The best iced coffee maker for most people is the Ninja Hot and Cold Brewed System: it brews hot coffee, iced coffee over ice and a quick cold-brew style in one machine. If you want smooth, low-bitterness cold brew concentrate, the OXO Brew Cold Brew Coffee Maker is our pick. For single cups of iced coffee from pods, the Keurig K-Elite has a dedicated Over Ice button.
There are two main ways to make iced coffee at home: brewing hot coffee strong and cooling it over ice, which is fast and bright, and cold brewing, which steeps grounds in cold water for 12–24 hours and tastes smoother. The right iced coffee maker depends on which you prefer.
Quick picks
- Best overall: Ninja Hot and Cold Brewed System
- Best cold brew maker: OXO Brew 32 oz Cold Brew Coffee Maker
- Best for big batches: Toddy Cold Brew System
- Best single-serve: Keurig K-Elite
- Best pour over for iced coffee: Hario V60 Fretta
- Best budget machine: Mr. Coffee Hot and Iced Coffee Maker
- Most versatile manual brewer: Bodum Chambord French Press
Picks draw on independent roundups from Homegrounds and Food Network. Prices change often; check current listings.
The best iced coffee makers
1. Ninja Hot and Cold Brewed System: best overall
Ninja’s system brews hot coffee in several sizes and strengths, has an Over Ice setting that brews concentrated coffee to pour over ice without watering it down, and offers a cold-brew style option. It includes a glass carafe of about 50 oz, a built-in milk frother, and separate baskets for coffee and tea.
Who it’s for: households that want hot and iced coffee from one machine.
Pros
- Hot, iced and cold-brew style in one
- Built-in frother
- Brews tea too
Cons
- Large footprint
- Plastic parts in the water path
- “Cold brew” is faster but not identical to true long-steep cold brew
2. OXO Brew 32 oz Cold Brew Coffee Maker: best cold brew maker
The OXO uses a perforated “Rainmaker” lid to spread water evenly over the grounds and a simple switch to drain the concentrate into a glass carafe. Using about 10 oz of coarse coffee makes roughly 24–28 oz of concentrate. It typically costs around $50–$60.
Who it’s for: people who drink cold brew regularly and want an easy, mess-free process.
Pros
- Smooth, consistent concentrate
- Easy brew release
- Carafe stores in the fridge
Cons
- Takes 12–24 hours
- Takes up counter space while brewing
3. Toddy Cold Brew System: best for big batches
The Toddy is a long-running favorite for large cold brew batches, making around 36–38 oz of concentrate with felt or paper filters. It is simple and affordable, often around $40–$50.
Who it’s for: big households and anyone who wants a week’s worth of concentrate at once.
Pros
- Large capacity
- Very smooth concentrate
- Inexpensive
Cons
- Draining is a little fiddly
- Felt filters need care
4. Keurig K-Elite: best single-serve
The K-Elite has an Over Ice button that brews a smaller, stronger cup designed to pour straight over ice. It also has adjustable temperature, a strong brew setting and a water filter. It brews up to 12 oz at a time from pods or a reusable filter.
Who it’s for: pod users who want iced coffee in under a minute.
Pros
- Very fast
- Dedicated iced setting
Cons
- Pods cost more per cup
- Flavor limited by pod quality
Keep it running well with our guide on how to descale a Keurig.
5. Hario V60 Fretta: best pour over for iced coffee
The Fretta pairs a V60 dripper with a server and an ice insert, so hot pour over coffee drips straight onto ice and chills instantly. This “Japanese-style” iced coffee keeps the bright, aromatic flavors of light roasts. It holds about 24 oz and also makes hot pour over.
Who it’s for: pour over fans who want bright, flavorful iced coffee.
Pros
- Bright, clean flavor
- Affordable
- Also makes hot coffee
Cons
- Manual pouring
- Some parts hand-wash only
See our guide to the best pour over coffee makers for more drippers.
6. Mr. Coffee Hot and Iced Coffee Maker: best budget machine
This compact drip machine brews a concentrated cup directly into an included tumbler filled with ice, with fill lines to measure ice and water. It is simple and inexpensive.
Who it’s for: anyone who wants quick iced coffee on a small budget.
Pros
- Cheap and simple
- Tumbler included
Cons
- Single servings only
- Basic build
7. Bodum Chambord French Press: most versatile manual brewer
A French press makes hot coffee, iced coffee and cold brew. For cold brew, steep coarse coffee in cold water in the fridge overnight, then plunge. The 34 oz size makes enough concentrate for several drinks.
