The 4 best iced coffee makers for 2026, tested and reviewed

For a coffee lover, there's nothing like a caffeinated brew to kickstart — or restart — a long day. These days, some drip coffee makers can brew hot or cold java, but the best iced coffee makers take it up a notch with custom size and pour settings, along with fancy frothers and digital displays.

We tested nine machines, including pour-over styles, using the same coffee for each, and landed on just four worthy of your countertop space. We're talking a mix of savvy single-serve machines, not-so-traditional carafes and hard-working hybrids that will empower you to create an iced brew without leaving the house. You'll also find tips on selecting the best iced coffee maker for you (maybe you're more of a cold brew type?).

Best iced coffee makers for 2026

What to look for when choosing an iced coffee maker

✓ Basket type:Larger coffee baskets hold more grounds, allowing you to make more coffee at once. Single-serve options are great for individuals who want to brew a cold cup of coffee stat, rather than reheat a pot made earlier. Higher-end machines, such as the Ninja DualBrew, offer the flexibility to toggle between the two. Reusable baskets will save you (and the environment) on single-use filters and pods in the long run and can be purchased separately on Amazon.

✓ Brew style:Multifunction coffee makers offer more versatility and minimize the number of appliances piling up in your kitchen. Built-in accessories, such as milk frothers , let you get more creative with your beverages and reduce the need for additional equipment that clutters your drawers.

✓ Machine size:Iced coffee makers that offer multiple brew styles and larger water reservoirs and carafes are versatile and convenient, but they take up more counter space. We suggest looking for machines that leverage vertical space, ideally with retractable features (such as the Ninja DualBrew, which is narrow and has a fold-out frother and cup tray) for smaller kitchens.

✓ Water capacity:The larger the water reservoir, the more coffee you can churn out without refilling. This is particularly useful for larger families. The catch: Machines with larger water reservoirs tend to take up more space. Regardless of size, we suggest you replace the water and clean out reservoirs regularly to keep your machine clean and your coffee tasting great.

How we tested these iced coffee makers

We tested these iced coffee makers by — you guessed it — making a lot of iced coffee! We evaluated nine machines based on form and function, rating the following:

• Practicality:How easy were they to set up and use? Did they have too many settings? Was it easy to decipher what each button did?

• Versatility:Did the machine make a range of drinks beyond iced coffee? How many serving sizes did it offer? Did it include accessories such as reusable filters or milk frothers?

• Brewing speed:This is particularly important when it comes to those early-morning meetings. We followed product guidelines closely, using the same type and amount of coffee grounds (loose and pod cups) for each model.

• Coffee quality:While taste is subjective, we had the same testers evaluate the integrity of the final product, paying attention to things like strength, acidity and whether any sediment was left at the bottom.

Other iced coffee makers we tested

Making iced coffee is a full-time job! Here are some others we evaluated during our shifts:

Mr. Coffee Iced and Hot Coffee Maker :This affordable model is similar to the Mr. Coffee Iced Coffee Maker reviewed above, but you also get a hot coffee function. A few other distinctions: The built-in water reservoir is behind the filter basket, not below, and there are two buttons along the side to select the mode (the brewing process won't start until it's selected, so that the machine can be plugged in the whole time). It took a bit longer to yield a full tumbler of iced coffee, but only by about 20 seconds. The coffee integrity was similar to that of the Mr. Coffee Iced Coffee Maker.

Mr. Coffee Frappe :For just shy of $170 when not on sale, this model lets you brew both hot and cold coffee, with the bonus of being able to blend your cold brew with ice (frappé-style). It's incredibly versatile and easy to use: Press the power button, go through the same motions as the other Mr. Coffee machines and select your mode to start brewing or blending. Although this model is slightly wider and heavier (and therefore less portable), the chrome tray on the bottom makes it feel more elevated than the other Mr. Coffee machines, and it's a blast to use. It's a good option for a frozen-drink lover who doesn't own a blender or likes the idea of having everything in a dedicated station.

Keurig K-Slim + Iced Single-Serve Coffee Maker :This machine uses the same streamlined single-serve pod system as other Keurigs, but with a wider range and greater precision. You can choose from three coffee modes (iced, hot and strong) and three size options (8, 10 and 12 ounces). In testing, the machine was fairly quiet and, despite being pour-over style, there wasn't too much ice melt, so the coffee stayed strong with very little sediment. It came in second place for fastest yield time, taking only about one-and-a-half minutes to make a 12-ounce cup. Despite not having a self-cleaning function, it was really easy to maintain. For about $60 more than a regular (Keurig single-serve) coffee maker, it's a worthy splurge for anyone with a small space or a family who wants to whip up a quick cup of iced coffee at home. 

