It’s safe to say that pour over coffee has taken the world by storm. Whereas this method of brewing used to be relegated solely to the realms of third-wave coffee shops, it’s now made its way into the home. Now more than ever people are looking to buy the best pour over coffee maker for use in their own kitchen.
Buying a pour over coffee maker isn’t as simple as it might first appear, however. The problem is choice, or rather, an abundance of choice. The market has been flooded with reliable brands and there are just too many options to choose from.
A single search on Amazon is enough to make anyone feel overwhelmed.
That’s where we come in. At Caffeine Fiend we really want you to have the best possible coffee drinking experience. To do so we’ve put together this guide to equip with all you need to know about sourcing the best pour-over coffee maker for your needs.
We’ve spent weeks reviewing, testing, and comparing the different drippers for making pour-over coffee.
And now we’re ready to help you make the right buying decision.
The Best Pour Over Coffee Brewers at a Glance
Let’s get right to the goods.
Which brewing equipment delivers the best pour and the best cup of coffee?
Here’s our roundup of the best of the best.
In-depth reviews of every product further down below!
- Beautiful design
- Spiral ridges
- High-flow dripper
- Flat-bottom design
- 3-hole dripper
- Included carafe
- 2 size options
- Replaces paper filters
- Fits other pour-over devices
- Glass and rubber or cork
- Auto-drip tank control
Now that we’ve given an overview of each of our favorites—and why we love them—let’s dig into each one in more detail and explain what makes them great.
#1 – The Chemex Glass Pour Over Coffee Maker (Best Overall Pour Over)
The Chemex is a classic glass coffeemaker design that has taken the coffee world by storm.
It’s not simply a marvel in functionality and utilitarianism, it’s also strikingly beautiful. The Chemex features a heat-resistant, borosilicate glass carafe and glass cone upper section. It also features a prominent spout, making the pour simple.
And the design is stunning.
The hour-glass shape isn’t an accident either; it’s a well thought out design that allows brewers to produce large batches of coffee – up to 10 cups! The glass flask won’t stain or absorb odors, and the wooden handle and leather tie makes handling the Chemex fuss-free.
It’s all-in-one, functional design offers brewers all of the control you’ll find in other coffee drippers in a single piece of equipment.
Like an Apple product, the Chemex is designed to work best with products of the same brand. As a result, you have to fork out quite a bit for Chemex coffee filters everytime you want to make coffee. Expect to pay around $12.50 per 100.
This is our favorite pick because it makes an excellent daily drip coffee maker.
#2 – Hario V60 Ceramic Pour Over Coffee Maker (The Industry Favorite)
When it comes to ceramic pour overs, coffee snobs will accept no substitute for the Hario V60.
It doesn’t just produce great coffee–this simple device will produce the best coffee you’ve ever had (in the hands of a skilled brewer, that is!)
The Hario V60 might look like a coffee mug at first glance, but it’s actually an ingenious ceramic coffee dripper that fits neatly over any mug or carafe. It’s a no-frills, easy to use dripper that works with paper filters to deliver a great cup of pour over.
For its price, it’s hard to find much wrong with the V60. It’s light, portable and extremely versatile. It’Itslid ceramic construction feels high quality and stronger than plastic or porcelain designs. Its shape helps maintain a constant temperature during brewing and a handle on the side means you won’t burn yourself while handling it.
The only downside might be the fact that it relies on disposable paper filters. The V60 alone will never be enough to produce a decent cup of Joe. You’ll always be beholden to those pesky filters.
Perhaps the only other real drawback is that it takes a bit of learning to get right.
The very thing that aficionados love about the V60 — the control and brew quality — can be overwhelming to a novice who’s used to their K Cups or automatic coffee drippers. There are a lot of variables to account for when brewing with this device and it will take you a few tries to real in the perfect brew process.
#3 – Kalita Wave Pour Over Coffee Maker (Easy & Consistent)
The Kalita Wave stainless steel pour-over coffee dripper is another excellent option.
Perhaps its most distinct feature is that it’s a bit more forgiving than other devices.
The first thing you’ll notice is the shape. The Kalita Wave has a flat bottom instead of a cone shape. This design feature allows coffee grounds to bloom evenly and eliminates the need to pre-wet the filter paper.
The Kalita Wave also has a three-hole design, which promotes even extraction by allowing water to evenly saturate the coffee grounds. The coffee is more of a “blend” from various points in the pour over, making it more even and consistent.
The result is a cup of delicious coffee that’s less likely to be bitter or over-extracted.
Like other devices, you can use the Wave to brew with a single cup (single-serve) or brew coffee for multiple cups. You can get about 3-4 cups from a single batch.
Unlike the Melitta, you’ll brew using multiple pours rather than a single pour.
#4 – Melitta Pour Over Brewer (Best Budget Option)
If you’re looking for something no-frills and stripped-back then you’ll be hard pressed to find a better option than the Pour Over Brewer from Melitta. It comes with a plastic, BPA-free cone and glass carafe that makes brewing for yourself or for guests a really straightforward experience.
