Best Pour Over Coffee Makers – Reviews & Buyer’s Guide

Simon Calvin
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And if you read the headline, I didn’t just mention coffee makers. I mentioned “pour over coffee makers.” Because now there’s a huge movement in the coffee world to survive the “coffee apocalypse.” This term is used to reflect the staggering number of people switching to coffee purists. That’s no surprise considering all the amazing benefits of pour-over coffee.

This kind of coffee maker is the best option because it requires such an extra cleansing step. So, what is a pour-over coffee maker? Well, a pour-over coffee maker is an excellent way to make your favourite pour-over coffee at home.

If you are into pour-over coffee, you might also be interested in the best pour-over coffee grinder.

NameCategoryProduct
Hario V60 Ceramic Coffee DripperBest OverallHario V60 Ceramic Coffee Dripper
Melitta Ready Set Joe Single Cup Coffee BrewerBudget PickMelitta Ready Set Joe Single Cup Coffee Brewer
CHEMEX Pour-Over Glass CoffeemakerUpgrade PickCHEMEX Pour-Over Glass Coffeemaker

1. Hario V60 Ceramic Coffee Dripper

Our rating: 9 / 10

Hario V60 Ceramic Coffee Dripper

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The wonderful thing about handheld pour over coffee makers is they are a lot more versatile than you think. Shapes, sizes, and models vary, but when you’re choosing a pour over coffee maker, remember to pick one that is durable. You want to go for something that you will have for a long time.

This product by Hario meets these standards and more. The Taiwan-based company gives you a high-quality product that is made with the ceramic that is popular in its line of products. Even if you use it every day, the coffee maker will retain its pristine condition.

Making a great cup of coffee is not as easy as you might think. You have to use pretty hot water to get the temperature high enough to brew coffee. With this product, you’ll be afforded with almost two-cups of coffee at once, so that you don’t have to make another cup before you can sit down and enjoy yours.

2. CHEMEX Pour-Over Glass Coffeemaker

Our rating: 9 / 10

CHEMEX Pour-Over Glass Coffeemaker

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Pros:

  • Premium material
  • Paper packaging
  • High quality filter

Anytime you’re trying to save money on a new coffee maker, the CHEMEX is going to be difficult to pass up. This is a high quality pour over coffee maker that uses premium filters to make clean and tasty coffee at home.

One of the hardest parts about making your own coffee at home is finding the right filter. Many other pour overs don’t allow you to change out the filters, which is a real gift when you’re looking through the CHEMEX line. They made your life a lot easier by providing their filters in a pack of 4.

You should be able to feel good about making your own coffee at home thanks to the CHEMEX. It comes with a higher quality filter, and they stand behind their promise to make excellent coffee.

3. Kalita Wave 185 Drippers

Our rating: 9 / 10

Kalita Wave 185 Drippers

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Pros:

  • Fast and easy to use
  • Faster than most other designs
  • Reusable filters
  • Lifetime warranty

Cons:

  • Maintenance can be messy
  • Handle can break off

The Kalita Wave is a Japanese-style coffee dripper that is quite a simple design. It’s an efficient and functional design that is very popular for specialty coffee purists.

To use the Wave, all you need is a coffee filter and water. There’s no measuring scale on the design, but the brewing time is easy to master with just a bit of experience and some feedback from taste. Do not use flavor coffees in a dripper.

4. Bodum Pour Over Coffee Maker

Our rating: 8 / 10

Bodum Pour Over Coffee Maker

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Pros:

  • BPA free plastic
  • Chrome stainless steel exterior
  • Includes permanent filter and glass carafe
  • Dishwasher Safe
  • No drip design
  • Strong and sturdy design
  • Can brew over 12 cups

Glass.

5. Primula Brew Buddy Portable Pour Over

Our rating: 8 / 10

Primula Brew Buddy Portable Pour Over

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Pros:

  • Aesthetically pleasing
  • A breeze to use. As the name suggests, this is a pour over

The plastic material is a little bland. Some complain

Traditional coffee filter.

This is a portable coffee maker for those who are interested in drinking a hot or cold cup of coffee while on the go. It’s a great choice for friends and family who are on the run and need a small cup of hot coffee or iced coffee on the go.

6. Melitta Ready Set Joe Single Cup Coffee Brewer

Our rating: 8 / 10

Melitta Ready Set Joe Single Cup Coffee Brewer

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Already a favorite at restaurants, Melitta's single cup brewing system is now available to you in your own home. With the Melitta Ready Set Joe, you'll have fresh coffee as quick as you can say, "Beam me up, Scotty."

The versatility of this brewer will make your life easier and tastier. The filter is reusable, it's dishwasher safe, and it boasts a drip-free pouring spout. Plus, all the parts are easily found in department stores and grocery stores.

