Buying guide
Hard Cider Kit
Updated How we research
Turn juice into crisp hard cider. The page is split into five sections (Start With A Cider Kit; Ferment Your Juice; Prep With Campden; Pitch Cider Yeast; Bottle With A Seal), followed by every pick ranked by our score so you can compare them in one place.
The short version
We compared 20 picks. Our scores range from 6.3 to 8.8 out of 10.
- Best overall:Lalvin EC-1118 Wine Yeast (10 Pack) - Champagne Yeast - 5 g Sachets. Highest overall score in this guide at 8.8/10.
- Also great value:Lalvin Wine Yeast EC-1118 10pk - Active Dry Yeast. Value score of 9/10, overall 8.5/10.
- Solid build:Lalvin EC-1118 Wine Yeast, 5 grams - 100-Pack. Build and materials score of 9/10, overall 8.4/10.
- Feature-rich:Northern Brewer Big Mouth Bubbler PET Plastic Carboy, 6.5 Gallon Ported. Features score of 8/10, overall 8.4/10.
Scores are our editorial assessment, not customer ratings. How we score
Start With A Cider Kit
- Craft A Brew Hard Cider Kit Complete Starter Home Brewing Kit 1 GallonOur score8.2/10
- Brooklyn Brew Shop Hard Cider Making Kit with Reusable Glass FermenterOur score7.8/10
- HomeBrewStuff One Gallon Hard Apple Cider Recipe Kit 100% ConcentrateOur score7.6/10
- Hard Apple Cider Brewing Kit Natural Ingredients Reusable EquipmentOur score6.3/10
Ferment Your Juice
- Northern Brewer Big Mouth Bubbler PET Plastic Carboy, 6.5 Gallon PortedOur score8.4/10
- Fermonster PET Plastic 6 Gallon Wide Mouth Carboy with Extra Drilled LidOur score8.4/10
- The Bubbler 6 Gallon PET Plastic Carboy FermentorOur score7.3/10
- The Bubbler 5 Gallon PET Plastic Carboy FermentorOur score7.0/10
Prep With Campden
- CAMPDEN Tablets 1 Pound LD Carlson Factory Packed Potassium Metabisulfite for WinemakingOur score8.2/10
- Campden Tablets (Potassium Metabisulfite), 2ozOur score7.9/10
- Craft A Brew - Campden Tablets - Sodium Metabisulfite - Sterilant for Winemaking - 50 CountOur score7.8/10
- 50 Campden Tablets, Potassium Metabisulfite, for Grape, Cider & Fruit WineOur score7.4/10
Pitch Cider Yeast
- Lalvin EC-1118 Wine Yeast (10 Pack) - Champagne Yeast - 5 g SachetsOur score8.8/10
- Lalvin Wine Yeast EC-1118 10pk - Active Dry YeastOur score8.5/10
- Lalvin EC-1118 Wine Yeast, 5 grams - 100-PackOur score8.4/10
- Lalvin EC-1118 Wine Yeast, 5 gramsOur score8.1/10
Bottle With A Seal
- 16 OZ Swing Top Glass Bottles (8 Set) - Flip Top Beer Brewing Bottles with Stopper, Bonus 2 PourersOur score8.4/10
- GBACHOOSE 16 oz Flip Top Glass Bottle, 10 Pack Swing Top Glass Bottles for Home Brewing (500ML)Our score8.4/10
- 16 OZ Swing Top Glass Bottles (8 Set) - Flip Top Beer Brewing Bottles with Stopper for 2nd FermentationOur score7.9/10
- Otis Classic Swing Top Glass Bottles - Set of 6, 16oz w/ Marker & LabelsOur score7.8/10
All 20 picks, ranked by our score
Every product from the sections above, listed once. Sort by the criterion you care about most, or tick up to three to compare.
#1Lalvin EC-1118 champagne yeast in a 10 Pack of 5 g sachets for wine, cider and mead.
Fit for the job 9/10 · Features and specs 8/10 · Build and materials 9/10 · Value 9/10
- + EC-1118 ferments reliably even in high alcohol musts
- + 10 Pack of 5 g sachets covers many small batches
- + Neutral profile lets fruit and honey flavors show through
- - Ferments very dry, so sweet meads need backsweetening
- - Strong strain can overpower other yeasts in mixed ferments
#2Lalvin EC-1118 wine yeast in a 10pk of active dry yeast packets for wines, ciders and meads.
