If you’re ready to ditch the high fructose drinks, then explore our list for the best iced tea maker for your budget. Homemade iced tea is a refreshing and healthy drink you can enjoy all year long. So stop wasting money on overpriced, sugary iced teas when you can make your own.
Making iced tea has never been easier. Iced tea makers reduce the work and waiting period so you can have a glass ready in minutes.
Unlike soda and fruit drinks, brewed iced tea is a healthy way to rehydrate your body. It is a natural, no-calorie drink (actually, only 2 calories per cup) that is thirst-quenching and wholesome. Using an iced tea maker, you can brew up a green, black or herbal tea blend in no time.
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Ice Tea Maker Comparison Table
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Our Reviews: Top 10 Iced Tea Makers
Iced tea makers are part of a very broad category of drink-makers and often overlap with coffee and iced coffee products.
An iced tea maker can be as simple as a travel mug with a strainer and an ice container. On the flip side, they can also be as intricate and expensive as a premium coffee maker.
The right home iced tea maker for your family will depend on a few factors such as: the amount you want to brew, your automation preferences and your budget. You can find out more in our Buyer’s Guide below.
We have selected these 10 iced tea makers based on their ease-of-use, overall functionality and value. Whether you want to brew a quick cup on the go or make a batch of iced tea for a party, you can find the ideal tea maker for your family on our list.
1. Best Pick- Ninja Hot & Cold Brewed System
If you are looking for a premium iced tea maker, it doesn’t get much better than the Ninja Hot & Cold. This multi-purpose appliance packs a lot of functions into a single machine.
It is by far the most versatile one on our list. Your entire family can enjoy a variety of coffee and tea-based beverages at the touch of a button.
The Ninja has separate baskets for brewing coffee or tea. You won’t have to worry that the flavors will get mixed together. The machine automatically recognizes which basket you are using too.
When you pop in the tea basket you will see a selection of tea-brewing options. There is no danger that you might accidentally choose a coffee-brewing cycle for your iced tea.
You can make hot, iced or cold-brewed coffee and tea drinks in the Ninja. You have the option of brewing directly into your cup or travel mug, or you can make a half or full carafe if you choose.
The Ninja has settings to make 6 drink sizes and 5 different brew styles. You can opt for classic, rich, over ice, cold brew or specialty when selecting the style of brew.
Key Details
The Ninja measures 11.8 x 10 x 15 inches and weighs 17.25 pounds. It comes with the following: two brewing baskets with permanent filters, a removable water reservoir, a measuring spoon and a 50-ounce thermal carafe.
You also have the option to choose the type of tea you are making. The Ninja will automatically adjust the brewing cycle to maximize the flavor from your tea variety.
You can select herbal, black, white, oolong or green tea. Even better, the Ninja works with both bagged and loose-leaf teas. You can have a batch of iced tea ready in 5-15 minutes. You can also pick-up this appliance with a glass carafe if you prefer.
The primary drawback is that it is a premium appliance. It may be out of the price range for some families. While it has a milk-frother that can be tucked away, this feature is more useful for coffee and hot tea drinks than iced tea.
Still, the Ninja is a fantastic option for the right family. It is an ideal choice for folks who drink both coffee and tea.
While it is on the pricier-side of the appliance spectrum, the high quality and versatility of this product make it well worth the cost. The Ninja also comes with a 1-year limited warranty.
Pros
- Makes hot, iced and cold-brewed coffee and tea.
- Has separate baskets for coffee or tea and automatically recognizes them.
- Multiple beverage sizes and can brew directly into a cup or travel mug.
- A cup of iced tea can be made in 5-15 minutes depending on your selections.
Cons
- Pricier than other options.
- Milk-frother is less useful for making iced or cold-brewed tea.
- Only 1-year warranty for its premium price.
2. Best Budget Pick- Mr.Coffee 2-Quart Iced Tea & Iced Coffee Maker
This inexpensive appliance from Mr. Coffee was an easy choice for our Best Budget pick. You won’t find a faster or more convenient automatic option in this price range. It can even make iced coffee if you want to switch things up.
