The Different Pour Over Methods and Which One is Right for You
Quick answer: The four most popular pour over brewers are the Hario V60, Chemex, Kalita Wave and Origami. The V60 makes the brightest, most nuanced cup but takes practice. The Kalita Wave is the most forgiving and the easiest to repeat. The Chemex makes the cleanest cup and brews several at once. The Origami can brew like a V60 or a Kalita, depending on the filter you use.
We brew pour overs every day in our two Lakeville coffee shops. Here's how the four compare, and which one fits the way you like to make coffee.
Our picks for pour over: Abstract Blend brings honey, berry and cacao notes with a silky texture, and pour over shows off its brighter side. Every bag is roasted fresh in small batches, with the roast date on the bottom.
In season now: Perennial Blend, our light roast with orange marmalade, candied almond and jasmine notes, is the brightest pour over we make.
Single origin: our Ethiopia is floral and fruit-forward, the classic pour over coffee. Grab it while it lasts.
Pour Over Methods Compared
| Brewer | Shape and filter | How it tastes | Difficulty | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hario V60 | 60° cone, spiral ribs, one large hole | Bright, clear, highlights acidity | Hardest | Light roasts and people who like to experiment |
| Chemex | Glass hourglass carafe, thick bonded paper filter | Very clean, light body, tea-like | Medium | Brewing 2–4 cups at once |
| Kalita Wave | Flat bottom, three small holes, wave filter | Balanced, sweet, a little more body | Easiest | A consistent cup every morning |
| Origami | Ceramic cone with 20 folds, takes cone or wave filters | Bright with a cone filter, balanced with a wave filter | Medium | Flexibility in one brewer |
Hario V60
The Hario V60 is a cone-shaped brewer named for its 60-degree angle. Spiral ribs on the inside and one large hole at the bottom let water drain quickly, so your pour controls the brew more than the brewer does.
That control is the V60's strength and its challenge. Dialed in, it makes a bright, clear cup that shows off the fruit and floral notes in light roasts. But small changes in grind size or pouring speed show up in the cup, so it rewards practice.
Starting recipe: 25 grams of coffee, 400 grams of water at 200°F (1:16), medium-fine grind, about 3 minutes. Our complete pour over guide walks through it step by step.
Chemex
The Chemex was invented in 1941 by chemist Peter Schlumbohm. It's a glass hourglass-shaped carafe with a wood collar, and it's both the brewer and the server.
What makes a Chemex different is its filter. Chemex paper filters are much thicker than standard filters, so they hold back more oils and fine particles. The result is a very clean, light-bodied cup that can taste almost tea-like. Because it brews larger batches, it's a great choice when you're making coffee for more than one person.
Starting recipe: 40 grams of coffee, 640 grams of water at 200°F (1:16), medium-coarse grind, about 4 to 5 minutes. The thicker filter drains slower, so grind coarser than you would for a V60. See our Chemex brewing guide.
Kalita Wave
The Kalita Wave has a flat bottom with three small holes and uses a fluted "wave" filter. The flat bed of coffee and the slower, more even drainage make it the most forgiving of the four.
If your pouring isn't perfect, the Kalita evens it out. That makes it easy to get the same balanced, sweet cup day after day, usually with a little more body than a V60.
Starting recipe: 25 grams of coffee, 400 grams of water at 200°F (1:16), medium grind, about 3 to 3½ minutes. Pour in a few slow, even pulses.
Origami
The Origami dripper is a ceramic cone with 20 deep folds around the outside, made by the Japanese company Origami. It became popular after champion baristas started using it in competition.
Its trick is that it fits two kinds of filters. With a cone filter, it brews fast and bright, much like a V60. With a flat-bottom wave filter, it brews more like a Kalita, with a balanced, sweeter cup. If you want to try both styles without buying two brewers, the Origami is a good pick.
Starting recipe: start with the same recipe as the V60 or Kalita, depending on the filter you use.
Which Pour Over Method Is Right for You?
- You want the most flavor and don't mind practicing: Hario V60.
- You want a great cup with the least fuss: Kalita Wave.
- You make coffee for two or more: Chemex.
- You want one brewer that can do both styles: Origami.
Whichever you choose, the brewer matters less than fresh coffee, a good burr grinder and a consistent recipe. Still deciding between pour over and a French press? Read pour over vs. French press, or use our brew guide for ratios for every method.
Quick Answers
What is the easiest pour over method for beginners?
The Kalita Wave. Its flat bottom and small drain holes make it forgiving, so you get a balanced cup even if your pouring isn't perfect.
Is a Chemex better than a V60?
Neither is better. A Chemex makes a cleaner, lighter cup and brews more at once. A V60 makes a brighter cup with more body and gives you more control.
What grind size should I use for pour over?
Medium-fine for a V60, medium for a Kalita Wave and medium-coarse for a Chemex. Adjust finer if your coffee tastes sour, coarser if it tastes bitter.
What coffee is best for pour over?
Freshly roasted light and medium roasts. Pour over brings out the fruit and floral notes in a coffee, so it's a great way to taste what makes each one different.
