A great cup of coffee begins with the best coffee maker for the brew method, whether you’re in the mood for hot or iced coffee. In order to compile this list of our favorites, we tested and retested iced coffee makers throughout the humid summer. Once you’ve determined which iced coffee maker is best for you, look through our mouthwatering iced coffee recipes for some wonderful inspiration.
Best Iced Coffee Makers Quick Look
Continue reading to keep cool this summer and swap your hot morning caffeine fix with a refreshing cold beverage using the best iced coffee maker for your home.
What is An Iced Coffee Maker?
Therefore, the first worthwhile query is: What exactly is an iced coffee maker? A drip or filter coffee maker that is used for iced beverages is the solution. The basic method involves soaking the grinds with hot water and dripping it onto ice cubes, which melt and cool the beverage.
In distinction from drip coffee makers, iced coffee makers are usually single serve. So instead of brewing the coffee into a large carafe, you typically brew it into a tumbler pre-filled with ice.
Best Iced Coffee Makers
Mr Coffee Iced Coffee Maker
The Mr Coffee Iced Coffee Maker is one of the few machines on the market that has been designed specifically for iced coffee. So if iced coffee is your thing then this may be the machine for you.
Instead of producing large quantities of coffee, this single serve machine is designed for single use. Utilizing the device is very easy. The coffee maker will brew a cup of iced coffee in 4 minutes if you add room temperature water, coffee grounds, and ice cubes to the tumbler before pressing a button.
For the coffee lover who is frequently pressed for time, this is incredibly convenient. If you are looking for a simple machine with the single purpose of making this type of brew well then the Mr Coffee Iced Coffee Maker is the one for you. You could also look into the Mr. Coffee Frappe Maker if you’d like the option of brewing frappuccinos as well.
Oxo Cold Brew Coffee Maker
The Oxo Cold Brew Coffee Maker is a good place to start if you have decided that you would prefer to use a cold brew coffee maker. It is a straightforward but sturdy coffee maker that produces excellent cold brew and is built to last.
It has a rainmaker top that aids in distributing water evenly over the coffee grounds. It also has a fine mesh filter, though you could just as easily use a paper filter in its place.
To brew, simply add water through the rainmaker, fill the upper chamber with coarsely ground coffee, and let it sit for 12 hours.
The cold brew coffee maker has a handy brew release switch that you flip once you have finished brewing your cold brew and the coffee pours out into the carafe below.
Zoku Iced Coffee Maker
The Zoku iced coffee maker is more of a travel mug than an automatic coffee maker per se. It might be a good option, though, if you already have a coffee maker at home and want to make iced coffee.
To use it you simply place the mug in the freezer for a minimum of 8 hours then you brew your hot coffee straight into the mug. Place the lid on and insert the straw then wait for 7-8 minutes and voila!
Ice cold coffee in a handy travel mug, ready for that daily commute. As this method doesn’t require ice it means your brew will not be diluted at all. The cup itself is well made, with a stainless steel interior, a vibrant protective sleeve, a lid, and a straw.
The cup fits underneath most coffee makers and has a capacity of 11 oz. Also available are four different colors. If you want to quickly convert your preferred hot beverage into an iced one, the Zoku iced coffee maker is a great choice.
Ninja Hot and Cold Brewed System
A multifunctional coffee maker, the Ninja iced coffee maker can create a wide variety of beverages. For those who enjoy specialty drinks, it has a built-in milk frother, a strength selector, and 6 different brew sizes. It also offers an over-ice option and a 10-minute cold brew option, which is why we have included it on this list.
For those who enjoy iced coffee, the over ice option makes a double-strength coffee that is made to be brewed directly over ice. You can also brew a single serve or a full carafe of coffee or tea using the Ninja. This coffee maker is excellent all-around.
We wouldn’t suggest this, given the higher price, for someone who just wants to make iced coffee, but rather for a coffee enthusiast who also wants the option of iced coffee.
