We independently evaluate all of our recommendations. If you click on links we provide, we may receive compensation.
Make barista-quality cold brew at home with our top picks. semi auto small square bottom paper bag machine equipment
Erin Johnson has been writing for our brands since 2021. She is currently the Associate Editorial Director of PEOPLE, focused on product reviews. Erin previously researched, tested, and wrote thorough guides on home products for several digital outlets, including Real Simple, Better Homes and Gardens, and Southern Living.
Sometimes, a steaming cup of coffee from your espresso machine or pour-over coffee maker isn't the right choice in the morning. Maybe there's a heat wave, you want to finish your coffee quickly, or you just want something a little more refreshing: Cold brew is your answer. You've probably seen it pop up on café menus and in cocktails, but what is cold brew, and how is it different from other types of coffee?
Cold brew uses time rather than temperature to extract flavor from coffee beans, resulting in a sweeter and gentler beverage that still packs a punch in the caffeine department. Hot water can make for more bitter and sharp coffee; cold brew is smoother and lets you better pick out the nuances from different types and roasts of coffee beans. Cold brewing coffee creates an ultra-concentrated brew that's usually diluted in the glass to mellow its flavor.
Though it's also served cold, iced coffee isn't the same as cold brew. Iced coffee starts with traditional hot-brewed coffee that's then cooled in the fridge or poured over ice. Cold brew is both served and brewed cold, with no heat involved at any point.
The extra-concentrated flavor of cold brew makes it an excellent choice for coffee cocktails. "If you're making a cocktail, you don't want an already diluted coffee because then your cocktail will be diluted," says Jovanni Luna, barista at Gertie in New York City. Cold brew also plays very nicely with chocolate: You can substitute it for a little of the water or milk in many chocolate cakes, chocolate cupcakes, or other chocolate desserts to amp up flavor.
Cold brew is a popular choice at coffee shops (and among baristas), but it's no more complicated to make at home than "regular" coffee, provided you have the right tools. To find the best cold brew coffee makers, we tested 24 models, making batch after batch to rate and review their performance. If you love cold coffee and a major caffeine jolt, we've found the best cold brew coffee makers for every kitchen.
This inexpensive device makes lots of cold brew with no fuss and little mess.
All the pieces are dishwasher-safe — except for the pitcher, which makes cleaning annoying.
Despite its plastic material and bargain price, the Mueller cold brew maker is well-built. It got top scores in testing because of how easy it was to use; everything is designed to keep the mess to a minimum. We filled the detachable basket for grounds in the sink (you could also use a small funnel to avoid spillage), then twisted it into the handle, which screws onto the pitcher, which you fill with water. A lid screws on top of that to seal everything up for steeping in the fridge. We were surprised at how well the plastic pieces fit together; even after months of use, everything still screws in tightly for a leak-proof seal.
When the coffee is done brewing, you just remove the filter basket full of grounds and are left with a pitcher of cold brew that fits perfectly in the fridge door, just like a water filter pitcher. The bottom of the filter basket even unscrews to get the used grounds out with just a tap against the compost bin or trash can.
All the parts are dishwasher-safe — except, for some reason, the pitcher itself. It kind of defeats the purpose of running the rest of the pieces through the dishwasher if you have to hand-wash the largest one, but it's not a difficult task.
Capacity: 64 ounces | Dimensions: 12 x 8 x 5 inches | Dishwasher-Safe: Yes (except pitcher)
An especially fine filter creates an ultra-clear cold brew in this eye-catching machine.
It's fairly expensive, especially given its small capacity.
KitchenAid's cold brew maker has a stainless steel filter basket we found especially effective at removing all traces of cloudiness and grit from the finished product. However, we didn't feel like it over-filtered; the cold brew had a full, concentrated flavor we enjoyed diluted with both water and milk. The tap is a unique and convenient feature that lets a house full of coffee drinkers dispense exactly what they need — and if you set it on a cute stand when you host brunch, it makes for part of a lovely tablescape. This brewer felt particularly sturdy and durable thanks to the glass and metal construction.
The main downside of this model is its high cost. The KitchenAid is one of the best-looking cold brew makers out there, and it's priced to match. That's especially true considering the small capacity: This is the larger of KitchenAid's two cold brew options but holds barely over a quart.
Capacity: 38 ounces | Dimensions: 7.2 x 8 x 8.48 inches | Dishwasher-Safe: No
This clever device can make real-deal cold brew in just 20 minutes, in three different batch sizes.
The coffee must be ground to just the right texture for best results.
It's a cold brew drinker's worst nightmare: You wake up and go to the fridge, only to find that you forgot to start the steeping process last night. This device, from the company that accelerated slow cooking with the Instant Pot, cleverly speeds up the cold brew–making process. A spinning agitator inside the filter basket — a bit like a washing machine — keeps grounds and water moving to get full flavor extraction in 20 minutes, no heat required. You'll never have to worry about setting up cold brew ahead of time again.
