The Best Cold Brew Coffee Makers Of 2022
curatism/Shutterstock By Robyn Hunt/Updated: Feb. 14, 2023 12:28 pm EST
We may receive a commission on purchases made from links. Not to be confused with iced coffee, cold brew undergoes a smidgen of a lengthier process — anywhere from 12 to 24 hours. The result is a java juice that’s low in acidity, big on flavor, and packs more pow to get you through the day. This type of brew costs more than regular and iced coffee if you’re purchasing it at your local coffee establishment. Those morning (noon and evening) pick-me-ups can quickly begin to add up which is why owning a cold brew coffee maker is a great investment.
When considering what kind of cold brew coffee maker you’re interested in, you need to think hard about your coffee drinking habits, as well as your personality type. It’s not as daunting as buying a car, but you want to be happy with what you’re going to be looking at — and drinking — every morning. For starters, you’ll want to think about storage (The Spruce says an average single-story home has 161 square feet of kitchen space but your studio apartment might boast less area). Are you always on the go, or can you commit to waiting? Will this be an investment piece or do you value budget purchases? Does drinking cold brew replace your water intake? Will it be a magical multitasker like yourself, or do one thing and one thing only — and do it exceptionally well?
We’ve collected our top favorite cold brew makers so you don’t have to feel intimidated by the decision process.
The selection process
Aris-Tect Group/Shutterstock
The following cold brew coffee makers have been selected based on independent research, comparisons with other consumer-reviewed sites, and actual peer product reviews (via global search, online retailer websites, and reputable blogs revolving around coffee, coffee, and pretty much only coffee).
We’ve taken into account price (uber affordable, mid-range, or borderline wallet crushing), popularity (more than just average reviews), the physical size of the coffee maker (whether it’s always on display or just a wee little guy), where it likes to live (countertop, fridge, or both), brew time (a few minutes or multiple hours for people who only know patience), liquid fuel capacity (two servings or enough for a small brunch army), and whether it serves more than one purpose (solo function or brewing kitchen wizard). Hopefully, the following picks can provide some caffeinated guidance for you as you set out on your quest to pick out the best cold brew coffee maker for your morning routine.
The Best Cold Brew Coffee Makers Of 2022
curatism/Shutterstock
By Robyn Hunt/Updated: Feb. 14, 2023 12:28 pm EST
We may receive a commission on purchases made from links. Not to be confused with iced coffee, cold brew undergoes a smidgen of a lengthier process — anywhere from 12 to 24 hours. The result is a java juice that’s low in acidity, big on flavor, and packs more pow to get you through the day. This type of brew costs more than regular and iced coffee if you’re purchasing it at your local coffee establishment. Those morning (noon and evening) pick-me-ups can quickly begin to add up which is why owning a cold brew coffee maker is a great investment.
When considering what kind of cold brew coffee maker you’re interested in, you need to think hard about your coffee drinking habits, as well as your personality type. It’s not as daunting as buying a car, but you want to be happy with what you’re going to be looking at — and drinking — every morning. For starters, you’ll want to think about storage (The Spruce says an average single-story home has 161 square feet of kitchen space but your studio apartment might boast less area). Are you always on the go, or can you commit to waiting? Will this be an investment piece or do you value budget purchases? Does drinking cold brew replace your water intake? Will it be a magical multitasker like yourself, or do one thing and one thing only — and do it exceptionally well?
We’ve collected our top favorite cold brew makers so you don’t have to feel intimidated by the decision process.
We may receive a commission on purchases made from links.
When considering what kind of cold brew coffee maker you’re interested in, you need to think hard about your coffee drinking habits, as well as your personality type. It’s not as daunting as buying a car, but you want to be happy with what you’re going to be looking at — and drinking — every morning. For starters, you’ll want to think about storage (The Spruce says an average single-story home has 161 square feet of kitchen space but your studio apartment might boast less area). Are you always on the go, or can you commit to waiting? Will this be an investment piece or do you value budget purchases? Does drinking cold brew replace your water intake? Will it be a magical multitasker like yourself, or do one thing and one thing only — and do it exceptionally well?
We’ve collected our top favorite cold brew makers so you don’t have to feel intimidated by the decision process.
The selection process
Aris-Tect Group/Shutterstock
The following cold brew coffee makers have been selected based on independent research, comparisons with other consumer-reviewed sites, and actual peer product reviews (via global search, online retailer websites, and reputable blogs revolving around coffee, coffee, and pretty much only coffee).
We’ve taken into account price (uber affordable, mid-range, or borderline wallet crushing), popularity (more than just average reviews), the physical size of the coffee maker (whether it’s always on display or just a wee little guy), where it likes to live (countertop, fridge, or both), brew time (a few minutes or multiple hours for people who only know patience), liquid fuel capacity (two servings or enough for a small brunch army), and whether it serves more than one purpose (solo function or brewing kitchen wizard). Hopefully, the following picks can provide some caffeinated guidance for you as you set out on your quest to pick out the best cold brew coffee maker for your morning routine.
We’ve taken into account price (uber affordable, mid-range, or borderline wallet crushing), popularity (more than just average reviews), the physical size of the coffee maker (whether it’s always on display or just a wee little guy), where it likes to live (countertop, fridge, or both), brew time (a few minutes or multiple hours for people who only know patience), liquid fuel capacity (two servings or enough for a small brunch army), and whether it serves more than one purpose (solo function or brewing kitchen wizard).
Hopefully, the following picks can provide some caffeinated guidance for you as you set out on your quest to pick out the best cold brew coffee maker for your morning routine.
