6 Best Cold Brew Makers, Tested by Coffee Experts

When we evaluated cold brew coffee makers in the Lab, we put 13 of the most popular models to the test, reviewing all different kinds, including ones with paper filters, wire filters, French press designs and electric models.

For each model, we conducted the following tests to see how easy each cold brew maker was to operate and how well its brew tasted.

• Functionality: We brewed the same type of coffee in each model and followed the manufacturer’s instructions. Once the brewing process was complete, we measured and recorded the temperature of the coffee and the amount of coffee extracted.
• Taste test: Our test kitchen pros conducted a blind taste test to see which brewers produced the smoothest, richest cold brew. We deducted points for brews that had more sediment, a weak flavor or were a bit too strong, almost like burnt coffee.
• Usability: Throughout the entire process, we also took notes on usability, assessing things like how helpful the manual is, what the setup process is like and how easy (or cumbersome) cleanup is. We also rely on feedback from consumer testers who report on how the models perform at home.
• Features: While some cold brew makers may be pretty basic, most have extra features that may increase the overall cost, but also improve ease of use. From lids for storage and dishwasher-safe components to the ability to brew coffee (and even tea) quickly, we evaluated higher-tech options to discern whether they are worth the splurge.

While these models didn't make the A-list, they still deserve a callout for aspects we appreciated during testing.

• Country Line Kitchen Cold Brew Coffee Maker: This under-$30 pick has some notable features including dishwasher-safe components and a helpful mason jar that's perfect for storing your brew. While we noted an easy brewing method during testing, our experts found that the cold brew was a little weak.
• Primula Burke Deluxe Cold Brew Iced Coffee Maker: Top-rack dishwasher-safe, the Primula is designed to be easy to use. While it has an ergonomic handle, the glass carafe doesn't have any measurement markings. In Lab testing, we found that there was some sediment in the cold brew and that it tasted a little watery.
• Cuisinart Automatic Cold Brew Coffeemaker: We have included Cuisinart kitchen gear and appliances in many of our shopping guides and are often testing its products in our Lab. While we appreciate that this electric maker has a mesh filter and can brew 7 cups of coffee quickly, we observed some sediment in Lab testing.
• Instant Cold Brewer: Our pros road-tested this cold brew maker, but didn't feel as confident in recommending the model to our readers. We liked its removable glass pitcher and user-friendly operation and appreciated that it can make cold brew in under 20 minutes. However, it had an unideal murky appearance during taste testing.

✔️ Style: There are two main types of cold brew coffee makers: non-electric and electric.

• Non-electric is the most common and traditional, and under this umbrella, there are two main ways to brew: immersion and slow drip. In immersion-style cold brew coffee makers, like the Takeya and Kitchenaid, the grounds sit within a filter submerged in cold water for 12 to 24 hours. In slow drip-style cold brew coffee makers, like Oxo and Toddy, the cold water and grounds first soak together and then the infused water, a.k.a. cold brew coffee, drains into a separate container, upon the user releasing a stopper.
• Electric cold brew coffee makers aim to speed up the slow brewing process by steeping the grounds and agitating them to extract flavor faster, in as little as 5 to 45 minutes. (They don't typically use heat to do this.) While time-saving, our testers found that electric cold brew makers fell short in creating the deeply robust flavors that the non-electric methods did.

✔️ Type of filter: Some cold brew coffee makers require paper filters; others use mesh stainless steel filters. While both can yield a quality cold brew, paper is easier to clean up — simply toss it when you're done. That said, replacements require regular investment and are not as eco-friendly as their metal counterparts. Just be aware: While stainless steel mesh has longevity on its side, it can be harder to clean.

✔️ Material: Cold brew coffee makers are generally made of glass, plastic or a combination of the two. While overall construction doesn't necessarily impact the quality of coffee produced, it may be worth considering when shopping. Glass is heavier and more stable than plastic, but it can be thin and more prone to breakage. While plastic is highly durable, it isn't as resistant to staining and odor-absorption. Also, glass cold brew makers are typically dishwasher-safe, a nice convenience factor.

✔️ Size: Cold brew coffee makers come in various sizes, though most are relatively compact since they're designed to fit in the refrigerator. If size is important to you, look for the ones similar to a water pitcher or even a Mason jar. If you prefer to make a larger batch of coffee that will last you a week or more, you can find larger cold brew makers that make more than a few cups at a time — just be prepared to sacrifice the space for these bulkier options.

Making cold brew coffee at home is easy and cost-effective, and it allows you the flexibility to finesse the process to suit your preferences. And, luckily, cold brew coffee makers make the process a breeze. Here's what to do:

1. Choose your grounds. Select whatever roast suits your tastes, but note that single-origin beans are great for cold brew, since it's a gentle process. Either buy whole beans and grind them on the coarse setting yourself, or purchase coarsely ground beans. Smaller grinds aren't ideal, because flavor extraction can happen too quickly, yielding a more bitter coffee. And if you go too fine, the grounds will clump and may even create sediment. It may feel like you're blowing through coffee, but remember: You're making a concentrate that's meant to be heavily diluted with water, ice and/or milk.
2. Use the right ratio of water. Because you're making a coffee concentrate, you'll use less water to coffee than you would when brewing hot coffee. For every 1/4 cup (4 tablespoons) of coffee, use 1 cup of water (about 16 tablespoons), or a ratio of 1:4. (Pro tip: When brewing, use fresh, cold water for the purest taste, or fresh, cold water that has been brought to room temperature.)
3. Steep. Follow manufacturer directions for the specific model you're using, but generally, you should budget anywhere from 12 to 24 hours for non-electric cold brew coffee makers and 5 to 45 minutes for electric varieties.
4. Serve. Once your cold brew is done steeping, strain it and store the concentrate in the fridge to maintain freshness. Consume it within a few days or up to two weeks for optimal flavor. When ready to serve, a concentration of equal parts coffee and milk or water is ideal.

While both have "cold brew" in their name, there is a difference between the two drinks. As outlined above, cold brew is made by steeping coffee grounds in water and then straining to produce a bold concentrate. Meanwhile, "Nitro cold brew is brewed with pressure. It tends to open the flavors of the coffee more," explains our coffee expert.

You may also order these two interchangeably, but cold brew and iced coffee are inherently two different beverages. Cold brewing is a slow process without heat. The result is a coffee concentrate with lower acidity and a smoother, richer taste than coffee brewed with hot water. Iced coffee, on the other hand, is typically brewed the same way hot coffee is — just at double the concentration, so it won't dilute too much upon chilling over ice. Still, it's typically lighter-bodied than cold brew.

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As Director of the Good Housekeeping Institute Kitchen Appliances and Innovation Lab, Nicole Papantoniou has tested more than a dozen cold brew coffee makers, plus dozens of other coffee makers, including French presses, espresso machines and single-serve coffee makers.

Brigitt Earley is a contributor with years of experience testing and writing about consumer products, including cold brew coffee makers, iced tea makers and other kitchen accessories and gadgets. She holds a degree in Professional Culinary Arts from the French Culinary Institute (now the Institute of Culinary Education).