At A Glance: Our Top 5 Picks for Pour Over Coffee Makers
The best pour over coffee sets look more like a science experiment than a coffee machine, but these drip makers are highly effective and very reasonably priced delivery systems for top-tier coffee every time. Pour over coffee is one of this writer’s favorite brewing methods.
You can easily make coffee using a dripper, filter and a carafe.
Investing in the best equipment is something you should spend some time and trouble to get right, then you’ll just keep on getting dividends from that investment with fantastic coffee on tap.
As well as the basics of dripper, filters (if necessary) and a carafe, there’s a vast range of paraphernalia up for grabs when you’re looking at making the best coffee.
After we’ve doubled down on the best products in our pour-over maker review, we’ll walk you through grinders, electric kettles and scales so you’ve got absolutely everything you need to get cracking and brewing some delicious coffee.
Read More: Best Drip Coffee Maker
At A Glance: Our Top 5 Picks for Pour Over Coffee Makers
The best pour over coffee maker looks more like a science experiment than a coffee machine but these drip makers are highly effective and very reasonably priced delivery systems for top-tier coffee every time.
You can easily make pour-over coffee using a dripper, filter and a carafe.
Investing in the best equipment is something you should spend some time and trouble to get right then you’ll just keep on getting dividends from that investment with fantastic coffee on tap.
As well as the basics of dripper, filters (if necessary) and a carafe, there’s a vast range of paraphernalia up for grabs when you’re looking at making the best pour-over coffee.
After we’ve doubled down on the best products in our pour-over coffee maker review, we’ll walk you through coffee grinders, electric kettles and scales so you’ve got absolutely everything you need to get cracking and brewing some delicious pour-over coffee.
Read More: Best Drip Coffee Maker
I. Best Pour Over Coffee Maker Comparison Table
Designed back in 1941, this glass Chemex is an enduring classic with just cause. The large capacity and striking aesthetics make this drip coffee maker among the very best on the market.
Our #1 Recommended
The Hario V60 is an affordable and efficient coffee maker available in an array of colorways and serving up the best Japan has to offer. The glass is heat-resistant and you can control the flow for a perfect coffee every time.
A superb glass coffee maker from the inventor of the pour-over method, you’re buying into superb brand heritage with Melitta. If you’re looking to brew coffee for several guests on a budget, this drip maker is a must-have.
A solid and durable ceramic coffee dripper, you can use Melitta filters with this Bee House which is a bonus as they are widely available and reasonably priced. With a beautifully consistent flow rate, this coffee maker suits beginners and pros alike.
Bodum is a legend in the coffee industry. This substantial coffee maker is made from rugged Borosilicate glass. The re-usable mesh filter is a fantastic way to save even more money over time.
For an eco-friendly coffee maker with a re-usable steel filter, the Coffee Gator is a cost-effective way to enjoy premium coffee every day without damaging the environment.
Kalita’s legendary Wave Series brings shop-style coffee into your home at a price you’ll love. Available in glass, ceramic or stainless steel, you’ve got a wealth of choice with this first-class coffee dripper.
This Japanese import glass version of the Wave 185 serves coffee for up to 4 depending on cup size. You’ll need to exercise a light hand, though, since this dripper is relatively fragile.
For a perfectly regulated coffee from an industry titan, this attractive plastic coffee dripper is the ideal combination of durability and performance. Choose from 14 arresting finishes.
Get everything you need for the best coffee with the Osaka starter set. All you need for top-tier coffee is included and the stainless steel filter is great for your pocket and the environment.
If you live alone and fancy a winning single-serve coffee dripper, this budget-conscious Bartelli is a smart choice. It fits neatly onto most cups and mugs, even some carafes, making it a highly versatile pour maker.
Another re-usable steel filter capable of slotting onto most vessels, the Maranello Caffé is a flexible, green approach to making up to 4 coffees in one hit. For simplicity and convenience at an affordable price, the Maranello make perfect sense.
