Best pour-over coffee makers we tested
Best pour-over coffee maker: Kalita Wave 185 Pour-Over Coffee Dripper
Best pour-over coffee maker for multiple cups: Chemex 8-Cup Pour-Over Glass Coffee Maker
While we like a classic drip coffee maker when a full pot is necessary and can appreciate the quick convenience of a single-serve pod, pour-over is the best way to recreate the rich, robust, full-flavored coffee you get at a specialty shop. Besides the soothing ritual involved with making pour-over coffee, the method is favored by professional and amateur baristas alike because a precise pour can extract the most flavor out of your beans into your cup.
To help determine which pour-over maker you should add to your coffee-making routine, we rounded up 11 highly rated and reviewed models to put through the wringer. We tested flat-bottom- and cone-shaped versions as well as two larger all-in-one carafe-style designs, ranging in price from about $14 to $80. While many looked quite similar, they varied in materials (glass, porcelain, plastic and stainless steel), filter specifications and how much coffee they can produce with one pour.
After testing each version at least three times (more on that below) and keeping the standouts in our morning routines for years, we found two clear winners.
We found the flat-bottom, three-hole design of the Kalita Wave 185 Pour-Over Coffee Dripper allowed for the most even and consistent brewing of all models tested. The Kalita produced the most robust coffee, maintained spot-on temperature, and the most even saturation of the grounds.
When you need to make several cups at once, you can't go wrong with the glass Chemex pour-over coffee maker. It delivers a light, flavorful, balanced brew every time. An all-in-one model, there's no need for a separate carafe.
Best pour-over coffee maker: Kalita Wave 185 Pour-Over Coffee Dripper
Sure, at first glance the Kalita Wave 185 looks pretty much the same as the other coffee drippers we tested, but it doesn’t take long to discover that the nuances of its design lead to a superior brew. Unlike its cone-shaped contenders, the Japanese-made Kalita features a flat bottom with three drip holes, which enables more easily and evenly saturated coffee grounds.
The flat-bottom shape and its larger surface resulted in a rich and robust single cup of coffee and was also the most user-friendly of the drippers that required a swirled pour, producing between 16 to 26 ounces at a time. Where grounds tend to be pushed up the sides of a cone-shaped design, the Kalita grounds stay even, so the water stays in contact with all the grounds longer, allowing for more consistent and sustained extraction.
The actual brew time is quite quick. During testing, it took two and a half minutes from our first pour of water until the last drip of coffee landed in our mug. All the while, the temperature of the brew stayed nice and hot (at 160 degrees Fahrenheit), topped only by the Chemex in heat retention. Setting up the Kalita is as simple as removing it from its box and giving it a soapy rinse.
Another plus: The Kalita has a 4-inch wide base so it can be rested atop a wide-mouth mug (not all drippers tested can accommodate that). While we prefer the heat-resistant, lightweight glass model, it’s also available in multiple colors, as well as porcelain, stainless steel and copper materials. It’s a breeze to clean too: The plastic base twists off easily, and it’s all dishwasher-safe.
If we had a nit to pick with this dripper, it’s that it’s made to be used with special Kalita Wave white paper filters. They’re a bit pricey at about $17 for 100 at Amazon, though our tracking shows frequent discounts often drop them down to $11. Subscribing for filter refills directly from Kalita will get you the same price, though the least frequent option available is every 60 days, putting you on a pace of more than one brew daily. By comparison, other pour-overs use regular Melitta No. 2 filters that are about $25 for 600 and are more widely available.
Overall, at less than $30, the Kalita Wave 185 consistently delivers great-tasting, full-bodied, piping-hot coffee, and its flat-bottom design means even pour-over novices should see great coffee-shop-worthy results.
Best pour-over coffee maker for multiple cups: Chemex 8-Cup Pour-Over Glass Coffee Maker
Almost every pour-over coffee maker we tested brewed a delightful cup of coffee — but just a single cup at a time. While that’s convenient for solo drinkers or a quick midday pick-me-up, being able to extrapolate the complex flavors of pour-over coffee into several servings at once is a game changer. And no brewer does it as well as a Chemex.
Modeled after and named for chemical lab equipment by a real chemist in 1941, the Chemex has survived the test of time. Its hourglass shape gives you both a brewing apparatus up top and a lower carafe in one piece, so making and serving coffee is easy. Plus, it looks charming on your counter when not in use.
