the Head of Education and Training at Vibe Coffee Group, was interviewed for this piece. Timothy has worked in the coffee industry for 16 years. Vibe Coffee Group is the parent company of three Washington-based coffee brands: Victrola Coffee Roasters, Whidbey Coffee, and Seattle Coffee Works.