Cold brew tea is the easiest iced tea there is. Put leaves in cold water, put the bottle in the fridge, and come back in a few hours. There is no kettle, no waiting for hot tea to cool, and no ice melting into the pitcher. Cold-steeped black and green teas are often described as smoother and less bitter, which makes a pitcher that goes well with spicy food.
You do not need a machine for it, just a vessel with a filter that keeps the leaves in while you pour. This guide compares seven cold brew tea makers, from a slim glass bottle for the fridge door to a half-gallon pitcher and a single mason jar. We used each maker’s specifications and the Amazon listings, and we point out where a listing leaves something out.
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Quick verdict: which cold brew tea maker to buy
The best cold brew tea maker for most kitchens is the Hario Filter-in Bottle: a 750 ml glass bottle made in Japan with a filter built into the neck, so you pour tea straight from the bottle with the leaves left inside. For a larger glass pitcher with no plastic at all, choose the Teabloom Legacy. For a half-gallon batch that fits the fridge door, the Tiesta Tea Iced Tea Pitcher is the simple choice.
If you would rather brew hot over ice, or want an electric machine, our guide to the best iced tea maker covers those; none of its picks are repeated here except one size variant, explained below.
Five cold brew tea makers at a glance
Our five standout picks, one for each kind of tea drinker, with the capacity, body material and filter each maker states. All seven are reviewed in full below.
| Cold brew tea maker | Capacity | Body | Filter | Dishwasher-safe | Buy on Amazon |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Hario Filter-in Bottle, 750 mlBest overall
|
750 ml | Heatproof glass | Built into spout | Yes, per Hario | View on Amazon |
Teabloom Legacy Glass Tea Maker, 51 ozBest plastic-free
|
51 oz (1.5 L) | Borosilicate glass | Steel basket and filter lid | Yes | View on Amazon |
Tiesta Tea Iced Tea Pitcher, 1/2 GallonBiggest batch
|
64 oz (1/2 gallon) | Tritan plastic | Nylon mesh basket | Yes | View on Amazon |
Hario Ka-Ku Cold Brew Tea Bottle, 1200 mlUnbreakable bottle
|
1,200 ml | PCT plastic | Built-in mesh | Yes, per Hario | View on Amazon |
Jarware Mason Jar and Tea Infuser Lid, 16 ozBest for one
|
16 oz | Glass mason jar | Steel mesh in the lid | Yes | View on Amazon |
Product images from Amazon. Specifications are as stated by each maker or listing; check the listing before you buy.
Our picks for the best cold brew tea maker
The first five cover most households, from a single jar to a half-gallon pitcher; the last two cover hot-or-cold flexibility and a glass carafe that also makes cold brew coffee. Every entry lists the same seven specifications.
1. Hario Filter-in Bottle, 750 ml – Pour Tea, Leave the Leaves
Hario’s Filter-in Bottle is the cold brew tea maker we would start with. It looks like a wine bottle, and that shape is the point: it is slim enough for the fridge door and it pours like a bottle, not a jug. The filter sits in the neck under a silicone spout, so you drop leaves into the bottle, fill it with cold water, put the stopper in and pour tea through the filter later.
Hario gives a practical capacity of 750 ml, enough for three or four glasses. The bottle is heatproof glass made in Japan, the spout and stopper are silicone, and the filter is polypropylene. Hario lists it as dishwasher compatible, and because the bottle is heatproof, it also handles hot water if you want to rinse it that way.
The narrow neck is the trade-off. Loose leaves go in easily, but whole fruit slices do not, and you will want a bottle brush for cleaning by hand. Spent leaves come out with a rinse and a shake. The listing calls it a “Cold Brew Tea Wine Bottle”; Hario’s own name for it is the Filter-in Bottle.
