Toddy is a specialty brand laser-focused on creating simple, functional cold brew coffee systems that deliver a smooth, low-acid concentrate. In contrast, Oxo is a comprehensive kitchenware giant known for its vast range of innovative, ergonomic tools designed to make every kitchen task easier, including a selection of stand-alone beverage accessories.
Let's explore key differences in price, quality, and design to help you decide which one belongs in your kitchen.
Toddy: The Cold Brew Coffee Pioneer
Toddy is a benchmark brand for at-home brewing enthusiasts, famous for its signature Toddy Cold Brew System. For decades, it has provided a straightforward, effective method for making large batches of coffee concentrate known for its exceptionally smooth flavor. The brand’s philosophy centers around functionality and ease of use, appealing to both coffee newcomers and serious home baristas who prioritize results over flashy design.
- Product mix: Tightly focused on beverage systems. Their primary product is the Toddy Cold Brew System, supported by accessories like paper filters, reusable felt filters, stoppers, and glass decanters.
- Style/vibe: Utilitarian and minimalist. The design is purely functional, featuring clear plastic and glass components that are built to work, not necessarily to be displayed.
- Price point: Very affordable entry into cold brewing. The popular Toddy Cold Brew System kit typically retails for $40 to $50.
- Quality: Built with sturdy, BPA-free plastic and a durable glass decanter. The system is designed to be a long-lasting kitchen staple, with many users reporting their units lasting for years.
- Dimensions/Scale: The standard system is compact enough for most kitchens, measuring roughly 7 x 7 x 12 inches, making it easy to store in the refrigerator or on a counter while brewing.
- Shopping experience: Primarily sold online through its official website and on Amazon. It can also be found in specialty coffee shops and some home goods retailers.
- Sustainability: The system is designed for repeated use. Filters are reusable, and the core components are made from durable, recyclable materials.
Toddy offers a no-fuss, highly effective tool for anyone serious about making authentic cold brew concentrate at home without a significant investment.
Shop Toddy: toddycafe.com
Oxo: The Ergonomic Kitchen Innovator
Oxo built its global reputation by creating kitchen tools with a singular mission: to be better for humans to use. Known for its iconic soft, non-slip grips and intuitive functionality, Oxo provides solutions for nearly every kitchen task imaginable. Its product line extends far beyond beverage accessories to include everything from vegetable peelers to POP storage containers, all engineered with a focus on comfort, durability, and thoughtful design.
- Product mix: Extremely broad, covering cooking, baking, cleaning, and storage. Within the beverage category, Oxo offers electric kettles, coffee grinders, milk frothers, and pour-over coffee makers, but not an all-in-one cold brew system like Toddy's.
- Style/vibe: Sleek, modern, and ergonomic. Oxo products combine black soft-grip handles with clear plastic or stainless steel for a clean aesthetic that fits well in contemporary kitchens.
- Price point: Competitively priced with a good value proposition. Beverage accessories typically range from $15 for simple gadgets up to $50+ for more advanced tools.
- Quality: Made from high-quality, durable materials including stainless steel, BPA-free plastic, and silicone. Oxo products are known to withstand the rigors of daily kitchen use.
- Dimensions/Scale: Products are designed to be space-efficient and store easily in drawers or on shelves.
- Shopping experience: Ubiquitous and highly accessible. Oxo is sold in major retailers like Target, Williams Sonoma, and Crate & Barrel, as well as on its own website and Amazon.
- Sustainability: Committed to building durable, long-lasting products to reduce waste. Many items are made with recyclable materials, and the brand is transparent about its efforts.
Oxo is the go-to choice for home cooks building a collection of comfortable, reliable, and cohesively designed tools for the entire kitchen.
Shop Oxo: oxo.com
Toddy vs. Oxo Comparison
Price Comparison
On the surface, both brands offer products in a similar price bracket. The Toddy Cold Brew System costs around $45, which gives you a complete, self-contained kit for making coffee concentrate. By contrast, an Oxo electric kettle or handheld milk frother might cost anywhere from $20 to $60.
The key difference is what you get for your money. With Toddy, you are buying a specialized, complete system for a single purpose. With Oxo, you are buying individual gadgets. For anyone dedicated to cold brewing, Toddy offers excellent value as a one-time purchase. For those needing a variety of single-function tools, Oxo provides affordable, high-quality options.
