There’s nothing worse than iced coffee that turns watery five minutes after you make it. After using several iced coffee makers at home, my top pick is the Mr. Coffee Iced Coffee Maker because it's inexpensive, simple to use, and makes a surprisingly good glass of iced coffee.
If you want more versatility, I'd choose the Ninja DualBrew, while the Keurig K-Iced is a good choice for people who prefer the convenience of K-Cups.
Here’s a closer look at all three iced coffee makers, what I like about each one, and which one I think is the best choice for making iced coffee at home.
Top 3 Iced Coffee Makers
This article is arranged from my favorite to least favorite. I am coming out of the gate and giving you the best iced coffee maker from the start.
#1 Mr. Coffee Iced Coffee Maker
Who this is best for
- Best for beginners wanting simple homemade iced coffee
- Great for people who want an affordable iced coffee maker
- Perfect for someone who values simplicity over extra features
- Best for coffee drinkers who prefer using fresh coffee grounds
- Great for anyone wanting a quick grab-and-go iced coffee setup
A few years ago, Mr. Coffee launched this iced coffee maker. My wife, who usually doesn’t ask for much, really wanted this coffee maker. At the time, the Mr. Coffee Iced Coffee Maker was exclusively available at Target and quickly became a hot item.
Much like Stanley’s successful comeback with their Starbucks collaboration, Mr. Coffee’s strategy was a smart marketing move. Although I couldn’t snag one for her for Christmas because it was sold out, I managed to get it in January when it became available again. I ended up loving this little unit. Here is what I like about it and what I do not.
Pros:
I love it because it is cheap and super simple to use. It only has one button; that is all. All you have to do is add water and coffee, hit the button, and you're off to making the good iced coffee.
Mr. Coffee Iced Coffee Maker Scoop Size
The thing about Iced Coffee is you have to account for the ice that is going to melt, which will naturally dilute your coffee. Mr. Coffee has considered all that. The scoop size that is included is a 1.5 tablespoon scoop, more than you would traditionally have for one serving of coffee. This makes it perfect for brewing the right ratio of hot, concentrated coffee over ice.
As a bonus, it has a built-in filter. This filter is removable, so you can clean it. No need to waste extra money on buying pods, just use your favorite fresh ground coffee.
According to their instruction manual, "This machine uses RapidChill brewing to quickly cool hot concentrated coffee over ice, leaving you with a flavorful iced coffee that's never watered down". I am not sure about the Rapid Chill, but I do feel this is true about the concentrated coffee not tasting watered down.
Environmentally Friendly
This is also environmentally friendly, as there is no single-use plastic involved, unlike the pods. The machine is made from plastic materials, but has held up great so far. It has been a great Iced coffee machine.
Included Tumbler
Mr. Coffee also includes an insulated coffee tumbler that has the measurements on the cup for the water to pour into the coffee maker and a fill line for the ice in the cup. Genius, I tell ya! It doesn't get any simpler than this. We have had this machine for a few years and have had no issues with it. In my opinion, it is the best iced coffee maker.
Cons:
One downside is that it feels a bit flimsy, though I haven't had any issues with it. Additionally, the brewing process takes a bit longer compared to other brands because it uses a drip coffee method rather than K-Cups. Plus, it only offers one brew option, which might limit versatility for some users. However, sometimes simplicity is best.
Final Review
All in all, this coffee maker is a great pick, in my opinion, for a perfect brew and a good value. It is right up top for the best at-home iced coffee maker.
Check out this video of me using the Mr. Coffee iced Coffee maker.
If you enjoy cold homemade drinks during the summer, you may also like these refreshing iced tea recipes.
#2 Ninja DualBrew Hot and Iced Coffee Maker
Who This Is Best For
- Best for coffee lovers who want both hot and iced coffee options
- Great for households with multiple coffee preferences
- Perfect for people who like lots of features and customization
- Best for users who want both K-Cups and coffee grounds compatibility
- Great for larger families or heavy coffee drinkers
The Ninja DualBrew Hot and Iced Coffee Maker is a standout machine with a sleek, modern design that resembles automotive styling. It boasts a range of features, including the ability to brew both hot and cold coffee. It accommodates both K-pods and coffee grounds. With its advanced features and functionality, it's perfect for anyone who loves gadgets and wants a coffee maker with all the bells and whistles.
