Best Pour Over Coffee Makers Chemex vs V60 vs Kalita Wave

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?

After brewing thousands of cups with every major pour over method, here are our top picks for 2025.

Quick Picks

• Best Overall: Chemex 8-Cup Classic ($45-50)
• Best Value: Hario V60 Plastic ($10-15)
• Most Forgiving: Kalita Wave 185 ($35-45)
• Best for Beginners: Hario V60 Ceramic Set ($30-35)

Complete Pour Over Systems

Chemex 8-Cup Classic Series

Price: $45-50

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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
• Won’t break the bank
• 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

Price: $40-45

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Same great design in a more compact size. Perfect for 1-2 coffee drinkers.

Chemex Glass Handle 8-Cup

Price: $50-55

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Dishwasher-safe glass handle version. No wood collar to maintain, easier to clean.

Hario V60 – The Coffee Geek’s Choice

Hario V60 Ceramic Dripper (Size 02)

Price: $25-30

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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.

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

Price: $10-15

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Best bang for your buck in all of coffee. Same design as the ceramic, slightly less heat retention, but costs a third of the price. Perfect for beginners or travel.

Hario V60 Pour Over Set

Price: $30-35

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Complete starter set includes ceramic dripper, glass server, measuring scoop, and 40 filters. Everything you need to start brewing.

Kalita Wave – The Forgiving Option

Kalita Wave 185 Stainless Steel

Price: $35-45

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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 Glass

Price: $35-40

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Heat-resistant glass version. Beautiful to watch the coffee bloom, dishwasher safe.

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 for $10 and try it out. It’s so cheap that even if you don’t love it, you’re only out lunch money.