Latest news with #OXORapidBrewer
Tom's Guide
17-06-2025
- Tom's Guide
AeroPress vs OXO's Brew Rapid Brewer: Which one makes the best coffee?
As soon as I get a new coffee brewer to test and review, my family can't wait to get in on the action. From reviewing the AeroPress Clear to making a fresh brew with the OXO Brew Rapid Brewer, I don't get much of a look-in. However, once I've satisfied their curiosity, and they simply can't take in another sip of caffeine, I get to work and put the coffee brewers through their paces. At Tom's Guide, we know that you all love hearing about the best coffee makers and latest coffee gadgets — as soon as a new coffee product is released, you're on it. And it's no different with manual coffee makers, with the likes of AeroPress being a hot topic among coffee nerds. But, although the AeroPress is a hit with consumers, other manual coffee presses deserve acclaim, which is why I'm pitting the AeroPress Clear against the OXO Brew Rapid Brewer to see which one comes out on top. Making a fresh brew is never cheap, but buying a manual coffee press will save you dollars compared to a fancy coffee or espresso machine. You can pick up the AeroPress Clear Colors coffee press for $49.95 at Amazon, and it's widely available elsewhere. However, you'll save $10 with the OXO Brew Rapid Brewer, which is currently $39.99 at Amazon, giving you spare change to spend on some beans. The AeroPress does seem pricey for what you get, as the OXO Rapid Brewer comes with more parts, and you don't need to buy any filters — it's already included in the OXO Brew Rapid Brewer The AeroPress Clear is pretty simple. Like all AeroPress models, it's based on extracting coffee fast through pressure and filtration. Coffee is placed in the chamber, hot water is added, and then a plunger is used to pass the water through the grinds. It comes with three main parts — a filter section (you'll need to buy the filter papers), a chamber and a plunger. You might be starting to think that paying out nearly $50 is a lot for three parts! However, it's super lightweight and easy to pack up and go, making it perfect for taking into the office or even on a camping trip. The OXO Brew Rapid Brewer comes with more parts, but they all stack up incredibly neatly. What's more, if you're tight on countertop space, there really isn't much difference between the two. With the OXO coffee press, you get a beaker to capture the brew, a coffee filter and pusher, and a chamber and plunger. And, boy, the plunger is smooth! The OXO Brew Rapid Brewer feels more like a premium product. It's classy, ultra smooth — just like a great-tasting cup of joe. Winner: OXO Brew Rapid Brewer I don't know if it's just me, but although both of the manual coffee presses are easy to use, I can get into a pickle with the AeroPress. Although getting used to how to use an AeroPress is not difficult, sometimes, I don't quite get the pushing action right when I press the plunger down into the chamber, and I have a coffee spill. It can also depend on the vessel you use to capture the coffee and whether you have something sturdy enough that won't crack under pressure. However, with the OXO Brew Rapid Brewer, you don't need to push a plunger to the same extent. You leave the water to work its way through the filter before pressing a pump — which does most of the hard work for you. It also comes with a cup that captures the liquid, so you don't need to scramble around for a suitable vessel. The other point, which I've already mentioned, is that you'll need to buy paper filters to use with the AeroPress. These aren't expensive, but it's another thing to consider. Winner: OXO Brew Rapid Brewer Since I do most of the cleaning in my household (well, it feels like it) I don't know why my family complains, but they find the OXO Brew Rapid Brewer harder to clean because it has more parts. What they mean is that with the AeroPress Clear, you can tap out the spent coffee grounds straight into a compost bin (you can also save coffee grinds to use on your lawn), and it uses the paper coffee filter that helps to eject the grinds in one go. Whereas, with the OXO Brew Rapid Brewer, I often need to use another implement to remove the grounds. It's not a major issue, but it does make the AeroPress easier to clean, plus it also has fewer parts to AeroPress The ultimate test is in the taste. Here, there is a clear winner, and the AeroPress gets the vote of every member of my family, including myself. Although OXO's coffee press delivers a perfectly acceptable beverage, the AeroPress provides a richer, deeper brew. Could this be due to greater pressure on extraction? Possibly. There is certainly more force in using the AeroPress than the OXO Brew Rapid Brewer. Winner: AeroPress I'm on the fence about recommending either the AeroPress Clear or OXO Brew Rapid Brewer as a winner. I love the design and ease of use that the OXO coffee press delivers, and it's the one coffee gadget I pick up time and time again. I'm in love with how satisfying the pump is to use and I never have to worry about an overspill. So, for me I'll keep choosing the OXO Rapid Brew for my morning coffee fix. However, coffee is all about the taste, right? So, although I derive pleasure from the brewing process, if the taste is your top priority and you're willing to overlook the brewing process, then I'd recommend the AeroPress Clear. That's everyone covered.
