I Tried the Cumulus Coffee Machine—Is It Better Than Starbucks Cold Brew?

Wanting to recreate the iced coffee experience at home?

The Cumulus cold coffee machine is making cold coffee more convenient and healthier 👏

Summertime always makes me think of cold brews from local coffee shops and long walks along the river.. but what if you could recreate those yummy iced coffee drinks (and make them healthier, too) from home??

Enter the Cumulus Machine—a sleek, modern appliance that promises café-quality cold coffee at the push of a button. I’ve been testing it out this summer and did a deep dive into the machine’s features, pricing, and how it stacks up to coffee shop trips. Here’s everything you need to know about the Cumulus system to decide if it is right for you.

The Company Behind the Era of Cold Coffee

Cumulus Coffee company is the idea of Mesh Gelman, a former Starbucks innovation exec who knows how people like their coffee. And apparently, that's cold. In fact, cold drinks make up nearly 80% of Starbucks’ beverage orders, and Gelman saw that as a gap in the home coffee market.

He pitched the idea and had over $20 million in investor funding (including investment from Howard Schultz, Starbucks chairman emeritus). Cumulus launched in 2024 with a bold goal to revolutionize cold coffee— by bringing the experience home.

What Is the Cumulus Machine?

The Cumulus machine is a pod-based countertop appliance that's designed exclusively for cold brew! Think the cold coffee cousin to a Nespresso machine. It uses a proprietary cold cloud technology to keep the cold water at the perfect temp for cold brewing-- all at the touch of a button 👏

Instead of using coffee grounds, the machine works with Cumulus’s proprietary concentrate pods, which are filled with a super-strong, cold-extracted brew. Then, you just pop in a capsule, select your drink style (either still, nitro, or cold espresso), and in a little over a minute, you’ve got a chilled drink with a crema-like foam on top—no barista required 👏

How It Works

My first question with any appliance that suggests convenience is "But is it really??"  And overall, the Cumulus cold brew coffee machine delivered. Here's a quick breakdown of how the Cumulus works:

• Cold water system: The internal reservoir chills water to about 34–43°F, so your drink is served cold straight from the machine—no need to add ice. This is such a cool feature because you don’t need any ice… which means no watered-down coffee if it takes you a little bit to drink it all! 👏

• Three brew styles:

  • Still: A smooth, 10 oz cold brew

  • Nitro: A frothy, velvety 10 oz nitro-style brew, using ambient air for infusion (my faaaavorite setting)

  • Cold Espresso: A bold, 2 oz shot perfect for espresso martinis or a concentrated caffeine boost (the best option for a homemade iced latte)

• Self-cleaning pod system: After brewing, the machine vacuums the pod clean for easy recycling and minimal cleanup.

The only thing that requires any setup is the initial steps when you first unpack the box. I think it took me less than 15 minutes when I followed the step-by-step videos

The Pods

For a single-serve coffee maker, they have so many different varieties and coffee combos, especially if you are using their artisanal syrups. We were playing around with different combinations and making lattes and cold foam and shaken espresso drinks 🤤

I was shocked at how many different roast varieties are available! My Fave? Ritual Medium and Dark Roast 🤤

Is It Worth the Price? A Real-World Cost Breakdown

Let’s talk numbers. The Cumulus machine is a definite investment, with a retail price of $695. But if you’re spending $5–$7 per cold coffee at your local shop, the math adds up surprisingly quickly.

Here’s a comparison:

After the first year, your savings increase significantly—especially if you’re a two-a-day drinker. Plus, you’re saving time, gas, and the occasional impulse cookie. 🤪

My Favorite Features

✅ Barista-level coffee at home
The nitro setting is by far the star of the show 👏 I became a nitro cold brew fan a couple of years ago with coffee's distinct flavor and the velvety mouthfeel of the nitro brew. Multiple reviewers compare it to a professional tap-poured nitro coffee, and I 100% agree. If we were doing blind taste tests, there is no way I could tell a difference. 

Also, because of the cool water technology, you do not need any ice. That means you get strong, undiluted coffee every time. And all of this with literally the push of a button. It really is that easy.

✅ Sleek designs ​

I am such a sucker for a great-looking product.. amazing branding on top of that and I am sold. Everything about the machine, the pods, the syrups, (even their double-walled glasses that keep your coffee cold) is beautiful. 

✅ Some of the Best-tasting coffee

This is hands-down some of the best coffee I have ever had-- and I am no stranger to good cup of coffee. Even my husband who is not a fan of cold coffee could appreciate the smooth layers of flavor.

✅ Cleanest cup of cold brew around

If you have read this blog before, you know I am a huge proponent of clean, uncomplicated ingredients and high-quality products that last. I also want a good cold brew machine without tons of plastic that will leach into your coffee (I am looking at you, plastic to-go coffee cups). With this company, that was the very first thing I asked them about-- and I was pleasantly surprised with their response! Every part of the coffee machine that comes into contact with your coffee is food-grade metal. The recyclable capsules are also plastic-free 👏 Pair that with their high-quality syrups (that use ingredients like real sugar, Mediterranean sea salt, dried lemon peel, and chocolate powder), and you are getting a much cleaner cup of coffee than you would at any drive-through coffee shop.

And.. the not so favorite

❌ The price is steep
At nearly $700, this is for sure a luxury appliance. Add the $75/month pod cost (if you use the Cumulus Cold Brew Maker every day) and you’re looking at a commitment. In all transparency, I did not pay for my machine or pods outright (although I will definitely be purchasing pods regularly moving forward). I am so so thankful for Cumulus being generous enough to send me a whole starter kit.

​Personally, I do not drink cold coffee every single day, and on top of that, I pretty rarely buy coffee out of my house (maybe 2-3x/ month). That said, I can see this investment being financially worth it for someone who loves iced coffee and regularly buys it! It’s also a great option for those coffee connoisseurs who love trying new coffee styles and products.

❌ This is a large machine- I have a pretty small kitchen with a limited amount of counter space. I am also someone who really does not like clutter. So, having multiple appliances on my counter just isn't feasible long-term. While testing out the Cumulus Cold Coffee Machine, I kept it on my counter for over a month and was honestly surprised that it didn't feel that big, thanks to the sleek design and shape. But even with that, it's heavy and a bit large to be moving around anytime you want a coffee. Depending on how much space you have available with be a factor in if this machine is right for you!

❌ Great for single servings, not for a crowd.

While testing out the Cumulus coffee machine, we were having a birthday party for my son. I got to talking about how much I was loving it, and immediately, I had half a dozen orders from friends and family that wanted to try it out! I made the first couple of drinks within just a couple of minutes, and then needed to refill the Cumulus coffee maker water tank. After refilling the water tank, it takes ~10-15 minutes to chill the water. While I won't usually be making coffee for a whole group of cold brew coffee aficionados, it is worth keeping in mind if you host people often. (That said, everyone was in coffee heaven and didn't complain about the wait) 

Final Verdict

If you’re someone who drinks cold coffee year-round, craves nitro cold brew but hates the daily coffee shop bill, the Cumulus Machine might be your dream come true. It’s sleek, fast, and genuinely delivers on its promise of high-quality cold coffee at home. But for casual coffee drinkers or anyone on a budget, it’s probably more splurge than staple.

Would I recommend it? Yes—but only if cold coffee beverages are a regular part of your life! 

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