Why we like it
- Filter built into the neck, so you pour without a separate strainer
- Heatproof glass bottle made in Japan
- Slim enough for most fridge doors
- Dishwasher compatible, per Hario
Key specifications
| Model | Hario FIB-75-W |
|---|---|
| Capacity | 750 ml practical |
| Body material | Heatproof glass |
| Filter | Polypropylene, in the spout |
| Lid | Silicone spout and stopper |
| Dishwasher-safe | Yes, per Hario |
| Made in | Japan |
Why we recommend it
One or two tea drinkers who want a bottle of cold tea ready in the fridge door every morning, in glass that will not hold on to flavors.
Skip it if you need more than 750 ml at a time or want to add fruit; the neck is narrow.
Pros and cons
Pros
- Pours cleanly with the leaves held back
- Glass bottle from a Japanese glassmaker
- Fits the fridge door
Cons
- Narrow neck is harder to clean by hand
- Small batch
2. Teabloom Legacy Glass Tea Maker, 51 oz – Glass and Steel Only
Teabloom’s Legacy is a glass pitcher built for tea, and Teabloom names cold brew tea among its uses along with hot tea, iced tea and fruit-infused water. The listing calls it 100 percent plastic-free: the body is handmade borosilicate glass and the filter parts are stainless steel, so nothing that touches the tea is plastic.
It holds 1.5 liters (51 ounces), about six to eight cups. There are two ways to brew. You can use the deep, removable stainless steel basket for a whole pitcher or just a few cups, or you can skip the basket and put leaves straight in the pitcher; the tip-and-pour lid has a superfine steel filter built in, opens when you tilt the pitcher and closes when you set it down.
Glass and steel do not absorb flavors or smells, according to Teabloom, and the pitcher is dishwasher-safe. Because it is borosilicate, the same pitcher can take hot water if you want to brew hot and chill afterward. The trade-off is weight and care: it is glass, and a full pitcher is heavier than plastic.
Why we like it
- Borosilicate glass and stainless steel, no plastic, per Teabloom
- Tip-and-pour lid with a built-in fine filter
- Removable deep basket for big or small batches
- Dishwasher-safe
Key specifications
| Model | Teabloom POT-LEG-50 |
|---|---|
| Capacity | 51 oz (1.5 L) |
| Body material | Borosilicate glass |
| Filter | Stainless steel basket and lid filter |
| Lid | Tip-and-pour filter lid |
| Dishwasher-safe | Yes |
| Made in | Not stated |
Why we recommend it
Anyone who wants a glass pitcher to put on the table and does not want plastic touching the tea.
Skip it if the pitcher has to ride in a bag or a lunch cooler; glass is the wrong material for that.
Pros and cons
Pros
- No plastic parts
- Two ways to brew
- Handles hot water as well as cold
Cons
- Glass is heavier and breakable
- Country of manufacture not stated
3. Tiesta Tea Iced Tea Pitcher, 1/2 Gallon – A Half-Gallon for the Fridge Door
Tiesta Tea is a loose-leaf tea company, and its pitcher is made for the way its customers drink tea: a big batch, cold, in the fridge. It holds a half gallon (64 ounces), the largest of our picks, and Tiesta says it is shaped to fit a fridge door.
The infuser is a nylon mesh basket that takes loose leaf or tea bags, and Tiesta describes it for both iced and cold brew tea. The lid twists on and is leak-proof, so a full pitcher will not drip on the fridge shelf. The pitcher is BPA-free Tritan plastic and goes in the dishwasher.
Plastic means it is light and will survive a drop, but it can take on the color of strong hibiscus or black tea over time more readily than glass. Tiesta also sells cold brew tea blends in packets labeled for 64 ounces, the same size as this pitcher.
