A pitcher of iced tea is one of the most useful things in a hot-weather kitchen. Plain black tea goes with almost anything on a Tex-Mex plate, and the same pitcher works for agua de jamaica or a lightly sweetened hibiscus tea. The question is how you want to make it: hot tea brewed over ice in a few minutes, or cold-brewed in the fridge.
This guide compares eight iced tea makers that do one or the other: four electric brewers with a hot-water tank and a pitcher, and four pitchers built for steeping hot or cold. We used each maker’s specifications and the Amazon listings, and we point out where a listing leaves out something you would want to know.
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Quick verdict: which iced tea maker to buy
The best iced tea maker for most kitchens is the Capresso Iced Tea Select: an 80-ounce glass pitcher, a strength dial and dishwasher-safe parts. For a bigger batch that stays cold on the table, choose the Nostalgia 3-quart with its double-wall pitcher. If you would rather not own another appliance, the Takeya Flash Chill pitcher brews hot or cold, and the Hario Mizudashi is the simplest cold brew pitcher here.
Cold brew coffee and cold brew tea use the same idea; if coffee is your main drink, our guide to the best cold brew coffee maker covers that side.
Five iced tea makers at a glance
Our five standout picks, one for each kind of tea drinker, with the capacity and strength control each maker states. All eight are reviewed in full below.
| Iced tea maker | Type | Capacity | Strength control | Pitcher | Buy on Amazon |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Capresso Iced Tea SelectBest overall
|
Electric | 80 oz (2.5 qt) | Dial, mild to strong | Glass | View on Amazon |
Nostalgia 3-Quart Iced Tea and Coffee Brewing SystemBiggest electric batch
|
Electric | 3 qt (12 cups) | Dial, 1 to 8 | Double-wall plastic | View on Amazon |
Takeya Flash Chill Iced Tea Maker, 2 QuartBest pitcher
|
Pitcher, hot or cold brew | 2 qt | Steep time | Tritan plastic | View on Amazon |
Hario Mizudashi Cold Brew Tea Maker, 1200 mlBest cold brew
|
Cold brew pitcher | 1,200 ml | Steep time | Heatproof glass | View on Amazon |
Primula The Big Iced Tea Maker, 1 GallonBest for a gallon
|
Pitcher, hot or cold brew | 1 gallon | Steep time | Tritan plastic | 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 iced tea maker
The first five cover most households, from electric brewers to cold brew pitchers; the last three cover sweet tea, small counters and fruit infusions. Each entry lists the capacity, how you control strength, what the pitcher is made of and whether the maker says it can go in the dishwasher.
1. Capresso Iced Tea Select – Glass Pitcher, Strength Dial
The Capresso Iced Tea Select is the electric iced tea maker we would put on most counters. It brews hot tea over ice into an 80-ounce (2.5-quart) glass pitcher, and a dial sets the strength from mild to strong, so the same machine can make a light everyday tea or a stronger brew that holds up when the ice melts into it.
Capresso says the reusable filter basket is large enough for loose tea or tea bags, and the glass pitcher, permanent filter and removable basket are all dishwasher-safe. A glass pitcher does not hold on to the smell of last week’s hibiscus or lemon the way some plastics can, which matters if you switch between black tea and agua de jamaica.
The one design point to know: the water tank is built in and does not come off. Capresso describes it as easy to fill, but you will be pouring water into the machine rather than carrying a tank to the sink. The listing does not state wattage or warranty terms.
Why we like it
- 80-ounce glass pitcher with a removable lid and pour spout, per Capresso
- Strength dial from mild to strong
- Large reusable filter basket for loose tea or bags
- Pitcher, permanent filter and basket are dishwasher-safe
Key specifications
| Maker | Capresso 623.02 |
|---|---|
| Type | Electric, brews hot over ice |
| Capacity | 80 oz (2.5 qt) |
| Brew strength control | Dial, mild to strong |
| Pitcher material | Glass |
| Dishwasher-safe | Pitcher, filter and basket |
| Tea it takes | Loose tea or tea bags |
Why we recommend it
Households that drink iced tea most days and want a glass pitcher that goes straight into the dishwasher and then the fridge.
Skip it if you want a pitcher that keeps tea cold on the counter for hours; this one is single-wall glass, so it goes in the fridge.
