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Best Cold Brew Coffee Maker

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Updated November 30, 2021

Preparing delicious, coffee shop-style cold brew coffee is not easy and it can’t be done with a regular pot; you need one of the best cold brew coffee makers and beyond. We spent over fifteen hours researching many cold brew makers, to assemble a comprehensive list of the best cold-brew coffee makers available. To give you an idea of the features we prioritized, first we considered whether the cold-brew coffee maker had an air-tight seal or one suitable for preserving freshness. Next, we looked for reusable filters, dishwasher-safe designs and multi-purpose cold-brew coffee makers, which can be used to brew other beverages like tea. All of the cold brew makers on this list include at least one of those features. If you like these features, you will find them and more in the best coffee maker.

Our top pick is the Bean Envy 32oz Cold Brew Coffee Maker because it’s the best all-around. It comes with a bevy of features, including a lifetime warranty. The carafe is made of durable, borosilicate glass and it has BPA-free silicone ring seals. Some of the other cold-brew coffee makers on the list include the Hamilton Beach best budget, Coffee Gator honorable mention, and even the Kitchentoolz 1 gallon unit, which is the best-ready-to-serve cold-brewed coffee maker. From an oxo cold brew coffee maker to a cuisinart automatic cold brew coffee maker, which is the best?

Top 7 Best Cold Brew Coffee Makers

 #1  Bean Envy 32oz Cold Brew Coffee Maker – Top Pick


WHY WE LIKE IT: The Bean Envy 32oz Cold Brew Coffee Maker earns our top spot because it has the best overall feature set, offering a borosilicate glass carafe that has an excellent capacity, and the silicone seals are BPA-free. Best of all, the unit has a lifetime warranty.

Pros
  • Best overall feature set
  • BPA-free silicone ring seals
  • Lifetime warranty
Cons
  • Not airtight
  • Small capacity

The Bean Envy 32oz Cold Brew Coffee Maker is made of borosilicate glass with silicone rings and seals. It also comes with a tight-fitting silicone cap that you can use to seal the carafe and keep your cold brew fresh. Cold brews take anywhere from 12 to 24 hours to prepare after you’ve added the coarse ground coffee and filtered water. The silicone rings are BPA-free so you don’t have to worry about any toxic contaminants during the brewing process. Plus, the entire maker disassembles for easy cleaning — most of the added parts are silicone except the filter.

Bean Envy’s maker can hold a brew for an extended period, but it’s not meant for travel or to be used as a mug or cup. You’ll need to pour the brew into your mug of choice. A non-slip base will prevent the maker from tipping over or sliding while coffee is inside. Finally, Bean Envy’s cold brew maker is priced reasonably compared to the other options on the list. It is a great buy unless you prefer the best espresso machine. If you like decaf coffee, take a look at our guide to the best decaf coffee.

 #2  Coffee Gator 47oz Cold Brew Kit – Honorable Mention


WHY WE LIKE IT: The Coffee Gator 47oz Cold Brew Kit is our honorable mention because it comes with everything you need to jump in and start brewing, and then some. A measuring scoop and loading funnel are included, and the borosilicate glass carafe is BPA-free. Moreover, it’s all super easy to disassemble and clean when you’re done.

Pros
  • Complete cold brew kit
  • Comes with measuring scoop and funnel
  • Brews in 12 to 24 hours
Cons
  • Not airtight, so not ideal for long storage

Coffee Gator’s 47oz Cold Brew Kit is quite sizable allowing you to make larger brews than several of the other makers on the list. It also comes with a measuring scoop and funnel so you can easily pour your grounds and water into the unit. As with other makers, cold brews take about 12 to 24 hours to prepare — the longer the better. The carafe is made of BPA-free borosilicate glass, with plastic and mesh-like fittings. The filter, for example, is made of mesh. While the leakproof lid is plastic. The filter slides into the center of the container, which you fill with coffee grounds. You pour your filtered water inside and then let it steep for the desired period. It’s straightforward and easy to use.

The lid, filter and additional pieces disassemble hassle-free so you can rinse and clean the entire system fairly easily. Considering everything you get — including the funnel and scoop — Coffee Gator’s kit is competitively priced, and one of the cheapest on the list. It’s also one of the best cold brew coffee makers you’ll find, earning the title of honorable mention. If you prefer drip models, the best drip coffee maker is a great read.

Related: Also check out the best coffee pods if you prefer something different.

