Last Updated: 5/29/19
The Best Pour Over Coffee Maker
Bodum 34 Ounce
Top Rated Overall
Primula Brew Buddy
Simple & Inexpensive
Kalita Wave 185
The Premium Option
Bodum 34 Ounce
Primula Brew Buddy
Kalita Wave 185
Pour over is one of the oldest, most reliable methods of coffee. The simplicity of the process combined with the brewer’s control over virtually every aspect of the coffee is part of what makes pour over brewing so popular. Not mention that pour overs are generally the most affordable, most space efficient and most aesthetically pleasing of all coffee makers. You’d be hard pressed to find a coffee lover who didn’t own a pour over coffee maker. Despite their simple design, a lot goes into a quality pour over. Here we’ll take a look at our top choices for the best pour over coffee makers.
Does Pour Over Coffee Taste Better?
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There is a constant chattering debate in the coffee world over which methods brew the best coffee. Bored and coiffed baristas will tell you that pour over is the only real way to brew great coffee, while pot bellied diner owners will swear by the comfort of the unpretentious drip. The reality is that anyone’s enjoyment of coffee is completely subjective, and no one but you can decide what your favourite brew style is. That being said, there is a science behind the coffee brewing process that undoubtedly impacts the flavour of each of cup of coffee brewed.
People can disagree about multiple aspect of coffee brewing, but one thing we can all agree on is the pleasure of saving money. Pour over brewing is definitely one of the cheapest ways to go, with even premium pour over coffee makers typically costing less than a low end electronic brewer. The simplicity of pour is good for both the brewing process and your wallet.
What makes good coffee?
There are countless factors that go into brewing coffee. From the perspective of a coffee connoisseur, good coffee should be full bodied, rich and balanced. Achieving this requires good beans, uniform grind, proper grind fineness, correct water temperature, bloom time, the list goes on. Even small factors like paper or metal filters can make a difference to the flavour of your coffee. So with all that considered, the pour over process is more conducive to brewing a “perfect” cup of coffee. The method gives users more control over each aspect of the coffee brewing process, meaning that you can more accurately tailor the flavour of your coffee in specific ways that you can’t with other coffee makers.
Why is pour over sometimes considered better?
However, pour over coffee brewing is not universally better every time. For starters, it the technique can actually be quite difficult. Getting everything down to the pouring exactly right is important with this method. Pour over tends to brew best with dark roasts, but is not ideal for heavy bodied coffees such as Brazil or Columbia. Because pour over is more effective at extracting solubles, it is more difficult to get a balanced brew with heavy bodied beans. This is especially true with paper filters, since the paper soaks up the fats and oils that make a coffee more full bodied, whereas the metal filter in a french lets them flow through.
So, is it really better?
There is no simple answer as to whether one style of brewing is better than another. It really depends on your personal taste, how involved you want to be with the coffee brewing process, and what kind of coffee you like. Pour over tends to brew more balanced coffee, french presses brew a fuller body, and espresso draws rich, bold flavour. But the inherent complexity of brewing coffee means that none of these rules of thumb are hard and fast. The joy of coffee is in more than just a fresh java, it’s also in experimenting with different aspects of the brewing process and tailoring your brewing experience for you.
Why Choose Something Like This Instead of an Automatic Coffee Maker?
There are a number of reasons you might want to choose a pour over coffee maker over an automatic. Here are some the main reasons you should consider pour over as your go-to brewing method.
Ritual
One of the first things people fall in love with when brewing pour over coffee is the ritual. Grinding your own beans, playing around with grind fineness and water temperature, perfecting the pouring technique. Part of the joy of pour over is that you can make it is as simple or as complicated as you want. Once you have the basic technique down, you can either make a hobby out of it and take full advantage of the control pour over brewing offers, or you can stick to what you know and brew the same cup morning after morning. Either way, the ritual in pour over coffee is one of its assets.
Flavour Control
For invested coffee lovers, there is no other method better than pour over for giving users control over the flavour of their coffee. Pour over brewing puts all factors into the hands of the user, allowing them to play around with body, extraction, bitterness, mouthfeel, you name it. Everything from the type and grind of beans down to the technique of your pour will affect the flavour of your coffee. There is no other brewing method that gives you so much control over each level, giving you the opportunity to learn and perfect on a higher level.
Best Pour Over Coffee Drippers
#1
Bodum Pour Over Coffee Maker
Best Overall
Why We Love It
It’s exactly what we like to see from a good pour over coffee maker.