Fit for the job 9/10 · Features and specs 7/10 · Build and materials 9/10 · Value 9/10
- + 10pk keeps enough sachets on hand for a season of fermenting
- + Fast, clean starting strain tolerates cool temperatures
- + Great for restarting stuck fermentations
- - Check the sachet weight before ordering to plan your batch size
- - Very high attenuation leaves little residual sweetness
#3Northern Brewer's Big Mouth Bubbler PET plastic carboy, 6.5 Gallon and ported for a spigot, for light, shatter-free fermentation.
Fit for the job 9/10 · Features and specs 8/10 · Build and materials 8/10 · Value 8/10
- + PET plastic is shatterproof and much lighter than glass
- + Ported design accepts a spigot for easy transfers
- + 6.5 Gallon capacity suits primary fermentation with headspace
- - PET can scratch with abrasive brushes, so clean gently
- - Spigot may not be included with the ported carboy
#4Fermonster's 6 Gallon wide mouth PET plastic carboy with an extra drilled lid for airlock or thermowell use.
Fit for the job 9/10 · Features and specs 8/10 · Build and materials 8/10 · Value 8/10
- + Wide mouth opening is easy to clean by hand
- + Extra drilled lid adds flexibility for airlocks, thermowells or blow-off tubes
- + 6 Gallon PET body is light and shatterproof
- - Lid seal must be tightened properly to avoid slow leaks
- - Plastic should not be cleaned with abrasive pads
#5Lalvin EC-1118 wine yeast in 5 grams sachets, a bulk 100-Pack for serious winemakers and cider makers.
Fit for the job 8/10 · Features and specs 8/10 · Build and materials 9/10 · Value 9/10
- + 100-Pack drives the cost per sachet very low
- + Consistent EC-1118 performance batch after batch
- + 5 grams sachets suit batches up to typical carboy size
- - Far more yeast than a hobbyist can use before expiry dates
- - Needs cool storage to keep a large stock viable
#6An 8 Set of 16 OZ swing top glass bottles with stoppers and bonus 2 pourers for beer and kombucha.
Fit for the job 9/10 · Features and specs 8/10 · Build and materials 7/10 · Value 9/10
- + 16 OZ bottles are a good size for sharing homebrew
- + Bonus 2 pourers help fill bottles with less spillage
- + Swing tops hold carbonation for second fermentation
- - Check whether the glass is clear or amber, since darker glass blocks more light
- - Gaskets need periodic replacement with heavy use
#7GBACHOOSE 16 oz flip top glass bottles, a 10 Pack of 500ML swing tops for home brewing.
Fit for the job 9/10 · Features and specs 8/10 · Build and materials 7/10 · Value 9/10
- + 10 Pack gives more bottles per set than most competitors
- + 500ML size suits beer, kombucha and cider
- + Flip top design removes the need for caps and a capper
- - Lesser-known brand, so check seal quality on arrival
- - Thinner glass may be less robust for highly carbonated drinks
#8Craft A Brew hard cider complete starter kit for 1 Gallon batches of homemade cider.
Fit for the job 9/10 · Features and specs 8/10 · Build and materials 7/10 · Value 8/10
- + Complete kit includes equipment for a first cider batch
- + 1 Gallon size keeps juice costs low while you learn
- + Cider is one of the easiest fermented drinks to learn with
- - Apple juice is usually not included, so buy preservative-free juice
- - Small batch yields only a handful of bottles
#9LD Carlson factory packed CAMPDEN tablets in a 1 Pound bag of potassium metabisulfite for winemaking.
Fit for the job 8/10 · Features and specs 8/10 · Build and materials 8/10 · Value 9/10
- + 1 Pound supply lasts a very long time for home winemakers
- + Factory packed by LD Carlson for consistent quality
- + Potassium form is the preferred choice for wine
- - Bulk bag must stay dry to prevent tablets degrading
- - Far more tablets than casual brewers will use
#10A single Lalvin EC-1118 wine yeast sachet of 5 grams for one batch of wine, cider or mead.
Fit for the job 9/10 · Features and specs 7/10 · Build and materials 9/10 · Value 7/10
- + Single sachet is ideal for a one-off batch
- + EC-1118 handles tough musts and high sugar levels
- + Easy rehydration for dependable fermentation
- - Buying single packets costs more per sachet than packs
- - Neutral character adds little complexity to simple wines
#11Campden tablets of potassium metabisulfite in a 2oz pack for stabilizing wine and treating chlorinated water.
