best iced coffee makers
For a coffee lover, there's nothing like a caffeinated brew to kickstart — or restart — a long day. And if you're going to purchase a drip coffee maker anyway, why not spring for one that can also serve that brew chilled? The best iced coffee makers for 2025 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 style iced coffee makers, using the same coffee for each, and landed on the four we deemed most barista-worthy. We're talking a mix of savvy single serves, not-so-traditional carafes and hard-working hybrids that will empower you to create made-to-order concoctions without leaving the house or breaking the bank. Farther down, you'll find info on our rigorous testing process, along with tips for selecting the best iced coffee maker for you. (And if you prefer a stronger cup, we rounded up the best cold-brew coffee makers too.)
Update, Sept. 16, 2025: We checked all product prices and availability. Our No. 1 pick for the best iced coffee maker remains unchanged.
Machine size: 15.54"H x 11.39"W x 9.13"D | Water tank capacity: 60 ounces | Brew style: Pod or basket | Servings: 6, 8, 10, and 12 ounces, plus carafe option | Modes: Classic, rich, over ice, specialty
This Ninja offers the bells and whistles you might find at your favorite coffee shop without taking up too much counter space. Bonus: It's really easy to operate.
How it works: You can pop in a coffee pod for single servings of iced coffee or slide the top portion up and insert a paper filter and coffee grounds for multiple servings. A scoop secured alongside the machine helps measure grounds. Turn the dial to select coffee size and tap the touchscreen commands to select coffee style (classic, rich, over ice or specialty). There's a drip-stop toggle to ensure nothing leaks when the pour is in motion and a self-cleaning function that takes care of the dirty work post-brewing.
Why it's great: As with some other machines on our list, you can also brew hot coffee, whether you want a single serving or a carafe. The fact that the Ninja DualBrew accommodates pods is convenient, especially for those who like the ease of being able to whip up a cup quickly or switch up their coffee strengths and flavors throughout the day. There's a little tray that folds down where the carafe would usually sit to support cups while preserving space.
What really sets this machine apart, however, is the speed at which it operates. At about 75 seconds for a 12-ounce cup, it had the quickest yield among those we tested. Also stellar: The integrity of the iced coffee it produces, which was cold and strong with little ice melt or sediment — the closest to what we'd find at a specialty coffee shop. The water reservoir is substantial, and there's a fold-out frother for adding foam to hot or cold beverages. The (mostly) touchscreen display — with graphics — adds visibility while making your kitchen feel like a high-end café. I have this in my own home, and it's always popular with guests when they visit. FYI: This machine also made it to the top of our list for best single-serve coffee makers.
Machine size: 14.5"H x 7.3"W x 11.4"D | Water tank capacity: 13 ounces | Brew style: Basket | Servings: 13 ounces | Modes: Iced
Looking for a budget- and tumbler-friendly option? This simple model is a solid bet.
How it works: It comes pretty much ready to go, and setup is a breeze. You fill the enclosed tumbler up to the water line, then pour that water into the water reservoir, which is under the filter basket. Use the enclosed scoop to measure the grounds and dump them into the reusable filter basket. Fill the tumbler with ice up to the ice line, place the tumbler under the pourer and plug in the machine. When the coffee is finished pouring, you close the drip stop to avoid spilling. Screw the lid on the tumbler and pop in the straw — now you're ready to take your drink on the go.
Why it's great: Aside from being incredibly straightforward, this gadget is fairly quick, yielding a 13-ounce coffee in under two minutes every time. It's also very compact and lightweight — only 1.4 pounds, making it the most portable of any option we evaluated. And while we experienced slight ice melt in our tests (more than with the Ninja DualBrew), the coffee we brewed still held up pretty well in terms of strength and taste. Hot tip: The top portion releases steam, so you’ll want to keep a little distance when brewing.
If you want to make hot coffee too, consider the Mr. Coffee Iced and Hot Coffee Maker, reviewed below, for a dual-brew option with more customization.
Machine size: 15"H x 13"W x 7.1"D | Water tank capacity: 50 ounces | Brew style: Basket | Servings: 6, 8, 12, 14 and 20 ounces, plus carafe option | Modes: Over ice, cold brew, gold, bold, keep warm
How it works: Like a charm! Add water to the reservoir and coffee grounds to the reusable filter basket, portioning your grounds based on desired strength and serving (you can do single serve or make a larger pot). Similar to the Ninja DualBrew, a small cup rest flips down — this time from the side of where the carafe would typically be. Press one of the touchscreen buttons to choose your coffee mode and turn the dial to select the size.
Why it's great: You can choose from a range of brew modes (cold brew, over ice, gold and bold) and sizes (6-, 8-, 12-, 14- or 20-ounce, plus carafe options). The machine whips up a 12-ounce cup of pour-over style iced coffee in under two minutes and up to five cups of cold brew-style coffee in under five. Both modes yielded strong, smooth coffee like the Ninja, leaving no sediment or grinds. The water reservoir is substantial (at 50 ounces, just behind the Ninja DualBrew) and there's a handle for easy carrying from the sink to the counter. There are also automatic shutoff, drip-stop and self-cleaning functions, along with a warming setting. We'd recommend this machine to anyone who prizes being able to make cold brew over being able to use single-serve pods (as they aren't compatible with this machine) and wants a competitively priced coffee maker. More cold brew coffee makers, including cold brew concentrate systems, right this way...
