Want to enjoy smooth, refreshing iced coffee or cold brew without spending a fortune on café visits? You’re not alone. Making cold coffee drinks at home is one of the easiest ways to save money while still getting that perfect summer sip. The good news is you don’t need expensive equipment to get started—some of the best budget gear delivers results that rival pricier alternatives.
In this guide, I’ll walk you through the best affordable tools for making iced coffee and cold brew at home. Whether you’re a complete beginner or looking to upgrade your setup without breaking the bank, you’ll find practical recommendations that actually work.
Quick Verdict: Hario Mizudashi Cold Brew Pot
If I had to recommend just one piece of budget gear for cold coffee lovers, it’s the Hario Mizudashi Cold Brew Coffee Pot. At around $25, it’s simple, effective, and produces consistently smooth cold brew with minimal effort. The built-in mesh filter eliminates the need for paper filters, and the slim design fits perfectly in most refrigerator doors. For the price-to-quality ratio, nothing else comes close.
Best Budget Cold Brew Makers
Cold brew requires patience (12-24 hours of steeping), but the gear itself doesn’t need to be complicated. Here are my top picks for budget-friendly cold brew makers that deliver excellent results.
Hario Mizudashi Cold Brew Pot (Best Overall)
The Hario Mizudashi has been my go-to recommendation for years. It’s a 1-liter glass pitcher with a fine mesh filter that sits inside. You add coarse ground coffee, fill with cold water, and let it steep in the fridge overnight. The result is a clean, smooth concentrate that you can dilute to taste.
- Pros: Affordable price point, easy to clean, no paper filters needed, compact design, produces smooth concentrate
- Cons: Glass can break if dropped, 1-liter capacity may be small for heavy drinkers
Who is this for? Perfect for beginners and anyone who wants a simple, no-fuss cold brew solution. Great for small households or individuals.
Who is this NOT for? If you go through cold brew quickly or have a large family, you might find yourself making batches too frequently.
County Line Kitchen Cold Brew Mason Jar System
This clever system uses a standard wide-mouth mason jar with a stainless steel filter insert. I love that you can use jars you might already own, and the filter is incredibly durable. It typically runs between $15-20 and produces a rich, full-bodied cold brew.
- Pros: Very affordable, uses common mason jars, stainless steel filter lasts forever, dishwasher safe
- Cons: Mason jars can be bulky in the fridge, requires separate jar purchase if you don’t have one
Who is this for? DIY enthusiasts and anyone who appreciates versatile, long-lasting gear. Also great if you already have mason jars at home.
Who is this NOT for? Those who prefer a sleeker, more compact design for their refrigerator.
Takeya Patented Deluxe Cold Brew Maker
The Takeya is a popular choice that sits in the $20-25 range. It’s made from BPA-free plastic, making it more durable than glass options. The airtight lid keeps your cold brew fresh for up to two weeks, and the fine-mesh filter does an excellent job of keeping grounds out of your cup.
- Pros: Shatterproof design, airtight seal for freshness, easy-pour spout, available in multiple sizes
- Cons: Plastic construction may not appeal to everyone, can retain odors over time
Who is this for? Families with kids or anyone worried about breaking glass. Also ideal for those who want to make larger batches.
Who is this NOT for? Purists who prefer glass or stainless steel for their brewing vessels.
Best Budget Gear for Iced Coffee
Iced coffee is different from cold brew—it’s traditionally brewed hot and then cooled down or poured over ice. This method is faster and produces a brighter, more acidic flavor profile. Here’s what you need without overspending.
AeroPress (The Versatile Champion)
At around $35-40, the AeroPress isn’t exclusively for iced coffee, but it’s one of the best tools for making it. You can brew a concentrated shot directly over ice, and the result is a clean, flavorful iced coffee in under two minutes. In my experience, the AeroPress produces iced coffee with more complexity than most methods at this price point.
- Pros: Incredibly versatile, fast brewing time, easy cleanup, portable, produces excellent flavor
- Cons: Makes only one serving at a time, requires paper filters (though reusable metal filters are available)
Barista Tip: Use a 1:6 coffee-to-water ratio and brew directly onto a glass filled with ice. The rapid cooling locks in bright, fruity notes.
JavaPresse Pour Over Dripper
This stainless steel pour over dripper costs around $15-20 and sits directly on your cup or carafe. For iced coffee, you brew hot coffee directly over ice using the Japanese iced coffee method. The result is a refreshing drink with more nuanced flavors than cold brew.
- Pros: No paper filters needed, extremely durable, easy to travel with, affordable
- Cons: Learning curve for pour over technique, requires a gooseneck kettle for best results
Who is this for? Those who enjoy the ritual of manual brewing and want to explore different flavor profiles.
Who is this NOT for? Anyone looking for a completely hands-off brewing experience.
Essential Budget Accessories
Beyond the main brewing device, a few affordable accessories can significantly improve your cold coffee game. Here’s what I recommend adding to your setup.
A Decent Burr Grinder
Pre-ground coffee works, but freshly ground beans make a noticeable difference. The JavaPresse Manual Burr Grinder (around $25-35) is a solid budget option. Yes, it requires some arm work, but the consistent grind size improves extraction and flavor. For cold brew, you want a coarse grind similar to sea salt.
A Kitchen Scale
Consistency is key to great coffee. A basic digital kitchen scale (around $10-15) helps you nail your coffee-to-water ratio every time. I’ve found that measuring by weight rather than volume eliminates most of the guesswork from brewing.
Ice Cube Trays for Coffee Cubes
Here’s a game-changer: freeze leftover coffee into ice cubes. When you pour your iced coffee over coffee cubes instead of regular ice, your drink won’t get watered down as it melts. Standard silicone ice cube trays work perfectly and cost just a few dollars.
| Accessory | Price Range | Impact on Quality |
|---|---|---|
| Manual Burr Grinder | $25-35 | High |
| Digital Kitchen Scale | $10-15 | Medium-High |
| Coffee Ice Cube Trays | $5-10 | Medium |
| Gooseneck Kettle | $20-30 | Medium (for pour over) |
Cold Brew vs. Iced Coffee: Which Gear Should You Choose?
Still not sure which direction to go? Let me break it down based on your preferences and lifestyle.
Choose cold brew gear if:
- You prefer smooth, low-acidity coffee
- You like making large batches that last several days
- You want a completely hands-off brewing process
- You don’t mind waiting 12-24 hours for your coffee
Choose iced coffee gear if:
- You enjoy brighter, more complex flavors
- You want your coffee ready in minutes, not hours
- You like experimenting with different brewing techniques
- You prefer making fresh single servings
In short, there’s no wrong answer here. Many home baristas (myself included) keep gear for both methods and choose based on mood and time available.
Conclusion and Recommendations
Building a budget-friendly iced coffee and cold brew setup doesn’t require a massive investment. With around $50-75, you can have everything you need to make café-quality cold coffee drinks at home. My top recommendation remains the Hario Mizudashi for cold brew beginners, while the AeroPress offers unbeatable versatility for those who want to explore both iced coffee and other brewing methods.
Start with one solid brewing device, add a grinder when your budget allows, and don’t forget those coffee ice cubes—they’re a small detail that makes a big difference. Life is too short for watered-down iced coffee, and with the right gear, you’ll never have to settle for it again. Pick up one of these budget-friendly options and start brewing your perfect summer cup today.
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