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Coffee · Equipment
Best Pour Over Coffee Makers Chemex vs V60 vs Kalita Wave
Affiliate disclosure: brewing.com earns a commission from qualifying Amazon purchases. Picks are editorial and not based on hands-on lab testing. How we pick products
| Pick | Best for | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Chemex 8-Cup Classic Series | Best overall | $48.95 ↗ as of 17 Sep 2026, 2:18am GMT+0000 Details (paid link) |
| Chemex 6-Cup Classic Series | Same brewer, smaller | $47.03 ↗ as of 17 Sep 2026, 2:18am GMT+0000 Details (paid link) |
| Chemex Glass Handle 8-Cup | Worth a look | $47.95 ↗ as of 17 Sep 2026, 2:18am GMT+0000 Details (paid link) |
| Hario V60 Ceramic Dripper (Size 02) | Worth a look | $12.14 ↗ as of 17 Sep 2026, 2:18am GMT+0000 Details (paid link) |
| Hario V60 Plastic Dripper, Size 02 | Best value | $12.14 ↗ as of 17 Sep 2026, 2:18am GMT+0000 Details (paid link) |
| Hario V60 Ceramic Pour Over Set, Size 02 | Best for beginners | $33.64 ↗ as of 17 Sep 2026, 2:18am GMT+0000 Details (paid link) |
| Hario, V60 Dripper 01 Clear | Most forgiving | $10.95 ↗ as of 17 Sep 2026, 2:18am GMT+0000 Details (paid link) |
| Kalita Wave 185 Pour Over Dripper, 16-26 oz | For one or two cups | $19.85 ↗ as of 17 Sep 2026, 2:18am GMT+0000 Details (paid link) |
Prices come from Amazon and refresh nightly. A pick shows “Check price” when we do not have a current figure for it.
Pour over coffee is experiencing a renaissance, and for good reason—it produces some of the cleanest, most flavorful coffee you can brew at home. But with dozens of pour over brewers on the market, which one is right for you?
These picks cover the three major pour-over geometries. They are chosen on cone angle and drawdown behaviour, how easy the filters are to buy, and what each material does to heat retention.
Quick Picks
- Best Overall: Chemex 8-Cup Classic
- Best Value: Hario V60 Plastic
- Most Forgiving: Kalita Wave 185
- Best for Beginners: Hario V60 Ceramic Set
Complete Pour Over Systems
Chemex 8-Cup Classic Series
Best overall
Chemex 8-Cup Classic Series
The thick bonded filters strip oils and fines in a way no other brewer here does, which is why the Chemex is the choice for light roasts and single origins. It doubles as the serving carafe, so there is one fewer thing on the counter.
The Chemex isn’t just a coffee maker—it’s an icon. This hourglass-shaped brewer produces exceptionally clean coffee while looking gorgeous on your counter.
Why We Love It:
- Thick bonded filters remove oils for ultra-clean taste
- Makes 3-4 cups (40oz total capacity)
- Doubles as a serving carafe
- Classic wood collar design
Best For: Coffee purists who want clarity and clean flavors. Perfect for lighter roasts and single origins.
Chemex 6-Cup Classic
Same brewer, smaller
Chemex 6-Cup Classic Series
Identical design and identical filters in a size that suits one or two drinkers. Buy this one unless you are regularly brewing for a table.
Same great design in a more compact size. Perfect for 1-2 coffee drinkers.
Worth a look
Chemex Glass Handle 8-Cup
Dishwasher-safe glass handle version. No wood collar to maintain, easier to clean. It goes in and out of stock more than the classic collar version, so check availability before setting your heart on it.
Hario V60 – The Coffee Geek’s Choice
Worth a look
Hario V60 Ceramic Dripper (Size 02)
The V60 is the barista's favorite for good reason—it offers unmatched control over your brew. The cone shape and spiral ribs allow for excellent water flow control. The ceramic version holds heat better than the plastic one, and is the one to buy if the dripper lives on your counter rather than in a bag.
Features:
- 60-degree cone angle for optimal extraction
- Large single hole for flow rate control
- Spiral ribs prevent filter clogging
- Ceramic retains heat well
- Brews 1-4 cups
The Learning Curve: The V60 rewards skill but punishes mistakes. Your pour technique matters—too fast and you’ll under-extract, too slow and you’ll over-extract. But once you nail it, the coffee is exceptional.
Hario V60 Plastic Dripper
Best value
Hario V60 Plastic Dripper, Size 02
The same 60-degree cone, single large hole and spiral ribs as the ceramic, for a fraction of the outlay. It gives up some heat retention and gains near-indestructibility, which makes it the right first V60 and the right travel V60.
Best bang for your buck in all of coffee. Same design as the ceramic, slightly less heat retention. Perfect for beginners or travel.
Hario V60 Pour Over Set
Best for beginners
Hario V60 Ceramic Pour Over Set, Size 02
The ceramic dripper, a glass server, a scoop and a starter pack of filters in one box, so there is nothing else to work out before your first brew. The set is the cheapest way to arrive at a complete V60 setup rather than assembling one piece at a time.
Complete starter set. Everything you need to start brewing.
Kalita Wave – The Forgiving Option
Kalita Wave 185
Most forgiving
Hario, V60 Dripper 01 Clear
The previous pick here was discontinued, and this is the closest current listing in the same class at a comparable price. It fills the same slot: Most forgiving. We have not tested it, and the specifics below come from the listing rather than from us.
The Kalita Wave’s flat-bottom design and three-hole system makes it the most forgiving pour over brewer. Even if your technique isn’t perfect, you’ll still get good coffee.
Why It’s More Forgiving:
- Flat bottom = more even extraction
- Wave filters add agitation
- Three holes distribute flow evenly
- Less sensitive to pour technique
- Consistent results batch after batch
Best For: Beginners who want great coffee without mastering advanced technique. Also great for busy mornings when you don’t have time to be precious about your pour.
Kalita Wave 185 – Single Cup Size
For one or two cups
Kalita Wave 185 Pour Over Dripper, 16-26 oz
The same flat-bottom, three-hole geometry sized for a single mug or two small ones. Uses the same Wave 185 filters, so you are not buying into a second filter size.
Same brewing behaviour, sized for one or two cups at a time.
Pour Over Technique Tips
The Basic Recipe
- Ratio: 1:16 (coffee:water) – Try 20g coffee to 320g water
- Water Temp: 195-205°F (just off boil)
- Grind: Medium-fine (like granulated sugar)
- Time: 2.5-3.5 minutes total brew
Our Top Recommendation
For most coffee lovers, we recommend starting with the Hario V60 Ceramic Dripper or the complete V60 Pour Over Set. It’s affordable, makes excellent coffee, and teaches you proper technique that transfers to any brewing method.
If you want something more forgiving or brew for groups regularly, go with the Chemex 8-Cup or Kalita Wave 185.
Can’t decide? Get the Hario V60 Plastic and try it out. It is cheap enough that if you don’t love it, you’re only out lunch money.
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