Summer’s coming in, well, hot, and you know what that means: Iced coffee season is officially upon us (though, let’s be real—some of us never took a break from it). There’s truly no better way to kick off a sweltering day than by basking in the AC with a tall, frosty glass of iced coffee, no matter how you take it.
But, if you prefer to brew at home, choosing the right method or iced coffee maker can feel like a challenge. So, I tapped the pros for their expert advice on crafting the perfect cold cup and rounded up the seven best iced coffee makers to make your decision easy and your summer extra refreshing. Here are their favorites, along with the top-rated iced coffee makers for every type of coffee lover out there.
The best iced coffee makers
Christopher Kimball, author and founder of Christopher Kimball’s Milk Street, says drip coffee makers are “the bottom of the barrel when it comes to making coffee at home,” but even he agrees that the Dutch-made Technivorm Moccamaster is one of two electric drip machines worth having (the other is a Ratio Six machine). “These models are simple—no timer, no grinding of beans—just the basics,” he says “If you are making coffee for a crowd (an influx of possibly unwanted weekend guests) you need volume and convenience.”
This 10-cup coffee maker features a brew-volume selector switch and a hot plate with settings to hold your coffee between 175°F and 185°F. It also shuts off automatically after 100 minutes and comes with a 5-year warranty in case anything should go awry.
If you love cold brew, this Bodum brewer is a great budget option. “Cold brew, as the name suggests, involves cold water, in which coffee grounds are steeped. It requires a minimum of 12 hours (and typically up to 24),” says Bernadette Gerrity, vice president of Café Aroma.
This 51-ounce brewer features a fine mesh filter, takes up minimal counter space, is dishwasher-safe, and gets rave reviews online.
One of Gerrity’s go-tos, she notes that this one in particular is a good option if you’re looking for a single-serve coffee maker that can brew both hot and iced coffee (as this one does both!). “It’s good because the machines that flash chill do the best job at preventing watered-down flavor since no additional water is added,” she explains.
The Keurig K-Iced Coffee Maker also features three cup sizes, a 42-oz reservoir for fewer refills, and even a “strong brew” option for a bolder glass. As a bonus, the adjustable drip tray makes room for tall tumblers and travel mugs so you can brew directly into your favorite big glass without the struggle (we’ve all been there).
According to Gerrity, the simplest, easiest to use machines are the ones that flash chill; they do the best job at preventing watered-down flavor since no additional water is added to your glass. “The HyperChiller is a universally wonderful option due to its versatility,” she says. “You can use it with almost any brewing method, and you don’t have to worry about watering it down with any ice. This little gadget can chill super hot coffee in less than a minute so it’s ready to take on-the-go.
This sleek cold brew coffee pot is made in Japan and features a reusable fine mesh filter. It brews up to 5 cups of coffee at a time and can fit inside a refrigerator door, so it’s ideal for tighter kitchens. And the instructions couldn’t be simpler: Add ground coffee to the fine mesh basket, then add water and leave in the refrigerator to “brew.” This pot also has a removable filter, making cleaning super easy.
Hario offers a sort of “choose your own adventure” when it comes to grind size too: choose a coarser grind for a lighter, more delicate coffee, or a fine grind for a cold brew with more body and strength.
“For the iced coffee connoisseur willing to make the investment, the Cumulus is a wonderful option,” says Gerrity. This machine flash-chills coffee to eliminate the risk of watering down the flavor and serves three different types of drinks at the press of a button: nitro cold brew, cold brew, and cold espresso.
It uses a different type of technology that pulls nitrogen from the air, “fueling the effervescent nitro cold brew,” according to Cumulus, and every single coffee comes out well chilled and ready to drink, no need for ice whatsoever.
Gerrity says she has several coffee machines at home, but is partial to making iced coffee with this popular pick “I’m a creature of habit and most often go for the Moka pot!” she says. “When I do have the time, I pour the coffee made in my Moka pot directly over ice. I reserve this for slower mornings when I use Cafe Aroma Especial, our premium, whole bean espresso,” she says. This one is a classic, made in Italy, comes in several sizes and colors, simple to use, and looks aesthetically pleasing on your stovetop.
Tips for making iced coffee at home, according to the experts
- 1.Opt for cold brewed or flash-chilled coffee to avoid a watered-down taste, says Gerrity. "Brew strength control is incredibly important,” she says. “Whenever you make iced coffee, you need to account for the dilution once the hot coffee hits the ice (especially if you’re not using a machine that has the capability to flash chill).” She adds that when using your new machine, be sure to read the instructions and also don’t be afraid to experiment until you get your ideal cup.
- 2.Pay attention to your grind. Kimball says to use a burr grinder *exclusively* and that at the end of the day, in addition to the quality of the grind, “the coarseness/evenness of the grind, and the ratio of coffee to water” is important (he uses around 72 grams per 10 cups of water).
- 3.Choose a paper filter when possible for a bright, strong flavor. Gerrity says cloth filters work well too, as long as you clean them often so as to not affect the flavor of your brew.
- 4.Pick high-quality beans with a strong aroma, advises Kimball. He prefers light or medium grinds and says to “Sniff the ground coffee before you use it—if it is not intensely aromatic…just make a cup of Darjeeling and forget about it.”
Sign up for the Well+Good SHOP Newsletter
Get exclusive deals on wellness, beauty, fitness, and food products that have been hand-picked by our editors.
Got it, you've been added to our email list.