Pros and cons
Pros
- Glass pitcher resists stains and odors better than many plastics
- Adjustable strength
- Everything that touches tea is dishwasher-safe
Cons
- Water tank is not removable
- Wattage and warranty not stated in the listing
- Glass needs careful handling around ice
2. Nostalgia 3-Quart Iced Tea and Coffee Brewing System – Twelve Cups, Insulated Pitcher
Nostalgia’s brewer makes the largest batch of the electric machines here: a 3-quart pitcher that holds up to 12 cups. That is the size that makes sense for a family dinner or a pitcher of sweet tea next to a tray of enchiladas, without brewing twice.
The strength selector runs from 1 to 8, and a shower head spreads hot water over the filter basket, which takes ground coffee, tea bags or loose tea. A separate flavor chamber holds lemon, herbs or sweetener so they steep as the tea brews. The pitcher is clear, double-wall plastic, which Nostalgia says keeps drinks cold for hours, and the lid turns to three positions: open pour, pour with an ice guard, or closed.
There is one push button, it shuts itself off when brewing ends, and the cord stores in the base. The listing does not say whether the pitcher is dishwasher-safe, so plan to wash it by hand until you check the manual.
Why we like it
- 3-quart pitcher, up to 12 cups
- Eight-step strength dial
- Double-wall pitcher Nostalgia says keeps drinks cold for hours
- Flavor chamber for lemon, herbs or sweetener
Key specifications
| Maker | Nostalgia NCIT3PLSBK |
|---|---|
| Type | Electric, brews hot over ice |
| Capacity | 3 qt (96 oz, 12 cups) |
| Brew strength control | Dial, 1 to 8 |
| Pitcher material | Double-wall plastic |
| Dishwasher-safe | Not stated |
| Tea it takes | Loose tea, tea bags, ground coffee |
Why we recommend it
Anyone who makes a big pitcher at once and wants it to stay cold on the table through a meal.
Skip it if you prefer glass or need a dishwasher-safe pitcher confirmed in writing.
Pros and cons
Pros
- Largest electric batch here
- Insulated pitcher
- Auto shut-off and one-button control
Cons
- Plastic pitcher
- Dishwasher use not stated
- Takes more counter space than a 2-quart machine
3. Takeya Flash Chill Iced Tea Maker, 2 Quart – Brews Hot or Cold
If you would rather not give an appliance a spot on the counter, the Takeya Flash Chill is a 2-quart pitcher with a built-in infuser that brews either way. For a quick batch, steep tea in hot water, then pour it over ice in the pitcher; for a slow batch, fill it with cold water and leave it in the fridge. Takeya says it handles both boiling water and ice-cold drinks.
It is made from BPA-free Tritan, which Takeya says is dishwasher-safe, and it has an airtight, leakproof lid and an easy-grip handle. It takes loose tea or bags. Strength is controlled the old way: more tea or a longer steep.
Because it has no heating element, it needs boiling water from a kettle for the hot method. Our guide to the best electric kettle covers the fastest way to get there. The Amazon title says Takeya makes it in the USA.
Why we like it
- Brews hot or cold in the same pitcher, per Takeya
- Airtight, leakproof lid
- BPA-free Tritan, dishwasher-safe
- Takes loose tea or bags
Key specifications
| Maker | Takeya 11177 |
|---|---|
| Type | Pitcher, hot or cold brew |
| Capacity | 2 qt |
| Brew strength control | Amount of tea and steep time |
| Pitcher material | BPA-free Tritan plastic |
| Dishwasher-safe | Yes |
| Tea it takes | Loose tea or tea bags |
Why we recommend it
Small households, renters and anyone short on counter space who still wants a proper pitcher of iced tea.
Skip it if you want push-button brewing; with this you boil water yourself or wait for a cold steep.
Pros and cons
Pros
- No counter appliance to store
- Lid seals for the fridge door
- Works with hot or cold methods
Cons
- Needs a kettle for hot brewing
- No strength setting
- Plastic, not glass
4. Hario Mizudashi Cold Brew Tea Maker, 1200 ml – Heatproof Glass, Fridge Friendly
Hario’s Mizudashi tea maker is the simplest way to cold brew tea: put leaves in the filter, fill the pitcher with cold water and leave it in the fridge. The 1,200-milliliter pitcher (a little over 40 ounces) is made of Hario’s heatproof glass and stores easily in a refrigerator, according to the listing.
Cold brewing is slower than pouring hot tea over ice, but there is nothing to switch on and nothing to watch. It also suits teas that turn harsh when they are brewed too hot, such as green tea. Hario lists the pitcher as dishwasher-safe and as cadmium- and lead-free.