 #3  Coffee Bear 44oz Cold Brew Coffee Maker – Easiest to Use


WHY WE LIKE IT: The Coffee Bear 44oz Cold Brew Coffee Maker can also brew iced-tea and fruit-infused waters. The entire unit and attachments are dishwasher-safe so you can toss them in for a quick clean when you’re done.

Pros
  • 100% dishwasher-safe
  • Includes free recipe ebook
  • Makes iced-tea and fruit infused water
Cons
  • Not airtight

If you don’t want to hand-wash your coffee maker after every use, Coffee Bear’s 44oz Cold Brew Coffee Maker should be your first choice. It’s dishwasher-safe, and you can just toss the whole thing — attachments and all — in your machine to give it a quick clean. The 44oz or 1.3l carafe is made of borosilicate glass, much like the other options on the list. The components are all made of plastic, like the top lid, save for the mesh reusable filter. The bottom has a round, almost tube-like base that prevents it from slipping and sliding, cutting down on accidental spills.

If cold brews aren’t your thing, or you’re looking for something a little more versatile, the Coffee Bear can also be used to make iced-tea or fruit-infused water. Like with cold brews, steeping the drinks for longer leads to a stronger flavor and better experience. The Coffee Bear is a little more expensive than the first two makers on the list, but still reasonably priced, especially with its multi-purpose functionality. Some readers may like the best single serve coffee maker as well.

 #4  Primula Burke 1.6qt Deluxe Cold Brew Coffee Maker – Best Quality


WHY WE LIKE IT: Primula Burke is a household name in the cold brew world, and the Deluxe maker is no exception. The carafe is borosilicate BPA-free glass, it’s also dishwasher-safe and super easy to clean. The 51oz or 1.6qt capacity is more than enough to hold several servings at a time.

Pros
  • Largest capacity
  • Dishwasher-safe
  • Makes iced-tea and fruit infused water
Cons
  • Not airtight

Primula Burke is well known in the cold brew coffee world, and many enthusiasts recommend their makers. The 51oz or 1.6qt Deluxe Cold Brew Coffee Maker is no exception, especially if you’re looking for a budget-friendly price.

At that size, it’s also one of the largest makers on the list. Brews take 12 to 24 hours, and like many of the other makers, the filter sits in the middle of the carafe where you pour your coffee grounds, tea or fruit. Yes, it can be used to brew or steep other cold beverages like tea and fruit-infused water. The carafe is made of borosilicate glass, has a non-slip base, and a removable cap, that seals up the container nicely. The entire thing is dishwasher-safe too. You may be wondering about espresso machines and if that is your choice, read all about the best home espresso machine.

 #5  Semko 34oz Airtight Cold Brew Coffee Maker – Best Air Tight


WHY WE LIKE IT: The Semko 34oz Cold Brew Coffee Maker has an airtight seal making it one of the best options if you plan to store your beverage long-term. It’s ideal if you don’t drink a lot of coffee in one sitting. You’ll find a standard composition here, with borosilicate BPA-free glass and a mesh filter and cover that are made of rust free stainless steel.

Pros
  • Largest capacity
  • Dishwasher-safe
  • Dishwasher-safe
Cons
  • Only holds 34oz or 1L

Semko’s 34oz Airtight Cold Brew Coffee Maker has an airtight seal, so you can store your brews inside for longer periods, without sacrificing freshness. Not all of the makers on the list have that option. You will need to transfer the coffee to another, air-tight container if it’s missing. The tradeoff here is that the carafe only holds 34oz at a time, which is one of the lowest capacities on the list. Like the other makers, the carafe is made of BPA-free borosilicate glass and adorned with measurement labels for precise pours. Both the lid and the mesh filter are made of stainless steel, which is rustproof.

Semko’s cold brew maker is priced reasonably, about mid-range compared to all the others on the list. What truly makes it stand out, however, is that it comes with a hassle-free lifetime warranty. If anything goes wrong with it after purchase the company will get you settled as soon as possible. It’s an excellent option for those that don’t drink as much coffee in one sitting and want a long-term solution. If you prefer a bigger brand name, our cuisinart coffee maker list is also a must-read.

 #6  Hamilton Beach 57.5oz Cold Brew Coffee Maker – Best Budget


WHY WE LIKE IT: If you want cheap yet effective, the Hamilton Beach 57.5 oz Cold Brew Coffee Maker earns our “best budget” title because despite being one of the cheapest makers, it has one of the highest capacities on the list. It’s also dishwasher-safe, so super easy to clean, and just as easy to set up.

