Cold brew is one of the few coffee habits where spending more buys you very little. The method is a jar, cold water, coarse grounds and a filter, left in the refrigerator overnight. Most of what separates an inexpensive cold brew maker from a costly one is convenience: how cleanly it drains, how much it holds and whether it fits the refrigerator door. The coffee itself depends far more on the beans, the grind and the steeping time.
That makes the entry tier of each maker’s range a sensible place to shop. This guide looks only at the smallest, simplest cold brew makers from identifiable brands, explains what you give up compared with the bigger models, and names seven that do the basic job well. We do not list prices, because they change; instead we show you how to judge value.
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Quick verdict: the cheap cold brew maker to buy
For most people the best cheap cold brew coffee maker is the Takeya Deluxe Cold Brew Coffee Maker, 1 Quart: a shatter-proof Tritan pitcher with an airtight lid and a fine-mesh filter that fits most refrigerator doors, made in the USA and backed by Takeya’s limited lifetime warranty. If you prefer glass and only drink one or two glasses a day, the Hario Mizudashi 600 ml is the slimmest pot here. If you already own a wide-mouth mason jar, the Altura TUBE+ filter is the cheapest way to start.
If you want a drain-through concentrate brewer or a batch big enough for a party, our main guide to the best cold brew coffee maker covers those. None of the seven below repeat its picks; two are smaller sizes of models it reviews, and we say why in each case.
Five budget cold brew makers side by side
The five we would point most people to first, one for each kind of household, with the capacity and filter each maker or listing states. All seven are reviewed in full below.
| Cold brew maker | Best for | Holds | Filter | Buy on Amazon |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Takeya Deluxe Cold Brew Coffee Maker, 1 QuartBest overall value
|
Daily iced coffee, fridge door | 1 qt Tritan pitcher | Fine mesh, reusable | View on Amazon |
Hario Mizudashi Cold Brew Coffee Pot, 600 mlBest small glass pot
|
One drinker, glass only | 600 ml glass pot | Reusable mesh insert | View on Amazon |
Hario Cold Brew Coffee Bottle, 650 mlBest bottle for the door
|
Narrow fridge doors | 650 ml glass bottle | Removable, built into neck | View on Amazon |
Primula Burke Deluxe Cold Brew Coffee Maker, 1.6 QuartMost coffee per batch
|
Two coffee drinkers | Up to 52 oz, glass | Removable mesh | View on Amazon |
Altura TUBE+ Cold Brew Filter for 64 oz Mason JarsBest if you own a jar
|
Lowest cost to start | Fits 64 oz wide-mouth jars | Stainless steel mesh tube | View on Amazon |
Product images from Amazon. Capacities are as stated by each maker or listing.
Our picks for the best cheap cold brew coffee maker
Every maker below is the smallest or simplest model in its brand’s cold brew range, from a brand you can identify, and was in stock on Amazon when we checked. They all make cold brew the same basic way. The differences are the material, the size of the batch, how the filter comes out and where the finished coffee lives in your refrigerator.
1. Takeya Deluxe Cold Brew Coffee Maker, 1 Quart – Airtight, Shatter-Proof and Door-Sized
Takeya’s model 10310 is the one-quart version of the two-quart Takeya Deluxe in our main cold brew guide. We include the smaller size on purpose: it is the entry point of Takeya’s range, and for one or two coffee drinkers a quart is plenty for several days of iced coffee.
The pitcher is Tritan, a BPA-free plastic that Takeya describes as shatter-proof and resistant to stains and odors, which matters in a pitcher that holds coffee for days at a time. The patented airtight lid is also leak-proof, according to the listing, so it can lie in the refrigerator door without dripping. A fine-mesh filter holds the grounds and lifts out when the coffee is ready.
The whole thing is dishwasher safe, the title says it is made in the USA, and Takeya lists a limited lifetime warranty, which is rare at this end of the market and the main reason it leads this list. What you give up against the bigger picks is volume and convenience: a quart is half the parent pick’s batch, and there is no drain-through valve like OXO’s.
