The 7 Best Pour-Over Coffee Makers, Tested and Reviewed

Oct 14, 2024

We independently evaluate all of our recommendations. If you click on links we provide, we may receive compensation.

These are our top choices for a delicious, customizable cup of strong coffee.

In This Article

Food & Wine / Russell Kilgore

There’s no such thing as having too many coffee makers. While espresso machines produce beautiful lattes and cold brew makers fulfill our warm-weather cravings, pour-over coffee makers are our top choice for a solid cup of plain, black coffee.

“Pour-over coffee is meant to enhance the nuances of a cup of coffee by manually manipulating and controlling the different variables it takes to reach a delicious final product,” says Michael Pocus, co-founder and COO of Domestique Coffee in Birmingham, Alabama. The pour-over method can seem intimidating, but the customizable process is what makes this type of coffee so appealing — after a few practice batches, you'll be a pour-over convert and wonder how you ever started your morning without the meditative ritual.

Whether you’re a pour-over coffee beginner or an expert, there are plenty of models to choose from to suit your skill level. Below, we’ve provided all the information you need to know about the best pour-over coffee makers on the market, according to our side-by-side testing of several different devices. Keep scrolling to learn how each one performed during our tests.

The classic design of the Chemex produces truly incredible coffee.

Chemex strongly recommends one-use paper filters, and the necessary folding and pouring can be tricky.

Designed in 1941 by a chemist, the Chemex Classic Series is one of our overall favorite pieces of coffee gear and preferred among coffee enthusiasts. Many Food & Wine editors turn to this coffee maker for their morning cup. "I’ve used a Chemex for a few years now," says Mary Lagroue, associate commerce editor. "I’m on my third one after clumsily breaking two in the dishwasher, so I recommend hand-washing it. But I keep going back to Chemex because I love its glass design that doesn't alter the coffee's taste. It makes a better brew than any machine I’ve used. Plus, the spout is easy to pour from, and the wooden collar keeps your hand from getting hot."

The Chemex produced one of the best-tasting cups of coffee in our whole test. We loved the smooth, velvety, and floral brews it produced. Chemex's branded single-use filters must be folded in a specific way before use. This isn't particularly eco-friendly and takes some practice to figure out (both the proper fold and pouring through the folded filter without causing it to collapse). There are some reusable metal filters compatible with this pour-over maker, but Chemex doesn't recommend using one. Either way, the heat-resistant glass and a polished wooden handle serve as heat guards for precise handling and pouring.

In addition, you can place the Chemex in the refrigerator to enjoy cold coffee later without worry — its patented glass has no issues with wide temperature changes. We tested the 8-cup version, but the same model comes in six sizes, from 3 to 13 cups. (And if you prefer a handle, the Chemex Glass Handle Series is a little more portable but produced similar taste-test results.) With an all-in-one setup, Chemex brewing is straightforward, requiring only a consistent pour to achieve a great-tasting cup of coffee — it's easy to use even before you've had your morning caffeine.

Materials: Glass, wood | Capacity: 8 cups | Dishwasher-Safe: Yes (hand-wash recommended)

This pour-over offers a straightforward, classic design at a reasonable price, and it produces a stellar cup of coffee.

It takes a lot of coffee grounds to make each cup.

For those who want to avoid enjoying their morning cup at a hefty cost, the 1-cup porcelain pour-over from Melitta offers a reasonably priced alternative. In our tests, this pour-over produced a floral, not-too-bitter, satisfying cup of coffee, and we noted the easy preparation to brew a single cup.

The design is deceptively simple, but a few features make it stand out. We loved the "windows" at the base to let you gauge the flow rate and prevent over-filling, while the inside has ridges that help pull the water downward at a steady pace. Cleanup is simple: Give it a quick rinse with soapy water or place it on the top rack of the dishwasher. Our only complaint is that the directions call for the most coffee grounds of any model we tested. That made great coffee that didn't taste over-brewed, but you might end up going through more beans with the Melitta than with other pour-over coffee makers.

