With the heat-wave upon us, there’s nothing better than savoring an iced tea after a long day’s work. Hence today’s article is about choosing (and eventually buying) the best iced tea maker in the universe, as iced tea is basically the yard stick of civilization in anyone’s household.
All jokes aside, brewing your own high-quality and healthy iced tea at home is preferable to buying sugary iced tea powders of dubious provenience from your local grocery or coffee shops. Hence choosing the best iced tea maker should rank high on your “to-do” list, but don’t worry, as we’ve already done the research and combed the internet for the best deals, so you won’t have to.
How to Choose the Best Iced Tea Maker
Old school readers are probably criticizing us for recommending fancy machines like iced tea makers, instead of using proper teapots. However, if you’re into ancient technology, you can check out our article on the best teapots. Moving along with our story, make sure you’re going for a versatile iced tea maker before spending your hard-earned money on kitchen appliances.
The point being, the best iced tea maker can brew both tea bags as well as loose leaves, and allows you to fine-tune the brewing strength, i.e. mild, medium and strong. Moreover, a truly versatile iced tea maker can brew coffee as well, and that’s great news for coffee lovers.
Another thing to consider is hot or cold brew; the thing is, there are certain models of iced tea makers that can boil their own water in order to brew your favorite tea. There are also cold brew presses, which are pretty nice, yet they take longer to deliver a strong mix of tea, so be advised.
There are certain features to look after in iced tea makers, things like automatic and timed brewing controls, which save you time and the hassle of constantly pecking at your brew to finish. Don’t worry, as most modern models come packed with these essential features, but we must mention it just in case.
As with any type of kitchen appliance, the best iced tea maker must be the right size, easy to clean, and, most importantly, cost effective. Some people are not ready to spend hundreds of dollars on a whim, as they’re perfectly happy with brewing their favorite tea using a classic kettle. And before you ask, no, there’s nothing wrong with that.
With all these in mind, let’s check out the best iced tea makers after a short commercial break.
Best Iced Tea Makers
Mr. Coffee 2-in-1 Iced Tea Brewing System with Glass Pitcher
The Best Iced Tea Maker Machine
We’ll begin today’s round up with Mr. Coffee, a 2-in-1 iced tea brewing machine that’s also ready and willing to pitch you a pint of coffee at any hour. As we already told you, this type of iced tea maker is the best of both worlds, as it’s great for both coffee and tea lovers.
Moreover, Mr. Coffee can brew fresh iced tea regardless of what you’re feeding it: tea leaves or tea bags, so yeah, that’s another box checked and another win for Mr. Coffee. Another good thing about this iced tea maker is that it’s pretty fast, being capable of brewing 2.5 quarts of tea in a matter of minutes while featuring a filter basket with a permanent filter included.
If you want a bolder taste, you’ll enjoy the brew strength selector. As per ease of cleaning, rest assured as both the lid and the glass pitcher are dishwasher safe. After the brewing process reaches completion, the auto-shut off feature kicks in and powers off the tea maker, so everything’s on the safe side.
Finally, Mr. Coffee comes with a water filtration system that removes chlorine from your tap water, for better tasting tea or coffee. And speaking of coffee, word on the street has it that Mr. Coffee’s 45 years old automatic drip technology makes the best coffee in the world, while its iced tea tastes like summer.
- Well designed, glass pitcher, 2-in-1 brewing system for both coffee and tea
- Dishwasher safe components, fast brewing cycle, water reservoir with window, power ON indicator
- Brew strength selector, auto-shut-off function, lift and clean filter basket with permanent filter, easy to clean
- None we can think of
Nostalgia CI3BK Iced Coffee Maker and Tea Brewing System
Jack Of All Trades
The Nostalgia Iced coffee maker is another example of “two for the price of one”; for way less than fifty bucks you’ll get a great iced tea maker that also makes excellent coffee, for the ultimate brewing experience.
The Nostalgia CI3BK comes in classic black/silver design, has a 3-quart glass pitcher and it will make you forget pubs and bars, since you’ll be able to enjoy delicious and smooth drinks at home. And you’ll also get extra brownie points for social distancing; we’re just kidding, but if you’re into gourmet ice drinks, you’ll definitely love a little bit of Nostalgia (pun intended, of course).
Some of the best things about this iced tea maker are that it’s hugely versatile, looks fantastic and it’s very easy to use. Speaking of which, all you have to do to create iced coffee or tea is to place the tea bags, tea leaves of or coffee grounds into Nostalgia CI3BK’s removable filter basket, fill up the water tank with purified water for better taste and then say “Engage”, i.e. turn on the machine.
There are 8 different strengths available for your beverage, selectable via a dial located on the front, and if one so inclined, you can add into the mix various other ingredients, such as herbs, lemon, sweeteners, cinnamon sticks, for a customized coffee or tea.
- Any wannabe barista’s wet dream, sleek design, looks great everywhere
- Can be used for a wide range of iced beverages, auto shut-off function, tidy storage
- Easy to use, versatile, 8 different strengths available
- The pitcher is kind of flimsy
Brentwood KT-2150BK Iced Tea and Coffee Maker
Solid Ice Tea Maker For The Money
If you’re shopping for a very affordable iced tea and coffee maker, the Brentwood KT-2150BK comes to mind instantly. Just like the models reviewed above, this machine can brew both iced tea and coffee, has a capacity of 64 oz or 8 servings and it’s incredibly easy to use, as it only comes with an on/off button and a strength selector dial.