Tom's Guide
22-05-2025
- Business
- Tom's Guide
Is this the AeroPress killer? I put OXO's Rapid Brewer to the test
Price: $39.99Weight: 1.27 lbsDimensions: 8.7 x 3.4 x 3.3 inches Materials: Tritan Renew (recycled plastic), stainless steel filterColor: BlackDishwasher safe: Yes, top rack (except pump) OXO isn't the first brand that comes to mind when I think about the best coffee makers. I tend to think of the company's prowess in terms of kitchen gadgets, such as garlic presses and kitchen scales, rather than products to make a perfect brew. However, I couldn't turn down the chance to test the OXO Brew Rapid Brewer. I love the concept of making a delicious cup of coffee at home, without a complex machine that has to stay permanently fixed on your countertop. What's more, it's small and compact enough to take to work or on your travels. In less than five minutes, you can make 1-3 servings of an espresso-style concentrated coffee, similar to making coffee with an AeroPress. You add finely ground coffee to the filter, tamper the grinds, add water, and wait. After 2-5 minutes, depending on whether you want a hot or cold brew, you use the pump to press the concentrated coffee into the carafe. From here, you can make your desired drink — an Americano, latte, or cold brew cocktail! Here's how I got on when I tested the OXO Rapid Brewer. The OXO Brew Rapid Brewer is available for $39 at Amazon. It's a good price compared to the AeroPress, which has a list price of $49 at Amazon. However, it's far cheaper than the AeroPress Premium, which rockets up to $179 and is available directly from certainly feels like an affordable coffee maker, and would be ideal for gifting without breaking the bank. I'm so used to using an AeroPress that I didn't think I could be swayed by anything else — but the design of the OXO Brew Rapid Brewer is impressive. It does come with a few parts: a carafe, pump, coffee filter, water chamber and tamper, but it doesn't seem excessive. And everything fits neatly together and can be stored without worrying about losing an essential part. I was even impressed that the tamper fits inside the coffee filter. Everything also feels premium to hold. The coffee filter has a diagonal ridge pattern that helps you grip, but also adds to the aesthetic, and the pump is strangely satisfying to press. You'll also find a stainless steel filter integrated into the coffee basket, so you'll never have to worry about running out of paper filters when you're desperate for a caffeine hit. Plus, if you are clumsy — especially likely until that caffeine hits in the early morning —the water chamber and carafe are made from Tritan Renew. This 50% recycled material that is durable and resistant to impact, unlike glass. Inside the coffee basket, you'll find two fill line markings, one for a hot concentrate and another for a cold concentrate, where you'll need double the grinds. The water chamber also includes a maximum water level mark, and there are alignment marks on the filter and water chamber to ensure everything is secured before you make your brew. And to avoid any awkward spillages, the carafe has a pour spout. I found the carafe super helpful. When using an AeroPress, I usually grab the nearest mug, and it doesn't always sit perfectly on top. But with the carafe included with the OXO's Rapid Brewer, it makes life less messy. The best thing about this coffee maker is that it doesn't need electricity, apart from heating the water, if you fancy a hot brew. Other than that, it's all down to you. Although, it won't be able to heat and froth your milk if you fancy a cappuccino. The coffee-making procedure is the same, whether you're making a cold or hot coffee; the only adjustment needed is the amount of coffee you use and the brewing time. The detailed instructions suggest 20g of coffee for a hot brew, with a 2-minute brew time, and 40g for a cold brew, with a 5-minute brew time. Once the coffee has made its way into the carafe, you can drink it however you like. OXO suggests diluting the coffee concentrate to a 1:2 or 1:3 ratio with either water or milk. I found the coffee maker easy to use and put together. However, on one occasion, I did forget to place the carafe underneath. Everything is there for you to make the process as easy as possible. Marker lines are placed in the filter to guide you with the correct grind amount, and the water chamber indicates the maximum fill level. There are also alignment markers on the water chamber and filter to ensure everything is sealed before you make your brew. The first time I used the brewer, I did find the coffee came through very quickly, and there wasn't much water left in the reservoir before I used the pump. However, after a quick read of the troubleshooting section on the instruction guide, I discovered that the grind was too coarse and I needed to use a finer grind. It may take you a few goes to get it just right, but that's all part of the fun. If you're looking for any flaws in performance, you won't find any with the OXO Brew Rapid Brewer. Apart from being easy to use (see below), you're guaranteed a smooth brew, without any hint of bitterness. And thanks to the filter, you won't find any grit in your cup, or between your teeth! It feels like a premium tasting coffee without a premium price tag.I'd compare it in taste to what you'd expect from an AeroPress, and for a cold brew, that is known to take hours to brew, you get a superb result in 5 minutes. You really can't argue with that. The process of using the OXO Rapid Brewer really couldn't be simpler, although it did help me that it's a similar system to the AeroPress. Here's how you use it: 1. Place your desired amount of coffee in the coffee basket. 2. Tamper down and level the coffee. 3. Attach the coffee basket to the water chamber. 4. Place the unit over the carafe. 5. Fill the water chamber with hot or cold water (5.6oz/160ml max). 6. Place the pump on top of the water chamber, making sure the pump is closed down. 7. Wait 2 minutes for a hot brew and 5 minutes for a cold brew. 9. Push down and twist the locking handle of the pump a quarter turn to unlock it. Press down slowly, and repeat a few times. 10. Your brew is now ready to be made into your desired drink. Once you've made your brew, it's time to disassemble all of the parts. I did find the coffee grinds a little awkward to remove from the coffee basket, especially considering how easy it is to tip out the grinds from an AeroPress, but it wasn't a big deal. The water chamber, coffee basket, and carriage are all top-rack dishwasher safe, but OXO recommends handwashing the tamper, and warns that the pump should not be submerged in water and is wipe clean unit is also neat and compact to store, so you don't need to worry about random parts being scattered throughout your kitchen. I like the feel of the OXO Brew Rapid Brewer — and isn't that what products are all about — the enjoyment we get from the whole experience, not just the end result? It's been a real winner in my household, and my adult sons couldn't wait to get their hands on it. They loved the satisfaction of using the pump — once you try it, you'll know. I particularly like how easy the filter is to attach, much more so than when using the AeroPress Clear, and you never have to think about paper filters. What's more, there's no issue of pressing too light or too hard on the pump, like you would with a plunger design. It also produces a tasty brew, and you can adjust the grind according to your results, with OXO recommending a fine grind for the best results with the Rapid Brewer. What's next? I'm off to make a Cold Brew-Tini — 2oz vodka, 1oz cold brew concentrate, 1oz coffee liquor, and ½ oz maple syrup — cheers to that!