Fit for the job 9/10 · Features and specs 7/10 · Build and materials 7/10 · Value 8/10
- + Potassium metabisulfite adds no sodium to wine or cider
- + Neutralizes chlorine and chloramine in brewing water
- + 2oz pack covers many batches of wine or beer
- - Tablets must be crushed before dissolving
- - Sulfite sensitive drinkers should avoid heavy use
#12An 8 Set of 16 OZ swing top glass bottles with stoppers, marketed for 2nd fermentation of kombucha and beer.
Fit for the job 9/10 · Features and specs 7/10 · Build and materials 7/10 · Value 8/10
- + Airtight stoppers build carbonation during 2nd fermentation
- + 8 Set covers a typical one gallon kombucha batch
- + Flip tops make opening and resealing easy
- - Very similar to other generic 8 Set listings
- - Over-primed bottles can build dangerous pressure if left too long
#13Brooklyn Brew Shop hard cider making kit with reusable glass fermenter for small batch cider.
Fit for the job 8/10 · Features and specs 7/10 · Build and materials 8/10 · Value 8/10
- + Reusable glass fermenter supports many future batches
- + Brooklyn Brew Shop kits are known for clear, friendly guides
- + Glass vessel does not hold odors from previous batches
- - Check the fermenter volume needed before ordering this kit
- - Juice is not included, so buy fresh apple juice separately
#14Craft A Brew Campden tablets in sodium metabisulfite form, a 50 Count sterilant for winemaking.
Fit for the job 8/10 · Features and specs 8/10 · Build and materials 7/10 · Value 8/10
- + 50 Count suits several small batch wine and cider projects
- + Pre-measured tablets simplify dosing for one gallon kits
- + Helps prevent wild yeast and bacteria in fresh must
- - Sodium form adds a little sodium, unlike potassium tablets
- - Small pack runs out fast for larger carboy batches
#15Otis Classic swing top glass bottles, a Set of 6 16oz bottles with a marker and labels for gifting homebrew.
Fit for the job 8/10 · Features and specs 8/10 · Build and materials 8/10 · Value 7/10
- + Marker and labels included for tracking batches and dates
- + Otis Classic bottles have a clean, gift-ready look
- + 16oz size is a satisfying single serving
- - Set of 6 is only a small part of a full batch
- - Pricier per bottle than bulk swing top multi-packs
#16HomeBrewStuff One Gallon hard apple cider recipe kit made with 100% concentrate.
Fit for the job 8/10 · Features and specs 7/10 · Build and materials 7/10 · Value 8/10
- + 100% concentrate gives consistent apple flavor
- + Recipe kit removes guesswork on sugar and yeast amounts
- + One Gallon size suits small jugs and apartment fermenters
- - Ingredients only, so fermenter and airlock are needed
- - Concentrate-based cider can taste less complex than fresh juice
#17A pack of 50 Campden tablets of potassium metabisulfite for grape, cider and fruit wine making.
Fit for the job 8/10 · Features and specs 7/10 · Build and materials 6/10 · Value 8/10
- + 50 tablets are a practical amount for several batches
- + Works with grape, cider and fruit wines alike
- + Potassium metabisulfite protects against oxidation and spoilage
- - Check the tablet quality and packaging before ordering in bulk
- - Tablets need crushing and dissolving before adding
#18The Bubbler 6 Gallon PET plastic carboy fermentor, a lightweight alternative to glass for primary fermentation.
Fit for the job 8/10 · Features and specs 6/10 · Build and materials 7/10 · Value 8/10
- + 6 Gallon PET carboy gives headspace for primary on five gallon batches
- + Lightweight plastic is safer to move than glass
- + PET is a good oxygen barrier compared with bucket fermenters
- - Cannot use hot water or harsh scrubbing without damaging it
- - Check whether an airlock and bung are included before ordering extras
#19The Bubbler 5 Gallon PET plastic carboy fermentor, a light secondary vessel with minimal headspace.
Fit for the job 7/10 · Features and specs 6/10 · Build and materials 7/10 · Value 8/10
- + 5 Gallon size minimizes headspace for secondary conditioning
- + PET plastic will not shatter if it slips from wet hands
- + Light enough to carry to the fridge even when full of beer
- - Too small for primary on five gallon batches with active krausen
- - PET warps if exposed to hot cleaning water
#20A hard apple cider brewing kit with natural ingredients and reusable equipment.
Fit for the job 7/10 · Features and specs 5/10 · Build and materials 6/10 · Value 7/10
- + Reusable equipment supports multiple cider batches
- + Natural ingredients appeal to brewers wanting simple recipes
- + Kit format simplifies the first cider attempt
- - Compare the brand, batch size and contents against other kits before buying
- - Vague listing makes comparison with other kits hard
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