Pros
  • Dishwasher safe & easy to clean
  • Large capacity 57.5oz (1.7L) carafe
  • Dishwasher-safe
Cons
  • Not airtight

The Hamilton Beach 57.5oz or 1.7L Cold Brew Coffee Maker has one of the largest capacities on the list, second only to our final entry, the Kitchentoolz 1 Gallon maker. The carafe — or pitcher — is made of BPA-free borosilicate glass and its dishwasher safe. The mesh filter is made of stainless steel, while the cap is hard plastic. Brews take 12 to 24 hours, and you can make coffee, tea and other beverages with the unit. A bottom cap includes a non-slip design to prevent the carafe from toppling, but it also detaches easily so you can empty the coffee grounds or tea inside without making a huge mess.

Despite the large capacity, the Hamilton Beach carafe does not come with an airtight lid, so storing coffee or beverages inside for extended periods is not recommended. That said, you can make quite a bit using this unit so it’s great for families or social gatherings. It’s also great for anyone that wants quick, easy access to their cold brews. As for the price, it’s relatively cheap, one of the cheapest compared to everything else on the list.  With coffee covered, all you’ll need is your best centrifugal juicer to start your morning out right.

 #7  Kitchentoolz 1 Gallon Premium Cold Brew Coffee Maker – Best Ready-to-Serve


WHY WE LIKE IT: If you’re interested in capacity above all, the Kitchentoolz 1 Gallon Premium Cold Brew Coffee Maker is it. It’s an excellent choice for social gatherings or larger brews. Plus, it has a screw-on, airtight lid that can preserve your beverage for an extended period. Also, the glass pitcher is dishwasher-safe.

Pros
  • Massive 1 gallon (128oz) pitcher
  • Has a built-in spigot
  • Screw-on cap creates an airtight seal
Cons
  • Heavy, especially when full

If you are making a lot of a particular beverage, whether coffee, tea or something else, the 1 gallon (128oz) Kitchentoolz Cold Brew Coffee Maker is your best bet. It is absolutely massive, but it’s also designed to look like a mason jar and has a spigot at the bottom. You could place it on a picnic table or counter, and let everyone help themselves. The lid screws on and creates an airtight seal so you can store the beverage, while still keeping it fresh. Considering it holds so much, that’s a vital feature here. The entire pitcher is made of glass, although there’s no mention of what type, while the spigot is stainless steel and rust-free. The screw-on lid is also stainless. The filter slides into the middle and holds whatever you’re trying to steep or brew. It’s all dishwasher-safe and easy to disassemble and clean.

Kitchentoolz’ coffee maker is the most expensive on the list, but it’s also the largest and has the highest capacity. That makes the price more than reasonable. It’s the best option if you make large batches of your favorite beverage, or like to cater to social groups. Also, you can fill the pitcher and then store it in your fridge, cutting down on the number of times you need to brew — the pitcher can hold about 16 servings at a time. Brews take about 12 to 24 hours depending on what you’re making. For your dinner needs, you may want to consider the best pasta maker.

How We Decided

Two of the most important features we considered during the selection process of the best cold-brew coffee makers were capacity and seal capabilities. Larger capacity makers mean you can brew more of a cold beverage at a time. The seal also matters, however, because if you’re brewing a lot and there’s no airtight seal you cannot keep the drink fresh for long. A majority of makers on this list either include an airtight seal or a cover or lid that creates a relatively secure seal. As for size, everything is 32oz and up, with that being about 4 servings of a beverage, at a time.

Next, we looked at the reusability of the maker. The biggest contributor is a reusable filter which can simply be cleaned after every use. Each maker on the list includes precisely that, allowing you an extensive lifetime of brews at a much lower cost. You don’t have to replace the filter each time you use it. Furthermore, many of the makers are dishwasher-safe and super easy to clean.

Finally, we considered whether or not the maker could be used to prepare other drinks or beverages. For example, the Primula Burke and Coffee Bear makers can also be used to steep iced-tea or fruit-infused waters. It provides added value because you don’t have to buy a separate device to prepare those other cold drinks.

After reading our extensive comparison and review of the best cold-brew coffee makers on the market, you can select one of our cold brewers and make cold-brewed coffee in the comfort of your own home. Now you won’t have to frequent coffee shops or local cafes for a delicious, high-quality cup of hot or cold coffee.

If you would prefer a slow drip coffee maker, check out the Bruer Cold Brew Maker. The Bruer lets the water drip through the coffee grounds through a steel mesh and paper filters using gravity. You should also check out the OXO Good Grips Cold Brew Coffee Maker and the Hario Mizudashi Cold Brew Coffee Maker. The OXO Good Grips Coffee Maker provides a smooth and fresh, low-acid coffee concentrate in 12-24 hours while Mizudashi uses a simple, minimalistic design to brew cold coffee in only 8 hours.

