Cold brew is lower-acid, sweeter and keeps for up to two weeks in the fridge. We’ve tested immersion brewers from Hario, OXO, Toddy and Asobu, plus a few rapid cold-brew systems that cut the 12-hour wait down to minutes.
At a glance — our top three picks
Top Pick
Hario Mizudashi 1L
The gold-standard cold brew carafe. Fine-mesh filter basket, fridge-door fit and 1L capacity.
Runner-up
OXO Brew Compact Cold Brew
A drip-style cold brew maker that produces concentrate. More involved, but tastier output.
Budget
Bodum Bean Cold Brew Maker
French-press-style cold brewer at the £20 mark. Works fine, just less refined.
Our top picks compared
| Product | Best for | Rating | Price | Jump to review |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hario Mizudashi 1L | Overall best buy | ★★★★★ | £££ | Read review ↓ |
| OXO Brew Compact Cold Brew | Enthusiast upgrade | ★★★★½ | ££££ | Read review ↓ |
| Bodum Bean Cold Brew Maker | Best under budget | ★★★★ | £ | Read review ↓ |
Top Pick: Hario Mizudashi 1L
The gold-standard cold brew carafe. Fine-mesh filter basket, fridge-door fit and 1L capacity.
Pros
- ✅ Dishwasher-safe
- ✅ Fits most UK fridge doors
- ✅ Reusable fine-mesh filter
Cons
- ❌ Glass is fragile
- ❌ Needs 8+ hours brew time
Runner-up: OXO Brew Compact Cold Brew
A drip-style cold brew maker that produces concentrate. More involved, but tastier output.
Pros
- ✅ Makes concentrate you can dilute
- ✅ Controlled drip rate
- ✅ BPA-free plastic
Cons
- ❌ Bigger counter footprint
- ❌ More cleanup than a carafe
Budget: Bodum Bean Cold Brew Maker
French-press-style cold brewer at the £20 mark. Works fine, just less refined.
Pros
- ✅ Under £25
- ✅ Dishwasher safe
- ✅ Plunger doubles as filter
Cons
- ❌ Fines can escape the mesh
- ❌ Plastic body
Buying guide
Immersion vs slow-drip
Immersion brewers (Toddy, Hario Mizudashi) steep grounds for 12–18 hours. Slow-drip towers drip water over grounds for 6–8 hours — cleaner, more expensive.
Batch size
A 1L brewer yields about 800ml of concentrate, enough for 4–6 servings once diluted. Scale up if you drink cold brew daily.
Grind and ratio
Coarse grind, 1:8 water-to-coffee ratio for concentrate or 1:15 for ready-to-drink. Steep at room temperature for 12 hours, then fridge.
Cleaning
Residue clings fast. Pick a brewer with a wide-mouth jar and dishwasher-safe components if you’re brewing multiple times a week.
Frequently asked questions
Is cold brew less caffeinated than hot coffee?
How long does it keep?
Can I hot-brew and chill instead?
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