10 Pour Over Coffee Makers 2024 | UK Coffee Shop Owner Reviewed
Coffee remains a staple choice across the UK, with many of us looking for new and exciting ways to brew themselves the perfect cup. Often seen as a specialist or barista method of making coffee, a pour over coffee maker may just be the next addition your kitchen needs.
It doesn’t matter if you’re an expert brewer, or just starting out, in this guide in this guide we show you how to choose the best pour over coffee maker. From manual drippers, to filter coffee machines, we've ranked the top 10 on Amazon, John Lewis, Argos and eBay, so all you need to do if find the perfect ratio and perfect your technique!
Quick List - Top Pour Over Coffee Makers
Following a decade-long career as a designer/art director in the fashion and beauty industry, I found my new calling in a coffee shop in Japan, where I met my husband who is a barista. We now run a coffee shop together in the countryside. My knowledge and passion for speciality coffee continues to grow, and I enjoy trying new beans and methods every day!
A recommendation service that carefully researches each product and consults with experts across many disciplines. We are constantly creating new content to provide the best shopping experience from choosing ‘cosmetics’ to ‘food and drink’, ‘home appliances’ to ‘kids and baby’ products, reaching users all across the United Kingdom.
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Table of Contents
- With Specialist Advice From Coffee Shop Owner and Art Director Nicole Michalek
- How to Choose a Pour Over Coffee Maker in the UK - Buying Guide
- Consider a Material That Will Best Suit Your Pouring Style1
- Hands On or Automated? Discover Which Method Is Best For You2
- Use A Larger Pour Over To Quench the Thirst of an Audience3
- Some Appliances Have Reusable Filters While Other Require Single Use4
- Pour Over Coffee Provides Accentuated Flavours and a Customised Experience
- Bonus Product: An Eco-Friendly Reusable Alternative to Filter Papers
- Nicole's Advice on the Perfect Pouring Time
- Get the Best Brew
- Summary
With Specialist Advice From Coffee Shop Owner and Art Director Nicole Michalek
Following a decade-long career as a designer/art director in the fashion and beauty industry, Nicole found her new calling in a coffee shop in Japan, where she met her husband who is a barista. They now run a coffee shop together in the countryside. Her knowledge and passion for speciality coffee continues to grow, and she enjoy trying new beans and methods every day!
Follow her coffee shops Instagram page for more coffee content and to see what new and exciting things they're getting up to!
How to Choose a Pour Over Coffee Maker in the UK - Buying Guide
It doesn’t matter if you’re new to the coffee game, or a connoisseur looking to tame a new beast, you still need to know the necessary details to make your pour over experience the best it can possibly be. In this buying guide, we break down everything you need to know about pour over coffee!
Consider a Material That Will Best Suit Your Pouring Style
You’ll soon notice that pour overs come in a range of materials which can often be confusing. Whether you opt for ceramic, glass, stainless steel or plastic, it's important to know the benefits of each and the key differences to make sure you pick the best one for how you plan to use it!
Ceramic Is Durable and the Industry Standard for Those Who Want a Clean Brew
If you order yourself a pour over from a specialist coffee shop, you are likely to find the barista using a ceramic or porcelain maker. These are the most durable option as ceramic is a sturdier material which better insulates the heat from the water.
Another benefit to choosing a ceramic pour over coffee maker is that it's easier to clean. These can be washed thoroughly without leaving behind any nasty odours or residue from previous brews, which means you will always have that fresh coffee taste refreshing your palate!
Ceramic is definitely our #1 recommendation for the purest and flavourful brew. We love the Origami dripper which is made from Japanese porcelain; delicate yet an excellent conductor of heat.
Its lightness and ease of use are as impressive as its beautiful design. Plus, you can use paper filters for the Hario V60 and Kalita Wave, so it’s easy to mix and match if you already own or want to try out other drippers.