Our favorite feature is how easy and straightforward it is to use. Just add water to the built-in reservoir and fill the basket with your tea bags or loose-leaf tea.
The basket goes on top of the ice-filled pitcher. Once the pitcher is in place under the water spout, all you have to do is turn it on.
The machine automatically heats the water, steeps your tea and then pours it over the ice in your pitcher. It will shut off as soon as the cycle is complete. You can produce 1 or 2-quarts of iced tea in about 10 minutes.
Key Details
The Mr.Coffee measures 11 x 7 x 15 inches and weighs 3.1 pounds. It includes: the main unit with integrated water reservoir, removable steeping basket, 2-quart plastic pitcher, a lid for the steeping basket and another for the pitcher.
It does have a few downsides. They mostly relate to the fact that this is a budget appliance. You won’t have any options for selecting your brew strength.
The only way to make your tea stronger is to use more tea or less water. You can only brew 1 or 2-quarts and you don’t have the option to brew a single glass.
The basket does not contain a permanent filter. If you are brewing loose-leaf tea you will need to use paper filters. Otherwise, the basket can get clogged and spill hot tea all over your countertop.
While this is marketed as an iced coffee and tea maker, it only comes with a single basket. If you make both kinds of drinks in your appliance, you will likely have some flavor-crossover unless you buy a second basket. This product is not suitable for making hot tea since the heat would damage the plastic pitcher.
The Mr. Coffee is an excellent option as long as you don’t mind the limitations. It is easy-to-use, makes great iced tea and is very easy on your household budget. Lastly, it has a 1-year limited warranty.
Pros
- Simple 1-button operation makes it very user-friendly.
- Produce 1 or 2-quarts of iced tea or coffee per cycle.
- 1-year limited warranty.
Cons
- Comes with a single basket and no permanent filter.
- Appliance is limited to making iced tea or coffee.
- No settings to control brew strength.
3. Breville One-Touch Tea Maker
The Breville One-Touch is a high-end automatic tea maker. This stunning yet compact tea maker is fully-automatic and makes an amazing pot of tea. While it isn’t an iced tea maker per se, you can easily use it to make a glass or pitcher of iced tea.
The Breville takes all of the work out of making tea. The base contains the controls and heating element.
The beautiful glass carafe holds the steeping basket and sits right on top of the base. Once you measure your tea into the steeping basket and fill the carafe with water, most of your work is done.
This product can boil water for you or you can select the tea cycle to make a pot of hot tea. It has selections for making green, black, white, oolong, and herbal tea.
You can also program in a custom setting. It has settings for tea-strength if you prefer a strong, medium, mild or custom flavor.
The customizable brewing temperatures and times are where the Breville really hits it out of the park. You can adjust the brewing temperature from 80-100°C in 5°C increments.
Once the water has preheated to the right temperature, the tea basket will automatically lower itself into the hot water.
You can adjust the brewing time as well in 30-second increments. If you want a really strong batch, you can steep it for up to 10 minutes. The basket will automatically lift itself at the selected time. Your tea will stay hot in the carafe for an hour after brewing is complete.
Key Details
The Breville measures 6 x 10.7 x 11 inches and weighs 7.1 pounds. It comes with the following: base unit with controls and heating element, a 51-ounce glass carafe, steeping basket with permanent filter, a lid for the basket and another for the carafe along with a measuring spoon.
The Breville has two downsides. First, it is the most expensive option on our list and may be out of the budget-range for some families.
Second, this is an excellent appliance for making tea and hot water. But if you want to make iced tea you will have to add-in the extra steps. This one isn’t automated for making iced tea, unfortunately.
Once the hot tea-cycle is complete, you will have to grab a second cup or pitcher of ice and pour in the tea yourself. Alternatively, you could allow the tea to cool on its own and then pour it over ice. But either way you will need to play around to find your ideal settings for making iced tea.
Overall, this product is a great option for a tea-loving family. It isn’t hard to make this into a fine iced tea maker.
If you like your tea hot and cold and want an appliance that can make the brewing really labor-free, then this could be the ideal choice for you. It has a 1-year limited warranty.
