Coffee shops now often provide cold brew, a more flavorful alternative to traditional iced coffee. However, if you cannot make your regular trips to get coffee because of the coronavirus, you may still get your dose by preparing coffee at home.

To get the best quality cold brew, you must first grind fresh grounds for your cold brew. Cold brew makers are only as good as the grounds they’re made from. Because cold brew calls for a coarse grind, you will need a cold brew coffee grinder with specific settings for the various grind sizes.

In the coarse-grind performance test that we conduct here at Consumer Reports, we start by grinding coffee beans on the coarsest setting possible, then pass the grinds through a series of sieves to ensure that they are the appropriate size.

The following are our picks for the top 5 cold brew coffee makers, each of which received a grade of either Very Good or Excellent for its performance in a coarse setting. 

1. Keurig K-Classic Coffee Maker – Editor’s Choice

As I was getting ready to write the review of the Keurig K-Classic coffee maker, one of my goals was to figure out what set this particular coffee machine apart from others.

The K-Classic is a coffee maker that has stood the test of time. It has an old-fashioned appearance, making it look wonderful on practically any kitchen counter.

In addition, this Keurig coffee maker is equipped with all the essential functions required to produce a delicious cup of coffee. It is straightforward and quick to operate, brews bigger cup sizes, comes with an automatic off switch, and can be purchased reasonably.

It also features a programmable timer that allows you to set up the brewing cycle so that you can wake up to a freshly brewed pot of coffee without having to wait until morning.

Keurig K-Classic Coffee MakerFeatures:

• Brews 12 cups of coffee

• Programmable timer

• Automatic shutoff

• Large capacity (12 ounces)

2. Ninja DCM201 XL 14 Cup Coffee Maker PRO – Best Selling

The Ninja DCM201XL 14 Cup Coffee Maker Pro is a minimalist design of reliability and a high-quality coffee maker. This model uses a programmable timer so that users can set up the machine to make coffee at any desired time.

This is a great way to ensure that your family always has fresh coffee. The unit also includes a removable drip tray that makes cleanup easier.

This model comes equipped with a stainless steel burr grinder that produces freshly ground beans every time. It also offers a convenient pour-over feature that allows users to choose from three different types of filters.

Ninja DCM201XL 14 Cups Coffee Maker Pro Features:

• Programmable timer
• Removable drip tray
• A stainless steel burr grinder
• Convenient pour-over and auto-stop feature

3. Cuisinart DCC-1200P1 Brew Central 12-Cup Programmable Coffeemaker Coffee Maker – Runner Up

Cuisinart’s DCC-1200P 1/12-cup Programmable Coffeemaker is another excellent choice to enjoy a delicious cup of coffee without spending too much money.

The device is capable of making hot water and steaming milk simultaneously. This means you can prepare a full breakfast or lunch while enjoying a cup of coffee.

The Cuisinart DCC 1200P1 is designed to provide consistent results every time. It is easy to clean and maintain and comes with a two-year warranty.

Cuisinart DCC- 1200P1 Brebrewntral 12 Cup Programmable Coffeemaker Features:

• Brews hot water & steamed milk simultaneously
• Easy to clean and maintain
• Generous two-year warranty

4. Mueller Single Serve Pod Compatible Coffee Maker Machine

If you are looking for a simple and affordable coffee maker, then the Mueller Single Serve Pod Compatible Coffee Maker Machine is ideal.

It can produce a wide range of coffee drinks, including espresso, cappuccino, latte macchiato, and mocha.

The device is extremely easy to operate and requires no special skills or training to master. The machine is compact and portable, which makes it perfect for people who travel frequently.

Mueller Single Serve Pod Compatible Coffeemaker Features:

• Produces espresso, cappuccino, latte macchiato, mocha, etc.
• Compact size and portable
• No special skills or training required.

5. Braun KF7070 BrewSense Drip Glass Coffeemaker

The Braun KF7070 is an excellent option if you need a reliable and versatile coffee maker.

The device can make various beverages such as espresso, cappuccinos, lattes, and more.

The machine is very easy to use and has many useful and notable features. For example, it automatically adjusts its array of grind settings based on the type of beverage you want to make.

Braun KF7070 Brew Sense Drip Glass Coffeemakers Features:

• Automatic adjustments based on beverage type
• Durable stainless steel construction

Things to consider when buying the coffee grinder for specifically cold brew

It is not necessary to use a certain type of grinder to make cold brew coffee; nonetheless, the coffee must be ground to a certain consistency, namely a coarse grind. Therefore, the coarse grind size setting on your burr grinder must be dependable.

Check out our comprehensive guide on preparing cold brew coffee after you’ve selected a coffee grinder from the list below, and you’ll be well on your way to preparing a cup of handmade cold brew that’s as refreshing as it is satisfying.

1. Blade Grinders: Say No

First, even though you may be tempted to cut costs by purchasing an inexpensive electric blade grinder, we strongly advise against doing so, especially when making cold drip or brew coffee. This is true for two different reasons. Blade coffee grinders don’t grind the coffee beans; they cut the beans, resulting in inconsistent grinds of varying sizes. Because of this, some people will extract more than they need to, while others will extract less. Because of the extended steeping time required for cold brew coffee, any off tastes that develop will be heightened.

Coarser grinding coffee with a burr grinder is more costly, but it results in a better calibrated, more exact, and more consistent product. The end product is more suited for various brewing techniques because of its characteristics.