Glass Pour Overs Look Sleek and Are Great for the Style Conscious, but Tend to Be Fragile
For those preparing coffee in a cool and modern kitchen, a glass pour over might suit you more. They offer similar benefits to ceramic and porcelain in that they are incredibly easy to keep clean with little to no odour staining after use. Compared to the above, glass is less proficient in insulating heat, but it still shines above plastic choices.
However, glass is very fragile and can break, so being careful when using or storing your device is key! This also goes for cleaning as thinner glass can crack when pressure is added whilst it's still warm.
Chemex is a great option, famous for its integrated glass dripper and server. The aesthetic beauty and simplicity of the design motivate you to brew delicious coffee! There are paper, stainless steel, and gold filters available. All three types are Chemex-exclusive filters, but the stainless steel and gold filters can also be used with the Hario V60 [2-4cup] dripper.
Try different filters depending on what kind of coffee you’re in the mood for. Although it’s expensive, the gold filter removes impurities and can extract higher quality coffee. As stated above the glass can be fragile, so please handle it with care!
Stainless Steel Is Lightweight Yet Sturdy and Perfect for the Outdoor Brewers
Stainless steel is a great choice if you’re an outdoors type who likes to take homely comforts along with you. Stainless steel pour overs are easy to transport as they are lightweight and can withstand some minor knocks and bashes. A more severe impact could cause yours to take a dint, but they are otherwise safe to be carried on trips.
That said, you might find an issue with the temperature of your coffee when using these, as metal is a conductor for heat. This may lead to you losing some of the heat from the water during the brewing process, which in result can slightly change the flavour of the coffee.
Stainless steel drippers are lightweight and durable, but they release heat at a higher rate than other drippers, so they are more suitable for short-time extraction like 2:30-3:00 minutes. Kalita Wave (stainless) is the standard amongst beginners and professionals alike! Due to its wavy design, the filter does not come into contact with the sides of the dripper, which makes for a smooth and even brew.
For Something Easily Transportable, Plastic Is the Choice for You
Choosing plastic can be a great decision as they are extremely durable and offer limited scope to cracking or snapping. Similar to stainless steel, they are very light in weight and can be slipped perfectly in with camping gear or luggage, so you can always have good coffee on the go!
The downside is that this material can absorb smells and is harder to clean thoroughly. This means your coffee may pick up notes from previous pour over experiments and change the overall flavour of your brew.
Plastic drippers are a great choice for beginners; they’re reasonably priced, have good heat conduction, and are easy to maintain. They may not have as long a life as stainless steel or ceramic but are a good first step into home brewing. Despite their reputation as entry-level, we professionals use them all the time! The Hario V60 clear plastic dripper is on heavy rotation in our coffee shop.
Hands On or Automated? Discover Which Method Is Best For You
Whatever your schedule looks like, there are options to make sure you get that caffeine injection! Whether you’re looking to get your hands dirty, or take a step back, there's a technique for you. Here's what you need to know about the two main methods of preparing pour over coffee.
Get Hands On and Keep Things Traditional by Going Manual
If you have time on your hands and the appetite to build on your passion, then a manual pour over is ideal for you. This traditional technique requires practice and patience to master, but once you get it down, you'll be satisfied with every brew.
If you love coffee then you will be sure to find great joy in the process of measuring your grounds, preparing your filter and pouring the water. Although it’s a complicated method, you have the ability to control the rate of your pour and the flow of the water, resulting in the perfect cup of joe! Plus, it will be much cheaper than the cost of a machine.
There are endless combinations of elements at play when making pour-over coffee; the temperature of the water, the grind size, different materials, the speed and direction of the pour, with manual coffee extraction, each detail comes together to brew a unique cup of coffee, every time.
While it may seem intimidating at first, rest assured that there is no “right” way! It’s all about experimenting and finding out what works for you. Enjoy the process and take notes along the way so you’ll remember all of your favourite recipes!
A Machine Is Quicker and More Convenient
The brew you receive from a coffee machine is technically categorised as a drip or filter coffee as the process differs slightly from a pour over. Partly due to the popularity of household coffee machines, some now boast ‘pour over technology'. These machines bloom the coffee and slowly drip it through the filter, all you need to do add water and grounds.