In our testing, the Instant's 20-minute cycle produced authentic cold brew coffee concentrate; we were impressed by both the flavor and convenience. As a bonus, it can make a 16-, 24-, or 32-ounce batch with equal effectiveness. The glass pitcher fit easily into the fridge, and we loved that every piece of this cold brew maker is dishwasher-safe for the easiest cleanup.
The downside of the quick brew process is that you need the exact perfect grind for the best results. We got a cloudy and gritty cold brew with beans on the slightly fine side of medium, and when we tried with more coarsely ground beans, the results were clear but weak. Once we got the texture dialed in, though, it was delicious. (If you're having trouble, grab one of our favorite coffee grinders for better control.)
Capacity: 32 ounces | Dimensions: 6.7 x 7.9 x 9.8 inches | Dishwasher-Safe: Yes
This inexpensive device makes lots of cold brew with the simple press of a plunger.
Its finished brew is less concentrated than other models, and it's a bit of a pain to clean.
Bodum makes our favorite French press, so it's no surprise that its French press–style cold brew maker also scored high. You add coffee and water to the wide-mouth carafe, fit the flat sealing lid for 12 to 24 hours of steeping, and then switch to the plunger lid to filter out the grounds. The plunger lid also has a press-to-pour trigger that helps avoid spills. This was one of the least expensive machines we tested, but its results (and looks) were far from the bottom of our list. The filter did an outstanding job at keeping out sediment for a clear, clean-tasting brew that still had some pleasant richness. Plus, the 51-ounce capacity is second only to the Mueller on our list of favorites.
We have a few complaints, but they're fairly minor. It was a a pain to scoop the used grounds out of the Bodum, though all the parts were dishwasher-safe after that. We'd also advise using more beans than the manual recommends for a bolder brew. But for the price, we think it's a great value.
Capacity: 51 ounces | Dimensions: 7.88 x 4.75 x 9.5 inches | Dishwasher-Safe: Yes
Extensive instructions and a simple setup let anybody churn out mess-free batches of cold brew with this machine.
It takes up a lot of space and can't make very much cold brew at once.
If you're used to a different brewing method, cold brew can take some getting used to. This OXO Good Grips maker streamlines this process with direct, easy-to-understand instructions and clear ratios for grounds and water. We loved how easy it was to set up and brew with the large receptacle for grounds and a built-in filter, plus a perforated "Rainmaker" lid that sits on top to prevent spills and distribute the water evenly as you pour.
After the cold brewing is done (the instructions recommend 12 to 24 hours of steeping, depending on your taste), you sit the brewing basket atop the included carafe and flip a switch to drain the liquid. The carafe's stopper even doubles as a measuring cup to portion out ingredients. The whole setup looks large and awkward with everything stacked up for straining, but the brewer and carafe don't need to go in the fridge at the same time, and they nest together for storage when not in use. When it came time to clean up, the grounds were easy to remove, and though nothing was dishwasher-safe, everything was easy to hand-wash.
It's nearly impossible to mess up making cold brew thanks to the OXO's design, but this model has a fairly small capacity. The brewer holds up to 40 ounces of water, which yields about 28 ounces of cold brew at maximum. That's a few days' supply, but it's smaller than other options on our list.
Capacity: 40 ounces | Dimensions: 9.5 x 9.5 x 14.7 inches | Dishwasher-Safe: No
This gadget brings creamy, frothy nitrogen-infused cold brew to your countertop.
It's expensive, complicated to use, and requires separate nitrogen canisters and filters.
The secret to the fine bubbles and creamy texture of a properly poured pint of Guinness? Nitrogen in the beer. Offering stouts and other dark beers "on nitro" has been popular for decades in bars, and many coffee shops have found that the process also works wonderfully with concentrated cold brew. The uKeg brings cold brew on nitro home, using nitrogen cartridges to pressurize water and coffee grounds during infusion, as well as to dispense the finished product with that signature cascade of froth.
Our test results were delicious; the nitrogen infusion created an ultra-creamy and frothy cup of cold brew. This is a must for summer entertaining or weekend brunches. As much as we liked the cafe experience at home, though, we found this machine pretty complicated to use. It doesn't come with any instructions, and we had to search the website to find the manual, then watch multiple how-to videos before getting it set up properly. The uKeg is quite expensive to start with, and you'll also have to buy nitrogen chargers and refill kits as you continue to use it.
Capacity: 50 ounces | Dimensions: 5.2 x 8.2 x 10.9 inches | Dishwasher-Safe: No
It makes three different types of drinks: cold brew, nitrogen cold brew, and even cold espresso. And it’s very good at it.