Why we like it
- Airtight, leak-proof lid (Takeya)
- Shatter-proof Tritan, BPA-free
- Fits most refrigerator doors (listing)
- Dishwasher safe
- Limited lifetime warranty
Key specifications
| Model | 10310 |
|---|---|
| Capacity | 1 qt |
| Material | BPA-free Tritan |
| Filter | Fine mesh, removable |
| Dishwasher-safe | Yes |
| Fits in fridge door | Most doors (listing) |
| Warranty | Limited lifetime |
Why we recommend it
It suits anyone who wants a first cold brew maker that will not break if it slips, seals properly and is covered for the long term.
Skip it if you would rather keep coffee in glass. The Hario and Primula picks below are glass.
Pros and cons
Pros
- Will not shatter
- Seals for the door shelf
- Long warranty
- Made in the USA (title)
Cons
- Plastic rather than glass
- Only one quart per batch
- No drain valve
2. Hario Mizudashi Cold Brew Coffee Pot, 600 ml – A Slim Glass Pot for One
The Mizudashi is Hario’s classic cold brew pot, and the 600 ml size (model MCPN-7-B) is the smallest of the range. Our main guide reviews the 1000 ml version; we include the 600 ml here because it is the entry point of the same well-regarded design, sized for one person.
It is a glass pot with a mesh insert that holds the grounds. You fill the insert, pour water through, put the lid on and leave it in the refrigerator. Hario’s listing for this pot says it is dishwasher safe and lead and cadmium free. Hario’s listing for the brown version of the same 600 ml pot adds that it brews about 2.5 cups, that the filter is washed and reused rather than replaced, and that the glass is heatproof.
The trade-off is size. At 600 ml it makes a few glasses at a time, so a household of coffee drinkers will be brewing every other day. The pot is narrow enough to tuck along the side of a shelf, though Hario does not say it fits in a door.
Why we like it
- Glass body, lead and cadmium free (Hario)
- Reusable mesh insert, no paper filters
- Dishwasher safe
- Slender pouring spout (Hario)
Key specifications
| Model | MCPN-7-B |
|---|---|
| Capacity | 600 ml (about 2.5 cups, per Hario) |
| Material | Heatproof glass |
| Filter | Reusable mesh insert |
| Dishwasher-safe | Yes |
| Fits in fridge door | Not stated |
| Warranty | Not stated |
Why we recommend it
It suits a single coffee drinker who wants glass and a design with a long track record, in the smallest footprint.
Skip it if more than one person drinks iced coffee in your house. You will be brewing constantly.
Pros and cons
Pros
- All-glass pot
- No filters to buy
- Small footprint
- Established maker
Cons
- Small batch
- Glass can break
- Warranty not stated
3. Hario Cold Brew Coffee Bottle, 650 ml – Brews and Pours From the Door Shelf
Hario’s Filter-in Coffee Bottle (model FIC-70-B) is a different idea from the Mizudashi pot. It is a tall glass bottle with the filter built into the neck: the grounds sit in the filter, the bottle is filled with water, and you pour the finished coffee straight through the filter with the grounds held back.
Hario says the bottle is compact enough to store in a refrigerator door or a cabinet, which is its main advantage over a pitcher. The tall cylinder is easy to hold and pour, and the filter comes out for cleaning. Hario’s listing for the brown version of the bottle describes the method: put the grounds in the strainer, set the lid and gently shake the bottle to start the extraction.
The bottle is heatproof glass. The listing for this black version does not state whether it is dishwasher safe, and a narrow bottle is harder to scrub by hand than an open pot, so plan on a bottle brush.
Why we like it
- Fits a refrigerator door (Hario)
- Filter built into the neck
- Heatproof glass
- Removable filter for cleaning
Key specifications
| Model | FIC-70-B |
|---|---|
| Capacity | 650 ml |
| Material | Heatproof glass |
| Filter | Removable, built into the neck |
| Dishwasher-safe | Not stated |
| Fits in fridge door | Yes (Hario) |
| Warranty | Not stated |
Why we recommend it
It suits a small refrigerator where shelf space is taken and the door is the only place left, and a cook who likes the look of a wine-style bottle on the table.
