travel pour over coffee set

Travel Coffee Kits: My Two Favorites, Tested Around The World

Pour-over brewing is a fun and easy way to enjoy great coffee at home.

But if you’re on the road much, then you know the difficulty of packing all that paraphernalia.

Having spent several months on the road in recent years, I’ve tried almost everything under the sun.

What follows are my two favorite ways to brew great coffee while traveling.

This article might contain affiliate links. As a member of programs including Amazon Associates, I earn from qualifying purchases.

Option 1: A minimalist pour-over coffee travel kit

Choose a dripper that collapses to pack flat. Bring a quality hand grinder, since grinding fresh is critical for flavor. Replace your usual kettle with a microwave-safe glass or silicone measuring cup. Keep beans in their valved bag to minimize air volume. Finally, pack your filters against something flat, like a laptop or book.

While you can also just bring a standard, plastic pour-over cone, it’s easy to find more compact options.

My favorite option is a collapsible silicone dripper like this one from Amazon.

(There are a few on the market, all basically identical.)

It uses Melitta-style filters, which cost next to nothing and are available at practically any grocery store.

Equally importantly, it has just a couple of small holes in the bottom. That’s a good way to keep water from passing too quickly when you don’t have a luxury of a gooseneck kettle.

Another option is this style of cone-less dripper with a reusable nylon filter.

In my experience, its filter allowed about as much sediment as you’d find in a French press. I dislike that; others don’t mind. It’s also harder to control the flow of water, since it’s just a suspended filter, not a cone with small openings.

That said, it’s the lightest and most compact option out there.

Finally, metal filter holders are a nice middle ground between the first two options. MiiR makes this particularly stylish one.

The price is a bit steep, frankly, but its fit and finish seem a notch up from cheaper knock-offs. It uses standard V60-style conical filters. However, the wide-open bottom means it could be a little finicky without a gooseneck kettle.

Option 2: The simplest AeroPress travel set-up

The AeroPress is ideal for travel because it’s easy to use without a kettle or scale. For easier packing, bring a hand grinder that fits inside the AeroPress plunger. Store some filters inside the filter cap, or switch to a reusable metal filter. Skip the funnel, but bring the scoop to help you estimate coffee amounts.

The AeroPress has a cult following in the specialty coffee world, and for good reason: it’s ingenious.

It’s also the single most travel-friendly brewer on the market.

My review goes into more detail, but in brief, the AeroPress is a tough and compact brewer that yields great coffee even when you can’t measure and pour precisely.

The plunger also lets you control extraction time when water temperature may be hard to manage. That matters more than you might think, as explained in my guide to coffee extraction .

Although the AeroPress takes more space than a collapsible pour-over cone, you can make up for that by buying a grinder that fits inside its plunger. Any of the models shared here would work well.

Finally, the AeroPress eliminates the need for a specialized kettle. It’s an immersion brewer, meaning the water stays in the coffee for some time, rather than passing straight down through it (as in percolation). There’s no further benefit to the slow, precise pouring of a gooseneck kettle.

What travel coffee gear do you really need?

Both of the suggestions above will make you excellent coffee. Still, it takes some compromises to fit everything into a bag while leaving room for (non-coffee) essentials.

These trade-offs will be clearer as we go through each item in a travel pour-over set-up.

Hand grinders are great for travel (as well as home)

No matter where or how you brew, it’s essential to grind fresh before brewing.

It’s equally essential to use a high-quality burr grinder. Otherwise, you’ll end up with a mix of powdery grounds and large bean chunks, both of which will throw off the taste.

The answer is a quality hand grinder. I’m fond of the Timemore Chestnut (reviewed here ), and actually use it at home as well as on the road. Like all other hand grinders of similar quality, it grinds as nicely as a much more expensive electric grinder, but in a small and affordable package.

If you go with an AeroPress, then check out this guide for three models that fit inside the plunger.

Manual grinders aren’t convenient for brewing large batches, but that’s seldom necessary when you’re traveling.

If a hand grinder breaks your budget (or weight/space limit), then pre-ground coffee may be the best remaining option. It loses flavor extremely quickly, so it’s best purchased at your destination.

Skip the scale

The water-to-coffee ratio plays a huge role in flavor. It’s impossible to get consistent results without measuring coffee and water alike.

However, inconsistent results aren’t bad ones, necessarily. Just a bit different each time. If that’s acceptable, then forget about packing something as delicate as a scale.

How, then, do you even get close to the right amount of coffee?

Personally, I practiced with a scale at home until I could reliably get within 1 gram based on the level of beans in a scoop or even in the palm of my hand.

(Yes, it’s a weird coffee-geek thing to do. But it works!)

This convenience does bring a couple disadvantages:

• It’s less useful if you need to make different batch size. If my palm or scoop hold 11 grams, there’s no obvious way to get (say) 17, besides eyeballing a palmful-and-a-half. Your mileage may vary.
• This work best with beans of similar density, which means similar size and roast level. For example, X grams of a light-roasted peaberry fill much less volume than X grams of a dark-roasted Pacamara. After all, we use a scale in the first place because mass, not volume, is what matters.

This isn’t an exact science, but that’s all right. We’re not looking for absolute consistency, just for a minimalist way to have good coffee.

Get creative with kettle alternatives

Gooseneck kettles make it easy to control the flow of water through a pour-over dripper. That helps the coffee extract more evenly.

Unfortunately, they’re the least travel-friendly item imaginable. Bulky, heavy, and equipped with a spout that might pierce whatever it’s packed alongside.

Use the numbers on the side of the AeroPress

If you use an AeroPress, then you can simply use the numbers on the side. Each one represents 60 mL, e.g., from the top of the “1” to the top of the “2”.

Pro tip: make your usual AeroPress recipe at home with a scale, and note what water level it reaches. That’s helpful because it may actually be more or less than 60 mL to reach the “1”, depending on how much coffee is resting on the bottom.

Use a measuring cup for pour-overs

The best reasonable alternative is a microwaveable measuring cup. Its microwave-friendliness lets you boil the water directly in it. (That’s better than the alternative of boiling elsewhere, then decanting. It loses heat too quickly.)

Silicone ones obviously win for durability and weight. Glass ones have handles, though, which makes a huge difference when full of scalding water.

Hotels in many parts of the world stock their rooms with one of those cheap, plastic tea kettles. They don’t pour as neatly as a gooseneck, but are perfectly adequate.

However, those kettle have too few volume markings—often none below a few hundred mL—so your measuring cup will still come in handy for filling it.

Wrapping up: great coffee wherever you are

Pour-over and AeroPress brewing are two of the best ways to make coffee at home. They’re also two of the best options to take on the road.

After traveling extensively with variations of both set-ups, I still can’t pick a favorite. The AeroPress gets a slight edge for its simplicity and extra control over extraction time, but the clarity and lightness of pour-over brews is also appealing.

In other words, it’s hard to go wrong.

Some simplifications and trade-offs are necessary. That’s especially true where measurement and pouring are concerned.

But as long as you buy a great grinder and don’t mind a little more variation between brews, it’s surprisingly easy to enjoy an excellent cup on the go.

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The 16 Best Portable Coffee Makers for Travel

By Jason Barnette | Travel writer and photographer with 15+ years of road tripping experience

• Last Updated on May 25, 2024
• Published on April 9, 2023

This post may contain affiliate links. Read my Affiliate Disclosure here .

About 75% of Americans drink coffee on weekdays, and half of those enjoy the caffeinated beverage daily. At home, it’s easy to whip up a delicious latte with the Breville Barista Express or brew a single-serve coffee with a Keurig. But while those caffeine-churning machines are great at home, they are lousy travel companions.

Coffee shops – especially those with a drive-thru – are popular among coffee drinkers at home and while traveling. But just two coffees per person per day can quickly add up to a large chunk of your travel budget.

Fortunately, portable coffee makers are a great solution. Packable and easy to use, these coffee machines can be fine-tuned to your taste and used before you leave the hotel room.

Browse through this list of the best portable coffee makers and decide which is the best fit for your style of that magnificent morning nectar.

Table of Contents

Quick compare, why buy a portable coffee maker, the different types of portable coffee makers, things to consider with a portable coffee maker, accessories for portable coffee makers, frequently asked questions, wacaco minipresso gr, outin nano portable espresso machine, staresso portable espresso machine, sea to summit x-brew collapsible coffee dripper, gsi outdoors gourmet pour over java set, cafflano klassic all-in-one pour over coffee maker, aeropress go portable travel coffee press kit, bodum travel press, presto myjo single cup coffee maker, brutrek ovrlndr travel coffee french press, espro p1 french press, keurig k-mini plus, black+decker single-serve coffeemaker, chulux single cup coffee maker, makita 18v cordless coffee maker, hamilton beach flexbrew.

• Compact design

Lightweight

All-in-one design

Built-in water heater

Stainless steel construction

Easy to clean

• Includes burr grinder
• Easy to pack

Easy to use

Includes coffee mug

• Brews in less than a minute
• Includes travel cup

Insulated travel mug

Large water reservoir

• Removable bottom
• Stainless steel

Reusable filter

Removable water reservoir

• Retractable cord

Heats water quickly

Removable drip tray

Lockable lid

• Two brew strengths

Short brew time

For some, whether or not to buy a portable coffee maker isn’t an issue because the answer is a resounding “Yes.” But for others, buying a portable coffee maker for travel may seem silly. Why would you want to pack a coffee maker when there are countless places to get coffee?

You may want to buy a portable coffee maker for three good reasons. You don’t need to be a coffee lover to appreciate these reasons. Do any of the reasons appeal to you?

Get coffee when you want it

If you’re anything like me, you want coffee within fifteen minutes of opening your sticky eyelids and rubbing away the last remnants of sleep. The last thing you want is to shower, get dressed, and walk across the street to the coffee shop for your first brew of the day.

If you travel with a portable coffee maker, you can make coffee whenever you want. There is no need to wait in line at the coffee shop or get dressed before you can enjoy that first cup.

Make coffee the way you want it

If you drink coffee regularly, you probably have a particular way you like it. A specific water temperature, a certain volume, and a selection of additives like sugar and cream. But when you travel, you relinquish control over your coffee and rely on the source – a gas station, fast food restaurant, or coffee shop.

If you travel with a portable coffee maker, you can make your coffee just as you like. You can use the same beans or pods, brew the coffee at the same temperature and volume, and add the same ingredients after brewing. And if you travel with a portable fridge , you can keep your coffee creamer chilled between stops on your road trips.

Spend less on coffee and more money on travel

Good coffee isn’t cheap and cheap coffee isn’t good. And while it’s fun to explore local coffee shops while traveling, they can quickly become a drain on your travel budget. Even those one-dollar coffees at the gas station will add up over a week. If you travel with a portable coffee maker, you can save the money you would have spent and put it towards a museum admission or kayak rental.

There are lots of ways of brewing coffee and lots of ways to finish it after brewing. If you drink coffee at home, you likely already know your preferred method of brewing coffee. But when you travel, you might want to try something different, like espresso drinks for an extra caffeine boost or a pour over coffee for something quick and easy.

Here are the different types of portable coffee makers that you could easily pack for your next trip.

Espresso beans are regular coffee beans roasted longer and ground finer for brewing. The result is a richer flavor profile enjoyable in shots, double shots, or espresso drinks like lattes, cappuccinos, and macchiatos. At home, popular espresso machines like the Breville Barista Pro injects hot, pressurized water through a porta filter filled with finely ground beans.

While there are several portable espresso makers, they all require one key ingredient that is tricky while traveling: hot water. This requires a separate accessory for heating water before you can brew an espresso coffee, adding time and labor to the process.

Portable espresso makers are the easiest to travel with but have the heftiest price tag.

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Learn about the annual celebration of the National Park System and read my travel guides to national park units across the country.

Pour over is the easiest method for brewing coffee at home or on the road. A paper filter on top of a container is filled with ground coffee, and then hot water is methodically poured over the grounds. The Chemex Pour-Over Glass Coffeemaker is a popular model for pour over drinkers at home.

While traveling, the pour over is a quick and easy method for brewing coffee. But, like espresso drinks, it requires hot water. Portable pour over coffee makers are the least expensive of all the options and the easiest to pack.

French Press

The French Press method of coffee making is popular among backpackers and campers because of how easy it is. First, water is heated in a vessel to the desired temperature. Then, ground coffee is gently poured on top and allowed to soak for a specific time. Finally, a fine mesh filter is pressed down, pushing the coffee grounds to the bottom of the vessel so the coffee can be poured into a mug.

Like the two previous options, the French Press requires hot water. And this method tends to be the messiest, with the wet coffee grounds pressed into the bottom of the vessel that must be cleaned between each use. Portable French Press coffee makers are somewhere in the middle for price and portability, but from start to finish takes the longest amount of time to brew coffee.

Single Serve

Drip coffee is the most common way of making coffee in the world. From large 12-cup glass coffee pots to stainless steel carafes and single-serve options, there are more options for drip coffee machines than any other method of brewing coffee. Ground coffee is placed in a filter basket or a pod inserted, and the machine does the rest, heating water and slowly trickling through the grounds and into the coffee mug.

Single serve coffee makers are the most convenient for travel, especially the models that can use pods. The machines require power, but so does the kettle to make hot water for all the previous options. But the machines require minimal cleaning and manual labor, producing coffee faster and easier.

Portable single-serve coffee makers compete with espresso makers for price. The makers are also larger and near impossible to pack in checked luggage if flying. However, the makers are the best option for road trippers and use in hotel rooms.

Before confirming your purchase of a portable coffee maker, there are some things to consider when making your decision. This decision might be easy if you’re set on a particular coffee-making method. But if you’re open to new possibilities, there are options for your needs.

If you’re flying, space in your luggage is a premium. But even if you’re road tripping, space in your car is limited. Giant coffee makers permanently parked on your kitchen countertop are not ideal for travel, so look for smaller coffee makers that are easier to pack and carry.

Like the size, if you’re flying, weight is a premium. Small usually means light, but not always. Look for a lightweight, portable coffee maker that will be easier to carry in your luggage.

Compactness

Some portable coffee makers come in all-in-one packages that make it easy to keep up with the various components. These are the best coffee makers, especially if you’re checking in and out of multiple hotels on a road trip.

This is the least important concern for travel unless you’re camping in an Alaskan yurt. You’ll likely have power wherever you travel, but finding an available outlet can sometimes be difficult. And, if your portable coffee maker requires power, you won’t be using it in your vehicle without a good power inverter .

Most portable coffee makers are built on the principle of brewing single-serve coffee. Anything more required a large and hefty carafe. Be sure you’re happy with one serving at a time, especially if you need two or more coffees immediately in the morning.

Portable coffee makers are slower than their counterparts sitting at your house. Instead of always having hot water ready, a portable coffee maker must heat the water and brew the coffee with each serving. And that can become a problem if you need coffee for two or more people every morning. Some portable coffee makers are faster than others, which might be the deciding factor.

A lot of portable coffee makers must be cleaned between each use. This means it will take longer and more effort to make each coffee. You might want to consider a single-serve coffee maker that will be faster and easier to use.

Accessories

A world of accessories exists for every portable coffee maker, but some require additional items. Depending on your purchase, you may need a coffee grinder, hot water kettle, and travel case. The total investment increases along with the size and weight of your luggage.

