# Best Cider Making Kits Source: https://homebrewcraft.com/best/cider-making-kits Updated: 2026-09-14 Publisher: Home Brew Craft. Our score is an editorial rating out of 10 (fit 35%, features 25%, build 20%, value 20%), not a customer rating. Method: https://homebrewcraft.com/how-we-research#our-score Cider is the fastest of the home ferments, which makes batch size the decision that matters most, because you will be making it again before you have finished the first lot. The sizes on offer run from a 1 gallon kit, which is about ten bottles and fits on a kitchen counter, through 5 and 6 gallon kits, up to 23 liter kits that fill fifty bottles or a corny keg. A gallon is the right place to start if you have never fermented anything; anything above 5 gallons needs somewhere cool to keep a full fermenter for a couple of weeks. The second question is whether hardware is included, since some kits ship with a reusable glass fermenter, airlock and siphon and are genuinely complete, while others are recipe kits that assume you own a bucket. Read the contents list rather than the word starter. Ingredients split into concentrate and fresh juice, and the difference is real: 100 percent concentrate is shelf-stable, consistent and slightly one-dimensional, while kits built on pressed juice or that ask you to add your own carry more apple character and vary by batch. Either way, look for a kit with no added preservatives, because potassium sorbate in supermarket juice will stall the yeast. Expect primary fermentation to finish in one to two weeks and the cider to be drinkable within a month. Berry and other flavored variants are a preference, not a quality signal. ## Picks ### 1. Mangrove Jack's Hard Apple Cider Recipe Kit 6 Gallon Our score: 8.4/10 (Fit for the job 9/10 · Features and specs 8/10 · Build and materials 8/10 · Value 8/10) Mangrove Jack's hard apple cider recipe kit for 6 Gallon batches. Pros: - Mangrove Jack's kits include matched yeast and concentrate - 6 Gallon batch yields a large supply of cider - Simple process, just mix the concentrate, pitch yeast and ferment Cons: - Equipment is not included, so a large fermenter is needed - Sweeter kit ciders may not suit dry cider fans Details: https://homebrewcraft.com/product/B00D8GSPWI ### 2. Craft A Brew Hard Cider Kit Complete Starter Home Brewing Kit 1 Gallon Our score: 8.2/10 (Fit for the job 9/10 · Features and specs 8/10 · Build and materials 7/10 · Value 8/10) Craft A Brew hard cider complete starter kit for 1 Gallon batches of homemade cider. Pros: - 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 Cons: - Apple juice is usually not included, so buy preservative-free juice - Small batch yields only a handful of bottles Details: https://homebrewcraft.com/product/B019ZRVP7U ### 3. Craft A Brew 5 Gallon Hard Cider Brewing Kit for Beginners Our score: 8.2/10 (Fit for the job 9/10 · Features and specs 8/10 · Build and materials 7/10 · Value 8/10) Craft A Brew 5 Gallon hard cider brewing kit for beginners who want a larger first batch. Pros: - 5 Gallon batch makes plenty of cider to share - Beginner-focused instructions guide each step - Larger volume lowers the cost per bottle of finished cider Cons: - Needs more juice and bottles than small kits - Takes more space to ferment, bottle and store than small kits Details: https://homebrewcraft.com/product/B0GHZBWP2N ### 4. Mangrove Jack's Mixed Berry Cider Craft Series Kit 23L Our score: 8.0/10 (Fit for the job 8/10 · Features and specs 8/10 · Build and materials 8/10 · Value 8/10) Mangrove Jack's Craft Series mixed berry cider kit for 23L batches. Pros: - Mixed berry flavor adds a fruity twist to standard cider - 23L batch size matches common fermenter volumes - Craft Series kits are straightforward to brew Cons: - Fruit-flavored cider is sweeter than traditional dry cider - Requires a full size fermenter and bottles Details: https://homebrewcraft.com/product/B01N0485HT ### 5. Brooklyn Brew Shop Hard Cider Making Kit with Reusable Glass Fermenter Our score: 7.8/10 (Fit for the job 8/10 · Features and specs 7/10 · Build and materials 8/10 · Value 8/10) Brooklyn Brew Shop hard cider making kit with reusable glass fermenter for small batch cider. Pros: - 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 Cons: - Check the fermenter volume needed before ordering this kit - Juice is not included, so buy fresh apple juice separately Details: https://homebrewcraft.com/product/B00P11JHKM ### 6. HomeBrewStuff One Gallon Hard Apple Cider Recipe Kit 100% Concentrate Our score: 7.6/10 (Fit for the job 8/10 · Features and specs 7/10 · Build and materials 7/10 · Value 8/10) HomeBrewStuff One Gallon hard apple cider recipe kit made with 100% concentrate. Pros: - 100% concentrate gives consistent apple flavor - Recipe kit removes guesswork on sugar and yeast amounts - One Gallon size suits small jugs and apartment fermenters Cons: - Ingredients only, so fermenter and airlock are needed - Concentrate-based cider can taste less complex than fresh juice Details: https://homebrewcraft.com/product/B077S78CP6 ### 7. Hard Apple Cider Brewing Kit Natural Ingredients Reusable Equipment Our score: 6.3/10 (Fit for the job 7/10 · Features and specs 5/10 · Build and materials 6/10 · Value 7/10) A hard apple cider brewing kit with natural ingredients and reusable equipment. Pros: - Reusable equipment supports multiple cider batches - Natural ingredients appeal to brewers wanting simple recipes - Kit format simplifies the first cider attempt Cons: - Compare the brand, batch size and contents against other kits before buying - Vague listing makes comparison with other kits hard Details: https://homebrewcraft.com/product/B09X4KF92K As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.