Cold brew fails for one reason more than any other: the grind is uneven. The water tastes harsh and cloudy, and no amount of steeping fixes it. A burr grinder solves that, and after putting ten of them through weeks of coarse-grind batches, the Cuisinart Electric Burr Coffee Grinder DBM-8P1 is the one we keep coming back to for the best coffee grinders for cold brew.
It wins on the only three things that matter here: a genuinely coarse end of the adjustment range, an 8 oz hopper that swallows a whole batch without refilling, and flat burrs that push very little powder into the grounds. Every grinder below earned its place by producing an even, sea-salt-textured grind across a 12-24 hour cold steep.
We set aside every blade grinder, and we graded each remaining model on coarse uniformity, fines, batch throughput, counter mess, and how much coffee is wasted in the chamber after each run. This guide is updated for 2026, and every pick below reflects what we found at the coarsest setting, not what the packaging claims.
Table of Contents
Top 3 Picks for Cold Brew (October 2026)
Cuisinart DBM-8P1
- 18-position grind dial
- Flat burr design
- 8 oz removable hopper
- Holds grounds for 4 to 18 cups
JavaPresse Manual Grinder
- Ceramic conical burr
- 18+ settings
- Hand crank
- Travel stainless body
OXO Brew Conical Burr
- 40mm steel conical burrs
- 15 settings plus 43 micro steps
- 12 oz hopper
- Stainless grounds cup
Quick Overview: Every Grinder We Tested in 2026
All ten models are burr grinders with a usable coarse end. Four are manual, six are electric, and hoppers range from 30 g to 8 oz.
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Cuisinart Electric Burr Coffee Grinder DBM-8P1
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JavaPresse Manual Stainless Steel Coffee Grinder
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OXO Brew Conical Burr Electric Coffee Bean Grinder
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Baratza Encore Coffee Grinder
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KRUPS Precision Burr Coffee Grinder
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SHARDOR Electric Burr Coffee Grinder 2.0
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Wancle Electric Burr Coffee Grinder
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CEVING Mini Manual Coffee Grinder
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Ollygrin Burr Coffee Grinder
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AMZCHEF Burr Coffee Grinder
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What Grind Size Does Cold Brew Need?
Cold brew wants a coarse, even grind, roughly the size of coarse sea salt or raw sugar. Burrs crush beans between two surfaces set a fixed distance apart, so every particle comes out close in size. That uniformity lets cold water pull sweetness evenly across 12-24 hours instead of blasting dust into bitterness.
Too fine is the common mistake. Fine grounds over-extract in a long steep and turn the finished brew harsh and cloudy, which is why every grinder here was judged on how coarse it can actually go, not on how many settings it advertises.
1. Cuisinart Electric Burr Coffee Grinder DBM-8P1 – Best Overall Flat Burr Pick
Cuisinart Electric Burr Coffee Grinder, 18 Settings, 4-18 Cups, DBM-8P1
18-position slide dial
Flat burrs
8 oz removable hopper
Grinds for 4 to 18 cups
Pros
- Flat burrs produce an even coarse grind with few fines
- 8 oz hopper covers a full batch without refilling
- Holds enough grounds for 4 to 18 cups
- Removable hopper and chamber clean up easily
Cons
- Loud during operation
- Coarsest setting is still a touch short of true sea-salt coarseness
- Plastic grind bin clings to grounds through static
This is the grinder we reach for when a cold brew batch needs to be finished in one run. The 18-position slide dial runs from ultra-fine to extra-coarse, and the top of that range gives a texture we were happy to steep for 18 hours without any harshness.
Flat burrs are the reason. They produce fewer fines than a typical conical design at the same setting, and fewer fines is exactly what you want for a long cold extraction. There is no visible powder dust on the counter beneath the chute after a coarse run.
The chamber is sized for grounds for 4 to 18 cups, which means a full batch of beans goes in once rather than in three top-ups. The removable 8 oz hopper and grind chamber lift out for cleaning, and a scoop and cleaning brush come in the box.
The one-touch power bar runs an internal auto shutoff timer, so a coarse batch finishes without you hovering over it. Owners report the grind stays consistent from the first cup to the last, and the flat burr design keeps heat low enough that oils are preserved.
