Best Cold Brew Coffee Maker in 2026

We may earn a commission when you buy through links on this site, at no extra cost to you. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.

Quick picks

Best balanced pickOXO Good Grips 32 Ounce Cold Brew Coffee MakerThe included ratio, 12–24 hour brew window, reusable stainless filter, and borosilicate glass carafe make it a straightforward all-around immersion brewer. AmazoneBayDetails ↓

Best for small kitchensOXO Brew Compact Cold Brew Coffee MakerIts 24-ounce brewing container, 5.2 x 5.3 x 8.6 inch footprint, and lightweight body make it easier to fit on a crowded fridge shelf. AmazoneBayDetails ↓

Best leakproof fridge storageTakeya Patented Deluxe Cold Brew Coffee MakerThe airtight lid and dishwasher-safe Tritan body make it easier to store, move, and pour from than a glass-only setup. AmazoneBayDetails ↓

Best for larger batchesToddy Cold Brew System THM/THM4This non-electric system is built for bigger batch brewing, with up to 1 pound of coffee per batch and up to 48 ounces of concentrate. AmazoneBayDetails ↓

Best for easy servingKitchenAid 28 oz Cold Brew Coffee Maker KCM4212SXThe stainless-steel tap and fridge storage guidance make it the most serving-friendly option here if you want to pour from the brewer itself. AmazoneBayDetails ↓

Comparison table

Our picks in detail

1

OXO Good Grips 32 Ounce Cold Brew Coffee Maker

Best for: A balanced immersion brewer for most home cold brew routines.

This is the most straightforward all-around pick in the group. It uses a simple immersion-style setup, comes with a reusable stainless mesh filter, and has a borosilicate glass carafe that keeps the design familiar and easy to understand.

The included instructions give you a clear starting recipe: 10 ounces of coffee to 40 ounces of water, with a 12 to 24 hour brew window. That kind of guidance makes it easier to repeat the same result than a brewer that leaves the ratio completely open-ended.

What owners mention: A good choice if you want a familiar glass immersion brewer with a repeatable recipe.

Brewing recipe

10 oz coffee + 40 oz water

Yield

About 24–28 oz concentrate

Brew time

12–24 hours

Filter

Reusable stainless mesh

Carafe material

Borosilicate glass

Pros

• Clear brewing directions
• Balanced size for many households
• Reusable filter keeps ongoing parts simple
• Glass carafe is easy to inspect and rinse

Cons

• Glass needs more care than Tritan
• Not the smallest brewer in the roundup
• Requires a full steeping window before you can serve

Skip it if: You need the smallest possible brewer or you want a less fragile plastic body for frequent fridge handling.

Check price on AmazonCheck on eBay

2

OXO Brew Compact Cold Brew Coffee Maker

Best for: Very small kitchens or anyone who wants the smallest dedicated brewer here.

This is the compact version for people who like the OXO approach but do not want a larger brewer taking over the fridge. The 24-ounce brewing container and small footprint make it easier to store, especially if you only make cold brew for one or two people.

It still uses a borosilicate glass carafe and a reusable stainless mesh filter, plus OXO's Rainmaker top to help distribute water over the grounds. The trade-off for the smaller footprint is a smaller yield.

What owners mention: The smallest dedicated cold brew brewer in this roundup.

Brewing container

24 oz

Yield

About 16 oz

Dimensions

5.2 x 5.3 x 8.6 in

Weight

0.93 lb

Filter

Reusable stainless mesh

Top design

Rainmaker top

Pros

• Tiny footprint for tight fridge shelves
• Simple reusable-filter setup
• Lightweight and easy to move
• Good fit for small-batch brewing

Cons

• Smaller yield than the other picks
• Glass construction still needs care
• Not ideal if you regularly brew for several people

Skip it if: You want one brewer to make larger batches for a household or frequent guests.

Check price on AmazonCheck on eBay

3

Takeya Patented Deluxe Cold Brew Coffee Maker

Best for: Fridge-friendly storage with a leakproof lid and a simple pour-and-store routine.

Takeya's Patented Deluxe model is the convenience pick among the smaller brewers. The airtight lid and Tritan construction make it easier to move around, store in the fridge, and pour from without feeling as delicate as a glass-only brewer.

It is also flexible: the current line uses 1-quart and 2-quart sizes, so you can choose a batch size that matches how much cold brew you actually drink. The fine-mesh filter keeps the design focused on simple immersion brewing rather than a more complicated system.

What owners mention: Useful if you move cold brew in and out of the fridge often.

