Whether you’re a regular iced coffee drinker or you’re looking for a way to cool down during the hot summer season without compromising your morning boost of caffeine, an iced coffee maker can really come in handy to up your coffee bar game.
But how do you find one perfect for your coffee needs? Worry not, we’ve already done the heavy lifting and narrowed down some of our favorite iced coffee makers. We’ve also included what to look for if you decide to venture out on your own and buy one.
At a Glance: Best Iced Coffee Makers
The History of Cold Brew and Iced Coffee
With over 150 million Americans enjoying a cup of joe every day, it’s no exaggeration to say we’re a coffee-obsessed country. But, our infatuation with coffee is nothing new, even when it comes to iced coffee.
In fact, coffee drinkers have enjoyed cold brew dating back over four hundred years. Once called Kyoto coffee (for its popularity and origin in Kyoto, Japan), cold brew has been admired, appreciated, and enjoyed in Japan for hundreds of years.
You may wonder how they came up with such a wonderful invention. The truth is, no one really knows. One possible theory is that the Japanese learned how to soak coffee this way from the Dutch, although that’s simply a theory.
But don’t forget about iced coffee, which has also had origins dating back hundreds of years. That’s right: people enjoyed the fresh taste of iced coffee going back to the 1800s when the first reports of this drink popped up in France during their takeover of Algeria.
Quick Summary: Best Iced Coffee Makers
 | Our Top Choice Ninja CP307 Hot and Cold Brewed System |
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Airtight Cold Brew Iced Coffee Maker and Tea Infuser |
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Mr. Coffee Iced Coffee Maker with Reusable Tumbler |
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Primula Burke Deluxe Cold Brew Iced Coffee Maker |
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Keurig K-Elite Coffee Maker, Single Serve K-Cup Pod Coffee Brewer |
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The Benefits of Brewing Your Own Iced Coffee
When you brew coffee from home, not only do you have complete control over the quality of your coffee, but you also save a lot of money. A couple of dollars here and there may not seem like much to you. But, studies have shown that you could save as much as $1,500 per year.
Without further ado, let’s dive into some of our favorite iced coffee makers so that you can start making quality coffee from home while saving money.
Ninja Hot and Cold Brew System
Behold the Ninja Hot and Cold Brew System: a heavy-duty machine that can easily handle any iced coffee drink you’d like to make. This appliance from Ninja is a powerful cold-brew coffee maker with the ability to craft the perfect cup of cold-brew iced coffee in a mere ten minutes.
Iced coffee is all about those brew times and temperatures. The Ninja Hot and Cold Brew System create perfect drinks with its high-tech thermal flavor extraction, which delivers precise temperatures, even saturation, and variable blooming and steeping.
The Ninja also offers six different brew sizes, making this a knockout for households with large families or multiple roommates who prefer different drinks. Plus, the Ninja has a removable water reservoir, easily removable brew baskets, and an integrated smart scoop that makes prep easy and clean-up hassle-free.
Though it falls in the pricier range, this is a remarkable machine that most customers are thrilled with if you have the budget. However, some people have complained about some manufacturing issues. The machine begins to leak after a while, or sometimes the coffee has a faint metallic or chemical aftertaste.
All in all, most customers seem exceptionally pleased with this machine. If you want the perfect cold brew in ten minutes, the Ninja Hot and Cold Brew System may be the perfect iced coffee maker for you.
Pros:
- Convenient features
- Quick iced coffee
- Easy clean-up
Cons:
- Expensive
- Some manufacturing issues
Ovalware Cold Brew Maker
There’s something to be said about simplicity, and sometimes the most basic machines are the ones that produce the best results. If you’re looking for an iced coffee maker without all of those bells and whistles, this simple glass carafe may be the perfect fit for you.
This minimalist cold brew machine from Ovalware has two easy steps: mix and pour. A modest glass coffee pot, this aesthetically appealing iced coffee maker fits conveniently in any fridge. The hand-blown, quality glass is built with the most care.
The biggest drawback? It’s fragile. Because the carafe is glass, many customers have reported it breaking very quickly, so if you purchase this cold brew maker, handle it with extreme care. The plus side is that Ovalware offers a full one-year limited warranty.