Best Overall
Ninja
The Ninja Hot and Cold System also brews five different strengths and accommodates six different vessel sizes (ranging from a standard single-serve mug to the 50-ounce carafe, which is also included). For those of you who enjoy testing out your barista skills (or just like making a mess, er, practicing), the retractable frothing arm might pique your interest. If you enjoy the frothier side of the coffee world, a cup of tea amidst the java, and drink large volumes, then you’ve found your new brewer.
Best for People Who Like Expensive and Pretty Things
Yama Glass
Best for People Who Don’t Want to Do the Work
YouTube
If you’re a hands-off type of person when it comes to making coffee, you probably don’t have any desire to clean the brewer either. No judgments — no one likes to clean appliances. You’ll be glad that this device has a built-in cleaning function so that it continues to brew smoothly. The vessel is made with heat-resistant borosilicate glass, which means you don’t have to worry about accidentally shattering it and losing all 37 ounces of your delicious cold brew.
Customers rate it five out of five stars on the Vinci website, while an independent reviewer at The Gadgeteer states that the only part they would change is the bulky handle, not even the suggested $80 price tag. Food & Wine also says that it’s a low-maintenance piece of equipment that’s worth considering for your cold-brew needs.
Best for Purists
OXO
The OXO Cold Brewer breaks down for quick storage and takes up minimal cupboard space. Some reviewers mention that it breaks easily because aside from the glass carafe, the entire body is made from BPA-free plastic. Keep in mind that this cold brewer wins for the purist category because, according to The Spruce Eats, it’s pretty darn simple to operate (yet another cold brewer with limited human involvement) and requires little cleaning. That being said, extracting cold brew can take anywhere from 12 to 24 hours, so if you’re not the kind of coffee drinker who likes to wait, this might be a hard pass.
The OXO Cold Brewer scores five bold stars over at Williams-Sonoma, with the suggested retail price hovering around the affordable $50 mark. That means this hassle-free brewer will soon pay for itself.
Best for Multifunctional Purposes
Chef’n
Like most coffee carafes, the Chef’n 3-in-1 is made with borosilicate glass, so it’s sturdy and tolerates heat very well. While it’s noted that this brewer can also be used to make tea and infusions, the pour-over carafe is sold separately, as is an airtight coffee bean canister that looks cool but probably isn’t that necessary. Keep in mind that a major set back — with any brewer that fuses glass and plastic — is that if it accidentally gets cracked or broken, you have to purchase a whole new set, which will set you back around $50.
Best if you’re on a Budget
The Takeya Deluxe is also available in two different capacity options (one or two quarts) with a few different color options, depending on which size you choose (you’re limited to black, white, or gray, which are kind of boring, but it’s not the end of the world). The body is made of shatterproof glass and is free from BPA plastic (as with most cold and hot brewers). It’s also dishwasher safe, which is another bonus for those of you who like to set it and forget it.
One independent reviewer at A Barista’s Daughter points out that it can be used for making hot coffee as well. One can only speculate that it probably works for making cold brew tea too. Because of its rave reviews, simplicity, limited use of space, and excellent price, the Takeya Deluxe takes the spot for the Best Budget brewer.
Best for People with No Space
This petite cold brewer reaches a height of about eight and a half inches and holds 16 ounces of cold brew concentrate in a 24-ounce heat-resistant glass container. It utilizes the ingenious nesting doll storage style, which means it doesn’t take up any room in your fridge or kitchen cabinets. OXO’s Compact Cold Brewer includes a reusable stainless steel mesh filter, as well as a cork and silicone-sealed stopper to keep your cold brew fresh. Cnet mentions that the beauty of this brewer (besides its size) is its simplicity.
On the flip side, it only makes cold brew, which can take anywhere from 12 to 24 hours, so you’re trading a minimal storage footprint for an increased patience threshold. It’s also not necessarily that great of an investment (around $30 to $40) if you’ve been successfully making cold brew with mason jars and assorted equipment.
Best for Sunday Brunch
KitchenAid
KitchenAid’s Cold Brewer is itty bitty — eight by seven inches — so it also fits well in locations with limited space both in the fridge and on your countertop. Another advantage is that the appliance is simple to take apart and clean. You can pretty much just set it and forget it while it brews a full batch in 12 to 72 hours. This cold brewer is a bit on the pricier side, coming in at around $100.
Reviewers on Wayfair give it 4.6 stars, though some individuals have remarked that it leaks — although there’s no specification as to where the leak is actually coming from. There’s also some concern about leaking on the KitchenAid product page, but these comments are few and far between. It’s worthwhile to note that incorrectly installing the seal after cleaning it can be a reason for leakage.
Best for Travel
Asobu
While it’s a little pricier than your standard travel mug (it retails for around $45), TrustedReviews states that it’s worth the investment (even if it’s a tad longitudinally challenged). You’ll be saving money no matter what, and those extra dollars can go towards purchasing quality coffee beans. The Asobu Portable Cold Brewer also comes in 10 different colors and patterns, because who doesn’t love options?
Best for Simplicity
The CoffeeSock is made of certified organic cotton following the Global Organic Textile Standard (GOTS). The product is hand-sewn in Austin, Texas, by employees who are paid a fair and living wage (via CoffeeSock). The only downside is that the sock can get moldy if you don’t allow it to fully dry, and you’ll need to invest in your own carafe. But those two negatives aren’t really anything that would be a major game-changer. This no-frills, no bells n’ whistles brewing method is easily the best method for making cold brew with simplicity.
Best for People with No Time
Presto Dorothy™
Best for the Unconventional
Best for the Thrifty Brewer
It includes two lids (one for brewing and one for pouring) and can be used for both cold brew and hot coffee. Basically, you’re getting a two-for-one coffee brewer deal on this one. If you’re patient enough to wait 12 to 24 hours for your java tonic to brew, then this is a no-brainer.
