This was the only cold-brew maker we tested that recommended a medium-fine grind instead of the typical coarse grind, and though the filter was made of an incredibly fine-mesh material, there was still some sediment in our cup. Still, the coffee was smooth with a pleasant sweetness and acidity—but it was pretty weak. Unlike most cold-brew coffee makers, the Hario Mizudashi doesn’t actually produce a cold brew concentrate, it makes a cold-brew coffee that’s meant to be enjoyed black (or with a little cream, if that’s your thing). The instructions recommend brewing for eight hours in the fridge (less than any other device we tested), and as we’ve noted, brewing in the fridge actually slows down extraction. With more time and a darker roast (the instructions do recommend a dark roast), we managed to get a more robust coffee. True coffee nerds may enjoy the trial and error it takes to get the best coffee from the Hario Mizudashi, but we think most users will end up frustrated—or worse, under-caffeinated.
Takeya Deluxe Cold Brew Coffee Maker
While it never made the best coffee, the Takeya Deluxe Cold Brew Coffee Maker consistently produced a thick, creamy cold brew with a good, balanced acidity. As one of our super-testers said, “This is probably a good option for someone who doesn’t love cold brew but likes the idea of having iced coffee on hand at home.”
The Takeya makes a more concentrated cold brew than the Hario, though when used according to the instructions, it’s nowhere near as concentrated as the cold brew from many of the other devices. We didn’t love it when diluted with water (the flavors became muted) and preferred dilution with milk. Still, the Takeya is a fine option for someone who wants a pitcher-style device and likes a strong black iced coffee or a milky iced coffee that still has a solid coffee backbone to it.
The Takeya has a very simple design with just two main parts: a slim plastic pitcher and a tall filter basket insert. The whole system is so compact and lightweight that you can easily travel with it (it’s also watertight when properly closed).
Bruer Grey Cold Drip Coffee System
The Bruer Grey Cold Drip Coffee System is a pricey glass device with an hourglass dripper modeled after a Kyoto-style brewer. The Bruer is best for coffee aficionados who think learning a complex new machine is thrilling and want the absolute best cup of cold brew no matter the price. If you really want to learn a complicated yet artful way of brewing coffee and can stand to wait hours for a slow-dripped coffee produced in a handsome vessel, the Bruer Kyoto-style cold-brew machine is a worthy investment. But we don’t recommend it for those who want an easy way to make a great cold-brew concentrate.
Kaffé KF9040 Cold Brew Coffee Maker
The new Kaffé KF9040 Cold Brew Coffee Maker, an infusion-style model, is constructed of glass, plastic, and silicone to resemble a tall wine bottle. It includes the barest instructions (only printed on the box), so we used our preferred coffee-to-water formula, with decent results. That said, the experience overall left us pretty frustrated: We spilled the entire contents of one batch in our refrigerator, because it turns out the screw-top silicone lid isn’t so leakproof! We also have concerns that the white silicone will discolor and deteriorate over time.
Kaffé KF9020 Cold Brew Coffee Maker
Not to be confused with the Kaffé KF9040, the Kaffé KF9020 Cold Brew Coffee Maker is an infusion-style model with a lid that is fully leakproof, and the shatter-resistant glass feels both light and sturdy. Its filtering system uses a fine-mesh material (rather than molded perforated steel), which is arguably better at filtering out all of coffee solids, though we still got a bit of grit in our brew. The printed instructions were also a bit too vague, especially when compared to clearly labeled models like the Oxo.
Coffee Gator Cold Brewer
The Coffee Gator Cold Brewer is very similar to the Kaffé KF9020 (perhaps using the same manufacturer, since some of the parts are almost spitting images, including the fine-mesh filter). We loved the detailed and thorough instructions, and also the add-ons like a collapsible funnel for adding grounds to the filter and the handy stainless-steel scoop. But the coffee itself didn’t distinguish itself.