Best for brewers on a budget, this brewer makes up to six cups of coffee at a time and it’s relatively cheap. But just because it’s cheap doesn’t mean it’s poor quality.
For the price it’s hard to fault this little guy. It’s also dishwasher safe, which makes cleaning it up after use a delight. That being said the simple plastic design might be off putting to coffee aficionados who are looking for something a bit more upmarket.
It lacks some of the “scientific advancements” that other brewers employee — waves, ridges, twists, etc. But if you’re coming from a standard automatic drip coffee machine, you probably won’t notice much of a difference.
#5 – Clever Dripper Coffee Maker (Least Fuss)
I have a confession to make.
The Clever Dripper is technically not a pour-over coffee device. Although the brewing process looks and feels similar, it technically uses immersion rather than percolation to brew.
But I wanted to include it here anyway because it’s a nice device and many people fall in love with the design and simplicity.
Like the V60, the Clever Dripper Coffee Maker is designed to fit easily on a mug or carafe.
What separates it from drippers on this list is a small mechanism that stops the coffee flow. Essentially this allows you to steep the coffee instead of relying solely on pouring for extraction.
This is a pour over coffee maker for people who want pour over quality without having to be too precise. If you’re the type of person who likes their coffee strong, you’ll find the Clever Dripper excels in this department. It also comes with a thermal carafe that does a great job of keeping your coffee hot for up to two hours.
The Clever Dripper is also made entirely of plastic. This shouldn’t be a dealbreaker, however. The plastic is entirely BPA-free, meaning you’re not going to get any harmful chemicals leaking into your coffee after repeated usage.
It’s also extremely sturdy and durable, making it ideal for travelling or outside use.
The design gives you control of all the brewing variables and generally produces a pretty good cup of coffee. It’s also extremely easy to store and clean. Like other pour over coffee makers, however, the Clever Dripper requires paper filters for operation.
#6 – Kone Reusable Filter (Best Reusable Filter Replacement)
The Kone Filter isn’t a pour over maker in its own right, it does deserve a mention. Constructed of stainless steel, the Kone Filter is a reusable, permanent filter designed to fit in standard 6-, 8-, and 10-cup Chemex coffee makers.
This is quite expensive, but if you’re an avid Chemex user it will save you money in the long run. Using the Kone also means you’ll be doing the environment a big favor, as you’ll eliminate the need to constantly use disposable paper filters.
The Kone Filter also allows for more oils to pass into your brew during extraction. This means it’s going to produce a more robust, full-bodied cup of coffee than its disposable counterparts.
The only drawback is that you need additional equipment to get the best use out of this thing. If you don’t have a Chemex or appropriately-sized pour over cone then you’re going to find the Kone Filter a little difficult to use.
#7 – Hario Woodneck Drip Pot (Most Eco-Friendly)
In what feels like direct competition to the Chemex, Hario’s Woodneck Drip Pot is a beautiful dripper and carafe that looks great on any countertop.
The pour over coffee brewing process with the Woodneck is essentially the same as with any other pour over device. The real difference lies in its filter design.
Rather than a mesh, metal, or paper filter, the Woodneck includes a reusable cloth filter that looks and functions sort of like a net.
You simply add grounds to the filter, pour hot water over them, and let gravity do its thing.
This means:
- Less money spent on filters
- Lower environmental impact
But it doesn’t come without a few drawbacks.
The Hario Woodneck Drip Pot is one of the more difficult pour overs to use. The pour over coffee brewing process is a little more complicated than with other devices, and the cloth filter takes some getting used to.
Plus, it’s a bit more difficult to clean up. You have to be careful when washing the cloth filter, as it can shrink, tear, and wear out over time.
All things considered, the Woodneck is a pour over coffee maker that’s best suited for experienced coffee drinkers. If you’re just getting started with pour over, you might want to start with something a little simpler.
#8 – Bee House (Zero Japan) Coffee Dripper (Best for Small Kitchens)
The Beehouse Coffee Dripper is a Japanese import that is as uncomplicated as it is adorable. This tiny little ceramic dripper comes in two sizes, both of which are quite miniscule, making this the perfect pour over solution for tiny kitchens.
The Beehouse is designed in a wedge-like shape with steep walls and a flat bottom. This design helps it retain heat and allow water to flow evenly, allowing you some leeway if your pouring technique still leaves something to be desired.
For its price you’re getting a well-designed, straightforward coffee maker suitable for all brewing levels. The only downsides are that it still relies on paper filters to get the job done, and it might not be big enough for some brewers’ needs.
#9 – Bodum Pour Over Coffee Maker (Best Budget Option)
The Bodum pour over coffee maker may look like a Chemex knockoff.
And, well, it is–kinda.
But it’s not an exact 1:1 replica. This pour over coffee maker is made of borosilicate glass and plastic, which makes it lightweight and inexpensive. It does feel a bit less durable than the Chemex, so I wouldn’t want to put it through a drop test.