Pros
- Automatically produces up to 51-ounces of hot tea per cycle.
- Tea basket lowers itself into the hot water and rises at the end of the cycle.
- Customizable temperature and brewing times.
Cons
- Only 1-year warranty for a premium appliance.
- Carafe is not designed for making iced tea.
- Pricier option
4. Takeya 2-Quart Iced Tea Maker
The Takeya is a handy, portable ice tea maker. Its cleverly-designed pitcher is an all-in-one iced tea maker with a leak-proof lid. You can make your iced tea on the go or bring a full pitcher with you.
The design of this product is unique. It has an integrated fine-mesh strainer that attaches to the lid of the pitcher.
You steep your tea by filling the pitcher half-full of hot water. Then, you place the filled strainer and lid on the pitcher.
Once it has steeped for the desired amount of time, you are ready for the next step. You remove the strainer from the lid, fill the pitcher with ice and seal the lid back on. Shake your pitcher for 30 seconds and the iced tea is ready. Most batches are ready in 3 to 5 minutes.
The Takeya is made from a special thick, BPA-free plastic. This plastic is much more durable than other types.
It won’t absorb colors or odors. You won’t have to worry about any cross-contamination from batch to batch.
The handle of the pitcher is made from silicone and you can choose from a variety of colors. Takeya also makes this pitcher in a 1-quart size or you could opt for one of their smaller iced tea-making travel mugs.
Key Details
The Takeya measures 4.1 x 6.1 x 12.2 inches and weighs 14.4 ounces. It comes with: 2-quart pitcher, removable fine-mesh strainer, leak-proof lid and a strainer-holder. It is also dishwasher-safe.
You can use loose-leaf or bagged tea. In addition, you can also make flavored or infused beverages using fruit and fresh herbs. You can even make hot and cold-brewed tea in this pitcher if you want.
The Takeya does have a couple of limitations. It isn’t designed for making coffee-based beverages.
The strainer isn’t fine enough to filter out coffee grounds. Tea bags could be a little tricky to remove from the strainer since it is narrow.
You also don’t have a lot of options when it comes to capacity. The Takeya requires at least 1-quart of water in order for the strainer to work. You can’t use this pitcher to make a single glass of iced tea.
Nevertheless, this is a very good product for a portable ice tea maker. It’s ideal for making iced tea in an RV, breakroom, dorm room or small apartment. It is very easy to maintain.
At this price point, you really don’t have much to risk. The Takeya is a great option for the right family. Lastly, it comes with a one year limited warranty.
Pros
- Makes iced, hot and cold-brewed tea and infused-fruit beverages.
- Leak-proof and designed for portability.
- 1-year limited warranty.
Cons
- Capacity isn’t adjustable.
- Not ideal for making coffee-based beverages.
- Height may be too tall for some refrigerator shelves.
5. Teavana PerfecTea Tea Maker
Sometimes you want a glass of iced tea in a hurry. The Teavana has got you covered then. This simple device is designed to brew a 16-ounce cup of hot tea directly into your mug. There is no reason you can’t brew it over a glass of ice to make iced tea instead.
To use the Teavana, fill it with your loose-leaf or bagged tea and pour in the hot water. When your tea has steeped long enough, place the maker on top of your glass or mug. As soon as it is in place, the Teavana will automatically release the tea into your glass.
The 4-piece construction allows you to take it apart for cleaning. The built-in strainer should keep the stray leaves out of your tea.
It has a capacity of 2 cups which sounds a bit limited until you consider the ice. If you brew your tea strong and cool it with ice, you may be able to make up to 4 cups of iced tea at a time.
Key Details
The Teavana is portable and has a compact footprint. It measures 6.4 x 6 x 4.3 inches and weighs 13.1 ounces. The unit comes fully assembled. It can be broken down for cleaning. It does not come with a separate glass or mug to brew your tea into.
The Teavana has a few drawbacks. While it is relatively inexpensive, it’s a bit pricey for what it comes with. The plastic isn’t the highest quality and replacement parts are difficult to find.
