I love the smell of freshly brewed coffee as much as the next person, but sometimes a drip coffee machine is more hassle than it's worth. If you agree, you may also enjoy the simplicity of a pour-over coffee maker. I've been using an Oxo set for my morning caffeine fix for a few years now, and recently pitted it against 11 other highly rated options to find the best pour-over coffee makers.
In this story
The process for pour-over coffee is pretty simple: You put medium-fine ground coffee in a filter/dripper, followed by hot-but-not-boiling water, and repeat until all the water is used and the coffee is brewed. The differences in pour-over systems lie in their materials, the shape of the dripper and the type of filter. I brewed multiple cups of coffee in each maker, paying close attention to how easy it was to use, size, cleanup and cost.
Best pour-over coffee makers of 2026
Lisa Schweitzer/Yahoo
Style:Dripper | Material:Glass, plastic | Dimensions:4.75"D x 4.75"W x 3.75"H | Capactiy:2-4 cups | Dishwasher-safe:No
With its flat bottom, the Kalita Wave couldn't be any easier to use. A basket-shaped paper filter rests perfectly in the bottom of the three-hole dripper — no need to jostle it into a cone shape. To brew coffee, all you do is pop the Wave on top of your usual mug with the filter in place, add your grounds, bloom them and then pour in the rest of your water in two short segments.
Why it's great:The Kalita Wave brewed a strong cup of joe with little fanfare and no sediment — plus, this model makes 16 to 26 ounces of coffee, depending on your needs. Once you've brewed the coffee, you can lift out the filter and grounds and toss them all into a compost bin. The remaining cleanup takes only seconds: Simply rinse the brewer with warm, soapy water.
If it makes you nervous that the top portion of the Wave is made from glass, know that this model also comes in durable (but more expensive) stainless steel . Both versions are compact and easy to store in a drawer or cabinet.
Minor criticisms:Kalita makes filters designed to perfectly fit its brewer, but they may not be available at your grocery store. Ordering them online isn't too much of a hassle, but it's nice to run out and buy more filters at a moment's notice.
- Easy to use
- Affordable
- Best for strong coffee
- Hand-wash only
- Must use Kalita filters
Lisa Schweitzer/Yahoo
Style:Dripper | Material:Plastic | Dimensions:5.4"D x 4.6"W x 4"H | Capactiy:1-4 cups | Dishwasher-safe:Yes
An excellent budget-friendly dripper, the Hario V60 does require a slightly more complicated technique. But it's easy to master after using the coffee maker a few times.
Why it's great:For the price of two lattes, this pour-over dripper is an automatic "add to cart." It comes in handy if you're looking for a new coffee experience, want an extra dripper to keep at the office, or just to experiment with. Hario sells its own filters, but you can also use standard #4 cone filters , which are easily accessible at your local supermarket or online.
Unlike the Kalita's flat-bottom shape, the V60 has a conical shape, somewhat like a funnel. This means two things: It brews coffee faster because water flows through the single hole more quickly, and you must pay more attention to how you pour water into the dripper, as the grounds can collect on the sides of the filter and spend less time submerged, leading to a weaker brew.
Minor criticisms:The largest drawback to the Hario V60 is that you really need a gooseneck kettle , so you can control the speed and placement of your water, ensuring the grounds get the proper coverage for brewing. Pouring the water in slow circles, from the middle to the edges and back again, is key.
- Easy to clean
- Durable
- Doesn't need special filters
- Prone to funneling
Lisa Schweitzer/Yahoo
Style:Dripper | Material:Plastic | Dimensions:5.25"D x 5.25"W x 5.25"H | Capactiy:1-2 cups | Dishwasher-safe:Yes
Full disclosure: After a decade of Nespresso machine loyalty, I started using this Oxo pour-over set a few years ago on a friend's suggestion. It's different from the rest, as it features a water tank with holes in the bottom, making the brewing process foolproof for newbies and anyone in a hurry.
Why it's great:To use, pre-rinse a paper filter as you would with other pour-over models, then measure your grounds using your preferred coffee-to-water ratio. After that, you're on easy street. Heat your kettle (any type will do), pour the hot, but not boiling, water into the reservoir, and let it brew. The water drips through the holes at a controlled rate without any oversight from you.
Congratulations! You just reclaimed time to get dressed, cook breakfast or serve as a human alarm clock for teenagers. Coffee connoisseurs would likely not approve of this dumbed-down version of pour-over coffee, but as someone who loves coffee and doesn't have time for the true "process" on busy weekdays, I endorse it.
Minor criticisms:Does the Oxo produce the most sophisticated, rich cup of coffee ever? No. But sometimes convenience is king.