Material: Porcelain | Capacity: Single-cup | Dishwasher-Safe: Yes

Simple and sturdy, this coffee maker produces a quality cup with minimal skills required.

It's expensive for such a basic device.

Available in 16 colorways, the single-cup option from Origami Japan marries form and function for an approachable pour-over experience any beginner could quickly master. Made from high-density clay using a ceramic-making technique almost 500 years old and known for its high heat retention, the Origami Dripper features 20 folds that encourage a quick drip and fast brew time. During testing, the straightforward setup made it easy to get started, even if you have no experience with pour-overs. We appreciated the secure fit of the separate parts; we didn't feel like there was any risk of tumbling or tipping.

The coffee maker produced perfectly balanced and smooth coffee with a mild acidity. And with only two pieces to clean, a quick rinse with warm, soapy water was enough to get it back to sparkling clean. If you're new to pour-overs, this is an easy-to-use setup, but it is a bit pricey if you're unsure if you'll use it often. Just be aware that you need to add on a dripper holder (or buy a bundle that includes one) to keep the brewer in place atop your mug; when you add the two together, it's a fairly high cost for such a simple coffee maker.

Material: Porcelain | Capacity: Single-cup | Dishwasher-Safe: No

This pour-over maker is an attractive and convenient all-in-one setup that makes a solid cup of coffee and looks good doing it.

We missed the portholes at the cup’s base to monitor coffee flow found on a different Melitta model.

Featuring a design similar to our best value pick, the pour-over coffee maker and canister set from Melitta is equipped with everything you need to keep your coffee setup on view at all times. Sitting atop a bamboo tray is a pour-over dripper, a coffee filter holder, and a porcelain jar to store coffee grounds. During our tests, we noted a balanced, fragrant, and floral brew, although we did find ourselves missing the "portholes" in the standard Melitta dripper above — it's harder to tell when to stop pouring. The coffee was enjoyable, and getting a cup that wasn't too weak or too strong was easy.

The convenient tray also makes it easy to transport to another area or room, and we think the set would also make a great gift for a coffee lover. It's attractive and meant to be displayed, at home on your countertop or kitchen table, which is can be a boon if you're short on cabinet space. It's even top-rack dishwasher-safe.

Materials: Porcelain, bamboo | Capacity: Single-cup | Dishwasher-Safe: Yes

The reusable filter avoids the hassle of purchasing disposables, and the generous carafe makes multiple cups at a time.

Cleaning is more complicated than with single-use filters.

If you don't want to spend money on paper filters, consider the more eco-friendly reusable option in the Coffee Gator. During testing, it was easy to assemble: The conical filter holds itself in place in the top of the carafe, and a heatproof tab lets you rotate and adjust while you pour water, then remove to serve.Our tests produced a cup of coffee that was very mellow, fruity, slightly floral, and very balanced — excellent overall. Plus, the bottom half of the carafe holds 27 ounces — enough for five-plus servings. It's quite reasonably priced and a fine choice for beginners or long-time pour-over fans.

Since the filter is reusable, however, the Coffee Gator requires more frequent and thorough cleaning. It must be dumped out and washed with warm, soapy water immediately after use. Leaving grounds sitting in the filter can lead to clogs and sediment build-up, not to mention bacterial growth.

Materials: Glass, stainless steel | Capacity: 5 cups | Dishwasher-Safe: No

This pour-over maker is a compact, modern device that outperformed many of its larger counterparts.

Its filter-folding and pouring techniques take practice to perfect.

Well-designed with a sleek, modern appearance, the Funnex is Chemex's single-serving pour-over maker, and it's similarly a top-tier choice for quality brews and a pleasant brewing experience. Made of double-walled borosilicate glass, it has a silicone gasket compatible with all types of cups, mugs, and insulated bottles. Though it's dishwasher-safe, a simple rinse with warm running water is all that's required during regular use.