Size options

1 qt and 2 qt

Lid

Airtight, leakproof lid

Filter

Fine-mesh filter

Body material

Dishwasher-safe Tritan

Brewer style

Immersion cold brew pitcher

Pros

• Leakproof lid is good for fridge storage
• Tritan body is less fragile than glass
• Two size options make batch planning easier
• Simple, familiar pitcher shape

Cons

• Plastic body may not appeal to everyone
• More storage-first than premium-looking glass
• Still requires a full steeping cycle before use

Skip it if: You want a glass brewer instead of Tritan or you prefer a larger concentrate yield than a pitcher-style brewer offers.

Check price on AmazonCheck on eBay

4

Toddy Cold Brew System THM/THM4

Best for: Larger batch brewing for people who want more concentrate per brew cycle.

The Toddy Cold Brew System is the large-batch pick in this roundup. It is non-electric and is built to make a bigger amount of concentrate than the smaller pitcher-style brewers, which is helpful if you like to prep ahead for the week.

The system includes a brewing container, glass decanter, two felt filters, a stopper, and a recipe guide. That makes it a more involved setup than a simple pitcher, but it is also the most clearly batch-oriented option here.

What owners mention: The clearest choice if your main goal is making more cold brew concentrate at once.

Batch capacity

Up to 1 lb of coffee per batch

Yield

Up to 48 oz concentrate

Power

Non-electric

Included parts

Brewing container, glass decanter, 2 felt filters, stopper, recipe guide

Made in

Loveland, Colorado

Pros

• Largest batch capacity in this roundup
• Non-electric design
• Includes the parts needed for a classic concentrate workflow
• Good fit if you brew ahead for the week

Cons

• Bigger footprint than pitcher brewers
• More components to wash and dry
• Not as simple as a basic immersion pitcher

Skip it if: You want the smallest brewer or the quickest cleanup routine.

Check price on AmazonCheck on eBay

5

KitchenAid 28 oz Cold Brew Coffee Maker KCM4212SX

Best for: Easy serving from the fridge with a tap-style design.

KitchenAid's cold brew maker sits on the convenience end of the spectrum. It pairs a glass carafe with a stainless-steel tap, so you can pour concentrate without moving the whole brewer around the kitchen.

The brand's guidance calls for at least a 12-hour brew and says the concentrate can stay fresh in the refrigerator for up to two weeks. That makes it appealing if you like a set-and-serve routine rather than transferring brew into a separate container.

What owners mention: A good fit if you want a pour-from-the-brewer setup and do not want to transfer concentrate into another vessel.

Yield

28 oz concentrate

Servings

Up to 14 servings

Tap

Stainless-steel tap

Steeper

Reusable stainless steeper

Storage guidance

Up to 2 weeks in the refrigerator

Pros

• Tap makes serving easy
• Glass carafe keeps the setup familiar
• Reusable steeper reduces disposable parts
• Good for a fridge-based routine

Cons

• Not the smallest footprint
• Glass needs care during handling
• Less batch capacity than the Toddy system

Skip it if: You want the largest batch size or a more compact brewer for a very tight fridge.

Check price on AmazonCheck on eBay

How the best cold brew makers differ

The right brewer depends on batch size, fridge space, and how much cleanup you want to deal with. Verified customer feedback on popular models tends to praise smoother-tasting coffee, compact fridge fit, and easy rinsing; the most common complaints usually center on glass fragility and too many small parts.

If you are choosing between a pitcher-style brewer and a larger system, think about whether you want a concentrate-first routine or a ready-to-pour setup. OXO and Takeya are typical immersion pitchers, Toddy is the larger batch system, and KitchenAid adds a tap to make serving easier. If you are also deciding what grind works best, our Coffee Grinders Buying Guide can help you avoid the most common mistake.

If you like to fine-tune dilution after brewing, keep a basic note of your preferred ratio or use the Coffee Ratio Calculator to make the math easier.

• Small brewers are best if your fridge shelf space is limited.
• Classic 32-ounce brewers tend to be the best balance for most households.
• Tritan pitchers are often less fragile than glass, but many shoppers still prefer the look and feel of glass.
• A reusable mesh filter keeps ongoing costs and clutter down.

Capacity matters more than the label on the box

A brewer's listed size does not always tell you how much finished drink you will get. Some models are designed to make concentrate, which you later dilute to taste, while others feel more like a ready-to-pour pitcher.

That is why the most useful comparison is not just pitcher size. It is the combination of brewing volume, final yield, and how often you want to repeat the process.

• If you drink one or two cups a day, a smaller brewer can be enough.
• If you like to keep concentrate on hand, a larger pitcher or batch system is usually more efficient.
• If you only brew occasionally, pick the model that is simplest to clean and store.

What makes these picks worth a look

These five brewers cover the main home use cases: balanced immersion brewing, the smallest footprint, leakproof fridge storage, larger batches, and tap-style serving. That makes the shortlist more useful than a list that only compares similar pitchers.