The availability of hot water is probably the most important factor in the type of portable coffee maker you choose. Unless you enjoy cold coffee, you will need hot water to make your coffee. Single serve coffee machines have built-in heating elements, but many other types will require a hot water kettle. That means buying and packing an additional device in your luggage.

One of the benefits of a portable coffee maker is saving money on what you otherwise might have spent at Starbucks. Consider how many coffees you would need to brew to see a return on your investment before plunging into the world of portable coffee makers.

For every kind of retail item, there is a third-party accessory catalog. Portable coffee makers are no exception. But while some accessories are nice, others are necessary depending on what kind of coffee maker you buy.

Here are some accessories for portable – and not-so-portable – coffee makers you might want to add to your shopping cart.

Craft Coffee: A Manual If you’re new to drinking coffee or want to learn more about coffee making, Craft Coffee: A Manual is a good purchase. The 272-page book dives into the methods of brewing coffee, necessary hardware and accessories, and how to get the most flavor from the coffee beans.

JavaPresse Manual Coffee Grinder The JavaPresse Manual Coffee Grinder trades electricity for elbow grease. The tall stainless steel cylinder is easy to grip with one hand while spinning the grinder with the other. 18 grind settings mean you can produce ground coffee from fine to coarse for your preferred brewing method. And at just half a pound, you’ll barely notice it in your luggage.

KRUPS Silent Vortex Electric Grinder Ironically, the KRUPS “Silent” Vortex Electric Grinder isn’t silent but close to quiet. The grinder’s 12-cup capacity makes it easy to prepare however much ground coffee you need daily. And then removable stainless steel grinding bowl makes it easy to pour and clean. At 2.4 pounds, it’s light to carry, and the power cord is stored beneath the grinder.

Miir Coffee Canister Keep your coffee beans fresh while traveling with the Miir Coffee Canister . The airtight stainless steel canister has a 12-ounce capacity for typical single roasted bean bags. The durable powdered coated hardshell will come in handy when traveling long distances. And at just one pound, when empty, it won’t weigh you down.

Jettle Electric Kettle You’ll need hot water if you want espresso, French Press, or pour over coffee while traveling. The Jettle Electric Kettle is the most portable hot water kettle on the market. At 10″ tall and 4″ in diameter, the cylindrical device is easy to pack in your luggage. And with a 16-ounce capacity, you’ll have boiling water in about five minutes. The power cord disconnects and stores inside the device for travel.

Café Casa Milk Frother To enjoy lattes, you’ll need the Café Casa Milk Frother and a portable espresso coffee maker. The frother features an ergonomic grip, two-speed settings, and a stainless steel whisk. And at just over a quarter of a pound, it won’t hinder your luggage.

BESTEK Power Inverter Did you know it’s possible to brew coffee in your car? With a BESTEK Power Inverter, you can power various electronic devices while your car’s engine runs. The BESTEK 150W Inverter can power smaller electronic devices, but you’ll need the BESTEK 300W or BESTEK 2000W for most portable coffee makers.

YETI Rambler Mug The stainless steel YETI Rambler Mug is a great travel mug for carrying around the campsite, hotel room, or lodge. Available in 10-ounce , 14-ounce , and 24-ounce capacities, the mugs feature a leak-proof MagSlider lid and comfortable carry handle.

THERMOS Stainless King Travel Mug The 16-ounce THERMOS Stainless King Travel Mug is the king of vacuum-insulated mugs. The stainless steel mug features a leak-proof lid and comfortable handle, making it perfect for taking coffee.

The Best Portable Espresso Makers

The Wacaco Minipresso GR is one of the easiest portable espresso makers. The compact all-in-one kit features a built-in scoop and cup, so everything conveniently remains together as you travel. And with the optional Minipresso Case , you can keep your investment protected.

The Wacaco Minipresso GR uses a semi-automatic hand pump to inject hot water through the filter basket. With a 2.35-ounce water reservoir, you can quickly brew two espresso shots with a few one-handed pumps. The manual operation means no dependency on power or batteries – this could be good or bad, depending on how you view manually crafting your coffee.

Like all portable espresso makers, the Wacaco Minipresso GR requires hot water from another source. The Jettle Electric Kettle is a perfect portable companion for getting boiling water. The Wacaco Minipresso GR measures just 7 inches tall and weighs less than a pound, making it easy to pack for travel.

Compact design and lightweight

Optional travel case

Requires hot water

Takes 7-10 minutes to brew a shot

Must clean after every use

Best Portable Espresso Maker

The OutIn Nano Portable Espresso Machine is a quantum leap beyond the competition with a built-in water heater. At 9″ tall and 3″ in diameter, it’s the same size and weight as the competition and a perfectly portable espresso maker.

The OutIn Nano uses a 7500mAh rechargeable battery for the effortless brewing of espresso shots. On a single charge, the machine can produce five shots of espresso. Each brew takes about 5 minutes to heat the water from room temperature and 3 minutes to extract the shot. Recharging is simple, though, with the standard USB-C cable and power block – not included.

The OuttIn Nano is an all-in-one design that makes it easy to pack for travel. An advantage of the OutIn espresso machine is the option to use capsules from popular brands like Nespresso . However, you can still grind coffee beans for a shot.

Battery powered

Uses capsules or ground coffee

Battery requires frequent recharging

Heating requires at least 30% battery power

The Staresso Portable Espresso Machine is a fine portable espresso maker if you don’t mind a little manual labor. The all-in-one design keeps everything together, including the coffee scoop, capsule cutter for Nespresso -style capsules, and filter basket for ground coffee. Stainless steel construction means this compact and lightweight machine can survive jostling while traveling.

After using something like the Jettle Electric Kettle for boiling water, the Staresso Portable Espresso Machine produces a single shot of espresso in about 5 minutes. Unlike other portable espresso machines, the Staresso machine securely holds the cup to the body while pumping for the perfect extraction.

No plastic parts – stainless steel construction

Top-mounted manual pump

The Best Portable Pour Over Coffee Makers

Sea to Summit specializes in lightweight gear for backpackers. So, of course, their X-Brew Collapsible Coffee Dripper is also perfect for travelers – especially if you fly. The silicone cone is collapsible to less than an inch thick, so you can slide it into a sleeve of your carry-on bag. The stainless steel mesh filter is removable for easy cleaning. And the entire setup weighs only 3 ounces.

However, a downside to pour over coffee makers is the need for hot water. The Jettle Electric Kettle is easy to get hot water for your pour over while traveling. Once the hot water is ready, brewing a coffee into your favorite travel mug takes less than a minute.

Pack in a carry-on bag

Easy to damage

US-based GSI Outdoors is one of the world’s largest family-owned outdoor gear makers. The company specializes in gear for backpacking and car camping. The GSI Outdoors Gourmet Pour Over Java Set is a happy product that meets the needs of backpackers, campers, and travelers all at once.

The silicone cone features a large, 5.6″ diameter plastic flange to help center the pour over your travel coffee mug. When finished, the cone collapses to 1″ high and weighs less than a pound. A plastic cover snaps onto the flange to keep everything together. It’s the perfect way to brew coffee if you fly with just a carry-on bag.

Of course, you’ll need hot water. The Jettle Electric Kettle can boil water in less than five minutes and easily packs into most bags.

Kit includes an adjustable manual conical burr grinder

Lightweight and compact design

Large plastic flange

It can be packed in a carry-on bag

The plastic flange is easily broken while traveling

Best Pour Over Coffee Maker

The Cafflano Klassic All-in-One Pour Over Cofee Maker is one of the most innovative coffee machines ever produced. The nifty device features a kettle, conical burr grinder, pour over filter, and a coffee mug that assembles into a 7.6″x3.5″ travel container. And weighing just one pound, it’s easy to pack for travel.

The adjustable conical burr grinder uses human power to produce fresh ground coffee directly into the pour over filter. The pre-measured kettle features a pour spout for fine control of the pour over. The pour over filter fits snugly onto the insulated tumbler. Pour water through the filter, remove the filter, and you’ll have coffee in less than a minute.

The only thing missing from the otherwise flawless portable coffee maker is a means to produce hot water. The Jettle Electric Kettle can make hot water in about five minutes, and the pre-measured Cafflano Klassic kettle will ensure you get the correct amount of water each time.

Mug does not have a lid

The Best Portable French Press Coffee Makers

All it takes is a single pump when brewing coffee with the Aeropress Go . The French press portable coffee maker uses a hand pump to push water through ground coffee in a filter basket to make delicious coffee. The process takes only a few minutes – but you’ll have to make the hot water first.

The 15-ounce travel cup does double duty as storage for the various components of the travel coffee kit. The scoop, stirrer, additional paper filters , and pump fit inside the cup, and a silicone cap keeps everything secured.

The all-plastic design means the Aeropress Go is more fragile than its stainless steel counterparts. And the paper filter means you’ll need to carry spares and pack enough to last the duration of your trip. Finally, you’ll need something like the Jettle Electric Kettle to make hot water for your coffee.

Less than a minute to brew coffee

Travel cup also serves as storage

Uses paper filters

All-plastic design

The travel cup does not have a sip lid

The Bodum Travel Press is as simple as it gets with a portable coffee maker. The 15-ounce stainless steel tumbler stores everything inside until you can make coffee. The plunger is built into the leak-proof lid for easy use without assembly.

You’ll need something like the Jettle Electric Kettle to make the hot water, though. Once the hot water is poured into the tumbler, add your ground coffee, wait a few minutes, and press the plunger. Enjoy your coffee first, and clean up everything later.

Small brewing capacity

Only makes one coffee for one person at a time

Depending on how you brew coffee at home, the Presto MyJo Single Cup Coffee Maker could have one significant advantage over other French press coffee makers: it uses pods instead of ground coffee. The all-in-one design keeps everything together and makes packing easy for travel. When you’re ready to use, simply open the base, pop in a k-pod or other brand, and you’re ready to pump your delicious coffee.

Like other portable coffee makers, you’ll need something like the Jettle Electric Kettle to make hot water. Once boiling, pour into the Presto MyJo water reservoir and start pumping.

The Presto MyJo is slightly bigger than other portable coffee makers, measuring 9″ tall and about 4″ wide. However, it weighs less than a pound, so it’s still easy to carry around in your luggage.

Uses pods instead of ground coffee

Not a compact design

All plastic parts

Best Portable French Press Coffee Maker

Although BruTrek’s budget was too small to buy vowels, the BruTrek OVRLNDR is one of the best portable coffee makers for travel. The all-in-one design keeps everything together for easy packing and prevents lost parts. The stainless steel components are durable and will survive the rigors of travel. At 9.5″ tall, it will take some room in your luggage, and at 1.5 pounds, it’s still lightweight but heavier than the competition.

The innovative removable bottom is the coolest – or hottest, depending on how you like your coffee – part about the BruTrek OVRLNDR. The bottom of the insulated travel mug detaches to make cleaning the soggy coffee grounds effortless.

You’ll need something like the Jettle Electric Kettle to make hot water. Once ready, pour the water into the travel mug, add your ground coffee, and screw on the leak-proof lid with a built-in plunger. A single plunge and you’re drinking a delicious coffee.

Stainless steel components

Removable bottom for easy cleaning

Reusable stainless steel mesh filter

Only makes one coffee for one person

Heavier than other portable coffee makers

Have you ever sipped French press coffee and found gritty coffee grounds? With a patented double-filter design, the ESPRO P1 promises to prevent that irritating problem. Pour hot water into the 14-ounce travel mug, add your ground coffee, and press the plunger down. The basket-shaped reusable mesh filter squeezes the coffee through and pushes the grounds to the bottom.

With the Jettle Electric Kettle , you’ll have hot water in five minutes. Then, it takes just a couple more minutes to brew your coffee in the ESPRO P1. The insulated travel mug keeps the coffee hot, and the leak-proof lid will keep it from spilling.

The ESPRO P1 is 8″ tall and 3″ wide and weighs less than a pound, making it easy to pack and travel.

Stainless steel, all-in-one design

Insulated travel mug with lid

Small capacity

The Best Portable Single Serve Coffee Makers

Best Single Serve Coffee Maker

Keurig popularized the use of coffee pods – small plastic cups filled with a single scoop of ground coffee for brewing one coffee at a time. Single-use coffee machines are common in kitchens across the country today.

And the Keurig K-Mini Plus is the perfect portable coffee machine.

The single-serve coffee maker uses any brand’s pods to brew up to 12 ounces. The removable water reservoir is easily filled with pre-measured amounts etched into the clear plastic sides. The Keurig K-Mini Plus heats water on demand for each single-serve coffee. Brewing a coffee takes about five minutes from start to finish.

The removable tray allows for up to a 16.8″ travel mug. The 26″ power cord stores in a compartment in the back of the coffee maker. And a removable compartment holds 9 pods. With the additional travel bag , it’s easy to pack the Keurig K-Mini Plus in your car.

Compatible with travel mugs

Retractable power cord

Built-in pod storage

Easy to pack with an additional bag

Short power cord

Only uses coffee pods

The BLACK+DECKER Single Serve Coffeemaker is one of the lightest and most compact on the market. But that’s because it’s a barebones portable coffee maker with few features. Pour up to 16 ounces of water into the built-in reservoir, fill the removable filter basket with ground coffee, and press a button to brew.

It takes about five minutes for the single-brew coffee to heat and trickle through the filter basket into the included travel mug. The travel mug is a nice feature, but the lid is prone to leaking, and poor insulation does not keep the coffee warm for long. The portable coffee maker has clearance for a 7″ travel mug.

At 12″ tall and weighing just 3 pounds, the BLACK+DECKER Single Serve Coffeemaker is compact and lightweight, perfect for packing in your car.

Removable brew basket

Excellent brew capacity

Compact and lightweight design

Travel mug with lid included

Only uses ground coffee

Poor travel mug design

The CHULUX Single Cup Coffee Maker is great for travelers who want fresh drip coffee in the mornings. The portable coffee maker is just 9″ tall and weighs about 2 pounds, so it’s easy to pack.

The built-in water reservoir holds up to 12 ounces. The filter basket is only compatible with coffee pods. But once those are loaded, the coffee maker features a lockable lid to prevent accidentally spilling contents if knocked over in the hotel room.

Powerful heating elements means it only takes 3 minutes to brew a 12-ounce coffee. The removable drip tray allows for up to a 5.3″ coffee mug. At 10″ tall and 2.2 pounds, it’s great for travel to rental units where you’ll have coffee mugs to use instead of travel mugs.

Short travel mug size

Even if you’re not heading out to the job site, the Makita 18V Cordless Coffee Maker is an interesting portable machine. The coffee maker uses 18V or 12V lithium-ion batteries to produce up to three 5-ounce coffees on a single 4Ah battery. The cordless design makes it convenient for brewing in the car or without hassling to find an outlet.

The removable water reservoir makes it easy to fill. Insert a coffee packet into the basket or use ground coffee with the permanent built-in filter. Brewing a single coffee takes about 5 minutes after pressing the power button. But with only 3.5″ of clearance, you can only use small coffee mugs – no travel mugs for this coffee machine.

This is a great portable coffee maker if you don’t have room in your luggage to fit another compact coffee maker. The rugged exterior features a carry handle to grab and go. But you’ll also need to grab an extra battery and charger.

Uses packets or ground coffee

Requires 18V battery (not included)

Few brews per battery

Minimal mug clearance

The Hamilton Beach FlexBrew Single Serve Coffee Maker is a perfect compact solution for brewing pods or ground coffee while traveling. The coffee maker features an interchangeable, reusable filter basket and piercing pod insert, so you can brew coffee however you prefer. With pods, the coffee maker produces 10-ounce coffees, and with ground coffee, you can get a 14-ounce coffee.

