Best Tea Makers
Not so long ago, only coffee drinkers got off easy when preparing their morning brew. They’d flick a switch and walk away as the coffee maker did all the rest. Alerts would sound when ready, thermal carafes kept bevvies warm and timers would let them choose their ideal start time. That was, until now. Tea drinkers, your day has come. Yes, you can now enjoy a fresh brewed, perfectly steeped cup of tea in just minutes. No burned fingers from fumbling with soggy teabags. No hanging around, waiting for the proverbial pot to boil. You now have a quick, easy way to prep your favorite loose-leaf or teabag blends. Best of all, you don’t have to settle for so-so quality because you choose the steep duration. Check out our top picks for tea makers – we’re certain they’ll suit you to a you-know-what!
Our Favorite Tea Makers
Brewista Electric 1.2-liter Programmable Tea Maker: For Late Sleepers
Type: Electric
Capacity: 1.2 liters
Material: Borosilicate glass, BPA-free polypropylene, stainless steel
Wattage: 1200 watts
Warranty: 1-year
If your mornings begin with hitting the snooze button (a few times), you’re going to appreciate the Brewista tea maker. Why? Because, just like a coffee maker, it has a programmable auto-start function that allows you to set it up the night before. Yes, with this electric tea maker, you can grab those extra 40 winks because it does all the work – you’ll never have to stand over a slow-boiling stove-top kettle again. Even better, this unit not only brews your morning tea, it has beep alert to let you know it’s ready and even a keep warm feature that can hold the temperature at 160-degree Fahrenheit. And if your favorite tea blends go beyond Orange Pekoe, this pot features pre-set temperatures for white, black, green, oolong and herbal teas plus 2 filters to allow for loose-leaf or tea-bag formats. It also lets you set your ideal steep time – from 30 seconds to a full 8 minutes – so your tea is perfectly brewed and at a strength to suit your personal preferences. And just like coffee-makers, this unit comes with a large, easy-grip handle and sits on a separate power base, so you can say good-bye to bulky cords.
Pros:
- Programmable for pre-set start times
- Keep Warm feature
- Customizable steep duration
- Uses loose-leaf or tea-bag formats
Cons:
- Not dishwasher-safe
- Side of carafe can become very hot
If you’d love a customizable tea maker that not only brews at the ideal temperature, but can be programmed to deliver the perfect steep, this is the one you want.
Gourmia Electric Single-Serve Tea Maker: For K-Cup Enthusiasts
Type: Electric
Capacity: 8-ounce single serve
Material: BPA-free Plastic
Wattage: 975 watts
If a good morning to you is entirely dependent on the convenience of a K-Cup, you’re going to fall in love with this Gourmia single-serve tea maker. It accommodates not only K-Cups, but ground coffee and loose tea leaves as well. In fact, the manufacturer calls this unit a 3-in-1 because of that versatility. Now, if you love your tea like I love my tea, you already know that no-way, no-how can you brew coffee and tea through the same filtering system. But that’s where this unit is different. You get a filter cup for tea leaves, a filter-cup for coffee grounds and a space for the K-Cup. So, you’re never brewing your tea through the same filter you just used to make your coffee. And this means you can say good-bye to cross-over flavors. But there’s more, because this tea maker is not only easy to use, with one-touch controls to select your beverage of choice, it fully disassembles for easy cleaning. And because the filters and holders are all dishwasher safe, you have one more line of defense when it comes to preventing transfer of flavors. Making the perfect morning cuppa has never been faster or simpler.
Pros:
- Can brew loose tea or ground coffee
- Compatible with K-Cups
- Separate filters prevent flavor transfer
- Easy disassembly for complete cleaning
Cons:
- 8-ounce only brew capacity
If you enjoy both tea and coffee, but hate the idea of losing counterspace to 2 separate appliances, then this 3-in-1 tea maker is the answer.
