Best pour-over coffee maker 2024 – barista-tested results

These are the best pour-over coffee makers from Hario, Melitta, Espro, and more – they're all barista-approved too

Bodum Pour over making coffee on a table with coffee and food around it
(Image credit: Pottery Barn)
Best Pour-Over Coffee Makers 2024: Jump Menu

Everybody has their opinions on what makes the best pour-over coffee maker. Some people seek out trusted brands, such as Kalita, Chemex and Hario. Others look at the specifics, such as filter type, and the number of drain holes. Whatever you need, there's one for you.

Even if you're a beginner, your pour-over coffee maker should be able to make you a rich, dynamic, and smooth cup of coffee. That's why I, a former barista, and a team of experts tested and researched the best pour-overs on the market, using the best grinders on the market, so each model had a fair chance at success.

We looked for durable build quality, unparalleled filtration, rich coffee flavors, and compatibility with a range of filters (nobody wants to have to buy a specialist line every time). The results of our tests are these six models, covering single-servings all the way up to a large carafe, which can make cold brew too.

If you can't find one you like in those, don't forget that pour-over isn't the only way to drink coffee. I've put dozens of other methods and coffee makers to the test, from the best French presses to the best single-serve machines to the best drip coffee makers and, of course, the best espresso machines.  

The quick list

Here's a quick introduction to our favorite pour-overs. We'll dive into the details further down.

The best pour-over coffee makers 2024

You can trust Homes & Gardens. Our expert reviewers spend hours testing and comparing the latest products, helping you choose the best for you. Find out more about how we test.

Best pour-over overall

1. Kalita Pour-Over Wave

The most popular, versatile model (and with good reason)

Specifications

Size: 16-25 oz
Material: Stainless steel
Height: 4.8"
Dishwasher safe: Yes, unless your model is plastic

Reasons to buy

+
Stylish design
+
Easy to use
+
Can use any filter

Reasons to avoid

-
Need to pour carefully
-
Hand-wash only
Buy it if

✅ You want to have a re-usable filter: this is compatible with a range of them
✅ You'll keep this on display: it's really stylish
✅ You've never made pour-over: it's really easy to use

Don't buy it if:

❌ You're not a keen cleaner: this is hand-wash only
❌ You need to batch brew: this is better in smaller quantities
❌ You're often in a hurry: the single-serve requires you to pour slowly

The bottom line

🔎 Kalita Wave: sturdily built and less labor intensive than most, the Wave is delicate, portable, and close to perfect for a range of pour-over drinkers.

The Kalita Wave is a chic, trusted pour-over coffee maker that’s been popular since the early 2000s. The design hasn’t changed much since because it works so well. With three small holes in the bottom, it brews slightly slower, but noticeably more evenly than the average pour-over.

The beautiful aesthetic alone of the Kalita Wave makes it a winner in our books. With a flat bottom, pour-over coffee drinkers agree this feature produces a rich, aromatic cup every time. 

We like the three holes, as opposed to models which just feature one, because the coffee grounds are saturated more evenly. Fans of the wave recommend pouring with a gooseneck kettle like this one at QVC, so you can follow a circular motion. This prevents over-extraction and bitterness, but make sure you don't pour too quickly. This is a single-serve cup, so it's easy to over-hydrate or overwhelm your filter. 

Filters are not included, and although Kalita manufactures their own paper products, most filters on the market work just fine. I recommend opting for stainless steel to get the most out of your coffee maker, but this means you will have to wash it by hand.

