The Best Cold Brew Coffee Makers: Our Expert Reviews & Top Picks
Cold brew isn’t just a passing fad, and for good reason – the cold steeping method comes with quite a few perks that make it well worth waiting several hours for a delicious cup of coffee.
Unlike iced coffee, which is basically cooled down hot brew, the slow extraction that cold brew requires enhances the flavor of the coffee, accentuating the natural flavorful overtones of chocolate, walnuts, and fruits. Unlike hot brews, cold brew concentrates can keep in the fridge for up to two weeks! Plus, this method yields delicious coffee with low-to-zero acidity, which makes it ideal for people with sensitive tummies and teeth.
But you already know that cold brew is awesome, and that’s why you’re here! The issue now is finding the best cold brew coffee maker, which, with so many options on the market, is not an easy task.
In a mission to help you in your search for the best cold brew coffee maker, we selected and carefully reviewed our favorite products. We included effective cold brew coffee makers that vary in capacity and price, so that no matter what you’re looking for, you can find it right here.
Make sure to read our handy buying guide at the end of the article, where we share the main factors you should keep in mind when choosing the best cold brew coffee maker for your unique needs and preferences.
| Product | Key Features | |
|---|---|---|
Best For Most People  |
Toddy Cold Brew System
|
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Best For Cafés  |
Yama Cold Brew Coffee Maker
|
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Best On A Budget  |
Hario Mizudashi Cold Brew Coffee Pot
|
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Best Cold Brew Coffee Makers Reviews
1. Toddy Cold Brew System: Best For Most People
“If you want to make cold brew in large batches, the Toddy is an ideal choice.”
The best cold brew coffee maker for most people is the Toddy Cold Brew System, thanks to its affordable price, decent holding capacity, and user-friendliness. If you want to make cold brew in large batches, the Toddy is an ideal choice. The coffee will keep in the fridge for up to two weeks, so you can prepare it for both yourself and for your friends and family!
Pros
The Toddy is very easy to use. To brew, all you need to do is place the brewing container on top of the glass decanter, fill up the reusable filter with coffee for cold brew, and pour water on top of it. Wait for 8 to 10 hours, and you’ll have your delicious cold brew coffee concentrate, which you can then mix with water or milk in a one-to-one ratio. In fact, this purchase includes a useful instruction guide as well as a rich recipe book, so you can experiment with ingredients until you find your favorite cold brew cocktail.
Cleaning the Toddy is quite simple, too. The filters that come with the product are reusable and reduce the sediment residue, allowing you to easily wash the two parts of the cold brew maker. Plus, it’s dishwasher washable, so if you really hate to clean up, you can just stick it in the dishwasher!
“It has a high holding capacity which will allow you to make large batches – up to 8 cups of cold brew concentrate! ”
In fact, the Toddy offers great value for your money. While it’s quite affordable, the build of this cold brew coffee maker is decent. The glass decanter will keep the taste of your coffee unchanged after days in the fridge, and the brewing container is made of BPA-free plastic. The Toddy comes with a 1-year manufacturer’s warranty, which is a rare find in its price range.
Last but not least, the Toddy is quite versatile. As we already mentioned, it has a high holding capacity which will allow you to make large batches – up to 8 cups of cold brew concentrate! Plus, this option is also great for making cold brew tea.
Cons
One of the drawbacks of the Toddy is that the detachable rubber plug that connects the brewer to the decanter will leak if it’s not properly secured in place.
Check Amazon2.Yama Cold Brew Coffee Maker: Best For Cafés, Best for Large Batches
“The design of the Yama makes preparing cold brew look like alchemy!”
The Yama is the best cold brew coffee maker for cafés because it makes large batches, it brews faster than most other cold brew coffee makers, it offers unparalleled versatility, and looks absolutely stunning. The design of the Yama makes preparing cold brew look like alchemy! However, we also recommend it for cafés because it’s quite pricey – it’s not exactly a budget-friendly option for your casual coffee lover.
Pros
The Yama, like the Toddy, makes large batches which are ideal for having enough cold brew concentrate for multiple customers. You can make 6-8 cups with every brew cycle.
While most other cold brew makers take 10 to 16 hours to extract the concentrate, the Yama only takes 3 to 4 hours. This also makes it a great choice for a busy café that always needs a batch ready to serve.
Overall, this cold brew maker offers excellent performance, as it features adjustable settings for fine-tuning the brew to perfection. It comes with an adjustable valve which will allow you to set the frequency of the drip, from 1 to 1.5 seconds. Thanks to the valve, you can control the speed of the brew as well as the boldness of the flavor. Slower brew, stronger taste, faster brew, lighter coffee!
“The Yama comes with an adjustable valve which will allow you to set the frequency of the drip, from 1 to 1.5 seconds.”
The Yama offers versatility which will allow you to use it beyond making cold brew coffee. People use it to infuse tequila and other spirits with orange, lemon, and various herbs.
You will love the style of the Yama. It’s made of hand-blown borosilicate glass framed by a rustic wooden tower, giving it the look of an ancient chemistry set, or a large sand clock. But this cold brew maker isn’t just pretty – the glass is non-porous and resilient to absorbing odors or chemicals, so each new brew will have a fresh and unique taste.
Cons
This cold brew coffee maker is much, much more expensive than our other recommendations.
Another possible drawback is that the glass, while of high quality, is somewhat fragile, so you should be careful not to tip over the tower!
Check Amazon3. Hario Mizudashi Cold Brew Coffee Pot: Best On A Budget
“It’s sturdy, easy to use, and compact.”
