Best Pour-Over Coffee Maker: The ULTIMATE Guide (Updated For 2023)

Have you ever been to a coffee shop and seen those conical devices sitting on top of mugs? The first time I saw one I was pretty intrigued.

How exactly did it work? Why didn’t the water just stream straight through the grounds and into my cup?

I ordered an Ethiopian blend from the shop’s “Today’s Special” board and enjoyed a delightfully fragrant and delicately balanced cup of coffee unlike anything I’d tried before.

(At the time I was really into dark roasts.)

I went home and researched manual drip coffee:

  • What is manual drip brewing?
  • How does it work?
  • What are the best pour over coffee makers?
  • Which material — ceramic, glass or other — is best?

I took the dive and purchased the Hario V60 and another bag of Ethiopian coffee to recreate that coffee shop’s masterpiece.

While my first try wasn’t quite as good, I was hooked on the process. Now I used pour over coffee makers for all of my lighter roasts.

Are you interested in learning about pour over coffee and manual drip brewing?

Welcome to The Coffee Maven’s Ultimate Guide.

Why You Can Trust The Coffee Maven

Quick Picks
Best Pour-Over Coffee Maker

What's best for us may not be best for you. Let's expand upon the Top Picks above and highlight a few more of the Best Pour-Over Coffee Makers by category:

Not sure which is right for you? The next section should help...

3 Tips When Buying

Before we get to the individual Best Pour-Over Coffee Maker reviews, let's take a look at the rankings.

Overall
94
Chemex Classic Series

Chemex Classic Series

Chemex Classic Series

Chemex Classic Series

Almost everyone knows Chemex. And if you don't know them by name, you probably know their signature design. Made in the USA, the Chemex Classic Series comes in 4 sizes from 15-50 oz and is perfectly designed for pour-over.
Overall
91
Hario Drip Pot

Hario Drip Pot

Hario Drip Pot

Hario Drip Pot

Functionally similar to the Chemex Classic Series but definitely rocking its own aesthetic, the Hario Drip Pot features a cloth filter, which offers advantages over paper and stainless steel but requires more maintenance.
Overall
91
Bodum Pour-Over

Bodum Pour-Over

Bodum Pour-Over

Bodum Pour-Over

A more affordable version of the Chemex Classic Series, the Bodum Pour-Over features Chemex's signature design plus a mesh filter and silicone collar. Though not as durable as the Chemex, this Bodum is a quality alternative.
Overall
91
Hario V60 Dripper

Hario V60 Dripper

Hario V60 Dripper

Hario V60 Dripper

The Hario V60 is one of the most popular pour-over coffee makers out there. Designed with vortex ridges to funnel your coffee away from the grounds, the V60 offers even, efficient extraction for a bright, balanced cup.
Overall
88
Bee House Ceramic Dripper

Bee House Ceramic Dripper

Bee House Ceramic Dripper

Bee House Ceramic Dripper

A durable, 100% ceramic pour-over coffee maker, the Bee House Ceramic Dripper uses vortex ridges to wick coffee into your cup through 2 holes in the dripper's flat bottom for an evenly-extracted, bright, vibrant cup.

Is This Guide For You?

Our editors have rated and ranked each option. Without further ado, here are our official reviews in this all-encompassing buying guide.

Chemex Classic Series
Overall Rating
94
Coffee Quality (40%)
95
Design & Features (20%)
93
Durability (20%)
93
Ease of Use (10%)
90
Brand Reputation (10%)
95
The Bottom Line
Almost everyone knows Chemex. And if you don't know them by name, you probably know their signature design. Made in the USA, the Chemex Classic Series comes in 4 sizes from 15-50 oz and is perfectly designed for pour-over.

Chemex Classic Series Pros

  • Models range up to 50 oz capacity
  • Stunning design
  • Durable, well-made glass

Chemex Classic Series Cons

  • Top end of pour over price range
  • Be careful not to get wood collar wet

Chemex Classic Series Features & Specifications

  • Material: Glass
  • Filter: Paper, single-use; stainless steel permanent
  • Volume: 4 models – 15 oz, 30 oz, 40 oz, 50 oz
  • Made In: USA

Chemex Classic Series Pros

  • Models range up to 50 oz capacity
  • Stunning design
  • Durable, well-made glass

Chemex Classic Series Cons

  • Top end of pour over price range
  • Be careful not to get wood collar wet

Chemex Classic Series Features & Specifications

  • Material: Glass
  • Filter: Paper, single-use; stainless steel permanent
  • Volume: 4 models – 15 oz, 30 oz, 40 oz, 50 oz
  • Made In: USA
Hario Drip Pot
Overall Rating
91
Coffee Quality (40%)
93
Design & Features (20%)
88
Durability (20%)
90
Ease of Use (10%)
87
Brand Reputation (10%)
92
The Bottom Line
Functionally similar to the Chemex Classic Series but definitely rocking its own aesthetic, the Hario Drip Pot features a cloth filter, which offers advantages over paper and stainless steel but requires more maintenance.