Ninja XL Hot and Iced Coffee Maker :Like the Ninja DualBrew, this model specializes in hot and pour-over iced coffee, single-serve or carafe-style, with the added benefit of making cold brew (there's a warming option for hot coffee too). At 40 ounces, the water reservoir is slightly smaller, and it's positioned on the upper portion of the machine so it doesn't add a lot of width, though the model is still wider than the DualBrew. The pour-over coffee tasted similar to the DualBrew, and the cold brew was strong. The 1-minute, 40-second yield time was a bit longer, the display was slightly less sophisticated, and there's no frother. Still, this is a good choice for anyone with a bit more counter space who doesn't plan to use pods or likes the option of cold brew. It also rings in at a lower price than the DualBrew.

Cuisinart Hot and Iced Coffee Maker :Cuisinart thought of almost everything when making this machine. It serves hot and pour-over iced coffee, single-serve or carafe-style, in a range of sizes. It has a clean interface with a digital time display, and there are automatic shut-off and self-cleaning features. It comes with a reusable pod and filter basket. Why it didn't make our top three: We experienced more ice melt with this machine than the Ninja and Braun, and the yield took longer (1 minute, 48 seconds for a 12-ounce coffee). We wish it had a drip stop like the Ninja and Braun machines, and we appreciated the visibility that came with those machines' (mostly) touchscreen LCDs. But if you're OK with your coffee being a little lighter — or chilling it in the fridge for a little bit before pouring it over ice — this Cuisinart is a solid option for someone who likes to toggle between filter baskets and pods, plus hot and cold temperatures, without having to purchase paper filters or single-use pod cups.

Other iced coffee and cold brew makers we plan to test

Oxo Rapid Brewer : I have tested multiple Oxo cold brewers and am excited to see how this speedy gadget compares to the rest. According to the brand, the Rapid Brewer can prepare iced coffee in five minutes or less (and hot coffee in two minutes). Designed for on-the-go drinking, all you need is around 5 ounces of water and your desired coffee grounds to steep a cup of joe. Because it has a built-in stainless steel filter, you won't have to worry about tossing a paper filter afterward — or remembering to pack some on your next camping trip. The speedy brewer retails for under $50, making it a cute gift for most coffee lovers in your life (as long as they have enough dexterity to keep pressing down on the pump lid to extract the concentrate).

The Cumulus Cold Brew Coffee Machine : Retailing for almost $700, this machine is likely not practical for most, but it does one thing none of the iced coffee or cold brew makers we have tested can: make nitro cold brew. At the press of a button, you can have yourself a cup of nitrogen-infused cold brew (as well as regular cold brew and cold espresso). Don't get us wrong: this gadget is large and expensive, but my fellow home editors and I are quite excited to test our caffeine tolerance with this innovation.

Iced coffee maker FAQs

How do iced coffee and cold brew makers work?

Generally speaking, there are two ways to make iced coffee. One is pour-over style, which involves brewing hot coffee the traditional way and ideally chilling it before adding ice to avoid dilution. Most of the automated pour-over iced coffee makers we tested start brewing with hot water to extract as much flavor as possible, then switch to cool water to minimize ice melt once the coffee is actually poured. This process can take as little as a minute.

With cold brew, you typically steep coffee grounds in cool water to create a stronger coffee concentrate, then dilute it with water or milk and pour the chilled (or at least room-temperature) liquid over ice. It's generally recommended to steep the coffee in water for 12 to 24 hours, or even longer, depending on the method/system and desired strength.

What is the difference between iced coffee, cold brew and nitro?

These drinks are generally served chilled but vary in mouthfeel and acidity. And then there are their energizing abilities.

"Cold brew tends to run higher [from a caffeine standpoint] because it's made as a concentrate (more grounds, less water), so you're getting more caffeine per ounce even after dilution," says Jenn Mudge, director of electrics merchandising at Sur La Table . (Cold brew also has lower acidity than iced coffee, making it easier on your stomach, adds Mudge.) Nitro, the splashier cousin of cold brew, is infused with nitrogen gas, "giving it a smooth, Guinness-like texture that's really only available as a café experience," she explains.

All this considered, Mudge says it's important to remember that much of your brew comes down to preparation. "The beans you choose and your grounds-to-water ratio are really what drive both the caffeine level and the taste profile."

How long can you keep iced coffee in the fridge?

In our research, we found that the recommended shelf life of iced coffee ranges from two days to two weeks. We suggest refrigerating your cold coffee without ice to preserve strength and flavor, and using an airtight container to help lock in freshness over time (read these food safety and refrigeration guidelines for more info).

Best iced coffee makers specs comparison chart

Meet our experts

• Jenn Mudge, director of electrics merchandising, Sur La Table

Update, May 19, 2026: We checked all product prices and availability. Our No. 1 pick for the best iced coffee maker remains unchanged.

We received complimentary samples of some products and purchased others ourselves, but we reviewed all products using the same objective criteria.