Style & Aesthetic
The design philosophies of these two brands are worlds apart. Toddy's aesthetic is strictly utilitarian, it’s a functional piece of equipment, not a statement piece. The clear plastic brewing container and simple glass decanter do their job effectively without calling attention to themselves.
Oxo, on the other hand, puts design at the forefront. Its products feature a distinctive, modern look defined by sleek lines, black accents, and user-friendly touchpoints. An Oxo kettle or coffee grinder is designed to look good on your counter. If kitchen-style cohesion is important to you, Oxo is the clear winner.
Quality & Materials
Both brands are known for producing durable, reliable products. Toddy’s system relies on thick, sturdy BPA-free plastic and a resilient glass decanter, all of which are designed to last for years of brewing cycles. It's simple, robust construction with few-to-no failure points.
Oxo's reputation is built on high-quality materials like stainless steel, damage-resistant plastics, and their signature non-slip Santoprene handles. Their engineering focuses heavily on ergonomics and longevity under constant daily use. While both are built to last, Oxo's material palette is generally more diverse and feels more modern to the touch.
Product Selection
This is the most significant point of differentiation. Toddy does one thing and does it extremely well: cold brew. Its entire product line revolves around this single function. You can buy replacement filters, stoppers, and fresh decanters, but you won't find a can opener or a salad spinner.
Oxo lives at the opposite end of the spectrum. The brand is a one-stop-shop for nearly every kitchen tool imaginable - from baking and food prep to cleaning and organization. Their beverage accessories are just one small category within a massive catalog. If you want to equip your entire kitchen with cohesive, high-quality tools, Oxo is the answer. If you just want to make cold brew, Toddy is the specialist.
Which One Should You Choose?
Both brands offer excellent products, but they cater to very different customers and needs.
Choose Toddy if:
- Your primary goal is to make large batches of smooth, low-acid cold brew concentrate.
- You want a time-tested, affordable, all-in-one system designed specifically for this task.
- You prioritize pure function and performance over aesthetic design.
- You are a coffee enthusiast looking for a professional-grade home brewing method.
Choose Oxo if:
- You are looking for individual beverage tools, like a kettle, frother, or coffee grinder.
- You value ergonomic comfort and a comfortable, non-slip grip in your kitchen tools.
- You want your gadgets to have a cohesive, modern aesthetic that looks great in your kitchen.
- You are building a broader collection of high-quality, versatile kitchen tools from one reliable brand.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Toddy or Oxo cheaper?
It depends on what you are buying. The Toddy Cold Brew System is a complete kit that costs around $45. Many of Oxo's individual beverage accessories fall within a similar $15-$50 range. For a dedicated cold brewing setup, Toddy offers better bundled value. For individual tools, Oxo offers competitive pricing for its quality.
Which brand is better for cold brew coffee?
Toddy is unequivocally better for cold brew coffee. The entire brand is built around its specialized, highly effective cold immersion system. While Oxo makes a compact cold brew coffee maker, Toddy's classic system is the industry standard for home use.
Which has better quality furniture?
Both brands are renowned for quality and durability, but they use different materials for different purposes. Toddy focuses on simple, resilient glass and BPA-free plastic for its passive brew system. Oxo uses advanced plastics, stainless steel, and silicone with a focus on active user comfort and longevity.
Can you return items to both stores?
Yes, but return policies vary. Toddy's return policy, handled through its website, typically covers unused products within a specific timeframe. Oxo products are sold by numerous retailers, each with its own return policy - though buying directly from Oxo or major stores like Target generally ensures a simple return process.
Is the Toddy system easy to clean?
Yes, one of its main advantages is its simplicity. The Toddy system consists of just a few parts - the brewing container, a stopper, a filter, and the glass decanter - all of which are easy to take apart and wash by hand.
What is Oxo's signature design feature?
Oxo's signature feature is its focus on ergonomics, most famously embodied by its soft, non-slip Santoprene handles. This design makes their tools remarkably comfortable and easy to use for people of all ages and abilities.
Can I get replacement parts for the Toddy system?
Yes, Toddy sells official replacement parts directly on its website, including silicone stoppers, felt filters, paper filter bags, and glass decanters, making it easy to maintain your system for years.
Is Oxo a good brand for coffee?
Yes, Oxo makes a range of high-quality coffee accessories, including burr grinders, pour-over drippers, and electric kettles, which are highly regarded by many home coffee enthusiasts. The brand offers great tools for various manual brewing methods.
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