Hario Mizudashi vs Bodum Side-by-Side Comparison
Hario Mizudashi cold brew coffee maker vs Bodum. A popular brewer with a flawed design, and one we highly recommend.
Specifications
Design
The Hario scored well for its build quality, but it fell short on the key fundamentals of the lid and filter design. Overall, the design did not contribute to producing a good quality brew.
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
The Hario Mizudashi is really easy to use because it requires little effort. Additionally, it is easy to brew without having to measure out the grounds or water. The tall size is a little troublesome when hand washing, but everything is dishwasher safe. Our key issue, however, is with the non-airtight design.
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
The Hario Mizudashi was an overall poor performer. The brew lacked complexity and had an overall sourish taste. This was largely down to a short filter, a poor brew ratio, and a non-airtight vessel. One way to improve the brew quality would be hot blooming where you pour hot water over the grounds and allow to bloom for 30 to 40 seconds before pouring cold water.
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
- Attractive brew decanter
- Easy-to-clean filter
- Color choice
- Hot or cold brewing
- Light and durable
- Open/close spout
- Perfectly airtight
- Comfortable handle
- Freestyle brewing
- Made in Portugal
- Not airtight
- Odor contamination
- Poor brew quality
- Decanting can be tricky
- No measuring guides
Conclusion
The Hario Mizudashi and the Bodum French press could not be any more different. The Hario is a brewer we don’t recommend due to fundamental design flaws, whereas the Bodum is one of our top recommended cold brew coffee makers.
The Hario Mizudashi is a tall and elegant glass carafe brewer with an immersion filter. However, due to the poor brew ratio, short filter, and non-airtight environment, the brew quality is below acceptable standards.
The Bodum is made of durable yet affordable plastic. It uses a freestyle brewing technique and a typical French press plunge filter. You can also control the strength and volume of your brew. While there are more steps to brewing and decanting, the quality of the Bodum brew is one of the best.
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.