It is the smallest pick here, so it fits a household that drinks a glass or two a day better than one that pours for a crowd. Hario sells smaller 700-milliliter and 1,000-milliliter versions too.
Why we like it
- Heatproof glass pitcher, per Hario
- Dishwasher-safe
- Stores easily in the fridge
- Nothing to plug in or set
Key specifications
| Maker | Hario HCC-12-SG |
|---|---|
| Type | Cold brew pitcher |
| Capacity | 1,200 ml |
| Brew strength control | Amount of tea and steep time |
| Pitcher material | Heatproof glass |
| Dishwasher-safe | Yes |
| Tea it takes | Loose tea (filter in pitcher) |
Why we recommend it
Cold-brew fans and small households who want a glass pitcher that lives in the fridge.
Skip it if you need iced tea in under an hour; cold brewing takes hours.
Pros and cons
Pros
- Glass, not plastic
- Very simple to use and clean
- Fits on a fridge shelf
Cons
- Smallest capacity here
- Slow by design
- Glass can break if dropped
5. Primula The Big Iced Tea Maker, 1 Gallon – Brew, Serve and Store
Primula’s Big Iced Tea Maker does what the name says: it brews, serves and stores up to a gallon of tea in one pitcher. Put loose tea or bags in the brew core, pour water over it, steep to the strength you like, lift the core out and put the lid back on. Primula says it still fits in most refrigerator doors.
The pitcher is shatterproof plastic made without BPA, which Primula says resists odors and stains, and it is rated for hot and cold drinks. The brew core has an ultra-fine stainless steel mesh, so it also works for cold brew coffee, infused water or a pitcher of jamaica steeped from dried flowers. The lid is airtight and leak-proof, the handle is soft-touch silicone, and the whole thing is dishwasher-safe.
A gallon is the right size for a party or a big family. It is also a lot of pitcher to wash and to find room for in a small fridge, so measure the door shelf first.
Why we like it
- Holds up to a gallon, per Primula
- Fine stainless mesh brew core you lift out
- Airtight, leak-proof lid
- Dishwasher-safe
Key specifications
| Maker | Primula PTBRE-3710 |
|---|---|
| Type | Pitcher, hot or cold brew |
| Capacity | 1 gallon (128 oz) |
| Brew strength control | Amount of tea and steep time |
| Pitcher material | Plastic made without BPA (Tritan, per title) |
| Dishwasher-safe | Yes |
| Tea it takes | Loose tea or tea bags |
Why we recommend it
Families and party hosts who want one gallon pitcher to brew in and pour from.
Skip it if your fridge door is shallow or you only drink a glass a day.
Pros and cons
Pros
- Largest capacity on this list
- Brew core lifts out so tea does not over-steep
- Doubles as an infusion or cold brew pitcher
Cons
- Bulky to store
- Plastic, not glass
- No heating; boil water separately for hot brewing
6. DASH Summer Sippers Iced Tea Maker – Sweetens While It Brews
DASH built the Summer Sippers around sweet tea. You add sugar, honey or simple syrup, and the machine dissolves it with hot water during brewing, then brews straight over ice, so you are not left with grains of sugar at the bottom of a cold pitcher. DASH says a batch is ready in five to seven minutes and serves four to six people.
Instead of one big pitcher, it comes with two 32-ounce pitchers with lids and two infuser cylinders, so you can brew plain black tea in one and something like hibiscus in the other. It takes tea bags, loose tea or coffee grounds through a reusable filter, and DASH lists the pitcher as dishwasher-safe with removable parts.
The listing does not mention a strength setting; you control strength with how much tea you use.
Why we like it
- Dissolves sugar during brewing, per DASH
- Brews over ice in five to seven minutes
- Two 32-ounce pitchers with lids
- Dishwasher-safe pitcher
Key specifications
| Maker | DASH DICM10003 |
|---|---|
| Type | Electric, brews hot over ice |
| Capacity | 2 x 32 oz pitchers |
| Brew strength control | Not stated |
| Pitcher material | Not stated |
| Dishwasher-safe | Pitcher |
| Tea it takes | Loose tea, tea bags, ground coffee |
Why we recommend it
Sweet tea drinkers and anyone who likes two flavors going at once.
Skip it if you want one large pitcher; two quarts split across two jugs means more pouring.
