Types of Cold Brew Coffee Makers and Which Suits You Best

Key takeaways

• Immersion brewers and pitcher-style cold brew makers are the most straightforward option and usually the best starting point for most households.
• Slow-drip towers make cleaner, more tea-like cold brew and suit hobbyist coffee drinkers who enjoy experimenting and do not mind more setup.
• Electric cold brew machines focus on speed and convenience, though flavour and strength can differ from traditional long-steep methods.
• Integrated filter pitchers, such as a simple 64 oz cold brew jug with mesh filter, minimise mess and make it easy to brew and pour from the same container; a good example is this 64 oz cold brew coffee maker with stainless mesh filter.
• The best type for you depends mostly on how often you drink cold brew, how patient you are with brewing and cleaning, and whether you value ritual, speed or simplicity.

Why the type of cold brew maker matters

On the surface, all cold brew makers do the same thing: they soak coffee grounds in water. Yet design differences affect extraction speed, flavour clarity, strength and how much effort you put in each time. Someone brewing a large batch for a busy household will prioritise volume and ease of cleaning, while a coffee enthusiast may happily trade convenience for absolute control.

There is also the question of how cold brew fits into your routine. If you want to set up a jug in the evening and pour a ready-made drink the next day, a simple immersion pitcher with integrated filter can be ideal. If you prefer to brew on demand, maybe alongside hot espresso, you might instead lean towards an electric machine with a cold brew function or a compact appliance that can pull espresso and make cold-style coffee drinks from one footprint on the worktop.

Cost and durability are another angle. Basic immersion brewers and pitchers tend to be inexpensive and have few moving parts, so they can last for years with basic care. Slow-drip towers and electric systems can be more delicate and involve more components to keep clean and maintained, which suits people who enjoy the process as much as the drink.

Immersion cold brew makers and pitchers

Immersion brewers are the most common type of cold brew maker. They work by soaking coarse-ground coffee directly in cold water for several hours, usually between 8 and 24 depending on strength and grind size. Once brewing is complete, you separate the grounds from the liquid and store the concentrate or ready-to-drink coffee in the fridge.

Within this category, there are two main styles: purpose-built immersion brewers with internal filters, and simple pitchers or jugs used with a removable mesh infuser. Many home users find the second style easiest because you brew, store and pour from the same container.

Pitcher-style cold brew makers

Pitcher-style brewers look like large jugs or carafes that live in the fridge. Typically, you add coarse coffee to a stainless steel or fine plastic mesh core, fit it inside the jug, fill with cold water and leave it in the fridge to steep. When time is up, you remove the infuser and are left with a batch of cold brew ready to pour.

These are ideal if you want an almost hands-off way to keep cold coffee on hand. Models similar to the 64 oz iced coffee maker with flip-cap spout or a lightweight, leak-resistant jug such as the Sivaphe 64 oz cold brew pitcher usually focus on being robust enough for everyday fridge use. They suit families, shared houses and anyone who prefers to make a couple of litres at a time.

Flavour from immersion pitchers tends to be rich, rounded and forgiving. Because the brew sits with the grounds for so long, minor changes in grind size or water temperature do not radically change the outcome, which is reassuring if you are new to brewing. If you prefer a particularly clean-tasting cup, you might later explore glass-based brewers, as discussed in more detail in this guide to glass cold brew coffee makers for cleaner flavour.

Dedicated immersion systems

Some products are designed solely for immersion-style cold brewing and may not look like a traditional jug. They might have a central column for coffee, a valve or stopper at the base, and a separate carafe you place underneath when brewing is complete. Others are essentially large carafes with removable mesh baskets.

These systems can be a bit more compact on the worktop and sometimes incorporate markings to help you measure ratios. They are a good middle ground for those who want something neater than a big jug but do not need the spectacle or complexity of a slow-drip tower. Cleaning generally involves disassembling a few parts and rinsing or gently scrubbing mesh filters, so they remain quite approachable day to day.

If you are unsure where to start, an immersion pitcher or jug is usually the lowest-risk option. It is inexpensive, easy to use and forgiving, so you can focus on dialling in your recipe rather than wrestling with complicated kit.