The Funnex is much more portable than the Chemex Classic, and it stashes away comfortably when not in use. But don't be fooled by its size: It performed exceptionally well in our tests. Each batch tasted consistently excellent, with a strong aroma, sweet flavor, and minimal acidity.

Using this coffee maker might be a bit difficult for a beginner; there's a technique to folding the filters that takes some practice to get used to. But after a few brews and experiments, we think this coffee maker will surely become necessary in your morning coffee routine.

Materials: Glass, silicone | Capacity: Single-serving | Dishwasher-Safe: Yes

We love this maker's clever collapsible design that makes quality coffee possible on the go.

The setup and brewing procedure are complicated.

For camping, commuting, and any other travel situations, this is our pour-over coffee maker of choice. Its three stainless steel panels snap together to create a triangular dripper that can sit atop most any size mug or other vessel, then collapse flat to slip into the included wallet-sized carrying case. We like its durable construction; for a reasonable price, you get a brewer that can withstand serious wear and tear. Travel aside, the Miir Pourigami is also an excellent option for those with limited drawer space.

Getting the pieces interlocked correctly can take some practice, and it requires a precise hand while pouring water to avoid overflow. During testing, the batch made using the user manual's ratio of grounds to water left us wanting a bit more, but the batch we made using our standard brewing procedure made a better cup. We detected a slightly spiced flavor profile with some pleasant sharpness and less bitter notes.

Material: Stainless steel | Capacity: Single-cup | Dishwasher-Safe: Yes

We love the Chemex Classic Series 8-Cup Coffeemaker for its sleek design and large capacity. For a single-cup option that provides excellent quality at a competitive price, turn to the Melitta 1 Cup Porcelain Pour-Over Cone Coffeemaker.

In our test kitchen, we performed side-by-side testing on 23 top pour-over coffee makers, including single-cup drippers and ones with built-in carafes. Before we got to brewing, we made general observations about the models, looking at qualities like maximum capacity, materials, type of filter, and how complicated each was to assemble and set up.

After brewing and cleaning testing, we revealed the retail prices of each pour-over coffee maker to compare and consider value for money. At the time of testing, the models in our test ranged from $8 to $99, with an average of $40.

Food & Wine / Russell Kilgore

There are two main styles of pour-over coffee maker: A dripper sits on top of a separate mug, while a carafe model has its own built-in vessel for holding the finished coffee. The pour-over brewing procedure is pretty much the same either way, but a dripper is generally smaller and intended to make just one or two servings at a time. Carafe models come in a variety of sizes, from single-serving to 12-plus-cup giants. They're usually more expensive than drippers since they're an all-in-one solution.

A multi-cup carafe is excellent for serving lots of people, but it also takes up a lot of space and might be too tall to fit in a cabinet. Single-cup drippers are quite a bit shorter and can even stow in a drawer, especially collapsible ones like the MiiR Pourigami. Another option if you don’t have much storage space is to consider a pour-over coffee maker attractive enough to display on your countertop or table. If it doubles as design, it doesn't need to be hidden away.

There are pour-over coffee makers constructed of glass, stainless steel, plastic, porcelain, and silicone. It’s essential to choose a model that’s easy to clean and retains heat but, most importantly, is durable. We love glass pour-over coffee makers for their simplicity and ease of cleaning, but they are the most fragile if dropped or knocked against the counter. That goes for porcelain as well, though ceramic heats up more slowly and holds heat longer than glass. Plastic and silicone resist shattering or chipping but can be porous and take on stains and flavors after prolonged use. Stainless steel is durable and lightweight but can get extremely hot, which can both overbrew your coffee and singe your fingers.