While you could potentially use this to make less than 16-ounces of tea, the capacity isn’t really flexible. If you want a more versatile iced tea maker, then this option may not be the right one for you. Also, the Teavana requires you to use a cup that is 3.5 inches wide at the top. It won’t work with larger or smaller glasses.
Despite these limitations, the Teavana is still a great choice for the right person. The compact design makes it ideal for tight living-spaces or folks who move frequently. Lastly, this product does not have a warranty.
Pros
- Brews 16-ounces of tea at a time.
- Works with loose-leaf and bagged teas.
- Compact, lightweight and easy to move and store.
Cons
- Capacity is not flexible.
- Plastic construction is not very durable or long-lasting.
- No warranty.
6. KitchenAid Cold-Brew Maker
This KitchenAid product is a premium cold brew iced tea maker. While it is marketed to coffee drinkers, the KitchenAid is actually an ideal system for cold-brewing tea. You can also make traditional iced tea in this appliance if you prefer.
The KitchenAid is a bit different from the other products in our review. It doesn’t have a heating element and requires no electricity.
Instead, it is designed to produce a concentrated tea base. You can dilute this base with water and ice when you want a glass of iced tea. Or you can use the concentrate to make a tea-based cocktail or fruit-infused beverage.
The way it works is you fill the inner fine-mesh strainer with your desired loose-leaf tea blend. You place it in the tea maker and fill it with cold water. Allow your tea to slowly steep for 4-36 hours, depending on how strong you want your concentrate.
Then remove the steeping basket and store the unit in the fridge. The handy spigot allows you to quickly pour a glass anytime you are thirsty. This product is ideal for making big batches of cold-brewed tea and coffee. It is also great for making fruit and herb-infused drinks as well.
If you use hot water for brewing, you can make a quick batch of tea that you can decant over ice in about 10 minutes. The entire tea maker fits easily on your refrigerator shelf and the concentrated mixture can be stored for up to two weeks.
Key Details
The KitchenAid measures 8 x 7 x 6.9 inches and weighs 5.5 pounds. It comes with: a glass brewing jar with attached easy-lift handle and integrated spigot, a fine-mesh stainless steel steeper-basket with handle, an outer lid for the jar and a steeper lid.
The KitchenAid is a great product but isn’t ideal for every family. While it is versatile enough to cold-brew tea and coffee, it doesn’t make these drinks quickly. While it can make a pretty fast batch of iced tea, it can only make 28-ounces at a time.
You have to do the work, however, since it isn’t automated. If you want to produce pitchers of iced tea quickly, this might not be the best choice for you.
Still, this could be the ultimate way to make iced tea for the right family. KitchenAid recommends using 1 part cold-brewed tea concentrate to 7 parts water to make a tasty beverage. Using this ratio, you could get 28 8-ounce servings of iced tea per batch of concentrate.
Given the moderate price point, the KitchenAid is a good value even if it isn’t necessarily a bargain. It also comes with a one year limited warranty.
Pros
- Produces 28-ounces of cold-brewed tea or coffee concentrate per cycle.
- Easily fits in the refrigerator and has a handy spigot.
- 1-year limited warranty.
- Can make infused fruit beverages and traditional iced tea.
Cons
- Cold-brewing takes 4-36 hours.
- Not automated and requires more effort than some machines.
- Cleaning spigot can be a challenge.
7. Ovalwear Airtight Cold Brew Iced Tea & Iced Coffee Maker
If you want an environmentally-sound iced tea maker, then this glass product from Ovalwear could be the ideal choice for your family.
It come with: a 1.5 liter glass pitcher, a fine dual-mesh strainer, a stainless steel lid and a silicone seal for the lid. The 1.5-liter capacity makes about 50-ounces of tea at a time. So it would work for a family or single tea-drinker.
The Ovalwear is more fragile than the other products on our list. The glass pitcher is a bonus though if you want to avoid plastic products.
However, glass is more liable to break. So don’t expect it to survive a drop to the floor.
Key Details
This iced tea maker measures 5.5 x 5.5 x 9.7 inches and weighs 1.3 pounds. The design makes it less-convenient as a portable or on-the-go iced tea maker. It is harder to transport when full.