Machines are much quicker and require less hassle, making them a good choice if you live a busy life. They can prepare a larger quantity of coffee in a shorter amount of time, meaning you can tend to your, and your guests, needs without the hassle of hand brewing.
Updated machines will even have the option to set timers, so you can ready everything before bed and wake up to the smell of hot steaming java!
The important thing to keep in mind when setting a coffee or espresso machine is to make sure it’s installed perfectly horizontally. Otherwise, the hot water will not pour evenly into the coffee powder, which results in an inconsistent extraction. You can check the straightness with a level gauge (built into some smartphones!).
Use A Larger Pour Over To Quench the Thirst of an Audience
A typical pour over will include a handy lip towards the bottom that allows it to safely sit atop your mug or carafe and drip it directly into your chosen vessel. However, if you’re brewing for the many, this can be quite a challenge as you will need to repeat the process multiple times.
Worry not! There are pour overs with built-in carafes that will catch multiple cups at one time. These are ideal for entertaining, or if you prefer more than one cup of joe in a sitting. Electronic coffee machines will also filter coffee for the masses, so this can be a viable option despite the less hands-on approach to brewing.
If you’re looking at a manual tool for large-capacity brewing, keep in mind that it can be difficult to control the pour with a larger cone, and the complexity of the coffee’s flavour may suffer a bit if you're using a built-in filter over a paper one. Also, the larger carafe/dripper combinations are tricky to manoeuvre if using a digital scale to time and measure your brew.
Some Appliances Have Reusable Filters While Other Require Single Use
You will find yourself needing to invest in some quality paper filters to accompany your pour over on its journey to making the perfect cup. These papers simply slot into place and endure a quick pour of hot water to prime, before the grounds are added and the process can begin.
These can be easily purchased, and are a requirement for many models, but can be quite wasteful if you’re a regular coffee drinker. Luckily, more manufacturers are opting for reusable filters to ensure you never run out, and can keep an eye on the planet at the same time! These include stainless steel or plastic filters, which can be emptied and rinsed between brews.
When using paper filters, it’s important to rinse them first. Simply place the paper filter into your dripper and use your kettle to pour hot water over it. Then discard the water that has dripped into your vessel of choice. This not only removes dust and unwanted odours from the paper but also pre-heats your dripper and vessel, leading to the cleanest and purest flavour for your cup of coffee!
Reusable cloth filters are tempting to avoid waste, but they are actually very difficult to clean. The amount of water used to maintain them ends up being not so eco-friendly!
Top 10 Best Pour Over Coffee Makers in the UK
Products | Image | Click to purchase | Key features | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
1 | Hario V60 | | For the Coffee Shop Brewing Experience, Look No Further | |
2 | BODUM Pour Over Coffee Maker｜11571 | | An Elegant Maker for a Modern Kitchen | |
3 | Kalita Wave 185 | | A Top Choice to Make Your Experience Stress Free | |
4 | Hario Woodneck Pour Over Coffee Maker | | A Stunning Choice With a Unique Style | |
5 | Smeg Drip Filter Coffee Machine｜DCF02 | | A Retro Look Filter Machine With a Huge Yield | |
6 | Clever Pour Over Coffee Dripper | | The Easiest Way To Make A Killer Cup Of Joe | |
7 | Chemex 6-Cup Wood Neck Coffee Maker｜CHEM6WOOD | | An Elegant Maker for a High Quality Brew | |
8 | Russell Hobbs Buckingham Filter Coffee Machine｜20680 | | Please a Crowd With This Easy to Use Appliance | |
9 | Linkind Portable Pour Over Coffee Maker | | A Hassle-Free Pour Over That Does the Work for You | |
10 | Melitta Pour Over｜6761018 | | A Low-Cost Choice Perfect For the Outdoors |
For the Coffee Shop Brewing Experience, Look No Further
It is hard to enter a coffee shop these days without seeing a v60 in action. This is the top dog in the world of pour over coffee as it yields an incredibly aromatic and full-bodied cup. If you already have your head around how to prepare pour over, then this is the best option for you!