It takes up a good amount of counter space, and it requires specialty pods that don’t come cheap.
A near-$700 cold brew machine sounds like quite the investment, and it is — but it’s also extremely impressive. We were honestly blown away by the quality of cold brew this machine produces, whether you’re looking for regular cold brew or are a nitro fan. The machine uses capsules that work like any other pod-based machine, and it keeps the water cold at all times, so you’re off the races at any given moment. What impressed us the most was its nitrogen-infusing technology. The Cumulus pulls nitrogen from the air, infusing it instantaneously into the drink, resulting in an unbelievably frothy, smooth, and perfectly chilled cold brew — you don’t even need ice. It also makes cold espresso, which is perfect for on-demand espresso martinis. Apart from its remarkably frothy brews, it’s sleek and minimal, and you can choose between a white or dark gray color. The machine sits quite long on your countertop, almost 20 inches deep. Because this is the first of its kind, you do have to go through the brand to purchase their capsules (they source and create all of their own coffee blends in-house with a team of experts), where a 30-capsule pack has a starting price of $70. Regardless, if you’re someone who favors coffee shop-quality cold brew, this machine may pay for itself in due time.
Capacity: Single servings | Dimensions: 19 x 6 x 16 inches | Dishwasher-Safe: No
After extensive testing, the Mueller Cold Brew Coffee Maker earned our top rating thanks to its combination of simplicity and value. For a more automated and multipurpose machine, the De'Longhi 3-in-1 Specialty Coffee Brewer can make cold brew, pour-over, or drip coffee at the push of a button.
If you're headed out of town for a mini-vacation, beach trip, or camping adventure, sometimes you simply don't have space in your carry-on bag to pack a full cold brew coffee maker setup. For making cold brew on the fly, we love these ready-to-steep pouches from editor-loved coffee brand Partners.
Just pop one of the biodegradable filter pouches filled with pre-ground coffee into a large Mason jar or vessel of your choice, add 24 ounces of water, stir, and let your cold brew steep in the fridge. The next day, you'll have a full batch of smooth, rich, medium-roast cold brew to take with you to the office, beach, park, or pool. No single-use plastic here.
Includes: 4 (3-ounce) pouches, enough for 96 ounces of cold brew
We chose 24 cold brew coffee makers to assess for this story, including top performers from previous rounds of testing and new models we'd never tried before. Using coffee beans we already know and like, we brewed multiple batches and rated various factors. During testing, we also noted any issues with setup, assembly, dripping spouts, or other design aspects.
After completing our performance tests, we revealed the retail prices of each cold brew maker to consider value for money. At the time of testing, the 24 models ranged from $20 to $250, averaging $66.
There are cold brew makers that can make a single cup and ones that can make a gallon or more at a time. If you're a serious coffee drinker, you can go big: Cold brew will last for a week or more in the fridge. Keep in mind, though, that cold brew is a concentrate meant to be diluted with milk, ice, or both, and you'll go through it more slowly than other brews. A single serving contains only about 4 ounces of cold brew concentrate, while a mug of hot coffee is more like 8 to 12 ounces.
As with most clear kitchenware, cold brew makers generally come in glass or plastic. Plastic is cheaper and glass looks nicer, but neither material is necessarily better than the other at holding and steeping coffee. That's mostly up to personal preference and budget. Glass is more expensive, more breakable, and easier to clean than plastic, but plastic will warp and deteriorate over time faster than glass.
Material matters more for the filter. Thicker stainless steel mesh seemed to work better than thin in our tests. All the brewers we tested included a reusable metal filter, but some offered the option to add a disposable paper filter for extra-fine filtration and truly sediment-free brews.
Pretty much any cold brew coffee maker will also work with tea — the steeping and filtering process is essentially the same. Some can also handle hot water for brewing coffee or tea the traditional way, but you should check the instructions for your model's temperature limit before you start. Many of the electric machines we tested are also multitaskers, with hot and cold brew modes and various other automatic functions.
Food & Wine / Mary Claire Lagroue
As with making drip coffee in a regular coffee maker, making a flavorful cold brew starts with choosing the right beans — a light or medium roast is generally better than dark, and a fairly coarse grind is the way to go for the best flavor extraction. Next, add water, let the mix soak overnight (or longer), and filter out the grounds.
A cold brew maker simplifies the process by combining a serving pitcher and coffee filter in one convenient gadget. Most machines include include assembly instructions and usually a cold brew coffee recipe to get you started, but you can play around from there. The best cold brew recipe for you is up to your taste preferences, so experiment with different amounts of coffee, grind textures, and steep times to figure out what you like best.