It’s a good choice for those who are new to pour over brewing, as it comes with clear instructions printed right on the carafe. It also has a reusable stainless steel filter built in, so you won’t need to buy paper filters separately.
This also means that you won’t end up with the same coffee you would if choosing the Chemex. The mesh filter lets more sediment through, so your cup will be a bit cloudier.
But it’s a small price to pay for an easier pour over brewing experience–and a lower price tag.
Really, what the Bodum lacks is the style and sophistication of the Chemex. While the shape and functionality are similar, it features a cork or rubber collar that isn’t as warm as the wood.
#10 – Oxo Pourover Coffee Maker (Best for Beginners)
The Oxo pour over coffee maker is one of the simplest pour overs on the market, and it’s a great choice for those who are just getting started with this brewing method.
This pour over coffee maker comes with a water tank that attaches to the side of the carafe. This is a feature that most pour overs lack, and it’s a game changer. No more guessing how much water to add–the tank takes care of that for you.
Just fill it up, and let the pour over do its thing.
The Oxo pour over also comes with a reusable metal filter, so you won’t need to buy paper filters separately.
Unfortunately, this convenience does come at a price. While this device makes brewing pour-over coffee nearly foolproof, you are missing out on the experience of pour-over coffee.
Like, you know, pouring the water over the coffee?
In all seriousness, it brews good coffee. But you won’t get the same level of control, precision, and satisfaction that you would from a more traditional pour over coffee maker.
The Takeaway
And there we have it – a definitive analysis of the best pour over coffee makers currently on the market. Have we piqued your interest? Will you be overflowing with joy (and lovely dark brew) when your purchase your first pour over?
Or are you already a pour-over master? If so, let us know what you consider the best pour over coffee maker, as well as your favorite pour over techniques in the comments below.
Choosing the Right Filters
Another key piece of pour-over coffee is the filter.
You’ll find both reusable filters and disposable filter options made of one of three materials:
- Metal filters (mesh)
- Paper filters
- Cloth filters
Paper filters will give your coffee a cleaner taste as they absorb some of the oils released during brewing. They also make for an easy clean-up as you can simply dispose of them when you’re done.
Metal filters, on the other hand, are more durable and can be reused multiple times. Some people believe that they produce a coffee with more body due to the oils making their way through the filter, but this is a matter of personal preference.
Cloth filters are less common but offer a unique pour-over experience. They need to be rinsed before each use (to get rid of impurities), and because they’re not as effective at trapping oils, your coffee will likely have more body.
When in doubt, we’d recommend starting with whatever type of filter is recommended by the device that you’re using.
From there, you can experiment using another option — like, say, replacing your Chemex paper filters with a Kone reusable filter.
But since pour-over coffee is all about the trial-and-error, we’d encourage you to experiment with different types of filters until you find the perfect match for your pour-over device and personal preferences.
Additional Pour Over Equipment
Great pour over is about more than just the ingredients; it’s also about technique. Even the best pour over coffee maker is useless without a human hand to manipulate it.
When it comes to pour over, a solid pouring technique is going to go a long way toward helping you achieve an even extraction.
To facilitate this there’s one piece of kit above all others which will make your life a lot easier.
Electric kettle
You’ve likely seen a gooseneck kettle in any decent coffee shop being used by baristas, and for good reason – water temperature is one of the most important elements of your brewed coffee. You can make boiling water in any kind of kettle, but sloshing out piping-hot water into your coffee is less than fun.
Another important consideration? Pour placement and control.
That’s why an electric or stovetop gooseneck kettle will help you elevate your pour over game significantly.
If you’ve got the funds you can pick up a good-quality gooseneck kettle on Amazon. Again, you can get by without one, but if you’re serious about your coffee, it’s really worth the investment.
Scale and timer
The same can be said for a scale. Of course you can always eyeball it, use approximate measurements and still end up with a great final product. But using a scale is just going to give you added specificity and great control over all the brewing variables.
And having a timer means you’ll get a precise brew time to extract all of the coffee taste with none of the burnt acidic flavors.
A couple of our favorite coffee scales are:
Coffee Grinder (Burr)
The final mention is worth expanding on. When it comes to making good pour over, the grind is of the utmost importance. Therefore getting your hands on a grinder that can deliver consistent results is imperative for a smooth and even coffee extraction.
Ideally, you want a burr grinder.
You can always buy pre-ground coffee beans, but it will always lack for quality and freshness. Having the ability to grind your own beans as and when you need them is a gamechanger. And so if you’re seriously committed to making great pour over coffee, we recommend grabbing one of the best manual grinders currently on the market.
Mastering the Pour Over Technique
Finally, brewing coffee using a funnel and filter is not always intuitive.
It takes patience and practice.
We’ve written a full-blown guide on how to brew the perfect cup of pour-over coffee, no matter which dripper you pick.