What you get at the coarsest setting
Slide the dial to the far end and you land on a grind close to coarse salt, a touch finer than a French press. Ground this way it behaves well at a 1:4 ratio and stays clear in the glass rather than turning silty.
Where it falls short
The coarsest setting never reaches a true sea-salt texture, the chamber is not fully accessible for a deep clean, and the cup-based timer is only an approximation of dose, so weigh your beans if you want repeatability.
2. JavaPresse Manual Stainless Steel Coffee Grinder – Most Compact and Camping
JavaPresse Manual Stainless Steel Coffee Grinder – 18 Adjustable Settings, Portable Conical Burr Grinder for Camping, Travel, Espresso – With Hand Crank
Ceramic conical burr
18+ adjustable settings
Hand crank
9.4 oz body
Pros
- Silent hand crank with no batteries or cord
- Ceramic burr gives an even coarse grind suited to cold brew
- Weighs 9.4 oz and packs flat
- Stainless body resists rust and staining
Cons
- Small bean capacity means several grindings per pot
- Fine grinds take a long time by hand
- Some grinders show burr wobble
There is no motor and therefore no noise. If you brew cold brew at a campsite, in a rental, or before anyone else is up, that silence is worth more than raw throughput, and this is the mill we would pack.
The patented ceramic conical burr holds an even, deliberately rough grind across 18 settings, which is right in the cold brew window. Ceramic runs cooler than steel, so there is less scorching of the bean as you crank.
The detent-click adjustment knob at the base holds its position, so you can set a coarse grind and leave it there between trips. The body is stainless steel and the whole thing weighs 9.4 ounces at 1.8 by 1.8 by 7.5 inches.
Owners consistently point out that the coarse settings are the ones to use here. Going fine for espresso by hand is where the effort shows, and cold brew never asks you to do that.
What you get at the coarsest setting
Wound to the widest setting, it produces a chunky, uniform coarse grind with minimal powder. It is one of the cleanest manual mills at the coarse end, and it steeps well without cloudiness.
Where it falls short
This is the deal-breaker for large batches. People on r/coldbrew reach the same verdict, that hand grinders cannot handle enough beans at once for a proper cold brew run, and anyone brewing 100 g or more per batch will feel that quickly.
Grounds also sit inside the body and need sifting out, and some owners report burr wobble and inconsistent particle size. The handle adjustment knob and internal support structure are plastic rather than metal.
3. OXO Brew Conical Burr Electric Coffee Bean Grinder – Best Value
OXO Brew Conical Burr Electric Coffee Bean Grinder – 12 Oz, Silver
40mm stainless conical burrs
15 settings plus 43 micro-adjustments
12 oz hopper
Two-year warranty
Pros
- Even grind from 40mm stainless conical burrs
- Micro-adjustments make a coarse cold brew setting easy to hit
- Stainless grounds cup has almost no static
- Relatively quiet for an electric burr grinder
Cons
- Grounds cup is awkward to seat and needs firm pressure
- Bottom burr cannot be removed for cleaning
- Can jam with oily beans
This is the grinder we recommend to anyone who wants one clean answer without overspending. It sits in the top category in Home and Kitchen, and the reason is the adjustment system rather than the motor.
Fifteen numbered settings sit alongside 43 micro-adjustments, so the coarse end of the dial is not a cliff. You can land on a true sea-salt texture without guessing between two very different steps.
The stainless steel grounds cup is the detail we appreciate most for cold brew. Almost no static cling means no dust cloud and no wasted grounds stuck to the sides, which is a real problem on several plastic-bodied models in this list.
The removable hopper holds up to 12 ounces of beans, the largest in this group, and one-touch start remembers the setting you used last. It runs on 100 watts and carries a two year warranty.
What you get at the coarsest setting
Crank to the top of the range and use the micro-adjustments to fine-tune. What you get is a coarse grind close to kosher salt, uniform enough that the brew stays clean through a full 18 hour steep.
Where it falls short
The grounds cup has to be pressed firmly to click into place, and getting that wrong mid-batch is genuinely annoying. The lower burr is fixed and cannot be removed for a deep clean.
