Aquach vs Bodum Side-by-Side Comparison
Aquach cold brew coffee maker vs Bodum. A choice of a simple brewer with below-average results, or a top-class brew requiring more work.
Specifications
Design
The Aquach has one of the most aesthetically pleasing and practical designs for an immersion cold coffee brewer. There’s very little not to like about it and the materials are first rate. However, the filter, as we suspected and our tests revealed, is not the best design for a high-quality cold brew experience.
The Bodum cold brew coffee maker is an adaptation of a French press. It uses a similar fast and convenient plunge filter. Since it’s only meant for cold brewing, the entire body is made from plastic. This makes it light, convenient, and affordable. There’s a lid with a plunger attached for decanting and filtering, and a simple lid for brewing.
Usability Comparison
Because of its practical design, the Aquach is one of the easiest cold brew coffee makers to use. Not only that, but the hole at the bottom of the filter makes it easy to drain all remaining brew. For the most part, cleaning is also effortless.
The Bodum doesn’t come with any ‘easy-to-use’ instructions. This means you have to decide your own brew ratio. We chose a 1:5 ratio of grounds to water, and everything else was straightforward. Decanting, however, can be a bit involved.
Brew Quality
As with any immersion filter brewer, the filter needs to be permeable enough to infuse sufficient flavor into the brew while keeping sediment contained. Unfortunately, the Aquach didn’t quite succeed here as our test results revealed it failed to produce a strong brew and it lacked a complex flavor. The brew ratio is also not the best.
Taking the brew method into account, the Bodum produces a high-quality, strong cold brew coffee concentrate. It’s beautifully smooth to drink and full-bodied, however, it didn’t capture the complexity that our leading brewer was capable of. The filtration method, however, was one of the best.
Overall Scores
Pros & Cons
- Stylish decanter
- Lid design
- Decanter handle
- High-quality filter
- No plastic parts
- Light and durable
- Open/close spout
- Perfectly airtight
- Comfortable handle
- Freestyle brewing
- Made in Portugal
- Poor brew quality
- Decanting can be tricky
- No measuring guides
Conclusion
The Aquach and Bodum both have their pros and cons, but the Bodum is by far the superior cold brew coffee maker. The Bodum produces one of the best cold brew concentrates that we have tested. The Aquach, on the other hand, produces a slightly below-par brew even for an immersion filter brewer.
Using the layered brewing method—adding in grounds and water in a gradual and staggered manner—brewing with the Bodum takes more effort. There’s no filter to lift out but it does require some effort to press down the plunge filter after brewing.
The Aquach, like any other immersion filter, simply requires you to fill the filter, insert it into the carafe, and add water. This brewer is made of glass and the filter stainless steel so it can double up as a hot beverage brewer. However, the Bodum’s plastic is much more durable than the somewhat delicate glass of the Aquach.
Behind the Comparison
Roger Shitaki is a writer, author, and editor. His niches are household appliances, health & wellness, and travel. He’s a freelance contributor to a Tokyo lifestyle website and a leading ophthalmology magazine in Asia.
