Cold brew is forgiving to make and easy to ruin with grit and bitterness, so the maker’s job is a clean, smooth cup with minimal fuss. We scored seven and the winner is the OXO Good Grips Cold Brew Coffee Maker, with an SR Score of 88, because it scored top marks on smoothness and dispenses concentrate without a mess. If you want a brew-and-store bottle, the Takeya (85) is the runner-up.
The ranking
| Rank | Model | Best for | Price | SR Score |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | OXO Good Grips Cold Brew Maker | Overall best | ~$50 | 88 |
| 2 | Takeya Patented Deluxe Cold Brew | Brew-and-store | ~$25 | 85 |
| 3 | Toddy Cold Brew System | Value batch | ~$40 | 84 |
| 4 | Filtron Cold Water Brewer | Cleanest cup | ~$45 | 83 |
| 5 | Hario Mizudashi | Budget pitcher | ~$22 | 82 |
| 6 | OXO Compact Cold Brew | Small-batch | ~$30 | 80 |
| 7 | County Line Kitchen Mason Jar | Cheapest useful | ~$25 | 77 |
Methodology
The Home Score v2026 rubric weights five criteria that sum to 100:
- Coffee taste (30) — smoothness, clarity, low bitterness and grit.
- Value for money (25) — quality and capacity per dollar.
- Build & durability (20) — materials, filter quality, longevity.
- Ease & cleanup (15) — brewing simplicity, dispensing, washing.
- Reputation & reviews (10) — owner ratings and lab testing.
Taste leads because cold brew exists to be smoother than hot coffee. Re-weight toward Value and the Hario and mason-jar kit climb; toward taste and the OXO and Filtron rise.
OXO Good Grips Cold Brew Coffee Maker
The all-rounder. Scored 9/10 on smoothness in a blind taste test, with a large capacity, even water distribution via a perforated top, and a switch that filters concentrate into the carafe without mess. Around $50.
| Criterion | Score |
|---|---|
| Coffee taste | 28/30 |
| Value for money | 23/25 |
| Build & durability | 17/20 |
| Ease & cleanup | 14/15 |
| Reputation & reviews | 6/10 |
Trade-off: bulkier than a simple pitcher and uses paper filters.
Takeya Patented Deluxe Cold Brew
The brew-and-store bottle. Brews and stores in the same airtight container, slim enough for a fridge door, with a reusable filter. Around $25, the best value-for-money pick.
| Criterion | Score |
|---|---|
| Coffee taste | 25/30 |
| Value for money | 25/25 |
| Build & durability | 16/20 |
| Ease & cleanup | 14/15 |
| Reputation & reviews | 7/10 |
Trade-off: ready-to-drink style, so less efficient than concentrate makers.
Toddy Cold Brew System
The value batch classic. The least expensive batch maker, using reusable filter bags for a clean cup, with a simple, easy setup. Around $40.
| Criterion | Score |
|---|---|
| Coffee taste | 26/30 |
| Value for money | 23/25 |
| Build & durability | 15/20 |
| Ease & cleanup | 12/15 |
| Reputation & reviews | 8/10 |
Trade-off: drains via a rubber stopper, a step that needs care.
Filtron Cold Water Brewer
The cleanest cup. A felt filter many consider unmatched, with a 32-ounce concentrate capacity for a week of coffee. Around $45.
| Criterion | Score |
|---|---|
| Coffee taste | 28/30 |
| Value for money | 21/25 |
| Build & durability | 15/20 |
| Ease & cleanup | 11/15 |
| Reputation & reviews | 8/10 |
Trade-off: the felt filter must be stored wet and replaced over time.
Hario Mizudashi
The budget pitcher. A Japanese-style pitcher with a tall, narrow filter basket that yields a lighter, more delicate cold brew highlighting floral and fruit notes. Around $22.
| Criterion | Score |
|---|---|
| Coffee taste | 25/30 |
| Value for money | 24/25 |
| Build & durability | 14/20 |
| Ease & cleanup | 13/15 |
| Reputation & reviews | 6/10 |
Trade-off: glass pitcher and ready-to-drink only, not concentrate.
OXO Compact Cold Brew
The small-batch OXO. The same mess-free design in a smaller footprint for around $30, ideal for one or two drinkers.
| Criterion | Score |
|---|---|
| Coffee taste | 25/30 |
| Value for money | 22/25 |
| Build & durability | 15/20 |
| Ease & cleanup | 13/15 |
| Reputation & reviews | 6/10 |
Trade-off: smaller yield than the full-size OXO.
County Line Kitchen Mason Jar
The cheapest useful kit. A wide-mouth mason jar with a stainless filter lid for around $25.
| Criterion | Score |
|---|---|
| Coffee taste | 23/30 |
| Value for money | 23/25 |
| Build & durability | 14/20 |
| Ease & cleanup | 12/15 |
| Reputation & reviews | 5/10 |
Trade-off: no dispensing system; you pour through the filter manually.
Verification
- OXO Good Grips Cold Brew Maker — 9/10 smoothness, mess-free switch, ~$50 verified via Reviewed and That’s Cold Brew.
- Takeya Patented Deluxe — brew-and-store, fridge-door slim, ~$25 verified via Reviewed.
- Toddy Cold Brew System — reusable bags, ~$40 verified via That’s Cold Brew.
- Filtron Cold Water Brewer — felt filter, 32-oz concentrate verified via That’s Cold Brew.
- Hario Mizudashi — ~$22 Japanese pitcher verified via Homegrounds.
- OXO Compact Cold Brew — small-batch variant verified via OXO listings.
- County Line Kitchen Mason Jar — mason-jar filter kit verified via retailer listings.
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Frequently asked questions
- What is the best cold brew maker in 2026?
- The OXO Good Grips Cold Brew Coffee Maker is the best overall: it scored 9/10 on smoothness in a blind taste test, has a large capacity, and a switch that filters the concentrate without making a mess. The Takeya brew-and-store bottle is the runner-up; the Hario Mizudashi is the budget pick.
- How long does cold brew take to make?
- Most immersion makers steep coarse grounds in cold water for 12 to 24 hours in the fridge. Longer steeps make stronger concentrate. The OXO, Toddy, Takeya, and Filtron all use this immersion method.
- Concentrate or ready-to-drink?
- Makers like the OXO, Toddy, and Filtron produce a concentrate you dilute with water or milk, which stores well for a week. The Takeya and Hario brew a lighter, ready-to-drink style straight from the pitcher. Concentrate is more efficient for daily drinkers.
- Is the Toddy worth it?
- The Toddy is the least expensive batch maker at around $40 and uses reusable filter bags for a clean cup. It is a classic for good reason. The OXO edges it on ease and mess-free dispensing, but the Toddy is excellent value.
- Which cold brew maker is easiest to clean?
- The Takeya and Hario have removable filter baskets that rinse quickly with no nooks. The OXO's switch dispenses without disassembly. The Filtron's felt filter gives the cleanest cup but needs careful rinsing and storage.