Slow-drip cold brew towers

Slow-drip, or Kyoto-style, cold brew makers take a different approach. Instead of immersing coffee entirely in water, they drip cold water slowly through a bed of coffee grounds, often over several hours. The resulting coffee is collected in a carafe at the bottom of the tower.

These devices are often tall and decorative, sometimes built from wood, glass and metal. They are popular with serious coffee enthusiasts and cafés that want a visually impressive way to showcase their cold brew process. At home, they appeal to people who enjoy fine-tuning variables and do not mind a slightly more involved setup.

Flavour and mouthfeel from slow-drip

Slow-drip cold brew usually tastes lighter and cleaner than immersion brews. Because water is constantly moving through the coffee rather than sitting with it, less of the heavier compounds and oils are extracted. Many drinkers describe the result as more tea-like, with enhanced floral or fruity notes in lighter roasts.

This can be appealing if you enjoy the nuance of speciality beans and want to highlight subtle flavours. However, it may not be the best fit if you prefer bold, chocolatey, syrupy cold brew that stands up to large amounts of milk or sweetener. For that, immersion systems are generally a better choice.

Practicalities and who they suit

Slow-drip towers require a little more attention. You usually need to adjust a tap or valve to set the drip rate, check that it stays consistent, and keep an eye on the water reservoir. Cleaning can also be slightly more involved because of the multiple glass chambers, seals and filters. They are not difficult to maintain, but they do reward patience and care.

They suit hobbyist home baristas who enjoy setting aside time for brewing and perhaps already own other specialist coffee gear. If you simply want a large batch of cold brew ready to grab for work mornings, the balance of effort and output here may not make sense compared with a straightforward pitcher or jug.

Electric cold brew coffee machines

Electric cold brew machines aim to shorten the brewing process while keeping some of the smoothness that people love about traditional cold brew. They use various techniques, such as gentle agitation, circulation or lower-temperature brewing cycles, to extract flavour more quickly from the grounds.

Some are purpose-built for cold brew alone, while others are multi-function coffee makers that include a cold brew or iced coffee setting. For example, compact espresso appliances that can produce espresso, americanos and a cold-style brew alongside milk-based drinks offer a more all-in-one approach. A slim machine in this category might be similar in spirit to the Cuisinart slim espresso and cold drink maker, which focuses on versatility while keeping a compact footprint.

Flavour and speed trade-offs

These machines usually win on speed: instead of steeping overnight, you may have a cold-style coffee in under an hour, sometimes much faster. For people who forget to prepare a batch in advance or who only occasionally crave cold coffee, this flexibility can be very helpful.

In terms of flavour, the result can be slightly different from traditional long-steep cold brew. Some machines produce a drink closer to strong iced coffee (hot extraction cooled rapidly or brewed at a lower but not ambient temperature), while others manage something closer to a true cold brew profile. If you are particularly sensitive to acidity and rely on cold brew for its gentleness on your stomach, you may want to test how an electric machine’s output sits with you compared to a classic immersion brew.

Convenience and ideal users

Electric cold brew machines often include pre-programmed settings, timers and automatic shut-off, making them easy to live with. Many have removable parts that go in the dishwasher, though you still need to be disciplined about rinsing baskets and carafes to prevent stale coffee flavours building up. Because they plug in, you will also need a bit of spare worktop space and a convenient socket.

These machines suit people who want café-style variety from one appliance: perhaps you make hot espresso in the morning, switch to lattes in the afternoon, and occasionally fancy a cold brew. In that scenario, a multi-function device like the Cuisinart slim espresso-style machine with cold brew option can be a practical alternative to owning separate gadgets.

Manual vs electric cold brew: lifestyle fit

When you look across immersion pitchers, slow-drip towers and electric devices, the central question is always how you prefer to make and drink coffee day to day. Manual methods tend to be quieter, cheaper to run and more tactile. Electric options prioritise speed and consistency, at the cost of cables, buttons and sometimes a steeper purchase price.

