Mornings are a busy time, and streamlining the tasklist of getting out the door is a must. Making a pot of coffee —grinding beans, filling the water tank, finding filters — can quickly suck up your precious time.
Cold brew coffee makers are a dream for quick morning starts and skipping the emergency trip to the local coffee shop because you snoozed the alarm a little too long.
Start the process the night before while you plan tomorrow’s outfit and agenda, then in the morning, pour cold brew coffee straight from the refrigerator without a wait. Delve into this brew-maker buying guide and find the right cold brew coffee maker for you to fit your home’s caffeine needs.
The Best Cold Brew Coffee Maker
Takeya Deluxe Cold Brew Coffee Maker (BEST CHOICE)
The Takeya Deluxe Cold Brew Coffee Maker starts us off as our best choice and offers the typical cold brew coffee maker design. A BPA-free Tritan pitcher with a fine mesh, reusable coffee filter topped with an airtight lid. The non-slip handle ensures you won’t drop the coffee maker with wet hands. The minimalist design fits snugly into your refrigerator door. The Takeya Deluxe yields four cold brew servings and will make a great cold brew coffee maker for a couple or roommates.
- Four servings of cold brew
- Fine-mesh coffee filter
- Tritan BPA-free plastic
- Airtight lid for freshness
Ninja Hot And Cold Brew Coffee Maker
The Ninja Hot And Cold Brew Coffee Maker is ideal for coffee drinkers who like to switch their daily routines, choosing their morning brew based on their mood or the weather conditions. The cold brew setting options are cold brew or brewing coffee at a low temperature over ice. The coffee maker has six brew sizes; if you’re making enough coffee for the whole family, brew an entire carafe, or if you just need to get out the door for work, brew into your travel coffee mug.
Because it is a machine, the price tag is bigger than other options on this list, but the possibilities and add-ons are added perks. An integrated coffee scoop assures you get the right amount of grounds for the batch cup’s size and a thermal decanter keeps coffee hot. The machine comes with two brew baskets, one for coffee and one for tea, so you’re tea never has lingering coffee notes, and the machine can tell which to prompt you with the correct tea or coffee options. And if you would like to enjoy a morning latte, use the fold-away milk frother with a touch of a button.
- Five brewing options
- Six brewing sizes
- Hot or cold beverages
- Thermal carafe
- Single-button milk frother
- Tea or coffee options
County Line Kitchen Mason Jar Cold Brew Coffee Maker
For an old farmhouse vibe, check out the County Line Kitchen Mason Jar Cold Brew Coffee Maker. The decanter is an iconic two-quart mason jar made to handle pressure and temperature changes, perfect for cold brew coffee. Stainless steel, heavy-duty fine mesh filter fits snugly inside the mason jar sealed by a silicone gasket and capped with a flip cap lid with an easy pour spout.
This cold brew coffee maker is also useful for brewing iced teas or infusing water to drink or oils for salads. The materials are BPA-free and FDA compliant. For easy cleaning, the components are all dishwasher safe.
For more cool products for coffee lovers, check out our comprehensive guide to the best pour-over coffee makers.
- Yields two quarts
- Stainless steel filters
- Dishwasher safe
- Doubles as tea steeper or infuser
Ovalware RJ3 Cold Brew Coffee Maker
The Ovalware RJ3 Cold Brew Coffee Maker looks like you’re brewing a science experiment in your fridge. The decanter has cup and milliliter measurements for precision, and the beaker like shape with an ergonomic handle completes the decanter. A rust-proof stainless steel filter and cap with an airtight seal keeps your brew fresh.
Ovalware’s cold brew coffee maker is durable borosilicate glass with a BPA-free silicone gasket, all dishwasher safe. A non-slip rubber base that wraps the glass base keeps the decanter securely on the counter or in the fridge.
To always be sure you have fresh coffee at home, invest in some of these reliable coffee grinders.
- Stainless steel, super fine laser-cut filter
- Dishwasher Safe
- Displayed measurements for precise brewing
- Rust-proof
Zulay Kitchen Cold Brew Coffee Maker
For minimal effort and high volume output, the Zulay Kitchen is one of the best Cold Brew Coffee Makers. It holds 16-20 servings, great for making enough cold brew for two weeks or a couple of cups a day for a week. A leak-proof spigot makes it easy to pour and offers cold brew ‘on tap’ in your home.