Why we like it
- Half-gallon capacity
- Fits a fridge door, per Tiesta Tea
- Leak-proof twist-on lid
- Dishwasher-safe Tritan
Key specifications
| Model | Tiesta Tea Iced Tea Pitcher (model not stated) |
|---|---|
| Capacity | 64 oz (1/2 gallon) |
| Body material | BPA-free Tritan plastic |
| Filter | Nylon mesh basket |
| Lid | Leak-proof twist-on |
| Dishwasher-safe | Yes |
| Made in | Not stated |
Why we recommend it
Families who go through a lot of iced tea and want one pitcher to brew, store and pour from.
Skip it if you want glass; this one is plastic.
Pros and cons
Pros
- Largest batch among our picks
- Light and hard to break
- From a tea company
Cons
- Plastic can stain with dark teas
- Nylon mesh is less durable than steel
4. Hario Ka-Ku Cold Brew Tea Bottle, 1200 ml – A Bigger Bottle That Won’t Break
The Ka-Ku is Hario’s larger cold brew tea bottle, and it is plastic rather than glass. Hario lists the bottle as PCT resin, with a removable top, filter and mesh in polypropylene and silicone seals. That makes it lighter than glass and a better choice for a crowded fridge or a household with children.
It holds 1,200 ml, a good deal more than the Filter-in Bottle, in a tall square bottle that Hario lists at 90 millimeters wide and 320 millimeters high. The mesh filter is built in, so, as with the glass bottle, you brew right in it and pour without a separate strainer. Like the rest of Hario’s range, it is made in Japan, and Hario lists it as dishwasher compatible.
Check the height against your fridge door before you order; at about 32 centimeters it is tall. The Amazon listing gives a different height from Hario’s own figure, so we use Hario’s.
Why we like it
- 1,200 ml capacity in a bottle
- Plastic body, lighter and harder to break than glass
- Built-in mesh filter
- Made in Japan, per Hario
Key specifications
| Model | Hario KAB-120-W |
|---|---|
| Capacity | 1,200 ml practical |
| Body material | PCT resin (plastic) |
| Filter | Polypropylene mesh, built in |
| Lid | Removable top with silicone seal |
| Dishwasher-safe | Yes, per Hario |
| Made in | Japan |
Why we recommend it
People who like the Hario bottle idea but want a bigger batch and a body that survives a fall.
Skip it if your fridge has short door shelves; it is tall.
Pros and cons
Pros
- Larger than most bottles
- Light and shatter-resistant
- Filter built in
Cons
- Tall, about 32 cm
- Plastic rather than glass
5. Jarware Mason Jar and Tea Infuser Lid, 16 oz – One Jar, One Serving
Not everyone needs a pitcher. Jarware’s set is a 16-ounce regular-mouth glass mason jar with a stainless steel tea infuser lid, and Jarware says it works for hot steeping and for cold brew tea in the fridge. Put leaves in the mesh, fill the jar with cold water, screw on the lid and it is ready by lunch.
The fine stainless steel mesh basket sits deep inside the jar so the leaves stay under water, which matters with cold brew because leaves float. The jar and the lid are both dishwasher-safe, according to Jarware. Since it is a standard regular-mouth jar, you can also replace the glass easily if it breaks.
Sixteen ounces is one good glass of tea, or two small ones. It is a single-serve tool, not a household pitcher, and the listing does not say whether the lid is leak-proof enough to carry in a bag.
Why we like it
- Jar and steel infuser lid in one set
- Made for hot or cold brew tea, per Jarware
- Deep mesh keeps leaves submerged
- Jar and lid are dishwasher-safe
Key specifications
| Model | Jarware 82771 |
|---|---|
| Capacity | 16 oz |
| Body material | Glass mason jar, regular mouth |
| Filter | Stainless steel mesh |
| Lid | Stainless steel infuser lid |
| Dishwasher-safe | Yes |
| Made in | Not stated |
Why we recommend it
A single tea drinker who wants a glass of cold brew each day without a pitcher taking up a fridge shelf.
Skip it if you make tea for more than one or two people.
