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Best Pour Over Coffee Makers For 2024

Gretchen Rubin
  Mar 29, 2024 12:32 AM

Looking for an best pour over coffee makers but can't find one? Because we've been through the entire best pour over coffee makers research process ourselves, we've put together a complete list of the best pour over coffee makers now on the market.


Overview

My coffee brewing arsenal includes a French press, a drip machine, and numerous pour-over rigs. No, I will not apologize. Even though there are several ways to prepare coffee, my preferred method is the pour-over since it gives me more than just a caffeine rush. It's a small ritual I do every morning to get my day off to a good start. Some folks have breakfast rituals, some have exercise routines, and still others start working from home with zero preestablished routines (how? why?). A cup of coffee brewed in a pour-over style is a must for me.

While this is great news for coffee enthusiasts everywhere, the proliferation of pour-over equipment from so many different manufacturers can be confusing and overwhelming for those just getting started. Because the learning curve for pour-over brewing is steeper than that of other methods, consumers may become overwhelmed by the sheer number of available brewers. In steps the Epicurious team to save the day! I put together a taste test panel and used a dozen different pour-over coffee drippers to brew cups and carafes of coffee to see which one yielded the best results. Below you'll find my top recommendations, and at the bottom you'll find information about the testing procedure and criteria I used to select the best pour-over coffee makers.


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1
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    9.6
    AI Score

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2
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    9.4
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3
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4
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5
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    9.4
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    AI Score is a ranking system developed by our team of experts. It from 0 to 10 are automatically scored by our AI tool based upon the data collected. This score has no relationship or impact from any manufacturer or sales agent websites.

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    9.2
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    JavaPresse
10
  • SCORE
    9.2
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    Stanley
11
  • SCORE
    9.0
    AI Score

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    Mueller Austria
12
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    8.4
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Last update on 2024-03-29 / Affiliate links / Images, Product Titles, and Product Highlights from Amazon Product Advertising API


Buying Guide

Materials

A mesh-style filter is integral to the design of some models. In my opinion, these manual drip coffee makers are subpar since they let too many coffee oils into the drink. Less acidity and clarity in the coffee is typically the result, which are two of the most desirable qualities in a good pour over.

The following are the most common components found in pour over coffee makers. You should weigh the benefits and drawbacks of each option carefully before settling on one.

When it comes to making coffee, ceramic is a popular choice. Since ceramic is chemically inert, it won't alter the flavor of your coffee in any way. A ceramic mug is a great insulator, so your coffee will stay nice and toasty. You should expect it to last a lot longer due to its increased thickness and weight compared to glass.

 

One more common material for these devices is glass. Also, it won't change the taste or the chemical composition of the dish. Coffee grounds that are in the process of blooming do best when kept at a constant temperature, and preheated glass is the best way to do so. Glass may be aesthetically pleasing, but it's not practical for the clumsy barista.

If you want a coffee dripper that will last and won't weigh you down, choose one made of metal, preferably copper. On the other hand, metals like stainless steel are poor heat conductors. Since it doesn't provide much insulation, your coffee grounds may lose heat too rapidly, which could negatively impact the extraction process.

 

Coffee funnels made of plastic are lightweight and long-lasting compared to their ceramic counterparts. To avoid breaking your pour over coffee maker on the trip, you should avoid taking anything plastic. Plastic was once looked down upon in favor of more high-end materials, but now many respected coffee experts prefer plastic drippers because they don't transfer any heat to the brew bed.

Filter

When it comes to the paper filters, I would put most of your focus there.

Choose whichever kind you like, but don't forget to stock plenty on oxygen bleached filters.

When it comes to your health and the environment, white filters are completely safe. Make sure they've been bleached using oxygen instead of chlorine.

 

Coffee filtered through a brown filter imparts a faint cardboard flavor, therefore it's best to avoid using them.

 

You can try out different sorts of filters once you've mastered the pour over technique. Cone-shaped filters, for instance, are made by a number of premium brands, each of which offers a unique combination of flow rate and mouthfeel/body balance.

Capacity

A pour over coffee maker's capacity can range from making only one cup to rivaling that of full-size electric machines. However, on the whole, pour overs will be smaller than the electric devices you were previously using. Numerous are made with individual application in mind. You can limit down your choices by considering how many cups you drink daily.

Preferred Roast Level

The type of coffee you like to drink is the most crucial consideration in selecting the ideal manual pour over dripper. If you want a milder roast for every cup of coffee you make, the Fellow Stagg or Kalita Wave are your best bets. The Clever Dripper or the JavaPresse may produce better results if you like darker-roasted coffees. If you want to experiment with different brew strengths and temperatures, you may want to consider the Hario v60 or the Origami.

Aesthetics & Design

Those who are truly dedicated to their coffee usually have several different options for preparing it. At a fancy brunch, you could use a Chemex or Hario v60 with stand, whereas on a first date, you could impress your date with a gorgeous Origami or a minimalist Fellow Stagg. Again, functionality may be more important than form, in which case the Clever Dripper would be ideal.

Portability

Those who are truly dedicated to their coffee usually have several different options for preparing it. At a fancy brunch, you could use a Chemex or Hario v60 with stand, whereas on a first date, you could impress your date with a gorgeous Origami or a minimalist Fellow Stagg. Again, functionality may be more important than form, in which case the Clever Dripper would be ideal.

Your Skill Level

The ability to fine-tune your brew is arguably the greatest benefit of using a manual brewing device like a pour over or French press. This puts the onus on you to think about the brew time, coffee weight, water temperature, etc. If you're just starting off with pour-over coffee, you might want to look at a more forgiving brewing method. Relax; our study will highlight which brewers are ideal for novices.

Sustainability

Consider switching to a paper filter if you want your coffee habit to have a smaller environmental impact. Though they're practical, paper coffee filters produce a lot of waste, especially if you consume several cups per day. In order to lessen your impact on the environment, you might think about investing in reusable filters, such as cloth ($12, Amazon) or metal ($25, Amazon). Additionally, you will end up saving cash.

FAQS

How much does it cost?

We investigated whether or not a larger price tag was indicative of a higher quality coffee maker, as price is always a consideration with any kitchen appliance.

Is it easy to clean?

A brewer's inability to be cleaned in a dishwasher did not disqualify it from consideration, although we gave preference to those that could.

What does pour-over coffee taste like?

While the taste of a cup of pour-over coffee might vary depending on the equipment used to brew it and the beans that are ground, there is a common denominator that contributes to the style's widespread appeal. I would say that clarity is the most crucial factor. The coffee beans' natural flavor is "clarified" and enhanced by the pour-over method if it is used properly. You can expect to taste the specified flavors in every cup of coffee. In addition to being less robust than the French press or the drip method, the pour over process produces a more delicate flavor.

What grind size should I use?

The flavor of coffee made in various coffee makers is improved by using a finer or coarser grind. A medium or slightly coarser grind is recommended for use with most pour-over coffee makers. Use a medium-coarse grind if you plan on brewing using a Chemex, for instance. However, Hario recommends a medium-fine grind for its V60 Coffee Drippers. Other pour-over coffee makers often call for a medium grind. Luckily, pre-ground versions of this size are widely available at supermarkets. Brand websites and user manuals can typically provide more details on recommended grind sizes.

Conclusion

Manual pour-over coffee makers come in a wide variety of styles and price points. The Hario v60 stands out as our top pick because of the precision with which the user can regulate the coffee's extraction, the sleek design, and the reasonable price, but all of our recommendations are excellent choices.


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