What Is the Best Pour-Over Coffee Maker? (Our Top 15 Picks)

The biggest benefit of a pour-over coffee maker is being able to control exactly how much coffee you make. No more wasting your best coffee beans or pouring out a stale brew. The pour-over method lets you make the perfect amount of coffee whenever you need it.

At a Glance: Our Top 5 Picks for Pour Over Coffee Makers

BEST POUR-OVER COFFEE MAKERS

Dying to try some pour-over coffee? (You’re not alone. The cravings are hitting us hard too.) If so, check out a few of our favorite drippers!

CLEVER COFFEE DRIPPER

If you’re after French press-quality coffee but want to forego the messy clean-up, the Clever Coffee Dripper just may be the device of your dreams.

The Clever dripper is made of BPA-free plastic, which is critical when heat or hot water is used.

Because it’s made of impact-resistant materials, you can rest assured that your dripper will survive travel or the occasional drop with no cracks or scratches.

This pour-over coffee maker also comes equipped with a stopper valve that gives you full control of the brew’s strength and allows you to fill your cup whenever you want.

SANYO SANGYO PORCELAIN POUR-OVER COFFEE MAKER

What comes in five different colors, has a gorgeous flower petal structure, and brews a heavenly cup of joe? Surprise—it’s this pour-over coffee maker from Sanyo Sangyo!

Made of high-quality Japanese porcelain, it effortlessly combines style and function. The flower petals lining the walls of the brewer allow the coffee grounds to expand fully within the filter for better saturation, which means a more robust cup of coffee.

HARIO v60 CERAMIC COFFEE DRIPPER

A classic choice for pour-over brewing, the Hario v60 is a sleek, well-designed piece of equipment.

Though you’ll need a temporary filter to brew with, you can brew different volumes of coffee with the two different sizes of the Hario.

The Hario v60 is easy to use and easy to clean, but it’s a little more fragile, so be careful if you plan to carry it with you on the road.

However, the great thing about the ceramic material is that it’s great at retaining heat while the hot water is being filtered through the coffee grounds.

MELITTA READY SET JOE SINGLE-CUP POUR-OVER COFFEE MAKER

If you’re really looking to brew on a budget, Melitta is the way to go. This single-cup pour-over brewer usually runs at a low price point.

It might not be the classiest tool in your kitchen, but it’s easy to clean up and a perfect coffee travel companion.

There’s even a space to see the coffee level so you don’t run the risk of overfilling your mug. It also comes with a pack of 100 filters, so it’s a double bargain!

Fun fact: Melitta gets its name from Melitta Bentz, the German housewife who invented the paper coffee filter and eventually pour-over coffee makers.

BEE HOUSE CERAMIC COFFEE DRIPPER

If you’re in the market for a good ceramic coffee dripper, look no further than this one from Bee House.

The pour-over coffee maker fits right on top of your teapot or mug, and it sports an open-based design that lets you check the brew level without removing the dripper.

The largest-sized Bee House dripper is designed to hold enough coffee to fill two to four demitasse cups (about six to twelve ounces), which is the perfect amount of coffee for one.

BODUM POUR-OVER COFFEE MAKER

If you’re looking for a sleek little device that allows you to make pour-over coffee in a matter of minutes, look no further than the Bodum Pour-Over Coffee Maker.

Complete with a permanent stainless steel filter and durable borosilicate glass, this Bodum product is the best pour-over coffee maker for those who need to brew high-quality java in large quantities, as the carafe holds up to 8 cups of coffee.

YAMA POUR-OVER COFFEE MAKER

Between a stainless steel permanent filter and a heat-resistant collar, the Yama Pour Over Coffee Maker has a solution for every potential problem with pour-over coffee.

The borosilicate glass carafe helps your coffee retain heat without picking up any old flavors, so you get a fresh brew every time. Just remove the mesh filter, and you can serve up to six cups from the same container.

Each of these brewers is hand-crafted by master glass blowers, so you know you’re getting quality.

Also, since the company knows you’ll be using your coffee maker so frequently, Yama makes individual replacement parts available for your convenience.