Pros and cons
Pros
- Small and simple
- Glass and stainless steel
- Standard jar is easy to replace
Cons
- One serving at a time
- Leak-proofing not stated
6. Takeya Flash Chill Iced Tea Maker, 1 Quart – Cold Brew or Hot, One Quart at a Time
This is the one size variant on the page. Our iced tea maker guide recommends the 2-quart Takeya Flash Chill; this is the 1-quart model of the same pitcher, listed separately. We include it because a quart is the right size for one or two people making cold brew tea, and the Flash Chill is one of the few pitchers built to brew either hot or cold.
For cold brew, fill the infuser with loose tea or bags, add cold water, seal it and leave it in the fridge. When you want tea now, you can brew it hot instead; Takeya says its Tritan body handles everything from boiling to ice-cold liquids.
The lid is airtight and leakproof, the handle is easy to grip, and the pitcher is dishwasher-safe. The listing title says it is made in the USA. The body is BPA-free Tritan plastic, so it is light and durable but not glass.
Why we like it
- Brews hot or cold in the same pitcher
- Airtight, leakproof lid
- Tritan body rated for boiling and ice-cold liquids
- Dishwasher-safe
Key specifications
| Model | Takeya 11176 |
|---|---|
| Capacity | 1 qt |
| Body material | BPA-free Tritan plastic |
| Filter | Infuser for loose or bagged tea |
| Lid | Airtight, leakproof |
| Dishwasher-safe | Yes |
| Made in | USA (per listing title) |
Why we recommend it
Tea drinkers who usually cold brew but sometimes want iced tea in minutes, in a pitcher sized for one or two.
Skip it if you already own the 2-quart version or want a glass body.
Pros and cons
Pros
- Hot or cold brewing
- Airtight lid
- Durable, light body
Cons
- Plastic rather than glass
- Infuser material not stated
7. Ovalware Airtight Cold Brew Maker with Tea Infuser, 1.5 L – Glass Carafe for Tea or Coffee
This is the second size variant here. Our cold brew coffee guide recommends the 34-ounce Ovalware; this is the larger 1.5-liter (51-ounce) model in the same line. We include it because Ovalware sells it explicitly as a tea maker as well as a coffee maker, and a 1.5-liter glass carafe suits a household that drinks both.
The carafe is thick borosilicate glass with an 18/8 stainless steel laser-cut filter and stainless steel lid cap. Ovalware says it works with loose-leaf tea or tea bags, brewed cold in the fridge or hot like a teapot. A silicone seal keeps it airtight, and a non-slip rubber base protects the glass. Ovalware says it is sized to fit a fridge shelf, and it is dishwasher-safe.
If you switch between coffee and tea, wash the filter well in between; coffee oils carry over into tea. The listing offers a 90-day warranty, which is short.
Why we like it
- Borosilicate glass with a stainless steel filter
- Made for tea as well as cold brew coffee
- Airtight silicone seal
- Dishwasher-safe
Key specifications
| Model | Ovalware RJ3-06 |
|---|---|
| Capacity | 1.5 L (51 oz) |
| Body material | Borosilicate glass |
| Filter | 18/8 stainless steel |
| Lid | Airtight, stainless cap, silicone seal |
| Dishwasher-safe | Yes |
| Made in | Not stated |
Why we recommend it
Households that want one glass carafe for cold brew tea in summer and cold brew coffee the rest of the time.
Skip it if you want a long warranty; the listing states 90 days.
Pros and cons
Pros
- Glass and stainless steel where the tea sits
- Works for tea or coffee
- Airtight seal
Cons
- 90-day warranty
- Coffee residue can affect tea if not cleaned well
Cold brew or hot over ice?
Iced tea made hot is brewed strong with hot water and then poured over ice, so it is ready in minutes but gets diluted as the ice melts. Cold brew tea steeps in cold water in the fridge for several hours, so it needs planning but never gets watered down. Because the leaves never meet hot water, cold-brewed tea is usually described as smoother and less bitter.