Machine size: 9.8" W x 15.35" D x 12.16" H | Water tank capacity: 70 ounces | Brew style: Single-serve | Servings: 6, 8, 10 and 12 oz. | Modes: Hot, cold, strong (for hot and cold)
How it works: This machine brews both hot and cold coffee using K-Cup pods. According to Keurig, when you choose the "cold" option, the machine first brews hot, then that liquid travels through aluminum coils to a water-based thermoelectric chamber that flash-chills it before dispensing it to the cup. It sounds complicated, but actually making a coffee with this machine is simple — you just press a button for hot or cold, select your desired amount and hit the big "K" button. If you choose "cold," an automatic rinse cycle will start as soon as the machine's done brewing.
Why it's great: Generally, if you want iced coffee from a single-serve coffee maker, the best you're going to get is a "brew over ice" option — basically, hot coffee that's slightly more concentrated to make up for the fact that it becomes diluted as it melts the ice in your cup. Not the case with this hybrid home brewer, which came out in August 2024: In addition to brewing regular hot coffee from K-Cups, it produces legitimately cold coffee. I clocked it at 66.7 degrees, 100 degrees cooler than the hot version, with little to no ice melt. It's pretty amazing! In both cases, the coffee was smooth and flavorful; the hot coffee is on par with what you'd expect from the best single-serve coffee makers. There's also a "strong" button if you like your java on the more potent side.
The only thing that's a tad annoying is the setup for this machine, as you have to first fill the cooler chamber with nearly 12 cups of water, and the opening is small. You'll definitely need a pitcher or measuring cup with a spout. But the brand says you'll only need to do this once a year or so to account for some evaporation. The cooling process also makes this machine noisier than most. Expect a constant hum, though you can dampen it by hitting the "quiet" button.
Basket type: Larger coffee baskets support 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, in general or throughout the day, versus having to reheat a pot made earlier on. 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 and multicapacity coffee makers offer more versatility and minimize the amount of appliances piling up in your kitchen. Built-in accessories such as frothers allow you to get more creative with your beverages and reduce the need for additional equipment cluttering 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.
We tested these iced coffee makers by — you guessed it — making a lot of iced coffee! We evaluated them based on form and function along with practicality (ease of setup and overall use) and versatility (range of features and accessories). We also factored in speed, which is particularly important when it comes to those early-morning meetings. We followed product guidelines closely, while using the same type and portion of coffee grounds (loose and pod cups) for each model. 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.
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 under-$60 model is similar to the Mr. Coffee Iced Coffee Maker reviewed above but for more, 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 selected, so 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 $150, 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: Just 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 $150 machine uses the same streamlined single-serve pod function as other Keurigs, but with more range and 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 $40 more than a regular (Keurig single-serve) coffee maker, it's a worthy splurge for anyone who has a small space or family and wants to be able to whip up a quick cup of iced coffee at home.
Ninja XL Hot and Iced Coffee Maker: Like the Ninja DualBrew, this $160 model specializes in hot and pour-over iced coffee, single or carafe-style, with the added benefit of being able to make cold brew (there's a warming option too, for hot coffee). 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 yield time of 1 minute, 40 seconds was a bit longer and the display 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 slightly lower price than the DualBrew.
Cuisinart Hot and Iced Coffee Maker: Cuisinart thought of almost everything when making this $187 machine. It serves up hot and pour-over iced coffee, single-serve or carafe style, in a range of sizes. It has a clean interface with digital time display, and there are automatic shutoff 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 LCD displays. 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.
Most of the automated pour-over iced coffee makers we tested start the brewing process 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. The process can take as little as a minute.
Cold brew makers let you steep coffee grounds directly into room-temperature water, usually via a filter to eliminate the transfer of sediment or grounds. The steeped coffee then sits in the water eight to 24 hours depending on desired strength until it's ready to drink, making it a good "prep ahead and batch" option to keep in your fridge.
Generally speaking, there are two ways to make iced coffee. One is pour-over style, which involves brewing hot coffee the traditional way but with less water, and ideally allowing it to chill before adding ice to avoid melting, which dilutes the flavor. The other way is made using a cold brew system, or steeping coffee grounds in cool water to create a stronger coffee concentrate, then diluting it with water or milk and pouring the chilled (or at least room-temperature) liquid over ice.
In our research, we saw that the shelf life for 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).
Machine size | Servings | Brew style | Water tank capacity | Modes | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
15.54"H x 11.39"W x 9.13"D | 6, 8, 10 and 12 ounces, plus carafe option | Pod or basket | 60 ounces | Classic, rich, over ice, speciality | |
14.5"H x 7.3"W x 11.4"D | 13 ounces | Basket | 13 ounces | Iced | |
15"H x 13"W x 7.1"D | 6, 8, 12, 14 and 20 ounces, plus carafe option | Basket | 50 ounces | Over ice, cold brew, gold, bold, keep warm | |
Keurig K-Brew + Chill | 9.8" W x 15.35" D x 12.16" H | 6, 8, 10 and 12 ounces | Pod | 70 ounces | Hot, cold, strong (for both) |