Who Should Buy This
Anyone who’s a fan of pour over style coffee.
Bodum always seems to find a place on our lists, and the pour over category is no exception. Following the classic design of the infamous Chemex, the Bodum is everything you want to see in a pour over coffee maker. It comes in a variety of styles, our favourite being the cork band detailing.
It comes with a stainless steel mesh filter, which eliminates the papery flavour you can sometimes get with paper filters. This also makes it more environmentally friendly, although it does require a little more effort with clean up. With a great price, solid variety of styles and sizes, and great performance, the Bodum is our choice as the best overall pour over.
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#2
Primula Brew-Buddy
Simple & Inexpensive
Why We Love It
It’s dirt cheap and dead simple.
Who Should Buy This
Anyone who wants the easiest, most inexpensive portable coffee maker available.
Pretty much all pour overs can fall under the category of “simple and inexpensive,” but for the particularly frugal coffee lover, the Primula Brew-Buddy is about as simple and inexpensive a coffee maker you can find. For a price that is nearly pocket change, the Primula Brew-Buddy is essentially a miniature reusable filter that you can brew single serve coffee through.
It’s smaller than a coffee mug, so it’s easily portable, dishwasher safe, and incredibly easy to use. Limited by its size, it is of course not designed to brew more than a single cup. It’s also not as conducive to the technique-perfecting aspects of other pour overs, which makes it more forgiving but also less flexible in terms of perfecting your coffee flavour. For an ultra low cost and unbeatable simplicity, the Primula is a useful coffee tool that anyone can use.
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#3
Kalita Wave 185
High End Option
Why We Love It
It manages to elevate the pour over process without complicating the fundamentally simple design.
Who Should Buy This
Lovers of pour over coffee who want to try the latest and greatest.
When it comes to pour overs, rarely do you see brands straying from the basic design. The inherent simplicity and tried and true nature of the traditional pour over leaves little need for innovation in that area. But the Kalita Wave 185 has managed to find a way to pump some creativity into the basic design. Optimized for more even extraction, the Kalita has a flat bottomed bed, patented “wave filter, and a three-hole filter design that is truly unique.
It comes in stainless steel, glass or ceramic and does require a paper filter. It takes some skill and patience to use (like most pour overs do), but if you’re a keener for the latest and greatest in coffee brewing methods, you’ll want to try the Kalita.
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#4
Meltera Pour Over Filter
Most Durable
Why We Love It
It’s a durable, paperless filter that can be used in a diversity of settings.
Who Should Buy This
Those who want a reliable pour over style accessory.
In contrast to the typically delicate, somewhat romantic nature of a pour over coffee maker, the Meltera Pour Over Filter is more of a workhorse. It’s designed more for durability, convenience and portability than it is for elevating the experience of brewing pour over coffee. The Meltera is a paperless, stainless steel filter with dual layer mesh, a non slip silicon ring and a removable stand.
It doesn’t come with a beaker, so the filter needs to fit on your beaker or a properly sized mug for brewing. It can be a bit cumbersome to clean seeing as it’s not meant to use paper filters. But the Meltera is actually quite a nice looking filter, and is useful in a multitude of settings. It’s a durable, portable filter that you can use as a pour over in any setting.
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#5
Chemex Classic
For Taste Puritans
Why We Love It
It exemplifies the perfect simplicity and aesthetic pleasure of pour over brewing.
Who Should Buy This
Anyone who enjoys brewing pour over coffee.
The Chemex Classic is possibly the most recognizable of all pour over coffee makers. There’s a good chance that when you think of pour over, you’re picturing a Chemex. The Chemex design has gone virtually unchanged for about 70 years. It is an instrument that strikes an absolutely perfect balance between appearance and functionality. With its conical glass beaker, wooden band and leather tie, the Chemex is practically a work of art. In fact, the New York Museum of Modern Art has one on permanent display. But the Chemex is not only known for its aesthetics.
It brews clean, bold coffee that can be endless tailored with grinding and pouring techniques. This is the pour over coffee maker for fans of this brewing style. That being said, it is definitely one that takes some practice and know-how to use to its potential. Brewing with the Chemex is highly unforgiving, and it’s a fragile product as well. However, it does come in 4 different sizes, making this infamous pour over coffee maker the perfect addition to any coffee lover’s arsonal.
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#6
Bee House Ceramic Coffee Dripper
Runner Up
Why We Love It
It simplifies the process of pour over, making the process accessible to non-experts.
Who Should Buy This
Anyone who wants a pour over style coffee maker without the need to master the finess.