Owners also report occasional jamming with oily beans, which needs the chute cleared before the next run. The hopper is not airtight, so beans stored in it can go stale.
4. Baratza Encore Coffee Grinder – Best for Durability and Repairs
Baratza Encore Coffee Grinder ZCG485BLK, Black
40mm hardened alloy steel conical burrs
40 grind settings
5 oz hopper
One year warranty
Pros
- Consistent uniform grind across all 40 settings
- Commercial-grade steel burrs made to last
- Compact footprint suits a small kitchen
- Pulse button is simple to learn
Cons
- Holds only about 5 ounces of beans at a time
- Will not grind fine enough for espresso
- Plastic body and catch cup gather some static
The Encore is the grinder people keep and replace parts on rather than replace. That matters for cold brew because a weekly batch method means a lot of beans through the burrs over the years.
Those 40mm commercial-grade hardened alloy steel burrs are made in Liechtenstein, and they produce a repeatable uniform grind from espresso range through to French press. Cold brew sits comfortably in the upper third of the dial.
Right to repair comes up constantly in owner feedback about this brand, and it is the honest reason to pay more up front. Burrs, motor, and catch cup are all replaceable rather than sealed into a single plastic shell.
Operation is a front-mounted pulse button plus a simple on and off switch, which makes dosing a coarse batch straightforward. The specialty Coffee Association award-winning design is not marketing fluff; the grinder feels considered.
What you get at the coarsest setting
Settings near the top give a coarse, even grind with few fines, and there are enough steps to fine-tune within that band. For French press style cold brew the result is clean and never bitter.
Where it falls short
The small hopper is the limitation people cite most. At about 5 ounces of beans, a large cold brew batch needs two or three top-ups, and small hoppers forcing repeated refills are the most common complaint in owner reviews. It also cannot reach espresso-fine, and the plastic body and catch cup pick up some static cling.
5. KRUPS Precision Burr Coffee Grinder – Most Versatile
KRUPS Precision Burr Coffee Grinder: 12 Settings, 8 oz Capacity for Drip, French Press, Espresso, Pour Over, Cold Brew – Stainless Steel, 110W, Auto-Stop, Easy Clean – Coffee Grinders for Home Use
12 grind settings
Flat metal burrs
8 oz hopper
Auto-stop at 2 to 12 cups
Pros
- Consistent grind quality for the price
- Coarse settings work well for cold brew
- Removable top burr allows a genuine deep clean
- Quiet enough for early morning use
Cons
- Plastic grind bin clings to grounds through static
- Some fine powder still appears even on coarse settings
- Chute can clog with oily beans
This is the entry point if a burr grinder is non-negotiable but the budget is tight. Its 110 watt motor is a modest output, and that turns out to be an advantage: it runs quietly enough for a 6 am brew.
Twelve settings span coarse to fine across drip, French press, and cold brew, and the flat metal burrs keep the particle size reasonably even for the money. You will not get the refinement of the flat burr grinders above it.
The removable top burr and grind chamber are a genuine deep clean, which is more than several grinders at twice the money offer. Auto-stop triggers when the selected cup quantity from 2 to 12 is reached.
Users treat this as a solid, quiet value that grinds consistently for drip, French press, and cold brew. The 8 oz hopper is enough for a moderate batch.
What you get at the coarsest setting
At the top of the 12-step dial you get a coarse grind fine enough for cold brew and French press. Expect a slight dusting of fine powder in the bin even at coarse settings, which is the trade for the lower price.
The cup-count dosing is the practical part to know: it dispenses noticeably more coffee than the cup number suggests, so dial back a step if you are brewing concentrate.
Where it falls short
The plastic grind bin is static-prone, so grounds stick to the walls and the lid, and chute clogs with oily beans are reported often enough to keep an eye on. The written instructions are also confusing about the removable upper burr.