The v60 has a unique cone shape with raised grooves to provide an even and rapid water flow, especially when used alongside v60 filters. Pair this device with a gooseneck kettle, scale and an eye for timing, as following the meticulous process will get you the very best out of this affordable maker!
BODUMPour Over Coffee Maker ｜ 11571
An Elegant Maker for a Modern Kitchen
If you’re looking for a crowd-pleasing maker with a huge capacity and a stunning look, then look no further than this piece of kit from Bodum! It flaunts a traditional cork necktie, with the option of a colourful plastic sleeve if you prefer, that drips into a beautifully curved thin glass carafe.
Its flat-bottomed stainless-steel filter makes for a forgiving experience that results in equal extraction across your grounds. This makes it a great starting point if you’re a beginner wanting to dabble in preparing pour over coffee for the first time.
A Top Choice to Make Your Experience Stress Free
The Kalita Wave is a beautifully uncomplex piece of kit that helps take away nuances of pouring the perfect cup of hot Joe! The Wave gets its name due to the shape of the cone which features horizontal ripples giving you improved flow control to aid the aroma and flavour of the yield.
This glass pour over is also available in stainless steel and ceramic, as well as size options with the 185 yielding two-three cup and the 155 one cup of. This pick has been specially designed to consistently create wonders due to its flat bottomed plate with three small holes to allow even extraction of liquid. A top choice if you have the hankering for coffee but don’t have time to put the full effort in!
HarioWoodneck Pour Over Coffee Maker
A Stunning Choice With a Unique Style
Along with its attractive curved glass shape, this Hario coffee maker comes equipped with an eye-catching reusable filter with a handle for easy removal and cleaning. This filter isn’t purely for looks, it offers an effortless means of preparing pour over coffee without the finickity process of perfectly placing your paper filters.
Be aware that the filter requires special attention to ensure you continue to get a good taste from your brewer. To keep it fresh, wash it thoroughly using a mild unscented detergent, and store it in a water bath inside your fridge
A Retro Look Filter Machine With a Huge Yield
Smeg continues to build brilliant kitchen appliances with a truly 50’s aesthetic. We particularly like this gorgeous filter coffee machine which emulates a pour over style! Coming in a choice of 7 colours you'll be able to find a device that will blend in perfectly with your kitchen!
It can be slightly difficult to change the settings via the mechanical lever situated on the side. However, once you've mastered it, succulent and aromatic coffees will be readily available. It even features an aroma intensity option, so you can get that unique coffee fix that you’re chasing.
The Easiest Way To Make A Killer Cup Of Joe
The Clever coffee dripper is exactly what it says on the tin. By following the straightforward process, you will no doubt master art of preparing the best cup of coffee possible - and in no time at all!
The magic lies within its valve opening, towards the bottom of the dripper. After adding your grounds and water, you can sit back and let it stew accordingly to your desired taste, before opening the valve and letting the hot java to fill your cup.
Chemex6-Cup Wood Neck Coffee Maker ｜ CHEM6WOOD
An Elegant Maker for a High Quality Brew
Chemex has one of the most aesthetically pleasing pour over coffee makers on the market, and this 6-cup model is perfect for quenching the thirst of a crowd. This beautiful glass carafe boasts a wooden neckpiece for a modernistic appeal and, providing you follow the process carefully, you can receive an exquisite brew.
Unfortunately, it doesn’t include purpose-made filtration holes or reusable filters. This means that it will rely solely on filter papers. This can be a tricky method to master, which makes this a complex piece of kit if you are just learning pour over coffee making.
Russell HobbsBuckingham Filter Coffee Machine ｜ 20680
Please a Crowd With This Easy to Use Appliance
This fantastic machine emulates the pour over experience by blooming the grounds using showerhead technology to ensure you get the best taste from each brew. The filter can be removed, allowing you to clean and refill easily between uses and, thanks to its auto-clean feature, the machine will stay fresher for longer.