Unlike the Takeya, the Ovalwear’s lid is not leak-proof. If you tip this pitcher to the side while moving it, you will probably have some drips to clean up.
Nevertheless, this is a great option for use at work, in a dorm room or in your home. The Ovalwear is dishwasher-safe and the strainer won’t rust if you run it through as well.
Ovalwear guarantees their product with a 90-day satisfaction policy. If you are not happy, you can return it for a full refund. It also has a 1-year limited warranty.
Pros
- Made from glass, medical-grade stainless steel and silicone.
- Air-tight lid locks in flavor for up to two weeks.
- 1-year limited warranty and a 90-day satisfaction guarantee.
- Printed measurement guide on pitcher and strainer.
Cons
- Glass construction is more fragile than plastic.
- Lid is not leak-proof and can drip if tilted to the side.
- Not ideal for transporting when full of tea.
8. HomeCraft 3-Quart Iced Tea and Iced Coffee Maker
The HomeCraft iced tea maker is fantastic for quickly brewing iced tea for large groups. you can make three quarts of iced tea in minutes with just the push of a button.
The filter basket design can not only brew iced tea from tea bags, but you can also use loose tea leaves or even ground coffee. We love the variety of functions that this machine offers.
Start by filling the removable basket with your tea then turn the dial to select the strength of your brew. Once your tea is done brewing, you can simply grab the pitcher and start pouring tea! It is as easy as that.
The black and stainless steel design will look nice on your counter and it is also quite easy to clean which is nice because you will be using this machine quite often!
Key Details
This iced tea maker measures 11.14 x 8 x 16 inches and weighs 5.21 pounds. It can make up to three quarts ounces of iced tea at a time.
One drawback to the Tea Forte is that it is designed for presentation and not for the storage of your iced tea. The larger pitcher doesn’t have a lid while the medium pitcher does.
It comes with a plastic pitcher that fits neatly under the iced tea maker. You can choose to use a nicer pitcher or to fill a second pitcher of your own. Any pitcher will work as long as it fits under the spout.
Overall, this is an excellent option for families who entertain often and want to quickly make a large batch of iced tea. It brews a nice, strong cup of tea that is sure to wow your guests.
Pros
- Auto shut off
- Brews a whole pitcher in minutes
- Adjustable strength of brew
Cons
- The plastic pitcher is not very attractive
- Mostly plastic design
- Pitcher lid does not fit tightly
9. Hamilton Beach 2-Quart Electric Ice Tea Maker
This straightforward Hamilton Beach electric iced tea maker can produce a big batch of iced tea in minutes. It is so easy to use that even a child can operate it. This product first arrived in 2003 and has been a popular product since then.
The Hamilton Beach is not only simple to use but basically error-proof in design. The pitcher is slim and easily fits on a door or shelf in your refrigerator. You just follow the measurement marks on the pitcher to make a batch of iced tea.
You add water to the reservoir, fill the pitcher to the line with ice and pop in the brewing basket. The main unit houses the water reservoir and has a pull-out lower slot for the pitcher.
Once you add your loose-leaf tea or tea bags to the brewing basket and select your brew strength, the basket slides on to the pitcher. The pull-out slot holds the pitcher firmly to the main unit. Just hit the start button and you will have 2 quarts of iced tea ready to drink in ten minutes.
This iced tea maker is very easy to store and it doesn’t take up a lot of space. It has a tall and narrow profile. The empty pitcher inverts over the main unit when storing. This makes it even more convenient to tuck away in a cabinet.
Key Details
The Hamilton Beach measures 17.5 x 11.5 x 4.5 inches and weighs 4 pounds. It comes with: the main unit, 2-quart plastic pitcher, brewing basket with permanent filter and brew-strength dial and a lid for the pitcher.
There are a few downsides to the Hamilton Beach though. It is an older design and lacks many of the features that other automated iced tea makers have. If you want a feature-rich or modern-looking iced tea maker, then you should explore other options on this list.
Where the Hamilton Beach is a winner, however, is in its function. It will produce great batches of iced tea day-after-day and lasts for years. It’s popular because it is so functional and user-friendly.