If you lean towards a more hands-on approach and enjoy a slower ritual, manual gear will likely feel more satisfying. You have complete control over grind size, steep time and ratios, and there is little that can go wrong once you find a recipe you like. For a deeper dive into this angle, you can explore the pros and cons in a dedicated look at manual versus electric cold brew coffee makers.

If your mornings are already busy and you know you will not reliably remember to set up a brew the night before, an electric system with a quicker cycle may be more realistic. Similarly, if several people in your home drink different styles of coffee, a versatile electric machine can simplify things.

Cleaning and maintenance by type

Cleaning effort is easy to underestimate when choosing a cold brew maker. Grounds and oils can quickly build up in filters and corners, leading to bitterness or off flavours over time. Different designs make this more or less of a chore.

Immersion pitchers with removable mesh filters are usually the simplest to keep clean. You tip out the grounds (ideally into a compost bin), rinse the mesh immediately and give the jug a quick wash. Wide-mouth designs are particularly helpful here, as you can reach inside with a sponge or brush. Plastic or Tritan jugs are light and less fragile than glass, while glass has the benefit of not retaining odours.

Slow-drip towers involve more components: water reservoir, ground coffee chamber, filters, seals and the final carafe. Most are glass, which cleans well but requires careful handling. If you enjoy the ritual, you may not mind the extra five or ten minutes of disassembly and washing, but it is worth being honest about how much time you will realistically spend on maintenance.

Electric cold brew machines often have removable brew baskets and carafes, some of which are dishwasher-safe. However, you also need to descale periodically if your water is hard, wipe down external surfaces and ensure any internal pipes do not harbour residue. The trade-off is that you gain automation and speed at brew time, but you must follow the manufacturer’s cleaning guidelines to keep the machine reliable.

As a rule of thumb, the more separate parts and hidden corners a brewer has, the more important it is to keep up with regular cleaning. A quick rinse straight after brewing is almost always easier than tackling dried-on grounds hours later.

Which type suits which kind of drinker?

Different people will naturally gravitate towards different types of cold brew makers. Mapping the main styles to typical user profiles can help you narrow down choices quickly.

Busy households and shared flats usually benefit most from a sturdy, fridge-friendly immersion pitcher or jug. Something like a 1.9–2 litre cold brew jug with integrated mesh filter and flip-cap spout is easy for everyone to understand and use. It can live in the fridge door, and you can simply top it up as needed. Models similar to the 64 oz cold brew pitcher or the lightweight Sivaphe cold brew maker fit neatly here.

Coffee enthusiasts who already grind their own beans and enjoy experimenting often gravitate towards slow-drip towers or higher-end immersion systems. They can explore different drip rates, filter combinations and single-origin coffees, using cold brew as another canvas for their hobby. The slower, more involved brew routine can be part of the pleasure.

Occasional cold coffee drinkers, or those short on space, may be best served by a compact electric machine that offers cold-style drinks alongside espresso and hot coffee. A slim all-in-one appliance akin to the Cuisinart slim coffee machine with cold brew mode minimises clutter while still letting you explore cold drinks when the mood strikes.

If you are unsure which camp you fall into, it can help to think about how often you currently drink cold coffee, whether you are happy planning a day ahead, and how much counter or fridge space you can comfortably spare.

Conclusion

Choosing a cold brew coffee maker is less about chasing the most advanced gadget and more about matching the method to your habits. Immersion pitchers and jugs remain the most approachable choice for most people, offering consistent, smooth cold brew with very little effort. Slow-drip towers provide a more refined, tea-like profile and a showpiece brewing experience for those who enjoy coffee as a hobby.

Electric cold brew machines bridge the gap for anyone who values speed and versatility, especially where one appliance must serve hot espresso, milk drinks and cold-style coffee. If you are starting from scratch and simply want a reliable way to keep cold brew in the fridge, a robust jug-style brewer similar to the 64 oz cold brew maker with stainless filter or the Sivaphe leak-proof cold brew jug is often the most straightforward route.

Once you know how much you enjoy cold brew and how it fits into your routine, you can always explore more specialised equipment. The key is to start with a brewer that you will actually use regularly, rather than one that looks impressive but ends up living at the back of a cupboard.