Some pour-over coffee makers come with reusable filters, while others require disposable paper filters. There are several different styles of paper filter, so make sure to buy the correct size and shape for your brewing device. For example, the Kalita Wave 185 Dripper is compatible with Kalita Wave Filters, and Chemex suggests its own signature conical filters for best results. (There are also off-brand filters of all kinds; you have many options.)

During our tests, we found that paper filters make for a much quicker and easier cleanup, but reusable filters are the more eco-friendly option. Reusable metal filters cut down on single-use waste and save money, but they take an extra step to clean.

Food & Wine / Will Dickey

Here’s how Pocus suggests making pour-over coffee:

“In my opinion, there is nothing more special than a pour-over coffee,” Pocus says. “The sheer attention to detail and mediation-style brewing can start any day off right. It is pleasant to be able to give one's self that time to enjoy something nice before tackling whatever is ahead of them that day. That said, pour-over coffee isn't always better because some folks don't have the time, and that's okay." Pour-overs might not be your go-to on hectic weekday mornings, but for the days when you want to slow down and savor your coffee and the brewing process, pour-overs are a great choice.

The pour-over method is uniquely designed to highlight the nuanced flavors inherent in coffee. To get the most dynamic flavor out of your high-quality beans, the precise blooming method of pour-overs is unrivaled. Pocus says, "I personally think pour-over coffee tastes better due to the ability to control so many aspects of the brewing process."

If you're already a bit of a coffee enthusiast, chances are you're partially stocked for pour-over. According to Pocus, you need a kitchen scale, a coffee grinder, whole bean coffee, a hot water kettle, and a pour-over device with its corresponding filters. He suggesteds a 1:16 ratio of coffee grounds to water, with a gooseneck kettle to pour slowly and evenly.

Chemex 6-Cup Brewer ($51 at Amazon)

This model produced similar coffee to our best overall pick, but we prefer the look of the traditional Chemex wooden collar to its glass handle, which only adds a little bit of maneuverability. Regardless, any Chemex model gets our stamp of approval.

Hario Pour-Over Coffee Starter Set ($24 at Amazon)

This model produced a relatively impressive cup of coffee, especially considering its low price. Unfortunately, it came with such little instruction that it's intimidating to beginners. If you're already confident with pour-over, this is a great inexpensive option.

Espro Bloom Pour-Over Dripper ($52 at Amazon)

The coffee maker was very easy to use. All the pieces were easy to assemble, and the instructions were easy to follow. However, there were no instructions on how to clean it, and we had some trouble removing the paper filter without spilling.

UST Flexware Collapsible Coffee Drip ($6 at Amazon)

This coffee maker can produce a really nice cup of coffee, especially considering it's meant to stuff in a backpack. However, the flow rate was way too fast following the poorly written instructions, and it produced a weak, watered-down cup of coffee.

OXO Brew Single Serve Pour-Over Coffee Maker ($18 at Amazon)

While this coffee maker performed well, it brewed slowly, and its coffee had a weaker taste. In addition, it didn't include any directions for cleaning or maintenance.

Stanley Camp Pour-Over Coffee Set ($44 at Amazon)

The Stanley gave an average performance and made an underwhelming cup of coffee. The filter is not as fine as others, which resulted in a fair amount of sediment passing into the brewed coffee.

Hario Woodneck Drip Pot ($28 at Amazon)

This eco-friendly model is a good value; it includes a carafe with a wooden neck and a reusable filter. It performed decently well in the brewing test, but the cloth filter, which has to be washed after each use and stored in water in the fridge, requires too much care.

Kalita Wave 185 Dripper ($44 at Amazon)

This is a great dripper, durable, easy to clean and effective at heat retention. But it's awfully expensive, especially without an included carafe.

While some pour-overs produced pure, great-tasting coffee, others disappointed or did not impress us enough to recommend them. We tested nine additional models from brands like Hario, Fellow, Stanley, OXO, Espro, and Bodum, among others. Some produced muddy, highly acidic, too weak, or bitter coffee, while others were too difficult to clean or set up.