The coffee maker requires a lot of power, though – 1,000 watts. That’s not an issue if plugging into a household outlet in a hotel or house rental. But if you want to use this coffee maker in the car, you’ll need a bigger power inverter for a portable coffee maker. Two brewing strengths are a bonus with the Hamilton Beach FlexBrew. Choose between Regular and Bold to begin the brew.

The coffee maker can fit most travel mugs with an 8″ height. The removable cup rest makes it easy to use smaller coffee mugs and the rest doubles as extra storage.

The coffee maker is compact at 13″ tall and weighs just 3 pounds. However, portability is hindered by a fixed 2-foot power cord that cannot be retracted for storage.

Uses pods or ground coffee

10-14-ounce brew capacity

Two brew strength settings

Travel mug compatible

Removable cup rest

The water reservoir is not removable

High power demand

Cannot retract the power cord

Portable coffee makers make it easy to travel with a coffee maker. Compact and lightweight pour over and espresso coffee makers can easily pack into your luggage. Single serve coffee makers are too large for luggage, but some are still small enough to easily pack in your car.

Portable coffee makers work on the same principle as countertop coffee makers at home. Portable coffee makers can use ground coffee, Nespresso pods, or coffee pods. Hot water is poured through the coffee into a travel mug. The only difference with portable coffee makers – and their biggest downside – is how you get the hot water.

Yes, you can bring a coffee maker on a plane. The Transportation Safety Administration allows electronic items like coffee and espresso makers to be packed in carry-on or checked luggage.

Yes, the Transportation Safety Administration allows U.S. fliers to pack portable coffee and espresso makers in their luggage.

Yes, the Transportation Safety Administration allows U.S. fliers to pack portable coffee and espresso makers in carry-on luggage.

Yes, the Keurig K-Mini and Keurig K-Mini Plus are excellent travel coffee makers. Although Keurig does not market them specifically for travel, the compact and lightweight coffee makers are perfect for travel.

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This stainless-steel coffee maker includes a stainless-steel filter and a matching Camp Mug for brewing the perfect cup. No paper filters needed, thus providing your loved ones with sustainable coffee-brewing gear!

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Nest Pour Over Coffee Kit

The Nest Pour Over Kit incorporates double  walled stainless-steel construction with a BPA Free lid and storage connector into a rugged, portable pour-over coffee brewing system. Dual threads enable the 5-piece kit to assemble into one compact unit perfect for travel, overlanding and other outdoor endeavors. When disassembled, the Kit delivers two 10oz mugs, one splash proof lid, a pour-over dripper, and a nesting storage connector that allows the system to be compatible with the Java G25 Grinder (not included). This holistic coffee brewing system delivers a premium brewing experience. Anywhere. Everywhere.

Dimensions: 11.5” Tall / 3.4” Diameter   Weight: 21.4 oz (607g) 

- Nest Dripper - 304 Food Grade Stainless Steel 80% Recycled - Nest #1 Filter - 304 Food Grade Stainless Steel with PET Threading - Nest Mugs 10oz (2x) - 304 Food Grade Stainless Steel 80% Recycled - Nest Lid - BPA-Free Food Grade Polymer - Nesting Cup - BPA-Free Food Grade Polymer. Designed to Store Java G25 Hand Coffee Grinder.

For optimal care, this product is recommended for hand washing only.

Designed in Canada

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Geared For Life

HIGHLY DURABLE, CORROSION & OXIDATION RESISTANT

Stainless-steel is durable, resists corrosion, and is more or less maintenance free. Simply clean with water and soap, dry with a towel, and your Nest Pour Over Kit will last a lifetime.

DOUBLE-WALLED VACUUM INSULATED

Double-wall construction with a vacuum layer acts as a thermal barrier, minimizing heat transfer and condensation. Your hot stuff stays hot, and your cool stuff stays cool.

80% RECYCLED STAINLESS-STEEL

Constructing our Kit from recycled materials uses significantly less energy than it would producing them from raw materials. It's good for the environment and promotes a more sustainable, circular economy.

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The Pakt Coffee Kit

Tired of terrible coffee while on the go? Look no further. The Pakt Coffee Kit is everything you need to make barista-quality coffee in one sleek, portable package. Use anywhere you have access to water and electricity.

• Use at home, desk-side, at an Airbnb, or in a hotel
• Compact, durable, airline carry-on friendly
• High-end, safe materials

How do you brew?

"A portable pour over coffee maker so there are no caffeine sacrifices"

Built to withstand the knocks of travel.

Most other coffee kits have a high probability of breaking due to the fragility of the components. Our kit nests together, each component fits inside the next larger one, housed within the stainless steel kettle with protective silicone sleeves, keeping every piece secure and silent. No rattling or broken parts.

What's inside

The kit contains everything you need to make pour over coffee housed within a portable carrying case:

• Electric kettle and dual voltage power base heats water to 205°F
• 12 oz double-walled stainless steel travel mug and lid
• Coffee grounds container
• Collapsible stainless steel dripper that packs down to half its size
• 5 gram coffee ground scooper
• Stainless steel mesh reusable filter

Barista quality coffee anywhere you go.

There are many coffee-making kits designed for adventure travel, but the gas canisters typically used for making coffee while camping can’t fly at all. We designed the Pakt Coffee Kit to be airline friendly, so it can easily go wherever you go. Check it or carry it on – the choice is yours.

Committed to responsible production and goods that stand the test of time.

Quality guarantee.

We guarantee each and every Pakt Coffee Kit to be free of manufacturing defects, and we will repair or replace any Pakt Coffee Kit that is deemed defective within the first year.

Made with the planet in mind

We've optimized every step of our supply chain to minimize the environmental impact. We use modern, durable, technical materials that are 100% animal-friendly. We’re constantly working to improve our process.

Production that's personal

We only work with suppliers and manufacturers that we know and trust, and whose standards are just as high as our own.

Plastic-free packaging

The Pakt Coffee Kit is shipped in 100% plastic-free packaging: no bubble wrap, no plastic bags, no air pillows, and no Styrofoam. Our packaging proudly bears the SeaHive seal. SeaHive helps companies replace the plastic used in their packaging with earth-friendly materials so no extra plastic lands in the ocean.

Show us how you brew, @alexander.mills

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Product details

• 3.76 lbs/ 60.15 oz/ 1.7 kg
• 12” x 5”
• High-grade stainless steel construction
• High end, safe materials
• Water never touches plastic when brewing
• The components of the kit are not dishwasher safe; Hand-wash only
• Allow to cool before cleaning
• Do not submerge kettle in water
• Full list of safety information and care instructions available here

Customer Reviews

This thing rocks. Packs nicely, makes a great cup in a short amount of time. I spoil myself with coffee in bed everyday. It's my thing. This allows me to have my thing when I'm on the road.

As a coffee snob this elevated my travel experiences! From small town road trip weekend getaways to AirBNB stays this system has been fantastic. TSA approved

I will never not travel with this kit. I've had mine for nearly 2 years and it still cranks out coffee and has changed my morning hotel routine for the better.

User note: I check-in coffee grounds or buy them when I arrive at my destination. Ground coffee seems to make TSA agents think you're carrying a brick of C-4, so save yourself time and raised eyebrows.

I've now flown through the following airports with my PAKT Coffee Kit--Albuquerque, Dallas, Nashville, Miami, Denver, El Paso--and can say that some airports take more interest in this thing than others. The attached picture was in ABQ and this guy gave me great advice--don't put coffee grounds in the kit--which proved really helpful. They did less swabbing of surfaces and such when there was no coffee there (maybe it's easier with coffee beans, but I wasn't traveling with a grinder). The airports that just quickly looked through it were: Nashville and Miami. The worst so far was El Paso. They held me up for over 20 minutes after going through security just wiping down parts of the device with these wet wipes and swabs and everything. I am still loving this coffee kit, despite the security hold ups. I recently had to be in Dallas for 5 days, and the hotel coffee wasn't set out until 6 or something and I was able to brew quality delicious coffee when I wanted it. Just be aware that going through TSA with this thing is not necessarily a walk in the park.

We ship to the US, Canada, Australia, UK and more. Check out the full list of countries that we ship to here .

Visit our owner's manual page here .

Yes. Most other kettles have a switch to toggle between different voltages, but we included circuitry to automatically accommodate both 110 and 220 volts.

No, an adaptor for the region(s) you’ll travel to would have to be purchased separately. The Kit is wired with a 3-prong North American plug (NEMA 5-15p) so you will need an adapter that accepts this format. Make sure that any adapter you choose is rated to accommodate at least 500W. We recommend one like the IG series from Ceptic , which fit perfectly in the Pakt Coffee Kit.

The Kit does not include a car adaptor, but any DC to AC power inverter rated for at least 500 watts will allow you to power it from your car’s electrical system (but please don’t brew and drive).

The kettle is designed to shut off when it reaches 205 degrees F (96.1 C) -- the high end of the range most consider the perfect temperature for pour over coffee. Note: Because water boils at a lower temperature at high elevation, at higher elevations, your water may never reach the 205 degree shutoff point. As a fail safe, we added a circuit with a timer that will shut the kettle off automatically after five minutes. We can’t change Mother Nature’s rules, but unless you get *really* high up there (above 9,000 ft/2,743 m or so), your water will still get hot enough for a good pour over.

No, your Pakt Coffee Kit includes a mesh metal reusable filter. Some coffee drinkers prefer paper filters, and The Kit is compatible with Hario V60 size 01 filters.

The Ideal Travel Coffee kit?

Brewing coffee on the road is an art form. Here are my top picks, when it comes to tools and accessories.

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Have you ever been to a hotel with delectable coffee? Me neither. 

Usually, you’re left with a little sachet of instant coffee or a questionable batch brew. 

And don’t get me started on gas stations and airport cafés. 

No, if you want good coffee while traveling, you will probably have to brew it yourself. 

Luckily, it’s both easy and fun to brew your coffee on the road. 

In this post, I’ll give you tips and tricks and share my favorite travel coffee kit.

Travel Coffee Kit Basics

Brewing coffee on the road is one of those small things where the effort-to-reward ratio is balanced in your favor. There’s something amazing about making a proper cup of coffee when you’re outside your comfort zone in a new location. 

The basic travel coffee kit includes a brewing device and a small, portable manual coffee grinder. 

Most people bring an AeroPress and a cheap manual grinder, but you can easily make the setup much more advanced. For instance, I’ll usually add a scale to the setup. And while we’re at it, why not an additional dripper for some extra flexibility ? 

In the following article, I’ll offer different devices from different categories. Then you can mix and match them as you see fit. 

Remember, there are many types of travel. There’s a big difference between a road trip and flying somewhere with only hand luggage. With the first type of travel, your options are endless, while weight and size become a much bigger concern if you have a luggage weight limit of 7 kg. 

Brewing devices

There are many manual brewing gadgets that are suitable for bringing on a road trip or vacation abroad. However, here are my top picks.

AeroPress Go

The AeroPress is an all-time favorite for travel.

It’s compact, sturdy, easy to brew, and clean. You can use it in many different places and scenarios, whether it’s a hotel room or an airplane. 

Personally, I prefer the AeroPress Go over the original version because it comes with a mug. 

This travel mug looks basic, but it’s incredibly underrated for travel, where it can also work as a range server. Almost all hotels use these small white porcelain cups that are not very suitable to brew into. Especially not if you want to brew enough coffee for two people. 

Check out my video here for a better explanation of how I use it. 

Munieq Tetra Drip

The Munieq Tetra Drip is probably the lightest coffee maker in the universe! It weighs between 12-40 grams depending on the size and material!

It folds into three flat parts, so it doesn’t take up much space in the suitcase. 

Besides being collapsible, the Tetra Drip is a traditional pour-over dripper. It’s a simple gadget meant to be used with a cone-shaped paper filter.

Carefully pour hot water on the coffee; after a few minutes, the coffee is brewed.

I have brought the Tetra Drip with me on many trips, and I’m a big fan and supporter of its flavor profile. 

It has a slower flow rate with less bypass than the Hario V60. This makes it easier to use. You don’t need to pour as carefully as you’d like with the other pour-over drippers.

It comes in both colorful plastic and stainless steel.

Clever Coffee Dripper

It’s one of my favorites for both travel and at home. The brew is usually excellent, and it’s simple to use. 

It’s a mix of a French press and a filter coffee maker. First, add grounds and water and let them steep for 3-4 minutes. Then you place the Clever on a mug or a pitcher, and the valve opens up. The coffee flows out through the paper filter.

The Clever comes in a small and large sizes – I’d probably go for the larger one. It has enough volume to serve two-three people.

This device has followed me on several backpacking trips without fail. 

Unless you’re planning to be brewing capsules or preground coffee, you’ll also need a grinder for your trip. Unless you’re travelling with a gigantic suitcase, it should be a manual grinder.

1Zpresso Q2

The 1Zpresso Q2 is a compact, lightweight grinder that is perfect for travel. It has a slim design and can fit inside an AeroPress, which is an attribute that many people appreciate.

It is made from top-grade aluminum, which makes it both light and durable.

It’s easy to disassemble completely for in-depth cleaning.

The Q2 has a burr size of 38mm and uses a simple and reliable adjustment mechanism.

The geometry of the burr is suitable for most coffee. With the new heptagonal burr upgrade , it can even work for espresso. The new burr offers a nuanced and clean cup and grinds faster than the previous pentagonal version. 

Timemore Slim Plus

Timemore Slim model is very suitable for travel. It doesn’t take up much space in the suitcase but will still perform well across a wide range of brewing methods. 

The Timemore Slim has been on the market for a few years. But after the company upgraded it with the E&B burr set, it became much more attractive. 

E&B stands for  “espresso and brew burrs.”  Previously, the Slim was available with either coated burs with espresso geometry or uncoated standard burrs.

The new burrs work better at both types of coffee than the previous ones.

You can check out my full review of this grinder here. 

Accessories

There are some accessories that every traveler needs to consider. These include:

• Coffee filters  are a no-brainer. However, it’s a good idea only to bring the amount you need for your trip. So do the math beforehand to get a rough estimate. 
• Digital scale : It’s nice to have, but there is also a certain charm in eyeballing it when you’re on the road. On a recent trip, I brought the Weightman coffee scale , which many home espresso aficionados swear by. 
• TDS meter:  Traveling abroad, you most likely don’t know the water brands. For that reason, a TDS meter comes in handy.
• Coffee Beans:  You should bring enough beans for the first days of your trip – and potentially the whole trip if you’re going off the grid without access to specialty roasters or well-stocked supermarkets.  

What about portable espresso makers?

If you’re an espresso lover, you’re in luck. Today, there are several portable espresso options on the market. Some are pretty expensive, while others can be found for less than $150.

I’ve tried all kinds of them over the years, and I’m happy to say that a few stands out.

So, should you bring coffee gear on your trip? The answer is, of course a resounding, yes !

However, you should remember that you will probably spend more time traveling than actually drinking coffee. That means you’ll need to pack less stuff.

Also, you should think twice before bringing heavy equipment. I have traveled with too many coffee items before. They weigh down luggage and slow you down. Realize that you most likely are just going to stick with one portable brewing method on the road. For instance, there’s no reason to bring both a Clever Dripper and an AeroPress; just pick either one.