6. SHARDOR Electric Burr Coffee Grinder 2.0 – Best for Easy Cleaning
SHARDOR Electric Burr Coffee Grinder 2.0, Automatic Coffee Bean Grinder for Home Use, Adjustable Burr Mill with 16 Precise Settings for Espresso & French Press, Glossy Black
Metallic flat burr mill
16 micro-adjusted settings
8.5 oz hopper
2 year warranty
Pros
- Fully disassembles for a deep clean including the burrs
- Handles oily beans without clogging
- Quieter than most comparable electric burr grinders
- 16 settings span espresso through French press
Cons
- Grounds and dust escape underneath the unit
- High static cling on the grounds container and lid
- Grind size can mix powder with coarse particles
Cleaning is the underrated reason to pick a grinder, and this one opens up further than most here. The upper burr, chamber, and lid all lift out, which means no stale oil flavoring the next batch.
The metallic flat burr mill is designed to grind without burning beans, and the 16 micro-adjusted settings run from espresso fine to French press coarse. Cold brew sits at the wide end of that range.
A dual safety interlock requires the hopper and chamber to be locked before the motor runs, which is sensible for a unit with a lift-off upper burr. The 150 watt motor is paired with a 2 to 14 cup auto-stop timer dial.
Buyers like the cleanability, low noise, and ability to handle oily beans without stalling. The chamber has an anti-spill lid and a cleaning brush is included.
What you get at the coarsest setting
Turned wide, it gives a coarse grind suitable for cold brew and French press, and the flat mill keeps the particle spread tighter than the conical designs at similar prices.
Where it falls short
Mess is the big complaint. Grounds and dust escape from underneath the unit, so you will be wiping the counter after every run, the static cling on the container and lid is high, and some owners report mixed particle sizes. The batch capacity is small, and the motor needs a cooldown after several consecutive runs.
7. Wancle Electric Burr Coffee Grinder – Best Compact Pick
Wancle Electric Burr Coffee Grinder – Adjustable with 28 Precise Grind Settings for 12 Cups – Professional Coffee Bean Grinder (Plastic, Black)
28 grind settings
Anti-static grounds container
Compact 1.13 kg body
200W motor
Pros
- Affordable entry price with a wide settings range
- Quieter than many electric grinders
- Compact footprint stores easily in a small kitchen
- Anti-static container reduces grounds sticking
Cons
- Grind consistency is weaker than dedicated burr grinders
- Requires assembly before first use
- Some owners report motor stalling over time
Twenty-eight grind settings at the entry price is unusual, and the anti-static treated container is the detail that stands out for coarse work. Static is what turns a coarse grind into a dusty mess.
The body is compact and light at just over a kilogram, and at 6.3 by 3.7 by 7.4 inches it stores easily in a small kitchen or a dorm room. On-demand grinding runs from 2 to 12 cups.
Owners find the 28-step adjustment adequate for everyday cold brew and value how quietly the 200 watt motor runs. A cleaning brush comes in the box.
For a first burr grinder in a small space, this pairs a large settings count with a body that stores out of sight between uses.
What you get at the coarsest setting
The widest settings produce a coarse grind that works for cold brew, and the anti-static treatment means less of it clings to the container walls. What you pour is closer to what you expect.
Where it falls short
Consistency is the honest limitation. Owners describe the grind as weaker than dedicated burr grinders, which for cold brew means a wider particle spread and the possibility of some cloudiness.
The unit requires assembly before first use, some report motor stalling over time, and the small physical size disappoints people who expected something larger.
8. CEVING Mini Manual Coffee Grinder – Best Manual Pick
CEVING Mini Manual Coffee Grinder With 40 Adjustable Settings, Black
40 external grind settings
Ceramic conical burr
30 g bean capacity
Weighs 325 g
Pros
- External adjustment ring makes dial-in fast and keeps grounds contained
- Ceramic burr grinds evenly with low heat
- Very light and compact for travel
- Disassembles into three parts for simple cleaning
Cons
- 30 g capacity is small for large cold brew batches
- Manual grinding takes time for larger doses
Most hand mills hide the adjustment at the base where grounds get in the way. This one puts a 40-step ring on the outside, so you dial in a coarse setting with grounds still in the chamber and they stay contained.
The ceramic conical burr grinds evenly and generates less heat than steel. At 325 grams it is among the lightest grinders here, and it carries the highest rating among the manual models in this roundup.
It comes apart into three detachable parts including the lid, so cleaning is quick with no hidden corners to trap stale grounds. Buyers highlight the wide external adjustment range, portability, and even ceramic grind. It suits an office or a trip.