LHS SLOW-DRIP COFFEE METAL POUR-OVER FILTER

Coming in three different sizes (one to two cups, one to four cups, and 400 ml) the LHS Pour Over Filter is a great option for brewing.

Made with a mesh metal filter, the LHS is strong and durable and will ensure that no unwanted grounds end up in your cup of coffee.

The extra-fine mesh in particular towards the bottom of the filter will prevent any grounds from slipping through.

Another feature we enjoy about the LHS is the wide cup stand that allows you to position the filter sturdily. Its size is uniform to fit over most single-cup mugs, as well as some travel mugs and canteens.

Additionally, it’s also super portable and very easy to clean — it’s actually dishwasher safe and even comes with a small brush to help clean out the filter!

MARANELLO CAFFÉ REUSABLE POUR-OVER COFFEE MAKER WITH STAND

The maker from Maranello Caffé combines two filters — a micro-mesh inner layer and a laser-cut outer layer — to ensure a clear cup of coffee without a paper filter.

The dripper’s four-inch base fits on top of most mugs, cups, and carafes, and can brew up to four cups, so you can use it to serve coffee for one or a few.

Made with a solid metal base, you don’t have to worry about wobbling or breaking. It also has a metal handle at the top to make disposing of your grounds a breeze. Clean-up is easy, too; all you need to do is put it on the top rack of your dishwasher.

Maranello Caffé Pour Over Coffee Dripper Stainless Steel Reusable Drip Cone Coffee Filter Portable Pour-Over Coffee Maker Paperless Metal Fine Mesh Strainer Coffee Pourover Brewer Camping Coffee Maker

YABANO GOOSENECK KETTLE AND POUR-OVER FILTER

Are you looking for a filterless pour-over but also need a gooseneck kettle? You’re in luck! Yabano makes a kettle and pour-over combination that gives you everything you need to brew, including a small metal scoop.

The kettle itself is electric, and has adjustable temperature control settings, allowing you a temperature range from 104 to 212 degrees Fahrenheit.

With the ability to heat an entire kettle in about four minutes, Yabano makes pour-over brewing as efficient as possible.

The metal filter is sturdy and can fit a wide range of cups, mugs, and canteens. It’s durable, meaning it won’t break easily, and it’s also easily portable and simple to clean.

All in all, this packaged combination is a great deal in our book!

CHEMEX 8-CUP CLASSIC SERIES GLASS POUR-OVER COFFEE MAKER

Maybe you want to feel like a mad coffee scientist when you brew your morning coffee. If that’s your vibe, the Classic Series from Chemex is perfect for you.

This glass coffee maker can handle up to eight cups in one brew and includes a polished wood collar and leather tie for extra class.

Made of non-porous borosilicate glass, it won’t absorb flavors and is heat-resistant. You can keep your coffee warm by placing the coffee maker directly on a glass stovetop or gas flame over low heat.

However, do not place it directly on an electric coil — it can damage or break the flat-bottomed carafe.

HOUSEWARES SOLUTIONS POUR-OVER COFFEE MAKER SET

This kit by Housewares Solutions gives you all of the equipment you need for pour-over brewing. The pour-over filter is sleek in design and laser-cut.

With its reusable mesh filter that can make one to four cups of coffee, Housewares also provides you with a 34-ounce borosilicate glass carafe.

The filter itself is made of BPA-free 304 stainless steel, so it’s durable enough to last you for a long amount of time.

In addition, you won’t have to worry about extra coffee grounds falling into your cup, and the stainless steel preserves the essential oils and nutrients in the coffee, enhancing the coffee’s flavor.

MELITTA POUR-OVER BREWER

If you’re looking to brew big on a budget, we’re also going to give this one to Melitta. Their six-cup pour-over brewer includes a plastic, BPA-free cone with a glass carafe so you can brew for a crowd or your own high-caffeine needs in one shot.

The filter cone is dishwasher safe (top rack only), so clean-up is also a cinch. It also comes with a coffee scoop and five filters to get you started.

KALITA WAVE SERIES 185 BREWER

If you’re simply looking to brew for two rather than a whole crowd, we recommend checking out the Kalita wave series/size 185.