Additionally, it doesn’t have a lot of fancy features that could break or wear out. It is a solid option for an automated iced tea maker. Lastly, it has a 1-year limited warranty and replacement parts are available from the manufacturer.
Pros
- Straightforward design and operation makes it very user-friendly.
- Slim plastic pitcher easily fits on refrigerator doors and shelves.
- Replacement parts are relatively inexpensive.
Cons
- Old-school appearance may be too dated for some buyers.
- Pricier than many other automated iced tea makers.
- Only 1-year limited warranty.
10. Mr. Coffee 2-in-1 Iced Tea Brewing System with Glass Pitcher
The Mr. Coffee 2-in-1 is another excellent option for an automated ice tea maker. It has the appearance of a premium appliance with a more modest price tag.
This attractive and modern iced tea maker is easy to use. It will keep you hydrated all year long. You can make 2.5 quarts of iced tea in under 5 minutes with this appliance.
The 2-in-1 is packed with features and is a definite upgrade from a budget iced tea maker. The main unit is made from black plastic and has an offset water reservoir. This makes it really easy to refill the machine without making a mess. The glass carafe is BPA-free and dishwasher-safe.
This product comes with a water filter that removes up to 97% of chlorine from your tap water. So your iced tea will always taste fresh.
The Mr. Coffee can accommodate both loose-leaf tea and tea bags. The tea basket comes with a permanent filter and can be easily removed for cleaning. The upper part of the machine pivots for easy storage. You can change the brewing strength of your tea by adjusting the dial on the front of the appliance.
Key Details
Mr. Coffee measures 10.5 x 11.4 x 14.8 inches and weighs 5.4 pounds. It comes with: main unit, removable tea basket, permanent filter, 2.5-quart glass pitcher and lid.
The glass pitcher isn’t very thick or durable though. If you have a house full of younger kids, you might prefer a product that comes with a plastic pitcher.
The good news is that you can replace the pitcher or opt to brew into another container instead. You don’t have to use the included pitcher to make a great batch of iced tea. The bad news is that the replacement pitcher costs more than half what the entire Mr. Coffee 2-in-1 costs.
Other than the thin-walled glass pitcher, this is a good option at a reasonable price. It has some of the features of a premium appliance and can make a large quantity of iced tea quickly.
In addition, it is also very easy to maintain and store. Lastly, it comes with a 1-year limited warranty as well.
Pros
- Attractive and modern appearance.
- Glass pitcher is BPA-free and dishwasher-safe.
- Comes with a permanent tea filter and integrated water filter.
- 1-year limited warranty.
Cons
- Glass pitcher is fragile and expensive to replace.
- Measurement marks on water reservoir and pitcher are hard to read.
- Only makes traditional iced tea.
Iced Tea Makers Buying Guide
Iced tea makers are very popular and this isn’t surprising. They are the quickest and most convenient way to produce a cup or a pitcher of iced tea on demand.
Don’t waste your time heating water, steeping your brew and cooling your tea. Instead, you can have a glass of iced tea ready in minutes using an iced tea maker. You can avoid the hassle of digging in the cupboard for pots, pitchers and strainers and enjoy your summer fun instead.
You have many options to choose from. There is an ideal design for every family and budget. You can easily find one to make a glass of iced tea while at work or a full pitcher for the entire family at home.
Let’s take a closer looks at the advantages and how to choose the best one for your needs.
Advantages
Brewing iced tea without a maker isn’t difficult but it can be time consuming.
There are a lot of steps that require your attention. You have to keep going back-and-forth between your tea and other activities. You may have to search for the right brewing equipment. If you are at work, you might not have the tools you need to make a cup of iced tea.
Convenient & Time-Saving
An iced tea maker is a convenient time-saver. It streamlines and simplifies the ice tea making process.
It just takes a couple of minutes to set-up your iced tea maker and hit the start button. All the work is done up-front. You’re free to walk away until your iced tea is ready.
Healthier than Soda
Drinking iced tea is also a great choice if you are concerned about the added sugars and artificial ingredients in soda and other high fructose drinks.