The Hario Mizudashi Cold Brew Coffee Pot is our favorite budget-friendly option. It’s sturdy, easy to use, and compact. We especially recommend the Mizudashi for home use and cramped kitchens, as it will easily fit in the door of your refrigerator. It has a smaller capacity than the Toddy and the Yama, and it can make about 4 cups of concentrate.
Pros
If you live in a small home or a smaller household, you’ll love how compact the Mizudashi is. It’s only 8 inches tall and takes up less space than a milk carton, so you can easily fit it in your fridge.
The Mizudashi is really easy to use. The metal mesh filter is reusable, so you can reduce waste and at the same time not have to deal with the hassle of buying new filters. All you need to do is put some coffee inside the filter and pour water on top! The Mizudashi also features an easy-to-pour spout, so you won’t have to worry about spilling when you pour the concentrate into a cup.
This cold brew coffee maker is also quite easy to clean. It’s made up of a brown filter top part and a glass carafe, which you separate to wash with water and soap. It’s also dishwasher-safe, so you can always get it cleaned that way, too.
“It’s only 8 inches tall, and takes up less space than a milk carton, so you can easily fit it in your fridge.”
Although it’s budget-friendly, the Mizudashi is quite well-made. The glass carafe will ensure that your coffee will taste fresh, as plastic carafes sometimes absorb odors and infuse a stale taste in the cold brew. Plus, the plastic handle of the filter is quite sturdy, so you won’t feel like it’s cheaply made.
The Mizudashi comes in three color options – black, red, and brown – so you can choose the one that best suits your taste!
Lastly, you can use the Mizudashi for more than making cold brew coffee – you can cold brew tea, too!
Cons
The Mizudashi doesn’t have high holding capacity like the Toddy or the Yama.
Another small drawback is that some of the grounds may get stuck in the mesh filter, making it a bit of a hassle to clean.
Check AmazonConclusion
Our top recommendation for most people is the Toddy cold brew coffee maker. It can make large batches of cold brew, it’s easy to use, and it offers great value for your money. It’s well-built, as the plastic is BPA-free and the glass carafe won’t alter the taste of the coffee over time. Plus, it’s quite affordable!
Our favorite cold brew coffee maker for cafés is the Yama, because it can make up to 8 cups of cold brew concentrate and it brews faster than any other option on the market. It offers unparalleled versatility thanks to the adjustable valve, which you can use to control the drip frequency. Not to mention that the beautiful design makes it an ideal aesthetic addition to any bar!
The best cold brew coffee maker for those on a tighter budget is the Mizudashi. The Mizudashi is easy to use, clean, and perfect for compact kitchens, as it won’t take up much space.
Want another option? Check out this cold brew maker from Ovalware.
How to Choose the Best Cold Brew Coffee Maker
Now that you’ve familiarized yourself with the best cold brew coffee makers, the question remains – which one is the best choice for you? Here are the main factors you should consider when choosing:
Capacity
If you need larger batches of cold brew, for a big household, a café, or a bar, you should choose a cold brew coffee maker that has a higher holding capacity. The Toddy and the Yama both yield up to 8 cups of cold brew concentrate.
“The Toddy and the Yama both yield up to 8 cups of cold brew concentrate.”
On the other hand, if you need the cold brew for personal use, or as an added gadget to your already broad coffee-making arsenal, a smaller option like the Mizudashi, which makes about 4 cups, will do just fine.
Brewing Time
Is the brewing time of your cold brew coffee an important factor for you? If so, go for a faster cold brew maker. The Yama is the fastest, as it takes only 3 to 4 hours to complete a batch. The Toddy comes in second, as it takes 10 to 12 hours. The Mizudashi is the slowest, and you can choose to let it brew anywhere between 12 to 24 hours.
FAQ
Q: Can you use any coffee for cold brew?
A: You can technically use any coffee for cold brew. However, the important thing about making cold brew is the grind, the roast, and the freshness of the coffee beans. The recommended grind for cold brew is coarse, as finely ground beans will result in bitter-tasting coffee due to over-extraction. The recommended roast is medium to dark, as the cold brewing process will really bring out the richness of the flavors. In terms of freshness, we recommend that you either grind the coffee yourself or buy pre-ground coffee in small batches for best, freshest-tasting results.
Q: How long does cold brew last?
A: Cold brew lasts up to two weeks refrigerated. Hot brews don’t survive as long due to their acidity level, but the reduced acidity of the cold brew significantly extends its shelf life. Keep in mind, however, that the taste will deteriorate after about a week. Additionally, if you mix the concentrate with water, the brew will last much shorter, 2-3 days.
Q: Is cold-brewed coffee stronger?
A: Cold-brewed coffee isn’t stronger than hot brew, especially if you use the same ratio of coffee to water as you would with a hot brew. This is because higher temperatures affect the caffeine’s solubility – more caffeine will dissolve in hot water. However, cold brew is generally made with a higher ratio of coffee to water, about 2 to 2.5 times more than with hot brews, which evens out the caffeine content. Yet – here’s another twist – as cold brew concentrate is diluted with one part water or milk, the concentrate of the caffeine is reduced once again (1). But then again, if you add milk to your espresso, pretty much the same thing will happen!
What’s Next?
Hopefully, you enjoyed our reviews and buying guide of the best cold brew coffee makers on the market. Now you’re one step closer to having your very own cold brew maker at home! To get more information about each product, just follow their title links to learn their current prices, in-depth specifications, and customer reviews.
You can also find more reviews of the best coffee makers to always have the best coffee!
Owen is a writer and editor at Caffe Streets who considers himself a coffee fanatic. He spends his time researching and testing different coffee beans and brewing methods and sharing what he learns with others.