Pros and cons
Pros
- Sugar goes in during brewing
- Two flavors at once
- Quick batch time
Cons
- No stated strength control
- Pitcher material not stated
- Smaller pitchers than most here
7. Brentwood Iced Tea and Coffee Maker, 64 Ounce – Small Footprint, Strength Dial
Brentwood’s KT-2150BK is a compact electric brewer with a 64-ounce pitcher, about eight servings. Brentwood gives the size as 9.5 by 6.75 by 14.5 inches, so it fits under most cabinets and leaves room on a small counter.
It has the features that matter on a basic iced tea maker: a strength selector dial, a reusable filter basket so you do not need paper filters, and automatic shut-off. Brentwood backs it with a one-year limited warranty.
The listing is thin on detail. It does not say what the pitcher is made of or whether it can go in the dishwasher, and part of its copy talks about espresso tamping, which does not apply to this machine. Treat this as a simple, small brewer rather than a feature-rich one.
Why we like it
- 64-ounce pitcher, eight servings
- Strength selector dial
- Reusable filter basket
- Automatic shut-off
Key specifications
| Maker | Brentwood KT-2150BK |
|---|---|
| Type | Electric, brews hot over ice |
| Capacity | 64 oz (8 servings) |
| Brew strength control | Dial |
| Pitcher material | Not stated |
| Dishwasher-safe | Not stated |
| Tea it takes | Tea or coffee in a reusable filter basket |
Why we recommend it
Small kitchens that want push-button iced tea without giving up much counter space.
Skip it if you want clear care instructions before you buy; the listing leaves several basics out.
Pros and cons
Pros
- Small footprint
- Strength control
- One-year limited warranty stated
Cons
- Pitcher material and dishwasher use not stated
- Listing copy partly describes a different appliance
- Smaller pitcher than the Nostalgia
8. Primula Flavor-It Beverage System, 2.9 Quart – Three Cores in One Pitcher
The Primula Flavor-It is a pitcher with three swappable cores: a tea infuser core, a large fruit infuser core and a chill core. That makes it as useful for a pitcher of water with lime and cucumber as it is for iced tea, and it is a tidy way to keep a flavored water going in the fridge.
The 2.9-quart pitcher is BPA-free Tritan, which Primula says resists odors and stains, with a pour spout, airtight lid and a soft-touch silicone handle, and it is designed to fit most fridge doors. Primula suggests infusing fruit for at least four hours in the fridge and says strong flavors like lemon, pineapple and orange hold up for several refills.
Care is mixed: the pitcher and lid are top-rack dishwasher-safe but Primula recommends hand washing the pitcher, the tea and fruit cores can go in the dishwasher, and the chill core is hand wash only.
Why we like it
- Tea, fruit and chill cores included
- 2.9-quart Tritan pitcher, BPA-free per Primula
- Fits most fridge doors
- Airtight lid
Key specifications
| Maker | Primula PFBK-3725 |
|---|---|
| Type | Infusion pitcher, cold brew |
| Capacity | 2.9 qt |
| Brew strength control | Amount of tea and steep time |
| Pitcher material | BPA-free Tritan plastic |
| Dishwasher-safe | Top rack; hand wash recommended |
| Tea it takes | Loose tea or bags in tea core |
Why we recommend it
People who drink as much fruit-infused water as tea and want one pitcher for both.
Skip it if you only drink plain iced tea; the Takeya or Hario does that with fewer parts.
Pros and cons
Pros
- Three cores for tea, fruit and chilling
- Good fridge-door size
- Odor- and stain-resistant plastic, per Primula
Cons
- Chill core is hand wash only
- Primula recommends hand washing the pitcher
- More parts to keep track of
Electric brewer or cold brew pitcher?
An electric iced tea maker works like a drip coffee maker: it heats water, sends it through tea in a basket and drips the hot tea onto ice in the pitcher. The ice chills and dilutes it at the same time, which is why these machines brew strong. You get a full pitcher in minutes, and a strength dial lets you adjust for how much ice you use.
A cold brew pitcher skips the heat. Tea steeps in cold water in the fridge for hours, and nothing has to melt to cool it down. It is slower, it takes no counter space, and it is the gentler way to make teas that taste harsh when brewed too hot. Some pitchers, like the Takeya and the Primula gallon, do both: pour hot water over the infuser for a quick batch, or fill with cold water for a slow one.
If you already have a kettle and a good infuser, you may not need either; our guides to the best tea infuser and the best teapot cover the hot-tea side.
