Pour-Over Coffee Gear: Drippers, Kettles, and Scales
What you actually need to brew pour-over, and the gear worth buying.
Pour-over brewing rewards a little attention with a clean, bright, detailed cup. You need three things: a dripper, a way to pour slowly and steadily, and a way to measure. Here’s what matters in each, and our picks.
What to look for
The dripper shapes the cup
Cone drippers with one large hole let you control the flow with your pour, which gives you more control but is less forgiving. Flat-bottom drippers extract more evenly and are easier to get right. Thick paper filters produce an especially clean cup.
A gooseneck kettle makes pouring easier
A narrow spout lets you pour slowly and exactly where you want. Temperature control is a bonus, especially for light roasts.
Weigh, don’t scoop
Any kitchen scale that reads to 0.1 grams will improve consistency, because coffee beans vary in density. A built-in timer helps you repeat a recipe.
Our picks
Hario V60
Budget
Best for: Learning pour-over and fine-tuning your technique.
A cone dripper with spiral ribs and a single large opening, so flow depends on how you pour. It’s inexpensive and widely used by specialty coffee shops.
Keep in mind: Less forgiving than a flat-bottom dripper, and it works best with a gooseneck kettle.
Chemex Classic
Mid-range
Best for: A very clean cup, and brewing for two or more.
The hourglass glass brewer uses thick bonded paper filters that remove most oils and fine particles, and it doubles as a serving carafe.
Keep in mind: It needs its own filters and a slightly coarser grind; too fine and it drains slowly.
Kalita Wave
Budget
Best for: Consistent results without perfect technique.
A flat-bottom dripper with three small holes and wave-shaped filters that promote even extraction, making it more forgiving than a cone.
Keep in mind: It uses its own wave filters, which can be harder to find in stores.
Fellow Stagg EKG Kettle
Premium
Best for: Precise control over water temperature and pour.
An electric gooseneck kettle with variable temperature and a hold setting, and a counterbalanced handle for a slow, steady pour.
Keep in mind: A significant cost. Any gooseneck kettle plus a thermometer gets you most of the way.
Acaia Pearl Scale
Premium
Best for: Repeating a recipe exactly.
A coffee scale with 0.1-gram resolution, a built-in timer, and app connectivity for logging brews.
Keep in mind: Premium pricing. An inexpensive 0.1-gram kitchen scale and a phone timer are a fine place to start.
Sunset Brews doesn’t sell brewing equipment, and we aren’t paid for these recommendations. Prices and models change, so check the maker’s site for current details.