II. Top Picks For Best Pour-Over Coffee Maker
1. Our Pick – Chemex Classic Series 8-Cup Glass (Dripper and Carafe)
We’ll take a look now at one of the better selling pour-over on the market, the outstanding Chemex Classic. This simple but highly effective dripper and carafe from a coffee industry heavyweight is our top pick for the overall best coffee maker.
Read on to see what this kit does so well…
If you like to experiment with different brewing techniques, the Chemex affords you a great deal of scope to make adjustments with ease to suit your preferences.
The larger capacity of the Chemex lets you serve up coffee for a group of friends unlike some of the more restrictive single-serve drippers. You can opt for anywhere from 3-cup to 10-cup capacity so there’s something for everyone.
Although it results in slightly more expensive filters, the double-bonded filtration results in a crisp and clean coffee every time so, for the purist, this is money well spent.
Made from Borosilicate glass, you’ll get no accumulation of chemicals or nasty whiffs coming from the Chemex.
If you enjoy refrigerating your coffee to reheat at a later date, you can simply cover your coffee and pop it in the fridge without impacting upon its flavor.
The added bonus with the Chemex is that the sleek design makes a real statement on your counter top. This shows no sign of dipping in popularity and it’s one of the soundest investments you could make if you’re a real caffeine aficionado.
Pros
- Nice range of sizes from 3-cup to 10-cup
- Looks great as well as delivering exceptional flavor
- Choose from classic or handles version for maximum flexibility
- Made from Borosilicate glass which is completely non-absorbent
- Almost maintenance-free
Cons
- Not the most robust unit
- Filters are pretty costly so factor this into your budget
- Narrow neck – a little bit hard to cleaning
2. Runner-Up 1 | Hario V60 Ceramic Dripper
Our second-placed coffee maker is a simple ceramic dripper from Hario that punches above its weight.
While at first glance the Hario V60 looks like an exercise in simplicity, the ingenious ridged design allows the coffee to flow down the sides as well as through the large opening. This method allows for the ultimate in quick-brew coffee without any negative effects on the flavor.
Made from ceramic and coming in a range of 14 designs, this is durable while still delicate enough to deliver tasty coffee all day long. We opted for the ceramic dripper but you can also roll with glass, plastic or metal. The V60 is available in 3 sizes: 01 (1-2 cups); 02 (1-4 cups) or 03 (1-6 cups).
You can enjoy a great deal of flexibility with this dripper. You can easily manipulate the size of the hole through which the coffee flows so you can tweak the taste to your palate.
The conical design brings out the very best in your coffee while the spiral ribs enhance the expansion for a taste sensation.
Cleaning out coffee makers can be tiresome work but it’s a stress-free experience with the Hario.
If you’re just starting out down the route, you might be advised to look for a more forgiving dripper. If, on the other hand, you’re fairly experienced and you fancy a pour-over affording you maximum latitude at minimum cost, the V60 is a smart move.
As long as you’re aware upfront you’ll need to buy paper or cloth filters for this excellent little dripper, it represents a fantastic bargain.
Pros
- Extremely rapid brewing time without compromising quality
- Ridged design optimized flow of coffee
- Solid and sturdy design built to last the distance
- Allows for a great deal of customization
- Very simple to clean for your convenience
Cons
- Ongoing expense of paper filters to consider – But you can choose metal filter
3. Runner-Up 2 | Melitta Pour Over 6-Cup
Melitta was the first company to produce a pour-over coffee maker over a century ago and they are still going strong today.
You’ll get everything you need thrown in so you can take control of all elements of brewing and enjoy your brew at its finest. There’s a substantial glass carafe enabling you to make up to 6 fresh cups, and a scoop and 5 filters are included so you’re good to go straight out the box.
Although you’ll need to make sure you’ve got paper filters on hand, the inexpensive Melitta number 4 takes some of the sting out of this expense.