Hello, and welcome! I'm the editor & founder of this site. I have been a coffee geek since I started home roasting more than a decade ago. Since then, coffee has taken me on countless adventures: From ancient coffee ceremonies in Ethiopia to the volcanos of Sumatra. My background is in journalism, and today I'm also a licensed Q Grader under the Coffee Quality Institute.

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The Best Pour-Over Coffee Makers

By Tony Konecny and Justin Vassallo

There’s a reason pour-over is the preferred brewing method at many high-end cafés: It’s a simple way to make freshly brewed coffee on demand. And pour-over coffee reveals flavors and aromas you might not get from bulk-brewed batches held in thermal carafes.

When you’re using fresh-roasted beans at home, a manual dripper is a great tool for getting the most from your brewing ritual. After making several hundred cups, we found the Kalita Wave 185 Dripper to be both consistent and easy to master.

And we strongly recommend getting a good grinder , kettle , and scale to complete your setup (though they’re not essential). These tools will make it much easier for you to consistently brew a truly great cup.

Everything we recommend

Kalita Wave 185 Dripper

The best dripper.

With its flat bottom, this dripper delivers reliably even extraction as well as the most consistently great-tasting coffee.

Buying Options

Hario V-60 Coffee Dripper (Size 02)

For those with advanced technique.

This dripper should appeal to pour-over experts, since you need to pay extra-careful attention to the rate and aim of your pour. In our tests, it produced some of the best brew.

Kalita 102 Ceramic Dripper

A basic dripper for beginners.

This dripper uses cheap filters that are available in grocery stores, so it’s ideal for beginners who prioritize convenience over mastering the nuances of pour-over coffee.

Chemex Six Cup Classic Series

Makes more at once.

As gorgeous as it is usable, this vessel can make several cups at once, and it produced delicious, vibrant brews that our testers loved.

The Kalita Wave 185 Dripper produced consistent, flavorful, balanced cups of coffee while also being among the most forgiving with regard to technique. In part, that’s thanks to its flat bottom, which promotes more-even water drainage, so it’s easier—even for beginners—to get consistent results. The Wave 185 is available in glass , ceramic , or stainless steel . A drawback: The proprietary wavy filters are slightly pricier than basic, wedge-shaped Melitta filters, and though they’re usually available at online retailers, they can be hard to find in local stores.

If you want a dripper that further captures the essence of pour-over coffee’s ritualistic appeal, we recommend the Hario V-60 Coffee Dripper (Size 02) . Once you’re comfortable with your technique, it’s a lot of fun to match your spiral pour to this dripper’s wide, conical shape. The V-60 is capable of brewing coffee that’s just as flavorful, interesting, and well rounded as coffee made with our top pick. With the Hario V-60, it just takes a little more practice and focus to get consistently great results. And small changes to your brewing parameters will have a more noticeable effect on your coffee (which could be a good thing, if you like to tinker). Like the Kalita Wave, the Hario V-60 uses proprietary filters , but they’re widely available at specialty coffee shops and online.

If you want a dripper that uses filters you can get at almost any supermarket, we recommend the Kalita 102 Ceramic Dripper . In our testing, of the many capable drippers using wedge filters (in this case, Melitta #2 ), we found this ceramic model to be the most pleasing, with a nice weight and balance. It brewed slightly less-complex coffee than our other picks, but it’s the most convenient option for beginners who just want a simple way to brew a cup.

We also love the Chemex Six Cup Classic Series . It’s a good choice for those who want to brew several cups at once, as well as for fans of great design. (The Chemex was invented by chemist Peter Schlumbohm, in 1941, and it’s included in the Museum of Modern Art’s permanent collection .) It has a built-in carafe, and in our tests the Chemex reliably produced balanced, nuanced coffee while being fairly forgiving of our pouring technique. Like most of our other picks, the Chemex uses proprietary filters not usually available in grocery stores. But they’re easy enough to buy online or from high-end coffee shops.

The research

Who this is for, why you should trust us, how we picked and tested, our pick: kalita wave 185 dripper, runner-up: hario v-60 coffee dripper (size 02), also great: kalita 102 ceramic dripper, also great: chemex six cup classic series, other good pour-over drippers, how to make pour-over coffee, the competition.

If you’ve made the move to buying high-quality, freshly roasted coffee beans, and you’re not serving a crowd, then brewing only what you need (one or two cups at a time) is a sensible option. You’ll be able to enjoy your cups fresh, and you’ll minimize waste.

Although there are easier ways to make coffee—like with an automatic drip coffee maker or a French press —the learning curve for making pour-over is not as steep as you might think. Pour-over coffee can be made simply, yet it rewards care and attention, giving you an extra degree of control while you chase that perfect extraction.

For those interested in exploring the big landscape of coffee’s flavors, achieving pour-over proficiency is worth the small amount of effort required.

If you want an easier manual-brewing method with less fuss—one that doesn’t demand a lot of accessories, like a decent burr grinder or a gooseneck kettle —a French press is a good option. And it’s more accessible for the occasional user.

If you are regularly making coffee for more than one or two people, a good modern drip coffee maker will prove to be much simpler, and it can produce very fine cups.

Writer Tony “Tonx” Konecny is a former barista, a longtime coffee roaster, and co-founder of the subscription coffee company Yes Plz Coffee , which specializes in curated coffees with a focus on the home consumer. (Yes Plz is one of the recommendations in our guide to coffee subscriptions .) He has previously worked with Victrola Coffee in Seattle and Intelligentsia Coffee in Los Angeles. He co-founded Tonx Coffee, which became part of Blue Bottle Coffee in 2014. For this update, he did head-to-head dripper testing, along with 2004 US Barista Champion Bronwen Serna and former Go Get Em Tiger retail manager Jaymie Lao.

Writer Justin Vassallo is a former barista with extensive experience in high-end shops in New York City and Boston. He has also worked on Wirecutter’s guides to espresso machines and cheap coffee makers , and he regularly brews pour-over at home.

This guide also builds on work by writers Thais Wilson-Soler, Daniel Varghese, and Cale Guthrie Weissman.

Over the years, we’ve consulted the brew guides from several top roasters around the country. And we’ve spoken to professional baristas, shop managers, and coffee writers and experts about pour-over technique and gear.

If you dial in your technique, nearly all of the popular, simple drippers available are fully capable of making great cups. But there are several factors we consider when making our recommendations:

Size: We primarily looked for drippers suited to making just one or two cups at a time. Some, like the Chemex, can brew more. But for the most part, an electric drip machine is the more practical choice for brewing more than a couple of cups.

Shape and filter type: Pour-over drippers come in three basic shapes—conical, wedge, and flat-bottomed; the shape determines the geometry and, sometimes, the strength of the paper filters you need. Ultimately, we found the Kalita Wave 185 ’s flat-bottom style to be the most forgiving of one’s pouring technique. And we found the heavier Chemex filters to be better at handling irregular grind sizes or a slapdash pouring technique. We recommend white paper filters over brown unbleached filters, which often introduce noticeable papery flavors to the cup.

Materials: Most drippers are made from ceramic, glass, or metal. A lot of coffee experts have strong feelings about the effect of materials on heat loss or retention during brewing. But this is often a very minor factor, as long as your technique is consistent. Many of our picks are available in multiple materials; we’d suggest choosing based on your preferences for durability, cost, or aesthetics.

Ease of use: Making coffee is a morning ritual, and it shouldn’t feel like you’re erecting a Jenga tower while you’re half-awake. We frowned upon brewers that felt unbalanced, were awkward to use, or required too much precision to get good results.

Tony “Tonx” Konecny, a co-writer of this guide, started our recent round of testing by using all of the dripper models we chose to test at his home, as part of his morning routine.

Tony also invited two coffee professionals (and friends)—2004 US Barista Champion Bronwen Serna and former Go Get Em Tiger retail manager Jaymie Lao—to join him in a more-formal head-to-head taste testing and discussion.

In head-to-head tests, we kept coffee-to-water ratios and brew water temperature consistent (1 gram of coffee for every 17 grams water, heated to 206 °F). We also adjusted grind size, to best accommodate the flow rates for each dripper, and we landed on brew times common across multiple published recipes.

Across all of our testing, we used several common home burr grinders and gooseneck kettles, as well as filtered water. We avoided going too far afield with unusual techniques favored by some baristas—extra stirring, spins, particularly convoluted pulse pours, or atypical brewing times. With manual brewing, the possibilities for tinkering and tweaking are endless, but this should not be a requirement for achieving reliably great cups.

We mainly used two coffees: Yes Plz Coffee’s The Mix (a medium-roast blend that Tony is intimately familiar with brewing) and a somewhat lighter, brighter single-origin Ethiopia Meti, from Copenhagen’s April Coffee Roasters (this company has developed its own, notable pour-over dripper, which can be found in a handful of US shops).

In past rounds of testing, we used a similar recipe. And to help us rate the results, we invited a few coffee experts as well as amateurs.

The Kalita Wave 185 Dripper is easy to use, and it consistently makes great-tasting coffee, capturing the more-nuanced flavors of your beans. If you’re not a pour-over expert, the Wave 185 is reliable. And of all the drippers we tested, it was the best at extracting complex, rich flavors from our coffee.

It requires less finesse, so it’s beginner-friendly. Hitting the bullseye with pour-over brewing comes down to many more variables than just which dripper you use. But because of the Wave 185’s flat bottom, ridged filter, and generous outflow, it’s a tiny bit less prone to under- or over-extraction.

In our tests, a typical cup made with this dripper had a comparatively smooth mouthfeel, good body, and a remarkably clear articulation of flavors. We found it made great coffee, even when we eyeballed the amount of water per pour. So we think beginners will get enjoyable results more quickly than with other drippers.

Cone-bottom drippers, like the Hario V-60, drain from a single point, making the resulting brew more dependent on how meticulously you pour. If you think mastering the more-demanding rhythm of a cone-bottom dripper will be too much effort, the Wave 185’s design allows for a less-exacting technique.

It comes in a range of materials. The Kalita Wave 185 is available in stainless steel, glass, and ceramic (which is often hard to find); the material you find most pleasing is largely a matter of personal preference. The glass vessel is very thin but surprisingly durable; the stainless model is Kalita’s classic design—lightweight and nearly indestructible; and the ceramic version is heavy, solid, and well balanced.

This dripper comes in two sizes. Our pick is the more-standard, 185 version, which brews one to two cups at a time and is the better option for most kitchens. The Wave also comes in a diminutive, 155 version, which is best suited for brewing exclusively small, single cups. Be aware of the different models when purchasing filters, since the filter paper also comes in two sizes.

Flaws but not dealbreakers

The Kalita Wave 185’s greatest flaw is that it uses proprietary wavy filters. Because the filters are a Japanese import, they’re harder to find in stores, and they are a little more expensive than standard Melitta filters. They are, however, available through online retailers , and you may be able to find them in specialty coffee shops. Order some when you buy the dripper, and you’ll be fine for a while.

Another potential frustration is that Kalita Wave drippers are small. Even the Wave 185, the larger size, doesn’t have much volume to spare, which limits the amount of ground coffee you can reasonably use. We also found that with fresher, gassier beans, the bloom from the initial pour can be so full that caution is required with the next pour, to avoid overflow. Chalk it up to one of the many ways that pour-over drippers provide more-subtle insights into your coffee beans.

The Hario V-60 Coffee Dripper (Size 02) has an iconic design, and it brews flavorful, dynamic coffee that’s on a par with coffee brewed by the Kalita Wave 185 . But it also requires you to be more precise and engaged with the brewing process. For serious aficionados, the Hario V-60 is a worthy alternative to the Kalita Wave, with an elegance that really encapsulates the ritual of pour-over coffee.

It makes great-tasting coffee. The Hario V-60 brewed good to great coffee for most tests, though the Kalita Wave retained an edge when it came to consistently brewing nuanced, great-tasting cups. That said, at its best the Hario V-60 captured the same broad range of well-articulated flavors as those produced in the Kalita Wave. And the Hario dripper performed well with a variety of coffees and various brew strengths.

It demands a bit more finesse. The Hario dripper’s large single hole and faster draining filters mean that your rate and pattern of pouring is important for getting the best results. Additionally, small changes in the grind size or dose of ground coffee can throw off your recipe. So when you’re switching coffees or changing brew volumes, this dripper can require more tinkering with timing and technique than other pour-over devices need.

But that sensitivity also makes this dripper a favorite of coffee hobbyists. Among everyone we spoke to—from professionals to home coffee connoisseurs—the Hario V-60 sits at or near the top of preferred brewers. For those who want to explore coffee’s many intricacies, the Hario V60’s receptiveness to small adjustments in brewing parameters (like time, water temperature, and grind size) makes it a standard-bearer of pour-over coffee as a culinary art.

Like the Kalita Wave, the Hario V-60 uses proprietary filters. And like the Kalita Wave’s filters, the Hario’s filters are available online and can be found in specialty coffee shops.

And we love that the Hario V-60 comes in four different materials. It’s available in ceramic , glass (notably thicker than the Kalita dripper’s glass), metal , and plastic (not an option with the Kalita Wave).

The Kalita 102 Ceramic Dripper is a boon for those not in a hurry to master barista-level technique and precision.

It’s a very capable yet forgiving brewer. The Kalita 102 produced good cups when we applied the same care to brewing as we did with our other dripper picks. And it can also make nice coffees with less-refined pouring. But it didn’t reveal as much nuance from the coffee as our other picks, even with tinkering and refined pouring.

Most importantly, it uses standard Melitta #2 wedge-shaped filters. They’re easily found in most supermarkets. So that gives this dripper an edge over our other picks, whose proprietary filters require a little more foresight to keep stocked.

We like the Kalita Wave 102’s elegant ceramic design. Numerous other beginner-friendly drippers on the market also conveniently use Melitta #2 filters. But we liked the Kalita 102 for its classic, clean lines and sturdy ceramic body. It balanced well atop mugs and carafes, and it allowed a reliably consistent flow rate.

The Chemex Six Cup Classic Series produces great-tasting coffee, is simple to use, and looks gorgeous. This brewer received high marks in all of our taste competitions. And its heavier paper filter makes it very forgiving of pouring precision, timing, and adjustments in grind size.

It’s our only pick that easily accommodates coffee for a crowd. The Six Cup size was the original design , and it can easily brew three or more 6-ounce cups of coffee at a time. So it’s great for small to medium households.

While the Six Cup can go up to 30 ounces, we’ve found brewing quantities larger than 25 ounces to be slow, finicky, and prone to producing less-enjoyable cups. This was true even when we used the upsized Eight Cup model. And the smaller, skinny One Cup model is awkward to use and requires filters that are even harder to find. So we recommend sticking with the Six Cup model.

It’s a timeless example of great mid-century design. The brewer has been mostly unchanged since 1941 (it has a spot in the Museum of Modern Art’s permanent collection ). Its beauty and relative ease of use make it worthwhile both for folks who want to brew pour-over only occasionally and those who frequently brew multiple cups to share. It is perhaps the one brewer most suited to displaying on your kitchen counter, and it’s an icon often spotted in the background of film and television scenes.

Its proprietary filter produces a really clean cup. The filter’s heavier paper produces coffee with a lot of flavor clarity and a smooth mouthfeel. And this dripper proved to be more forgiving of irregularities in grind size than other ones we tested. It also encourages a slower flow rate, removing the need for as much precision in pouring or timing.

