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

There’s nothing like a pour over coffee maker to get that beautiful aroma of freshly brewed coffee in your home.

And of course the coffee tastes amazing – so much better than instant coffee.

pouring coffee

There are hundreds of pour over coffee makers available now and choosing which one is the best for you and your family can be a hard task.

With so much information available and the sheer volume of options, it can be easy to just give up and buy the first one you see.

This can lead to disappointment when you realise it really wasn’t the best machine for you.

Not to worry.

We’ve spent months researching pour over coffee makers so that you don’t have to.

Below you will find reviews of our picks for the best nine pour over coffee makers to buy in 2020 plus a buyer’s guide to help you make the right choice for you.

Best of the Best

Hario V60 Ceramic Pour Over Coffee Dripper, Size 02, White

Best Budget Pick

Primula Brew Buddy Portable Pour Over, Reusable Fine Mesh Filter, Dishwasher Safe, Single Cup of Coffee or Tea At Any Strength, Ideal For Travel or Camping, Red

Best Chemex

Chemex 8-Cup Classic Series Glass Coffeemaker

How to Choose the Best Pour Over Coffee Maker – Buyer’s Guide

Below you will find some tips to help you choose your perfect pour over coffee maker, tips for getting the best tasting coffee from the machines, and who these types of machines are best suited to!

pour over dripper

There are many elements to consider when choosing your pour over coffee dripper. Some of the main elements to think about are: 

Your Budget

Decide how much you can afford to spend on the coffee maker before you start browsing. There is nothing more disheartening than finding your ideal product and then learning it’s over your budget

How much you already know about the brewing process

If you are pretty savvy when it comes to brewing coffee, or you don’t mind a trial and error process, choosing a machine that allows you to customise your drink can improve your experience a lot.

Do you want a single serve or a multi serve machine?

If you are the only one who drinks coffee, and you only get through a cup or two a day, a single serve is ideal for you.

If you have a few coffee drinkers in the home, or entertain regularly, a multi serve may be best suited to you to reduce the time it takes to make each cup.

Reusable filter or filter papers?

Filter papers can become expensive over time, and of course it’s one more waste product to justify.

However, if you like the convenience of making your coffee and dumping the filter rather than having to clean it and reattach it, then paper filters might still be your best choice. The inconvenience of cleaning the filter can have an impact if you drink a lot of coffee.

It has to be said though that the reusable filters do provide a much better tasting coffee as they don’t extract the natural oils which can soak into paper filters

Do you have a brand preference?

Obviously if you do have a brand or two you love, it will make the process of choosing your pour over coffee maker easier.

If you’re willing to think more widely though, you will find that sometimes the cheaper brands do everything your favourite brands do.

Check the reviews before you buy a cheaper brand – you might just be surprised to learn that expensive doesn’t always mean better!


Best Pour Over Coffee Makers 2020 - Top 8 Reviews

Before we delve right into the reviews, let’s first take a look at the table below. You will see a quick reference guide highlighting some of the main considerations people make when choosing a new pour over coffee machine.

This will help you narrow down your search before diving into the reviews!

Amazon Product
Hario V60 Ceramic Coffee Dripper
  • Type: Single Serve
  • Durable, ceramic body
  • Perfect for beginners and experts alike
View on Amazon →
Amazon Product
Kalita Wave 185 Drippers
  • Type: Single Serve
  • Made of Stainless steel
  • Flat-bottom coffee bed geometry
View on Amazon →
Amazon Product
Bodum Pour Over Coffee Maker
  • Type: Multi Serve
  • Borosilicate Glass Carafe
  • Stainless Steel Permanent Filter
View on Amazon →
Amazon Product
Bartelli Paperless Pour Over Coffee Dripper
  • Type: Single Serve
  • 18/10 stainless steel double filter
  • Good alternative to disposable paper filters
View on Amazon →
Amazon Product
Melitta Ready Set Joe Single Cup
  • Type: Single Serve
  • Dishwasher safe
  • Fits all standard coffee mugs
View on Amazon →
Amazon Product
Tanors Ceramic Coffee Dripper
  • Type: Single Serve
  • Uses highest grade ceramic
  • Hand-crafted coffee dripper
View on Amazon →
Amazon Product
Chemex Classic Series Glass Coffee Maker
  • Type: Multi Serve
  • Made of non-porous Borosilicate glass
  • 8 cup pour over coffee maker
View on Amazon →
Amazon Product
Primula Single Serve Coffee Brew Buddy
  • Type: Single Serve
  • Makes coffee in as little as 30 seconds
  • Reusable fine mesh filter
View on Amazon →

Below you will find more in depth reviews of each of the models listed in the table so you can have a fuller understanding of each machine.