Soda and fruit drinks can damage the enamel on your teeth and are filled with empty calories. Fresh brewed tea has no effect on your enamel and has only two calories in an eight ounce cup.
Even if you sweeten your iced tea, the home-brewed version is a much better option than the alternatives. You can control exactly how much sugar you add or even opt to use a sugar substitute instead.
Iced tea can also be a substitute for fruit juice or soda when making summertime cocktails. Try using an herbal hibiscus tea in place of lemonade for this summertime cocktail and you will be glad you have an iced tea maker.
Health Benefits of Iced Tea
Homemade iced tea is also a healthier and more environmentally sound alternative to drinking a commercially-bottled beverage. Homebrewed iced tea is preservative-free and doesn’t create any extra waste for your recycling bin. You can even compost your used tea leaves.
Tea has long been known to contain many properties beneficial to your health. Below are some of the benefits of drinking brewed herbal teas:
- Tea contains antioxidants that can promote overall health and wellness.
- Most herbal teas are caffeine-free, and even caffeinated versions contain 50% less caffeine than coffee drinks.
- Drinking tea can help in weight loss efforts.
- Tea helps prevent tooth decay.
Of course, there are many varieties of tea and they are found all over the world. You can learn more about the various health benefits associated with the different types of tea here.
How to Select the Best Iced Tea Maker
Once you decide to take the plunge and buy an iced tea maker, you still have a few decisions to make. This is a very broad category and contains a wide spectrum of products. Consider these factors below when choosing the right one for your needs:
Portability
Some small iced tea makers are designed to travel with you while others live on your kitchen counter. There are even mini iced tea makers perfect for a break room or a dormitory.
Portable iced tea makers may be a simple device you can use with a mason jar or a more elaborate travel mug set. These allow you to brew a glass of iced tea while away from home. You just grab some ice and hot water. Then you can make a refreshing drink while on the go.
Compact or mini iced tea pots can quickly brew a cup or small pitcher of iced tea. These models don’t require the counter space of a full-sized unit but usually need more room than a portable iced tea maker.
A more traditional iced tea maker is similar in appearance to a coffee maker. They usually come with a big pitcher. Additionally, they allow you to make anywhere from a single cup to a full 3-quarts of iced tea at a time.
Hand-Operated
Most portable iced tea makers are entirely manual. You may need to use a microwave to boil your water, but your iced tea maker itself won’t require an electrical outlet. This type of iced tea maker is usually the most affordable and budget-friendly.
If you want the flexibility to make iced tea anytime and anywhere, opt for a manual unit and brew a cup wherever you go. These are also a great choice for making drinks infused with fruit or herbal flavors.
The downside to manual iced tea makers is that they require more effort on your part. You will have to time your tea-steeping to get the correct strength and then remove the tea leaves yourself. If you don’t want to bother with babysitting your iced tea, then consider an automated appliance.
Automated
Automated iced tea makers are more versatile than the manual ones. You can set them and walk away. From heating the water to pouring your tea over ice, the appliance does all the work for you.
These models often have special settings to control the strength of your brew and how quickly the tea is cooled. They may even have settings for specific tea-varieties so you can optimize the flavor no matter what type you brew.
If you want to brew big batches of iced tea then an automated appliance might be an ideal choice for your kitchen. Some automated units can also make iced coffee drinks. Automated iced tea makers are available in a wide range of prices. You can find one to fit nearly any budget.
Premium iced tea makers can often double as a hot tea or coffee machine. If your home brews a lot of these drinks, then a combination unit might be perfect for your family. You can avoid the clutter of having multiple machines on your counter with a multipurpose appliance.
With the touch of a button you can make hot or iced tea and coffee drinks and even cold-brewed beverages. The versatility of these appliances makes them well worth the premium price tag.
Capacity
A final consideration when choosing an iced tea maker is how much tea you want to make at a time. If you want to make a lot of iced tea, then opt for a maker with the right capacity.
A portable model that produces a big cup of iced tea is perfect for a single user but would be frustrating for a family. These iced tea makers are usually limited to making 12 to 20 ounces of iced tea at a time.