- Hands-off brew process
- Any kettle works; gooseneck style not needed
- Affordable
- Plastic shows wear and tear over time
Lisa Schweitzer/Yahoo
Style:Carafe | Material:Glass, wood | Dimensions:5.25"D x 5.5"W x 8.5"H | Capactiy:4-6 cups | Dishwasher-safe:Yes, but hand-washing is recommended
Chemex has a long history in the pour-over world. The carafe was created and patented in 1941 by Dr. Peter Schlumbohm, a chemist and inventor, and it has been lauded for its design and the taste of its coffee ever since.
Why it's great:The design is timeless, and I wouldn't mind one bit having it sit out on my counter. As for the coffee it produces, I have no complaints: It was smooth and rich with zero sediment.
To make it, you follow the same general process as all the other pour-over sets I tried. Place a filter inside, then add coffee grounds, bloom them and continue pouring water in a circular motion. Once the coffee has brewed, simply lift out the filter and discard it. Chemex claims its branded filters are biodegradable and compostable.
Minor criticisms: Chemex filters are pricey, and depending on how many coffee drinkers you have at home, you can run through them pretty fast. You're also unlikely to find them in your local supermarket for an emergency restock.
- Brews coffee for four or more
- Produces delicious coffee without sediment
- Design is appealing enough for countertop storage
- Dishwasher-safe (but hand-washing recommended)
- Specialty filters must be purchased separately
Lisa Schweitzer/Yahoo
Style:Carafe | Material:Glass, stainless steel | Dimensions:19"D x 25"W x 34"H | Capactiy:2 cups | Dishwasher-safe:No
This pour-over coffee maker from Coffee Gator feels like a cross between the Chemex and a Bodum model I tried (read more about it in the "others we tested" section below). The 14-ounce size is perfect for two moderate coffee drinkers or one who likes to refill their cup during the morning hustle (speaking from over-caffeinated personal experience). For larger batches, this model comes in a 27-ounce version , which is probably the size I would choose next time.
Why it's great:Coffee Gator gives the Chemex a run for its money at a more moderate price. Its carafe and reusable filter are a breeze to set up and use, though its design doesn't compare to that of the Chemex. Still, the carafe size and shape are similar, and both produce a clean cup of coffee with no bitter taste or silt collecting at the bottom, as I found with the Bodum. Its reusable filter has a heat-proof rubber tab that you can hold when lifting the filter, as the metal gets hot.
Minor criticisms:The brew time was a bit longer than others I tried, at about 5 minutes with the 14-ounce carafe. I had no trouble washing the filter by hand with warm, soapy water and a sponge, but I have read reviews that advise cleaning out the grounds immediately to prevent them from getting stuck in the mesh and trapping moisture. If it looks like the mesh has buildup, you can soak the filter in warm, soapy water for 10-15 minutes.
- Handle makes it easy to pour
- Can make coffee for a crowd
- Reusable filter means you never run out of disposable filters
- Glass carafe is fragile
Factors to consider when shopping for pour-over coffee makers
Here's what we looked for in a pour-over coffee maker, and what you should keep in mind while shopping.
✓ Style/shape:This depends on the number of cups you want to make each morning. Drippers generally have the capacity to brew 1-2 cups at a time. Carafes come in sizes that range from 14-65 ounces, which means you can brew coffee for the whole brunch crew or just enough for two.
✓ Material:Most pour-over drippers are made from ceramic, metal, glass or plastic. Depending on your preference, there are worthy options in all those materials and in a variety of price points.
✓ Filter type:Some pour-over systems use disposable paper filters and others come with reusable metal versions. If you know you'll be able to grab a box of filters whenever you need them, a dripper that requires them is no problem. Reusable filters are the more sustainable route — and you'll never run out.
✓ Ease of use:Your morning routine should be enhanced by your coffee maker, not made more challenging, so we looked for pour-over systems with simple and straightforward instructions that produced a satisfying cup of joe.
How we tested pour-over coffee makers
After opening each box, I inspected the drippers and carafes for any scratches or dings and noted how to care for them. I used each one to make pour-over coffee several times.
To rank on our list, the pour-over systems had to excel in the following:
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The "right way" brewing test:I brewed the coffee following instructions from Heidi Rasmussen, senior manager of quality assurance and education at Illy , including the same ratio of coffee to water for each dripper.
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The "brand's way" test:I brewed the coffee according to the coffee maker's instructions, using its recommended coffee-to-water ratio.
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Elbow grease test:I noted how much work it took to clean each pour-over set and whether it was dishwasher-safe.
Other pour-over coffee makers we tested
Bodum 17-oz Pour Over Coffee Maker :I loved the concept of the reusable stainless steel filter and the design of the Bodum glass carafe, which makes about 17 ounces of coffee. Unfortunately, I found that the coffee brewed with quite a bit of sediment at the bottom of the carafe which took it out of the running. It's also available in 34- and 51-ounce sizes.
