Wellness

The Best Cold Brew Coffee Makers of 2025

Highlighting top choices like OXO Good Grips Cold Brew Coffee Maker, Takeya Cold Brew Pitcher, and AeroPress Clear + Cold Brew Filter. It explains how these devices cater to different needs, from budget-friendly simplicity to rapid brewing, while offering café-quality cold brew at home.

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Last updated:
December 31, 2024
9 min read

Cold brew coffee’s smooth, low-acid flavor has made it a favorite among coffee aficionados. Whether you prefer a simple Mason jar method or a sleek automatic brewer, the right device can help you create café-quality cold brew at home. By choosing a high-quality cold brew coffee maker, you can enjoy rich, mellow coffee concentrates without shelling out for pricey coffee shop cups.

We evaluated today’s top cold brew coffee makers based on brew quality, ease of use, design, durability, and cleanup. Below, we share our top picks, explain our evaluation criteria, and help you determine which cold brew maker best suits your taste and lifestyle.

Summary of recommendations

Our Top Pick
OXO Good Grips Cold Brew Coffee Maker
OXO Good Grips Cold Brew Coffee Maker

The OXO Good Grips Cold Brew Coffee Maker delivers smooth, low-acid coffee with an easy-to-use design and compact footprint.

Featuring a rainmaker water dripper for even extraction and a glass carafe with measurement markings, it’s perfect for brewing rich, flavorful cold brew at home.

Feel free to jump directly to our picks or read on to learn how we evaluated these products.

How we evaluated the best cold brew coffee makers

Our criteria for selecting top cold brew coffee makers included:

  • Brew quality and flavor: We favored devices that produce smooth, well-extracted coffee with minimal bitterness and sediment.
  • Ease of use: Straightforward assembly, simple instructions, and painless cleanup make the process more enjoyable.
  • Construction and durability: Sturdy materials (glass, high-quality plastics, stainless steel) and reliable filters matter for long-term use.
  • Capacity and storage: Some prefer large batches, while others need a space-saving option. We considered various sizes and footprints to accommodate different kitchens and lifestyles.

Our top pick for 2025: OXO Good Grips Cold Brew Coffee Maker

Pros

  • ✔ Consistently produces smooth, rich, low-acid coffee concentrate
  • ✔ Rainmaker top ensures even saturation of grounds
  • ✔ Easy-to-use switch for draining brew into the carafe
  • ✔ Compact, modern design fits well on countertops

Cons

  • ✖ More expensive than basic pitchers
  • ✖ Hand-washing recommended for best longevity

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Why we chose OXO Good Grips Cold Brew Coffee Maker:
OXO’s thoughtfully designed brewer sets the standard for at-home cold brew. Its Rainmaker top distributes water evenly over coffee grounds, leading to uniform extraction. Cleanup is relatively easy, and the glass carafe with measurement markings simplifies dilution. While not the cheapest, its consistent results and smart features justify the cost for serious cold brew fans.

Pricing: Approximately $50-$60.

Who should use OXO Good Grips Cold Brew Coffee Maker:
Anyone seeking a reliable, well-designed cold brew solution that consistently delivers high-quality coffee concentrate without fuss.

Best budget-friendly option: Takeya Cold Brew Pitcher

Pros

  • ✔ Affordable and widely available
  • ✔ BPA-free plastic pitcher with a fine-mesh filter for straightforward brewing
  • ✔ Leak-proof lid and slim profile fit easily in the fridge door
  • ✔ Dishwasher-safe components

Cons

  • ✖ Flavor extraction may not be as nuanced as higher-end systems
  • ✖ Limited capacity compared to some dedicated brewers

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Why we chose Takeya Cold Brew Pitcher:
Takeya’s pitcher is a simple, cost-effective gateway to homemade cold brew. Just add coffee, water, and wait. While it may lack advanced features, it still produces satisfying coffee at a fraction of café costs. Its durable plastic build and dishwasher-safe components add convenience for newcomers.

Pricing: Around $20-$25.

Who should use Takeya Cold Brew Pitcher:
Budget-conscious coffee lovers or beginners who want an easy, low-commitment way to start making cold brew at home.