Hario Drip Pot Pros

  • Cloth filter takes the best features of both paper and stainless steel
  • High quality Japanese design and make
  • Beautiful design

Hario Drip Pot Cons

  • Small 8 oz capacity
  • Cloth filter requires additional maintenance

Hario Drip Pot Features & Specifications

  • Material: Glass
  • Filter: Cloth, multi-use
  • Volume: 8 oz
  • Made In: Japan

Hario Drip Pot Pros

  • Cloth filter takes the best features of both paper and stainless steel
  • High quality Japanese design and make
  • Beautiful design

Hario Drip Pot Cons

  • Small 8 oz capacity
  • Cloth filter requires additional maintenance

Hario Drip Pot Features & Specifications

  • Material: Glass
  • Filter: Cloth, multi-use
  • Volume: 8 oz
  • Made In: Japan
Bodum Pour-Over
Overall Rating
91
Coffee Quality (40%)
92
Design & Features (20%)
90
Durability (20%)
90
Ease of Use (10%)
90
Brand Reputation (10%)
90
The Bottom Line
A more affordable version of the Chemex Classic Series, the Bodum Pour-Over features Chemex's signature design plus a mesh filter and silicone collar. Though not as durable as the Chemex, this Bodum is a quality alternative.

Bodum Pour-Over Pros

  • Models range up to 51 oz
  • Comes with permanent mesh filter
  • Beautiful design

Bodum Pour-Over Cons

  • Glass is pretty thin
  • Included permanent filter isn’t great quality
  • Silicone sleeve may not be wide enough to prevent touching hot glass

Bodum Pour-Over Features & Specifications

  • Material: Glass
  • Filter: Stainless steel, permanent
  • Volume: 3 models – 17 oz, 34 oz, 51 oz
  • Made In: Portugal

Bodum Pour-Over Pros

  • Models range up to 51 oz
  • Comes with permanent mesh filter
  • Beautiful design

Bodum Pour-Over Cons

  • Glass is pretty thin
  • Included permanent filter isn’t great quality
  • Silicone sleeve may not be wide enough to prevent touching hot glass

Bodum Pour-Over Features & Specifications

  • Material: Glass
  • Filter: Stainless steel, permanent
  • Volume: 3 models – 17 oz, 34 oz, 51 oz
  • Made In: Portugal
Hario V60 Dripper
Overall Rating
91
Coffee Quality (40%)
92
Design & Features (20%)
87
Durability (20%)
92
Ease of Use (10%)
90
Brand Reputation (10%)
92
The Bottom Line
The Hario V60 is one of the most popular pour-over coffee makers out there. Designed with vortex ridges to funnel your coffee away from the grounds, the V60 offers even, efficient extraction for a bright, balanced cup.

Hario V60 Dripper Pros

  • Vortex ridges prevent filter from sticking to brewer walls
  • Comes in 3 different sizes and materials
  • Small and compact

Hario V60 Dripper Cons

  • Max size only 30 oz
  • Plastic and metal versions have some nuances as described in review

Hario V60 Dripper Features & Specifications

  • Material: Ceramic, glass, plastic or metal
  • Filter: Paper, single-use
  • Volume: 3 models – 10 oz, 20 oz, 30 oz
  • Made In: Japan

Hario V60 Dripper Pros

  • Vortex ridges prevent filter from sticking to brewer walls
  • Comes in 3 different sizes and materials
  • Small and compact

Hario V60 Dripper Cons

  • Max size only 30 oz
  • Plastic and metal versions have some nuances as described in review

Hario V60 Dripper Features & Specifications

  • Material: Ceramic, glass, plastic or metal
  • Filter: Paper, single-use
  • Volume: 3 models – 10 oz, 20 oz, 30 oz
  • Made In: Japan
Bee House Ceramic Dripper
Overall Rating
88
Coffee Quality (40%)
90
Design & Features (20%)
85
Durability (20%)
90
Ease of Use (10%)
87
Brand Reputation (10%)
87
The Bottom Line
A durable, 100% ceramic pour-over coffee maker, the Bee House Ceramic Dripper uses vortex ridges to wick coffee into your cup through 2 holes in the dripper's flat bottom for an evenly-extracted, bright, vibrant cup.

