If you like saving hot coffee for colder days, the best iced coffee makers can help you get your daily jolt without the heat. Below, I’ve rounded up the best coffee makers for brewing this refreshing, chilled drink. Whatever your preference, there’s surely a pick for you.
Iced Coffee Vs. Cold Brew
First things first, it's helpful to understand the difference between iced coffee and cold brew. While they're both cold coffee drinks, the way they get there is quite different.
- Iced coffee: This is pretty much exactly what it sounds like: regular coffee that’s brewed hot, then poured over ice. Typically iced coffee is brewed extra strong since the ice cubes will slowly melt and dilute the coffee. That said, there's a convenient hack to avoid this. If you make ice cubes out of regular coffee, then you can brew as usual without fear of dilution. (That’s why I’ve also included a great ice cube tray that’s perfect for this task below). Iced coffee is relatively quick and simple to make, and offers the same caffeine boost that hot coffee would. Some coffee makers come with iced coffee brew settings, but you can also make iced coffee with a regular coffee maker.
- Cold brew coffee: This type of coffee takes time, a specific brew method, and a cold brew coffee maker. To make this tasty treat, you’ll need to soak course, ground coffee beans in cold or room temperature water for at least 12 hours. While cold brew coffee is smoother and less acidic than iced coffee, it’s also much more highly caffeinated, so keep that in mind if you’re particularly sensitive to caffeine.
With that in mind, it's time to take a look at the best iced coffee makers (and cold brew makers) on Amazon. All of them are highly rated, and there’s a pick for every budget. You can choose from single-serve models, or coffee makers that can hold 28, 32, and even 50 ounces of coffee at once.
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