Oxo Compact vs Coffee Bear Side-by-Side Comparison
OXO Compact cold brew coffee maker vs Coffee Bear. The choice between a top-quality cold brew concentrate or a very average kind of brew.
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.
There’s nothing to fault about the quality of the glass carafe and the lid design. The silicone base pad, on the other hand, is not the best quality and the handle is a little small.
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.
Using the Coffee Bear is quite simple and straightforward. The most practical aspect is the lid, but besides that, the product doesn’t offer any added value. It’s easy to miss spots when cleaning the black-framed filter, but the detachable filter base does make a difference.
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.
The brew quality of the Coffee Bear corresponded with its brew ratio and the functionality of its filter. The brew was decidedly average and lacked complexity with a watery aftertaste.
Overall Scores
Pros & Cons
- Compact design
- Quality packaging
- Aesthetic decanter
- Easy measuring
- Pours very smoothly
- Glass decanter
- Lid design
- Twist to pour
- Stopper doesn’t fit tightly
- Sensitive decanter valve
- Brew not so complex
- Silicone base not top quality
- Handle not so comfortable
- Appears to be a generic copy
Conclusion
Coffee Bear is an average-performing immersion filter cold brew coffee maker. It uses a glass carafe with a handy lid that easily twists to pour. The immersion filter is made from plastic and nylon so it’s not ideal for doubling up as a hot beverage brewer. It’s very similar in design to the Coffee Gator, except that Coffee Bear has a silicone base stand which looks uneven and feels unsteady.
The OXO Compact has quite a sizable brew vessel and therefore needs to brew on a shelf in your refrigerator. However, it produces a relatively strong cold brew concentrate and decants into a very handy little carafe. The carafe can easily fit the door of any refrigerator.
Because the concentrate can be further diluted to even one part coffee to three parts water, the brew stretches further than the Coffee Bear. A cold brew concentrate is also more versatile for mixing or using in kitchen preparations.
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.
