Best Iced Coffee Brewer: Cold Brew Jars, Towers and Pour-Over

The best iced coffee brewer for most kitchens is the OXO Brew Cold Brew Coffee Maker (32 oz), because its rainmaker lid, drain-through filter and fridge-friendly concentrate make cold brew close to foolproof. The runner-up is the Takeya Deluxe Cold Brew Coffee Maker, a simple 2-quart pitcher that is the easiest to store and the hardest to break. If you want iced coffee in minutes rather than hours, a pour-over carafe such as the Bodum 34 oz brews hot over ice and ends up cold by the time you pour it. This guide is about manual, no-outlet iced coffee brewers: the glass and Tritan pitchers, the filter towers and the pour-over servers that let you make iced coffee without a machine. If you are weighing an electric single-serve brewer instead, that is a separate decision with different trade-offs. Everything here is based on manufacturer specifications, retailer listings and independent reviews, not our own daily use.

Top Picks at a Glance

• Best Overall: OXO Brew Cold Brew Coffee Maker (32 oz), a steeping tower with a controlled drain.
• Best Value: Hario Mizudashi Cold Brew Coffee Pot (600 ml), a slim glass bottle with a built-in mesh filter.
• Best Shatter-Resistant: Takeya Deluxe Cold Brew Coffee Maker (2 quart), a Tritan pitcher made in the USA.
• Best for Families: Primula Burke Deluxe Cold Brew Iced Coffee Maker, a glass carafe with a comfort-grip handle.
• Best for Same-Day Iced Coffee: Bodum 34 oz Pour Over Coffee Maker, brewed hot directly onto ice.
• Best Compact Tower: OXO Brew Compact Cold Brew Coffee Maker (24 oz), for small refrigerators.

Comparison Table

1. OXO Brew Cold Brew Coffee Maker (32 oz): Best Overall

• 32 oz glass carafe with measurement markings and a stopper.
• Recipe given by the maker: about 10 oz (284 g) of coarse coffee with 40 oz of water, yielding 24-28 oz of concentrate.
• Rainmaker lid spreads water across the grounds so they bloom evenly.
• Steep 12-24 hours, then flip the Brew-Release Switch; draining takes about 20 minutes.
• Reusable stainless steel mesh filter, with optional paper filters for a second level of filtration.
• About 9.5 by 9.5 by 14.75 inches; roughly 4 lb. Carafe and filter are dishwasher safe, other parts hand wash.

Best for: anyone who wants a smooth concentrate and a clean process. Skip if: you want a plain pitcher you can toss in the fridge door.

What sets this model apart is the way water is applied and removed. Most cold brewers use immersion: you pour water over grounds, wait, then lift a filter out. The OXO tower works differently. The rainmaker lid distributes water, the grounds steep inside the brew container, and a release switch drains the finished concentrate into the carafe below. The practical benefit is a cleaner cup and no dripping filter to lift out, and because the grounds stay contained, cleanup is just a matter of dumping them.

The recipe also helps. The maker’s ratio is built around concentrate, not ready-to-drink coffee, so you dilute the result with equal parts water, milk or ice. That makes a 24-28 oz batch go a long way: at a 1:1 dilution, one batch makes roughly 48-56 oz of finished iced coffee, enough for 12 to 14 drinks according to the maker’s description. The concentrate keeps for up to two weeks in the refrigerator, which is why this style works for a weekly batch.

The ownership reality is the drain time. About 20 minutes depends on the grind size, and a grind that is too fine will slow it down or clog the paper filter. Use a coarse grind and, if possible, grind just before steeping.

Pros:

• Controlled, clean drain
• Reusable filter plus optional paper
• Dishwasher-safe carafe
• Concentrate keeps about two weeks

Cons:

• Uses more counter space
• Needs coarse grinds
• Some parts hand wash

2. Hario Mizudashi (600 ml): Best Value

• 600 ml (about 20 oz) heatproof Hario glass with volume markings on the side.
• Permanent fine polyester mesh filter, so no paper filters are needed.
• Typically steeped 8-12 hours in the refrigerator.
• Slim profile that fits in most fridge doors; parts are dishwasher safe; made in Japan.

