OXO Rapid Brewer Review: Is This Portable Brewer Worth It?

I’ve reviewed dozens of the best camping coffee makers, many impressive, some underwhelming. So, I was particularly looking forward to this OXO Rapid Brewer review.

OXO claims that it’s built around Specialty Coffee Association (SCA) Gold Cup standards. And that caught my attention. However, the question is not so much whether this brewer can make good coffee. Rather, it’s whether it can make coffee good enough to justify its price point.

This initial review will cover everything you need to know about this rapid brewer. So, without further ado, let’s take a closer look.

OXO Rapid Brewer Review Overview

Over 25 years, OXO has revolutionized home brewing with its Brew collection. Their SCA certified brewers, particularly the OXO 8-Cup Brewer, have earned respect from both coffee professionals and home enthusiasts.

The OXO Rapid Brewer launched in September 2024 with a bold promise: SCA Gold Cup-standard coffee in minutes, not hours. As far as I can tell, the secret seems to lie in its innovative pump mechanism.

Unlike gravity-fed pour-over or drip methods, the Rapid Brewer leverages manual pressure. This speeds up extraction, changing how water interacts with coffee grounds. Thus, it enables rapid flavor development that usually comes from extended steeping.

Built with high-grade Tritan plastic, this single-serve device is lightweight and portable. So, you can carry it in backpacks, handbags, carry-ons and more.

At only 10.5 inches (26.7 centimeters) tall, this brewer boasts a 5.4-ounce (160-milliliter) water chamber and 25-gram coffee basket. These are perfect for single-serve brewing. They work in tandem with a built-in, stainless steel filter to produce hot or cold coffee concentrate in minutes.

At $39.99, the Rapid Brewer targets coffee enthusiasts who refuse to compromise on quality while on the move. Although it lacks a traditional manufacturer’s warranty, it does come with OXO’s “Better Guarantee.” This should provide some peace of mind in case of component failure.

OXO Rapid Brewer Features

How does the OXO Rapid Brewer stand up to closer inspection? I’ve studied the features for this OXO Rapid Brewer review to give you the full lowdown.

Materials and Design – Tritan Plastic

The first thing you’ll notice about the OXO Rapid Brewer is how solid it looks. This, despite weighing a paltry 1 pound (480 grams).

Maybe this has something to do with the Tritan plastic construction. This premium but lightweight copolyester is the gold standard in high-end drinkware. Unlike regular plastics, Tritan guarantees exceptional impact resistance and thermal stability.

Another feature that stands out is this brewer’s ergonomic design. At 10.5 inches (26.7 centimeters) tall and 3.5 inches (8.9 centimeters) wide, it should fit comfortably in most hands. Notably, the textured grip zones and rounded edges prevent slipping and snagging.

All in all, this is a crisp, concise and well-thought-out design. From first impressions, everything seems to work in harmony.

Pump

At the heart of this device is a manual pressure system. Unlike traditional coffee machines, this brewer doesn’t leverage gravity and time. Instead, it uses approximately 1-2 bars of pressure to brew. That’s far from espresso level pressure, but more than traditional brewers.

The main pump consists of a precision-engineered plunger with internal seals. These components maintain the required pressure throughout extraction.

Once you plunge downward, you’re pushing water through the coffee grounds while creating a controlled pressure environment. Eventually, this forces water through coffee grounds at an optimal rate.

Some manual coffee brewers suffer from uneven pressure, resulting in uneven extractions. With this device, the pressure remains constant, supposedly yielding flavorful hot or cold coffee, every time.

Water Chamber

While this brewer’s 5.4-ounce (160-milliliter) water chamber might seem tiny, it’s perfect for single-serve brewing.

You don;t have to take chances with imprecise measurements, either. It has permanent markers for accurate water volume. What’s more, the Tritan plastic has low thermal conductivity. This means hot water stays hot and cold water stays cold.

One clever detail is this chamber’s internal shape. Its subtle curves promote even water distribution across the coffee bed. Furthermore, the wide opening makes for easy filling and cleaning, especially when you’re away from the kitchen.

Coffee Basket

This 25-gram coffee basket’s perforated design is genius. It has precise holes that work in harmony with the stainless steel filter. Notably, it consists of food-grade plastic that doesn’t retain odors, off flavors or stains.

Furthermore, this basket has the ideal coffee bed thickness. Like in the best espresso machines, this prevents water channeling and uneven saturation.

I particularly appreciate the removable design. It’s built for easy loading and cleaning, which is crucial for brewing on the go.

Carafe

Another standout feature for this OXO Rapid Brewer review is the machine’s carafe. It also serves as a brewing chamber, eliminating the need for a separate serving vessel.

As it happens, the wide mouth makes it easy to add water if you want to dilute your coffee a little. Better still, the tapered design fits comfortably, and won’t slip while you brew.

For those who prefer separate serving containers, this brewer accommodates most cups and the best travel coffee mugs. In fact, OXO says that the flow rate is good enough to brew directly into any narrow-mouthed container, spill-free.

How to Use the OXO Rapid Brewer: Hot & Cold Brew

To make a decent brew concentrate, first, rinse all removable parts with warm water. Then, run a blind cycle (hot water only). This should familiarize you with the brewer’s action. 