If you’re looking for a camera-ready or gift-worthy dripper: Instagram coffee aficionados love the visually striking Origami dripper , which comes in many gorgeous colorways. The ceramic version usually requires a wooden base (purchased separately), but the acrylic version usually comes with a clear plastic notched base, which is more stable. Both versions of the Origami support both V-60 and Kalita Wave style filters, so it offers a little flexibility for brewing preferences, and the ceramic version we tested made very nice brews.

The Cafec Flower is a more recent doppelgänger to the Hario V-60. It looks elegant, and it’s supported by a range of Cafec-made cone-shaped paper filters specially tailored to various coffee-roast styles . We can’t deny the visual appeal, and this dripper makes coffee on a par with coffee made in Kalita or Hario drippers. But the Cafec Flower also tends to be a little pricier than our picks, and it’s not as widely available. It’s worth seeking out or splurging on if you’re looking for something that looks and feels special.

If you want something cheap and easy: The Melitta dripper was patented in 1908, in Germany, by Melitta Bentz. She found that brewing coffee using disposable blotting paper was superior to using her percolator. There is an under-$10 plastic model that gets the job done and is great for travel. The ceramic version is functionally similar to our more aesthetically pleasing and steady-flowing Kalita 102 pick, but it’s also more expensive.

If you want to get ahead of the trend: The sturdy plastic April Pour —from Copenhagen’s April Coffee Roasters—has received attention from the competition circuit. But we can’t recommend it due to its spotty availability in the US and its relatively high price for a plastic brewer. The April Pour has been used successfully in the World Brewers Cup and is a close analog of the Kalita Wave.

Pour-over is a method of brewing a small batch of filtered coffee by gradually pouring hot water over fresh grounds. The dripper and the filter help control how quickly water flows through and extracts flavor from your coffee grounds.

But your recipe and technique also matter. The most important factors for getting consistent, delicious results are your coffee-to-water ratio, the coarseness of your grounds, the temperature of the water, and the speed of your pour.

You can find numerous recipes and guides online, but most suggest using between a 1:15 to 1:17 ratio of coffee to water, in grams. The coffee should be ground medium-fine (a little finer than coarse sea salt). And the water should be heated to between 195 and 205 degrees Fahrenheit (depending on your preferences and on the coffee, with lighter or more delicate roasts preferring higher temperatures).

There are a few tools beyond the dripper itself that can help you get consistently tasty results. A good burr grinder will give you a uniform grind on your coffee beans, making for a more balanced and flavorful cup. Using a kitchen scale may seem fussy, but this is actually a no-nonsense way to consistently get the right ratios, taking the guesswork out of measuring. And a gooseneck kettle will allow you to pour hot water at just the right temp, with better control than you’d get with a regular kettle.

It also helps to use fresh, high-quality beans, whether you prefer blends or single-origin offerings. Pour-over isn’t the ideal method for brewing super-oily dark roasts. And you should avoid it altogether when using cheap, pre-ground coffee.

If you currently use an auto-drip coffee maker to brew your coffee, you may find the switch to a multistep, gear-intensive manual method daunting. But once you’ve got the right tools and technique, pour-over can be a simple, inexpensive, and fun way to make the best-tasting coffee.

The Fellow Stagg Pour-Over was by far the priciest of the drippers we tested ($80 for the single-cup set). Fellow clearly gave a lot of design thought to this dripper (which features straight insulated metal sidewalls and a flat bottom), and in our tests it made good coffee. But the specialized filters are expensive, the double-walled glass carafe was awkward to pour or drink from, and the dripper’s silicone base didn’t rest reliably on top of the carafe. We’d recommend this one only if you’re going all in on Fellow’s pleasantly modern-looking product line, and you don’t mind the pricier filters.

The Blue Bottle Coffee Dripper produced a cup with uneven flavor and without much body. If you do purchase or receive the Blue Bottle dripper, don’t worry too much about using the company’s expensive, proprietary bamboo-based filters . After dismissing the dripper, we made a cup with it using a Kalita filter; it ended up tasting much better, but it still wasn’t as good as the coffee we made with the Kalita Wave .

The Bonmac ceramic dripper is similar to our wedge-shaped pick, the Kalita 102. But this one was less consistent, producing fewer solid cups of coffee.

The OXO Pour-Over Coffee Maker with Water Tank has a unique design that allows you to make pour-over coffee without any of the fuss that’s usually essential to the brewing method. Instead of pouring water directly onto the grounds in the filter, you pour them into a plastic tank with holes in the bottom. The water drips through the holes over the grounds at a controlled rate, freeing you up to do other things. Unfortunately, all of our testers thought its coffee was weak and under-extracted.

Although the Clever Coffee Dripper doesn’t technically use the pour-over method, we tested it because it makes filtered coffee that’s closer in flavor to pour-over than other brew methods. The bottom of the dripper is sealed, and you immerse your grounds with all of the brew water at once, as you would with a French press. After a few minutes, you set the Clever dripper on a cup or carafe, which triggers the seal to release, draining the coffee through the filter. Through numerous recipe attempts, we found it challenging to achieve cups as good as with well-finessed pour-over methods. But it’s a pleasantly easy tool to use, as long as you set a timer.

The Hario Switch operates similarly to the Clever Coffee Dripper. But it uses the V-60-style cone filters and feels closer to pour-over in use. The cups we made were very good, and this dripper has a growing online following. But we found it was slightly awkward to use, more difficult to clean than most drippers, and unnecessarily heavy.

There’s an emerging category of “no-bypass” filter brewers, with the most notable being the Tricolate and the Pulsar . These brew more slowly, with a columnar design that forces all of the water through the full coffee bed, resulting in higher extraction yield from the grounds. Though these brewers are popular among some coffee hobbyists, we decided they’re missing too much of the ritual charm and simplicity of pour-over to include in our tests. And most coffee lovers don’t want to wait 8 minutes or longer for a single cup.

We tried the 34-ounce Bodum Pour Over primarily because it’s comparable in size to the Chemex, and we wanted to try an option with a mesh, permanent filter. But it was impossible to avoid a silty brew. Clean, sediment-free coffee is usually the aim with pour-over, and the Bodum’s underwhelming and strangely woody-tasting results led to a quick dismissal.

This article was edited by Marilyn Ong and Marguerite Preston.

Jaymie Lao, former retail manager Go Get Em Tiger, Los Angeles , in-person testing , August 1, 2023

Bronwen Serna, 2004 US Barista Champion , in-person testing , August 1, 2023

Yuki Izumi, barista, Hi-Collar , email interview , May 28, 2019

Erick Vlassidis, manager, Nine Bar Espresso , email interview , May 29, 2019

Meet your guides

Tony Konecny

Tony Konecny is a longtime coffee-industry professional and roaster who co-founded the subscription coffee companies Tonx Coffee and, most recently, Yes Plz Coffee. He lives in Los Angeles with an ever-expanding collection of coffee-brewing toys and thrift-store mugs.

Justin Vassallo

Further reading

The Best Coffee Makers

by Wirecutter Staff

We think the easiest way to make good coffee is with the Bonavita Enthusiast 8-Cup Coffee Brewer . We also have picks for a budget option, an espresso machine, and more.

I Used to Own a Coffee Shop. This Is My Go-to Pour-Over Dripper.

by Ben Keough

The Kalita Wave provides the most reliable way to brew a great-tasting cup of pour-over coffee.

Why the OXO 9-Cup Has Been Our Favorite Coffee Maker Since 2016

by Nick Guy

The OXO Brew coffee maker delivers coffee that tastes like the result of an intricate, precise process. Yet it actually requires only the push of a button.

Ask Wirecutter: How Do I Get My Partner to Stop Serving Me Lukewarm Coffee?

by Annemarie Conte

Chemex coffee makers produce a great cup of coffee, just not a hot one. Here’s how to keep your Chemex coffee out of the dreaded microwave.

To revisit this article, visit My Profile, then   View saved stories .

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The 10 Best Portable Coffee Makers

If you buy something using links in our stories, we may earn a commission. This helps support our journalism. Learn more . Please also consider subscribing to WIRED

Best Overall AeroPress Go Portable Coffee Maker Read more

Best All-in-One Cafflano Klassic Read more

Best Super Simple Coffee Dripkit Pour Over Packets Read more

Best for Endless Possibilities Delter Coffee Press Read more

I have a weird superstition. It feels like the quality of my morning coffee is a portent for the kind of day I'm going to have. It's not only the dose of caffeine that does the trick, although that does help. It's also the ritual that surrounds it—the smell, the sound, and even the wait are all a part of how coffee sets me up for the day ahead.

It's easy to feel lost without that morning ritual, especially when you're already uprooted and far from home. Whether you're out camping, on a business trip, or visiting friends and family, getting that little taste of home can help you feel grounded and ready to face the day. We've rounded up the best portable coffee makers to brew while traveling. Some of these options are also great for people who aren't working from home , since office kitchens are likely closed.

Check out our other buying guides , including the Best Latte and Cappuccino Machines , Best Cold-Brew Coffee Makers , Best Portable Espresso Makers , and Best Espresso Machines .

Updated September 2022: We've double-checked prices, and updated our advice.

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Best Overall

The AeroPress is one of the most popular coffee brewers on the market for a reason: It makes a damn fine cup of coffee. The AeroPress Go produces the same great results but in a smaller, travel-friendly package. The Go is barely bigger than a coffee mug, incredibly lightweight, and entirely self-contained. All you need to add is coffee.

A part of the reason for the AeroPress' success is that the brewing method is infinitely customizable to your tastes. Take the three ingredients—coffee, water, and pressure—and start experimenting until you find what suits your taste. There is no wrong way to brew with an Aeropress. I do suggest starting with the method the company endorses, which you'll find included in the box, but once you've mastered it there are plenty of other ways to do it. (Try all the winning recipes from AeroPress' annual competitions .)

The AeroPress is also very forgiving; it's almost difficult to make a bad cup of coffee. You don't have to use some involved process. On those chilly October mornings of a late-season camping trip, you can just throw in some grounds, give it a stir, plunge, and you've got a great, hot cup of joe to warm your bones. I like the AeroPress Go for its compact, all-in-one design, but the original AeroPress ($40) is still quite portable and is another option to consider.

Best All-in-One

The Cafflano Klassic is everything you need to brew in a single, compact, relatively lightweight package. It combines a hand-mill grinder, drip kettle, and metal pour-over filter, as well as an insulated mug, in a single tumbler-shaped package. You can grind your beans, brew, and drink your coffee without needing anything but a way to boil water.

The resulting brew is some of the best pour-over coffee I've made. Getting the right grind is key, but the adjustable grinder allows you to experiment until you find something you enjoy. If even the compact design of the Klassic is too much, you can also do what I've been doing when I travel: Just bring the pour-over filter. It's made of stiff plastic and metal and has so far held up well in my carry-on bag.

Best Super Simple Coffee

Dripkit's disposable pour-over coffee packets are the simplest, best-tasting pour-over coffee you're going to get on the road. Tear open the packet, set it atop your mug (or hotel room cup), and pour over boiling water. The company's own coffee wasn't strong enough for my tastes, but Dripkit partners with Portland's Stumptown Coffee Roaster to make a pour-over kit that brews an excellent cup of joe. The packets are disposable, so use these sparingly.

We've linked to the 5-pack below, but you can also opt for a 10-pack or go the subscription route and save some dough. It can get pricey, but when you want to travel light without sacrificing taste, this is the way to go.

Best for Endless Possibilities

The Delter Press bears some resemblance to the AeroPress, but it adds something to the equation: pressure. The Delter Press is not an espresso maker, but it does, in my experience, brew stronger than the AeroPress. I also found it possible to control the strength (taste-wise) to an almost infinite degree by varying the grind, the amount of coffee, and the amount of water. One thing I like better with the Delter is the ability to add more water without starting a new brew, something that's not possible with the AeroPress.

Delter suggests starting with a medium to fine grind, but I got enjoyable results even with a very fine espresso grind. To me, this is the best part of the Delter—it offers a wide variety of brewing possibilities, making it easy to tailor the results to your individual tastes.

Best Portable French Press

The Espro Ultralight Press is the simplest and lightest French press I tested. It also produces the least amount of sediment, a common problem in French press brewing that leaves a gritty mouthfeel every time you drink. This didn't happen with the Ultralight Press. It's double-walled and vacuum insulated, which means it will keep your hot coffee hot and iced coffee cold (about three hours on hot and five on cold in my testing). One of my favorite parts of the Espro is that with a quick rinse it can double as a water bottle when you're done with your coffee.

Best Compact Design

The Palmpress is a press-to-brew solution that packs up small and is pretty lightweight as well. One of the nice things about it is there's nothing extra needed: no filters and no cleaning brushes. It's simple to brew, and once I got the ground dialed in (a finer ground works best, but it's worth experimenting), the result is a clean, bright flavor with almost no bitterness. This was especially true with medium roasts, which I found to be the best choice for the Palmpress. My only concern is that it does require pressure, so you'll need a sturdy mug. Flimsy hotel cups won't work.

Best Camp Brewer

Planetary Design appears to have run out of vowels, but that's OK because it has managed to turn out a great French press for when you're at camp. The Ovrlndr is solid, if a bit heavy, and unlike every other French press I've used, it's super easy to clean. Unscrew the bottom, dump the grounds in the compost, rinse, and you're done. As with other Planetary Design presses, the Ovrlndr features the Brü-Stop filter system. It consists of an extra-fine screen and silicone ring that creates a tight seal against the side of the mug to prevent grounds from escaping into your coffee. I still also like our former Planetary Design pick, the Double Shot 3.0 mug ($42) , but I prefer the larger capacity and easier cleaning of the Ovrlndr.

Best for Mild Coffee

This Wacaco gadget has the most unusual brewing method out of all the testing I've done. It's a vacuum-pressure brewer that works by twisting. You fill a brewing chamber with coffee, and the insulated container with water, and then you drop the coffee chamber into the water and let it settle to the bottom. Once the air bubbles are out, you begin twisting the brewing mechanism up and out of the mug portion (which doubles as a mug, keeping the coffee hot for hours). I highly recommend watching the video to get a better sense of how it works. It may be odd, but the results are great. I found it works especially well with milder coffees, picking up the subtlety of lighter roasts.

Best for Backpacking

When you want to go ultra-light and ultra-compact but still want to brew quality coffee, GSI's collapsible pour-over coffee maker is your best choice. It weighs a mere 5 ounces and collapses down to about the size of the lid of an old coffee tin. It's also made of durable silicone.

When extended, it's around the height of your standard drip cone filter. Technically it takes #4 filters, though in a pinch you can use just about any filter (you'll need to be more careful with smaller filters). The bottom has a series of rings that mean the GSI balances well on any container, including wide-mouth water bottles, Jet-Boil pots , your standard cheap insulated camping mugs, and even my favorite drip-free, spill-free Contigo mug ($17) . This version includes a handy hand-grinder, too. 

Best for Frustrated Espresso Lovers

I have tried several dozen different ways of making coffee, and I always come back to the Moka pot. The classic Moka pot is the Bialetti 6-cup model , which you'll find in nearly every house in Italy, but I prefer this stainless steel version. A Moka pot is not quite espresso. The pressure is generally about 2 to 3 bar—to qualify as espresso you need to hit 9 bar—but it's less effort and easier to clean up. It's not the most portable way to make coffee, which is why it's not my top pick. Still, nine times out of 10, this is what you'll find me using at home, at campgrounds, and even in hotel rooms with a portable camp stove. (Yes, I'm that guy, please don't tell the hotel manager.)