Most cold brew makers have a recommended amount of coffee and water to use; we say you should follow the included instructions for your first batch and then adjust. But as a general guideline, we advise a cold brew ratio of 12 ounces of coffee beans to 2 liters of water, with a brewing time of 12 to 14 hours.
Some recipes measure coffee in tablespoons, but because of the coarse grind necessary for cold brew, the amount in each tablespoon can fluctuate greatly. We strongly recommend weighing your beans; a coffee scale comes in handy for this task.
"The beauty of the flavor and concentrate of cold brew is a timed thing, and that's what makes it different, both in its process and flavor," says Victoria Ratermanis, a barista at Edy's Grocer in Brooklyn.
The manual makers we tested recommended steep times anywhere from the vague "overnight" to a full 24 hours. A longer soak will lead to a more intensely flavored brew in general, but different sets of flavors — fruity versus buttery versus roasty — also tend to dominate after different amounts of time. You'll get a sense of your preferred brewing time once you make a few batches.
Electric cold brew makers shorten the process by agitating water and grounds to achieve rapid infusion in as little as 5 or 10 minutes. This will produce decent cold brew on demand, but for the most complex and flavorful results, even electric models recommend additional hours of steeping after the initial brew process.
Iced coffee is brewed in the traditional way with hot water, then chilled and poured over ice. With cold brew, the coffee grounds spend a lot longer in contact with water that's lower in temperature. Water temperature and brewing time make a big difference in both flavor and caffeine content, so iced coffee and cold brew made from the same beans will wind up quite different.
Sweeter, fruitier, and milder notes tend to dominate in cold brew, but you should keep in mind that cold brew has a high caffeine content and is quite concentrated. It's designed to be diluted with ice and water or milk. Iced coffee offers more acidity and roasty-toasty notes, but adding ice to hot coffee can over-dilute the drink and dull its flavors.
If you haven't enjoyed iced coffee in the past, try cold brew. It's usually much smoother and sweeter. Coffee brewed hot and then cooled can taste overwhelmingly bitter and acidic, especially if it's been sitting on a hot plate for hours.
Cold brew contains significantly more caffeine than coffee brewed by other methods, but the exact roast and type of bean also affect caffeine levels. As a rough estimate, an 8-ounce cup of drip coffee contains 90 to 110 milligrams of caffeine, a single shot of espresso has 50 to 75 milligrams, and a serving of homemade cold brew can go as high as 200 milligrams. Bottled or canned cold brew can have even more, sometimes exceeding 300 milligrams. (The Mayo Clinic says up to 400 milligrams per day is safe for healthy adults.)
Keep in mind that cold brew is intended to be diluted, so if you want to decrease the caffeine in your morning cup, you can simply start with less concentrate and use more milk or water.
Many coffee shops serve cold brew "on nitro," which means that it's pressurized with nitrogen gas. The tiny bubbles of nitrogen create a velvety, creamy texture and froth that can look and taste like the coffee already has milk in it. At first glance, you might mistake nitro cold brew for a porter or stout beer, which is also often served on nitro for the same effect.
To make nitro cold brew at home, the process is very similar to using a whipped cream siphon or home soda maker. There are a number of nitro cold brew makers out there, but most use the same style of readily available nitrogen canisters to charge the coffee with gas.
De'Longhi 3-in-1 Specialty Coffee Maker ($170 at De'Longhi)
Not exactly a cold brew maker, this coffee maker makes extra-strong drip coffee over a pitcher full of ice, ready to drink as-is, and combines it with a traditional drip coffee machine. Our test batches came out very tasty, with the signature lack of bitterness of cold brew despite its concentrated flavor.
Bean Envy Cold Brew Coffee Maker ($23 at Amazon) This brewer, similar in design to our top-rated Mueller, is easy to use and makes very tasty coffee. It's also roughly the same price as the Mueller but half the size.
Food & Wine/Taysha Murtaugh
Hario "Mizudashi" Cold Brew Coffee Pot ($25 at Amazon)
Japanese brand Hario makes a variety of gorgeous coffee gear, and its glass cold brew pitcher is no exception — especially with this low price. It worked well in testing, but we were annoyed by the tall, narrow shape that might not fit on a refrigerator shelf despite a capacity of just 34 ounces.
Ohom Sio Cold Brew Pitcher ($70 at Williams Sonoma)
This is another brewer with an eye-catching look, and it would make an amazing gift for any coffee lover. In terms of actual performance, however, it's no bigger and no better at making cold brew than other models that cost less.
production paper bags line Several cold brew makers with similar designs and prices made pretty good coffee in our tests. The ones we left off the list of winners were the smaller-capacity models and the ones that were tough to fill or empty without making a mess. An ineffective filter was another common issue: Multiple models failed to remove sediment or allowed bits of grounds to get into the finished brew.