You understand the dilemma. It's a hot summer morning, and the last thing you need is a piping hot cup of coffee. You need that silky smooth, rich, and refreshing kick of caffeine only a perfectly made glass of cold brew can give you. But the coffee shop stuff? You can have your hands on it for a-whopping $5 a day, and let's be real, that can do you in pretty quick.
What if you could brew barista-quality cold brew on your kitchen counter, pennies on the dollar? You can. I've reviewed, brewed, and tasted my way through a dozen models to bring you the best cold brew coffee makers available for American kitchens. Whether you're a new cold brew enthusiast or an old pro, there's a brewer here that's just right for you.
Our Top Picks at a Glance
Best Overall: The Toddy Cold Brew System
Best for Small Kitchens & Easy Cleaning: County Line Kitchen Cold Brew Maker
Best for the Style-Conscious: OXO Good Grips Compact Cold Brew Coffee Maker
Best Budget Option: Takeya Cold Brew Iced Coffee Maker
Key Features We Look For
Before we get started, here's what sets the great apart from the good in the realm of cold brew makers:
Capacity: How much concentrate does it produce? (Ideal for a solo household or family of caffeine addicts?)
Material: Is it heavy glass, BPA-free plastic, or ceramic?
Filter System: A fine mesh filter is essential for a grit-free brew.
Ease of Use & Cleaning: If it's a hassle to clean, you'll never use it.
Storage: Does it double as a storage pitcher?
In-Depth Reviews: Finding Your Perfect Cold Brew Match
1. The Toddy Cold Brew System: The Classic Workhorse
The Verdict: The original and, for many, still the best. This is the commercially graded system you'll see in coffee shops, miniaturized for your home.
Design & Build Quality:
This is not some flashy kitchen accessory. The Toddy is a practical, plastic-based system that's no-nonsense. It has a brewing vessel, a glass decanter, and a proprietary felt filter. It's solid-feeling and is meant to last for many years.
Performance & Usability:
The Toddy produces quite a bit of concentrate—10-12 servings. The process is easy: put coarsely ground coffee and water in the brewer, let it steep 12-24 hours, and then invert the entire brewer onto the carafe. A rubber stopper is opened, and the filtered concentrate flows easily into the decanter. The felt filter is the magic here—it yields an unbelievably smooth and sediment-free brew. The only catch? The felt filter is reusable but somewhat fussy to clean and must be replaced from time to time.
Pros & Cons
Pros Cons
✅ Produces a big batch of ultra-smooth concentrate ❌ Aesthetic is purely functional, not fashionable
✅ Gold standard for flavor and clarity ❌ The felt filter needs to be handled carefully and replaced from time to time
✅ Extremely simple, no-fuss process ❌ Occupies a significant amount of counter/cabinet space
✅ Durable and reliable
2. County Line Kitchen Cold Brew Maker: The All-in-One Wonder
The Verdict: A stunningly simple glass mason jar system that's very easy to use and ultra-easy to clean.
Design & Build Quality:
If you're a fan of the country look of a mason jar, this is your champion. It's a heavy-duty, 1-gallon glass jar with a heavy-duty bamboo lid and an excellent, removable stainless steel mesh filter. It looks fine on your counter and feels like good quality.
Performance & Usability:
You put your coffee grounds into the cylindrical mesh filter, screw the lid/filter assembly onto the jar, and top it with water. You steep, then just pull out the whole filter core. The grounds are in, but a clean brew remains. Rinsing out the filter is no problem. It's an incredibly simple design that keeps other systems from being messy. The enormous 1-gallon capacity is ideal for dedicated cold brew enthusiasts or families.
Pros & Cons
Pros Cons
✅ Very simple to use and clean ❌ The big 1-gallon size may be heavy and bulky
✅ Gorgeous, photogenic look ❌ Needs a lot of fridge space
✅ No additional parts or proprietary filters to purchase
✅ Air-tight lid makes it ideal for brewing and storing
3. OXO Good Grips Compact Cold Brew Coffee Maker: The Sleek Innovator
The Verdict: For those who appreciate a little engineering with their coffee. This small brewer is intelligent, elegant, and produces a spotless cup.
Design & Build Quality:
OXO has a reputation for considerate design, and this brewer is no different. It has a tough plastic and glass build with their "rainmaker" shower head to mist the grounds evenly. The stainless steel filter is great with its fine mesh. It stands out as sleek and contemporary on any countertop.
Performance & Usability:
The process takes a bit more effort but in a pleasing manner. You pour coffee into the filter, insert it into the brewer, and then run water over the "rainmaker," which divides it evenly. Once steeped, you turn a knob on the front of the machine to pour the concentrate into the provided glass carafe. It's a closed, drip-free system that yields an amazingly clean and balanced brew. Its "compact" design is ideal for compact kitchens and results in a more reasonable quantity (approx. 4-6 servings).
Pros & Cons
Pros Cons
✅ Extremely compact and space-saving design ❌ One of the pricier offerings on the list
✅ "Rainmaker" guarantees even saturation for consistent brew ❌ More components to put together and wash than less complex models
✅ Drip-free, controlled release into a fashionable serving carafe ❌ Smaller capacity might not be sufficient for frequent heavy drinkers
✅ Makes an incredibly clean and grit-free concentrate
4. Takeya Cold Brew Iced Coffee Maker: The Budget All-Star
The Verdict: Cheap, reliable, and not a lot of fuss. It's the best value available and a great introduction to the world of cold brew.
Design & Build Quality
The Takeya is a no-frills, BPA-free plastic water pitcher with a built-in mesh filter. It's light, sturdy (won't break like glass), and available in an array of bright colors. It feels substantial at the price and is meant to be tossed in a backpack for a picnic or stored in the fridge door.
Performance & Usability:
You put coffee in the mesh filter, screw the lid on, pour water into the pitcher, and steep. When it's done, you just unscrew the lid on the filter and remove the grounds. Easy as can be. The mesh filter works fine, although you will get a little sediment in the bottom of your final glass. Considering the price, its performance is excellent. It's also dishwasher-safe, which is a big plus.
Pros & Cons
Pros Cons
✅ Super cheap ❌ The plastic build feels less high-end
✅ Super easy to use and 100% dishwasher-safe ❌ The filter can let a little bit of sediment pass through
✅ Light and perfect for on-the-go
✅ Comes in a variety of sizes and colors
The Final Verdict: Who Should Buy What
Having cold brew at home is a game changer, and each of these brewers is best for a different kind of individual.
For the Cold Brew Connoisseur & Entertainer: Use the Toddy Cold Brew System. Its volume and unmatched smoothness make it the undisputed champion for quantity and quality.
For the Home Cook Who Prefers It Simple: The County Line Kitchen creator is your new BFF. It's easy to use and clean, and it's a looker too.
For the Design-Conscious with Limited Kitchen Space: The OXO Good Grips Compact is your soulmate. It's a stylish, compact fix that produces a technically ideal brew.
For the Budget-Minded Beginner or Student: Don't overcomplicate things. The Takeya Cold Brew Maker provides 90% of the performance at a small fraction of the cost. It's the best place to start.
Whichever one you pick, you're only a day away from saying goodbye to the overpriced, underwhelming coffee shop cold brew forever. Happy brewing
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