When it comes to replacing old appliances or just purchasing one for the first time, we all have something in common, We want one that is going to meet all of our needs, work as expected and get the job done. But, we also want the best bang for our buck, nobody likes buying something that ultimately becomes a waste of money. Before purchasing an iced tea maker there are a few things to consider that will help ensure you get exactly what you’re looking for. Some of the most important things to consider are available space, ease of use, and what features would suit you best.
Things to Consider Before Purchasing an Ice Tea Maker
How much space do you have available for an iced tea maker? Some models are sure to take up more counter space than others. If you have a small kitchen, or limited space near electrical outlets, a compact or smaller model may work best for you. No one likes crowded counters and you don’t want to have to move your iced tea maker every time you need to use another appliance. Choosing one that fits your space will prevent inconveniences later.
How frequently do you plan to use your iced tea maker? Models that are bulky, cumbersome, or difficult to keep clean may be more hassle with daily use. On the other hand, you may be unimpressed by a simpler, less fancy version. Deciding how often you plan to use it, will also help you decide what features you’d find the most beneficial. The features iced tea makers can come equipped with ranges from the timed auto brew, to temp control. Deciding what features most appeal to you can help you narrow down your search and get an appliance that works for you and has exactly what you need.
If you’re a coffee drinker as well, you may find a 2in1 model best fits your needs, allowing you to brew both tea and coffee with one appliance. If you have a crazy schedule and don’t have time to brew your beverage when you want it, a model with timed auto brew may work best for you. Be sure to look over the features on any iced tea makers you consider and decide which ones are going to be the most useful to you.
Below we’ve reviewed 8 of our favorite iced tea makers. We’ve done the dirty work for you and have included the features, the good and the bad about each one.
Ninja Hot and Cold Brewed System
By SharkNinja
Auto-iQ Tea and Coffee Maker with 6 Brew Sizes, 5 Brew Styles, Frother, Coffee & Tea Baskets with Thermal Carafe (CP307)
Key Features:
- Hot and cold brewed system
- Brews tea and coffee
- 6 brew sizes
- Brews bagged or loose leaf tea
- 5 brew styles
Why we like it: We like that this iced tea maker is multi-functional, easy on the eyes and packs some good features into a small package. It’s ability to brew both coffee and tea hot, or cold makes it convenient to use any time of the day. The multiple brew sizes make it easy to choose the size of your beverage. whether it’s just a cup of tea to relax, or you’re filling your mug for work, this product is sure to deliver just the right amount.
Review: The Shark Ninja is a quality iced tea maker with a decent range of functions. Its temperature settings make it easy to brew what you want, how you want it. These settings include Classic, Rich, Over Ice, Cold Brew, and Specialty, for both coffee and tea. This is one of it’s best features and part of why we love it so much. The separate baskets are another great thing about the Shark Ninja, they make it easy to prevent cross-contamination and funny tastes, keeping your coffee tasting like coffee, and your tea tasting like tea. The 5 brew sizes (cup, XL cup, travel, multi-serve, half carafe, and full carafe) make it easy to serve just yourself, or the whole family. Last, but not least the fold away frother is a nice addition that allows you to easily make your drink just a little more fancy. Just add some milk and you’ve got a cafe-worthy cup.
As much as we love the Shark Ninja it is lacking in a few areas. The biggest disadvantage is it’s lack of an auto brew option, meaning you can’t program it to brew at a particular time. Another downside of the shark ninja is it’s relatively short power cord, which means if your outlet isn’t very close to where you’d like to put the Shark Ninja then the cord probably won’t reach. If these two things are important to you then this may not be the best choice.
We like that this iced tea maker is multi-functional, easy on the eyes and packs some good features into a small package. It’s ability to brew both coffee and tea hot, or cold makes it convenient to use any time of the day. The multiple brew sizes make it easy to choose the size of your beverage. whether it’s just a cup of tea to relax, or you’re filling your mug for work, this product is sure to deliver just the right amount.
Check Ninja Hot and Cold Brewed System Price on AmazonBreville One-Touch Tea Maker
by Breville
Key Features:
- Auto Start
- Auto Lowers and Lifts Tea Basket Cycle
- Brushed Stainless Steel Power Base
- Time Since Brew
- Temperature Control
- 60 Minute Keep Warm Feature
Why we like it: Our favorite things about this iced tea maker are the auto start and the time since brew features. These two features help the Breville One-Touch stand out against the other iced tea makers on our list. While it is lacking in some of the fancier features, it does what it does and does it well. It also has a simple design that allows it to blend in well, in any kitchen.