The selling point of the Kalita wave model is the “wave” patterning on the interior walls of the brewer. There are 20 horizontal bands above the flat bottom that help minimize contact between the filter and the dripper, speeding up coffee brewing.

This Kalita wave brewer is made of Hasami Porcelain, a traditional form of porcelainware that has been around for 400 years.

However, the model is available in ceramic, glass, and metal. So, if you’re looking to get something reliable and straightforward, the Kalita Wave is a great option.

Important: We love coffee just as much as the next connoisseur, but we also care about our health.

More than four cups of unfiltered coffee or five cups of filtered coffee a day may negatively affect your LDL cholesterol levels. Plus, all that caffeine can make you jittery. Have everything in moderation—even coffee.

BARISTA WARRIOR POUR-OVER KIT

With a BPA-free borosilicate glass brewer, a reusable metal dual filtration filter, and a rustic-looking coffee scoop, this pour-over kit truly has it all.

It’s budget-friendly, easy to use and clean, and can make up to 7 servings, making it an excelling selection for any coffee enthusiast.

Both the brewer and filter are dishwasher safe, which makes this pour-over kit that much easier to utilize. But the best part?

The carafe has marked measurements for your brew and the coffee scoop is the perfect 3 tablespoons of grind, making this pour-over method easy to do without the need for a food scale.

DOES POUR-OVER COFFEE TASTE BETTER?

It depends on how you like your coffee, but we honestly think that how you measure coffee and grind your beans just before you brew has more of an impact.

Pour-over fanatics insist this method — especially if you skip the paper filter — is the key to great-tasting coffee.

But whether or not the pour-over method makes your brew taste better is up for debate, so the best way to figure it out is to try it yourself.

What definitely makes your morning better is taking the time to appreciate your brewing process and discovering a new ritual for your morning cup of coffee.

Caffeine is associated with frenzied mornings or stressful late nights, so taking the time to slow down and enjoy your coffee might be just what the barista ordered.

THE FACTS ABOUT FILTERS

While some of the pour-over coffee makers we’ve included on our list require the use of a paper coffee filter, others have a reusable filter built-in.

DOES THE FILTER MAKE A DIFFERENCE?

Short answer: yes. While some swear you can’t really taste the difference between coffee brewed with different types of filters. A seasoned coffee drinker knows that, though it may be subtle, the type of coffee filter you use slightly alters the taste of the brew.

Paper filters are probably the most commonly used, and they filter out most of the coffee’s natural oils and micro-grounds.

This is good because it means there won’t be any sediment floating around in your cup, but not so great because that means you end up with a thinner, less flavorful serving of java.

On the bright side, clean up is easy, as all you have to do is toss the whole thing — grounds and all — into the trash. Unfortunately, continuing to stock up on these filters every couple of months will add up quickly, so be sure to budget accordingly.

If your pour-over coffee maker has a reusable filter, chances are it’s made of metal, and metal filters don’t absorb any of the coffee’s oils, which means you have a more flavorful brew.

However, most mesh filters aren’t fine enough to block all of the sediment out of your cup, so you’ll end up with a drink that has a richer, thicker mouthfeel. That’s great news if you like strong coffee, but bad news if you’re not fond of the texture of micro-grounds.

If you take care of and clean your metal filter frequently, it can last a lifetime, which means zero waste. Plus, you’ll save a hefty sum of cash by not having to buy filters!

The least commonly used in North America are cloth filters. The woven cloth manages to catch all of the coffee grounds without absorbing the coffee’s oils. If you decide to give these a try, make sure you wash them between brews.

They tend to last for a few brews before they begin trapping the oils of past brews, but most of the time, you can use them up to 100 times before you’ll need to invest in a new one.

FLAT-BOTTOMED VS. CONE FILTERS

When choosing the best coffee filter for your pour-over coffee maker, you not only need to consider what type of filter you’ll use but also what shape: flat-bottom or cone.