If you want both options in one pitcher, the Takeya and the Teabloom handle hot water as well as cold. If you want iced tea from an appliance, see our iced tea maker guide.
How to choose a cold brew tea maker
Bottle, pitcher or jar
Bottles like the Hario pour neatly and fit the fridge door but hold less. Pitchers like the Tiesta and Teabloom make a household batch. A jar like the Jarware is for one person. Pick by how much tea you drink in two or three days.
Glass or plastic
Glass does not hold on to smells or stain, and you can see the color of the tea. Plastic is lighter and survives a fall. Plain glass has no glaze, so there is no lead question to ask the way there is with glazed ceramic. If you want no plastic at all, look at the filter and lid too, not just the body; the Teabloom is the only fully plastic-free pick here.
The filter
A fine filter matters more for cold brew than for hot, because leaves sit in the water for hours. Stainless steel mesh is durable and easy to rinse; nylon and polypropylene mesh are lighter and cheaper to replace. Built-in filters, like Hario’s, mean one less part to lose.
Fridge fit
Measure the fridge door or shelf before ordering. Tall bottles like the Ka-Ku need a tall door shelf; wide pitchers need a full shelf. A tight lid lets you lay a pitcher on its side when space runs out.
Cleaning
Wide-mouth pitchers are easier to clean by hand than narrow bottles. All our picks are listed as dishwasher-safe, but a bottle brush still helps with the Hario bottles.
Cold brew tea at a Mexican table
A pitcher of cold black tea is easy company for salsa, enchiladas and anything with chile, because it is not sweet unless you make it so. The same pitchers work for hibiscus: dried flor de jamaica steeped in cold water makes a deep red, tart drink, a gentler cousin of the agua de jamaica sold at taquerías. Our guide to aguas frescas explains that family of drinks.
How we picked these seven cold brew tea makers
We looked for bottles, pitchers and jars made for steeping tea in cold water, from makers with their own names, and checked each was in stock on Amazon. We read the maker’s specifications where available, including Hario’s own product pages, and the Amazon listings, and recorded every figure in our notes. We left out products already recommended in our iced tea, cold brew coffee and tea infuser guides, except two size variants explained in their entries, and we checked each brand against recall notices on the Consumer Product Safety Commission’s site. We did not use these products ourselves, and we do not list prices because they change.
Cold brew tea maker questions, answered
How long does cold brew tea take?
Several hours in the fridge, and many people leave it overnight. Green and white teas usually need less time than black tea; follow the tea seller’s directions, since blends vary.
How much tea should I use for cold brew?
Cold brew usually needs more leaf than hot tea for the same volume. Start with the tea seller’s guidance; some brands, such as Lipton and Tiesta Tea, sell bags or packets sized for a quart or half gallon of cold water.
Can I use tea bags in a cold brew tea maker?
Yes, in most. The Tiesta and Takeya listings say so directly, and the wide pitchers take bags easily. The narrow-necked Hario bottles are designed around loose leaf.
Can a cold brew tea maker make cold brew coffee?
Some can. The Ovalware is sold for both. Hario sells separate coffee versions of its bottles, so check the maker’s guidance before using a tea bottle for coffee.
How long does cold brew tea keep?
Keep it in the fridge and drink it within a few days. Take the leaves out once it is as strong as you like, so it does not keep steeping.
Our pick for a pitcher of cold tea
Buy the Hario Filter-in Bottle if you want a glass bottle of cold tea in the fridge door, ready to pour. Choose the Teabloom Legacy for a plastic-free glass pitcher, the Tiesta Tea pitcher for a half-gallon batch, the Ka-Ku for a bigger bottle that will not break, and the Jarware jar if it is just you. To steep hot tea instead, our best tea infuser guide covers baskets and balls for the teapot.
A glass of cold tea goes well with anything on our menu. If you would rather someone else made dinner tonight, call to order.