Review: With it’s simple design and no-frills features the Breville One-Touch is a diamond in the rough. Priced at 218, it does quite a few things. The Auto Start feature means you simply press the button, set a timer and walk away. Your tea will be ready when you wake up, when you get home from work, or whenever you want it. After the tea is brewed, the keep warm feature will automatically keep your tea nice and hot for 60 minutes. This iced tea maker also comes with a strength option, which is perfect when brewing different kinds of tea. You can customize the steeping time using this option, making your tea exactly to your tastes.
The Breville is ultimately a no fuss, no frills iced tea maker. While it excels in some areas, it falls flat in others. It is not a 2in1 machine, so it can’t brew coffee. It is also lacking a variety of brew options, while it can be set to brew various types of tea and does have temperature control, this control is limited to optimal brewing temps of specific teas. That means no cold brewing, a disappointment if your craving a nice cold glass of tea. The carafe is not replaceable, meaning if it cracks, you’ll have to replace the entire tea maker. The lack of being able to replace the carafe is the biggest con with this product.
Check Breville BTM800XL Price on AmazonMr. Coffee 2-in-1 Iced Tea Brewing System
by Mr. Coffee
Key Features:
- Fast Brew Cycle
- Brews Loose Leaf or Bags
- Brew Strength Select
- Drip Resistant Design
Why we like it: We love this iced tea maker for a couple of reasons, its budget friendly and definitely offers some no-fuss bang for your buck. It’s not the shiniest star on our list, but for its price, you can’t beat what it does have to offer. Complete with a glass pitcher and a black finish, it’s sure to look good in most kitchens. Once you add in the fact that it can brew tea bags or loose leaf it’s no surprise why we like it.
Review: Mr. Coffee iced tea brewing system is one of the most budget-friendly iced tea makers. It has quite a few features to come along with its little price tag. The fast brew cycle allows you to make up to 2.5 quarts of fresh iced tea in just minutes, eliminating the long brew times of other models. Like many other iced tea makers, the Mr. Coffee has a permanent brew basket that eliminates the need of paper filters, that’s good news for our planet and our wallets. The removable brew basket and dishwasher safe pitcher make for a quick clean up, which is pretty nice. It also comes with a 2ft cord, which is great news if your electrical outlets aren’t exactly where you’d like them to be. The glass pitcher is replaceable, so if you happen to break yours, you can replace the pitcher.
The Mr. Coffee 2in1 has some great features for its price, but its missing some. There is no temperature control or warming plate. After brewing the machine shuts itself off and your tea just sits in the pitcher. There is no auto brew feature, so you won’t be able to set a timer ahead of time and have fresh tea waiting for you later. The lack of this feature is balanced by the fast brewing time, but it would still be nice to have this option. Finally, there are no options for brew size, so you’ll have to measure your tea and water manually if you wish to brew less than the standard 2.5 quarts.
Check Mr. Coffee 2-in-1 Iced Tea Brewing System Price on AmazonAirtight Cold Brew Iced Coffee Maker and Tea Infuser
by Ovalware
Key Features:
- 2in1 Design Brews Tea or Coffee Hot or Cold
- Airtight seal allows refrigerator storage for up to two weeks
- Non-Electric. can be used anywhere
- Dishwasher Safe
Why we like it: This iced tea maker takes it’s design from the classic style teapots, yet adds a new twist. We love its sleek design and simple approach. It has no fancy features, or settings and no confusing user manual to figure out. The straightforwardness is great for those of us who tend to be overwhelmed by too many buttons and just want a nice glass of iced tea.
Review: Ovalware iced tea maker is easy on your wallet, but it can still compete with its more expensive opponents. The pitcher design can brew up to 1 liter of tea, or coffee and allows you to store your beverage for up to 2 weeks after brewing. It’s versatile and can brew hot or cold easily, by adding cold water and refrigerating to steep, or by adding boiling water and leaving it on the counter. Brewing to your tastes is easy. By adjusting the amount of coffee, tea leaves, or tea bags and the steeping time, you can brew the perfect pitcher every time. The parts easily detach from each other making clean up easy and the glass pitcher is dishwasher safe. No cord means you can set this tea maker anywhere in your kitchen.