Skip it if you want a bigger batch. Like the Mizudashi, it makes only a few glasses at a time.
Pros and cons
Pros
- Door-friendly shape
- Pours through its own filter
- Glass body
- Simple to use
Cons
- Small batch
- Narrow neck to clean
- Dishwasher use not stated
4. Primula Burke Deluxe Cold Brew Coffee Maker, 1.6 Quart – Six Cups in a Glass Carafe
Primula has sold inexpensive cold brew makers for years, and the Burke Deluxe is its best-known model. It is a 1.6-quart glass carafe with a comfort-grip handle, and Primula says it makes up to six cups, or 52 ounces, of cold brew per batch, the most of the glass picks here.
Grounds go in the removable mesh filter, cold water goes over them, and the carafe sits in the refrigerator overnight or until the coffee reaches the strength you like. Primula says it fits most refrigerator doors or shelves and is dishwasher safe.
The handle is the practical difference from the Primula Pace further down this list: a full glass carafe is heavy, and a proper handle makes pouring easier.
Why we like it
- Up to 52 oz per batch (Primula)
- Glass carafe with a grip handle
- Removable mesh filter
- Dishwasher safe
- Fits most fridge doors or shelves (Primula)
Key specifications
| Model | Burke Deluxe (model number not stated) |
|---|---|
| Capacity | 1.6 qt; up to 52 oz of cold brew |
| Material | Glass carafe |
| Filter | Removable mesh |
| Dishwasher-safe | Yes |
| Fits in fridge door | Most doors or shelves (Primula) |
| Warranty | Not stated |
Why we recommend it
It suits two iced-coffee drinkers who want a glass carafe that makes enough for several days without going up to a half-gallon jar.
Skip it if your door shelves are shallow. A 1.6-quart carafe is much bulkier than the Hario bottle.
Pros and cons
Pros
- Largest glass batch here
- Easy-pour handle
- Dishwasher safe
- Long-running maker
Cons
- Heavy when full
- Model number and warranty not stated
- Glass can break
5. Altura TUBE+ Cold Brew Filter for 64 oz Mason Jars – Turns a Jar You Own Into a Brewer
If there is already a wide-mouth half-gallon mason jar in your cupboard, you do not need a whole cold brew maker, only a filter. Altura’s TUBE+ is a stainless steel mesh tube sized for 64-ounce (two-quart) wide-mouth mason jars, and the listing says it also works in gallon-size jars for larger batches.
Altura’s method is simple: add ground coffee to the filter, pour cold water slowly over it, steep 12 to 24 hours, then lift the filter out and discard the grounds. The listing describes a fine weave that lets little sediment through, and the filter is steel throughout, with no plastic touching the coffee.
This is the cheapest way into cold brew on this page, but check what is in the box: the listing describes a filter for your own jar, and a lid with a pour spout is a separate purchase if you want one. Altura is a smaller brand sold mainly on Amazon, so there is less maker information than for Takeya or Hario.
Why we like it
- Fits 64 oz wide-mouth jars, and gallon jars (listing)
- Stainless steel mesh, no plastic contact
- Reusable, no paper filters
- Also steeps tea or infused water
Key specifications
| Model | TUBE+ (64 oz) |
|---|---|
| Capacity | Your 64 oz wide-mouth jar |
| Material | Stainless steel mesh |
| Filter | Mesh tube, reusable |
| Dishwasher-safe | Not stated |
| Fits in fridge door | Depends on your jar |
| Warranty | Not stated |
Why we recommend it
It suits a home cook with mason jars on hand who wants the least possible outlay, or a second filter for a second batch.
Skip it if you do not own a wide-mouth jar. By the time you buy a jar and a spout lid, a complete pitcher may make more sense.
