Coffee & gear / Field guide 03
The Best Pour Over Coffee Makers
Manual brewing is traditional, timeless, and more approachable than it looks. We reviewed the pour-over makers that make a cleaner, more flavorful cup easier to repeat.
By Spencer Russo January 5, 2021 12 min read
The short answer
Pour over gives you the cup you can control.
Unlike a drip machine, a pour over lets you control water temperature, brewing time, and flow. That makes it one of the easiest ways to bring out the character of good coffee.
For most people, the Kalita Wave 185 is the most forgiving starting point. Choose a reusable mesh design for speed and less waste, or a Chemex when a clean, elegant cup is the priority.
The shortlist
Three makers to start with.
Different shapes and filters change the texture of the cup. These are the strongest choices from the original 2021 review.
Kalita
Wave 185 Dripper
The flat-bottom coffee bed, patented filter, and three-hole design work together for even extraction. It is compact, forgiving, and available in stainless steel, ceramic, and glass.
- Type: dripper
- Filter: not included
- Best for: consistent everyday brewing
Primula
Brew Buddy
A portable reusable fine-mesh pour over that brews in about 30 seconds and travels easily.
- MSRP
- $8.89
- Filter
- Mesh
Chemex
Classic Series
Non-porous borosilicate glass and bonded filters produce a clean, rich cup without bitterness or sediment.
- MSRP
- $48.74
- Filter
- Bonded paper
Hario
V60 Ceramic
Spiral ribs, a large single hole, and excellent heat retention make this cone a favorite for dialing in a brew.
- Capacity
- 1–3 cups
- Build
- Ceramic
At a glance
Compare the finalists.
All three leading models are dishwasher-safe or simple to rinse, but their filters create noticeably different cups.
| Model | Score | MSRP | Type | Filter | Dishwasher safe |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Kalita Wave 185 Our pick | 9.7 | $32.47 | Dripper | Not included | Yes |
| Primula Brew Buddy | 9.5 | $8.89 | Dripper | Mesh filter | Yes |
| Chemex Classic Series | 9.2 | $48.74 | Pour over | Bonded filter | Yes |
A better first brew
Four moves. Fewer bitter cups.
Use this baseline, then change one variable at a time.
- 01
Grind medium
Use a burr grinder and adjust finer or coarser based on taste and flow.
- 02
Heat to 195–205°F
This range extracts the flavorful oils without making the cup flat or burnt.
- 03
Use 1:15–1:17
Start with 60 grams of coffee per liter of water, then tune to your preference.
- 04
Pour slowly
Saturate the grounds evenly and aim for a three- to four-minute brew.
Why buy pour over?
Manual brewing rewards attention.
Pour over follows the same basic procedure as a drip coffee maker: hot water passes through coffee grounds and into the cup below. The difference is that you control the process instead of handing it to a machine.
That control is especially useful with single-origin coffee, where a careful pour can reveal delicate fruit, floral, and chocolate notes. It is also a compact, affordable method for people who use pre-ground coffee or grind beans fresh.
Frequently asked questions
Clear answers for a cleaner cup.
What coffee is best for pour over?
Single-origin coffee is a strong choice because the method highlights its intricate flavors and produces a clean, smooth brew.
Is pour over better tasting?
That depends on preference. Paper filters produce clarity; stainless mesh leaves more oils in the cup and creates a fuller body.
Is pour over healthy?
Paper filters trap most cafestol, a coffee oil associated with elevated cholesterol at high doses. Metal filters retain more oils, so choose based on your priorities.
Pour over vs. French press?
Pour over is cleaner and usually smaller-batch. French press immerses the grounds fully and makes a larger, heavier-bodied brew.
Our standard
We favor easy cleanup, stable materials, honest capacity, and filters that suit the coffee you actually drink. The best pour over is the one you can use consistently every morning.