Choose based on the workflow you want to repeat. A brewer you can fill, steep, rinse, dry, and put back without dreading cleanup is usually the one that stays in regular rotation.

• Choose the OXO Good Grips 32 Ounce if you want a classic immersion brewer with a clear recipe.
• Choose the OXO Brew Compact if fridge footprint matters most.
• Choose the Takeya if you want a leakproof lid and a less fragile body.
• Choose the Toddy if larger batch brewing is the priority.
• Choose the KitchenAid if you want a tap-style brewer that is easy to pour from.
• If you are comparing other flexible brew methods, our best French press guide is a useful backup option.

What not to overthink

Cold brew makers do not need a lot of bells and whistles to work well. A good filter, a sensible ratio, and a brewer that fits your routine matter more than extra features you will barely use.

If your current coffee setup is already working, focus on the workflow. The right brewer is the one you can fill, steep, rinse, and put back without dreading the cleanup.

• Skip elaborate setups if you mainly want a low-effort batch routine.
• Do not choose a brewer just because it looks premium if it is too large for your fridge.
• A simple, repeatable process beats a complicated brewer you only use once a month.

When a larger batch or a more convenient setup makes sense

If you make cold brew for the week rather than just a day or two, the Toddy Cold Brew System THM/THM4 is the large-batch standout here. It is non-electric and can brew up to 1 pound of coffee per batch, which is a very different job from the smaller pitcher-style brewers.

KitchenAid's 28 oz Cold Brew Coffee Maker is the convenience-oriented middle ground. Its stainless-steel tap and fridge storage guidance make it appealing if you want to serve from the same vessel instead of transferring concentrate into another container.

• Choose Toddy if your main priority is making more concentrate per brew cycle.
• Choose KitchenAid if your main priority is easy serving from the fridge.
• Stay with OXO or Takeya if you care more about a smaller footprint than maximum yield.

Why drip-style systems stay niche at home

Slow-drip and tower-style brewers can be interesting, but they usually ask for more space and more attention. For many shoppers, that extra complexity is not worth it unless the brewing ritual itself is part of the appeal.

That is why immersion brewers still dominate most home recommendation lists. They are easier to store, easier to reset, and easier to keep using.

• More space usually means more setup.
• More parts usually mean more cleanup.
• Most households get better value from a simpler immersion workflow.

When another brewing style might be the better buy

Cold brew is a good fit if you want a make-ahead routine and a low-drama workflow. But if you enjoy brewing one cup at a time, or you already own equipment that can multitask, a different style may be a better fit.

If you want a do-everything setup instead of a dedicated cold brew pitcher, a French press can sometimes cover both jobs. Our best French press guide is worth a look if you want one brewer that can stay flexible.

If your main goal is hot coffee rather than cold brew, the broader Brewing Guides section is a better place to compare methods and routines.

• Choose cold brew if you want make-ahead convenience.
• Choose a French press if you want a flexible, multi-use brewer.
• Choose a smaller pitcher if you mostly brew for one or two people.
• Choose a leakproof pitcher if you plan to store the brew in the fridge for several days.

Why immersion brewers are the default recommendation

Immersion brewers dominate home cold brew recommendations because they are easy to understand and usually easy to clean. You add coffee, add water, wait, filter, and serve.

Drip-tower style brewers can be interesting, but they usually ask for more space and more attention. For most shoppers, that makes immersion the smarter first purchase.

• Less setup than most slow-drip systems
• Fewer parts than more elaborate tower brewers
• Usually easier to store in a normal refrigerator

Buying guide

1. Start with the batch size you actually drink

The most common mistake is buying a brewer that makes more cold brew than you can finish before you get tired of it. If you drink one or two servings a day, a smaller brewer may be the better long-term choice.

If you regularly share with someone else, or you want concentrate ready for the week, move up to a larger pitcher or a model with more flexible size options.

• One drinker: a compact brewer may be enough.
• Two drinkers or daily prep: the classic 32-ounce class is often the sweet spot.
• Household batch brewing: choose a pitcher with a larger stated capacity or multiple size options.

Think about your fridge before you think about the recipe

A brewer that fits awkwardly in the fridge becomes annoying fast. Measure the shelf height and check whether you need a brewer that can slide under a shelf, beside milk jugs, or into the door.

This is one reason the compact OXO and the Takeya pitcher both make sense for different households: one saves space, and the other makes storage easier in a more conventional pitcher shape.

• Shelf height matters as much as total capacity.
• A square or narrow footprint can be easier to live with than a tall brewer.
• If you store leftovers, make sure the lid seals well enough for your routine.