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Test results
AttributesNotesRating
AesthticsAverage aesthetics: not the most beautiful, but not ugly★★★★
TasteGreat, smooth flavors★★★★★
Clean-upNeeds to be wahed by hand★★★
ValueGreat value, but small★★★★

Best pour-over for multiple servings

2. Chemex Eight Cup Classic Pour-Over Glass Coffee Maker

This makes the smoothest coffee (and cold brew) on test

Specifications

Size: 40 oz.
Material: Borosilicate glass
Height: 9"
Dishwasher safe: Yes

Reasons to buy

+
Creates ultra smooth coffee
+
Easy to use and clean
+
Can store carafe in the fridge

Reasons to avoid

-
Must use Chemex filters, which aren’t readily available at retail stores
-
Slow to filter
Buy it if

✅ You want smooth results: you won't taste a single grain
✅ You make cold brew:
this can make a killer concentrate
✅ You want storage options: the carafe is neat

Don't buy it if:

❌ You aren't organized: this uses very specific filters
❌ You are short on space:
this is quite big
 You're vegan/vegetarian: this has a leather tag

The bottom line

🔎 Chemex Eight Cup: this is an iconic pour-over, adored by most coffee drinkers. The old-school brewing style produces super-smooth results, especially in large quantities.

A quick search for this Chemex pour-over will result in thousands of five star reviews. It’s by far the most popular brand for old-school brewing, and I agree it’s pretty great. If you like a large cup of coffee as opposed to smaller servings, you will enjoy the Chemex's 40oz capacity, though it also comes in three, six, and eight cup versions. It also makes by far the smoothest cup of coffee, as well as a cold brew that's not to be contested.

If you think you need more than the right cup capacity, there are plenty of different sizes on the market. It's a model for all households.

Obviously a good cup of coffee is the goal, but I can’t help but obsess over the design of this Chemex pour-over set. It’s so pretty and thoughtfully designed. If you make too much, you can keep the whole carafe in the refrigerator for a refreshing iced coffee. It's nice to hold, pour from, and simply just to look at.

It's good to know that Chemex uses non-porous Borosilicate glass, claiming that this will not retain odors or chemicals from your coffee. Lots of people also love the textures of the wooden collar and leather tie, which only enhance the premium feel of this pour-over. If you want a coffee maker these materials are the signposts you need for a pour-over which will last for years.

There are a few reasons people might steer clear of the Chemex. Firstly, it's a little time consuming, but that is the cost of most pour-over coffee makers. Similarly, the Chemex is really responsive to different filters, coffee types, and grind sizes, so you'll have to pick and pour carefully if you want a consistent cup of coffee. It's actually worth emphasising the careful pouring: the filtration is slow, so you'd have to pour an eight cup quantity in in stages, which feels a little tedious. Finally, vegans may take issue with the leather strap. 

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Test results
AttributesNotesRating
AesthticsLooks beautiful★★★★★
TasteReally smooth★★★★★
Clean-upEasy to clean and non-porous★★★★★
ValueGreat value for money★★★★★

Best pour-over for advanced drinkers

3. Hario V60

A reliable, colorful pour-over cup

Specifications

Size: 10 oz.
Material: Ceramic, Glass or Plastic
Height: 4.7"
Dishwasher safe: Yes

Reasons to buy

+
Easy to adjust flavors
+
Very consistent brew
+
Keeps coffee warm

Reasons to avoid

-
Have to buy special filters
-
Ceramic can be fragile
Buy it if

✅ You're short on space: this is compact
✅ You want aesthetic versatility:
this has a range of finishes
✅ You have a nuanced palette: this is easy to adjust 

Don't buy it if:

❌ You're forgetful: this needs specific filters
❌ You live in a large home:
this lacks capacity
❌ You're clumsy: the ceramic can be fragile

The bottom line

🔎 Hario V60: this is another iconic pour-over. It's perfect for single servings, but you need specific filters and a lot of patience.

We love the Hario V60. It’s a no-frills, consistent, straightforward coffee maker that delivers consistently great coffee. Coffee expert Courtney has even taken this pour-over camping, because, even in the woods, she still loves coffee. 

Simple aspects of the Hario help you to make a big, strong cup of coffee. The cone shape makes it easy to layer your coffee grounds, whilst the thick ceramic keeps your pour-over warm, extracting the most flavor from your grounds. 

