The 7 Best Pour-Over Coffee Makers of 2024, Tested and Reviewed

Best Overall

Chemex Classic Series Coffeemaker

$49 at Amazon $42 at Williams Sonoma $49 at Walmart

Designed in 1941 by a chemist, the Chemex Classic Series is one of our overall favorite pieces of coffee gear and preferred among coffee enthusiasts. Many Food & Wine editors turn to this coffee maker for their morning cup. "I’ve used a Chemex for a few years now," says commerce editor Mary Lagroue. "I’m on my third one after clumsily breaking two in the dishwasher, so I recommend hand-washing it. But I keep going back to Chemex because I love its glass design that doesn't alter the coffee's taste. It makes a better brew than any machine I’ve used. Plus, the spout is easy to pour from, and the wooden collar keeps your hand from getting hot."

The Chemex produced one of the best-tasting cups of coffee in our whole test. We loved the smooth, velvety, and floral brews it produced. Chemex's branded single-use filters must be folded in a specific way before use. This isn't particularly eco-friendly and takes some practice to figure out (both the proper fold and pouring through the folded filter without causing it to collapse). There are some reusable metal filters compatible with this pour-over maker, but Chemex doesn't recommend using one. Either way, the heat-resistant glass and a polished wooden handle serve as heat guards for precise handling and pouring.

In addition, you can place the Chemex in the refrigerator to enjoy cold coffee later without worry — its patented glass has no issues with wide temperature changes. We tested the 8-cup version, but the same model comes in six sizes, from 3 to 13 cups. (And if you prefer a handle, the Chemex Glass Handle Series is a little more portable but produced similar taste-test results.) With an all-in-one setup, Chemex brewing is straightforward, requiring only a consistent pour to achieve a great-tasting cup of coffee — it's easy to use even before you've had your morning caffeine.

Materials: Glass, wood | Capacity: 8 cups | Dishwasher-Safe: Yes (hand-wash recommended)

Best Value

Melitta 1 Cup Porcelain Pour-Over Cone Coffeemaker

$25 $21 at Amazon View on Melitta.com

For those who want to avoid enjoying their morning cup at a hefty cost, the 1-cup porcelain pour-over from Melitta offers a reasonably priced alternative. In our tests, this pour-over produced a floral, not-too-bitter, satisfying cup of coffee, and we noted the easy preparation to brew a single cup.

The design is deceptively simple, but a few features make it stand out. We loved the "windows" at the base to let you gauge the flow rate and prevent over-filling, while the inside has ridges that help pull the water downward at a steady pace. Cleanup is simple: Give it a quick rinse with soapy water or place it on the top rack of the dishwasher. Our only complaint is that the directions call for the most coffee grounds of any model we tested. That made great coffee that didn't taste over-brewed, but you might end up going through more beans with the Melitta than with other pour-over coffee makers.

Material: Porcelain | Capacity: Single-cup | Dishwasher-Safe: Yes

Best for Beginners

Origami Japan Pour Over Coffee Dripper

$40 at Williams Sonoma View on Slowpoursupply.co View on Greatergoodsroasting.com

Available in 16 colorways, the single-cup option from Origami Japan marries form and function for an approachable pour-over experience any beginner could quickly master. Made from high-density clay using a ceramic-making technique almost 500 years old and known for its high heat retention, the Origami Dripper features 20 folds that encourage a quick drip and fast brew time. During testing, the straightforward setup made it easy to get started, even if you have no experience with pour-overs. We appreciated the secure fit of the separate parts; we didn't feel like there was any risk of tumbling or tipping. 

The coffee maker produced perfectly balanced and smooth coffee with a mild acidity. And with only two pieces to clean, a quick rinse with warm, soapy water was enough to get it back to sparkling clean. If you're new to pour-overs, this is an easy-to-use setup, but it is a bit pricey if you're unsure if you'll use it often. Just be aware that you need to add on a dripper holder (or buy a bundle that includes one) to keep the brewer in place atop your favorite coffee mug; when you add the two together, it's a fairly high cost for such a simple coffee maker.

