The Takeya Cold Brew Coffee Maker and the OXO Cold Brew Coffee Maker both create smooth, low-acid coffee, but they differ significantly in design, brewing process, and price. Takeya offers a straightforward, all-in-one pitcher design that's affordable and easy to store, while OXO provides a more systematic brewing station with a patented "Rainmaker" showerhead for even saturation and a premium borosilicate glass carafe for a higher price.
Here's everything you need to know to choose the right cold brew maker from Takeya or OXO for your daily caffeine fix.
Takeya Cold Brew Coffee Maker
The Takeya Cold Brew Maker is loved for its simplicity and practicality. It's a single, durable BPA-free plastic pitcher with a fine-mesh filter insert. You simply add coffee grounds to the filter, fill the pitcher with water, and let it steep in the fridge. Its airtight lid and slim profile, designed to fit in a refrigerator door, make it an incredibly convenient choice for everyday use.
- What it is: A pitcher-style cold brew maker with a removable filter core.
- Key features: Fine-mesh core to prevent grounds from escaping, airtight and leakproof lid, slim design fits in most fridge doors, non-slip handle.
- Price: Around $20-$30.
- Dimensions: Available in 1-quart and 2-quart sizes.
- Materials/Construction: BPA-free Tritan plastic pitcher that's shatterproof and stain-resistant, fine-mesh filter.
- Style: Simple, functional, and utilitarian. It prioritizes function over form.
- Pros: Very affordable entry point into cold brew. Simple all-in-one design is easy to use and clean. Airtight lid keeps coffee fresh for up to two weeks. Slim profile is great for saving space in the fridge.
- Cons: Lacks some of the precision brewing features of more expensive models. The manual pour-over process may lead to less consistent grounds saturation. Plastic may eventually absorb faint odors or stains with heavy use.
This cold brew maker is perfect for beginners or anyone seeking a budget-friendly, no-fuss method to make delicious cold brew with minimal effort and cleanup.
Shop this product: takeyausa.com/products/cold-brew-coffee-maker
OXO Cold Brew Coffee Maker
The OXO Cold Brew Coffee Maker is a more sophisticated brewing system designed for those who want more control and precision. Its standout feature is the "Rainmaker" showerhead top, which distributes water evenly over the coffee grounds for optimal saturation and flavor extraction. After brewing, you flip a switch, and the coffee concentrate drains into a sleek borosilicate glass carafe, ready to be served or stored.
- What it is: A multi-part cold brew system with a brewing container, a glass carafe, and a "Rainmaker" lid.
- Key features: "Rainmaker" top for even water distribution, "brew-release" switch prevents drips and provides control, ultra-fine stainless steel mesh filter, borosilicate glass carafe with measurement markings.
- Price: Around $35-$50.
- Dimensions: Produces up to 32 oz. (4 cups) of coffee concentrate. Stands about 14.7 inches tall when fully assembled for brewing.
- Materials/Construction: High-quality BPA-free plastic brewing chamber, borosilicate glass carafe for serving, stainless steel filter.
- Style: Sleek, modern, and thoughtfully engineered. Looks like a proper kitchen appliance on your countertop.
- Pros: "Rainmaker" technology produces a rich, balanced flavor concentrate. One-touch drain switch makes for a mess-free process. Aesthetically pleasing design looks great in modern kitchens. Easy to disassemble for thorough cleaning.
- Cons: A higher price point than pitcher-style makers. Multiple parts take up more counter and storage space. Requires a dedicated spot for brewing and isn't designed for fridge storage during steeping.
The OXO system is ideal for coffee lovers who appreciate the science of brewing, value flavor consistency, and want a stylish, high-performance maker for their countertop.
Shop this product: oxo.com/cold-brew-coffee-maker-555.html
Takeya vs. OXO Comparison
Design & Brewing Process
The core difference lies in the brewing method. The Takeya is a simple immersion system: grounds go in the filter, water goes in the pitcher, and the whole unit steeps in the fridge. It's incredibly straightforward and operates as both brewer and server. Clean-up involves just washing the pitcher and the filter.