Cuisinart 14-cup Coffee Maker
The Cuisinart coffee maker is a straightforward, reliable drip coffee maker. Although it wasn’t created with this brewing method in mind, it does result in a good cup of coffee that can be quickly cooled and poured over ice.
The Cuisinart has a great price and a ton of features. First off, it has a hotplate that can be switched on or off, which is fantastic if you want iced coffee!). It has a brew strength control feature that lets you choose between regular and bold coffee.
Our favorite feature is the 24-hour programmability, which enables you to program the coffee maker to turn on and brew a pot automatically.
The Cuisinart is a good option if you are wanting to brew a larger batch of ice cold coffee as it can make up to 14 cups. Additionally, this device will meet your needs if you prefer a warm cup of drip coffee during the winter.
Cold Brew Vs Iced Coffee
Coffee drinkers frequently mention the term “cold brew” when speaking. This trendy summer coffee has taken the coffee industry by storm. A variety of cold brew makers are also available. So is cold brew the same thing as iced coffee? Why is there a difference, if not?
While similar, cold brew and iced coffee are different. The brewing method is what makes the biggest difference. Cold brew is typically brewed by allowing coarse coffee particles to soak in cold water (it is literally made by cold brewing!) over a long period of time (12-24 hours). Either cold brew machines or regular household containers can be used for this.
However, iced coffee is typically prepared in a short amount of time and cooled by pouring hot coffee over ice cubes. Iced coffee is usually brewed extra strong since the ice cubes dilute the coffee. While it is worth noting that this takes much less time and effort to make, a batch of cold brew can keep for up to two weeks in the refrigerator.
Read More: 8 Simple Alternatives To Make Coffee Without A Filter
In terms of coffee makers, cold brew coffee makers are typically bottles that have a basket or filter of some sort in which the coffee grinds can rest. Machines for making cold brew are frequently less expensive. However, as previously stated, an iced coffee maker is actually a small, specialized drip coffee maker that needs a power source.
Cold Brew
- Brewing: coffee brewed without the use of heat, made by steeping coarsely ground coffee in cold water for 12-24 hours
- Time to brew: slow; 12-24 hours
- Taste: Richer with dark chocolatey notes
- Strength: Strong concentrate produced that needs to be diluted with ice or milk
- Caffeine: Higher caffeine content
Iced Coffee
- Brewing: hot coffee which has been cooled by pouring it over ice
- Time to brew: quick- a few minutes
- Taste: Lighter with sharp, fruity notes
- Strength: Brewed extra strong as diluted by ice cubes
- Caffeine: Lower caffeine content
You must choose the beverage that best suits your requirements given the variety of brewing techniques used in these drinks. The majority of the iced coffee makers in this article will be discussed, but we have also included a few cold brew coffee makers in case you have changed your mind.
Automatic Vs Manual Iced Coffee Maker
What kind of iced coffee maker you want is the next thing you must decide. As this brewing method is made using hot coffee you can use a manual coffee maker such as a french press or pour over to make it, or you can opt for an automatic iced coffee maker.
There are a select few automatic coffee machines made specifically for iced coffee, but the vast majority are regular coffee makers with an iced setting.
This can be a good option if you like to experiment with different brews, however if you are after a one hit wonder then it might be better to opt for a specific iced coffee maker. Additionally, as already mentioned, you can buy a particular cold brew machine.
Tips for Making the Best Cold Coffee
So here are a few tips to make great coffee (cold brew or iced) with one of these brewers
- Use Filtered Water – Using high quality water is a simple way to guarantee high quality because water makes up the majority of all coffee (aside from milk-based espresso drinks). So, if at all possible, use filtered water for the water and ice rather than regular tap water. In relation to cold brew coffee, this is especially crucial.
- Make Larger Ice Cubes – Ice cubes are a vital part of this brewing process. But as the coffee drips down, almost all of the small ice cubes you use will melt. Larger ice cubes won’t melt as quickly. Obviously, this is less important for cold brew.