What you get at the coarsest setting
Wound to the widest of the 40 steps, it produces a coarse, even grind with minimal fines. For a single-serve cold brew dose this is exactly what you want.
At 30 g of beans it holds about two small batches, which is realistic for one or two servings rather than a week of concentrate.
Where it falls short
Capacity is the whole story. 30 g is small for large cold brew batches, and grinding larger doses by hand takes time in a way no motor can match.
If you plan to brew 100 g or more of beans at once, an electric model will serve you better. This one rewards small, frequent single servings.
9. Ollygrin Burr Coffee Grinder – Best for a Low-Fines Grind
Ollygrin Burr Coffee Grinder, Electric Conical Coffee Bean Grinder With 30 Adjustable Grind Settings For 2-12 Cups, Sliver & Black
40mm steel conical burrs
30 grind settings
Gear reduction motor
10 oz hopper
Pros
- Very few fines thanks to the slow gear-reduction motor
- Minimal static cling and almost no mess
- Quiet operation for the power output
- 10 oz hopper holds several days of beans
Cons
- Timer can occasionally overrun and spill grounds
- Finest setting is still too coarse for picky espresso
- Listed as 220 volts in some regions
Motor speed is the story here. The gear reduction motor turns slowly, which limits friction and heat, and that produces one of the lowest-fines coarse grinds we found. For a 16 hour cold steep that is the property that matters most.
It also runs quietly for its power output, so it is a good pick if your kitchen is shared or your brew happens early.
The 40mm stainless steel conical burrs sit behind 30 settings that run from ultra-fine espresso to coarse French press. A friction clutch and built-in overheating protection guard the motor on long runs.
Owners consistently praise the low-fines, low-static grind along with quiet operation and easy daily burr cleaning. The upper burr lifts straight off and a brush is included.
What you get at the coarsest setting
At the wide end you get a coarse grind with very little powder mixed in. The finished brew stays clear and tastes sweet rather than harsh, which is the payoff for a slow motor.
Static cling is minimal, so the 10 oz hopper and grounds container can be emptied without a fight. That keeps the surrounding counter one of the cleanest in this test.
Where it falls short
The timer can occasionally run long and spill grounds onto the counter, which is annoying given how tidy the rest of the design is. The two-in-one rotary button takes some getting used to.
The finest setting still leaves it too coarse for picky espresso shots, and the unit is listed as 220 volts, which limits use in some regions.
10. AMZCHEF Burr Coffee Grinder – Best for Big Batches
AMZCHEF Burr Coffee Grinder, 48 Settings, Less Static Mess, Metallic Silver
48 grind settings
40mm steel conical burrs
Anti-static system
10.6 oz hopper
Pros
- Very low grind retention
- recovering about 20 g of coffee
- Consistent even grinds with almost no fines
- Anti-static system keeps the counter and container clean
- Quiet operation with a stainless steel build
Cons
- Touchscreen interface feels unintuitive
- Resets to 20 seconds and 2 cups rather than remembering settings
- Cup increments jump by two
If you brew concentrate for the week, retention and hopper size decide your bill. This is the only grinder here with a published retention figure, recovering about 20 g, and it pairs that with a 10.6 oz hopper.
Forty-eight grind settings from fine espresso through coarse French press and cold brew give you room to fine-tune inside the coarse band, and the 40mm stainless conical burrs keep the particle spread tight.
The built-in anti-static technology with a stainless steel container is what stops the dust cloud. You get a clean transfer into your cold brew jar rather than a film of powder on every surface.
It also fits 51-54 mm and 58 mm portafilters, so if you pull espresso alongside cold brew, one machine covers both ends of the range.
What you get at the coarsest setting
Crank the touchscreen to the top of the range and you get a consistent coarse grind with almost no fines. At a 1:4 ratio it steeps clear and clean over 12 to 18 hours.
The 10.6 oz hopper with a trap door and UV-blocking tint stores several days of beans without letting light in, and the upper burr lifts out for cleaning.
Where it falls short
The LED touchscreen is the weak point. It mixes mode switching with value adjustment, and it resets to 20 seconds and 2 cups instead of remembering what you set last.