Best for: one or two people who drink a glass or two a day. Skip if: you want to make a strong concentrate.

The Mizudashi is the simplest way to get started. You add coffee and cold water, slot in the filter and leave it in the fridge overnight. There are no moving parts and almost nothing to clean. Retailer estimates for the yield differ: some say two to three cups and others up to four, so treat the number as an approximation. A reviewer at HomeGrounds notes that the filter basket only goes about halfway down the bottle, which means you cannot pack it with a lot of coffee to make a concentrate; plan to brew it ready to drink or lightly strong.

Brewing in the fridge also matters. One guide that tried the Mizudashi style at room temperature found batches turned slightly astringent after about 20 hours, which is a good reason to use the fridge and keep to the 8-12 hour guideline.

Pros:

• Low cost
• Fits fridge doors
• No paper filters

Cons:

• Small batch
• Not for concentrate
• Glass can break if dropped

3. Takeya Deluxe Cold Brew Coffee Maker (2 qt): Best Shatter-Resistant

• 2-quart BPA-free Tritan pitcher with an airtight, leakproof lid and a silicone grip handle.
• Fine-mesh filter: fill with about 7 cups of cold filtered water, lower the filter, seal the lid and shake for 30 seconds.
• Refrigerate for 12-24 hours; the concentrate keeps up to 2 weeks in the sealed pitcher.
• Made in the USA; the Tritan body can also take hot liquid, so it works for brewing hot coffee or tea.

Best for: households with children, travel and anyone who has dropped glass before. Skip if: you dislike plastic or are sensitive to odors.

The Takeya is a pitcher first and a brewer second, and that is the point. It is light, it tolerates drops, and the airtight lid lets you store the pitcher on its side in the fridge. Listings disagree about exact dimensions and weight, and the dimensions vary from site to site, so measure your fridge shelf and not the listing if space is tight. The dishwasher-safe design makes it easy to keep clean, which matters because plastics can retain coffee oils over time.

Because the Tritan body handles heat, you can also use it for iced tea, hot brew coffee poured over ice or an infused water, making it one of the more versatile pitchers.

Pros:

• Shatter-resistant
• Airtight lid
• Dishwasher safe
• Heat tolerant

Cons:

• Can retain odors
• Fine mesh needs thorough rinsing
• Dimensions differ by listing

4. Primula Burke Deluxe Cold Brew Iced Coffee Maker: Best for Families

• Durable glass carafe with a comfort-grip handle.
• Removable mesh filter.
• Capacity and weight: not listed in the product title.

Best for: households that want a glass pitcher without paying a premium. Skip if: you need an exact capacity before buying; check the full listing.

The Burke is a classic glass carafe design. Glass does not absorb odors the way plastic can, and it makes it easy to see how dark the brew is getting. The comfort-grip handle matters when a full carafe is cold and slippery. Because the title does not state the capacity, confirm the size in the listing before you rely on it for a family batch. Several variants of this listing exist at different sizes, so choose by capacity, not just by name.

Pros:

• Glass body
• Easy to see brew strength
• Removable filter

Cons:

• Breakable
• Variant sizes can confuse
• Specs limited

5. Bodum 34 oz Pour Over Coffee Maker: Best for Same-Day Iced Coffee

• 34 oz high-heat borosilicate glass carafe.
• Reusable stainless steel filter, so no paper needed.
• Cork grip band for holding the hot carafe.

Best for: people who want iced coffee today, not tomorrow. Skip if: you do not own a kettle or dislike pouring by hand.

