Oxo Compact vs Toddy System Side-by-Side Comparison
OXO Compact cold brew coffee maker vs Toddy Cold Brew System. Two top competitive brewers, one small and one large, but there’s more to know.
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.
Overall, the Toddy Cold Brew System is a high-quality product. It’s well thought out from eco-friendliness to aesthetic appeal to the practicalities of brewing and storage. The only feature we found lacking was the temperamental filter.
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.
Making cold brew coffee can be messy. The purpose of a cold brew coffee maker is to make brewing and decanting as easy as possible. There are more steps to the Toddy system than you’ll find in a simple immersion filter brewer. However, it produced superior results and the whole process can be made easier if you use a paper filter bag.
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 test of any cold brew coffee maker is ultimately the coffee it produces. Our repeated testing found that the Toddy makes the best cold brew coffee. Specifically, it’s the most rounded, full-bodied, and complex brew with a balance towards sweeter flavors. Its filtration system, although not the most convenient, is highly effective.
Overall Scores
Pros & Cons
- Compact design
- Quality packaging
- Aesthetic decanter
- Easy measuring
- Pours very smoothly
- Minimal parts
- No over-packaging
- Eco-friendliness
- Ergonomic components
- Attractive carafe
- Included paper filter bags
- Cold or hot brewing
- Stopper doesn’t fit tightly
- Sensitive decanter valve
- Brew not so complex
- Felt filter tends to clog
- No brew vessel markings
Conclusion
The OXO Compact and the Toddy Cold Brew System are two neck-and-neck competitors. The OXO Compact is the smaller version of the OXO Good Grips, both of which use the proprietary rainshower drip method. Both the OXO and the Toddy use a similar brew ratio, which you can adjust with their free-style brewing method.
The OXO tends to produce a somewhat stronger and more defined brew whereas the Toddy brews a much more complex flavored concentrate. Another key difference with the OXO is that decanting is a lot easier than with the Toddy.
Since the size difference is the key, the choice here is really whether you need a small or large quantity of cold brew concentrate. If you’re a connoisseur of true cold brew richness, then the Toddy is more likely to satisfy your tastes.
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.