The OXO is a drip-style system that brews coffee concentrate on the countertop. You pour water through its "Rainmaker," let it steep, then flip the drain switch. This process is more controlled, ensuring grounds are evenly wetted for a potentially more balanced extraction. You end up with a smooth concentrate in its dedicated glass carafe, but it involves more steps and parts.
Materials & Construction
Takeya uses durable, food-safe Tritan plastic for the main pitcher, which is shatterproof and practical for daily handling. It’s lightweight and built for longevity. OXO uses a combination of high-grade plastic for the brewing chamber and borosilicate glass for the serving carafe. The glass gives it a more premium feel, won't absorb any flavors, and looks great for serving, but requires more careful handling than the Takeya plastic.
Capacity & Size
Both systems produce a similar volume of coffee, typically around 32-64 ounces depending on the model, but their physical footprint is very different. The Takeya's main advantage is its tall, slim profile, designed specifically to sit inside a refrigerator door during and after brewing. The OXO system has a larger countertop footprint when set up for brewing and disassembles into several parts for storage, making it bulkier overall.
Price & Value
The Takeya Cold Brew Maker is the clear winner on price, often available for less than $30. It provides incredible value for its simplicity, durability, and effectiveness. The OXO brewer is a step up in price, usually costing between $35 and $50. The extra cost is for its patented brewing technology, more premium materials like borosilicate glass, and a more controlled, clean brewing process.
Which One Should You Choose?
Both models make excellent cold brew, but they excel in different areas and suit different types of users.
Choose the Takeya if:
- You're on a budget and want the best value for your money.
- You prioritize simplicity and minimal cleanup.
- Refrigerator storage space is limited, and you need a brewer that fits in the door.
- You want a durable, all-in-one brewer and server that is difficult to break.
Choose the OXO if:
- You want the most consistent and evenly extracted flavor possible.
- You enjoy the process of coffee making and appreciate thoughtful design.
- Aesthetics are important, and you want a brewer that looks great on your counter.
- You prefer brewing a concentrate and don't mind a multi-part system.
Frequently Asked Questions
What’s the main difference between the Takeya and OXO cold brew makers?
The main difference is the brewing method and design. Takeya uses a simple, all-in-one pitcher for immersion brewing that is stored in the fridge. OXO uses a multi-part countertop drip system with a special "Rainmaker" top for even water distribution, brewing a concentrate into a separate glass carafe.
Which one is easier to use?
For sheer simplicity, the Takeya is easier. You just add grounds and water to one container. The OXO is also very user-friendly but involves more steps, such as setting up the brewer on the carafe, adding water through the Rainmaker, and activating the release switch.
Which one is easier to clean?
The Takeya is slightly easier to clean since it only has two main parts: the pitcher and the filter. The OXO has more pieces to wash (brewing chamber, Rainmaker top, filter, carafe), but they all come apart easily and are simple to rinse clean.
Does the OXO 'Rainmaker' really make better coffee?
The "Rainmaker" feature is designed to eliminate a common cold-brewing problem: dry patches in the coffee grounds that lead to under-extraction. By distributing water evenly, it ensures all grounds are saturated equally, often resulting in a richer, more balanced, and consistent flavor profile. For coffee enthusiasts, this feature can make a noticeable difference.
Are both machines dishwasher safe?
Yes, both the Takeya's Tritan pitcher and filter, as well as all components of the OXO brewer, are generally listed as top-rack dishwasher safe, making long-term cleanup convenient for both.
Which one fits better in the fridge?
The Takeya is designed specifically for fridge storage and fits neatly in most refrigerator doors. While the OXO's glass carafe can be stored in the fridge, the entire brewing unit is meant for countertop use only.
How much coffee concentrate do these makers produce?
This depends on the model. The Takeya makes ready-to-drink cold brew, with sizes ranging from 1 to 2 quarts. The standard OXO makes about 32 oz (4 cups) of cold brew concentrate, which you typically dilute with water or milk before drinking.
Can I use these to brew loose-leaf tea?
Yes, both makers are excellent for brewing iced tea. The fine-mesh filters in both the Takeya and OXO are effective at containing loose-leaf tea for a smooth, refreshing result.
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