For some people, one of the drawbacks of a pour over is need to learn and perfect a technique. Pour over is not an overly difficult method of coffee brewing, but it does take some patience and trial and error. The Bee House Coffee Dripper has answered this issue by producing a pour over that is much more forgiving than traditional models. This is a pour over coffee maker that anyone can use, first try. It is designed with a flat bottom, which means there is less emphasis placed on the pouring technique.
It has an attractive, humble design and brews with more consistency and predictability than other pour overs. It is made with ceramic, which looks lovely but is a bit fragile. It also requires paper filters. If you like pour overs specifically for the ups and downs of technique building, you might not find the Bee House a worthy challenge. But as far as making the pour over process more accessible and more forgiving, the Bee House is the perfect little coffee maker.
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Which single-cup pour over coffee dripper is Right for Me?
For those who want the most bang for their buck: Bodum Pour Over Coffee Maker
Bodum always does a great job of making products that give you the most for your dollar. The Bodum is not the most unique or sophisticated on the list, but it strikes a perfect balance between quality, functionality and cost. It has all the desirable components of a quality pour over and is more durable than most classic models. For the most bang for your buck, we suggest the Bodum Pour Over Coffee Maker.
For those who want simplicity and affordability above all: Primula Brew-Buddy
If you thought the pour over design couldn’t get any simpler, think again. The Primula Brew-Buddy is about as simple as it gets when it comes to coffee maker. It is essentially a single serve mesh filter that can be used to brew directly into your mug and can be taken with you on any journey. It costs hardly more than a cup of coffee, and is dishwasher safe. If you’re looking for something simple, dirt cheap and portable, look no further than the Primula Brew-Buddy.
For those who want a new twist and optimal extraction: Kalita Wave 185
The pour over style of brewing coffee is so perfectly simple that coffee makers rarely differ much in their basic design, other than using paper or steel filters. The Kalita Wave 185 has changed that with its unique flat bottom/3 holed design. Makers of the Kalita wanted a pour over coffee maker that would optimise the extraction process for bolder flavour and a unique technique. So if you’re looking to optimize your extraction method and want to try a new spin on the pour over style, you have to try the Kalita Wave.
For Beginners: Bee House Ceramic Coffee Dripper
As simple as a pour over coffee maker may seem, the technique can actually be quite a challenge. A lot goes into brewing the perfect cup of pour over coffee, and not everyone has the patience to perfect it. If you’re just getting in to the pour over game, or if you simple want something more forgiving, the Bee House is the perfect coffee maker. It gives you all the pleasant aspects of a classic pour over but without the need for a perfectly tuned technique. So for beginners or seekers of a more forgiving pour over, we recommend the Bee House Ceramic Coffee Dripper.
For those who want a durability and portability: Meltera Pour Over Filter
Pour over coffee makers can be as delicate as the brewing process itself. Some people want the simplicity and convenience of pour over coffee without the concern for breaking the coffee maker. For a less delicate approach and something you haul around with you, the Meltera Pour Over Filter is great choice. Since it’s only the filter component, it can be used in a multitude of settings. Its stainless steel and dual mesh filter make it low maintenance and easy to drag around. For the most durability and portability, we suggest the Meltera Pour Over Filter.
For the puritans: Chemex Classic
If you’re a real coffee guru and a bit of a puritan, you’re probably familiar with the Chemex Classic. Every genuine lover of coffee brewing should have a Chemex in their collection. As far as classical aesthetics and tradition pour over brewing goes, it’s a hard choice to beat. Notoriously unforgiving, demanding of proper technique, but undeniably built for rich, complex coffee, flavour puritans should look no further than the Chemex classic.5 Things to Look For When Choosing the Best Pour Over Coffee Dripper
Quality materials
The materials from which a pour over is made can make a difference in the kind of coffee it produce. As a general rule of thumb, plastic is not the ideal vessel for a hot cup of coffee. Both plastic and paper are materials that have very subtle flavours which can seep into your coffee. Many of the best pour over makers use paper filters, so this isn’t a hard and fast rule. But between the filter, the beaker (if there is one), and any beaker bands, quality materials will make for a more durable product and usually a better tasting coffee.
Simple, Ergonomic Design
It’s hard to overcomplicate a pour over coffee maker. At their heart, they are a simple instrument, and their design should reflect that. Making great pour over coffee can require some technique, so you don’t want to be fighting with how to the use the thing as well. There are all kinds of pour over designs out there, and there’s nothing wrong with a little pizzazz. But a pour over should be very simple to use, and you’ll want a design that guides rather than resists the flow of the coffee making process.