OBOR Stove-top Glass Tea Maker with Infuser: For Those Who Love the Traditional Brew Process
Type: Stop-top
Capacity: 1.3 liters
Material: Borosilicate glass and stainless steel
Wattage: n/a
Warranty: 1-year
If you still appreciate the ritual of making tea, but maybe not all the steps, wouldn’t it be great to have one appliance that not only boils water but can steep your tea at the same time? Well, we found it. Yes, this beautiful OBOR glass tea maker is made from heat-resistant borosilicate glass and can be used on gas, ceramic, electric and induction cook tops. A stainless-steel mesh infuser makes it easy to brew both larger leaf herbal teas or fine-leaf teas such as Earl Grey, English Breakfast or Green without the need to deal with those errant bits that can infiltrate your brew. And if you’re into blooming teas that require a little more room to float around before opening to disperse their flavors, the round shape of this tea-maker is ideal. It allows for a more fulsome circulation of tea leaves when you opt to not use the infuser. I love that when it’s time to pour, you’re working with a generously sized glass handle that makes it easy to grip without the fear of touching a hot pot. And the well-designed, drip-free spout means mopping up spills will never distract from enjoying your afternoon tea.
Pros:
- Heat-resistant borosilicate glass construction
- Can be used on any stove-top surface
- Non-drip spout
- Clear pot lets you monitor the brew process
Cons:
- Borosilicate glass handle is not heat-proof
If you love loose-leaf teas but not the guesswork that goes into how long to steep them, this glass tea maker allows you to pick your perfect brew strength.
Capresso Electric 18.5-liter Iced Tea Maker: For Those Who Love to Entertain
Type: Electric
Capacity: 18.5 liters
Material: Glass, plastic, stainless steel
Wattage: 725 watts
Warranty: 1-year
While we all love a nice frosty glass of iced tea, my guess is that most of us don’t have time to make the healthier, fresh-brewed variety. Let me tell you, there’s no comparison between made-from-scratch iced tea, and the canned, artificially flavored version. And with the Capresso Iced Tea Maker you can experience the difference for yourself. Not only do you enjoy the true, full flavor of your favorite teas but you can customize your beverage by simply opting for a stronger brew cycle, adding your choice of sweetener or including lemon (or not). Why not load the glass pitcher with sliced fruits and berries to create your own summer cooler. This brewer works with either loose-leaf or bagged tea and the pitcher holds a whopping 18.5 liters. So, you aren’t constantly running back to the kitchen to rebrew. And its simple to use – just fill the pitcher with ice, add water to the reservoir, and your tea to the filter then hit the switch. In just minutes you’ll be enjoying freshly brewed ice tea. It comes with 18 iced tea recipes and because the pitcher, lid and brew basket are all dishwasher-safe, clean-up is easy.
Pros:
- Large, 18.5-liter capacity
- Quick brew process
- Brew strength adjustment for stronger flavor
- Uses both loose-leaf and bagged tea
- Includes 18 iced tea recipes
Cons:
- Glass pitcher can crack if ice not put in first
- Does not brew hot tea
If you never thought you had time to enjoy the fresher and healthier iced tea made from scratch, this tea maker is about to prove you wrong.
Breville Electric Programmable Tea Maker with Infuse: For the Perfectionist
Type: Electric
Capacity: 1.65 liters
Material: Borosilicate glass and stainless steel
Wattage: 1200 watts
Warranty: 1-year
You know that moment when you take a big swig of tea and realize it’s steeped a little too long? Or worse, it’s no longer piping hot, but moving toward lukewarm. Well, with the Breville Smart Tea Maker, those days are long gone. This tea kettle not only heats the water, but steeps the tea, AND offers 5 pre-sets so you can customize the brew process. It also features 5 different temperatures, each ideally suited to brewing green, white, oolong, herbal, or black tea blends. And this clever little appliance includes a temperature sensor to control heat and monitor the progress of your perfect steep. Once the temperature has been achieved, it waits for your chosen steep period to pass, then beeps to say “come and get it”. But if you’re not yet ready, it has a 30-minute keep warm feature that prevents your tea from going cold, but stops it from over-steeping. This sophisticated looking kettle is made from heat-resistant borosilicate glass and brushed steel with a stainless-steel infuser. And best of all, it sits on a separate heat-pad so you can pick up and pour without messy cords getting in the way.
Pros:
- Includes a customized steep process
- 5 temperature settings for various tea types
- Heat-resistant borosilicate glass construction
- 30-minute keep-warm feature
- Beep alerts to finished process
Cons:
- Not dishwasher safe
If you’re a tea afficionado who doesn’t have the patience to figure out temperatures or wait around for the steep process to finish, this tea maker is about to change your life.
