Best Cold Brew Coffee Maker for Smooth Iced Coffee at Home
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Our picks for the best cold brew coffee maker, from the Takeya Deluxe pitcher to big batch mason jars and a gallon dispenser.
The best cold brew coffee maker makes smooth, mellow coffee concentrate with almost no effort: add coarse grounds and cold water, leave it in the refrigerator overnight, then remove the filter and pour. The right model for you depends on how much you drink, how much fridge space you have, and whether you prefer glass or shatterproof plastic.
We compared five cold brew makers, from a compact pitcher that fits a fridge door to a one gallon glass jar for parties. After the picks you will find a buying guide, a simple cold brew recipe, storage and cleaning tips, and answers to common questions.
Best Cold Brew Coffee Maker: Our Top Picks
We focused on filter quality (how well it keeps grounds out), capacity, materials, lids and spouts, fridge fit and ease of cleaning. Each model sells new on Amazon. More cold brew makers, including an electric option, appear in the product table on this page.
Takeya Deluxe Cold Brew Coffee Maker: Best Overall
The Takeya Deluxe is one of the most popular cold brew makers on Amazon, and its design explains why. A fine mesh filter holds the grounds while they steep, keeping the finished coffee clean. The patented airtight, leak-proof lid seals in aroma, so the coffee stays fresh for days in the refrigerator, and the pitcher can lie on its side without dripping.
The pitcher is made from shatterproof Tritan that resists stains and odors, and it is designed to fit most refrigerator doors. It is dishwasher safe or easy to rinse by hand, and the silicone grip handle makes pouring comfortable. The listing notes it also handles hot brewing, so you can use it for iced tea or hot steeped drinks.
- Fine mesh filter for clean cold brew
- Airtight, leak-proof lid keeps coffee fresh
- Shatterproof Tritan pitcher that fits fridge doors
The limitation is batch size: a compact pitcher suits one or two cold brew drinkers rather than a whole household. Skip it if you want to brew for a crowd once a week. Expect to pay around $25.
County Line Kitchen 64 oz Cold Brew Maker: Best Large Batch Mason Jar
The County Line Kitchen cold brew maker uses a 64 ounce wide mouth glass mason jar, enough to brew a big batch of concentrate that lasts most of a week. A stainless steel fine mesh filter sits inside the jar to hold the grounds, and the leak-proof lid has a flip-cap spout for mess-free pouring.
The glass jar is BPA-free and does not hold onto flavors, and the built-in handle makes it easy to carry from counter to fridge. It doubles as an iced tea maker or a pitcher for other cold drinks, and its parts are dishwasher friendly for quick cleanup.
- 64 ounce glass mason jar for big batches
- Stainless steel mesh filter
- Leak-proof lid with flip-cap spout
The limitation is height: a tall 64 ounce jar needs space on a refrigerator shelf, not the door. Skip it if your fridge is small or crowded. Expect to pay around $27.
Primula Burke Deluxe Cold Brew Maker: Best Budget Glass Option
The Primula Burke Deluxe makes cold brew affordable. Its glass carafe holds 1.6 quarts, about six cups, with a removable mesh filter for the grounds and a comfort grip handle. You add grounds to the filter, pour cold water over them and let it brew overnight or to your preferred strength.
It is dishwasher safe and designed to fit most refrigerator doors or shelves. Serve the cold brew over ice, dilute it with water or milk, or warm it for a low acidity hot drink. Primula has made cold brew gear for many years, and this model is a popular starter choice.
- 1.6 quart glass carafe, about six cups
- Removable mesh filter
- Dishwasher safe; fits most fridge doors
The limitation is filtration: some fine sediment can pass through, so you may want to pour slowly or strain the last bit. Skip it if you want the cleanest possible cup. Expect to pay around $22.
Hario Mizudashi Cold Brew Coffee Maker: Best Compact Glass Pitcher
The Hario Mizudashi is a slim Japanese cold brew pitcher made from Hario heatproof glass. It brews about 1,000 milliliters (roughly 34 ounces), described as five cups. You add ground coffee to the fine mesh basket, pour water and leave it in the refrigerator to brew, then lift out the filter and serve directly from the pitcher.
A slender spout gives slow, controlled pours, and the pitcher is made in Japan. Hario notes that a coarser grind gives a lighter, more delicate coffee, while a finer grind adds body and strength, so you can tune the result to your taste.
- About 1,000 ml brewed volume
- Fine mesh basket and heatproof glass
- Slim shape that stores easily
The limitation is durability compared with plastic: glass needs careful handling. Skip it if you want a shatterproof pitcher for a busy household. Expect to pay around $23.
Zulay 1 Gallon Cold Brew Maker: Best for Parties and Offices
When you need cold brew for a group, the Zulay 1 gallon (128 ounce) maker brews in quantity. It uses thick, shatter-resistant glass with a food grade 304 stainless steel fine mesh filter, an airtight stainless steel lid and a leak-proof spout for serving.
