In-depth review
OXO Brew Cold Brew Coffee Maker Review
In-depth review of the OXO Brew Cold Brew Coffee Maker: rainmaker saturation, ultra-fine mesh filtration, batch size, and who should buy it.
OXO Brew Cold Brew Coffee Maker
The most engineered immersion brewer, with a rainmaker lid for even saturation.
- Brew method: Immersion
- Filter: Reusable ultra-fine stainless steel mesh
- Distribution: Rainmaker shower-head lid
Our verdict
The OXO Brew is the best-engineered immersion cold brew maker you can buy. The rainmaker lid genuinely solves uneven saturation, the reusable ultra-fine stainless mesh filter eliminates ongoing filter costs, and the auto-drain makes the messiest step of cold brewing nearly effortless. The trade-offs are a modest batch size that suits one or two drinkers and a tall profile that eats fridge shelf height. For solo or couple drinkers who brew weekly, it is the easiest recommendation in this guide, and the full ranking context is in our best cold brew makers roundup.
What we like
- Rainmaker shower-head lid distributes water evenly over the grounds for consistent saturation
- Reusable ultra-fine stainless steel mesh filter means no ongoing filter purchases
- Glass carafe with measurement markings makes diluting concentrate to taste simple
- Auto-drain feature separates grounds from concentrate without lifting a heavy filter
What to watch out for
- Modest batch size suits one or two daily drinkers, not households
- Tall profile takes meaningful fridge shelf height
- Plastic brew chamber can hold coffee oils and needs regular washing
Who it is for
Solo and couple cold brew drinkers who want even extraction, a reusable filter with no ongoing cost, and the simplest cleanup in the immersion class.
Saturation and extraction
The rainmaker lid is the OXO's defining feature: instead of dumping water onto the grounds, you pour through a shower-head lid that distributes water evenly across the coffee bed. In immersion brewing, dry pockets of grounds are the main cause of uneven extraction, and most pitchers leave fixing that to you and a spoon. The OXO automates it. Combined with a 12 to 24 hour steep, the result is a balanced, sweet concentrate with less of the hollow or sharp notes that channeling produces.
Filtration and concentrate quality
The reusable ultra-fine stainless steel mesh filter is the second win. It strains finer than the Takeya's fine mesh, so the cup has less sediment, and because it is steel rather than felt, there is nothing to dry, nothing to mildew, and nothing to repurchase. The glass carafe carries measurement markings, which makes diluting concentrate to a consistent strength straightforward instead of guesswork.
Cleanup and daily use
The auto-drain is the feature you will appreciate every batch: instead of lifting a dripping filter basket out of a full pitcher, you open the drain and the concentrate flows into the carafe while the grounds stay behind. Rinse the mesh filter promptly after use and it stays clean; let grounds dry on it and the ultra-fine mesh needs a soak. The plastic brew chamber should be washed regularly to prevent coffee oil buildup.
How it stacks up
Against the Takeya Cold Brew Coffee Maker, the OXO costs more but filters finer through its ultra-fine mesh versus Takeya's standard fine mesh, and the rainmaker lid automates saturation that the Takeya leaves to stirring. The Takeya counters with a shatterproof Tritan body, 1-quart and 2-quart size options, and a lower price. Against the Toddy Cold Brew System, the OXO is simpler to maintain, with a rinse-and-go steel filter instead of felt filters that must be rinsed and air-dried, but the Toddy produces heavier-bodied, more sediment-free concentrate in larger batches. See the direct OXO vs Toddy comparison for the full head-to-head.
Key specifications
- Brew method
- Immersion
- Filter
- Reusable ultra-fine stainless steel mesh
- Distribution
- Rainmaker shower-head lid
- Steep time
- 12 to 24 hours
- Carafe
- Glass with measurement markings
Sources: OXO official product specifications, Major retailer product listings, Published coffee gear reviews
What owners report
Owners praise
- Owners praise the Rainmaker shower-head lid distributing water evenly over the grounds for consistent saturation
- Many owners like the reusable ultra-fine stainless steel mesh filter ending ongoing filter purchases
- Owners say the measurement markings on the glass carafe make diluting concentrate to taste simple
Common complaints
- Some owners find the modest batch size suits one or two daily drinkers, not households
- Owners note the tall profile takes meaningful fridge shelf height
- A common complaint is the plastic brew chamber holding coffee oils and needing regular washing
Also consider
Takeya Cold Brew Coffee Maker
A shatterproof pitcher with a fine-mesh filter that lives in the fridge door.
- Brew method: Immersion
- Material: BPA-free Tritan plastic
Sources: Takeya official product specifications, Major retailer product listings, Published coffee gear reviews
Check current price
Toddy Cold Brew System
The original since 1964, built around reusable felt filters and big batches.
- Brew method: Immersion
- Filter: Reusable felt filters (paper bags optional)
Sources: Toddy official product specifications, Major retailer product listings, Published coffee gear reviews
Check current priceResearch-based assessment. TheBrewLedger has not hands-on tested this product; this evaluation synthesizes manufacturer specifications, retailer documentation, and published expert reviews.
Questions, answered
How much concentrate does the OXO make per batch?
The OXO Brew Cold Brew Coffee Maker produces a modest batch suited to one or two daily drinkers, yielding concentrate you dilute roughly 1 to 1 or 1 to 2 with water or milk. Heavy drinkers or households should look at the Toddy's larger batches.
Do I need to buy replacement filters?
No. The ultra-fine stainless steel mesh filter is reusable indefinitely with rinsing. That is one of its main advantages over the Toddy, whose felt filters are consumable.
Is the rainmaker lid worth it?
It addresses a real problem: uneven saturation from pouring water directly onto grounds. If you currently stir your grounds mid-steep, the rainmaker automates that step and produces more consistent extraction.
Can I put it in the dishwasher?
The glass carafe is dishwasher safe; the plastic brew chamber and lid should be washed with care to avoid warping and to remove coffee oils. Rinse the mesh filter promptly after each use.