Who it’s for: people who want one cheap brewer for everything.
Pros
- Affordable and versatile
- No electricity
Cons
- Some sediment
- Glass can break
See our full guide to the best French press coffee makers.
Comparison table
| Maker | Type | Capacity | Time | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ninja Hot and Cold Brewed System | Hot, over ice, cold-brew style | About 50 oz carafe | Minutes | All-in-one households |
| OXO Brew Cold Brew | Cold brew | 24–28 oz concentrate | 12–24 hours | Easy cold brew |
| Toddy | Cold brew | 36–38 oz concentrate | 12–24 hours | Big batches |
| Keurig K-Elite | Pod, over ice | Up to 12 oz | About 1 minute | Speed |
| Hario V60 Fretta | Pour over onto ice | About 24 oz | A few minutes | Bright flavor |
| Mr. Coffee Hot and Iced | Drip over ice | About 22 oz tumbler | Minutes | Budget |
| Bodum Chambord | Immersion, hot or cold | 34 oz | 4 min or overnight | Versatility |
How to choose an iced coffee maker
Iced coffee vs cold brew
- Brewed hot over ice: ready in minutes, brighter and more aromatic. Brew about twice as strong so ice does not water it down.
- Cold brew: takes 12–24 hours, tastes smoother and sweeter, with less perceived bitterness. Concentrate keeps in the fridge for up to about a week, so you can brew once and pour all week.
Capacity
Single-serve machines suit one person who wants a fresh cup each time. Cold brew makers with 30 oz or more of concentrate can cover a week of drinks for two.
Counter and fridge space
Cold brew makers sit for hours; check that the carafe fits in your fridge door or shelf.
Budget and running costs
Manual cold brew makers and pour over brewers cost little and use regular ground coffee. Pod machines cost more per cup over time. Multi-function machines cost more upfront but replace several gadgets.
Materials
Glass carafes and stainless filters avoid plastic contact. See our guide to stainless steel coffee makers.
Cleaning iced coffee and cold brew makers
Coffee oils and leftover grounds can turn stale quickly, especially in cold brew makers that sit for hours. Rinse filters and carafes right after use, wash them with warm soapy water, and let them dry fully. Felt filters, like Toddy’s, should be rinsed well, never washed with soap, and stored damp in the fridge in a sealed bag. Descale machines like the Ninja and Keurig on the schedule in their manuals, since they heat water every day.
Common mistakes
- Pouring regular-strength hot coffee over ice. It ends up weak and watery.
- Grinding too fine for cold brew. Fine grounds make muddy, bitter cold brew that is hard to filter.
- Steeping too long. Past about 24 hours, cold brew can taste woody or flat.
- Leaving concentrate on the grounds. Drain or filter it as soon as steeping is done.
- Using stale beans. Cold brew hides some flaws, but fresh beans still taste noticeably sweeter and richer.
How to make better iced coffee at home
- For hot-over-ice: use about 1:10 coffee to hot water, then pour over an equal weight of ice. For example, 25 g coffee, 250 g water, 150–200 g ice.
- For cold brew concentrate: use a coarse grind at about 1:4 to 1:8, steep 12–18 hours in the fridge, then dilute about 1:1 with water or milk.
- Use coffee ice cubes so drinks do not get watery.
- Pick the right beans. Medium to dark roasts make chocolatey cold brew; light roasts shine in flash-chilled pour over. See our best coffee beans guide.
Want espresso-based iced drinks? Try our brown sugar shaken espresso.
FAQ
What is the best iced coffee maker?
For most people, the Ninja Hot and Cold Brewed System. For dedicated cold brew, the OXO Brew Cold Brew Coffee Maker.
Is cold brew the same as iced coffee?
No. Iced coffee is brewed hot and chilled; cold brew is steeped in cold water for many hours, giving a smoother, less acidic-tasting drink.
Can I make iced coffee with a regular coffee maker?
Yes. Brew about twice as strong as usual, or with half the water, directly over ice.
How long does cold brew concentrate last?
Usually up to about a week in a sealed container in the fridge. Taste it before using older batches.
Why does my iced coffee taste watery?
The coffee was not brewed strong enough for the ice. Use a stronger ratio, less ice, or coffee ice cubes.