Mr. coffee coffee maker bed bath and beyond

Mr. Coffee iced coffee makers

Are you tired of spending a fortune at the coffee shop for iced coffee drinks? Setting up your summer caffeine ritual at home not only saves you money but lets you customize the brew to your individual tastes. Iced coffee is either brewed hot (in a few minutes) or cold (in several hours). Each method requires a different type of coffee maker.

Mr. Coffee’s single serve iced coffee maker is perfect for getting your iced coffee fix at home with the hot-brew method, but we’ve also included some of our other favorite coffee makers (and cold-brew pitchers for when you can plan further ahead).

Iced coffee vs. cold brew: what’s the difference?

First things first. The lines are blurry when it comes to cold-coffee terminology. If you order “iced coffee” in a diner, you might be served regular hot coffee poured over a tumbler of ice cubes. Order the same in a sit-down restaurant and you may get cold-brewed coffee served over coffee ice cubes. In a sleek coffee bar, you may be asked whether you want an iced americano (espresso, cold water and ice), cold-brew coffee or a nitro cold brew (with the addition of nitrogen gas that creates a creamy froth similar to a pint of Guinness).

Iced coffee: hot-brew method

Iced coffee usually refers to coffee that has been brewed traditionally (with hot water) then cooled before pouring over ice.

For iced coffee, you can use your favorite brewing method to make double-strength coffee (twice as many grounds as you would normally use for hot coffee) since ice will dilute the flavor and caffeine content. This is true even if you chill the coffee concentrate beforehand.

While this method is fast, heat can bring out the bitter notes in coffee, which you may not like.

Iced coffee: cold-brew method

Cold-brewed coffee (better known simply as “cold brew”) takes more patience than traditional iced coffee but results in a smoother coffee flavor with less bitterness and acid.

Cold brewing is simply the slow steeping of coarsely ground coffee in water. No heat is typically used in the process. The only downside is you need to plan ahead as the coffee grounds need eight to 12 hours in the refrigerator to brew.

On-demand vs. cold-brew iced coffee makers

Brew method

The main difference in iced coffee makers breaks down to timing and whether the coffee is brewed hot or cold. While there are many ways to brew hot coffee to make your own iced coffee, there are only a few machines with dedicated settings for on-demand (hot-brew) iced coffee.

Glass vs. plastic

This applies mostly to cold brew as the coffee needs to steep overnight in the refrigerator. The pitcher or tank holding the coffee is made from either plastic or glass. Glass is less permeable and is less likely to retain odors or become discolored. However, glass is fragile so if you’re concerned about breakage, high-grade plastic might be a better choice.

Tips for better iced coffee

• Match the brewing method to the grind: Use coarsely ground coffee for cold brew. While you can use pre-ground coffee sold in bags, this is not ideal. For the best flavor, grind medium-roast coffee beans to a coarse texture (similar to wet sand or kosher salt). If you have a blade grinder, stop and check frequently as it tends to chop the beans into uneven pieces and it’s easy to over-grind.
• Consider upgrading your coffee grinder: Using a burr grinder is one of the most repeated pieces of advice from coffee aficionados to improve your coffee. A conical burr grinder produces a much more uniform grind (and far superior flavor) than the whizzing blade in blade grinders. Burr grinders are more expensive than blade grinders but worth the investment if you want to make your own espresso, pour-over coffee or cold brew.
• Use clean, filtered water: Especially for cold brew, any off-flavors or odors in the water will be noticeable in the finished coffee. Start with fresh, clean water for the best-tasting iced coffee. A water filter pitcher is handy for this if your tap water isn’t the best.
• Make coffee ice cubes: If you like your iced coffee strong, use coffee ice cubes instead of plain ice. Pour leftover regular-strength coffee (that has come to room temperature) into a silicone ice cube mold.

Best iced coffee makers

Best on-demand iced coffee maker

Mr. Coffee Iced Coffee Maker and Filter: available at Amazon, Bed Bath & Beyond and Kohl’s

Our take: No need to plan ahead with this machine, which brews hot coffee at just the right concentration for iced coffee in under 4 minutes.

What we like: This model takes the guesswork out of brewing iced coffee by including a filter, measuring spoon for grounds and reusable tumbler to fill with ice. The coffee is concentrated so your brew isn’t too watery.

What we dislike: The reusable tumbler is not dishwasher-safe. If more than one person wants iced coffee, they need to wait for a second round.

Best splurge on-demand iced coffee maker

De’Longhi Dinamica Automatic Coffee & Espresso Machine: available at Amazon

Our take: This machine is the closest you’ll get to having a personal barista. With an integrated burr grinder and manual milk frother, this is the only fully automatic espresso machine with a dedicated iced coffee setting.

What we like: By pre-infusing and brewing at a lower temperature, the iced coffee feature creates a concentrated coffee flavor that can stand up to melting ice. Brew unit takes less than a minute to heat up.

What we dislike: The price point is out of reach for most.

Best bang for your buck iced coffee maker

Takeya Iced Coffee Maker: available at Amazon and Bed, Bath & Beyond

Our take: Minimalist design and narrow footprint mean this cold brew pitcher makes coffee and saves you valuable fridge shelf space.

What we like: Ultrafine mesh filter for coffee grounds reduces sediment for a clearer brew. The shatterproof pitcher is made from high-grade BPA-free plastic that can withstand boiling temperatures.

What we dislike: Some find the lack of fill lines frustrating. Doesn’t make iced coffee on demand.

Best iced coffee maker for big batches

KitchenAid Cold Brew Coffee Maker: available at Amazon, Home Depot and KitchenAid

Our take: Whether you’re hosting a summer brunch or want to brew a large batch for yourself for the week ahead, this square stainless steel and glass unit brews 28 ounces of coffee concentrate (enough for up to 14 drinks).

What we like: Smart features like a tap for serving straight out of the fridge and a handle for taking the coffee serving carafe with you.

What we dislike: While the portable design beckons you outside, the tank is made from glass. Would be nice if it came with a stand for easier use of the tap to dispense.

Most beautiful iced coffee maker

Brocca by Bassani Airtight Cold Brew Iced Coffee Maker and Tea Infuser with Spout: available at Amazon

Our take: This elegant tall glass pitcher brews wonderfully smooth coffee, but remove the stainless steel infuser and you can use it for muddling a signature cocktail at your next party.

What we like: Great for entertaining. Easy to clean, with no plastic parts.

What we dislike: While beautiful, the thin glass vessel is fragile and prone to breakage.

Most versatile iced coffee maker

County Line Kitchen Mason Jar Cold Brew Coffee Maker: available at Amazon

Our take: The homesteader in you will appreciate this practical done-for-you kit, which pulls together all the elements you need to cold brew coffee without the mess of loose filters.

What we like: This practical two-quart canning jar is durable, heat-resistant and dishwasher-safe, plus the filter is made from food-grade stainless-steel mesh.

What we dislike: If your coffee is very finely ground, you may end up with some sediment.

Rachel Bolleris a writer for BestReviews. BestReviews is a product review company with a singular mission: to help simplify your purchasing decisions and save you time and money.

BestReviews spends thousands of hours researching, analyzing and testing products to recommend the best picks for most consumers. BestReviews and its newspaper partners may earn a commission if you purchase a product through one of our links.

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Top 15 mr. coffee coffee maker bed bath and beyond