Material: Porcelain | Capacity: Single-cup | Dishwasher-Safe: No

Best For Display

Melitta Porcelain Pour-Over Coffeemaker and Canister Set

$60 at Amazon View on Melitta.com

Featuring a design similar to our best value pick, the pour-over coffee maker and canister set from Melitta is equipped with everything you need to keep your coffee setup on view at all times. Sitting atop a bamboo tray is a pour-over dripper, a coffee filter holder, and a porcelain jar to store coffee grounds. During our tests, we noted a balanced, fragrant, and floral brew, although we did find ourselves missing the "portholes" in the standard Melitta dripper above — it's harder to tell when to stop pouring. The coffee was enjoyable, and getting a cup that wasn't too weak or too strong was easy.

The convenient tray also makes it easy to transport to another area or room, and we think the set would also make a great gift for a coffee lover. It's attractive and meant to be displayed at home on your countertop or kitchen table, which can be a bonus if you're short on cabinet space. It's even top-rack dishwasher-safe.

Materials: Porcelain, bamboo | Capacity: Single-cup | Dishwasher-Safe: Yes

Best with Reusable Filter

Coffee Gator Paperless Pour Over Coffee Maker Set

$26 at Amazon $34 $13 at Target $13 at Walmart

If you don't want to spend money on paper filters, consider the more eco-friendly reusable option in the Coffee Gator. During testing, it was easy to assemble: The conical filter holds itself in place at the top of the carafe, and a heatproof tab lets you rotate and adjust while you pour water, then remove it to serve. Our tests produced a cup of coffee that was very mellow, fruity, slightly floral, and very balanced — excellent overall. Plus, the bottom half of the carafe holds 27 ounces — enough for five-plus servings. It's quite reasonably priced and a fine choice for beginners or long-time pour-over fans. 

Since the filter is reusable, the Coffee Gator requires more frequent and thorough cleaning. It must be dumped out and washed with warm, soapy water immediately after use. Leaving grounds sitting in the filter can lead to clogs, sediment build-up, and bacterial growth.

Materials: Glass, stainless steel | Capacity: 5 cups | Dishwasher-Safe: No

Best Single-Serving

Chemex Funnex Coffee Maker

$40 at Amazon $45 at Target View on Chemexcoffeemaker.com

Well-designed with a sleek, modern appearance, the Funnex is Chemex's single-serving pour-over maker, and it's similarly a top-tier choice for quality brews and a pleasant brewing experience. Made of double-walled borosilicate glass, it has a silicone gasket compatible with all types of cups, mugs, and insulated bottles. Though it's dishwasher-safe, a simple rinse with warm running water is all that's required during regular use.

The Funnex is much more portable than the Chemex Classic, and it stashes away comfortably when not in use. But don't be fooled by its size: It performed exceptionally well in our tests. Each batch tasted consistently excellent, with a strong aroma, sweet flavor, and minimal acidity.

Using this coffee maker might be a bit difficult for a beginner; there's a technique for folding the filters that takes some practice to get used to. But after a few brews and experiments, we think this coffee maker will surely become necessary in your morning coffee routine.

Materials: Glass, silicone | Capacity: Single-serving | Dishwasher-Safe: Yes

Best for Travel

MiiR Pourigami Pour-Over Coffee Maker

$30 at Amazon View on Miir.com

For camping, commuting, and any other travel situations, this is our pour-over coffee maker of choice. Its three stainless steel panels snap together to create a triangular dripper that can sit atop most any size mug or other vessel, then collapse flat to slip into the included wallet-sized carrying case. We like its durable construction; for a reasonable price, you get a brewer that can withstand serious wear and tear. Travel aside, the Miir Pourigami is also an excellent option for those with limited drawer space.

Getting the pieces interlocked correctly can take some practice, and it requires a precise hand while pouring water to avoid overflow. During testing, the batch made using the user manual's ratio of grounds to water left us wanting a bit more, but the batch we made using our standard brewing procedure made a better cup. We detected a slightly spiced flavor profile with some pleasant sharpness and less bitter notes.

Material: Stainless steel | Capacity: Single-cup | Dishwasher-Safe: Yes