2. Choose your material based on how you handle glass

Glass cold brew makers often look and feel more premium, and the carafe is easy to inspect as you brew. The trade-off is the usual one: glass needs more care when you are loading, washing, or moving it around the kitchen.

Tritan and similar plastics are attractive because they are less fragile in day-to-day use. If you tend to move your brewer in and out of the fridge often, that can be a real advantage.

• Choose glass if you like the look and do not mind extra care.
• Choose Tritan if you want a sturdier-feeling body for frequent handling.
• Keep glass brewers away from crowded sink edges and hard knocks.

Do not confuse material with brew quality

A Tritan brewer is not automatically worse than a glass brewer, and a glass brewer is not automatically better tasting. The final cup depends more on grind size, ratio, and brew time than on the body material alone.

Pick the material that fits your kitchen habits first. The brew will only be as good as the routine you actually keep.

• Material affects durability and handling more than flavor by itself.
• Routine matters more than aesthetics if you are buying for daily use.

3. Keep cleanup simple

Cold brew cleanup is easy only if the brewer is designed with it in mind. Fewer loose parts, a removable filter, and a shape that rinses clean all make a difference.

A well-designed filter should be easy to remove, empty, rinse, and dry. If that sounds boring, good: boring usually means you will use it more often.

• Fewer parts generally means easier cleanup.
• Reusable mesh filters are convenient if they rinse out cleanly.
• If you hate drying coffee gear, avoid designs with too many small pieces.

The best brewer is the one you will reset

Many shoppers focus on the brewing stage and ignore the reset stage. That is a mistake, because cleanup is what determines whether the brewer stays in regular rotation or gets pushed to the back of the cabinet.

If you know you are impatient about washing gear, keep the design as simple as possible. Simplicity is part of the value proposition, not an afterthought.

• Simple filter removal saves time.
• Easy rinsing is a bigger deal than flashy accessories.
• A brewer you dislike cleaning is a brewer you stop using.

4. Decide whether you want concentrate-first or ready-to-drink convenience

Many home cold brew makers are really concentrate systems. That is a good thing if you want flexibility, because you can dilute to taste or stretch a batch across several drinks.

If you prefer a ready-to-drink feel, look for a brewer that clearly matches your serving habit and note the brew ratio before you start. Our Coffee Ratio Calculator can help if you want a quick reference.

In short: concentrate-first brewers are usually the most flexible, while ready-to-drink routines are easier to repeat exactly.

• Concentrate-first brewers give you more control over strength.
• Ready-to-drink setups are simpler if you do not want to dilute by hand.
• Write down the ratio you like once you find it, so you can repeat it.

A better ratio is often better than a bigger brewer

If your cold brew tastes weak or muddy, the problem may not be the brewer at all. It may be the ratio, the grind, or the steeping time.

That is why it is worth dialing in the routine before shopping for a second brewer. In many kitchens, the first brewer already works fine once the ratio is right.

• Start with the maker's recommended ratio.
• Adjust one variable at a time.
• Do not chase strength by simply adding more coffee every time.

5. Decide whether you need a larger batch system

If you brew for the week, the Toddy Cold Brew System THM/THM4 is the largest-batch option here. Its non-electric design and up-to-1-pound capacity make it a better fit for people who want more concentrate from a single brew cycle.

KitchenAid's 28 oz Cold Brew Coffee Maker is the convenience-oriented middle ground. Its tap and stated two-week storage window make it appealing if you want to serve from the brewer instead of moving concentrate to another container.

• Choose Toddy if your top priority is making more concentrate per cycle.
• Choose KitchenAid if your top priority is easy serving from the fridge.
• Stay with OXO or Takeya if you want a smaller footprint and simpler setup.

Bigger is not always better

A larger brewer can be great, but only if you actually want to wash and store it after each batch. If your fridge is crowded or your cleanup tolerance is low, a smaller brewer may be the better daily choice.

That is why this roundup includes both compact immersion brewers and the larger Toddy system. The right answer depends on how you really brew at home, not just on the listed capacity.

• Bigger batches help if you brew for several days.
• Smaller brewers are easier to reset and store.
• Choose the workflow you will repeat, not the one that looks biggest on paper.

FAQ

The bottom line

If you want the most balanced cold brew coffee maker for most households, start with the OXO Good Grips 32 Ounce Cold Brew Coffee Maker. It offers a clear recipe, a reusable filter, and a size that works well for a lot of home routines.

If your kitchen is tight on space, choose the OXO Brew Compact. If you prefer a leakproof pitcher, the Takeya Patented Deluxe is the cleaner fit. If you want a larger batch system, the Toddy is the strongest match. If serving convenience matters most, the KitchenAid tap-style brewer is the one to look at.