Pros
One of the biggest advantages I see with the Ninja DualBrew is the ability to do the dual brew. You can use K-pods, or you can use coffee grounds to make traditional iced coffee. I know you can do that with the Keurig with a filter, but let me be honest, it is a hassle. This unit lets you choose either one without buying a separate basket or any other part.
Another great option is the brew size. You can choose a single cup or brew up to a full glass carafe of coffee. I like that it is so versatile. The Ninja DualBrew also has three strength settings: Classic, Rich, or over ice for grounds or pods, for personal taste. The Coffee maker also has a very large water reservoir, so you can brew multiple cups before needing to refill.
The final thing that I love about this coffee maker is how quickly it brews coffee when using the K-pod function. It is said to make a cup faster than a Keurig K-Elite.
Cons
One of the biggest cons that I can see is the complexity of the machine. When compared to the other two units, the Ninja DualBrew Iced coffee maker is the most complex of the three.
Complexity often brings a higher price tag, and that’s true for the Ninja. It is the most expensive of the three iced coffee makers we reviewed. Additionally, it is the largest of the group. It is not massive, but it doesn’t have the compact footprint of the other two. However, I don’t consider this a deal breaker.
Final Thoughts
I’m impressed with this unit. While it may not be as straightforward to use as the other two, it could effectively replace both of them. Currently, I use a Keurig for quick hot coffee on the go and a Mr. Coffee Iced Coffee Maker when I crave iced coffee. Although I’m fond of the Mr. Coffee Iced Coffee Maker, this new one is a great addition and offers a lot of value!
#3 Keurig K-Iced Coffee Maker
Who This Is Best For
- Best for people who already love using K-Cups
- Great for small kitchens with limited counter space
- Perfect for quick single-serve iced coffee
- Best for busy mornings and convenience
- Great for users who want a compact machine with a water reservoir
After doing much research, the Keurig K-Iced Coffee Maker came in last on my list of top three Iced Coffee makers. Here is what I like about it and what I do not.
Pros:
To start with, I love the styling of it. It is sleek and modern-looking. It comes in two color options, which will help it blend in with any home or office.
Although it is not quite as simple as the Mr. Coffee Iced Coffee maker, it is still pretty simple with only a few buttons to choose from. The options for the buttons are iced coffee, strong coffee, 12-ounce, 10-ounce, and 8-ounce. In addition to that, it has a light that comes on when the water is low and when it needs to be descaled.
One thing that sets it apart from my number one pick is the water reservoir. The Mr. Coffee Iced Coffee maker is a one-time use. You have to fill it with water each time you use it.
Making Iced Coffee With a Keurig
The Keurig K-Iced Coffee maker compensates for diluted coffee in three ways. First, when you select the ounce cup you would like, it gives you 4 ounces less than what you selected. This is because it compensates for the melting ice. Also, the brewing process starts and stops a couple of times. Then, the water comes out hot at first, then goes to room temperature as it gets near the end. All of these features are to prevent the dilution of the coffee.
This machine takes any standard K-Cup options, or you can remove the inner K-Cup basket and buy a basket that you can fill with fresh coffee grounds. I also love the fact that it has a water reservoir, so you do not have to fill it up each time you use it, as you do with the Mr. Coffee Iced coffee maker. The machine itself is also small in size, and that is important in a lot of people's kitchens when counter space is a premium.
Cons:
There are a few cons to this machine that made me choose it for last place. First, the main option when using the machine is using the K-Pods. This creates more waste in our landfills.
Next, the limit for K-Pods is 2 tablespoons. With the Mr. Coffee Iced Coffee maker and the Ninja DualBrew, you can essentially put as much coffee in the filter as you like to make a stronger brew.
If you prefer strong coffee, I suggest using "brewed over ice" K-Cups when using the Keurig K-Iced machine. The reason is that they are bolder and have the maximum amount of grounds in each pod.
The other option is to use a separate filter basket to put your grounds in for stronger coffee, but it is still limited to around 2 tablespoons. The filter will have to be purchased separately as well.