With one drip hole it's easier to customize your coffee taste: if you pour quickly, you'll have lighter flavors and if your pour slower, they'll be richer and stronger. This easily customizable brewing style will suit more advanced pour-over drinkers perfectly. However, if you're a beginner, you might find that it's a little more challenging to recreate a consistent cup of coffee.

Ceramic may not scratch easily, but it will shatter the second it hits something too forcefully. Like several other pour-over makers, the Hario V60 uses proprietary filters. Sure, it can be an inconvenience hunting down the filters, but they are worth the wait and money. 

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Test results
AttributesNotesRating
AesthticsGood range of options★★★★★
TasteMakes a good cup of pour-over★★★★★
Clean-upDishwasher safe★★★★★
ValueInexpensive, but needs specific filters★★★

Best value pour-over

4. Bodum Pour-Over Coffee Maker

Thoughtfully designed (with the environment in mind too)

Specifications

Size: 17 oz.
Material: Borosilicate glass
Height: "
Dishwasher safe: No

Reasons to buy

+
Permanent filter
+
Budget-friendly
+
Environmentally-friendly (no paper products)

Reasons to avoid

-
Water moves quickly through the filter, affecting taste
Buy it if

✅ You want a sleek design: this looks great
✅ You're on a budget:
this is exceptional value
✅ You live in a large home: this has capacity for multiple cups

Don't buy it if:

❌ You are clumsy: this could smash easily
❌ You're short on space:
this is quite big
❌ You want strong flavors: this filters quite quickly

The bottom line

🔎 Bodum Pour-Over: this is everything friendly: budget-friendly, beginner-friendly, environment-friendly, aesthetically-friendly, so it's hard not to love. The only thing is that it filters quickly, so can have quite weak flavors.

Exceptional value for money, this $20 Bodum is a pint-sized miracle maker that one of experts has used for years without fail. It delivers a delicious coffee with very little effort. The built-in, stainless steel filter means that you'll never have to worry about running out of filters again. If you normally use paper filters, these absorb some of the coffee oils, so you'll taste the difference with a stainless steel filter: it will brew a more flavorful cup. That's not just in theory: our experts have tested the Bodum and they love it.

This is packed with well-considered features, too. There's a neat pouring spout which makes it easy to fill your mug with coffee (and no coffee grounds) as well as a heat-proof, silicone handle, which easily comes on and off the carafe. Plus, once you've finished, the whole pour over is dishwasher safe, so you don't need to worry about the washing up. 

In true Bodum style, this boasts understated, Danish design. It's simple and beautiful in a very effortless way. Even though this is cheap, even the glass feels relatively durable. There is, of course, the risk of dropping it one too many times and smashing the Bodum, but that's the case with many pour-overs on this list. 

However, there's one big caveat. Our expert Courtney says that 'there is a learning curve to the Bodum, simply because the stainless-steel filter allows water to pass through more quickly than its paper counterpart. Pouring the water very slowly and evenly across the coffee grounds is the trick, yielding a rich cup of coffee full of flavor'. 

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Test results
AttributesNotesRating
AesthticsSleek and smart aesthetics★★★★★
TasteGreat taste, but a little flat★★★
Clean-upReally easy to clean★★★★
ValueExcellent value★★★★★

Best pour-over for style

5. Fellow Stagg [XF] pour-over coffee maker set

We love everything about this (except the price)

Specifications

Size: 20 oz.
Material: Borosilicate glass
Height: 9"
Dishwasher safe: Yes

Reasons to buy

+
Hand blown and beautiful
+
Double wall
+
Vacuum seal
+
Built-in ratio aid
+
Easy to use

Reasons to avoid

-
More expensive than other options
-
Paper filters are pricey
Buy it if

✅ You're all about style: this is beautiful
✅ You're a slow sipper:
this is double insulated
✅ You want easy measuring: there are ratio aids

Don't buy it if:

❌ You don't want an ongoing cost: the filter paper is expensive
❌ You're on a budget:
this is expensive
❌ You have low shelves: this is tall

The bottom line

🔎 Fellow Stagg: if money was no object, this would sit at the top of our guide. It's easy to use and makes delicious coffee, but it's just expensive. 