Once you’ve got one of these best manual coffee grinders at hand:

True cold brew needs 12-24 hours to steep. But what aroused my curiosity for this OXO Rapid Brew review is the claim that it can brew excellent cold coffee. And in under five minutes, no less!

Naturally, I’m skeptical, but still willing to give this a try. After all, I’ve had decent results with machines like the Jura Z10 and the Spinn.

For cold brew coffee:

Recommended Grind Size for the OXO Rapid Brew Coffee Maker

Grind settings are crucial for any brewing method. Get it right, and you’ll enjoy balanced, flavorful coffee or cold brew. But get it wrong? Expect weak brews and clogged filters.

The ideal grind setting for the Rapid Brewer sits between what you’d use for the best drip coffee maker and a French press. These larger particle sizes enable rapid extraction under pressure, while preventing fine particles from clogging the steel filter.

Therefore, you’ll want a coffee grinder to match. I recommend the compact but powerful 1Zpresso JX-Pro. You also might want to check out my Timemore C3 review. It’s affordable and it really delivers. Or, if you’re near a power outlet, why not keep things on-brand with the OXO coffee grinder?

To dial in the perfect grind:

Remember to grind coffee beans immediately before brewing. Pre-ground coffee loses volatile aromatics quicker than you can say Jack Robinson. In fact, the pressurized extraction makes these losses particularly noticeable.

The Best Way to Clean Your OXO Rapid Brewer

Let me be clear: Five minutes of daily care prevents hours of deep cleaning later.

After each hot or cold brew, separate the removable components (plunger, coffee basket, filter) and flush them under warm water. Pay special attention to the filter and air-dry all components well. Next, swirl warm water into the brew chamber and pour this water out through the bottom.

Weekly, soak all components in warm soapy water, scrubbing the steel filter gently to lodge stubborn residues or oils. Again, rinse all the components and air-dry them well.

I wouldn’t recommend dish-washing; the heat could wear down the seals.

Monthly cleaning means descaling with a vinegar solution. Fill the water chamber with a vinegar-water solution. Then, add a tablespoon of coarse salt (a gentle abrasive) to the coffee basket.

Soak for 30 minutes, and press the solution through as you would for a blind cycle. Lastly, follow with a couple of fresh water rinses to remove any vinegar taste.

OXO Rapid Brewer vs Other Coffee Brewers

As always in my reviews, I compare similar devices to give you an idea of where they sit on the value scale. So, how does this coffee maker stack up against others in its category?

Let’s take a look at two of its competitors, the OXO Rapid Brewer vs Aeropress and Outin Nano:

OXO Rapid Brewer vs Aeropress

You could say the Rapid Brewer and AeroPress Coffee Maker are cousins. While the former uses impact-resistant Tritan plastic, the latter goes with polypropylene. This plastic has excellent brewing consistency and high heat retention.

Design-wise, the Aeropress boasts a classic cylindrical profile. In contrast, the Rapid Brewer prioritizes ergonomics. As for capacity, the Aeropress is larger, but weighs slightly less. Crucially, it’s more compact and easy to toss into a bag.

These two devices diverge significantly when it comes to brewing. The Aeropress uses air pressure, rapid immersion brewing and paper filter microfiltration. This yields a clean, bright coffee. What’s more, it has greater brewing versatility. Make a classic American drip, “espresso” or iced coffee and “cold brew” in hot weather.

In contrast, the Rapid Brewer uses a metal filter and pressure-assisted percolation. This produces a full-bodied, dilutable coffee concentrate with natural oils and some sediment.

The Aeropress retails at $31.96, so, price-wise, there really is no difference between the two. For this reason, your choice will depend on which design philosophy and brewing preference speaks to you.

See Also: AeroPress Review

OXO Rapid Brewer vs Outin Nano

The Rapid Brewer and Outin Nano may both be transportable brewers, but their functionality couldn’t be more different.

The former is all minimalist, manual and consists of Tritan plastic. Conversely, the heavier, multi-colored Nano sports digital controls and a sleek, metal design.

As mentioned, when it comes to brewing, the Nano is more versatile. It boasts powerful 20-bar brewing pressure with automatic water heating. Additionally, its 7500mAh battery works with both Nespresso pods and ground coffee. In essence, it functions like a portable espresso machine.

In comparison, the Rapid Brewer uses pressurized brewing with 1-2 bars of pressure. This is not quite enough to make the perfect espresso but just enough for a decent coffee concentrate. Granted, you won’t need batteries, heating elements or electricity with this one. But you will need additional hot water from a kettle or thermos.

Because of these differences, there is a stark contrast in price. At $149.99, the Nano delivers true espresso-quality coffee. If you don’t mind charging devices and have the budget for it, it’ll suit you just fine.

See Also: Outin Nano Review

Verdict: OXO Brew Rapid Brewer

The look and early user reviews of the OXO Rapid Brewer suggest genuine promise. Indeed, it addresses a real gap for coffee lovers. If you hike, camp or travel regularly and refuse to compromise on the quality of your morning coffee, this brewer might just be the one.

I do have a few concerns, though. I’m not too thrilled about the single-serve limitation. I also question the long-term durability of the pump mechanism.

Either way, I plan comprehensive testing soon. So, keep it here for the full tried-and-tested OXO Rapid Brewer review.

OXO Rapid Brewer Review FAQ