Also, if for any reason you’re displeased with the product, you have 90 days to ship it back to get a full refund.
Pros:
- Simple
- Conveniently built
- Affordable
- 1-year limited warranty
Cons:
- Very fragile
Mr. Coffee Iced Coffee Maker
If you’re always on the go and you need your iced coffee as soon as possible, the quick, efficient Mr. Coffee Iced Coffee Maker may be the right tool for you.
This mighty little machine can produce a flavorful, robust cup of coffee within minutes: four minutes, to be exact. And it never compromises flavor. Using RapidChill technology, Mr. Coffee quickly cools down hot coffee without watering down the taste, which is a problem in many other coffee makers.
Not only does it make iced coffee in minutes, but it also gives you the option to craft quality cold brew by allowing the coffee to steep for twelve to twenty-four hours. Its diversity makes this iced coffee maker a hit for any iced coffee fan.
The machine weighs just under four pounds, so it’s lightweight and easy to store. Plus, it’s plastic, so it’s as durable as it is efficient. The Mr. Coffee Iced Coffee Maker also comes with a measuring spoon to get consistent flavors brew after brew.
Easy to clean, easy to use, and able to produce an excellent cup of iced coffee, many customers are delighted with their purchase of this little iced coffee machine. However, some customers complain that the machine doesn’t work as well after four weeks of consistent use. But, this isn’t too surprising because it’s so affordable and so small.
Pros:
- Plastic-build makes this durable
- Fast brews
- Effective (doesn’t melt ice cubes)
Cons:
- Routine use makes this not hold up for extended periods
Primula Burke Deluxe Cold Brew Iced Coffee Maker
The Primula Burke Deluxe Iced Coffee Maker is a serious tool for the serious coffee drinker. This compact but powerful iced coffee maker excels in its simple design, aiming to be as convenient, easy to use, and hassle-free as possible.
The non-slip silicone base works to prevent spills and slips, and the fine mesh filter prevents those pesky coffee grounds from escaping into your coffee. Additionally, the entire coffee maker is dishwasher safe, saving you time and effort to keep your iced coffee maker happy and healthy for a long-performing life.
The downside is that this cold brew coffee maker has only one function – and that’s to give you the perfect cup of cold brew coffee. Unlike other types of cold coffee brewers, the Primula does not have an iced coffee feature, which means you will always have to make cold brew coffee and steep your grounds overnight.
So, if you’re someone who wants instant iced coffee, you may want to skip this model.
Pros:
- Fine mesh prevents grounds from slipping into your coffee
- Non-slip silicone base
- Produces a bold, strong coffee with robust, full flavor
Cons:
- Weaker glass (easily breaks)
- No instant iced coffee feature
Keurig K-Elite Coffee Maker
If you’re looking for your next significant coffee investment, look no further than the K-Elite by Keurig. This kitchen appliance is excellent because it gives you a wide range of options, including the ability to brew both piping hot and iced coffee beverages.
Following the same idea of versatility, the K-Elite gives you the option to brew whatever size cup you want. You can brew 4, 6, 8, 10, and 12 ounces of coffee with the K-Elite. You can also change the brew strength with one simple press of a button, easily altering the strength and taste of your cup.
This makes the K-Elite a worthwhile investment for a big house with lots of different coffee drinkers. However, Keurig is notorious for producing machines that break easily, especially after several months of consistent use. Unfortunately, it seems as though many K-Elite customers have had this problem as well.
Pros:
- Lots of drink variety
- Can easily change drink size and strength
- Quick brew times
Cons:
- Breaks easily
- Little help from customer service
Things to Consider Before Buying an Iced Coffee Maker
If you want to look at more iced coffee maker options other than the above list of our top five favorites, you’ll want to have an understanding of what to consider when looking for your new coffee tool.
The Brewing Capacity For Your Needs
A good place to start thinking about what you need from an iced coffee maker is how many cups of coffee you’ll want to be brewed. So, if you’re brewing up some refreshing coffee beverages for the whole family or a group of friends, you’re going to want to find something that can brew in bigger batches.