Second, blade grinders create more heat while they grind, which can leave your delicious coffee tasting smoky and charred if not used with caution. This disagreeable taste will be accentuated to a greater degree in the beverage known as cold brew, which is produced without the use of any heat at all.

Invest in a burr grinder for your coffee as a result. It is worth it, and you can choose from various alternatives here: the finest coffee grinders for each brewing method.

2. Manual Or Electric

When selecting any burr coffee grinder, the first decision is whether you want one that is manual or electric. Additionally, when preparing cold brew coffee, there are certain distinctive aspects to consider.

Coffee grinders that are operated by hand and require the user to turn a crank do not cost as much but last far longer.

They are useful for traveling and camping trips because they do not require a power supply. Manual grinders need some physical exertion from the user, take more time to complete the grinding process, and often have much lower coffee capacity than their electric counterparts.

Compared with, for example, the fine coffee grounds needed for espresso, the coarse grind necessary for cold brew is, fortunately, the easiest and fastest to accomplish using a manual cold brew grinder.

Although electric burr grinders are more costly, there is no denying how much simpler and quicker they are. Press the button, and you’ll get perfectly ground cold coffee brewing. If you want to make a large amount of cold brew coffee, you should invest in an automated grinder rather than a manual one unless you enjoy giving your arms a good workout.

3. The Burr Material Is Important

It may come as a surprise, but the material you choose for the burrs in your coffee grinder can affect not only the machine that does the grinding but also the tastes extracted from the cold press coffee.

Ceramic burrs are more durable than their metal counterparts and won’t lose their sharpness quickly. Ceramic, however, is a fragile material that breaks easily if it is dropped. Because ceramics do not carry heat, these burrs heat less during the slow grinding speed process, so you do not risk ruining any of the coffee’s delicious oils.

The collection containers with ground coffee produced using burr grinders made of ceramic are generally considered more complex. It also has a fuller body and a creamier texture, contributing to its popularity with espresso roasts.

Steel burrs, on the other hand, can be sharpened, but with time they lose their edge. They also become warmer throughout the grinding process. However, there has been little research to suggest that this significantly impacts the flavor.

Coffee that has been ground using a steel burr grinder often has a more refined flavor and a lighter body, making it an excellent choice for single-origin coffees. It is ultimately up to your taste buds to decide whether or not you prefer a cold brew with this sharper flavor profile.

You could experiment with cold brewing brew in a mason jar using your grinder, just as in the video that’s down below:

4. Emphasize achieving a good coarse grind.

This brewing method works best with a coarse grind size for the grains. When selecting a grinder for cold brew, the number of consistent grind settings offered by a burr grinder is not as significant as when shopping for a high-end one. Despite this, it is something to think about if you want a grinder that can be used for various things.

The grinder is normally quite coarse when making a cold brew to limit the surface area. If we ground the coffee more finely, we could increase the surface area, but the prolonged steeping process would produce very dark and over-extracted coffee.

Because maintaining a consistent and even coarse grind size is the most critical aspect of making cold brew which should emphasize this above a wide variety of micro settings.

Moreover, you should also read our article about the best double-walled glass mug for coffee that is highly under-rated.

Read our expert buying guide for buying the best plastic-free coffee maker.

Electric vs. manual coffee grinder – which is better for cold brew?

The short answer is both above. Yes, manual and electric coffee grinders may be used well for making cold-brew coffee.

The question that needs to be asked is how much physical labor you are willing to put into preparing your batch of cold brew coffee.

Using a manual coffee grinder will not involve much work, which is fortunate because cold-brewed hot coffee calls for a coarser grind than regular pre-ground coffee. The finer the grind size, the greater the amount of sweat produced.

An electric grinder is simpler and easier to operate than a manual one. An electric grinder is so straightforward and user-friendly that even your quirky and coffee-obsessed grandmother should have no trouble using it to prepare the perfect grinds for her preferred beverage.

To make coffee, you must load the bean hopper and choose your chosen grind size (keep in mind that coarse is best for cold rebranding turn on the switch. In a very short extraction time, you will have freshly ground coffee prepared to be added to your iced coffee.

On the other hand, the price of an electric burr coffee grinder may be rather high, which is one of the most significant negatives of this type of coffee grinder. There are, without a doubt, cheaper and more affordable models, but before you go to the next department shop in search of the least expensive alternative, let me forewarn you that you will receive the quality that corresponds to the price you pay.

Are you also wondering if Can You Grind Coffee Beans In A Nutribullet? Let’s find out here!

Keep in mind that if you’re using an electric grinder for longer or grinding a lot of the whole batches of coffee beans simultaneously, you’ll likely produce a lot of heat. Most high-quality cold-grinding machines have speed limits on their motor so that they won’t burn out your beans. That said, it’s best not to let them run too fast because they can easily exceed the recommended temperature range.

Moreover, we have also written an article about the Best Ice Coffee / Cold Brew Maker Iin 2022!

Our #1 Coffee Grinder For Cold Brew

Our number one coffee grinder for cold brew is the Keurig K-Classic Coffee Maker because of its reliability, durability and efficiency. It will evenly grind the coffee beans making it a perfect coffee machine for cold brews.

As runner-up, we recommend the Ninja DCM201 XL 14 Cup Coffee Maker PRO because of its affordable pricing, minimalist design and impressive grinding speed.

We also made an article on How To Burn Coffee Grounds. Check it out!