Automated iced tea makers can produce anywhere from 1.5 to 3 quarts of iced tea per cycle. Most of these appliances come with a pitcher so you can store your iced tea in the fridge between glasses. If your family drinks iced tea all year long then you might really appreciate an iced tea maker with a large capacity.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: How do you clean an iced tea maker?
A: You should wash the pitcher in warm soapy water, rinse well and dry it. If you are using an automated machine, you may need to occasionally remove hard water deposits. The Mr Coffee company recommends soaking the basket and pitcher in warm white wine vinegar for 20 minutes and then rinsing them clean.
You can also run a white vinegar mixture through your machine to clean it. You should consult with the manufacturer for instructions on how to do this.
Q: How do you avoid making weak iced tea?
A: It depends. If you are brewing your tea hot and cooling it using ice, you can increase the strength easily by using more tea in your original mixture. Try doubling the amount of tea you use while keeping the other ingredients the same.
You can also increase the strength of your tea by allowing it to steep for a longer amount of time before you ice it down. The cooler your tea is when you ice it, the less the ice will melt and dilute your beverage.
Q: What’s the difference between iced tea and cold-brewed tea?
A: The simple answer is that iced tea is usually steeped in hot water for a relatively short amount of time (3-20 minutes). Cold-brewed tea is made using cold or room temperature water and is usually steeped for 16-36 hours. Cold-brewed tea can then be cooled further by pouring it over ice.
Q: Can you use an automatic coffee maker to make iced tea?
A: No, you should not try to make iced or hot tea in your coffee maker. Coffee makers pour water slowly through the ground coffee.
However, they don’t have the ability to steep your tea for the proper amount of time. Tea made in a coffee maker is liable to be weak and coffee-flavored. For best results, use a seperate iced tea maker instead.
Alternatively, you could buy a dual-use coffee and tea maker with separate brewing baskets. Our best pick, the Ninja Hot and Cold, is the ideal option for making both coffee and tea-based drinks from a single appliance.
Q: Can you use a French press to make iced tea?
A: Yes, as long as your French press isn’t contaminated with a coffee-aroma. First, you would steep the tea until it is strong enough for your tastes. Then, you’d use the press to push the leaves to the bottom. Lastly, you would pour your tea over ice and you’d be good to go.
Q: What is the best way to sweeten iced tea?
A: The best way is to make a simple sugar syrup (see below) and use it to flavor your iced tea. The syrup blends perfectly into your iced tea and creates an evenly sweetened drink with no undissolved bits of sugar.
Another option is to add sugar to your hot tea as it steeps and then stir until all the sugar is dissolved. Adding sugar straight to your iced tea leaves you with an unevenly-sweetened beverage. The sugar won’t fully dissolve and every sip may have a different flavor.
To make a simple syrup, all you have to do is mix equal amounts of water and sugar in a saucepan. Heat this mixture over medium-high heat for a few minutes and stir until all the sugar is dissolved. Then cool your syrup and store it in an airtight container in your refrigerator for up to 4 weeks.
Conclusion
You have a lot of options when it comes to buying an iced tea maker. The best maker for your family will really depend on what you are looking for. No matter your needs or budget there is an ideal iced tea maker on our list for your family.
Our best pick, the Ninja, is an amazing appliance that can make a huge range of tea and coffee-based drinks. So if you want an appliance that can do it all, the Ninja is a great choice.
We hope that after reading our detailed ice tea maker reviews and comprehensive buying guide, you’ll have all the information you need to select the best iced tea maker for your needs.
Takeya is a really well made product. It makes it super easy to brew your own loose leaf iced tea. Dropping the infuser into hot water is really simple since it screws into the lid of the pitcher. After brewing, you lift it back out and drop it into the cup they provide (a nice touch, even though any cup would do the same job). Fill it the rest of the way with ice and screw down the top and shake. This is actually a really nice feature.
Thank you for your feedback, Samantha!
You’re welcome, I very like your articles and I read many of them before. Thanks so much for sharing!
#3 is great, with just one touch it heats the water to the perfect temperature, lowers the basket and steeps the tea for the exact amount of time. Very convenient and comfortable to hold
Great to hear, Glen! Thanks for sharing!