Cold Brew Coffee Mason Jar Brewers: Buying Guide and Top Picks

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Cold brew has been one of the most prominent trends in the coffee industry in recent years. Known for its smoother and less acidic taste compared to traditional hot brewed coffee, cold brew has won the hearts of coffee enthusiasts, and this former non-coffee drinker! 

Among the different methods for making cold brew at home, mason jar brewers have gained popularity for their simplicity and farmhouse aesthetic. These brewers are usually a mason jar and a filter system, often integrated into the lid.

Top Cold Brew Coffee Mason Jar Brewers

Let’s be honest, if you’ve been shopping for Mason jar brewers you already know that there really isn’t much difference between models. I’ll say it: they pretty much look the same.

The following are my top choices for mason jar brewers and why:

Impresa Cold Brew Mason Jar Maker

I picked this one because the lid looks a little different from many of the others. Ok. Also because:

• it includes a 64 oz. jar so you can make big batches
• it has a gasket around the filter to prevent leakage
• and it’s dishwasher safe

One thing to consider is that with a 64 oz. capacity, you will want to make sure you have room in your fridge for this. The diameter is just under 5 inches, so may not fit in the door and the height is about 10.5″ assembled so make sure your fridge can handle that height.

Related to the size, consider the weight. A glass jar of this size with a gallon of coffee in it will be heavy to pour. For context, think of a gallon of milk and imagine it in a glass jar instead of lightweight plastic.

And that different lid design? It allows you to push on the tab and pour, while many others have a flip top style pouring spout. Sometimes it’s the little things.

View on Amazon: Impresa

Jrssae Cold Brew Coffee Maker

Here’s another large sized brewer (64 oz.). The main difference between the Jrssae and the Impresa is the pouring spout. This one has a flip top instead of a tab that you hold open. And, if you want a smaller size it does come in a 32 oz. option as well.

The 64 oz. size is similar in dimensions to the Impresa, about 4.5″ in diameter and 10.5″ high so make sure this will fit in your fridge.

Again, think about the weight of a mason jar of this size. Perhaps the 32 oz. would be a better choice–this size is usually enough to brew for a couple days at a time. I recommend not storing cold brew much longer than a few days anyways.

It includes a dense stainless steel filter which helps to minimize sediment in your coffee. Even though this brewer can go in the dishwasher, you may want to give the filter a little scrub with a bottle brush to remove any trapped coffee grounds. With cold brew, cleanliness is a virtue.

View on Amazon: Jrssae

County Line Kitchen Cold Brew Maker

This is one of the most popular cold brewers on Amazon. The handle is slightly sturdier than the Jrssae. Other than that they are comparable and this one also come in two sizes.

I am going to stop there and go a different direction because pretty much every other brewer out there is essentially the same as these two. If you are undecided, check out the buying guide below to learn how to evaluate these cold brew makers yourself.

View on Amazon: County Line

Go Semi DIY: BYOJ (Bring your own jar)

If you already have 32 or 64 oz. wide mouth mason jars hanging around, then why not just buy the parts you’re missing and save a little. Maybe buy some nice coffee beans with the savings!

TIP: Wide mouth mason jars have a 3″ interior diameter. If you are in doubt, pull out a ruler and check your jars before going the DIY route.

If you only need the filter:

Glyntrof Cold Brew Filter

Or to get the filter and a pouring spout lid:

Glyntrof Cold Brew Filter and Spout

Buying Guide: Top things to look for

A lot of these “best of” lists kinda suck because what is best for me may not be best for you. I’ve made coffee in mason jars since 2014, here is my opinion on what to look for.

Filter:

• Stainless steel: durable, easy to clean
• Fine mesh: minimizes sediment in your coffee
• Can be easily removed, allowing easy storage of coffee in the same jar

Size:

Of course size matters! Most systems are either 32 oz. (4 cups) or 64 oz. (8 cups). That is liquid capacity, so your final coffee volume will be less once you take out the filter (remember displacement from science class?).

• choose a size based on how much coffee you want to brew at once
• choose a size that will fit in your fridge

TIP: Remember these systems use glass jars, so 50+ oz. of coffee in a large glass jar will be heavy to pour when full.

Accessory Options

Many companies try to differentiate themselves by throwing in extra accessories. Some include cleaning brushes, additional lids, or coffee scoops.

Accessories	My Thoughts
Bottle Brushes	Cleans narrow spaces efficiently and good for getting coffee grounds out of mesh filters. Not as good for getting into corners.
Extra Lids	Any extra parts means one set can be in the dishwasher while another is in use. You may consider getting an extra mason jar.
Coffee Scoop	A nicety, although cold brew takes a lot of coffee so I just pour straight from the bag (or the grinder if whole bean was used).

Frequently Asked Questions

If you’ve still got questions, I’ve got answers 🙂

How do you make cold brew coffee using a mason jar brewer?

To prepare cold brew coffee in a mason jar brewer, put coarsely ground coffee in the mesh filter. Add cold water to the jar, put the lid + filter on, swirl the mixture to wet the coffee, and let it steep in the refrigerator for 12 to 24 hours. After steeping, remove the filter and replace the lid. Your coffee is ready to drink. Store the leftovers in the fridge.

What is the best coffee-to-water ratio for making mason jar cold brew?

Coffee geeks will say anywhere from 1:4 to 1:10 ratio (by weight). If you don’t want to weigh, then I just fill the filter with coffee and the mason jar nearly to the top with water (remember, allow for displacement). Make it strong because you can always dilute it with a little water as needed.

Which type of coffee grounds is best suited for mason jar cold brew makers?

Coarse-ground coffee is best for most cold brew. Fine grounds can over-extract and will pass through filters more easily, resulting in a cloudy and gritty texture, whereas coarse grounds ensure a smoother and clearer brew. Coarse grounds also decrease surface area of the coffee in contact with water, preventing over-extraction.

Can cold brew coffee be made without specialized brewing equipment?

Yes, you can make cold brew coffee without specialized equipment using an ordinary mason jar. Mason jars are typically readily available, affordable, and effective for brewing cold brew coffee, requiring only a jar, coffee grounds, water, and a method for straining.

How long should coffee steep when making cold brew in a mason jar?

Coffee should steep for about 12 to 24 hours in the refrigerator.

In this table I compare several popular brewers so you can see the differences at a glance.