By using the comparison table, you will already have an idea of the range of machines that have caught your attention and this section aims to narrow that short list down even further.

1. Hario V60 Ceramic Coffee Dripper – Best of the Best

Very hands on brewing allowing you, the user, to control brewing time and temperature.

Hario V60 Ceramic Pour Over Coffee Dripper, Size 02, White

Specifications:

  • Dimensions: 20 x 15 x 14 inches
  • Item Weight: 1.07 pounds
  • Designed and manufactured in Japan

This easy to use coffee dripper sits on top of your cup and drips your coffee in as it brews. You have full control of the time it takes to brew your coffee, the flow of the water and the temperature of the water, which means you can get your coffee exactly the way you like it.

It comes in a choice of ceramic, glass, plastic and metal and a full range of colours so you’re guaranteed to find a design that suits your tastes and décor.

Priced under $20, it’s also good value for money.

THE GOOD

  • Good, sturdy design
  • Customisable to your tastes
  • Easy to clean

THE BAD

  • You have to buy papers
  • Getting your preference right can be tricky in the beginning

What's the bottom line?

The Hario V60 is ideal for users who have brewed their own coffee before and know how to get their perfect taste using grind, flow and temperature or are willing to learn.


The Wave series from Kalita is the premier coffee dripper available on the market.

Kalita Wave 185 Drippers

Specifications:

  • Dimensions: 4.8 x 4.5 x 2.5 inches
  • Item Weight: 0.32 ounces

The Kalita Wave features a unique design that involves a combination of a flat bottomed bed for your coffee and a wave design down the filter. It also has a three hole dripping system. Combined together, these three components work together to provide the perfect brewing conditions.

You don’t have to really know what you’re doing to get a good cup of coffee from this dripper. Simply grind your coffee and pop it in and the well designed dripper does the rest!

This model is available in stainless steel, glass and ceramic variations so you will be able to choose your preferred medium. Coming in at just over $20, it’s not the cheapest model but it does give out a great tasting cup of coffee every time and it’s so easy to use that even the most beginner barista will have no trouble with it.

THE GOOD

  • Easy to use
  • Good, innovative brewing  design
  • Great tasting coffee

THE BAD

  • Quite expensive for a single serve model
  • You have to buy papers

What's the bottom line?

The Kalita Wave is perfect for beginners and experts alike. You don’t need to have any experience with making coffee to get a great tasting cup every time with this design.


The Bodum pour over offers excellent, rich taste and robust aroma while maintaining the natural oils of the ground coffee.

Bodum Pour Over Coffee Maker with Permanent Filter, 1 Liter, 34 Ounce, Black Band

Specifications:

  • Dimensions: 5.4 x 0.9 x 5.4 inches
  • Item Weight: 1.08 pounds

The Bodum Pour Over coffee maker is a multi serve dripper that serves up 34oz per pot (the average cup is around 50z). This is great as once you set it away, you don’t have to keep thinking about grinding more coffee each time you want a cup.

It’s really easy to use. Simply add your coffee, pour a little water in a circular motion to ensure all of the grounds get soaked and then add the rest of the water. Within just four minutes, your coffee will be brewed and ready to drink.

The built in filter ensures that no essential oils are removed from your coffee grounds giving you the full, intense flavour of your coffee.

Retailing at under $20, this coffee dripper is already a bargain, and when you add in the fact that you don’t need to buy papers, you can see why it’s a winner!

THE GOOD

  • Good price
  • Makes more than one cup
  • Simple to use
  • No papers to buy

THE BAD

  • Need to wash the filter between uses
  • You have to fish the filter out before you serve the coffee

What's the bottom line?

The Bodum Pour Over is great for anyone who wants to make a batch of coffee without having to spend a fortune on a larger pour over dripper.


Bartelli pour over coffee filter cone is of true luxury quality and engineered to give you a perfectly brewed cup of coffee with each and every use.