While the capacity is more than generous, there is one minor niggle…
You can’t pour without the lid being firmly affixed so you’ll need to wait for the brewing to complete before pouring your first coffee. This is not a deal-breaker but you should be aware of this if you’re busy in the mornings and enjoy grabbing a snatched coffee as you race around.
Setting aside this very small gripe, the Melitta has all that you need in a coffee maker and nothing that you don’t. If you want to get back to basics and enjoy a rich and aromatic coffee without needing to leave home, this 6-cup brewer and Melitta pour over porcelain are the obvious solution.
Pros
- Unbeatable brand heritage
- Bulky carafe large enough for even bigger families
- Uses affordable Melitta number 4 filters
- Everything you need to get started brewing
- Surprisingly affordable given the performance and build quality
Cons
- Lid on pouring mechanism feels clunky
- Pour spout doesn’t work without the lid on so you need to wait for brewing to complete before making a drink
4. Best Budget – Bee House Small Ceramic Dripper
If you’re operating on a tighter budget but you’re not prepared to sacrifice great coffee, the Bee House ceramic dripper is a solid choice.
Smaller than much of the competition, you can get a cup or two of the finest pour-over from this dinky ceramic dripper. Rugged and built to stay the distance, the Bee House is ideal for the cost-conscious coffee lover.
Rather than needing to hunt down expensive, hard-to-find filters, straight Melitta filters work brilliantly with this dripper. Not only will this save you money over time, sourcing them is a breeze too, whether online or in your favorite coffee store.
Many demand a certain level of expertise for superior results. The simplicity of this dripper means it’s ideal even if you’ve never dabbled with this particular brewing method before.
If you prefer your coffee from a supersized mug, you might be better off with one of the other drippers we review. Many users have reported issues with this dainty dripper fitting poorly over larger cups.
The lead-free ceramic means you’ve got no worries about your coffee being contaminated and the construction allows for much higher temperatures than a plastic dripper will withstand.
When your coffee is being brewed, it’s decanted down through a pair of small holes. This means you’ll get far less clogging and sediment along with a perfectly consistent flow rate.
If you’re on the trail of a no-nonsense suited to all skill levels, this nifty Japanese dripper from Bee House is well worth popping on your shortlist.
Pros
- Exceptional durability
- Uses Melitta filters so you can keep your dripper stocked economically
- Works well whether you’re just starting out or an experience brewer
- Vey forgiving and user-friendly brewing method
- Incredible value
Cons
- Fairly heavy so not the most portable dripper
- Sizing comes out small so not great with larger mugs
Full Brewing Kit
Next up we’ve for a couple of full kits for an all-in-one solution to getting the best pour-over…
5. Bodum
With 3 sizes (17oz, 34oz and a whopping 51oz), this manual coffee maker from Bodum comes with a permanent metal filter to save you from the ongoing expense and hassle of paper filters.
We should draw your attention to the fact that the provided filter is not of the highest quality which is something of a disappointment. That said, the steel filter will serve up a rich and full-bodied coffee with a rounder texture than the Chemex. If this is how you like your caffeine fix, you’ll be delighted with the Bodum.
The significant advantage of paperless brewing is that your continuing expenses are slashed so all you need to worry about is laying in a supply of your favorite freshly ground coffee.
There’s an ergonomic silicone grip on the carafe ensuring there’s no slippage when you’re making your brew. The glass is rather brittle so we recommend you handle your Bodum with care. If you take sensible precautions, you should reap many happy years of service from this coffee maker.
Pros
- Choose from sizes up to 51oz so something for all households
- Permanent mesh filter dramatically reduces your expenses
- Extremely attractive design so looks great on the counter
- Detachable metal filter and carafe for your complete convenience
- An example of paperless brewing at its finest
Cons
- Questionable build quality on filter
- Glass is fairly flimsy so take care to avoid cracking the carafe