It works as a cold brew jar, iced tea maker or beverage dispenser for parties, offices and family gatherings. Zulay backs it with a lifetime guarantee according to the listing.
- 1 gallon capacity for crowds
- 304 stainless steel fine mesh filter
- Airtight lid and serving spout
The limitation is size and weight: a full gallon of coffee is heavy and needs a lot of fridge space. Skip it if you only make a few servings at a time. Expect to pay around $37.
What Makes Cold Brew Different
Cold brew is made by steeping coffee in cold or room temperature water for 12 to 24 hours instead of brewing with hot water. Because cold water extracts flavor slowly and pulls out fewer of the compounds that taste sharp, cold brew is typically smoother and less bitter than hot coffee cooled over ice. Most people make it as a concentrate and dilute it before drinking.
It is not the same as iced coffee, which is hot coffee chilled or poured over ice. Iced coffee keeps more brightness and aroma; cold brew is mellow and chocolatey. Both have their fans, and many cold brew makers also make iced tea.
Cold Brew Maker Buying Guide
Capacity
Think about how much you drink in a week. A one quart pitcher suits one person, a 64 ounce jar suits two to four people, and a gallon jar suits parties or offices. Concentrate stays good for about a week in the refrigerator, so brew only what you will use.
Filter Type
Fine stainless steel mesh filters are reusable and keep most grounds out, though some silt may pass. Paper or cloth filter bags produce the cleanest cup but add cost and waste. Many people pour slowly or use a second strain through a paper filter for an extra clean concentrate.
Material
Glass does not absorb odors or stains and lets you see the brew, but it can break. Tritan plastic is shatterproof and lighter. Both are fine for cold brew; choose based on your household and how you handle pitchers.
Lid, Spout and Fridge Fit
An airtight lid keeps the concentrate from absorbing fridge odors. A spout makes pouring easier. Measure your refrigerator door or shelf height before buying a tall jar.
Browse more models in our cold brew coffee makers section, or see machines that brew iced and hot coffee in our guide to the best coffee maker for cold brew.
How to Make Cold Brew in Any Maker
Use coarse ground coffee, similar to sea salt. For concentrate, start with about 1 part coffee to 8 parts water by weight, for example 100 grams of coffee to 800 grams of cold filtered water. Add the grounds to the filter, pour the water slowly so all the grounds are wet, and stir gently if the design allows.
Cover and steep in the refrigerator for 12 to 18 hours, or up to 24 hours for a stronger concentrate. Remove the filter and discard the grounds. Dilute the concentrate roughly one to one with water or milk and serve over ice. For a full walkthrough, see our guide on how to make cold brew coffee at home.
Ways to Serve Cold Brew
Cold brew concentrate is versatile. Dilute it one to one with cold water over ice for a classic glass, or with milk or oat milk for a creamy cold brew latte. Add a splash of vanilla or caramel syrup for a café style drink, or top it with cold foam from a handheld frother. On chilly mornings, mix concentrate with hot water for a smooth hot coffee with very little bitterness.
Storage and Cleaning
Keep cold brew concentrate in a sealed container in the refrigerator and drink it within about a week for the best flavor. Diluted cold brew is best within a few days. Rinse the filter right after removing it so oils do not dry in the mesh, and wash the pitcher and filter regularly with warm soapy water or in the dishwasher if the manual allows.
A soft brush helps clean fine mesh filters. If the mesh starts to clog, soak it in warm water with a little baking soda, then rinse well. Replace filters that tear.
How We Chose
This guide is based on research rather than in-person trials. We compared capacity, filter design, materials, lids and fridge fit, cleaning, and how widely each maker is bought and kept. We picked one model for each common need, from compact pitchers to party sized jars.
FAQs About Cold Brew Makers
How long should cold brew steep?
Between 12 and 24 hours in the refrigerator. Start around 14 to 16 hours and adjust to taste.
What grind is best for cold brew?
Coarse or extra coarse, similar to sea salt or cracked peppercorns. Fine grounds make cold brew bitter and hard to filter.
Can I make cold brew without a special maker?
Yes. A French press or a large jar with a fine strainer works. Dedicated makers simply make filtering and storage easier.
How long does cold brew concentrate last?
About a week in a sealed container in the refrigerator, though flavor is best in the first few days.
Is cold brew stronger than regular coffee?
Concentrate is stronger, but most people dilute it, which brings it close to regular coffee strength.
Final Verdict
The best cold brew coffee maker for most people is the Takeya Deluxe, with a fine mesh filter, an airtight lid and a shatterproof pitcher that fits the fridge door. The County Line Kitchen jar is ideal for big batches, the Primula Burke is the budget glass pick, the Hario Mizudashi is a slim glass pitcher for small kitchens, and the Zulay gallon jar handles parties. Use coarse grounds, steep overnight, and enjoy smooth cold brew all week.