Bartelli Paperless Pour Over Coffee Dripper and Brewer - Permanent Reusable Stainless Steel Filter - Single Serve Cup or Small Pot

Specifications:

  • Dimensions: 5.2 x 4.2 x 5.5 inches
  • Item Weight: 5.6 ounces
  • 18/10 stainless steel double filter

The Bartelli Paperless obviously doesn’t require paper filters making sure you don’t lose any of your flavour and saving you money on buying paper filters.

The small holes in the filter ensure that no grounds drop into your cup, regardless of how fine you like to ground your coffee beans.

The dripper is made to fit most cups and it will even fit most carafes, which means that even though this is technically a single serve dripper you can make more than one cup at a time. You will need to re-add coffee for each cup though so it really is best used for one or two cups at a time.

THE GOOD

  • Paperless meaning your coffee tastes better and it saves you money
  • Sturdy and built to last
  • Dishwasher friendly

THE BAD

  • It’s quite expensive at around $20 when it doesn’t really do much
  • It’s quite slow to brew

What's the bottom line?

The Bartelli Paperless is ideal for anyone who doesn’t mind spending the extra to get a good quality product that lasts. It doesn’t make the coffee taste any better than other paperless drippers but it does last well.


The Melitta 64007B single cup coffee filter cone is not glamorous but it is the easiest, cleanest and most economical way we know to brew a phenomenal cup of coffee at home.

Melitta Ready Set Joe Single Cup Coffee Brewer

Specifications:

  • Dimensions: 8.2 x 5 x 4.5 inches
  • Item Weight: 7.4 ounces
  • Dishwasher safe

Really what the brand themselves say about the Melitta coffee brewer says it all. This no frills pour over coffee maker isn’t much to look at, but really, who cares? It makes great tasting coffee and it’s quick and easy to use. It’s also dishwasher safe.

You do need to buy papers for this one, but when it retails for less than $6, it’s going to take a while before buying the filters even comes close to the initial layout for a permanent filter machine.

THE GOOD

  • Makes great coffee
  • Cheaper than some coffee shops charge for one cup of coffee!
  • Easy to use and clean

THE BAD

  • Requires paper filters
  • Doesn’t look much

What's the bottom line?

The Melitta coffee brewer is ideal for anyone who puts good value above aesthetics. This pour over brewer might not look much, but it makes great coffee and that’s surely the most important consideration. It’s the perfect product for anyone on a budget. It’ll feel like you’ve treated yourself without any of the guilt!


The Tanors Ceramic Coffee Cone Dripper allows you to maintain complete control of your pour over brewing experience making your delicious cup of coffee an art form.

Tanors 700443183734 INV Coffee Dripper, White

Specifications:

  • Dimensions: 4 x 4 x 4 inches
  • Item Weight: 1 pounds
  • Uses highest grade ceramic

The ceramic used to make the Tanors coffee dripper absorbs the heat allowing for an even brewing process but the handle remains cool ensuring you can touch the dripper and remove it when you’re ready to.

The dripper is made at a unique angle which promotes an even flow of water ensuring you get an even, full brew. The large extraction hole allows you to control the speed of brew which gives you full control over the taste and strength of your coffee.

Although in theory it’s easy enough to use, it is aimed more at people who have used these types of machines before and have a good idea of how the grind of your coffee affects the brewing process and the taste.

The fast extraction will ensure you get the full taste of your coffee, but that same extraction also will show any flaws in the coffee, so you should only really buy this machine if you are willing to pay extra to get a high premium coffee bean.

THE GOOD

  • Makes a good, consistent coffee
  • Cheap to buy at under $10
  • Well made

THE BAD

  • Needs paper filters
  • Not really suitable for beginners

What's the bottom line?

The Tanors coffee dripper is a great bargain buy for anyone who understands the brewing process and uses a premium roast coffee bean. If you are not confident in how to brew a good cup of coffee, this one might not be the best choice for you.


Known as a pristine coffee maker, Chemex employs all of the chemically correct methods for brewing.Known as a pristine coffee maker, Chemex employs all of the chemically correct methods for brewing.

Chemex Pour-Over Glass Coffeemaker - Classic Series - 8-Cup - Exclusive Packaging

Specifications:

  • Dimensions: 9.6 x 6.4 x 1.3 inches
  • Item Weight: 1.3 pounds
  • Made of the highest quality, non-porous Borosilicate glass

Its hour glass shaped flask is made entirely of glass, a chemically inert material that does not absorb odours or chemical residues. The Chemex Glass Coffee Maker has no moving parts and will work forever unless it is dropped or in some other way demolished. 