Brewing Secrets

There are three basic, vital coffee brewing tips I'll impart.

Find good, fresh beans: Great coffee starts with high-quality beans. Quality beans can make even cheap brewing equipment shine. High quality means fresh. Find a local coffee roaster in your area. For testing, I used beans from Jittery Joe's Roasting Company in Athens, Georgia, specifically the Wake-n-Bake blend . (Disclosure: I worked for Jittery Joe's for many years, it's a favorite of mine.)

If you don't have a coffee roaster nearby, you can order beans online from reputable sellers like Blue Bottle Coffee or try a wide variety through a coffee subscription service like Atlas Coffee Club or my new favorite, Trade Coffee , which works directly with local roasters. I also recently tested a low-acid coffee from Trucup . It's made especially for people who have trouble with the acidity of regular coffee.

Get a quality grinder: Once you have good, freshly-roasted beans you need to grind them. You'll want a burr grinder, which grinds your beans evenly rather than chopping them like a blade grinder. I upgraded to a Hario Skerton Pro ($38) hand grinder, but if you want to go electric I recommend the Baratza Encore ($179) . If you're not sure which is right for you, be sure to read through our Best Coffee Grinders guide.

Experiment: Pick one of these coffee makers and start experimenting with it at home. If you want to have reproducible results, make sure you weigh out your beans and water using a good scale like the Apexstone scale with timer so you can track your pour-over pace, and take notes. It may sound nerdy, and it is, but after experimenting for a few days you'll likely find something you love. If you have notes, then you'll know how to make your perfect cup of coffee every time—no matter where you are.

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The 10 Best Pour Over Coffee Makers of 2024, Tested by The Spruce Eats

Unbeatable flavor in every sip

The Spruce Eats / Russell Kilgore

Pour over coffee is the preferred brewing method for many, and it all starts with the taste: The century-old technique can produce an incredibly rich and dynamic cup of coffee. This is largely due to the amount of control users have over the drink, as they're able to bloom the coffee as well as choose a specific water temperature, grind size, and brewing time. Other benefits of pour over coffee makers include a typically compact size and an affordable price.

How We Tested

• What to Look For

Why Trust The Spruce Eats?

Best overall, chemex classic series coffeemaker.

• Design 4.5 /5
• Ease of Use 4.5 /5
• Performance 5 /5

Produces rich, flavorful coffee

Sold in multiple capacities

Looks great on the counter

Dishwasher-safe

No breakage warranty

Invented in 1941, the Chemex has long been synonymous with pour over coffee . It's one of the most popular and recognizable coffee makers in general, and several members of The Spruce Eats team, including myself, use the Chemex at home as their primary source for coffee. I used to make coffee a French press most days, but after trying Chemex coffee for the first time three years ago, I switched right away.

The simple glass carafe is exceptional at highlighting the different flavors in coffee beans, whether it's notes of bright citrus or rich milk chocolate. Depending on the size of the Chemex, the brewing process can take several minutes, but the results are worth it. Cleaning is easy, too, as the Chemex is dishwasher-safe once the wooden collar is removed. I wash it by hand with a bottle brush, and the process takes no longer than washing a dish or utensil.

The Chemex is available in a variety of sizes, including 3, 6, 8, and 10 cups, which is unique for pour overs, as the majority make just one cup at a time. Many coffee shops and grocery stores sell Chemex brewers and signature paper filters if you are looking to purchase in person. The price increases for larger-capacity models, and even the cheapest model is more expensive than the average pour over coffee maker, but it's not exorbitant.

The Spruce Eats / Derek Rose

Capacity: 3, 6, 8, and 10 cups | Dimensions: 5.125 x 5.125 x 9 inches (8-cup model) | Filters: Chemex | Dishwasher-Safe: Yes (remove wood collar) | Warranty: None

Best Budget

Melitta 1 cup porcelain pour-over cone coffeemaker.

• Design 4 /5
• Ease of Use 5 /5

Easy to use

Sturdy material

Filters are easy to find

Uses a lot of coffee per serving

Melitta's line of mug-shaped brewing cones are among the most common pour overs today. They are often sold in the coffee aisles of grocery stores, right alongside the paper filters you'll need to brew with them. We tested both the plastic and porcelain models and prefer the latter, giving it extremely high scores in all areas. It's as affordable as any coffee maker you can find; it's approachable for beginners and experts alike, and it consistently makes strong coffee.

All you have to do is place the Melitta brewing cone on top of your mug, scoop finely ground coffee into the paper filter, and pour hot water over the grounds. Such ease of use is a signature benefit of pour over coffee makers and part of why they have remained popular for decades. It also makes the Melitta Pour-Over an excellent gift option for holidays and birthdays because people of any experience level can use it. Plus, the compact design ensures that it fits any countertop or can be stored in a cupboard when not needed. Keep in mind that the item is best for solo use, however, as it only makes one cup at a time, so we don't recommended it as the primary brewing device for a busy household.

Capacity: 1 cup | Dimensions: 3.875 x 5.75 x 4 inches | Filters: #2 and #4 cone filters | Dishwasher-Safe: Yes | Warranty: One year

Best High-End

Xbloom coffee machine.

Courtesy of xBloom

Delicious pour-over coffee with less effort

Total customization over the coffee

Built-in burr grinder

xPods made by top roasters

Messy grinder

Too tall for some cupboards

At the touch of a button, the xBloom brews single-serving pods of whole bean coffee that are freshly ground by a built-in burr grinder . Picture the ease of a Keurig mixed with the quality of barista-made pour-over coffee. While I have some criticisms after testing the xBloom over the course of a month, it’s a product that I recommend overall.

The main sticking point is the price. It’s an investment that may not appeal to casual coffee drinkers. But if it lands within your budget, the taste is worth it. The xPods produce the clarity of flavor and crisp mouthfeel for which pour over is so beloved. Many notable roasters like Stumptown, Intelligentsia, and Counter Culture partnered with xBloom to make their own xPods. To use, simply touch an xPod to the top of the machine and it automatically sets the water temperature, grind size, and brew time recommended by the roaster itself. The brewing parameters can then be customized via the xBloom app; although, I wish you could change the settings on the physical machine too.

Another issue I found is that a decent amount of coffee grounds can get caught inside the grind chamber and fall out during the brewing process. This most often occurred when using the reusable dripper and our own whole bean coffee as opposed to the xPods.

All in all, if you come to own the xBloom, you will love having great pour-over coffee without any hassle–as I did. It’s primarily about deciding if the machine is worth the price to you, or if you’d prefer to save some money by getting a separate grinder and pour over and doing the work yourself.

Capacity: Single serve | Dimensions: 7.9 x  6.9 x 16.9 inches | Weight: 11.5 pounds | Filters: xPods or Kalita Wave 155 filters | Warranty: 1-year limited

Best for Beginners

Origami japan dripper bundle.

Slow Pour Supply

• Design 5 /5
• Brew Quality 5 /5

Attractive design in multiple colors

Easy to use and clean

Great gift idea

Can store in a cupboard

Fairly expensive

This pour over from Origami Japan has crimped sides that make the ceramic look as delicate and artful as paper. It's available in more than a dozen colors, including jewel tones, earth tones, and neutrals, making it and unique and one of the most stylish coffee makers you can find. It received a perfect design score—a category that not only grades how the item looks, but also how user-friendly it is. In fact, one of our Lab testers was new to pour over coffee makers, but said the Origami Japan Dripper was intuitive right away, which makes it the top pick for beginners.

The Dripper comes in two sizes: a small size that brews 1 to 2 cups and a medium that brews 1 to 4 cups. Customers interested in brewing 4 cups at once should place the Dripper over a coffee pot to avoid spills, instead of alternating between four different mugs. The Dripper Bundle that we tested includes a plastic or wooden holder that can be attached to the bottom of the Dripper for a more stable brewing experience. The bundle is on the more expensive end for a small pour over coffee maker like this one, so if you're looking to save a few bucks, you can purchase the Origami Dripper by itself at a cheaper price and still enjoy the rich coffee it produces.

The item is dishwasher-safe and works with several paper filters , including Kalita Wave and V60 filters. The brand recommends using conical filters for best results.

Capacity: 1 to 4 cups | Dimensions: Small model is 4.5 x 2.75 inches | Filters: Kalita Wave, V60 filters, and #2 cone filters | Dishwasher-Safe: Yes | Warranty: None

Best Design

Melitta porcelain pour-over coffeemaker and canister set.

• Performance 4 /5

Stylish and near-universal design

Requires more space than most pour overs

Melitta designed this set to be a one-stop shop for pour over coffee. It includes a coffee canister, filter holder, and pour over coffee maker, all placed atop a bamboo tray. The pour over itself is made of porcelain and brews a reliable cup of coffee, yet it's worth noting that we gave the flavor a slightly lower score than that of Melitta's standard 1-Cup Porcelain Pour-Over. Both brewers were tested side-by-side using the same coffee-to-water ratio and water temperature.

Other than that, there is little to nitpick here. All the pieces are sturdy. The pour over is dishwasher-safe. There are even cutouts in the bamboo tray to give pieces extra stability, which is especially handy if you need to carry the set from countertop to kitchen table. Like most pour overs, it's better suited for solo use than a full household of coffee drinkers. For best results, use #4 cone filters and medium-fine ground coffee beans . Finally, the cost may vary depending on the retailer, but like most Melitta products, the price is generally reasonable.

Capacity: 1 cup | Dimensions: 5.5 x 7.7 x 14.75 inches| Filters: #4 cone filters | Dishwasher-Safe: Yes | Warranty: One year

Best Single-Serve

Chemex funnex coffee maker.

• Ease of Use 3.5 /5
• Value 4.5 /5

Produces delicious coffee

Can brew small or large cups

Easy to clean

Not the easiest to use

The Chemex Funnex is a compact alternative to the Chemex Classic Series. While the latter is available in multiple sizes and additionally functions as a carafe, the Funnex is meant to be placed on top of a mug when brewing, like the majority of pour overs. It's made for single servings of coffee instead of a day's worth of joe. One of the best details, though, is that the Funnex is designed to brew up to 15 ounces at once, so you can fill up an entire travel mug on the way to work.

After trying the product, we found the coffee to be aromatic, flavorful, and dynamic—everything customers have come to know and expect from a Chemex brewing device. The brand's filters also eliminated any grit or sediment in our testing process, leading to a clean cup of coffee. That said, folding the filters and placing them inside the Funnex is more difficult than the setup process for other pour overs that we tested, so this option may be better suited for people with a bit of coffee experience rather than those looking to try pour overs for the first time. Keep in mind, too, that the filters can be difficult to find in stores, so you will likely need to order them online.

The Funnex is reasonably priced and less expensive than the Chemex Classic Series. The all-glass brewer can be placed in the dishwasher for easy cleaning. Unfortunately, the brand does not cover damage or breakage.

Capacity: 5 to 15 ounces | Dimensions: 4.25 x 4.5 inches | Filters: Chemex | Dishwasher-Safe: Yes | Warranty: None

Best for Travel

Miir pourigami.

• Design 4.8 /5
• Ease of Use 4 /5
• Value 4.8 /5
• Performance 4.5 /5

Easy to break down and transport

Extremely durable

Lifetime warranty

Filter can overflow easier than most

Potential learning curve

This innovative, easy-to-transport coffee maker is comprised of nothing but three stainless steel panels. The pieces can be attached in seconds when it's time to brew and then detached and stored in a complimentary carrying case when you're on the go. The Miir Pourigami is simple but highly functional, and it creates an intersection for coffee lovers and outdoors lovers to meet.

Since the Pourigami is unlike any other brewing device, it took us a trial run to learn the setup process, including how to rest a paper filter inside the panels. After that, however, it proved easy to use. If you're really confused, the box has a QR code that links to an instructional video.

It takes about four minutes to brew a full cup of coffee; this is on par with other pour over coffee makers, but users need to pour slowly to ensure that the filter doesn't overfill and make a mess. The flavor is strong enough to perk you up and keep you warm when camping . We found cleanup expectedly simple, as a quick rinse gets the job done. The price is slightly more expensive than a standard pour over, but it feels reasonable, especially considering how often outdoor gear is marked up. The Pourigami can certainly be used as a home brewing device, too, but we view it as a travel item first and foremost.

Capacity: 1 cup | Dimensions: 4.94 x 3.38 inches | Filters: V60, #2 cone filters, or Miir filters | Dishwasher-Safe: Yes | Warranty: Lifetime

Best With Reusable Filter

Coffee gator paperless pour over coffee maker set.

Comes with permanent stainless steel filter

Great for beginners

No need to buy paper filters

Dishwasher use not recommended

May need to tinker with coffee ratio

For the majority of pour over coffee makers, a reusable filter is a separate purchase, but Coffee Gator includes a stainless steel mesh filter with this pour over, eliminating the need for paper ones. The brand also manages to keep the price low. For both of these reasons, the Coffee Gator Pour Over is an excellent fit for beginners because there are no paper filters to fold and no big sunk cost if you end up preferring a different brew method down the line.

It's worth mentioning that no mesh filter can completely prevent coffee grounds from sneaking into your cup the way that a paper filter can, but in testing, the Coffee Gator filter was highly effective at limiting sediment. One knock against the item, however, is that we found the taste and quality of the coffee subpar when they used Coffee Gator's brewing instructions. It wasn't until using a ratio of 250 grams of water to 15 grams of coffee—which was used for all pour overs we tested in our Lab—that the coffee came out smooth and flavorful. A convenient detail is that the 14-ounce glass carafe has measurements on the sides to ensure precision when brewing.

Capacity: 14 ounces | Dimensions: 5.5 x 6.8 inches | Filters: Reusable stainless steel filter | Dishwasher-Safe: No | Warranty: Not specified

Best Fast Brewing

Espro bloom pour over brewing kit.

Excellent filtration

Fast brewing

Attractive design

Can make multiple servings

Paper filters can stick to pour over

Espro Bloom filters specifically recommended

Espro manufactures a number of high-end coffee products including French presses, cold brew makers , and, of course, pour overs. Customers can purchase the Espro Bloom Pour Over by itself or as part of this brewing kit that includes a coffee scoop, 50 paper filters, and a 20-ounce glass serving pot. Papers filters are not expressly needed with this pour over, though, as the Bloom has 1,500 micro-holes to work as a built-in filtration system. If you choose to brew without paper filters, the brand recommends using coarse-ground beans. If you do use paper filters, which gives an added cleanness to the coffee, use finely ground beans. One unique bonus of the Espro Bloom is that it brews extremely quickly when paper filters aren't used, around just two minutes. The brewing time with paper filters is on par with that of other pour overs, however.

The instructions that come with the kit don't mention cleaning, but the brand says the pour over and serving pot are both dishwasher-safe. The paper filters are surprisingly difficult to remove after brewing and can stick to the sides of the Bloom. As far as using the item goes, though, it's as simple as it gets. Place the pour over on top of the serving pot or your favorite mug, scoop grounds into the base or a paper filter, and pour hot water over the grounds.

