Is this the AeroPress killer? I put OXO’s Rapid Brewer to the test

OXO isn’t the first brand that comes to mind when I think about the best coffee makers. I tend to think of the company’s prowess in terms of kitchen gadgets, such as garlic presses and kitchen scales, rather than products to make a perfect brew.

However, I couldn’t turn down the chance to test the OXO Brew Rapid Brewer. I love the concept of making a delicious cup of coffee at home, without a complex machine that has to stay permanently fixed on your countertop. What’s more, it’s small and compact enough to take to work or on your travels.

In less than five minutes, you can make 1-3 servings of an espresso-style concentrated coffee, similar to making coffee with an AeroPress.

You add finely ground coffee to the filter, tamper the grinds, add water, and wait. After 2-5 minutes, depending on whether you want a hot or cold brew, you use the pump to press the concentrated coffee into the carafe. From here, you can make your desired drink — an Americano, latte, or cold brew cocktail!

Here's how I got on when I tested the OXO Rapid Brewer.

OXO Brew Rapid Brewer: Price & availability

The OXO Brew Rapid Brewer is available for $39 at Amazon. It's a good price compared to the AeroPress, which has a list price of $49 at Amazon. However, it's far cheaper than the AeroPress Premium, which rockets up to $179 and is available directly from Aeropress.

It certainly feels like an affordable coffee maker, and would be ideal for gifting without breaking the bank.

OXO Brew Rapid Brewer: Design

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I’m so used to using an AeroPress that I didn’t think I could be swayed by anything else — but the design of the OXO Brew Rapid Brewer is impressive. It does come with a few parts: a carafe, pump, coffee filter, water chamber and tamper, but it doesn’t seem excessive. And everything fits neatly together and can be stored without worrying about losing an essential part. I was even impressed that the tamper fits inside the coffee basket.

Everything also feels premium to hold. The coffee basket has a diagonal ridge pattern that helps you grip, but also adds to the aesthetic, and the pump is strangely satisfying to press.

You’ll also find a stainless steel filter integrated into the coffee basket, so you’ll never have to worry about running out of paper filters when you’re desperate for a caffeine hit.

Plus, if you are clumsy — especially likely until that caffeine hits in the early morning — the water chamber and carafe are made from Tritan Renew. This 50% recycled material that is durable and resistant to impact, unlike glass.

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Inside the coffee basket, you’ll find two fill line markings, one for a hot concentrate and another for a cold concentrate, where you’ll need double the grinds. The water chamber also includes a maximum water level mark, and there are alignment marks on the filter and water chamber to ensure everything is secured before you make your brew. And to avoid any awkward spillages, the carafe has a pour spout.

I found the carafe super helpful. When using an AeroPress, I usually grab the nearest mug, and it doesn’t always sit perfectly on top. But with the carafe included with the OXO’s Rapid Brewer, it makes life less messy.

OXO Brew Rapid Brewer: Functionality

The best thing about this coffee maker is that it doesn’t need electricity, apart from heating the water, if you fancy a hot brew. Other than that, it’s all down to you. Although, it won’t be able to heat and froth your milk if you fancy a cappuccino.

The coffee-making procedure is the same, whether you’re making a cold or hot coffee; the only adjustment needed is the amount of coffee you use and the brewing time. The detailed instructions suggest 20g of coffee for a hot brew, with a 2-minute brew time, and 40g for a cold brew, with a 5-minute brew time.

Once the coffee has made its way into the carafe, you can drink it however you like. OXO suggests diluting the coffee concentrate to a 1:2 or 1:3 ratio with either water or milk.

I found the coffee maker easy to use and put together. However, on one occasion, I did forget to place the carafe underneath.

Everything is there for you to make the process as easy as possible. Marker lines are placed in the filter to guide you with the correct grind amount, and the water chamber indicates the maximum fill level. There are also alignment markers on the water chamber and filter to ensure everything is sealed before you make your brew.

The first time I used the brewer, I did find the coffee came through very quickly, and there wasn’t much water left in the reservoir before I used the pump.

However, after a quick read of the troubleshooting section on the instruction guide, I discovered that the grind was too coarse and I needed to use a finer grind.

It may take you a few goes to get it just right, but that’s all part of the fun.

OXO Brew Rapid Brewer: Performance

If you're looking for any flaws in performance, you won't find any with the OXO Brew Rapid Brewer. Apart from being easy to use (see below), you're guaranteed a smooth brew, without any hint of bitterness. And thanks to the filter, you won't find any grit in your cup, or between your teeth! It feels like a premium tasting coffee without a premium price tag.

I'd compare it in taste to what you'd expect from an AeroPress, and for a cold brew, that is known to take hours to brew, you get a superb result in 5 minutes. You really can't argue with that.

Using the OXO Brew Rapid Brewer

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The process of using the OXO Rapid Brewer really couldn't be simpler, although it did help me that it's a similar system to the AeroPress. Here's how you use it:

1. Place your desired amount of coffee in the coffee basket.

2. Tamper down and level the coffee.

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3. Attach the coffee basket to the water chamber.

4. Place the unit over the carafe.

5. Fill the water chamber with hot or cold water (5.6oz/160ml max).

6. Place the pump on top of the water chamber, making sure the pump is closed down.

7. Wait 2 minutes for a hot brew and 5 minutes for a cold brew.

9. Push down and twist the locking handle of the pump a quarter turn to unlock it. Press down slowly, and repeat a few times.

10. Your brew is now ready to be made into your desired drink.

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OXO Brew Rapid Brewer: Cleaning

Once you’ve made your brew, it's time to disassemble all of the parts. I did find the coffee grinds a little awkward to remove from the coffee basket, especially considering how easy it is to tip out the grinds from an AeroPress, but it wasn’t a big deal.

The water chamber, coffee basket, and carriage are all top-rack dishwasher safe, but OXO recommends handwashing the tamper, and warns that the pump should not be submerged in water and is wipe clean only.

The unit is also neat and compact to store, so you don't need to worry about random parts being scattered throughout your kitchen.

OXO Brew Rapid Brewer: Verdict

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I like the feel of the OXO Brew Rapid Brewer — and isn’t that what products are all about — the enjoyment we get from the whole experience, not just the end result?

It’s been a real winner in my household, and my adult sons couldn’t wait to get their hands on it. They loved the satisfaction of using the pump — once you try it, you’ll know.

I particularly like how easy the filter is to attach, much more so than when using the AeroPress Clear, and you never have to think about paper filters. What’s more, there’s no issue of pressing too light or too hard on the pump, like you would with a plunger design.

It also produces a tasty brew, and you can adjust the grind according to your results, with OXO recommending a fine grind for the best results with the Rapid Brewer.

What’s next? I’m off to make a Cold Brew-Tini — 2oz vodka, 1oz cold brew concentrate, 1oz coffee liquor, and ½ oz maple syrup — cheers to that!