Cold brew is not the only way to make iced coffee. The other classic method is flash chilling, sometimes called Japanese iced coffee: brew hot coffee directly onto ice so it cools immediately and the aromatics stay locked in. A common rule of thumb is to use about 60 percent of your water for brewing and the rest as ice in the carafe, but adjust to taste. The Bodum is a practical vessel for this. Its borosilicate glass handles heat, so you can place ice in the carafe, set the filter on top and pour hot water through the coffee. You end up with a bright, aromatic cup in about the time it takes to boil water and pour.

The reusable filter lets more oils through than paper does, so the cup is fuller but slightly less clean. If you prefer clarity, add a paper filter in a dripper instead. As with any glass carafe holding ice and hot coffee, pour slowly to limit temperature shock and follow the maker’s guidance.

Pros:

• Fast, same-day iced coffee
• No paper filters
• Compact

Cons:

• Needs a kettle
• Manual pouring
• Glass is fragile

6. OXO Brew Compact Cold Brew Coffee Maker (24 oz): Best Compact Tower

• Yields about 24 oz of concentrate using roughly 5 oz of coffee, per a retailer product guide.
• Smaller footprint than the 32 oz model.
• Same tower approach: steep, then drain into the carafe.

Best for: small kitchens and small refrigerators. Skip if: you drink iced coffee all week and do not want to brew twice.

The Compact is the 32 oz model scaled down. If your fridge is full and shelf space is short, the smaller carafe is easier to store, and the lower coffee amount means less commitment if you are experimenting with a new bean. The trade-off is frequency: a 24 oz batch of concentrate diluted 1:1 gives roughly 48 oz of iced coffee, which a single daily drinker might finish in about a week, but a household will need to brew more often.

Pros:

• Small footprint
• Same drain-through approach
• Lower coffee cost per batch

Cons:

• Smaller batch
• Other specs not listed in the title

Also Consider

• QHH 64 oz Cold Brew Mason Jar Pitcher: a wide-mouth glass mason pitcher with a stainless steel filter and a pour-spout lid. A good option when you want a large batch at a low cost.
• Unbreakable Pour Over Coffee Maker (27 fl oz): a thick, heat-resistant borosilicate carafe with a permanent stainless filter. An alternative to the Bodum for flash-chilled iced coffee.
• OXO Brew Pour Over with Water Tank: a pour-over with a water tank that spaces out the pour for you, handy if you do not want a gooseneck kettle.

Match the Brewer to Your Situation

A quick worked example shows why the table points in different directions. Suppose you want two 12 oz iced lattes a day, each made from 4 oz of concentrate plus 4 oz of milk plus ice. That is 8 oz of concentrate a day, or 56 oz a week. A single 32 oz tower batch of 24-28 oz covers about three days, so you would brew twice a week, while a 64 oz mason pitcher brewed as a ready-to-drink batch would need a different ratio. This kind of arithmetic is more useful than any brand name when you decide how often you are willing to brew.

How We Chose

This is a research-based guide. We did not personally use these brewers. We began with the non-electric iced coffee tools that are currently sold, then checked manufacturer specifications, retailer listings and independent reviews for capacity, materials, steeping times and cleaning instructions. We used details from OXO’s product information, Takeya’s listing, Hario’s published steep guidance and several independent coffee reviewers for notes such as the Mizudashi’s filter depth. When sources disagreed, we noted the range instead of picking a number. We avoided prices and used tiers instead, and we left out products without clear specifications. We gave extra weight to designs that have a clear way to filter grounds, a lid that seals, and parts that can be cleaned thoroughly, since those are the features that decide whether you keep using the brewer.

Buying Guide: How to Choose an Iced Coffee Brewer

Decide between cold brew and flash-chilled

Cold brew steeps grounds in cold or room-temperature water for 8 to 24 hours. It tends to taste smoother and less acidic, and a concentrate keeps for up to about two weeks in the fridge. Flash-chilled iced coffee is brewed hot over ice and is ready in minutes with brighter, more aromatic flavor. If you make coffee on a schedule, cold brew wins. If you decide at 3 p.m. that you want iced coffee, pour-over wins.