The fact that this iced tea maker is non-electric means longer brewing times, you’ll have to wait 12-24 hours before your drink is ready. For some this may not be a problem, for others it could be a major inconvenience. Another downside to this product is in the design itself, over time the exposure to extreme temperature variables may take its toll on the glass pitcher. The manufacturer boasts extra thick borosilicate glass, but I would still be wary of the longevity of this iced tea maker. Finally, the guesswork involved in figuring out the tea, or coffee to water ratio and brewing times seems like a hassle.
Check this Airtight Cold Brew Iced Coffee Maker and Tea Infuser Price on AmazonHamilton Beach 40911
2-Quart Electric Iced Tea Maker
Key Features:
- Brews in Under 10 Minutes
- No Paper Filters Needed
- Adjustable Brew Strength
- Use Tea Bags or Loose Leaf Tea
Why we like it: The Hamilton Beach iced tea maker earned its spot on our list for its clever design. The 2-quart pitcher is slim enough to fit in most refrigerator doors easily. The pitcher can be placed over the entire unit for neat, compact storage. This iced tea maker will not take up much space on your counter, or in your cupboard. Don’t let its small size mislead you though, it is a powerful little machine.
Review: Hamilton iced tea maker is budget friendly. It has several convenient features, the best of these being the brew strength adjustment and auto shut off. With the brew strength adjustment, you can choose from mild, medium or strong. This feature coupled with the ability to add as much loose leaf or as many tea bags as you like means your tea is exactly the way you like it. There is no need to chill before serving, the plastic pitcher allows you to chill while brewing, just fill the pitcher with ice. When your tea is finished brewing the machine will shut itself off. A power indicator light lets you know if the device is on or off. This tea maker is lightweight the entire thing weighs only 4 pounds.
One of the downsides to the Hamilton iced tea maker is that it is not dishwasher safe. Per the manufacturer, it can only be hand washed. The pitcher is plastic, plastic is porous. Over time the pitcher may stain, or hold on to the odors and flavors from stronger tea variants. This could eventually lead to your fresh tea tasting or smelling odd after being stored in the pitcher. This device also has a fairly short cord and while it is unlikely that your pitcher would break, it can not be purchased separately. If something happens to the pitcher you would have to repurchase the entire tea maker. This iced tea maker is not capable of brewing coffee, or hot tea.
Check Hamilton Beach 40911 Price on AmazonNostalgia CI3BK Iced Coffee Maker and Tea Brewing System
Glass Pitcher, 3 Quart, Black
Key Features:
- Brews Iced Tea, or Coffee
- Brew Strength Select
- Reusable Brew Basket
- Accepts Fresh Ground Coffee, Tea Bags and Loose Leaf Tea
Why we like it: This iced tea maker impressed us for its versatility, whether you’re in the mood for iced coffee, iced tea, or a latte it can do it all. Its sleek design also makes it easy to coordinate into any kitchen design, so it is sure to look nice sitting on your counter.
Review: This is one of the best iced tea makers to buy on a budget. From its versatility to its attractive design it does just about everything you would expect from and iced tea maker and more. It has a 3 quart glass pitcher, a reusable brew basket, and the ability to tuck the cord into the machine for storage. The strength selector is in the form of an easy to read dial ranging from 1-8 on the front of the machine, along with a power button. The pitcher lid is secure and has 3 settings, free pouring, ice guard and closed. This makes serving yourself, or guests even easier. When brewing tea, you can add flavor enhancers, like lemon, or herbs directly to the brew basket. Brewing your favorite drink doesn’t take long, only 8-15 minutes depending on the strength you choose.
It cant brew hot beverages, this machine is for iced or cold brewing only. The glass carafe is on the thin side and can not be replaced without buying a whole new iced tea maker. The carafe is hand wash only, the glass is not tempered and it is easy to crack, or shatter. The cord is shorter than you would expect on an iced tea maker, so outlet will have to be very close to where you’d like to place the iced tea maker. Finally, while the cord tucks away for easy storage, the overall shape of this device is awkward and causes it to be bulky when storing it.