Maybe you’re not too picky about your morning coffee, and this small detail doesn’t matter as much to you — that’s totally fine. But if you’re determined to make the best pour-over coffee possible, you’ll definitely want to make note of the differences between the two.

According to William Ristenpart, director of UC Davis Coffee Center, the filter’s shape determines how much flavor extraction occurs. Water hits a flat-bottomed filter in the middle, spreads out radially, and then exits through the middle.

With a cone filter, however, the water does not spread out as much. It’s possible, though, to alter the flavor extraction by changing your technique when pouring the water.

When it comes to what shape to use, it’s a matter of personal preference, though Ristenpart noted that conical filters produce more floral, tea-like flavors, and flat-bottomed filters bring out coffee’s smokier flavors.

However, coffee filters aren’t the only thing that controls your java’s flavor; the real determining factor in what your coffee will taste like is, of course, the coffee beans you use.

THE MAKINGS OF A POUR-OVER COFFEE MAKER

Not only do things like price, size, and filter type play a role in buying a pour-over coffee maker, but the material from which the coffee dripper is made is worth considering, too.

Every barista and serious coffee fanatic has their own reasons for choosing a glass, plastic, ceramic, or metal (usually stainless steel or copper) coffee dripper.

However, we think it’s worth digging into the pros and cons of each material for yourself before making a decision.

GLASS

PROS

• Chemically inert, so it will not alter the flavor of the coffee
• Allows you to see what’s going on and watch your coffee as it brews

CONS

• Glass is delicate and can easily shatter if the coffee maker is transported elsewhere.

CERAMIC

PROS

• Has a long lifespan
• Maintains temperature for a long time

CONS

• Usually more expensive

METAL

PROS

• Durable and lightweight
• Usually aesthetically pleasing

CONS

• Might give your coffee a metallic taste

PLASTIC

PROS

• Durable and travel-friendly
• Doesn’t steal heat from the brew bed

CONS

• May need to be replaced more frequently than other materials

PERKS OF POUR-OVER

If you’ve ever met someone who uses their pour-over regularly, you’ll notice they’re probably a little obsessed with the brew. That’s because this brew is rather unique in the coffee world.

It requires a bit more practice and finesse than other brewing methods, so a quality finished brew is nothing to scoff at.

HOW IT WORKS

First, you will need to gather the necessary equipment and supplies. The key to successful pour-overs is precision, so you don’t want to skimp on your kit.

You’ll need the following items:

• Your pour-over coffee maker of choice
• Gooseneck kettle(stovetop or electric but it should be a gooseneck)
• Coffee beans (whole coffee beans, not pre-ground)
• Coffee grinder
• A carafe, cup, or tumbler
• Kitchen scale

Once you have gathered everything you need, the general process is as follows:

1. Grind the coffee. Get your beans to a medium-fine to medium-coarse grind.
2. Prep filter (optional). Pre-wet paper filters.
3. Heat water. Shoot for anywhere between 195 and 210 degrees Fahrenheit. (We like to set ours at 205°).
4. Set up for brewing. Put the pour-over and your cup or carafe on top of your kitchen scale and add your grounds. Tare the scale.
5. Bloom the grounds. Evenly wet the grounds to prep them for extraction. Wait 30-45 seconds.
6. Pour the water. Pour water in a slow, circular motion from the outer edge to the center. Check the scale to measure how much water you are using.
7. Taste! Take note of what you like and dislike about your brew so that you can move towards perfection.

The beauty of the pour-over is that you can change up just about every step in the process. Each little tweak can have an impact on your final brew, so you have complete free reign over the entire process.

Once perfected, it’ll feel like you’ve created something specially crafted for your unique palate. For the full low-down on how to perfect your pour-over game, check out this article.

HOW IT TASTES

The most common descriptors for pour-over coffee are “clean” and “crisp.” Paper filters and a delicate brewing process make for a light, intricate cup that brings out the complexities of your favorite bean varieties.

Generally, these tend to be lighter coffees, as they lack the oils garnered from other brewing methods, and there is no added pressurization for more intense extraction.

So if you are looking to get full-bodied brews with a heavy mouthfeel, you are in the wrong place, unless you use a metal or cloth filter with your pour-over coffee dripper instead.