Size the brewer to your drinking

Here is a simple calculation. If you drink one 12 oz glass a day and your concentrate is diluted 1:1, each glass uses about 6 oz of concentrate, so a 24 oz batch lasts four days and a 28 oz batch lasts almost five. A weekly batch for one person needs about 42 oz of concentrate at that rate, so a 64 oz pitcher brewed as a ready-to-drink batch or a 32 oz tower brewed twice a week both work. Pick the brewer that fits your fridge shelf, not just your thirst.

Check the filter

Fine stainless mesh, polyester mesh and paper behave differently. Mesh lets more oils and fine particles through, giving a heavier cup. Paper gives a cleaner cup but adds an ongoing cost and a slower drain. Some brewers, such as the OXO tower, allow both. If you hate sediment, plan to pour through a paper filter or a second sieve.

Material: glass, Tritan or stainless

Glass resists odors and is easy to inspect, but it breaks. Tritan resists drops and heat but can hold odors. Check dishwasher safety on every part, since gaskets and lids are often hand-wash only. A pitcher you can clean easily is a pitcher you will use.

Grind and ratio

A coarse grind, similar to coarse sea salt, is the standard starting point for cold brew. Finer grinds over-extract and clog filters. Common starting ratios are roughly 1 part coffee to 4 parts water for concentrate, and 1 to 8 for a ready-to-drink batch, but follow the manual for your model and adjust to taste.

Mistakes to Avoid

• Steeping too long at room temperature: batches can become bitter or astringent. Keep it in the fridge when possible.
• Using a fine grind: it clogs towers and makes sludge in mesh pitchers.
• Skipping the rinse: coffee oils build up in lids and gaskets and can taste stale.
• Storing for too long: concentrate is best within about two weeks.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the easiest iced coffee brewer to use?

A simple pitcher with a built-in filter, such as the Takeya or Hario Mizudashi, is the easiest. You add coffee and water, refrigerate, and pour. The OXO tower adds one step but gives a cleaner drain.

How long does cold brew take?

Most makers recommend 12 to 24 hours for a pitcher or tower and 8 to 12 hours for a Mizudashi in the fridge. Pour-over flash chilling takes only a few minutes.

How long does cold brew concentrate last?

OXO and Takeya both describe about two weeks in the refrigerator. Keep it sealed and dilute only what you plan to drink.

Can I use pre-ground coffee?

Yes, but choose a coarse grind or one labeled for French press or cold brew. Fine espresso grinds make muddy, over-extracted coffee.

Is cold brew stronger than hot coffee?

Concentrate is strong, which is why it is diluted with water, milk or ice. The final drink can be adjusted to any strength you like.

Can I make hot coffee in these?

Only in heat-rated designs. The Takeya is made of Tritan and can take hot liquid, and borosilicate pour-overs are meant for hot water. Check the maker’s guidance for your specific model.

Glass or plastic, which is better?

Glass resists odors and shows the brew color, while Tritan resists breaking. Choose by how you handle your kitchen, and clean either one promptly.

Which One Should You Buy?

For the cleanest process and a concentrate that lasts, buy the OXO Brew Cold Brew Coffee Maker. For a low-cost, no-fuss starter, the Hario Mizudashi is hard to beat. For a pitcher that will survive a busy family kitchen, the Takeya Deluxe is the safer choice, and the Primula Burke is a budget-friendly glass option. If you want iced coffee without waiting, pick the Bodum 34 oz pour-over, and if your fridge is small, go with the OXO Brew Compact. Whichever you pick, start with a coarse grind and a ratio from the manual, taste after the shortest recommended steep, and adjust from there.

Sources

• OXO Brew Cold Brew Coffee Maker product pages and instruction manual
• Takeya Deluxe Cold Brew Coffee Maker product information
• Hario Mizudashi product information and retailer guides
• Bodum pour-over coffee maker product pages
• HomeGrounds and Seattle Coffee Gear independent product guides

Last updated: October 2026