- Use High-Quality Beans – The fact that Starbucks uses higher-quality coffee beans is one of the reasons their drinks frequently taste so much better than anything you could make at home. Therefore, don’t just spend money on an iced coffee maker if you want ice cold coffee that actually tastes great. But make an investment in some enticing coffee beans that you like. In fact, if Starbucks is your thing, you can even buy a bag of ground coffee there. The quality of the coffee used will affect how good your coffee tastes. Additionally, if you can grind your own beans, that will also enhance the flavor.
- Use Additives– there is something wonderful about a delicious cup of black iced coffee, cold brew coffee style. However, for the vast majority of people, additives do enhance the coffee experience. So experiment with various coffee additives. Try milk, different creamers, and extra flavors. This applies to both cold brew and iced; find what you enjoy.
How to Clean Coffee Makers
If you’re like most of us, you’ll probably clean your coffee maker when you notice that the carafe is starting to look a little worn out. Even with diligent after-use rinsing, the swirl-and-pour technique has its limitations.
Therefore, it’s time to clean your coffee maker if it is obviously dirty (think water stains, coffee stains, or loose grounds all over). This is especially true if you can’t recall the last time you gave it a thorough scrub.
What Kind of Coffee Beans Do You Need?
What coffee guide would be complete without an in-depth explanation about roasts and what they mean? After all, it’s impossible to answer the question, “What are the best coffee beans for iced coffee?” without diving into each type of roast first.
Coffee beans’ flavor is enhanced during roasting. Coffee isn’t all roasted to the same level, which furthers the confusion. Lighter roasts have flavors reminiscent of berries, caramel, chocolate, spices, or even floral notes. The stronger toasted flavor that is often brought out by darker roasts has the potential to overpower the milder regional flavors.
The notion that coffee contains more caffeine when it is darker and more bitter is widely held. That is untrue; since caffeine is burned off during roasting, light roasts are more potent than dark roasts. One roast isn’t necessarily better than the other — it all comes down to preference.
Check our coffee reviews below!
Common Problems of Drinking Coffee
Among all alcoholic drinks, coffee is one of the most consumed. It’s also one of the healthiest, according to many medical experts.
It may provide more antioxidants in the diet for some people than all fruits and vegetables combined.
Here are some posts to help you make your coffee even healthier.
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- How to Clean A Moldy Coffee Maker – What Causes Mold in It?
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- How to Make Folgers Coffee in a Coffee Maker
- How To Set Timer On Cuisinart Coffee Maker – 2023 Guide
- How to Clean Mold Out of Coffee Maker – Can I Use Vinegar?
- Why Won’t My Keurig Brew a Full Cup – Reasons & How to Solve
Frequently Asked Questions
How Do You Use a Cold Brew Coffee Maker?
Following the directions for your particular coffee maker is crucial, but in general, selecting the right beans and coarsely grinding them are the first steps in creating a flavorful cold brew. The recommended amount of grounds should be added, followed by a slow addition of water to evenly moisten them. Allow it to sit for the designated amount of time (more on that is below), then take out the filter and serve the coffee with the grounds still in it. Cold brew concentrate can be diluted to your taste, depending on your preferences.
How Long Does It Take to Make Cold Brew Coffee?
Every cold brew maker we tested recommended steeping the grounds for anywhere between 12 and 24 hours. After brewing a few batches, you’ll be able to determine your ideal brewing time.
What’s the Difference Between Iced Coffee and Cold Brew?
Iced coffee is simply freshly brewed coffee that has been put on ice. It takes longer and involves steeping the grounds in water for the entire night to make cold brew. This method is thought to produce a concentrate and be less acidic than regular coffee.
How Do You Clean Your Cold Brew Coffee Maker?
Follow your coffee maker’s instructions, but for the majority, remove the grounds and compost them or use them to make a deep cleaning solution or an exfoliating face scrub. Then wash the parts by hand or put them in your dishwasher.