The Melitta Ready Set Joe brewing system is the perfect addition to your home if you like to keep it simple. This machine is totally automated, so you can wake up, brew coffee, fill your cup, and either drink it by itself, or add some milk and sugar.

7. Bartelli Paperless Pour Over Coffee Dripper and Brewer

Our rating: 7 / 10

Bartelli Paperless Pour Over Coffee Dripper and Brewer

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Pros:

  • Very easy to use
  • Easy to clean
  • To simplify the process even more, the Bartelli is made with a pre-wet system, which means you just have to saturate the filter before you start brewing.
  • The tension on the filter is very good since the filter fits snugly on the top of the pot.
  • You can use any size cup, anywhere from a travel cup to a cup that holds about 24 ounces.
  • The quality of the coffee produced is a very good espresso-like roast from robusta coffee beans that you purchase separately.
  • The filter itself will last at least 50 uses, so it should not be too much of a hassle if you have to buy a couple of filters.
  • The presentation of this product is such that it could be one of the best gifts for coffee-loving friends and family. The packaging is very nice with clear instructions.

8. Tanors 700443183734 INV Coffee Dripper

Our rating: 5 / 10

Tanors 700443183734 INV Coffee Dripper

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Pros:

  • Well suited for all coffee drinkers
  • Can be used for tea
  • 3-ply filter
  • 14 oz
  • Dishwasher safe
  • Microwave safe
  • Good price

Cons:

  • Filter is less durable in some cases
  • Relatively small coffee particles may come through
  • Can warp if the lid is placed on too hard
  • Can be a bit delicate

7 Cup, Lightweight Aluminum.

The pour over is quickly becoming one of the most popular ways to make coffee, even if it isn’t quite as convenient as an automatic drip.

That may, however, be part of the appeal, for many people. The main draw, of course, is that it’s a low-tech way to brew coffee, and if you get the right pour over coffee makers, you don’t really have to do anything to make it except place the right amount of ground coffee into the mesh filter and pour hot water into it.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

What is the best pour over coffee maker?

The best coffee maker for you is the one that fits the way you want to brew. For some, this is just the ease of using a Chemex. They also like that the permanent filters are easy to clean and reuse.

For others, it’s all about the immersion method and a cone shaped coffee filter. Using an immersion brewer allows you to customize the strength of your coffee by stopping the brewing process at the desired time. This is perfect for more flavorful coffees.

Other users love the French Press. They choose it because it’s easy to use and clean.

Is pour over coffee really better?

Yes.

Here’s why:

Pour over coffee is typically brewed at a lower temperature than a traditional drip brewer. This helps preserve the integrity of the oils and acids responsible for the coffee's flavor. Also, pour over coffee is brewed individually on a very small scale, which preserves the taste and allows you to brew the amount of coffee you want, instead of large amounts at a time.

How much is a cup of cold brew coffee?

It’s cheaper and more filling than ever! The New York Times reports that cold brew is cheap and it’s easy to scale the recipe up or down for different environments.

Are you looking for a budget traveler option? You can repurpose an old soda bottle and add coffee grounds and water. Just make sure to use a lid and this method will work well.

How do you make the perfect pour over coffee?

The process is simple and doesn’t require any fancy techniques or equipment … just some good old-fashioned filtering. Here are the basic steps:

Aerate your coffee grounds or beans by shaking the bag or container to loosen the surface.

Set up your BPA-free pour over coffee brewer (see below for our suggested options.)

Add your freshly ground beans to the filter.

Dunk and swirl the grounds to saturate all sides.

Slowly pour around your grounds taking care not to disturb them.

Settle your grounds with the back of your spoon.

Take the lid off, set a timer, and calmly walk away.

What is the best coffee dripper?

By FAR the pour-over coffee makers are the best way to make a cup of coffee. They produce some of the most amazing coffee you’ll ever drink. The things that pour over coffee makers offer can just NOT be had with automatic makers.

The pour over process allows for you to be in complete control of the brewing process. You control the flavor profile of your coffee. If you're using a manual coffee pot then you can even control the amount of time and amount of water that goes into the coffee, both of which can change the overall flavor. With an automatic maker these options are predetermined, which means you give up some control.

Conclusion

For quality pour over coffee makers, you can’t go wrong with the Hario V60 Ceramic Coffee Dripper or the Filtron Cold Water Coffee Brewer (both are listed further below). The Filtron is the more economical option, but if you want to step your disposable coffee brewer quality up a notch, the Hario Ceramic Coffee Dripper is the one for you.

Our Recommendation

NameCategoryProduct
Hario V60 Ceramic Coffee DripperBest OverallHario V60 Ceramic Coffee Dripper
Melitta Ready Set Joe Single Cup Coffee BrewerBudget PickMelitta Ready Set Joe Single Cup Coffee Brewer
CHEMEX Pour-Over Glass CoffeemakerUpgrade PickCHEMEX Pour-Over Glass Coffeemaker