Capacity: 20 ounces | Dimensions: 7.5 x 5 x 9.25 inches | Filters: Espro Bloom filters | Dishwasher-Safe: Yes | Warranty: 1-year limited

Hario Pour Over Coffee Starter Set

• Ease of Use 3.8 /5

Value for money

Includes several convenient items

Brews strong coffee

Great for multiple servings

Instructions aren't very detailed

Not the best insulation

Complete with paper filters, a coffee scoop, and a 23-ounce serving pot, the Hario V60 Pour Over Starter Set is a convenient way to improve your coffee routine . The V60 Dripper itself has long been one of the most iconic pour over coffee makers, known for its blend of simplicity and performance. The name comes from the 60-degree angle of the pour over's sides, which helps funnel the coffee at an effective speed and direction. One of our writers who tried the V60 said they could discern different notes in the coffee beans after brewing, including honey, hazelnut, and citrus—a hallmark of an effective coffee maker.

This set suits a two-person household, thanks to the serving pot. That said, the glass doesn't offer much heat insulation. We found that the coffee turned lukewarm rather quickly, so you may want to drink it right after brewing or it will be sent to the microwave. The pieces themselves don't feel high quality, but they more than get the job done. Plus, it's somewhat expected given the budget price. For best results, use #2 conical filters and medium-fine ground coffee.

Capacity: 23 ounces | Dimensions: V60 measures 5 x 4.5 x 3.75 inches; serving pot measures 7 x 4.9 x 5.2 inches | Filters: V60 or #2 filters | Dishwasher-Safe: Yes | Warranty: 90 days

Designed in the mid-1900s, Chemex Coffeemakers are the quintessential pour over device. They are a worthwhile investment for all coffee lovers, even those who already own a home coffee maker. For a cheaper alternative, try the Melitta 1-Cup Porcelain Pour Over , which brews a delicious cup in just minutes.

We tested more than 25 top-rated and bestselling pour over coffee makers side-by-side in our Lab. We ran the brewers through a variety of tests, including brewing a cup of coffee based on the brand's recommended instructions and another cup based on a standardized ratio of coffee grounds to water. Our team then detailed the pros and cons of each pour over, graded several key areas on a 1-5 scale, and answered whether we would recommend the item and/or purchase it for ourselves. This work was done to ensure that we can recommend every product featured on this list, as well as provide transparency about why the products are recommended.

Testing Pour Over Coffee Makers for Material and Capacity

What to look for in a pour over coffee maker.

The capacity of a pour over coffee maker can range from a single cup to sizes comparable to electric coffee makers. If you are switching over from an electric device, however, expect pour overs to be smaller on average. Many are designed for personal use. Think about how many cups you drink a day and narrow down your options from there.

Russell Kilgore

Pour over devices can be made glass, stainless steel, ceramic, and even silicone. This consideration not only affects your kitchen aesthetic (though, pour overs are usually small enough to store in a cupboard), but also the item's durability. If you're worried about breaking and having to replace a pour over, maybe avoid glass and consider a more durable material.

"It wasn’t until I had coffee in pour-over form that I could taste all the different notes, and it was this aha moment. I really believe pour over is the best way to make a cup of coffee." — Nigel Price , Founder and Owner of Drip Coffee Makers

Pour over coffee makers often require paper filters, many specifically designed for the device's dimensions. Some customers enjoy filters because they make it easy to clean up after brewing—simply throw the filter in the trash when finished—while others dislike buying filters over and over again, since they can only be used once. If you fall into the latter camp, look for pour over devices that don't require paper filters.

What does pour over coffee taste like?

While the exact flavor of pour over coffee varies by specific device, brewing method, and type of beans used, there is an overarching taste experience that makes pour over so popular. Perhaps the most important quality is clarity. When done right, the pour over process brings out and “clarifies” the flavor of coffee beans. If you buy a bag of beans with tasting notes of cherry and milk chocolate, for example, you’ll find both flavors in every sip. Pour over also has a lighter taste than other methods like French press or drip coffee.

What grind size should I use?

Every type of coffee maker has an ideal grind size that leads to better-tasting results. Most pour over coffee makers work best with a medium grind or something close to medium. For example, the brand Chemex recommends using a medium-coarse grind when brewing with one of its devices. Hario, on the other hand, suggests a medium-fine grind for its V60 Coffee Drippers. Many other pour over coffee makers require a standard medium grind. Fortunately, this is the easiest size to find pre-ground in grocery stores. Further grind size information is usually available on brand websites or in instruction manuals. 

What is a coffee bloom?

Coffee blooming is a process with which you pour a small amount of water over coffee grounds and give them time to release carbon dioxide before continuing with the brewing process. It’s a quick and easy step you can incorporate to make your coffee a little tastier. Whether you have a French press, Chemex, drip cone, or other non-electric brewer, all you have to do is lightly and evenly dampen the grounds and allow them to bubble and rise (or “bloom”) for around 30 seconds before pouring the rest of the water. Why do we do this? Carbon dioxide gives coffee a sour taste and acts as a barrier between coffee grounds and water. Purging the pent-up CO2 lets you extract coffee grounds more thoroughly and avoid that sourness to boot.

"The bloom process is imperative, and there is some science to it. Gasses come out of coffee when it's freshly ground. If the coffee isn’t allowed to breathe and let those gasses out, you don’t allow the coffee beans to get to their fullest potential of saturation during the steeping process." — Nigel Price , Founder and Owner of Drip Coffee Makers

Do I need to buy coffee filters?

It depends on the type of pour over you own. There is a fairly even mixture of pour overs that require paper filters and ones that don’t. Popular options like the Chemex Coffeemaker and Hario V60 do require paper filters and, on top of that, only specific types of filters can be used. That said, many pour over coffee makers come with permanent filters or have natural ways to filter coffee grounds and water (the Yitelle Pour Over being one example of the latter). It’s usually mentioned in product descriptions whether or not a specific pour over needs paper filters, that way customers aren’t caught off guard.

Should paper filters be rinsed before using?

Pre-rinsing paper filters, especially cheaper ones, will lead to a purer flavor in your coffee because it removes any potential “papery” taste. In some cases, the difference is barely noticeable; in others, it’s a significant upgrade. There’s also the added bonus that it pre-heats your brewing device, so your coffee will stay hot longer. To pre-rinse, simply pour hot water through the filter and let the water drain before scooping in your coffee grounds. 

This piece was written by  Derek Rose , the coffee and tea expert for The Spruce Eats. He researches a variety of coffee products, from measuring scoops to commercial espresso machines, and interviews field experts for their insight. He has used multiple pour over coffee makers on this list, including the Chemex Classic Series Coffeemaker , which is his primary home brewing device, and the xBLoom Coffee Machine. Derek received an MFA from Columbia University, a BA from Marist College, and began writing for The Spruce Eats in 2019.

Nigel Price , who was interviewed for this piece, is the founder and owner of Drip Coffee Makers in New York City and has worked in the coffee industry for more than a decade. Established in 2015, Drip now has multiple locations.

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

Our top choices for a solid, customizable cup of black coffee.

In This Article

• Our Top Picks

Our Favorite Pour-Over Coffee Maker

How we tested pour-over coffee makers, factors to consider, other pour-over coffee makers we tested, our expertise.

Food & Wine / Russell Kilgore

There’s no such thing as having too many coffee makers. While espresso machines produce beautiful lattes and cold brew makers fulfill our warm-weather cravings, pour-over coffee makers are our top choice for a solid cup of black coffee. 

“Pour-over coffee is meant to enhance the nuances of a cup of coffee by manually manipulating and controlling the different variables it takes to reach a delicious final product,” says Michael Pocus, Co-Founder and COO of Domestique Coffee . The pour-over method can seem intimidating, but the customizable process is what makes this type of coffee so appealing — see below for Pocus’s step-by-step instructions.  

Whether you’re a pour-over coffee beginner or an expert, there are plenty of models to choose from to suit your skill level. Below, we’ve provided all the information you need to know about the best pour-over coffee makers on the market, according to our side-by-side testing of several different devices. Keep scrolling to learn how each one performed during our tests.

Best Overall

Chemex classic series coffeemaker.

Its classic design yields multi-cup brews, and its glass material allows for later sipping. 

Chemex-branded single-sheet filters are encouraged for best results, and the filter’s proper fold method isn’t beginner-friendly. 

Designed in 1941 by a chemist, the Chemex Classic Series is a favored choice among the pour-over coffee community for its sleek design and sizeable brewing capacity. Featuring heat-resistant glass and a polished wooden handle that serves as a heat guard when handling and pouring, the Chemex produced one of the best-tasting brews of the test, noting smooth, velvety, and floral cups of coffee.

Chemex encourages using their branded single-sheet filters that must be folded in a specific way before use. Careful pouring is needed to prevent collapsing the filters' flat-edged sides. However, with an all-in-one setup, brewing is straightforward, requiring only a consistent pour to achieve a great-tasting cup of coffee. 

In fact, many Food & Wine editors turn to this coffee maker for their morning cup. "I’ve used a Chemex for a few years now," says Mary Lagroue, Associate Commerce Editor. "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 because it 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."

Apart from its engineered-to-perfection design, there is no doubt this coffee maker will look great sitting atop your coffee bar. In addition, its patented glass allows the product to be placed in the refrigerator and enjoyed later without sacrificing the flavor quality. And if you prefer a handle, the Chemex Glass Handle Series produced similar test results.

Material: Glass | Single or multi-cup: Multi | Yields: Available in 3-, 5-, 6-, 8-, 10- and 13-cup capacity | Dishwasher-safe: Yes

Food & Wine / Russell Kilgore

Best for Beginners

Origami japan pour over coffee dripper.

Simple and sturdy, this coffee maker produces a quality cup with minimal level or skill required. 

A bit pricey for single-use only. 

Available in 16 colorways, the single-cup option from Origami Japan marries form and function for a coffee-making experience any beginner could master. Made from high-density minoware clay known for its high heat retention, a ceramic-making technique almost 500 years old, the Origami Dripper features 20 folds that encourage a quick drip and fast brew time. During testing, we found setting up the pieces a breeze, and we appreciated the secure fit of the device’s separate parts and cited no fear 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.

Material: Porcelain | Single or multi-cup: Single   | Yields: 1-2 cups | Dishwasher-safe: No

Melitta 1 Cup Porcelain Pour-Over Cone Coffeemaker

A straightforward, classic design at a reasonable price. 

The manufacturer's directions call for more grounds than any other product tested, and coffee staining comes easily. 

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. The coffee maker produces a floral, not-too-bitter cup of coffee, and we noted the easy preparation to brew the single cup. However, we noticed that the directions call for the most grounds of any other models tested. 

The design features windows at the base to see through to 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. Due to its white coloring, coffee drips are readily visible, so we’d recommend giving it a thorough wash after every use to prevent staining.

Material: Porcelain | Single or multi-cup: Single | Yields: 1-2 cups | Dishwasher-safe: Yes

Best For Displaying

Melitta porcelain pour-over coffeemaker and canister set.

Attractive and convenient all-in-one setup that features a single-cup pour-over coffee maker, coffee grounds canister, filter holder, and carrying tray.

The tray could feel clunky and spacious if not meant to be displayed, and there are no portholes at the cup’s base to monitor coffee flow. 

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 display your coffee setup. Sitting atop a bamboo tray is a pour-over cup, 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 the Melitta 1-Cup Porcelain Pour-Over has that aid in gauging coffee flow. 

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 . That said, if storage space is limited, its footprint may seem more cumbersome than useful.

Material: Porcelain, bamboo | Single or multi-cup: Single | Capacity: 1-2 cups | Dishwasher-safe: Yes

Best Single Serve

Chemex funnex coffee maker.

A modern and small device that outperformed many of its larger counterparts.

Might be better suited for experienced brewers. 

Well-designed with a sleek, modern appearance, the Chemex Funnex is a top-tier choice for quality brews and a pleasant brewing experience. It is constructed of double-walled borosilicate glass and comes with a silicone gasket compatible with all types of cups, mugs, and thermoses. During our tests, the pour-over yielded balanced and consistently great-tasting brews.

As with our best overall choice, its filters are not readily available, and there is some required education around getting the fold of the filter just right. However, this reliable, portable coffee maker won’t disappoint once adopted. Though dishwasher-safe, a simple rinse with warm running water is all that’s required during regular use.

Using this coffee maker might overwhelm a beginner, but the learning curve is small, and after a few brews and experiments, we think this coffee maker is sure to become a necessity in your morning coffee routine.

Material: Glass | Single or multi-cup: Single | Yields: 1 - 2 cups | Dishwasher-safe: Yes

Best for Travel

Miir pourigami.

Convenient, clever, and collapsible design that makes quality coffee on the go a possibility. 

It can be difficult to set up and lock into place, and precise water is required to avoid overflow. 

This origami-style, stainless steel pour-over coffee maker is our portable coffee maker of choice. To use, interlock the three panels and place the device over the desired mug. When finished, its walls collapse into each other, leaving a slim profile that can stow away easily. During testing, the quality of the coffee left us wanting more, noting a balanced, slightly spiced cup. 

We liked its durable construction and felt its $30 price tag was reasonable for an option that could withstand regular wear and tear. Travel aside, the Miir Pourigami is also an excellent option for those with limited space who wish to keep their pour-over tucked away in a drawer.

Material: Stainless steel | Single or multi-cup: Single | Yields: 1-2 cups | Dishwasher-safe: Yes

Best with Reusable Filter

Coffee gator paperless pour over coffee maker set.

Reusable filter avoids the hassle of purchasing disposable filters, and the carafe size produces enough coffee for multiple cups. 

Frequent, thorough cleaning is recommended to avoid bacteria buildup. 

If a reusable brewing method is important to you, the pour-over from Coffee Gator provides a sustainable, straightforward solution. Assembling this coffee maker is intuitive: Simply place the reusable metal mesh filter on top of the carafe, and you're ready to begin brewing. The tests produced results that we described as very mellow, fruity, slightly floral, and very balanced — a really, really nice cup of coffee. At $30, we feel this model is fairly priced and a fine choice for both beginners and veterans. 

When it comes time to clean, simply run the filter through warm water, and use soap and water on the carafe. Due to its removable filter that will catch fine sentiment and larger grounds, it’s best to wash the pieces immediately after use. Avoid abrasive sponges, as the scratches can damage the finish or introduce new areas for bacteria to grow. In addition, exercise caution when handling it as the glass did not seem as durable as other glass carafes we tested.

Material: Glass | Single or multi-cup: Multi-cup | Yields: 3 cups | Dishwasher-safe: No

We loved the Chemex Classic Series 8-Cup Coffeemaker for its sleek design and large capacity. For a single-use option that delivers on form and function and can be adequately used by just about anyone, we like the Origami Dripper .

In our test kitchen, we performed side-by-side testing on 23 of the top pour-over coffee makers on the market, including drippers and ones with carafes. Before we got to testing, we made general observations about the models, looking at qualities like maximum capacity, materials, type of filter, and how many components were involved in setting up each product. We then followed the manufacturer’s instructions to assemble the coffee maker. We assessed the level of difficulty.

Each model was then tested twice: First, using the manufacturer’s instructions and then following a standard brewing method provided by experts. In each test, we assessed the flow rate of water through the coffee maker when filled with 30 grams of ground coffee and the temperature throughout the brewing process. We, of course, tasted the coffee, noting if it tasted acidic, bitter, slightly sweet, or semi-floral. We also described the intensity of the coffee and whether it tasted too strong or too weak.

After testing, we evaluated the coffee maker’s design, brew quality, ease of use, and ease of cleaning, offering insights on the flow rate, assembly process, and tasting notes.