Yeti Rambler Pour Over Coffee Maker :Like most Yeti products , this one is indestructible and built for travel and the outdoors. The dripper takes V60 #2 paper filters (readily available online) and fits perfectly over the brand's Rambler mug or tumbler, but those are separate purchases. Its shape and size are very similar to the Hario V60 and so are its instructions. If you're looking for a pour-over coffee maker that's great for camping or other rugged use, this is it — but it'll cost you.
Fellow Stagg Pour-Over Coffee Dripper and Carafe Kit :Serious coffee people are deep into all things Fellow, and I can see why. This set is sleek and modern, and would look fabulous in a minimalist kitchen. It brews decent coffee and it's easy to use, but the flat-bottom dripper doesn't feel completely secure when it rests on the carafe. This coffee maker is pretty expensive at about $100, and it requires pricey Fellow disposable filters. On the plus side, the carafe and the dripper are dishwasher-safe.
Origami Japan Pour Over Coffee Dripper :This two-part set would make a great gift for someone who enjoys the art of coffee and has an appreciation for design in general. True to its name, the Origami dripper looks like a pleated ceramic cone that rests in a clear plastic saucer. It's stunning in its simplicity. It requires V60 #2 paper filters and makes a balanced, strong cup of coffee.
Melitta One-Cup Porcelain Pour Over Cone Dripper :Melitta makes all manner of coffee accoutrements, including coffee itself. This classic porcelain wedge-shaped dripper is bulkier than I expected, and honestly, I almost knocked it over a few times, which ultimately knocked it out of the running. It requires Melitta #4 paper filters, which you can usually find in supermarkets, and it brews good coffee, but at a pretty slow pace.
Kalita 102 Ceramic Coffee Dripper :Another ceramic option, this dripper is more compact than the Melitta and fairly easy to use. It has a wedge shape with three holes for dripping and brews at a good pace. You'll really benefit from using a gooseneck kettle to control the flow of water through the grinds, which ultimately determines the pace of the extraction — slower made stronger coffee.
Zero Japan Bee House Pour Over Coffee Dripper :This is another ceramic contender with a wedge design much like the Melitta and Kalita 102, but without a proper handle. The lack of handle was a dealbreaker as it made it awkward to maneuver. This dripper also costs around twice the amount of the Kalita 102 with almost identical performance.
How do you make pour-over coffee?
To ensure we used these pour-over drippers and carafes properly, we asked Rasmussen from Illy for a tutorial.
Step-by-step guide to pour-over coffee
1. Grind beans on medium-fine setting. Weigh grounds at a 16:1 water-to-coffee ratio to start. You can experiment with this to find your perfect coffee strength.
2. Boil water to 205°F.
3. If using a paper filter, rinse it, then discard this water.
4. Place the rinsed filter in the brewer and add the coffee grounds.
5. Pour a small amount of water over the grounds to bloom them for about 30 seconds.
6. Pour the remaining water onto the grounds in slow concentric circles at intervals for a total brew time of 3-5 minutes.
Pour-over coffee makerFAQs
Is pour-over coffee better than drip coffee?
Pour-over coffee and drip coffee are basically the same. The difference lies in the process: A drip machine is basically an automatic pour-over coffee maker, whereas true pour-over is made manually. When you make pour-over with the gadgets in this story, you can control the ratio of coffee to water, the flow of the water, the length of the brewing process and therefore the taste.
What do you need to make pour-over coffee?
The first thing you need is a kitchen scale to weigh the coffee grounds so you can achieve your desired coffee-to-water ratio. You also need beans and a coffee grinder (unless you have your coffee beans ground at the store), paper filters (if your pour-over dripper doesn't have a reusable filter) and a hot water kettle . "A gooseneck kettle is recommended, but you could also use a pitcher with a defined spout," says Rasmussen. "The key is using something that can create a narrow stream and allows the hot water to carefully pour over the grounds in a circular motion, ensuring the coffee grounds are saturated fully," she explains.
What is the best grind size for pour-over coffee?
The best grind size for pour-over coffee is debatable, but we have had consistent success using a medium-fine grind setting.
What is the best temperature for pour-over coffee?
When we asked Rasmussen how to brew the best pour-over coffee, she stressed the importance of water temperature: 205°F is ideal. At that temperature, brewing takes 3-5 minutes, depending on the brewer cone and the filter type.
Meet our expert
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Heidi Rasmussen, senior manager of quality assurance and Education, Illy
Update, April 13, 2026: We checked prices and availability for all products. Our No. 1 pick for the best pour-over coffee maker remains unchanged.
We received complimentary samples of some products and purchased others ourselves, but we reviewed all products using the same objective criteria.
