Hario Mizudashi vs Oxo Compact Side-by-Side Comparison
Hario Mizudashi vs OXO Compact cold brew coffee maker. A brewer we do not recommend and the choice of one of our top picks.
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.
We unboxed the OXO Compact cold coffee brewer to see what came in such a neat and small package. The initial impression was a product that delights and excites.
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 OXO Compact is one of the easiest cold brew coffee makers to use. You simply measure your ingredients using the markings on its brew vessel and decanter. Decanting was fast and effortless, and cleaning straightward. It also stored very neatly, adding to its compact appeal. The only thing to be careful of is the sensitive decanting spring valve.
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.
Overall, the OXO Compact produced a smooth and full-bodied brew. It was very satisfying to drink with a simple dilution. However, the brew tended to lack sweeter flavor subtleties and the complexity one would expect from a cold brew.
Overall Scores
Pros & Cons
- Attractive brew decanter
- Easy-to-clean filter
- Color choice
- Hot or cold brewing
- Compact design
- Quality packaging
- Aesthetic decanter
- Easy measuring
- Pours very smoothly
- Not airtight
- Odor contamination
- Poor brew quality
- Stopper doesn’t fit tightly
- Sensitive decanter valve
- Brew not so complex
Conclusion
The Hario Mizudashi and the OXO Compact are two very different types of brewers. The Hario is tall and slender and will easily fit the door of even a small refrigerator. Apart from this, it has no advantage as a cold brew coffee maker. The immersion filter is rather short, the brew ratio unfavorable, and it produces a sourish brew.
The OXO, on the other hand, produced one of the strongest cold brew concentrates in our hands-on testing. The OXO is also one of the easiest free-style brewers to use since it has convenient measuring markers for both the amount of grounds to use and the water level. While the OXO is one of our top brewers, the Hario Mizudashi is not a cold brew coffee maker we recommend you buy.
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.