Bee House Ceramic Dripper Pros

  • Durable make
  • 100% ceramic and comes in 9 colors
  • Vortex ridges prevent paper filter from sticking to side

Bee House Ceramic Dripper Cons

  • Heavy weight can sit awkwardly on mugs
  • Limited mug compatibility due to dimensions

Bee House Ceramic Dripper Features & Specifications

  • Material: Ceramic
  • Filter: Paper, single-use
  • Volume: 10 oz
  • Made In: Japan

Bee House Ceramic Dripper Pros

  • Durable make
  • 100% ceramic and comes in 9 colors
  • Vortex ridges prevent paper filter from sticking to side

Bee House Ceramic Dripper Cons

  • Heavy weight can sit awkwardly on mugs
  • Limited mug compatibility due to dimensions

Bee House Ceramic Dripper Features & Specifications

  • Material: Ceramic
  • Filter: Paper, single-use
  • Volume: 10 oz
  • Made In: Japan

Frequently Asked Questions

When you select your pour over coffee maker, you’ll need to make two choices:

  1. Glass vs ceramic vs plastic vs metal construction
  2. Paper or stainless steel filter

Let’s briefly evaluate the pros and cons of each.

Glass vs Ceramic vs Plastic vs Metal Coffee Makers

Pour over models primarily come in 4 different materials: glass, ceramic, plastic and metal. There are pros and cons to each type of material. Here’s the rundown:

  • Glass: There are 3 major benefits to glass coffee makers. First, glass is chemically inert and won’t impart any flavor on your coffee. Second, it insulates extremely well and keeps your blooming grounds at the proper temperature. Third, you can see what’s happening, which is both helpful and aesthetically pleasing.
  • Ceramic: The same benefits as glass above except ceramic isn’t transparent. White ceramic also stains more easily than glass and typically is thicker and heavier.
  • Plastic: Plastic coffee makers are most similar to ceramic, except plastic is much lighter and more easily transportable. The major downside of plastic is it’s generally not advisable to mix hot water and plastic for fear of leaching chemicals into your coffee.
  • Metal: The durability and thin, lightweight design are great, but metal coffee makers often impart a metallic flavor (surprise!) and don’t insulate well at all. This can cause your blooming coffee grounds to drop in temperature, affecting your extraction.

Paper vs Stainless Steel Filter

Paper Filters: They’re definitely cheaper. Some brands, like Chemex, recommend using their own more expensive paper filters, but generally you can get by using a standard #4 conical filter.

  • Pros to Paper: Lower cost and produce a slower, more deliberate brew with better extraction
  • Cons to Paper: Single-use and can absorb those wonderful coffee oils

Stainless Steel Filters: Can cost upwards of $60 (though you should be able to find one on sale for around $25) but they last a long time. However, to get a positive return on that initial investment, you’d need to make 200-400 brews with paper filters (at $6 per 40 filters). You’ll also have to be careful about ensuring the stainless steel filter you buy is compatible with the coffee maker you own.

  • Pros to Stainless Steel: Zero extraction of those flavorful oils!
  • Cons to Stainless Steel: Higher initial cost, require cleaning after every use and tend to let fine sediment into your coffee

Best Pour-Over Coffee Maker

The Coffee Maven's Top Pick

Chemex Classic Series

Chemex Classic Series

Almost everyone knows Chemex. And if you don't know them by name, you probably know their signature design. Made in the USA, the Chemex Classic Series comes in 4 sizes from 15-50 oz and is perfectly designed for pour-over.

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About The Coffee Maven
bryan de luca
Bryan De Luca

I'm Bryan but most people know me as The Coffee Maven. I grew up outside Boston, Massachusetts and received my Bachelor's degree in Biochemistry from Providence College. My first introduction to coffee was during my college days, when I used it as a source of caffeine to fuel late-night study sessions, but soon I became obsessed with the chemistry of coffee. How did changes to water temperature or contact time affect its taste? Why do beans from Africa taste fruity while beans from Indonesia taste spicy? I launched The Coffee Maven in February 2017 to explore these questions and help others brew their perfect cup. Welcome to my site, and thanks for reading!