Most importantly, the Chemex created terrific coffee in our trials. Its classic series comes in 3-, 6-, 8- and 10-cup sizes; we tested the 8-cup version. The upper funnel’s wide mouth allows for the spiraling pour-over technique to be executed every time. Chemex’s bonded paper filters produce a vibrant cup way smoother than what you’d get from a high-capacity French press. I typically opt for unbleached square filters because they provide additional landing room for pouring in water and grounds, but there are unbleached and round options too.
Pro tip: Since you’re not brewing on top of a mug, after you’ve poured in all the water, picking up the Chemex and giving the entire unit a light swirl goes a long way in evenly saturating the grounds. Without the swirl, the ring of grounds left behind can be far more substantial than what’s in the image below.
We found the Chemex to retain heat well throughout the brewing process. The brand claims its borosilicate glass can withstand low heat on a glass stovetop or gas burner, which could be helpful if you plan on making your post-lunch cup and your morning joe all at once, though warm at your own risk. We much preferred deploying the Chemex for immediate group consumption.
The groove on the side of the upper funnel lets air escape during brewing, then doubles as a pouring spot for serving. It results in a delicate and precise stream that doesn’t lose a drop.
The Chemex’s all-in-one mold has one downside: cleaning. Because the only removable parts are the wooden collar (for handling when hot) and the leather tie keeping it in place, wiping down the inside is best done with a scrub brush. You might be able to get away with a soapy rinse here and there, and the glass is technically dishwasher-safe, but I’ve found over years of use that scrubbing down the interior will keep the glass crystal-clear.
How we tested
We evaluated each pour-over coffee maker based on the following criteria:
Performance
- Optimum temperature: The National Coffee Association recommends serving fresh coffee at 180 to 185 degrees Fahrenheit, while a study in the National Library of Medicine finds 140 degrees Fahrenheit, plus or minus 15 degrees, to be the optimal drinking temperature for test subjects. We measured the temperature of each cup using a food thermometer, noting how much heat was lost from the initial temperature of our water during the brewing process.
- Quality of brew: We noted how the coffee tasted after being brewed, including whether it was overly bitter or weak, if flavors or acidity existed that shouldn’t be there and whether too much or not enough heat impacted its taste.
- Filters: We assessed whether or not the coffee dripper required a paper filter and, when a paper filter was needed, if it had to be specific to the model. We also looked at the prices and availability of those specific filters.
- Brew time: We pulled up our stopwatch app to keep track of how long it took to brew the coffee from the first pour to the last drip, with shorter brew times scoring more points.
- User-friendliness: From unboxing and setup to brewing, we took notes on how easy each machine was to use, including whether the design was intuitive or overly complicated and if any extra steps were needed compared to other models.
- Serving size: We noted how many cups of coffee each dripper could produce.
- Dripping: We noted if each pour-over coffee maker caused any dripping upon removal from the cup or carafe.
Durability
- Everyday durability/signs of damage: We assessed how easy or difficult each coffee machine was to set up, whether its parts felt sturdy or weak and if standard use was likely to cause any damage to the parts.
- Build quality: We observed the materials each brewer was constructed of — metal, plastic, ceramic/porcelain, glass, etc. — and how those materials affected the brew.
- Cleaning: We made notes on how easy or difficult it was to clean each coffee dripper, including whether it was dishwasher safe.
Warranty
- Length and coverage: We noted the number of years and what limitations each model’s warranty covered.
Everything to know about pour-over coffee makers
How to use a pour-over coffee maker
To make pour-over coffee, a dripper is placed on a cup or carafe and hot water (at around 200 degrees Fahrenheit) is poured over premeasured coffee grounds, which are then filtered into that cup or carafe. The speed of the pour, swirl technique, amount of water, amount of grounds, size of grounds and type of filter can all be adjusted to reach your favorite flavor profile.
And while it all looks pretty simple — most drippers are smaller than a cereal bowl and come with no other accessories — perfecting the pour-over requires practice, experimentation and a few extra tools.
What you’ll need
Before you begin, you’ll need a kettle to boil water (we used an electric tea kettle, but many experts recommend a long-neck version, often called a gooseneck, for better control). You can, of course, use pre-ground coffee beans, but for the best, freshest flavor, you’ll want to use a burr grinder (we used the Breville Virtuoso and the Oxo Conical Burr Coffee Grinder) on whole beans right before you’re ready to start. If your grinder doesn’t feature a built-in measuring system, you’ll need a digital kitchen scale to control the amount of grounds used. Until you get the hang of it, you may also benefit from a glass measuring cup to make sure you’re not using too much or too little water to brew your cup. Your scale can help with water measurements too.