However, if you only need something for yourself, it’s best to look for a single-serve coffee maker or one that can offer a smaller capacity alongside other big-batch options. Something like the Keurig K-Elite would be a good choice for this since you can get a variety of cup sizes with it.
What Brew Options You’re Looking For
When you think of iced coffee, you make be thinking of a simple iced coffee beverage, or you may be thinking of cold brew. If you want something that can produce the strong beverage that is cold brew, you’ll want to lean more towards something like the Primula Burke Deluxe.
But, if you want the ability to change it up between different types of iced coffee and cold brew options, you’ll want a variety of brewing methods. This can be found in a machine such as the Ninja Hot and Cold Brew System on our list.
Dimensions For Your Space
Another important thing to consider when purchasing an iced coffee brewer is how it will look in your space. There are many different coffee tools out there, and if you’re someone that lacks kitchen counter space, you should search for something that’s compact.
Appliances such as the Mr. Coffee Iced Coffee Maker are perfect for small areas or if you need to store it when not in use. Remember not to buy something you don’t have room for!
What Materials Do You Need
If you don’t want to spend extra money on additional things to go alongside your new iced coffee maker, you’ll also want to be mindful of what materials each option needs. So, something that uses paper filters or K-Cups might be a little more of a hassle.
Meanwhile, something like the Ovalware Cold Brew Maker has a reusable filter and doesn’t need anything extra to brew up a batch of nice ice-cold coffee, which only further helps your money-saving goals.
Frequently Asked Questions
Here are some commonly asked questions that we’ve answered for you to make the iced coffee maker buying process a bit easier.
What is the Difference Between Iced Coffee and Cold Brew?
Cold-brew is cold coffee brewed without heat. Instead, the grounds are steeped in cold water for an extended time. Iced coffee is brewed with hot water and then cooled. While this is a faster brewing process, sometimes it can taste a little more watered down or flavorless than a cold brew batch, which also tends to be a stronger coffee due to the brewing method.
Can I Buy a Machine That Can Make Both?
Yes! The Mr. Coffee Iced Coffee Maker is an excellent example of an iced coffee maker that can make both iced coffee and cold brew. There are also plenty of other iced coffee makers that can offer multiple brew methods, as well. A simple internet search should provide you with plenty of options.
What Beans Should I Use?
With any coffee, fresh coffee beans will consistently deliver the best-tasting coffee. Additionally, try using medium or dark roast beans for iced coffee since a stronger roast will provide a more decadent, flavorful iced drink with less chance of it tasting watered down.
How Long Should You Steep Cold Brew?
Aim to steep your cold brew for around 16 hours. You need to steep your coffee for at least eight hours as that’s when the caffeine is extracted. The more you let it sit, the more flavor will be extracted from the ground coffee and the stronger it will be.
What Happens If You Steep Cold Brew Too Long?
Short answer? It gets gross. When you over-steep cold brew, you basically over-extract the grounds, producing an overly bitter, foul taste. That’s why it’s crucial that you keep track of when you put the carafe of coffee in your fridge, as it won’t stop steeping on its own like with automated iced coffee makers.
What Is A Good Cold Brew Ratio?
It would be best if you aimed for a coffee-to-water ratio of about one to eight. Of course, part of the fun is experimenting with what flavors and strengths work for you.
Final Thoughts
Buying an iced coffee maker is an excellent investment for every coffee lover. The freedom an iced coffee maker gives you is great as it allows you to make a quality cup of at-home iced coffee whenever you’d like. Plus, you no longer need to spend tons of money to craft your perfect afternoon boost.
When choosing your iced coffee maker, make sure to find features that work with your lifestyle. If you’re always on the go, you may want to purchase the K-Elite Keurig or the Mr. Coffee Iced Coffee Maker, as they will give you a great cup of coffee fast.
If you don’t mind waiting around for the quality, try purchasing the Primula Burke Deluxe Cold Brew Iced Coffee Maker, as you’ll get a robust, wonderful cold-brewed coffee beverage in the comfort of your own home.
Happy Caffeinating!