The cup increments jump by two, which limits dosing precision, and a small amount of grounds can still cling to the chute from static.
How We Tested for Cold Brew
We ground the same medium roast through every model at its coarsest useful setting, then steeped each dose at a 1:4 ratio for 18 hours. Five things decided the ranking.
Coarse uniformity came first, judged by how close the particles were to sea salt size. Fines came second, since powder in a long steep is what turns a brew bitter. Batch throughput mattered third, because a 5 oz hopper on a 200 g batch means four refills.
Static and mess were fourth. We noted grounds escaping under the chassis and clinging to bins, because a grinder that coats your counter every morning is a grinder you will stop using. Retention came fifth, measured by how much coffee remained in the chamber and chute after a run.
How to Choose a Coffee Grinder for Cold Brew
Burr over blade, always. A blade spins beans until they are ground, which produces a mix of dust and chunks no dial can control, and that mix is exactly what ruins a cold brew. Burrs crush between two fixed surfaces and produce uniform particles.
Flat or conical matters less than people think, but flat burrs generally throw fewer fines at the coarse end, and conical burrs tend to run quieter and handle oily beans more gracefully. If your priority is the cleanest possible coarse grind, lean flat.
Batch size is the decision most people get wrong. Under 50 g of beans per brew, a manual grinder is genuinely fine and the JavaPresse or CEVING will serve you well. Above 100 g per batch, you want an electric grinder with a hopper of 8 oz or more, because hand grinding that volume is the reason people abandon the method.
Watch the hopper number, not the cup number. Cup-based dosing overfills on several of these models, so weigh your beans rather than trusting the timer. Static cling is the other quiet decider, and a metal grounds container costs you nothing in taste.
Last, think about repairability. A burr grinder is a tool, and replaceable burrs and a real warranty matter if you intend to keep it for a decade. That reasoning is why the Baratza Encore regularly appears at the top of long-term ownership threads.
Frequently Asked Questions
What kind of grind is best for cold brew coffee?
A coarse, even grind, about the size of coarse sea salt or raw sugar. Burr grinders produce uniform particles at a fixed distance, so cold water extracts sweetness evenly over a 12 to 24 hour steep. Grinding too fine over-extracts and turns the brew bitter and cloudy.
Should I grind my own coffee for cold brew?
Yes. Pre-ground coffee oxidizes within days, and any grounds you buy were likely ground weeks earlier. Grinding fresh right before you steep gives you a full set of flavor oils in the water, and it lets you control coarseness, which is the single biggest variable in the final taste.
Is a burr grinder better than a blade grinder for cold brew?
Yes, and it is not close. A blade grinder produces a random mix of powder and chunks, so the dust over-extracts into bitterness while the chunks stay sour. Burrs crush beans between two surfaces set a fixed distance apart, giving you the uniform coarse particle size cold brew needs.
What grinder setting should I use for cold brew?
The coarsest setting your grinder offers, adjusted down one step if the result tastes sharp or astringent. On a 40-step dial like the Baratza Encore that is the top few clicks. On stepped dials, start at the last setting and back off one step if the brew is bitter after 18 hours.
Do you need a grinder for cold brew, or can you use pre-ground coffee?
You can use pre-ground coffee and it will work, but expect a flatter, less sweet result. Pre-ground beans start losing aroma within days of grinding. If you already have good pre-ground coffee ground to a coarse texture, brew with it and grind fresh only when you replace the bag.
Which Cold Brew Grinder Should You Buy?
Buy the Cuisinart Electric Burr Coffee Grinder DBM-8P1. Its 18-position dial reaches a properly coarse, low-fines grind, and the 8 oz hopper covers a full batch in one run, which is the combination that matters most for cold brew in 2026.
If your batches are small and you want silence, the JavaPresse Manual Grinder is hard to beat. If you want the cleanest counter and the biggest hopper, the OXO Brew Conical Burr is the better buy, and if you plan to keep a grinder for years, the Baratza Encore is the one with parts you can replace.
Whichever you choose, weigh your beans, start at the coarsest setting, and steep 12 to 18 hours. The grinder decides the consistency, and the consistency is what makes cold brew taste good.