Best Cold Brew Coffee Maker Buying Guide

The Most Important Features to Consider

  1. Air-Tight Seal
    If you plan to drink the coffee right away, an air-tight seal isn’t much of a concern. If, however, you don’t drink a lot of coffee at once and will be storing your brews, then an air-tight seal is necessary. It keeps the stored coffee fresh for longer. Keep in mind, you can also use a separate air-tight container to store your brewed coffee if you have a maker without a proper seal.
  2. Reusable Filter
    Like with regular coffee, the cold brew makers use a filter to keep the coffee grounds from getting into the water mixture. Most cold brew makers come with a reusable filter that simply needs to be cleaned and rinsed out before you can use it again. Not all of them have this option, however, so be sure what you’re getting does. If you have to replace the filter regularly it’s going to be quite expensive.
  3. Multi-Purpose
    While cold brew coffee is excellent, there are other cold-style brews you can make, which require extensive steeping, including tea, fruit-infused water, and some natural juices. Almost all of the makers you see on the list offer support for additional beverages. It’s great because you get more bang for your buck, but it’s not standard across all cold brew makers. When you’re looking, be sure to consider whether or not you want something that can make the other types of drinks.
  4. Dishwasher-Safe
    If you don’t like hand-washing your dishes, then you’ll want to find something that’s dishwasher-safe. Several of the makers on this list are safe to clean in a dishwasher, but some are not. Pay attention to the feature if it’s something that you value.

Cold Brew Coffee Makers FAQs

How Does a Cold Brew Coffee Maker Work?

With cold brew coffee, time replaces heat. Cold brews take much longer to create than regular coffee, sometimes taking up to 18 hours for the most flavorful combinations. The beans are ground more coarsely, and after the water passes through them and a sieve it’s allowed to steep for several hours. With traditional coffee, the elevated temperatures release the desirable flavors from the ground coffee beans. Also, roasted coffee beans give off oils and fatty acids that are introduced to the pot as the water filters through. With cold brew, however, many of the same compounds that are passed on when heating beans, stay behind. Usually, cold brew coffees are healthier and more flavorful, depending on the type of coffee you use. They also tend to be much sweeter and smoother, because heat releases the bitter flavors of a coffee bean.

Do You Need a Cold Brew Coffee Maker?

Technically, you don’t need a cold brew maker to create cold brew coffees. However, it will be much more difficult and messy without one. It’s worth noting that because the cold crew process takes longer, you need much more coffee — about four to five times as much as you would use for regular hot coffee.

Who Makes the Best Cold Brew Coffee?

To name all the amazing cold brew coffees out there we would need another, separate list just like this, except double the size. The quality of flavor is always up to preference, anyway. Plus, because you need four to five times as much coffee for cold brews, it’s better to get cheaper coffees. Otherwise, you could be looking at high costs as far as replenishing your coffee grounds. That’s why we don’t like to recommend a lot of cold brew coffees because it’s tough to stick to a particular budget without more information. To get you started, you might want to check out Rise Brewing, Chameleon Cold-Brews, Crosscut Coffee, Nitro Beverage, Sail Away and La Colombe. Of course, those are just a few of the great coffees out there, don’t be afraid to experiment to find some brands you favor.

Can You Use Regular Coffee Grounds for Cold Brew?

You can, but you’ll need to remember when grinding the beans that they should be coarse, with at least a medium roast. Grinding the beans yourself will produce the most flavor, but it takes a lot of coffee for cold brews. Always be sure to use filtered water when making cold brew coffee.

What's the difference between iced coffee and cold-brewed coffee?

Cold brewing is a method of soaking coffee beans in cold or room temperature water for a minimum brew time of 12 hours to extract sugars, oils, and caffeine. This creates a coffee concentrate that you mix with cold water or warm milk. Iced coffee, however, uses hot water to extract flavor. The hot coffee is then poured over ice or refrigerated for a few hours before serving.

What's the difference between a french press and cold press methods of brewing coffee?

A French press is a circular wire-mesh filter plunged into a cylindrical jug. Coffee is made by pouring boiling water over the coarsely ground coffee beans and waiting for the water to percolate through. A cold press, on the other hand, requires you to mix water and coffee grounds together at a ratio of 4:1. Then cover the brewing container for three hours or overnight in a refrigerator. Afterward, strain the coffee mixture through a filter into a serving container.