BREW TIME

You probably noticed the general pour-over coffee process is a bit lengthy, and you might wonder exactly how long it will take to make that delicious cup of Joe you’re craving in the morning.

The coffee’s grind size and the speed of your pour typically determine the rate at which your coffee will brew. However, the average total brew time when using pour-over coffee makers is usually around four minutes.

MUST-HAVE POUR-OVER COFFEE ACCESSORIES

As we mentioned above, you’re going to need a few extra tools at your disposal if you’re going to make the most of one of these hipster coffee makers.

Here are a few of our favorite pour-over coffee accessories.

BONAVITA ELECTRIC KETTLE

Every good pour-over coffee kit needs a solid gooseneck kettle, which is why we recommend checking out this electric option from Bonavita.

This device uses 1000 watts of energy to heat water quickly and boasts an auto-shutoff feature in case you forget to turn it off. It’s made with brushed stainless steel and BPA-free plastic, too, so it fits right into any modern kitchen space.

OXO BREW CONICAL BURR COFFEE GRINDER

Investing in the best pour-over coffee maker possible is just scratching the surface of making a good cup of java.

You’ll need high-quality freshly ground coffee, and the best way to guarantee a delicious drink is to grind the coffee beans yourself.

Invest in a solid coffee grinder, like OXO Brew’s conical burr machine. This grinder boasts 15 different settings, which guarantees perfect-sized grinds for every brewing method, including pour-over.

The grounds container holds enough coffee for 12 cups, and the 40-millimeter conical burrs create evenly-sized coffee grounds for maximum flavor.

POUR-OVER COMPARED

We often get questions about how pour-over coffee makers stack up against other at-home brewing tools. As a result, we have quite a few articles dedicated entirely to breaking these differences down.

However, we’ll provide a quick summary here so you can determine if making the switch is the right move for you.

DRIP COFFEE MAKER

Drip machines are the classic American way of brewing coffee. If you walk into any home across the states, chances are you’ll spot a drip brewer loyally stationed on the counter.

The pull of drip brewers is that they are fast, easy, and convenient. Plus, they can often brew enough coffee for the whole household without a sweat. However, what you gain in ease-of-use you may lose in quality control.

Here’s what we mean by that: pour-over brewers allow you to have complete control over your brewing. You control the water temperature, grounds saturation, brewing speed, and more, whereas, you can usually only change the brew volume on a standard drip brewer.

However, with all of that power in a pour-over, comes some sacrifices in terms of efficiency and user-friendliness.

Read more on this subject here.

FRENCH PRESS

Both the French Press and pour-over are manual tools, so both will require a bit of time and practice to perfect (though the French press is the easier of the two, in our opinion).

So, most of the dispute over which is the better brewer between these two comes down to taste preference.

As you’ll notice, more popular pour-overs require the use of paper filters. These filters are known to absorb some of the heavier oils of your brew, making for a lighter mouthfeel.

This also prevents any sort of grit from getting in your coffee. On the other hand, most French presses have built-in filters made of metal, so their brews tend to have heavier bodies.

Additionally, you use finer grounds with pour-overs than you do with a French press, so the difference in grind size does affect how and what flavors are extracted.

Want to see the full showdown? Read on.

AEROPRESS

AeroPress and pour-overs both use paper filters; however, AeroPress utilized pressure rather than gravity to do your brewing.

These brews will have a similar mouthfeel, but their flavor and strength will differ, with more complex profiles with the pour-over and more intense flavors with the AeroPress.

If you want something super straightforward to make a nice, concentrated brew, AeroPress is right for you.

On the other hand, if you want something that you can spend a little more time with and nail your perfect brew, then a pour-over is the right choice between these two.

If you have more questions, check out this article.

SLOW DOWN BEFORE YOUR PICK-ME-UP

We hope you find the perfect coffee maker to start your journey into the relaxing world of pour-over brewing.

You’ll soon discover your inner zen barista thanks to this old-fashioned method, along with a new way to slow down and enjoy your next cup of coffee.

Happy Caffeinating!