Of course you can’t think coffee without thinking of Chemex. We tested several of their models and we chose this one to feature as it really is the best Chemex coffee maker available.

It’s not cheap, retailing at around the $50 mark, but for a pretty much indestructible product (unless of course you drop it) it’s a bargain really.

The glass jug features a wooden collar to prevent you from getting burned while pouring your coffee. The wooden collar easily attaches and comes off for cleaning purposes using a leather tie strap.

THE GOOD

  • Can brew anywhere up to eight cups of coffee at one time
  • Top 100 best designed products of modern times by the Illinois Institute of Technology
  • Makes great coffee with little fuss or waiting time
  • Durable

THE BAD

  • You have to use Chemex branded paper filters which don’t come cheap

What's the bottom line?

This machine is ideal for anyone who sees their coffee machine as an investment. If your budget allows for this machine, you won’t go wrong at all.


At Primula they create items by exploring how people prepare beverages in different cultures and work to understand the experience and ritual behind these preparations.

Primula Brew Buddy Portable Pour Over, Reusable Fine Mesh Filter, Dishwasher Safe, Single Cup of Coffee or Tea At Any Strength, Ideal For Travel or Camping, Red

Specifications:

  • Dimensions: 4.2 x 4.2 x 1.6 inches
  • Item Weight: 1.6 ounces
  • Makes coffee in as little as 30 seconds
  • Reusable fine mesh filter

The Primula Coffee Brew Buddy is nifty little filter that will sit in most cups or mugs. So easy to use, you simply add your coffee, and pour your water through it. It can be used to make any strength of coffee simply by adding the amount of beans you desire.

Once you hit your desired strengths, simply lift the filter out of the cup.

Designed with travel in mind, the Primula Coffee Brew Buddy is small and compact and perfectly easy to carry around when travelling. It barely takes up any room and its really lightweight. And of course, you don’t need filter papers so it’s one less thing to carry around or source at your destination.

The dripper makes good enough coffee to use as your primary coffee dripper, but for the cheap price (it retails at under $20) it is also cheap enough to use simply when you are travelling.

THE GOOD

  • Small and light weight
  • Easy to useInexpensive
  • Can make any strength coffee you desire
  • No filter papers required

THE BAD

  • To really control the strength of the coffee, you need to keep an eye on the brewing process so you can whip it out on time
  • Not the most attractive pour over coffee maker for the home

What's the bottom line?

The Primula Coffee Brew Buddy is ideal for anyone who travels a lot and wants the home comforts of a good cup of coffee made easy without having to lug a larger machine around everywhere.


Top Tips for Getting the Best Cup of Coffee Every Time

To really get the most out of your pour over brewer and get great tasting coffee each time, there are some things you should definitely consider, whichever model you choose:

pour-over coffee

Only use freshly ground coffee

The pre-packaged grounds don’t have the depth of flavour and aroma that freshly ground coffee does.

Grind your coffee immediately before use

It only takes a couple of minutes for the beans to start to lose their flavour. Pre-grinding can be tempting to save time later, but your taste buds will thank you for those extra couple of minutes! Check out these coffee grinders that are the best for pour over coffee

Use the best quality coffee you can afford

As a rule of thumb, the more premium a roast is (usually darker and oilier) the coarser the grind should be, but don’t be afraid to experiment a bit and find your flavor.

Use the machines as directed

Don’t be tempted to buy cheap filter papers for example. They might work, but chances are you’ll end up with grounds in your cup and the coffee won’t taste as good as it should

  • If you use paper filters, use the ones the manual tells you to use
  • If you use a reusable filter, don’t be tempted to brew more than once without at least rinsing the filter in between

Who Are Pour Over Coffee Makers the Ideal Choice for?

Pour over coffee makers are the ideal choice for anyone who loves the authentic smell and taste of freshly ground coffee in their home.

The taste of the coffee beats a pod machine, and they are much easier to use than a barista style drip coffee machine.

Every coffee loving home should have one!

We hope that you have found our guide useful and you now have a much clearer idea of the pour over coffee maker that you want to purchase next.

Happy brewing!


Dennies John

Dennies is the founder and editor-in-chief of Dripped Coffee. He is a trained barista who knows coffee like the back of his hand. When he's not brewing coffee, you can find him fishing or swimming.

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