Check Nostalgia CI3BK Price on AmazonCapresso 624.02 Iced Tea Maker
Key Features:
- 2.5 Quart Glass Pitcher
- Reusable Brew Basket
- Dishwasher Safe
- Removable Water Tank for Easy Cleaning
- Brew, Serve and Store Pitcher
Why we like it: The Capresso is hard to pass up. It is budget friendly, nice to look at and easy to use.
Review: Priced at just under 50$ the Capresso iced tea maker is one one of the best in its price range. It is capable of brewing up to 2.5 quarts of fresh iced tea in about 10 minutes. The reusable brew basket is easily dumped and rinsed between uses, removing the need for disposable filters. The glass pitcher is beautifully designed and dishwasher safe for easy cleanup. The water tank is removable and also dishwasher safe. With this iced tea maker, you won’t have to worry about mineral buildup, or cleaning with vinegar to avoid funny tastes. The pitcher is easily used to brew, serve and store your tea. It comes with a secure 3 setting lid, free pour, ice guard and closed. You can also use this iced tea maker to make iced coffee beverages, however, the manufacturer recommends using a separate filter for coffee, to avoid flavor transfer. The manufacturer sells replacement filters, as well as replacement pitchers.
The glass pitcher is thinner than most would like and doesn’t appear to be tempered. Care should be taken when handling, or exposing this pitcher to hot or cold temperatures. Be careful when adding ice to the pitcher to prevent cracking it. The brew strength selector leaves a lot to be desired. Placed as a sliding bar on the front of the iced tea maker it doesn’t have any clear settings and just slides from left to right to adjust. The machines internal parts are mostly plastic, including the removable water tank. The manufacturer says it can be used for hot or cold, but I wouldn’t suggest using this iced tea maker to brew hot beverages.
Check Capresso 624.02 Ice Tea Maker Price on AmazonTakeya Iced Tea Maker
Key Features:
- 2 Quart Pitcher
- Flash Chill Technology
- Loose Leaf, or Tea Bags
- Non Electrical
Why we like it: The Takeya iced tea maker made our list for its ingenious simplicity and its ability to chill tea almost instantly. It doesn’t use electricity, or fancy filters and can be used almost anywhere.
Review: The Takeya iced tea maker doesn’t look like much at first. It’s just a plastic pitcher, a plastic infuser and a lid. But, the technology behind it, makes it a great iced tea maker. It’s budget friendly and a good investment. The plastic pitcher is sturdy and dishwasher safe, with a secure, easy pour lid. The flash chill technology makes chilling your fresh brewed tea as easy as adding ice and shaking for 30 seconds. The fine mesh infuser allows you to use tea bags, or loose leaf tea with no worries of the finer pieces leaking into your tea.
The Takeya is non-electrical, so brewing time is longer than with electrical tea makers. The pitcher is tall, standing at 12.2 inches. This means finding room in the refrigerator could be difficult and you may have to lay it on its side. Due to its height, you can not use the pitcher to boil water directly in the microwave, you’ll have to use a different container or a pot on the stove and then pour it into the Takeya.
Check Takeya Iced Tea Maker Price on AmazonFinal Verdict
So, Which Ones are the Best Iced Tea Maker?
We like all 8 of these iced tea makers, but from budget and function standpoint, some are clearly better than others. For those on a tight budget and not needing the convenience of an electric iced tea maker, the Takeya Iced Tea Maker outshines the Airtight Cold Brew Iced Coffee Maker and Tea Infuser, for not only its price but for its sturdy BPA free plastic design. The size can be an inconvenience, but in terms of durability and function, the Takeya is the best choice.
If you’re on a budget, but would prefer an electric iced tea maker the Nostalgia Iced Coffee Maker and Tea Brewing System ranks highest in our books for the best budget-friendly electric iced tea maker. Capable of brewing iced tea, or iced coffee and equipped with some convenient features it offers the quality of more expensive brands, with a smaller price tag.
Ultimately if you’re not worried about the price and you just want an iced tea maker that can do it all and look good doing it, the Ninja Hot and Cold Brewed System do everything but auto brew. This one device can brew hot coffee, iced coffee, lattes, hot tea, or iced tea. That along with all the brew settings and the fancy frother earns the Ninja Hot and Cold Brewed System first place on our review list.
