Oxo Compact vs Bodum Side-by-Side Comparison
OXO Compact cold brew coffee maker vs Bodum French Press. Two free-style brewers. One easier to use than the other, but the output is less.
Specifications
Design
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.
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 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.
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
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.
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
- Compact design
- Quality packaging
- Aesthetic decanter
- Easy measuring
- Pours very smoothly
- Light and durable
- Open/close spout
- Perfectly airtight
- Comfortable handle
- Freestyle brewing
- Made in Portugal
- Stopper doesn’t fit tightly
- Sensitive decanter valve
- Brew not so complex
- Decanting can be tricky
- No measuring guides
Conclusion
The OXO Compact and the Bodum French Press both use the free-style brewing technique. In a sense, the OXO is easier to use with its markings for the preferred amounts of grounds and water. The Bodum has no measurement markings and comes with no instructions regarding brewing or brew ratios.
For brewing in the refrigerator, the Bodum takes up a little more space. It can produce up to 25 fl. oz. of concentrate whereas the OXO’s output is 16 fl. oz. using a similar ratio.
The OXO decants into a nice little carafe with a stopper. With the Bodum, it appears that the manufacturer intended for the grounds to be left in the container and the concentrate poured off as you need it. If you have your own preferred decanter, you may wish to completely decant the contents of the Bodum after brewing.
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.