The grounds
We used the traditional pour-over coffee-making ratio of 2 rounded tablespoons of medium-sized grounds to 6 ounces of water, testing both a light and a dark roast for flavor comparisons. (Too coarse a grind will deliver weaker coffee, while too fine a grind can make it bitter.) Overall, we preferred the light roast for this method, as the dark resulted in a very intense brew. For each dripper, we poured water evenly and gently, swirling it from the center out until the grounds were just saturated, then waited 30 seconds for the grounds to bloom and settle back down (carbon dioxide is released when the hot water hits the coffee, causing it to bubble up). Then we added the remaining water. We also used a timer to measure how long each dripper took from the first pour to the last drip.
A note on temperature
We tested how hot each cup of coffee was and considered the previously mentioned temperature preferences according to the National Coffee Association as well as various studies. Then we sampled each brew, drinking the coffee black and noting its taste, intensity and if any extra flavors showed up that shouldn’t be there.
We didn’t notice much difference in heat temperature among the models. The Chemex was the hottest, but the others were all in the same general range. They also all took about the same time to brew — right around two minutes (not including, of course, the two larger-capacity carafes).
Types of pour-over makers
In general, we preferred glass or ceramic/porcelain drippers to stainless steel models. While stainless steel options have the benefit of not needing a paper filter (which saves money and is more eco-friendly), we found they do allow small particles to seep into the coffee. That means you get a cloudier color, a less-crisp taste and that grounds sometimes find their way into your cup. We experienced none of those issues when we used paper filters.
Other pour-over coffee drippers we tested
The Oxo Pour-Over Coffee Maker is perfect for beginners, as it takes the guesswork out of the pouring process. Simply fill the water tank to your desired amount and let it control the flow rate. Just don't expect the coffee to be as robust as with the Kalita.
Marked with measuring lines, the OXO Brew’s plastic tank holds up to 12 ounces of water and regulates the drip for you. With the OXO Brew, there’s no need to worry about pouring too much or too little water, getting the swirl just right, allowing enough time for the grounds to bloom and settle, etc.
The coffee was not as robust as that produced by some of the other models; we found it to be a bit on the weak side. However, by experimenting with adding more grounds at a finer size, we were able to hone in on a bolder brew.
Another beloved pour-over brewer from Japan, the V60 fell slightly behind the Kalita Wave 185 in our testing because of a more watered-down finish.
If you’ve been wanting to give pour-over coffee a try without making a huge investment, at less than $25, the handsome Hario V60 is a nice option. Able to brew up to 10 ounces at a time, this cone-shaped ceramic dripper features spiral ribs that allow more room for the coffee grounds to expand. Also available in glass and metal, as well as multiple colors, it includes one large hole, which means the speed at which you pour your water will have more of an impact on the flavor than, say, the Kalita.
Like other models, the Japanese-made Hario sells specialized No. 2 filters for its dripper (about $10 for 100), which certainly isn’t super convenient, and its smaller base means it won’t fit well on an oversized mug. We liked that it came with a cute little handle and a plastic measuring spoon, but it brewed at a lower temperature than most of its competitors, and while still better tasting than what you’d get from a traditional coffee machine, it had a more watered-down finish than the winning drippers.
Zero Japan's dripper gave us delicious coffee and works with affordable Melitta filters, though we had a few gripes with its awkward shape.
Like the Hario, the Zero Japan (formerly Bee House) is also made in Japan and is elegant in white ceramic (it also comes in black, green, brown and red). The short, curved handle gives it a unique aesthetic and we liked the fact that it features holes near the base that allow you to see how much coffee has been brewed without having to lift the dripper off your cup. But the oblong bottom was awkward when placing the apparatus on top of a mug and it just didn’t work well with a wide-mouthed mug.
The coffee it produced, meanwhile, ranked high among those tested, resulting in a nice, clean and light flavor that was not bitter and had a good mouthfeel. We also appreciated that it doesn’t require its own special filters and can be used with Melitta No. 2 filters (you can get 600 filters for about $20 on Amazon and find them in most supermarkets). And for those who hate the waste of filters, we tried it with a reusable cloth filter and found it did a fine job.
Is that a Chemex? Not quite, though you get the same idea for a cheaper price. Bodum's version ultimately ranked lower because it didn't retain much heat and its metal filter let some sediment through.
