10 Best Cold Brew Coffee Makers in 2022 (Ovalware, Takeya, and More)

Following a decade-long career as a designer and art director, Nicole found her calling in a coffee shop in Japan, where she met her husband who is a barista. They now run a coffee shop together in the countryside. As a shop owner, she has expert knowledge about all things coffee!

With that firsthand knowledge of coffee, we decided to ask Nicole to evaluate our buying guide for accuracy. Read on for her insight and helpful tips!

We picked our 10 best cold brew coffee makers based on the following criteria:

• The brewing method
• Manual or automatic operation
• Brewing capacity
• The coffee maker's materials
• Features that add functionality 

Consider these points to help you select the best cold brew maker for you. To learn more about each consideration, read our buying guide!

We used the points in our buying guide to select these 10 options. We made sure to include cold brew coffee makers with different brewing methods and capacities. 

*Please note that these products were chosen after extensive research by mybest writers. The choices are not necessarily affiliated with or recommended by Nicole Michalek.

Choosing a cold brew coffee maker isn't easy since you need to consider its brew method, capacity, materials, and more. This buying guide will provide you with all of the information you need to know!

There are two types of cold brew methods: ice drip or immersion. Each method has slightly different effects on the coffee's flavors and production time. You may see nitro cold brew makers in your search, but these don't actually make coffee.

The immersion cold brew method is more common than ice drip. Coffee produced using this method is strong and very concentrated. As this method requires no special technique or equipment, you have the flexibility to create your own cold brew kit. 

This method is simple: submerge coffee grounds in cold water and let them sit for more than 12 hours. Once time is up, simply strain the grounds. A longer brew time yields better flavor is since cold water gradually draws out oils and acids from the coffee.

Depending on how coarse your coffee grounds are, this method allows more grit into the coffee so you'll have to be intentional in cleaning and making sure the filter does its job. 

However, immersion is an easy process and you can make large batches at once. The flavor is consistent and predictable, and the coffee oils make it thick and full-bodied. Because the grounds are saturated for a long period of time, the result is a smooth, low-acidic taste. 

If you prefer a balanced flavor, need to make a lot of cold brew at once, and have ample time on your hands, this method is a good choice. However, the flavors may be less distinct; if you want to note certain flavors of your coffee, this may not be the right method for you. 

Compared to the immersion method, ice drip is more hands-on and provides a visual coffee-brewing experience. Yet, it can still take up to eight hours or more to brew. With this method, cold water directly drips on coffee grounds and passes through a filter into a carafe. 

While it can provide a broader range of flavors, you must monitor the drip rate to make sure it's consistent. You will need to rely on special equipment, which may be bothersome to those that prefer simplicity. 

However, if you love to experiment with flavors, ice drip may be ideal. Ice drip coffee has a clean flavor, and this method can emphasize floral and fruity notes. It may take tweaks to the temperature and volume; however, many fans of this method claim that it produces the true flavor of the coffee. 

If you're short on time and enjoy customizing your coffee strength, you may want to go with an automatic coffee maker. These tend to have various strength modes ranging from light to concentrated for you to choose from, and the brewing time can be as short as 15 minutes. 

Meanwhile, manual options tend to make a rich concentrate since the coffee takes at least 12 hours to brew. However, the results of your coffee will vary depending on your technique and brew time. 

Consider how many people you're sharing coffee with or if it's just for you. For a family or an afternoon with friends, you may want to go with a coffee maker with a large capacity of over 40 ounces to be sure everyone gets a cup. If it's just you, an 18-ounce maker should be sufficient. 

It's a good idea to determine the materials of your coffee maker. BPA, which stands for bisphenol A, is used in some plastics and is under speculation for hormonal disruption. Research has not determined BPA as the direct cause of this risk, however, you may want to go for a BPA-free option for peace of mind.

There are plenty of stainless steel and glass options to choose from if you prefer these materials. Plus, these materials won't affect the flavor of your cold brew! Stainless steel and glass are also easier to clean than plastic and help maintain a steady temperature.

Most cold brew coffee makers are straightforward, but there are some extra features that add convenience or functionality. If you want to be able to dispense coffee right from the brewer, look for a tap or spout. A spout also means you won't have to take the cold brew out of the fridge every time you want a drink.

Cold brew makers that are stored in the fridge will obviously get cold, especially glass models. Look for handles, especially non-slip ones, to avoid cold hands. You can also find options with added insulation that keep the coffee cold, like double-walled carafes, or lids to help keep it fresh.

Some manufacturers include stands or rubber bases to help keep glass coffee makers safe from cracks. And while it's best to hand-wash cold brew makers, especially glass ones, you can find models that are dishwasher-safe for easier cleaning!

Brewing coffee at home is easy, but you will have to learn the basics and make sure your maker stays clean for the best results. Here are some brewing tips to get you started!

Just because most cold brew makers are stored in the fridge doesn't keep them from getting moldy. You will need to clean your maker regularly!

You will need mild soap, water, and a washcloth or non-abrasive scrubbing pad. Remove the filter and make sure to scrub the carafe with soap and water to get rid of any build-up. If there are multiple components, it's crucial to scrub each part thoroughly. Once washed, allow everything to dry fully to prevent any trapped moisture. 