TIMEMORE Ice Drip Coffee Maker (Currently sold out)
TIMEMORE, makers of one of our favorite coffee scales, has a cold brew maker with a compact design and a dial to adjust the drip speed. Assembly is pretty straightforward, but the instructions are vague, with no recommended coffee-to-water ratio. Our first test resulted in a pool of weak coffee that spilled all over the countertop (too many coffee grounds, we presume). But with a few more rounds and more familiarity, we were able to make adjustments and brew smooth, satisfying cups. We can’t fully recommend it due to the trial and error involved in getting there, but for those who prefer an ice-drip-style coffee maker, the TIMEMORE is an economical choice.
Primula Burke Deluxe Cold Brew Iced Coffee Make
We were excited to try the pitcher-style Primula Burke Deluxe Cold Brew Iced Coffee Maker (and not just because we had our pick of colors). Like most of the devices we tested, this is an infusion-style cold-brew maker with a fine-mesh filter basket suspended in water. We liked the borosilicate glass pitcher and its protective silicone casing and really appreciated that the bottom of the filter screws off for easy cleaning. Ultimately, though, the coffee fell flat. After the obligatory taste-testing, we had no desire to drink more.
County Line Kitchen Cold Brewer
We were skeptical of the County Line Kitchen Cold Brewer before we even tried it. How could its stiff metal filter—that sits inside a quart-size mason jar—stand up to a brand like Hario, known for its high-end coffee equipment? But this device had such great reviews on Amazon and elsewhere we had to give it a try this year. The true test would be a blind one, and even then the overall consensus was “meh.” There was nothing exciting about this cold brew; the flavors were muddled and diluting it with milk didn’t help. While this would be a step up for someone already making cold brew in a big mason jar, it’s not the best device for getting the best cup of cold brew at home.
Cuisinart Automatic Cold Brew Coffeemaker
The Cuisinart Automatic Cold Brew Coffeemaker is a cold-brew maker that speeds up the standard method by spinning coffee grounds in a centrifuge for between 25–45 minutes (depending on the intensity you select) before filtering the brew into a glass pot below. This unitasker appliance failed to impress with its bitter and murky brew that was still lacking in flavor despite using the “bold” setting. It actually made fresh beans taste stale and couldn’t compare to the other cold brews in our lineup. Additionally, the machine had too many parts to set up and clean to inspire daily use.
Filtron Cold Brew Coffee Filter
The Filtron Cold Brew Coffee Filter is one of the originals in the world of cold brew and remains highly recommended, especially among baristas. The basic design is similar to the original Oxo, but it’s a bit taller and bulkier with more small parts to keep track of. In the end we were fans of the smooth, neutral brew it produced but didn’t find the taste any deeper or more refined than the cold brew from the original Oxo.
Toddy Cold Brew System
The Toddy Cold Brew System is another classic cold brewer (named after its creator, Todd Simpson). It’s similar in design to both the Filtron and the Oxo. It produced a smooth, clean brew that was even better when double-filtered using the optional paper insert—but we were put off by an abundance of parts, including a small rubber stopper and plush reusable flannel filter that, according to online chatter and anecdotal reports from friends, has a tendency to mildew over time if not kept scrupulously clean (or stored in the freezer). The white plastic reservoir that holds the grinds also appeared prone to staining.
BOD Cold Brew System
We found a lot to like in the BOD Cold Brew System: the compact hourglass shape, the easy assembly and instructions, and the pleasant, balanced concentrate it produced. But we ultimately eliminated it after some minor issues with leakage and a slightly cumbersome cleanup process.
Ovalware Cold Brew Coffee Maker
The Ovalware Cold Brew Coffee Maker has an attractive minimalist design—it’s really just a borosilicate glass pitcher holding a slender 18/8 stainless-steel filter and topped by a rubberized cap. We appreciated that its slim profile and modest height fit easily in the fridge. But its brew was a bit grainier than the competition’s, and while the enclosed lid is advertised as airtight, in practice we found it a bit looser than the others we tested, which gave us pause when thinking about long-term storage.