The best iced coffee makers for 2024, tested and reviewed

There's nothing like a caffeinated brew to kickstart — or restart — a long day for a coffee drinker. 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 2024 take it up a notch (sometimes, quite literally) with custom size and pour settings, along with fancy frothers and digital displays.

Ready to tap into barista mode? Keep scrolling for 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 (the average U.S. woman spends $2,327 a year on coffee — ouch). In addition to our top picks, we've included info on our testing process, aka how these coffee makers managed to stand up to our thorough review, along with tips for selecting the best iced coffee maker for you. We've also rounded up the best cold brew coffee makers.

Table of contents

A quick note before we dive in: Every iced coffee maker on this list was vetted and tested by Yahoo editors who take their caffeine (a little too) seriously. Each model came fully assembled, sans grinder, so all we had to do was add water and coffee grounds (versus coffee beans) and use the occasional accessory. While taste is subjective, we used the same coffee with each machine, varying brewing methods based on directions, in an attempt to control for strength, acidity and sediment. As of publication, every iced coffee maker we tested is for sale on Amazon, many with free shipping and expedited delivery options.

Best iced coffee maker overall

More top iced coffee makers we recommend

What to look for when choosing an iced coffee maker

• 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.

How we tested

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.

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 $60 model is similar to the Mr. Coffee Iced Coffee Maker reviewed above but for $20 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 $130, 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 $130 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 $150 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 $200 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.

Iced coffee maker and cold brew maker FAQs

How do iced coffee makers and cold brew makers work?

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.

What are the different types of iced coffee?

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.

How long do you refrigerate iced coffee?

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).