Best compact and travel-friendly: AeroPress Clear + Cold Brew Filter

Pros

  • ✔ Lightweight and portable, ideal for travel or small kitchens
  • ✔ Special cold brew filter produces smooth coffee in a shorter timeframe
  • ✔ Easy to clean and versatile—use it for hot coffee and espresso-style brews too
  • ✔ Consistently high-quality extraction thanks to the innovative plunging method

Cons

  • ✖ Smaller capacity than dedicated cold brew pitchers
  • ✖ Slight learning curve for achieving desired strength and flavor

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Why we chose AeroPress Clear + Cold Brew Filter:
AeroPress has long been a favorite among coffee enthusiasts for its portability and versatility. The new Clear model, paired with a cold brew filter, allows for a surprisingly fast and flavorful cold brew concentrate. If you travel frequently, camp, or just appreciate minimalism, this setup provides great-tasting coffee wherever you are.

Pricing: About $40-$50 for the AeroPress Clear + filter accessories.

Who should use AeroPress Clear + Cold Brew Filter:
Adventurers, minimalists, and coffee geeks who prize versatility, compactness, and the ability to experiment with various brewing methods.

Best automatic brewer: Cuisinart Automatic Cold Brew Coffee Maker

Pros

  • ✔ Delivers cold brew in as little as 25-45 minutes with unique spin technology
  • ✔ Adjustable flavor strength (mild, medium, bold)
  • ✔ Easy-to-use digital controls and dishwasher-safe parts
  • ✔ Great for those who want cold brew fast without overnight steeping

Cons

  • ✖ More expensive than manual methods
  • ✖ Slightly more complex to clean and maintain

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Why we chose Cuisinart Automatic Cold Brew Coffee Maker:
If you’re short on time or dislike planning a day ahead, Cuisinart’s automatic brewer speeds up the process. Its spinning basket extracts flavor more quickly than traditional steeping, offering next-day café taste on short notice. While pricier and more mechanically involved, it’s a convenient solution for busy coffee drinkers.

Pricing: Approximately $80-$100.

Who should use Cuisinart Automatic Cold Brew Coffee Maker:
Busy individuals who love cold brew’s flavor but appreciate a faster, more hands-off method than the typical 12-24 hour steep.

Best high-capacity option: Filtron Cold Water Coffee Concentrate Brewer

Pros

  • ✔ Produces up to 1.5 liters of rich coffee concentrate per batch
  • ✔ Thick paper and wool filters reduce bitterness and sediment
  • ✔ Solid, durable construction stands up to repeated use
  • ✔ Ideal for coffee enthusiasts who want to stock up on concentrate for the week

Cons

  • ✖ Bulkier than other systems, takes up more storage space
  • ✖ Requires purchasing replacement filters occasionally

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Why we chose Filtron Cold Water Coffee Concentrate Brewer:
Filtron is a classic in cold brew circles, known for producing smooth, low-acid coffee concentrate in large batches. If you’re a heavy coffee drinker, a family of coffee lovers, or just want to brew once and enjoy all week, Filtron’s high-capacity system delivers consistent, café-quality results.

Pricing: About $50-$60.

Who should use Filtron Cold Water Coffee Concentrate Brewer:
Serious cold brew drinkers, households with multiple coffee lovers, or meal-prep enthusiasts who value making a big batch at once.

Is a cold brew coffee maker right for you?

Cold brew makers simplify the process of creating a smooth, low-acid coffee concentrate at home. If you enjoy cold coffee drinks, want to save money over café purchases, or prefer a mellower flavor profile than hot-brewed coffee, a dedicated cold brew setup can be a worthy addition to your kitchen.

They’re also relatively low-maintenance: just add coffee and water, wait, and strain. With options ranging from budget pitchers to advanced, fast-brewing machines, there’s a model for every preference and budget.

Frequently asked questions about cold brew coffee makers

How coarse should I grind my coffee?
Use a coarse grind, similar to French press consistency. Too fine a grind can create sediment and make the coffee bitter or muddy.

How long does cold brew concentrate last in the fridge?
Generally, 1-2 weeks for undiluted concentrate. Diluted coffee may only taste fresh for a few days.

Can I use flavored coffee beans?
Yes. Cold brew can bring out sweet, chocolatey, or fruity notes in flavored beans. Experiment to find your preferred taste profile.

The bottom line

A good cold brew coffee maker lets you enjoy a smooth, café-quality beverage on your own terms. The OXO Good Grips leads our list for its balanced performance, while Takeya, AeroPress, Cuisinart, and Filtron cater to specific needs—budget-friendly simplicity, travel-ready versatility, rapid brewing, or high-volume production.

By choosing a device that fits your habits, taste, and kitchen space, you can elevate your coffee game and savor the sweet, mellow flavor of cold brew every day.

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