Functionality
It goes without saying you want your coffee maker to be a functional product. Functionality is a lot easier to measure in electronic or more complex coffee machines. But what makes a pour over coffee maker more functional than the next? In this case, it has more to do with knowing how a pour over should function at a basic level than looking for extra functions. A pour over coffee maker should be very simple. Since they require a little technique, there is no point spending money on a pour over that doesn’t produce good coffee.
Value
The good news is that pour overs are some of the most affordable coffee makers on the market. Their ultra simple design has stood the test of time, and for good reason. Since you can easily find premium quality pour overs at a fraction of the cost of other coffee makers, there is really never any reason to spend an exorbitant amount of money on one. By the same token, there isn’t much reason to cheap out either. Your dollar will go infinitely further with a quality pour over than a 50 cent funnel with the ability to brew coffee.
Personal Suitability
There is a bit of a caveat with pour over coffee makers, which is that they’re not for everyone. With even the most forgiving models, there is a level of involvement and patience required to get the most out of your pour over coffee maker. If you’re not overly concerned with the taste and quality of your coffee, or if you prefer brewing larger amounts, a pour over might not be the ideal go to go for you. But if you love a bit of experimentation and control over your brew, you can’t beat a good pour over coffee maker.
How to Make Pour Over Coffee
Making pour over coffee is both simple and complex. The process itself is easy, but the technique can be trickier than you might expect. Learning to brew pour over coffee is a bit like skiing - it’s easy to learn, but hard to master. Here are some tips to brewing quality pour over coffee.
What You’ll Need
A good coffee grinder
A good coffee grinder is arguably the most important tool you can have for brewing good coffee. This is especially true when it comes to taking full advantage of your pour over coffee maker. You can read all about the importance of a grinder, and our top picks here.
Filter
Most pour over coffee makers will come with a filter. Some use paper while others have reusable mesh, typically made of stainless steel. Some people swear by paper while other find is leaves a lingering paper taste in the coffee. The kind of filter you choose is up to you and your choice of coffee maker.
Coffee Beans
Ideally, you should have some quality coffee beans in your inventory. Freshly roasted, full beans are going to give you the best flavour. Beyond that, what kind of beans you want is entirely up to you! Light or Medium bodied beans tend to best with pour over, but you should feel empowered to be as creative as possible. It’s the beauty of pour over!
Temperature Gaged Kettle
Water temperature will affect the extraction process, so it’s important to have a kettle that allows you to gage the temperature of water. Again, there is always room for experimentation with pour over. If you want to play around with water temperature, you’ll want a kettle that can give you this information.
Brewing the Coffee
Step 1: Grinding
Pour over brewing is one of the most playful ways to brew coffee because none of the rules are set in stone. This is especially true of grinding. You should grind your beans somewhere between coarse and fine. Ultra fine will probably result in over extraction, but anything between fine and coarse can brew great coffee as long as you tailor the other steps to meet the needs of your bean fineness.
Step 2: Boil Water
For pour over, you will probably want your water temperature to be somewhere between 195-205 F. Any hotter and you will burn the coffee, regardless of the fineness of the grind. If you’re using a paper filter, you should pre-wet the filter before adding grinds.
Step 3: Add grinds to filter
How much coffee you add to the filter is really up to you and how you want your coffee to taste. A good reference point is about 30 grams of coffee per 20 oz of water. More grinds will likely give you a fuller body and bolder flavour, whereas more water will give you a lighter body and less intense flavour. But this also depends on the type of beans and fineness of grind, so don’t hesitate to do a bit of trial and error.
Step 4: Bloom the Grinds
Blooming is when you pour a small amount of water over the surface of the coffee. This is where a pouring technique comes in. Generally, a kettle with a long narrow spout is best for pour over, and gives you more control and precision. Once all the granules are wetted, the coffee will appear to “bloom” as the water begins extracting. You should see a thick, sometimes slightly bubbly layer of crema appear at the surface. The more sugar and fat in your coffee, the more present this crema will be. How long you let your coffee bloom is up to you! With finer grinds, a shorter bloom time will prevent over extraction. For coarse grinds, a longer bloom time will prevent under extraction.
Step 5: Pour the Rest of the Water
Once your coffee has bloomed, you can pour the rest of the water you want to use over the coffee. The brewed coffee will slowly seep into the beaker or mug (depending on the style of pour over used).