The filter is an ultra-fine mesh filter to keep coffee sludge out of your brew, and the stainless steel lid locks in flavor and freshness. The extra thick glass deters any shattering or chips, and the industrial design will stand out in any kitchen.
Here are some of the best-rated pod coffee makers on the market. Take a moment to check them out.
- One gallon capacity
- Leak-proof spigot
- Ultra-fine mesh filter
- Stainless steel lid
Primula Burke Deluxe Cold Brew Coffee Maker
If you loathe cleaning, the Primula Burke Deluxe Iced Coffee Maker is your choice. The fine mesh coffee filter is removable from the lid and has a twist-off bottom. Instead of spending time attempting to remove the grounds without breaking the filter, simply remove the bottom of the filter and push the grounds out the bottom.
The decanter is made of temperature safe borosilicate glass with a BPA-free plastic non-slip base. The removable filter sits into tabs on the lid’s interior, and a smaller lid seals the whole unit. One brew cycle makes up to five servings, and the sealed cover will keep the cold brew fresh up to 2 weeks.
For some modern and functional kitchen gadgets, check out our selection of the top single serve coffee makers.
- Temperature safe borosilicate glass carafe
- Non-slip base
- Fine-mesh filter with removable bottom
- Dishwasher safe on the top rack
- Comfortable grip handle
- Makes up to 5 servings
Bodum Cold Brew Coffee Maker
The Bodum Cold Brew Coffee Maker is a French Press coffee maker made for cold brew. Add your grounds, add water, and let steep in your fridge overnight with the tightly locking lid. In the morning, remove the lid, replace it with the plunger, and ‘press’ the grounds to the bottom. You’ll have smooth cold brew without the hassle of cleaning a cylindrical filter.
The pitcher is BPA-free plastic, and both lids lock on tightly to avoid losing the fresh brew flavors. The components are dishwasher safe, and the coffee maker can make hot French press coffee during the colder winter months, just like these home espresso machines. The only issue that can arise is making a batch and keeping it for longer than a couple of days. Because the grounds are still technically submerged, the coffee will continue to steep, potentially causing over-extracted, strong cold brew.
- Two lids – one for steeping, one for removing grounds
- 51 fl oz.
- Dishwasher safe
- Brews hot coffee as well
OXO BREW Compact Cold Brew Coffee Maker
OXO creates such attractive designs that stand out from the rest. Their BREW Compact Cold Brew Coffee Maker is unique when stood next to other cold brew coffee makers. The base is a borosilicate glass carafe, and on top sits a plastic decanter with a filter in the bottom. You fill the plastic decanter with coffee and place a ‘rainmaker’ lid on the filter and pour water through it for even distribution and saturation. Once the entire filter is filled, set it into the fridge to steep.
Once the cold brew is ready, place the plastic decanter on top of the glass carafe and lock it into place, and the cold brew will automatically drain. Place the cork stopper in the glass carafe to keep your brew fresh. The BREW Compact Cold Brew Coffee Maker will yield 16oz of cold brew.
Coffee enthusiasts will also go crazy about these quality Keurig coffee makers from our list. Don’t forget to check them out.
- Borosilicate glass with cork stopper
- Compact storage
- Even distribution over coffee
- Yields 16oz of coffee
Aquach Cold Brew Coffee Maker
The Aquach Store Cold Brew Coffee Maker offers similar features as other coffee makers on our list. The lighthouse shaped decanter is of thick borosilicate glass with an ergonomic handle. The stainless steel fine-mesh coffee filter is removable from the airtight stainless steel lid, so the cold brew stops steeping while stored.
The decanter yields up to five cups of cold brew, and if you prefer iced tea on the weekends, this cold brew coffee maker is ideal, just like from the best tea maker. The components are BPA-free and all dishwasher safe. The sleek look and hassle-free function of this top cold brew coffee maker make it a no brainer.
- ml and cup measurement markings
- Airtight stainless steel lid
- Fine-mesh coffee filter
- Thick borosilicate glass pitcher
- Doubles as tea steeper
- Five cup capacity
Hario Mizudashi Cold Brew Coffee Maker
Hario is a common name in the caffeine industry, so of course, they have a cold brew coffee maker. The 100ml capacity yields up to four cups of cold brew. An easy to pour spout and ergonomic handle create easy transport between decanter and coffee mug.