For further maintenance, pour your cold brew into a different container and dump the grounds into a trash bin once the brewing process is finished. These steps will help keep your filter mold-free. 

Paper coffee filters are extremely fine and can capture most oils and micro-fines, the smallest bits of coffee ground. The taste, therefore, is lighter and has a subtle sweetness. Although a bit wasteful day-to-day, paper filters are easily disposable. However, since it traps oil, you may lose some of the coffee's nuance and body.

You can also use reusable cloth filters. While you have to wash and dry them daily, they do produce consistent, full-bodied pours while reducing waste. If you are environmentally conscious and find the maintenance isn't much of a hassle, a reusable coffee filter is a perfect alternative!

Reusable metal filters may not be fine enough to prevent coffee grounds from settling at the bottom of your cup. So, you may need to use a coarser grind. However, ultrafine metal filters will keep most grounds out, are easy to clean, and won't affect the flavor. Plus, unlike paper or cloth, metal allows the oils to stay in the coffee for fuller flavor.

To further prevent sediment from getting through, keep the filter clean and make sure it covers the surface of all the coffee grounds that will be in contact during the brewing process. 

Nicole says, "The flavor of your cold brew will change depending on the process and roast level of your beans. For example, in the natural and fermented processes, you can taste fruity and deep flavors, whereas with a dark roast, more bitter and mellow notes. 

Contrary to popular belief, the recommended grind size for cold brew is medium-coarse to medium. Too fine a grind will result in oily and bitter coffee, whereas too coarse will taste weak and diluted. Water quality is also important. For the best results, use a bottled or filtered water, such as Brita.

Don’t worry if you can’t fit one of the larger cold brew makers in your fridge; you can always divide up into a few smaller air-tight containers (mason jars work great!). Not only will this help with storage, but by decanting, you can also remove the sediment by using a fine mesh strainer."

Here are two ways to make cold brew at home! Thanks to professional cook and coffee connoisseur Joshua Weissman for the simple yet engaging instructions. For more detailed guidance, go to his website.

Directions for immersion cold brew:

1. Grind one and a half cups of coffee beans until they are coarse and add them to a half-gallon container.
2. Add six cups of water, stir, and leave it in the fridge for twelve to twenty-four hours. 
3. Once brewed, strain the coffee grinds through a fine mesh strainer or a paper filter.

Directions for the hot bloom method:

1. Grind one and a half cups of coffee beans until they are coarse and add them to a half-gallon container.
2. Add two cups of hot water, stir, and let sit for one minute. 
3. Add four cups of cold water, stir, and store in the fridge for twelve to twenty-four hours.
4. Once brewed, strain the coffee grounds through a fine mesh strainer or a paper filter. 

After going through the buying guide, you may still have some lingering questions about cold brew coffee. Check out the answers below if you want to learn more!

Cold brew coffee is not simply iced coffee, which is brewed hot and then served cold. It's produced by steeping coffee grounds in either cold or room temperature water for twelve to twenty-four hours to create a coffee concentrate. It can be mixed with milk or cold water.

Although both methods use grounds and water, cold brew coffee tastes smoother. It's also more concentrated since it brews much longer, bringing out the unique and subtle flavors of the beans. You may taste hints of chocolate or citrus flavors that you didn't notice when brewing it hot!

Furthermore, the mild brewing process reduces the acidity of coffee up to 67 percent. Since it contains fewer polyphenols, has low acidity, and can be sipped through a straw, it is less likely to stain your teeth. If you also have a sensitive stomach, this is a great alternative as it is more alkaline than hot coffee. 

Nicole mentions that "cold brew coffee is known as being considerably less acidic than the same coffee beans would be if brewed hot. This has to do with the chemistry of what compounds are broken down during the brewing process. So it’s a great option for those looking for a smoother, brighter, and less bitter-tasting coffee!"

Undiluted cold brew can be stored in the fridge for up to two weeks. Therefore, you can make a lot of coffee at once and enjoy it throughout the week! Keep in mind that flavor may degrade after the first week. If you dilute it with water, the flavor will lessen after two or three days. 

A great aspect of making cold brew is that you can leave it at room temperature if there is not enough storage in the fridge; however, be sure to store it in the fridge after the filtration is complete so that it will stay fresh. Be sure to account for the available space in your fridge to decide on the right size for your coffee maker.

For many people, coffee is an indispensable part of their daily routine, and in fact, if you drink in moderation, it has a lot of potential health benefits. 

Because it comes from a seed of a coffee cherry, it is rich in antioxidants and anti-inflammatory elements that may help with brain, bone, and digestive health, cancer, and heart disease. Plus, as mentioned before, cold brew is lower in acidity and gentler on sensitive stomaches.

On the other hand, there are some risks if you consume more than four cups a day. Its high caffeine content can raise blood pressure and if unfiltered, can result in high cholesterol. Side effects such as heartburn or insomnia may occur depending on your intake, so be sure to be mindful of your consumption. 

There are plenty of ways to improve the experience of making coffee at home. Take a look at some of our favorite products below!

Interested in researching more cold brew coffee makers? Check out Amazon's best sellers below!

Author: Thuy Nguyen

Updated by: Sara Chittenden, 11/25/2021

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