Pros and cons
Pros
- Lowest cost to start
- All-steel filter
- Works in half-gallon or gallon jars
Cons
- Needs your own jar
- Smaller, Amazon-first brand
- Care and warranty not stated
6. Primula Pace Cold Brew Coffee Maker, 1.6 Quart – Sealed Glass Pitcher on a Non-Slip Base
The Pace (model PCBBK-5351) is Primula’s other entry model, and it takes a slightly different approach from the Burke. The 1.6-quart pitcher is borosilicate glass, the lid is designed to seal and to pour without dripping, and a non-slip silicone base protects the glass from knocks on the counter or shelf.
Primula’s process is four steps: add grounds to the filter, pour cold water over them, refrigerate overnight or longer for stronger coffee, then serve. The fine mesh filter has a removable bottom, so the spent grounds drop straight into the compost or trash rather than needing to be scraped out.
Primula says it fits most refrigerator doors and is dishwasher safe. Choose it over the Burke if a sealed lid and a protected base matter more to you than a handle.
Why we like it
- Borosilicate glass pitcher
- Sealing, drip-free lid (Primula)
- Filter with a removable bottom
- Non-slip silicone base
Key specifications
| Model | PCBBK-5351 |
|---|---|
| Capacity | 1.6 qt (6 cups) |
| Material | Borosilicate glass, silicone base |
| Filter | Fine mesh, removable bottom |
| Dishwasher-safe | Yes |
| Fits in fridge door | Most doors (Primula) |
| Warranty | Not stated |
Why we recommend it
It suits a cook who wants a sealed glass pitcher at Primula’s entry level and finds emptying a mesh basket messy.
Skip it if you want a handle. The Pace is a handleless pitcher, and the Burke is easier to pour when full.
Pros and cons
Pros
- Sealed lid
- Easy to empty grounds
- Protected glass base
- Dishwasher safe
Cons
- No handle
- Warranty not stated
- Glass can break
7. Coffee Gator Cold Brew Coffee Maker, 47 oz – A Bigger Glass Batch With a Flush-Out Filter
Coffee Gator’s cold brew maker is a 47-ounce borosilicate glass carafe with a leak-proof lid and an ultra-fine mesh filter. It sits between the small Hario pieces and the half-gallon jars in the main guide, which makes it a reasonable size for a couple.
The detail that makes cleaning easier is the filter cap: the base of the filter unscrews, so you can flush the spent grounds out instead of scooping them. The listing describes the glass as BPA-free and temperature resistant.
Coffee Gator is a smaller brand that sells mainly on Amazon. The listing does not state whether the carafe goes in the dishwasher, whether it fits a refrigerator door, or the warranty, and we have not used its claim about how long the coffee keeps.
Why we like it
- 47 oz borosilicate glass carafe
- Leak-proof lid (listing)
- Filter cap unscrews to flush grounds
- Reusable mesh, no paper filters
Key specifications
| Model | Cold Brew Coffee Maker (number not stated) |
|---|---|
| Capacity | 47 fl oz |
| Material | Borosilicate glass |
| Filter | Ultra-fine mesh, unscrewing cap |
| Dishwasher-safe | Not stated |
| Fits in fridge door | Not stated |
| Warranty | Not stated |
Why we recommend it
It suits a household that wants more than a quart in glass and hates scraping wet grounds out of a filter.
Skip it if you want clear care and warranty terms. The listing leaves both out.
Pros and cons
Pros
- Bigger batch than a quart
- Easy-flush filter
- Glass body
Cons
- Amazon-first brand
- Dishwasher use not stated
- Warranty not stated
How to judge value in a budget cold brew maker
All of these makers steep coffee in cold water and hold back the grounds with a filter. Since the brewing itself is the same, value comes down to a handful of practical points.
1. What you give up compared with the bigger models
The pricier makers in our main cold brew guide add convenience rather than a different method: OXO’s brewer drains concentrate through a valve at the flip of a switch, the half-gallon jars make a week’s worth at once, and the Toddy system brews by the gallon. An entry-level pitcher asks you to lift out a wet filter and brew more often. If that does not bother you, you lose little.