You’ll Wonder How You Ever Brewed a Decent Cuppa Without a Tea Maker
Tea makers can be a great alternative to the typical, “boil-water-insert-tea-bag” way of making a relaxing, well-steeped brew. For one thing, many of the electric options can be programmed to auto-start before you’re even out of bed, thereby saving you precious time before you race out the door. Some can also be set to steep to your strength of choice – extra-strong or maybe not-so-strong. And with the all-in-one stove top tea maker, you’ve eliminated the need to pour boiling water into a pre-warmed china teapot, then guess as to whether it has sufficiently steeped. Today’s glass stove-top options – including the one we shared – offer a fully visible steep process that lets you control the strength.
A Good Tea Maker Is Cheaper Than You Thought
Whether you decide to keep it simple with just a top-quality stove-top tea maker or you plan to spring for something a little more high-tech like the Breville or Brewista electric models with precision brewing, your foray into the world of perfectly steeped teas isn’t going to cost you an arm and a leg. In fact, many top-of-the-line tea makers come in at less than a good quality coffee maker.
Your Tea, Your Way
Let me guess, exploring new types of tea is just your thing. And your kitchen cupboard is packed with loose-leaf herbals, black teas, bagged teas and blooming teas. Believe me, you’re going to appreciate the number of tea maker designs that allow you to select the ideal level of heat for the particular blend you’re brewing. Whether oolong, black, green, or white, each has an optimal brew temperature that brings out the very best of that leaf. And don’t bother to google them because today’s tea makers do it for you. They identify the right temperature based on the individual tea type, and with a push of a button, you’re in business. They literally take the guesswork out of getting it right.
Frequently Asked Questions
Isn’t Boiling a Kettle of Water a Lot Simpler?
Actually, an electric tea maker does the same thing, only more efficiently. The big difference is that after you fill it with water, you just add your tea leaves to the infuser and walk away. That’s the “plus”. With today’s technology, you never have to worry about it boiling dry because the electric tea maker models come with auto shut-off and boil-dry protection. And even the stove-top tea maker is simpler than just boiling water, because you no longer need a secondary vessel to brew the tea. It’s all accomplished in one step.
Is Using Loose Leaf Tea Better than Using Tea Bags?
Yes, and here’s why. The tea used in teabags is called fannings and they’re essentially the bits left over from broken tea leaves. When they’re steeped, they tend to release more tannins than the whole, loose tea leaves that are steeped using an infuser. That’s why you should always look for a tea maker that allows you to use not only tea bags, but loose teas. Because eventually, you’re going to want to toss those bags!
What Type of Infuser Should My Tea Maker Offer?
If you enjoy larger leaf teas, you’ll want an infuser that is large enough to allow for the leaves to circulate when the water hits. And if you prefer smaller leaf teas such as black or green, look for a finer mesh that will prevent small particles from infiltrating the finished brew. The glass stove-top tea maker we feature is great for blooming teas where you really don’t need an infuser – just place the tiny balls into the pot of heated water and watch them unfurl.
What is the Advantage of an Electric Tea Maker?
Electric tea makers eliminate the wait time for a kettle to boil. They can be customized to deliver the best temperature for many blends of tea, and can often be programmed to begin the brew process automatically. Some will alert you to when the process has completed (versus listening for a shrill whistling tea kettle) and some models even offer a keep-warm feature.
Conclusion
We all love the idea of slowing down and taking the time needed to enjoy a leisurely cup of tea. But truth be told, we don’t always have the time to stand over a stove-top kettle or babysit the steep process as we rush out the door. What you’ve seen from the tea makers we profiled, is that regardless of how busy our day, you never have to compromise on the quality of your brew. You can still enjoy the healthy benefits of infused tea leaves that have been steeped to perfection and served piping hot. Many units even come with a keep-warm feature that allows your tea to remain hot, but without further steeping. And with a model like the Capresso, your days of drinking artificially flavored, canned ice tea is over. We chose the 5 tea makers profiled because of their wide range of convenient features, varied price points and their ability to make your tea-drinking experience certainly easier and ultimately more enjoyable.