How to choose an iced tea maker
1. How much you drink at once
The picks here run from Hario’s 1,200 milliliters to Primula’s gallon. Two quarts is about eight glasses over ice. If the pitcher is gone halfway through dinner, buy the next size up; if half of it sits in the fridge for days, buy smaller.
2. Hot over ice or cold brew
Electric machines and the hot method on a pitcher give you tea in minutes. Cold brewing takes hours but needs no power and no watching. Decide which matters more on a busy day.
3. Strength control
Capresso, Nostalgia and Brentwood have a strength dial. With pitchers and the DASH, strength comes from how much tea you use and how long it steeps. Both work; the dial is easier to repeat.
4. Pitcher material
Glass (Capresso, Hario) resists stains and smells from strongly colored drinks such as jamaica. Plastic (Takeya, Primula, Nostalgia) is lighter and will not break if it slips, and Nostalgia’s double wall keeps tea cold outside the fridge.
5. Cleaning
Tea stains. A pitcher and filter you can put in the dishwasher get cleaned more often. Capresso, Takeya, Hario, Primula’s gallon pitcher and the DASH pitcher are listed as dishwasher-safe; Nostalgia and Brentwood do not say.
Iced tea at a Mexican table
Iced tea sits on the same table as horchata and agua de jamaica. Jamaica is steeped from dried hibiscus flowers, so any of these pitchers can make it the way they make tea; our explainer on aguas frescas covers jamaica and the blended fruit waters. For a party, brew a couple of pitchers ahead and pour them into a drink dispenser so guests can serve themselves.
Ice matters as much as the tea. Tea brewed hot over ice needs a lot of it, and a bag of cubes goes fast on a hot day. A countertop ice maker keeps up, and nugget ice is the soft, chewable kind many people like in iced tea.
How we picked these eight iced tea makers
We did not test these iced tea makers. We compared what each maker states on its Amazon listing: type, capacity, strength control, pitcher material, dishwasher use and the tea each one takes. We checked that every pick was in stock on Amazon when we wrote this. For the four electric brewers, we searched the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission’s recall database for each brand and found no recall listed for these models. We left out Mr. Coffee’s iced tea makers because the listings we found were scarce or not yet available, and we skipped unbranded brewers with near-identical listings.
Iced tea maker questions, answered
What is the best iced tea maker for home use?
For most homes, the Capresso Iced Tea Select: a glass pitcher, a strength dial and dishwasher-safe parts. For a larger batch, the Nostalgia 3-quart; for no appliance at all, the Takeya Flash Chill pitcher.
What is the best tea for an iced tea maker?
Black tea is the classic, and any of these makers takes bags or loose leaf. For electric brewers, follow the maker’s guide for how much tea to use, since the tea is brewed strong to allow for melting ice. Some brands sell bags made for cold brewing; Lipton’s family-size cold brew bags, for example, are sold as one bag per quart of cold water. Hibiscus works well too, for a tea close to agua de jamaica.
Is cold brew tea different from regular iced tea?
Yes, in method. Regular iced tea is brewed hot and chilled with ice or in the fridge; cold brew tea steeps in cold water for hours. Cold brew needs no hot water and no ice to chill it, and it takes longer.
Can an iced tea maker make iced coffee?
Several can. Nostalgia, DASH and Brentwood all list coffee alongside tea, and Primula says its gallon pitcher works for cold brew coffee. Wash the basket well between the two, because coffee oils carry over into tea.
Can I put sugar in an iced tea maker?
Only where the maker says so. DASH is built to dissolve sugar, honey or simple syrup during brewing, and Nostalgia has a flavor chamber for sweeteners. With other machines, sweeten the tea in the pitcher while it is still warm, or use simple syrup.
Our pick for a pitcher of iced tea
Buy the Capresso Iced Tea Select if you want a glass pitcher and a strength dial. Choose the Nostalgia for a 3-quart insulated batch, the DASH for sweet tea, and the Takeya, Hario or Primula pitchers if you would rather brew without another appliance on the counter.
More drink-station guides: ice buckets, beverage coolers, tumblers, soda makers, glass pitchers, ice ball molds.
Prefer to steep it cold overnight? See our guide to the best cold brew tea makers.
Related guide: Best iced tea pitcher.
A cold pitcher of tea goes with almost everything on the menu, and for something stronger, our bar menu covers the margaritas. If you would rather someone else made dinner tonight, call to order.