Maintenance is simple; the dishwasher is safe for the decanter, and for the filter, soak it in wanter and mild detergent and apply a soft sponge to the mesh gently to avoid damaging it.
- 1000ml capacity
- Brews up to four cups
- Dishwasher safe
- High-quality heatproof glass
Cold Brew Coffee Maker Buying Guide & FAQ
Features to Look for in Cold Brew Coffee Makers
Size – Depending on how often you drink coffee and how many people in your household drink cold brew, you should consider the yield from a cold brew coffee maker against how often you’d like to start a new batch and how often you drink cold brew. Size varies from yielding four cups to some cold brew coffee makers producing 16-20 servings.
If you live by yourself and only drink cold brew every other day, a smaller yield will do, or else you’ll spend more time cleaning out your filter than actually enjoying your own cold brew.
Materials – The decanter or carafe will generally be a temperature-resistant borosilicate glass or a BPA-free plastic. If your friends are in and out of your fridge for beer during the game, consider the BPA-free plastic option just in case the boys are throwing elbows. Cold brew coffee maker filters are usually stainless steel or a fine fibrous mesh to avoid any sludge or added flavor to the cold brew. Stainless steel will be easier to clean and will not take on stains as a fibrous mesh filter. And lastly, always consider the lid. You’ll want an airtight lid, especially if you’re hoping for the cold brew to last the full two-week shelf life. A silicon gasket around the lid should do the trick.
Ease of Use – Cold brew coffee makers are pretty straightforward. But you will find some that are unique from the typical cold brew coffee maker template. Most are easy as one, two, three; place the grounds, pour the water, steep in the refrigerator.
Some do have separate brewing filters, and draining the cold brew into the holding decanter is necessary. Consider if you’re open to an extra step before biting the bullet on these types of cold brew coffee makers.
Maintainance – Coffee grounds are a nasty business and are the devil to clean off of filters thoroughly. If your patience wears thin when it’s time to clean, consider filters that are dishwasher safe, or have removable parts to make cleaning and removing the grounds easier.
Decanters are carafe almost always will be dishwasher safe on the top rack. But filters, whether mesh or stainless steel, it’s not always the case. Once most of the grounds are removed, a quick rinse under hot water should do the trick, but for a deeper clean if the filter clogs, a soak in mild soapy warm water and a gentle rub with a sponge will do the trick.
Brew Time – Most cold brew coffee makers will take 12-24 hours or recommend steeping the grounds overnight for a strong cold brew. However, there are cold brew coffee makers that brew directly over ice in just ten minutes.
Cold Brew Coffee Maker FAQ
What are Cold Brew Coffee Makers?
Cold brew coffee makers are usually decanters or carafes with a reusable filter built into the lid. They are known to produce a smoother coffee cup without releasing any oils or unwanted acidic flavors that sometimes accompany hot brewing methods.
How do cold brew coffee makers work?
Cold brew coffee makers use steeping, similar to making iced tea. You place coarsely ground coffee into a filter and place the filter into a carafe or jar and pour water over the ground until fully emerged. Then sealing the decanter and putting the coffee maker into the fridge for 12-24 hours to steep.
Can you use regular coffee grounds in cold brew coffee makers?
Yes, you can use regular coffee grounds in cold brew coffee makers. Coarsely ground beans will produce the best results, but regular grounds will do the trick in a pinch. Finely ground coffee can be used but keep in mind the mesh filter’s size and whether coffee ground too finely will clog the filter during the steeping process.
How long can you keep cold brew in the fridge?
Typically, cold brew can be kept in the fridge for up to 2 weeks in a sealed, airtight, decanter, or carafe container. Cold brew will start to taste metallic-like or acidic and sharp as it starts to turn sour.
Can you warm up cold brew coffee?
Cold brew coffee makers make concentrate because the ratio of coffee to water is much higher. It is recommended to drink cold brew over ice or cut with water or creamer to avoid any caffeine jitters. If you’d like to heat your cold mixture, cut your cold brew concentrate with hot water to heat the coffee.
Is cold-brewed coffee stronger?
Yes. Drip coffee makers or the best pour-over coffee makers use a 1:16 gram coffee-to-water ratio. In contrast, cold brew coffee makers use closer to a 1:4 or 1:6 ratio. It steeps for 12-24 hours, producing concentrate that most professional baristas and commercial coffee shops recommend cutting the concentrate with water creamer.