Final Review:
All in all, this is still a solid selection for an iced coffee maker. The price has dropped on this unit, and it is pretty affordable. The size and water reservoir make it a solid selection as well.
Iced Coffee vs. Cold Brew: What's the Difference?
Iced coffee and cold brew may look similar in the glass, but they're made differently.
Iced coffee is brewed hot and then cooled down with ice. An iced coffee maker typically brews the coffee at a strength designed to account for the melting ice, so you don't end up with a weak, watered-down drink.
Cold brew is made without hot water. Coffee grounds are steeped in cold or room-temperature water for several hours and then strained. This creates a smoother, less acidic coffee concentrate that can be served over ice and diluted with water or milk.
If you want a quick cup of iced coffee without waiting hours for cold brew to steep, an iced coffee maker is the more convenient option. That's one of the reasons I enjoy using one at home.
Iced Coffee
Iced Coffee, on the other hand, uses an Iced Coffee Maker to brew hot coffee, and as it drips out, it drips over Ice cubes to cool it down as soon as it exits the coffee maker.
Add in creamer, sugar, your favorite sweetener, or flavored syrups, and the result is a delicious homemade iced coffee. You can also enjoy iced coffee black if you prefer a bolder coffee flavor. While it is not quite as smooth as cold brew coffee, it still has that strong, rich flavor that traditional hot coffee offers. I enjoy both, but personally, I prefer iced coffee because I still get that bold coffee taste while enjoying it cold and refreshing.
Are you looking for a gift for your mom? I have an awesome guide on 11 Thoughtful Kitchen gift ideas for moms.
Cold Brew Coffee
The cold-brewed system is different and makes coffee that tastes different. The short answer is that a cold brew maker is a filter and a container, like a glass carafe. Freshly ground coffee grounds are added to a filter and then to the cold brew container. Then, cold water is poured inside.
The coffee is left at room temperature to steep overnight. The result is cold-brewed coffee.
Cold coffee concentrate contains a higher amount of caffeine; it is bold but super smooth. Cold brew coffee lacks the strong coffee flavor that many people enjoy from coffee. At this point, the coffee can be poured into a glass over ice, with creamer, sweetener, and flavorings of your choice. Many people also enjoy cold brew coffee black since it is so smooth.
If you love coffee, you will also love my article on how to make Southern-style sweet tea!
Conclusion
Which Iced Coffee Maker Is Best?
After using and comparing these three iced coffee makers, the Mr. Coffee Iced Coffee Maker is my top pick overall. It’s affordable, simple to use, and does exactly what I want an iced coffee maker to do—make a good glass of iced coffee without a lot of fuss. I’ve used mine for years, and for someone who mainly wants an easy way to make iced coffee at home, it’s hard to beat.
The Ninja DualBrew comes in second and is the most versatile option. If you want one coffee maker that can handle both hot and iced coffee and gives you more brewing options, the Ninja is worth the extra investment.
The Keurig K-Iced takes the third spot and is best for K-Cup users. It’s quick, convenient, and a good fit if you already enjoy the simplicity of brewing coffee with pods.
For me, though, Mr. Coffee is still the winner. It’s inexpensive, easy to use, and has served me well for years. If your main goal is simply making great iced coffee at home, that’s the one I’d choose.
Frequently Asked Questions About Iced Coffee Makers
The best iced coffee maker for beginners is usually one that is simple to use, affordable, and brews quickly. Machines like the Mr. Coffee Iced Coffee Maker are popular because they make homemade iced coffee easy without complicated settings.
Yes, iced coffee makers can save money over time if you regularly buy iced coffee from coffee shops. They also allow you to customize the strength, sweetness, and flavor of your coffee at home.
You can, but it often tastes watered down and weak. Most iced coffee makers brew coffee more strongly to account for the melting ice, which helps create a smoother and more flavorful drink.
Iced coffee is brewed hot and then cooled over ice, while cold brew is steeped slowly in cold water for several hours. Cold brew is usually smoother and less acidic than traditional iced coffee.
Compact machines like the Keurig K-Iced Coffee Maker are great for small kitchens because they take up less counter space while still making quick iced coffee.
Most iced coffee makers use regular ground coffee. Some machines also work with K-Cups or pods depending on the model.
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