Available in sizes ranging from 12 to 51 ounces and three colors, we opted for the 34-ounce all-in-one pour-over carafe from Bodum. Similar in design to the Chemex, and at half the price, one big difference is that the Bodum includes a reusable stainless steel mesh filter. While that will save you a lot of dough buying paper filters, unfortunately, it will cost you when it comes to flavor.
We found the stainless steel filters allow small amounts of sediment to seep into the coffee, causing cloudiness and a slightly bitter taste. The coffee was also on the low end when it came to heat, which means a second cup is almost too cold to drink. And while Bodum offers a one-year limited warranty on the product, glass is not covered, which seems pretty useless. On the bright side, the collar is easy to remove and the whole thing is dishwasher-safe. It also comes with a measuring spoon and works swiftly, brewing four cups in about four minutes.
If you're turned off by the waste of paper filters, Yitelle's reusable steel dripper brews fast and hot. Just know that forgoing paper filters is not going to get you the taste we loved in our top picks.
First, the things we like about this inexpensive option: With a wide base, it fits nicely on oversized coffee mugs. The stainless steel mesh, cone-shaped design means there’s no need to buy paper filters. It brews some of the hottest coffee of the drippers we tested, clocking in at just over two minutes when it comes to brew time. It’s also dishwasher safe, and comes with a handy little cleaning brush and a stainless steel scooping spoon. A no-questions-asked lifetime warranty is also a win.
But when you get down to it, your coffee’s taste is what matters and we found not only little bits of grounds in the bottom of our cup but also a cloudiness and bitterness that canceled out all the good.
There might not be a cheaper way to try pour-over coffee. You don't get the premium design of glass or ceramic, but the brand behind this plastic dripper has been around for over 100 years for good reason.
For those looking to just dip their toes in the pour-over coffee pool, Melitta’s inexpensive, easy-to-use plastic cone-shaped version is a great starter option. Available in black or red, it uses the brand’s widely available brown No. 2 filters (a pack is included in this package combo), has a clever design that allows you to see into the cup during the brewing process and fits nicely atop various mug sizes.
Producing drip coffee and filters since 1908, Melitta’s dripper gets high ratings on Amazon with reviewers praising it for being dishwasher safe, lightweight and allowing you to see into the cup. Where it falters for us, though, is the plastic build, which makes it feel far less sturdy than glass or ceramic models, causing us to stress out that it would tip over while pouring our hot water. The coffee’s flavor, meanwhile, was fine, but more often than not presented as pungent and did not impress us.
While drinking from the double-wall tasting glass is a luxurious experience, it's hard to justify the price of even the $60 standalone dripper unless you're all-in on an ecosystem of Fellow products.
If you’re into specialty coffee, you’re probably familiar with Fellow’s popular suite of brewers, burr grinders, kettles and other accessories. The Stagg pour-over, which is also available in a larger [XF] size, follows the brand’s reputation as a strong product that’s expensive. We liked the results that came from its flat bottom, a key feature on our top pick from Kalita, and for that reason, it’s a reasonable buy if you can afford it.
Bonus kudos to the extra “ratio aid” piece that measures 20 grams without a scale and doubles as a rest for the dripper once brewing is complete. However, circular pouring was a challenge because of the small top opening, replacement filters are $8 for just 45 and every piece needs to be hand-washed.
We were pleasantly surprised that this camping-ready combo didn't sacrifice taste for the sake of portability or durability.
The takeaway from Stanley’s pour-over set was that it yielded good enough coffee that we’d use it at home even though it’s built for outdoor adventures (the accompanying cup is called the Camp Mug, after all). It uses a stainless steel filter, so you’ll get a little bit of grit at the end of your cup that’s usually caught by paper filters, but the amount of sludge wasn’t as heavy as with most French press brewing. The cylindrical filter sits upright in the funnel, acting almost like a guide for pouring circles around it. The key here is elite heat retention because the brewer and mug are stainless steel. If you don’t need the mug, you can opt for the $26 brewer only.
Undoubtedly a splurge at its price, Balmuda's The Brew exists for hardcore coffee lovers who are missing a machine that automates the art of a pour-over.
The Balmuda The Brew lets you make pour-over quality coffee in a process as simple as using an ordinary drip coffee machine. A true single-serve coffee maker, Balmuda The Brew occupies a unique spot in the coffee universe. It offers easy — if expensive — access to the world of craft pour-over coffee. It’s really for serious coffee enthusiasts, those who already own a good grinder, maybe already have a great espresso machine and want equally good pour-over coffee from a similarly interesting device. Its ability to make great iced coffee is also a real bonus in warm weather, though you’ll have to decide if it’s worth the price of admission.