Thoughtfully designed, the Fellow has quite a few touches to make the brewing experience simple and enjoyable. There's a ratio aid, which will help you make the perfect brew and a double-sealed, vacuum wall which will keep your coffee hot. If you're a beginner, you'll find the Stagg XF much easier to use than the Hario V60's cone shaped brewer (which makes pouring a lot harder).

For one cup of coffee, you should use 20g of ground beans and add water to the first dot. For two cups, 40g of grounds is the perfect amount, with water added until it reaches the second dot. The double wall makes a big difference in heat retention, which makes it a winner in our books. 

Although this model comes with 30 filters, when you run out, you'll have to buy 45 more, which cost $18, plus shipping. You can't use the filters more than once, as they break down quite quickly. Because the spout is slightly thicker and rounder than others, occasionally it allows for some dripping. If you have a white kitchen, be ready to wipe up any spills.

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Test results
AttributesNotesRating
AesthticsAbsolutely beautiful★★★★★
TasteFaultless taste★★★★★
Clean-upEasy to clean★★★★★
ValueYou can get the same flavors for less money★★★★★

Best pour-over for single-servings

Melitta pour over coffee maker on white

(Image credit: Melitta)

6. Melitta Porcelain Pour-Over Coffee Brewer Cone 1 Cup

A simple, single-serve pour-over which won't break the bank

Specifications

Dimensions: 6.75 x 6.75 x 5 inches
Capacity: 1 cup
Weight: 1.15 lbs
Material: Porcelain
Dishwasher safe: yes

Reasons to buy

+
Feels premium
+
Makes really good coffee
+
Easy to clean
+
Compact

Reasons to avoid

-
East to over-brew
-
Can only make one cup
Buy it if

✅ You want a small pour over: this is tiny
✅ You're on a budget:
this is cheap without compromise
✅ You put flavor first: this made delicious coffee

Don't buy it if:

❌ You need capacity: this is single-serve
❌ You're not a careful brewer:
it's easy to over-brew
❌ You're clumsy: porcelain can smash

The bottom line

🔎 Melitta One Cup: this petite porcelain cup makes a delicious pour-over. It's simplistic and inexpensive, which is perfect for some and frustrating for others. 

Single-serve and chic, this porcelain pour-over makes a beautiful gift for you, or for other coffee lovers. It looks like a simple coffee mug, so the white porcelain should fit seamlessly into your coffee cup collection. It's modest and inexpensive, but feels like a luxury five times the price. 

With one large drain hole, your coffee might brew faster than some other pour-overs, so don't add lots of water in one go, or your water will 'channel' and some grounds will become over-extracted and bitter. If this is your first pour-over, it's easier to brew a good cup of coffee with the Melitta when competed to other models. We only wish we could brew more than one cup at once, since it's so easy to use.

Usually selling for $15, this is exceptional value. It's one of the cheapest in our guide, but it looks, feels, and brews like it could be one of the most expensive. If you have the budget for a bit more, you can buy the Artisan Set from Amazon, which comes with a bamboo tray, filter paper holder, and airtight coffee grounds container. Our experts loved how this looked on the countertop: it's an easy way to establish a modest coffee station in your kitchen (and will help to keep all your filter paper tidy too).

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Test results
AttributesNotesRating
AesthticsLooks simple and subtle★★★★
TasteMakes great pour-over★★★★★
Clean-upDishwasher safe★★★★★
ValueReally cheap★★★★★

The pour-over coffee makers which just missed the list

If those six weren't quite what you were after, here are three of our favorites which didn't quite make the list. Our experts still love them and would recommend them to specific users, but they don't have the same all-round appeal as the Kalita or Chemex, for example.

FAQs

How many drip holes should my pour-over have?