The machine has an attractive design, comes with a reusable filter basket for ground coffee and tea leaves, and it will save you a ton of money if you’re addicted to tea or coffee on the go. It’s worth mentioning that the Brentwood KT-2150BK is easy to clean, but we would advise you to do it manually, as using the dishwasher may crack the pitcher.
- Amazing value for money, easy to use and clean, comes with brew strength choice selector
- Works great as an iced tea maker, makes perfect batches time and time again
- Effective and attracting design, makes for the perfect “new house” gift
- Some quality control issues reported
Mr. Coffee TM75 Iced Tea Maker
Amazing Value for Money
It’s time for another iced tea maker from Mr. Coffee, this time a dedicated machine made for iced tea only. We know, this sounds strange from a company called Mr. Coffee, but that’s how life is. We’re only kidding a little bit, because the TM75 can be used for both iced tea and coffee, 2 quarts of each respectively at one time.
Speaking of affordability, convenience and ease of use, it doesn’t get any better than this $20ish machine, that comes with a removable basket, an auto shut-off feature once the brewing cycle is complete, and a programmed cleaning cycle, which is kind of rare in this niche.
The TM75 looks pretty good and it’s designed for people who appreciate true iced tea and coffee, being easy to clean and to maintain, and perfectly capable of brewing 2 quarts of delicious beverage in just minutes. According to various users, you can mix and match tea bags for exotic flavors and enjoy your favorite iced tea (or coffee) in approximately ten minutes.
- Solid build quality, utilitarian design, incredibly affordable
- Makes great iced tea and coffee really quick, easy to clean and use (dishwasher safe even)
- Comes with pre-programmed cleaning cycle, can make single and double servings
- Lacks the adjustable brew strength feature
Capresso 624.02 Ice Tea Maker
The Best Electric Iced Tea Maker
Now it’s time for posh iced tea makers, and by posh we mean expensive. Enter Capresso 624.02, an awesome ice tea maker in a white/stainless steel/black colorway. It’s interesting to notice that the 624.02 is a dedicated iced tea machine, and can brew loose tea or tea bags, providing you with delicious iced tea in minutes.
If you’re onto coffee AND tea, forget about it, this is not the droid you’re looking for. The glass pitcher has 80 ounces and the best news is that is dishwasher safe and as strong as they come. Build quality is top-notch, and take a load of this: the Capresso 624.02 has an adjustable flavor enhancer, from mild to strong, and it’s easy to clean via its permanent filter and removable filter basket (both are dishwasher safe by the way).
The main selling point of the Capresso 624.02 is arguably its design and build quality, and if anything wrong happens, you must know that the company’s customer service is incredible, so rest assured, your money is well spent on this baby.
- Solid glass pitcher, easy to clean and to maintain
- Fantastic machine, easy to use, comes with flavor enhancer
- Innovative and thoughtful design, good value for money
- Only works for iced tea, but we’re pushing it
Takeya Iced Tea Maker
The Best Iced Tea Maker for Connoisseurs
If you’ve never heard of Takeya, it’s ok, there’s a first for everything. There are two things that caught our attention on the Takeya Iced Tea Maker: first, the flash chill technology, which is rather unique in this niche, and then the unusual “made in the USA” thing.
Since most kitchen appliances are nowadays made in China, it’s nice to have an American-made one which sells for way less than fifty dollars. Besides that, the Takeya Iced Tea Maker is a simple chilled ice tea maker with a BPA free Tritan pitcher and an airtight lid.
The Takeya Iced Tea Maker is capable of chilling freshly brewed tea in half a minute, without losing flavor, freshness or nutrients and comes in various sizes. This is how it works: first, you add the tea, loose leaves or tea bags in the infuser, then you fill the tea maker with hot water and finally remove the infuser, top off with ice and then seal the lid. Shake, serve and enjoy!
- Easy to use and clean, comes in fun colors and different sizes, water tight seal, handles boiling water well
- You can add both tea and fruit to make an interesting customized concoction of fruity teas
- Works great for what it is, brews great, chills quickly, solid build quality, no electricity required
- None we can think of
Ovalware RJ3 Airtight Cold Brew Maker
One Of A Kind
Finally, we present you Ovalware RJ3 Airtight Cold Brew Maker, which is very similar to the Takeya, but there are a couple of differences: first, this iced tea maker has a brewing glass carafe, which is great in our book. Then, there’s a removable medical-grade stainless-steel filter, i.e. this iced tea maker is made from steel and glass, and that’s important if you’re the health-conscious type.
Despite its affordable price, this iced coffee maker/tea infuser oozes quality, it’s built to last and it’s dishwasher-safe. Also, it’s iced and hot tea compatible, yet you must learn that cold brewing is seventy percent less acidic than hot brewing, but it takes more time. Moreover, this iced tea maker is easy to clean and makes great brew, but it’s kind of fragile, so handle with care.
- Well made, high quality materials, looks very nice, no electricity required
- Easy to use, makes smooth and delicious cold brew, unique design
- The glass pitcher is very fragile!
- The beaker is not air tight
Conclusion
If you’ve made it this far, you really love iced tea. And that’s understandable, especially during summer. So, if you drink iced tea regularly, you’ve probably spent a fortune in coffee shops until now. Our article is aimed at helping you mitigate this problem, so you can conveniently and quickly brew your own beverage at home. If you’ve read the article carefully, you are now ready to go shopping and make a well-informed decision.