2. Glass or plastic
Glass does not hold odors and lets you see the coffee, but it can break and is heavier when full. Tritan, as in the Takeya, will not shatter. Both are fine for coffee; choose by how clumsy your kitchen is.
3. Batch size against how much you drink
A 600 or 650 ml Hario makes a few glasses. A quart covers one drinker for several days. The 47-ounce and 1.6-quart pitchers suit two. Buying more capacity than you drink just means coffee sitting longer in the refrigerator.
4. Filter, cleaning and spare parts
Every pick here uses a reusable mesh filter, so there are no paper filters to keep buying. Look at how the grounds come out: Primula’s Pace has a removable bottom and Coffee Gator’s filter cap unscrews. Brands with a long history, such as Takeya, Hario and Primula, are more likely to sell a replacement filter or lid than a little-known seller.
5. Warranty and where it lives
Takeya states a limited lifetime warranty; most of the others do not state one at all. Measure your refrigerator door before you buy: the Takeya, the Hario bottle and both Primula pitchers are described by their makers as fitting most doors.
How we picked these seven budget cold brew makers
We looked for the entry model, or the smallest size, in each identifiable maker’s cold brew range, in stock on Amazon when we checked, and left out the exact listings already reviewed in our main cold brew guide. Two picks, the Takeya one-quart and the Hario 600 ml, are smaller sizes of models that guide covers, chosen because they are the entry points of those ranges. We limited Amazon-first brands to two (Altura and Coffee Gator) and skipped little-known sellers. Specifications come from the makers’ Amazon listings, and we mark makers’ own claims as theirs and leave out claims about how long coffee keeps. We have not brewed with these makers, and we do not state prices. We checked the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission’s recall listings for these brands and found no recall of any cold brew maker on this page.
A note on safety, since cold brew is never heated: researchers at the University of Georgia’s Center for Food Safety advise washing your hands and every piece of equipment before brewing and keeping the coffee refrigerated, as they explain here. A cheap maker is no less safe than an expensive one if you keep it clean.
Budget cold brew questions, answered
What is the best affordable cold brew coffee maker for one person?
The Takeya Deluxe one-quart if you want plastic that will not break and a long warranty, or the Hario Mizudashi 600 ml if you want glass. Both are the smallest models in their makers’ ranges.
Is a budget cold brew coffee maker worth it over a plain jar?
A plain jar works, but you have to strain the coffee through a sieve or cloth afterward. A filter like Altura’s TUBE+ or a pitcher with a built-in filter saves that step, and that is most of what you are paying for.
What grind should I use in a cheap cold brew maker?
A coarse grind. America’s Test Kitchen describes it as roughly the size of kosher salt crystals in its cold brew maker review. Fine grounds slip through mesh filters and make the coffee muddy.
How long should cold brew steep?
Most makers here say overnight in the refrigerator; Altura suggests 12 to 24 hours. Longer steeping makes stronger coffee, so start with overnight and adjust.
Does a best value cold brew coffee maker make concentrate?
It can, if you use more coffee for the same water and dilute it to serve. None of these makers is designed specifically for concentrate the way OXO’s drain-through brewer is, so most people use them for coffee that is ready to pour over ice.
Our final pick for iced coffee on a budget
Choose the Takeya Deluxe one-quart for the best balance of a sealed lid, a shatter-proof pitcher and a long warranty. Go for the Hario Mizudashi 600 ml or the Hario bottle for glass in a small fridge, the Primula Burke or Pace for a bigger glass batch, the Coffee Gator for a 47-ounce carafe with an easy-flush filter, and the Altura TUBE+ if you already have a mason jar.
If you would rather have one machine that brews hot coffee and iced coffee in minutes, see our guide to the best iced and hot coffee maker. And if someone else should make the drinks tonight, see our drinks and the menu, or call to order.