Pour-overs can vary. Some have one drip hole and some will have three. The size and placement of these holes will affect the taste of your coffee. If there is one, large drain hole, it will brew your coffee quickly, but not very evenly. If it has three, smaller holes, your water will be more restricted at the bottom, your coffee won't funnel as much, so you'll have more even extraction, resulting in a cleaner cup. 

Should my pour-over have bypass ridges?

In short, ridges make your coffee stronger and more balanced. Having ridges on your pour-over keep the water distributed evenly across coffee grounds, so that water doesn't 'channel' and over-extract coffee. The ridges also help lift filter paper off the side of the wall, so that your coffee is extracted from the bottom and sides of the brewer.

What type of filter paper should I use for my pour over?

Every pour-over is different. Some will have filters integrated, some will require specific, proprietary filters, and some will take any filters that you have. To look after the environment, and your wallet, I'd recommend investing in a re-usable filter like this one from Walmart.

How to choose the best pour-over for you

A pour over coffee maker witha glass carafe on a wooden table with a gooseneck kettle pouring into it

(Image credit: Getty Images)

When you're looking at pour-over coffee makers, there are a few features you'll need to consider:

Capacity
The whole pour-over process is slower than most coffee methods. That means that you won't want to be brewing coffee for eight people in a single-serve cup. Make sure that you choose an appropriate capacity for your coffee needs. Always check the capacity in oz rather than cups, because different brands measure these differently.

Drainage
The most common pour-overs have either a single or multiple drain holes. Using multiple drain holes will result in a lighter, brighter cup of coffee, but it will drain quicker and require more expertise to achieve a well-balanced cup.

Filter compatibility
You can't underestimate how frustrating having to buy one specific type of filter paper from one brand can be, not to mention expensive too. If you're cost-conscious and looking to cut down on your waste, you might want a re-usable filter, but make sure that it's as effective, because this shouldn't mean compromising.

Material
The main two pour-over materials are glass and ceramic. Glass is beautiful to watch, easy to clean, and often more stylish, but it's also very easy to break. Ceramic and porcelain pour-overs might look more at-home amongst your other coffee mug collection. Plus, they're better insulators, keeping your coffee warm and drinkable for much longer.

Price
As much as we wish price didn't need to be taken into account, it matters. You can get a good pour-over for a reasonable price (especially Melitta's range). However, if you pay a bit more, you might get a neat sleeve, some easy pouring options, and smart design features.

How we tested these pour-over coffee makers

casabrews 5700 pro alongside Breville and Wacaco espresso machines

(Image credit: Future)

At Homes & Gardens, we take our coffee testing seriously. We take market-leading coffee makers, as well as new and innovative designs, to our test kitchen. Here, our experts go through the whole coffee maker process, from unboxing and setting-up to cleaning and storing. Most importantly, we taste the coffee that each maker brews. If it scores highly across these categories, we'll write up a review and include it in our guide.

We haven't yet tested all of these pour-overs. They're on our list and our experts are making their way through them, so we will update this guide when we have more in-person testing. For now, in the absence of in-person tests, we thoroughly research each pour-over. From customers to experts, we go through hundreds of articles and reviews to get a clear idea of what each pour-over is like. If you want to find our more, you can visit our detailed page on how we test coffee makers.

Laura Honey
eCommerce Editor

Laura is our eCommerce editor. As a fully qualified barista, she's our expert in all things coffee and has tested over thirty of the best coffee makers on the market. She has also interviewed Q-Graders and world-leading experts in the coffee industry, so has an intimate knowledge of all things coffee. Before joining Homes & Gardens, she studied English at Oxford University. Whilst studying, she trained as a master perfumer and worked in the luxury fragrance industry for five years. Her collection of home fragrance is extensive and she's met and interviewed five of the world's finest perfumers (also known as 'noses'). As a result of this expansive fragrance knowledge, she always puts quality and style over quantity and fads. Laura looks for products which have been designed simply and with thoughtful finishes.  

With contributions from