We like that you can set a timer, allowing you to prepare your morning coffee before you go to sleep. Using a machine can take away the charm of brewing your own pour over by hand, but with a 1.25 L capacity, you can make great coffee for the masses by barely lifting a finger.
LinkindPortable Pour Over Coffee Maker
A Hassle-Free Pour Over That Does the Work for You
This battery-powered brewer aims to emulate a barista standard coffee by perfectly distributing the water over your grounds. This results in an aromatic and evenly brewed cup. In the box, you get a reusable stainless steel filter and a measuring spoon for flawless grounds.
It’s a brilliant choice if you live a bustling lifestyle and want coffee with you at all times. The use of batteries means you won’t need to rely on mains power to use it. So it doesn’t matter if you are in the woods, the office, or on your sofa!
A Low-Cost Choice Perfect For the Outdoors
The Malitta one cup is the ideal starting place for all your caffeine needs. It's an incredibly lightweight and simple design that's perfect for accompanying you on camping trips, hikes and other outdoor adventures. The plastic cone sits raised from your vessel, so you can monitor the water and avoid overflowing pours.
Although you can still get a great cup of Joe, you will never quite achieve the top-quality flavours that higher-end products can deliver. But at such a desirable price, it’s undoubtedly a steal!
Pour Over Coffee Provides Accentuated Flavours and a Customised Experience
The method of preparing pour over coffee is as simple as its name states. It is the process of gradually pouring water over your grounds through a filter, which brews a beautiful cup of coffee.
This style of brewing allows the water to accentuate the powerful flavours of your coffee by extracting the oils, which will enrich and deepen the end product. Although this sounds like a straightforward process, mastering it will take time and patience, so make sure you stick with it to get your technique down, and you’ll be brewing coffee like an expert in no time!
Bonus Product: An Eco-Friendly Reusable Alternative to Filter Papers
Nicole's Advice on the Perfect Pouring Time
"The drip pot you use for your pour-over is also important. The flavour of your coffee will change depending on the amount of water poured, so you’ll want to use a narrow-mouthed pot that you can easily control. The ideal water temperature is about 89-92°C.
As for recipes; first, start with the ratio between coffee grinds and hot water. For example: 1g Coffee beans to 16~17mL hot water with an extraction time of about 3:00 to 4:00 minutes. Determine the time and amount of hot water to be added in 4 to 5 pours."
The following is an example:
Coffee beans: 10g
Hot water: 170 ml
1st pour: 50ml (0:00 ~ 1:00)
2nd pour: 50ml (1: 00 ~ 1:10)
3rd pour: 35ml (1:10 ~ 1:20)
4th pour: 35ml (1:20 ~ 1:30)
Let it drip until the 3:00 or 4:00 minute mark, remove the dripper and enjoy!
* Results will vary depending on the grind size and character of the beans *
Get the Best Brew
Now you've picked out a pour over coffee maker, you might want to select some accessories to make your experience easier, and your coffee even more delicious. Whether coarse or fine, you'll need the perfect grind, and a scale to get the ratio exact. To finish off, make sure you select the best beans as spending time finding your favourite region and roast will get you to coffee ecstasy pronto!
Summary
It doesn’t matter if you're looking to make the occasional cup, or feed that habitual caffeine addiction, you’ll be sure to find a great partner in a pour over coffee maker. As we draw our guide to a close, you should feel more comfortable in challenging yourself to make the perfect cup of Joe in true pour over style!
Author: Kieran Davies
Top 5 Pour Over Coffee Makers
No. 1: Hario｜V60
No. 2: BODUM｜Pour Over Coffee Maker｜11571
No. 3: Kalita｜Wave 185
No. 4: Hario｜Woodneck Pour Over Coffee Maker
No. 5: Smeg｜Drip Filter Coffee Machine｜DCF02
View Full RankingThe descriptions of each product are referenced from content available on manufacturer, brand, and e-commerce sites.
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