
A well-brewed glass of tea tastes smooth, refreshing and full of flavor. Tea brewed with the wrong temperature or duration, on the other hand, can turn out bitter or weak. If you’re looking to take the guesswork out the brewing process, the best iced tea makers ensure consistency, whether you’re making a strong black tea or a delicate herbal infusion. Our top pick overall is the Takeya Flash Chill Iced Tea Maker because it’s simple to use, works for both hot and cold brew methods and chills tea instantly for a quick and refreshing pour.
The best iced tea makers help you brew the perfect glass every time.
“When it comes to making great iced tea, the method and equipment you use can make all the difference,” says chef and recipe developer Dennis Littley. “A chef’s approach to iced tea is much like cooking—understanding temperature, steeping time and ingredient quality is key to getting the best flavor.” Some iced tea makers automate the process, such as the Breville Tea Maker, which adjusts steeping time and temperature for different tea types. Others, like the Ovalware Cold Brew Maker, have a sleek glass design that’s perfect for slow steeping in the fridge. If you need something portable, the Primula Press & Go Iced Tea Brewer lets you steep and strain straight into a travel cup. Whether you want an electric machine that brews at the push of a button or a simple pitcher for cold brewing overnight, there’s a model that fits your routine and makes the process easier. These are the very best iced tea makers worth considering.
Why Trust Forbes Vetted
The Forbes Vetted home and kitchen team has extensively researched, tested and reviewed dozens of small appliances, from the best coffee makers to toasters to blenders.
- For expert insights on brewing iced tea, we consulted chef Spike Mendelsohn, co-founder of Just Ice Tea, and Chef Dennis Littley, recipe expert at Ask Chef Dennis. They shared tips on manual vs. automatic brewing, optimal steeping times and why loose-leaf tea enhances flavor.
- This article was written by home and kitchen editor Kelly O’Sullivan, who has nearly a decade of experience reviewing home and lifestyle products. It was overseen by senior home and kitchen editor Amanda Arnold.
- We regularly update our articles to ensure we recommend only the best and most current models. This guide was last refreshed in March 2025.
How We Chose The Best Iced Tea Makers
- We researched top-rated iced tea makers from brands like Breville, Takeya, Capresso and Primula, focusing on models that make brewing easy and enjoyable.
- For each iced tea maker, we first considered manual vs. automatic functionality. We selected models that work for different preferences, whether you want to control every step of the process or just press a button and let the machine handle it. Features like brew strength control, capacity and materials also played a big role in our decisions.
- We consulted two chefs and beverage experts to understand how brew time, water temperature and steeping method impact flavor.
- We prioritized iced tea makers with strong customer feedback, focusing on models with at least a 4-star rating and consistently positive reviews.
What To Look For In The Best Iced Tea Makers
If you regularly drink iced tea at home, investing in a dedicated brewer is worth it. Here’s what to keep in mind as you shop.
Manual vs. Automatic
One of the first decisions you need to make when shopping is whether you want a manual or electric iced tea maker. The best option depends on two factors: how much control you want over the brewing process and how much effort you’re willing to put in.
“Electric iced tea makers can be great for convenience, offering consistent steeping times and temperatures,” says Littley. “Many allow you to brew a fresh batch in just minutes, and some even have built-in chilling features.” If you like the idea of pressing a button and getting a perfectly brewed pitcher every time, an automatic model like the Breville Tea Maker takes the guesswork out of the process.
Manual iced tea makers, on the other hand, let you control the steeping process from start to finish. “When you’re choosing between the two, I think it’s about convenience, preference and, of course, execution,” says Mendelsohn. “If you think electric iced tea makers make a better brew than you can by hand, or you simply don’t have time, then that’s what’s right for you.” If you like experimenting with different steep times or want something simpler, manual options like the Takeya Flash Chill Iced Tea Maker or Ovalware Cold Brew Maker are reliable and affordable.
Capacity
Iced tea makers come in a range of sizes, from single-serve tumblers to gallon-sized pitchers. The right one depends on how much tea you drink and how often you want to make it.
“If you’re looking for the most flavorful, high-quality tea, a glass pitcher or cold brew infuser allows for slow steeping without any risk of overheating or bitterness,” says Littley. This makes models like the Ovalware Cold Brew Maker a great choice for anyone who prefers glass over plastic.
If you go through iced tea quickly or want to make enough for a group, a large-capacity option like the Primula Big Iced Tea Maker is worth considering. It holds a full gallon, making it ideal for families or frequent tea drinkers. But as Littley points out, larger brewers need more storage space, so be sure to check if your fridge can accommodate the pitcher before buying.
Brew Strength
Some people like their iced tea light and refreshing, while others want it bold and full-bodied. The strength of your tea depends on steeping time, water temperature and the type of tea you use.
“Steeping time and water temperature are crucial for iced tea, just as they are for cooking,” says Littley. “Over-steeping black tea at high heat can make it taste overly tannic and astringent, while under-steeping herbal teas might leave them tasting weak and watery.”
Some electric models—like the Capresso Electric Iced Tea Maker—have adjustable brew strength settings, so you can tweak the steep time to get the flavor just right. But Mendelsohn believes the best way to control your tea strength is, simply, “taste and practice.” He also reminds us that fresh tea leaves tend to have minor characteristic differences depending on the season.
Speaking of fresh tea leaves, Mendelsohn says they make a big impact on flavor: “I think loose leaves deliver more tea notes and character in the brewing process compared to tea bags.” If you prefer loose-leaf tea, look for an iced tea maker with a built-in fine mesh filter to help extract as much flavor as possible.
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