Like all coffee makers, you’ll want to consider how many servings you want to brew at once. Pour-over coffee makers range from single-cup drippers you can use directly over mugs to 12-cup carafes suitable to serve multiple people. Generally, these coffee makers are best for individuals, as they produce smaller batches and can be tailored to one’s taste preferences. 

Also, if you don’t have much storage space, look for one that’s pretty enough to display on your countertop or small enough to stash in a cabinet. 

There are pour-over coffee makers constructed of glass, stainless steel, plastic, porcelain, and silicone. It’s important to choose a model that’s easy to clean and retains heat but, most importantly, is durable. Though we love glass pour-over coffee makers, they are the riskiest when it comes to accidents.

Some pour-over coffee makers come with reusable filters, while others require paper filters. If you buy one for paper filters, you’ll want to purchase ones that are the right size for the brewing device and check if they need to be a specific brand. For example, the Kalita Wave 185 Dripper is compatible with the patented Kalita Wave Filters . During our tests, we found that paper filters make for a much quicker and easier cleanup, but reusable filters are a more eco-friendly option. (Of course, it helps to start with pristine water, too. You can take the process to the next level by using a water pitcher with a filter .)

Frequently Asked Questions

“In my opinion, there is nothing more special than a pour-over coffee,” Pocus says. “The sheer attention to detail and mediation-style brewing can start any day off right. It is pleasant to be able to give one's self that time to enjoy something nice before tackling whatever is ahead of them that day. That said, pour-over coffee isn't always better because some folks don't have the time, and that's okay. In the long run, it is about finding what method works for the end user and sticking to it. I personally think pour-over coffee tastes better due to the ability to control so many aspects of the brewing process. This definitely helps to taste those particular taste profiles many roasters have on their bags these days.”

If you have some favorite coffee gear already, chances are you're partially stocked for pour-over. According to Pocus, you need a scale, a grinder, whole bean coffee, a gooseneck kettle, and a pour-over device with its corresponding filters. “A scale for accurate brewing of a set ratio of coffee to water (I suggest a 1:16 ratio); a grinder for the whole bean coffee, as grinding per brew is ideal for the freshest taste; and a gooseneck kettle to evenly pour the water at a consistent flow rate,” he explains.

Once you have the products you need, the fun begins. Here’s how Pocus suggests making pour-over coffee. 

• First, you need to find a coffee you enjoy (for me, it is Domestique's Finca Esperanza from Two Birds in Guatemala).
• Weigh out your desired amount of coffee (25 grams). 
• Grind the coffee on a setting that leaves the grounds looking the size of fresh ground pepper.
• Heat water to 203 degrees Fahrenheit and pre-wet the coffee filter to decrease any residual paper taste.
• Once these steps are complete, add the ground coffee to the pour-over device and set it on a scale.
• The first addition of water is called the “bloom,” which is when the coffee gets charged up for brewing by the heat of the water, activating those acidic compounds and caffeine molecules.
• After the bloom, add the remaining water in silver dollar-size circles in pulses of 50 grams until you reach the desired output of 400 grams of brewed coffee. The brew should take about four minutes to extract flavor and caffeine properly.
• Pour a cup and enjoy!

Strong Contenders

Chemex 6-Cup Brewer ($51 at Amazon )

This produced similar coffee to our Best Overall pick, and we'd still recommend this product if you prefer a handle over the traditional Chemex wooden neck.

Hario Pour-Over Coffee Starter Set ($23 at Amazon )

This model produced a relatively impressive cup of coffee, especially considering its low price. Unfortunately, it came with such little instruction that we felt it may not suit everyone. If you feel confident with your usage and ratios, this is a great option.

Espro Bloom Pour-Over Dripper ($75 at Amazon )

The coffee maker was very easy to use. All the pieces were easy to assemble, and the instructions were easy to follow. However, there were no instructions on how to clean the product, and it was difficult to remove the filters.

UST Flexware Collapsible Coffee Drip ($11 at Amazon )

This coffee maker can produce a really nice cup of coffee, especially considering it is a backpacking-style pour-over coffee maker. The flow rate was very consistent when following the standardized brewing instructions. However, the flow rate was way too fast following the poorly written instructions and produced a weak cup of coffee that tasted rather bland and watered down.

OXO Brew Single Serve Pour-Over Coffee Maker ($18 at Amazon )

While this coffee maker performed well, it did brew slowly and also had a weaker taste. In addition, we didn't find any instructions on how to clean or maintain this coffee maker.

Stanley Camp Pour-Over Coffee Set ($40 at Amazon )

The Stanley was rather average in performance and produced an average-tasting cup of coffee. The filter is also not as fine as others, which results in a fair amount of fine sediment passing through the filter into the brewed coffee.

Hario Woodneck Drip Pot ($50 at Amazon )

This one is a good value for those looking for an eco-friendly model. It comes with a carafe with a wooden neck and a reusable filter and performed decently well in the brewing test. It requires more care to wash the cloth filter after each use and keep it in water in the fridge.

Kalita Wave 185 Dripper ($48 at Amazon )

We found this to be a quality product. However, we think a model with a carafe would be more cost-effective. It's durable, easy to clean, and retains heat, but we weren't particularly impressed by it.

What Didn't Make the List

While some pour-overs produced pure, great-tasting coffee, others disappointed or did not impress us enough for a recommendation. We tested nine additional models from brands like Hario, Fellow, Stanley, OXO, Espro, and Bodum, among others. Some produced muddy, highly acidic, too weak, or bitter coffee, while others were too difficult to clean or set up.

• Dana Fouchia is a Senior Commerce Editor with over eight years of experience writing for publications like the Chicago Tribune, LA Times, New York Daily News, Allrecipes, and more.
• Bridget Degnan is a former Associate Commerce Editor and a coffee aficionado with more than three years of experience testing and writing about products for Allrecipes, Real Simple, and other Dotdash Meredith brands.
• Dana and Bridget wrote this piece together, using insights they personally gathered while testing these pour-over coffee makers in Food & Wine's product testing lab. They also spoke to Michael Pocus, Co-Founder and COO of Domestique Coffee in Birmingham, Alabama.

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How to Make Pour-Over Coffee Like a Pro

By Ever Meister

Learning how to make pour-over coffee is a little bit like learning to make perfect poached eggs: The process might seem hard to master, but all it really takes is a little practice and some baseline knowledge. Brewing great pour-over coffee is actually very easy, and for many coffee lovers it becomes a lovely ritual that helps to start the day—or to take a meaningful break from whatever’s going on.

Pour-over basics

Before we dive into the process, let’s go over a few of the fundamentals about pour-over coffee. Ready to brew? You can jump down to the step-by-step instructions .

If you have an automatic drip coffee maker , guess what? It’s making a pour-over for you. That’s right: Just like the name implies, pour-over coffee simply means the drink is made by pouring a stream of hot water through a bed of coffee grounds. This is different from an immersion brewing technique like French press , where the grounds are fully immersed in hot water in order to brew. It also differs from espresso , a method that relies on hot water forced through a cake of coffee grounds under pressure.

While the term “pour-over coffee” defines the technique broadly, there are myriad brewing devices and techniques that can be used to achieve the finished result.

Before we get to the how-to instructions, let’s break down the design of a pour-over brewer so you can understand how they work.

Most (though not all) pour-over brewers are somewhat cone-shaped, with a wide top and a tapered, narrower bottom. However, within this style convention, there are a few variations. Some brewers feature a more extreme taper, while others have less angled sides; some come to a kind of pointed triangular bottom, while others have a flat bottom.

One shape is not necessarily better than another, but these differences will affect how you approach your brewing technique. For example, pour-over brewers with a more dramatic taper will often have a variable bed of coffee grounds that is shallower toward the edges and deep in the middle; pour-over brewers with a flat bottom or less dramatic taper will often have a flat, even bed of coffee grounds. How you add the water for brewing may change based on these differences; there are endless ways to tweak your approach to match the design of the brewer. (Manufacturer’s instructions can come in very handy; so can YouTube.)

One of the other major variations you will see in pour-over brewers is the presence or absence of by-pass ridges throughout the inside of the cone. Pyramid-shaped brewers that have a closed bottom with one or more small drainage holes, like traditional Melitta drippers, will often have straight ridges along the inside reaching up partially or all the way to the top. Some more rounded cone-shaped brewers, like the Hario V60 , may have ridges in a curved pattern; others, like a Chemex brewer, are completely smooth-sided, with no ridges at all.

Bypass ridges are incorporated into the design of the pour-over brewers in order to affect the coffee extraction, or how much coffee flavor material the brewing water is pulling out of the grounds. It may feel basic, but it’s worth remembering: The longer water and coffee are in contact, the more coffee flavor is extracted, though there is a fine line between the sweet, balanced “enough” and the overly bitter “too much” extraction. Ridges serve to speed up or slow down the flow of water through the coffee bed and out through the drainage holes. The ridges work by supporting the paper coffee filter away from the far edge of the brewer, creating gaps through which water and brewed coffee can easily pass by (hence the name). Some brewers, like the Chemex , have no bypass ridges: This forces all of the brewing water through all of the ground coffee in order to finish the extraction.

The brewing cone or dripper will have one or more holes at the bottom to allow brewed coffee to pass through into a carafe or mug rather than remain contained within the bed of coffee grounds. The size, number, and placement of the drainage holes will have a strong influence on your approach to brewing, as well as on the resulting flavor.

Some brewers, like the Hario V60 and Chemex , have one large opening at the bottom, exposing the bottom of the paper filter and allowing coffee to flow in greater volume. While the Hario’s large drain hole and more pronounced bypass ridges are specifically designed to brew pretty quickly (we’re talking two to three minutes), the Chemex’s flat walls are designed to hold water inside the coffee bed for slightly longer (about four to six minutes), even though the liquid is less restricted through the bottom of the filter. Other models with closed bottoms—whether flat or cone-shaped—typically have anywhere from one to five small holes through which brewed coffee can pass. These brewers will typically take between three and five minutes to make a 12- to 16-ounce coffee.

Some brewers, such as Chemex and Kalita , require proprietary paper filters; many other types of drippers are designed to work with standard #2 or #4 paper cone filters that can be found in any grocery store.

Some brewers, like the Coffee Gator Pour-Over Coffee Maker , come with a reusable filter made from a finely woven metal mesh material. These days,you can also find high-quality reusable filters that can be used in a variety of different pour-over brewers.

Some coffee drinkers find that certain types of coffee filters leave a slight papery taste, but others don’t notice any difference. Pre-rinsing your paper filter with hot water before brewing coffee is one way that many people try to eliminate any trace of filter flavor: Simply pour enough hot water into the filter to saturate it before you add your ground coffee. Be sure to remove the pre-rinse water from your carafe or mug before you begin brewing.

How to make pour-over coffee

There are just a few basic steps to making great pour-over coffee. While some details may vary depending on the type of brewer you have (always check the instructions to be sure), there are enough similarities that I can offer a general breakdown of the process.

1. Prepare your water: You’ll want to brew with water between 195°–205°F. If you don’t have a kettle with a thermometer or you don’t want to fuss, simply remove it from the heat when it starts to boil and wait about 30 seconds before brewing. 

2. Weigh or portion out your coffee and grind it fresh to the device’s recommended grind size, which will typically be between medium (the size of kosher salt) to medium-fine (a little coarser than fine sea salt) for these types of brewers. 

3. Set up your filter (some require folding or other quick assembly) and place it in your pour-over brewer. This is a good time to rinse your filter if you like. 

4. Add the coffee to the filter and gently shake the brewer to level the coffee grounds. 

5. Start your brewing timer and pour just enough of your brew water to saturate all of the grounds and let it “bloom” for anywhere from 30 seconds to a minute. This allows carbon dioxide (a by-product generated during the roasting process) to escape from the grounds; releasing this gas will help the water penetrate the grounds more effectively. The fresher your coffee is, the more dramatic this rising bloom will be; you may see the coffee bed “burp” a little toward the end of this period. 

6. Following the brewer’s directions, add the rest of your brewing water . For some models this means pouring a slow, steady stream into the coffee grounds; others will call for you to “pulse” by pouring a certain amount of water a few different times until you reach the desired final volume. You might pour in small concentric circles or a larger circular pattern to saturate the entire bed, or you may just pour water at will and hope for the best: There is no real wrong way to do it, but you may want to experiment to find your coffee-brewing sweet spot. 

7. After you’ve poured all your water, wait to remove the filter and grounds until coffee stops dripping through the drainage holes. Discard the ground coffee. 

8. Stir the finished liquid to ensure that everything that’s been extracted through the brewing process is evenly dispersed throughout, then enjoy!

Extra tips for great pour-over

Really dialing in your pour-over coffee method? Here are a few more tips and answers to commonly-asked questions.

For the best pour-over coffee, start with fresh, cold water in your kettle every time: Reboiling water often results in a dulled, less complex brew, as some of the liquid will evaporate into gas, leaving behind minerals that can change the extraction rate and quality.

The best way to pour in brewing water depends on the shape of your brewer ! Based on the way that the bypass ridges, brewer bottom, and drainage holes are designed, different approaches are ideal.

If your brewer comes to a sharp conical point at the bottom—like you see in Hario V60 and Chemex brewers—it’s best to pour your brewing water in small circles (about the size of a dime) in the center of the grounds bed. The shape of the brewer will cause the water to be pulled outward toward its walls once it enters the coffee bed.

With a more pyramid-shaped brewer, such as a Melitta cone, pour in controlled concentric circles starting from the center and widening to just along the outside edge of the coffee bed. These brewers tend to be less angular, which makes the coffee grounds bed a little shallower, and require less strict attention to pouring into the center.

Flat-bottom brewers like the Kalita Wave are designed to build up a reservoir of water on top of the coffee grounds, which means you can add more water at once, without fixating on the direction you’re pouring it in; the water slowly drains evenly through the grounds in a single column.

You can use pour-over brewers to make fantastic flash-chilled iced coffee by brewing a concentrated batch directly over ice . Stick with your usual weight of ground coffee, but cut the amount of water you usually use in the brew by half, and add the equivalent amount of ice in your brewing vessel, then brew the coffee the way you normally would. For example, if I usually make a 16-ounce hot coffee, I’ll prepare 8 ounces of hot water and brew directly on top of 8 ounces of ice. (You can weigh your ice if you like, but each cube in a standard-size ice-cube tray is typically about 1 ounce.)

Experiment with your grind size. Whenever you try a new type of pour-over brewer or technique, it’s worth it to take the time to calibrate your grind setting for optimal results. I like to brew one batch at the grind setting I think might be right, then I’ll brew two more batches directly after: one just slightly coarser and one just slightly finer. Then I’ll taste all three side-by-side once they’ve cooled a bit and judge which has the best flavor. This is a one-time extra step that can make a big difference in your daily brew.

Noah Kaufman

Ever Meister

Tara O'Brady

Wilder Davies

Jarrett Melendez

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Travel Glass Pour Over Coffee maker Set 4pcs (Gray) | 18/2 Stainless Steel Filter Dripper and Lid | BPA Free Borosilicate Glass Mug | Paperless Drip Coffee Maker Pour Over For Coffee Lovers

Purchase options and add-ons, about this item.

• WHAT'S IN THE BOX: 1 Borosilicate Glass Mug with a 250ml capacity (BPA Free), 18/8 2-Ply Stainless Steel Filter Dripper and Lid with Sleek Protective Moulded Neoprene Portable Protective Case on a Leather Loop best for camping.
• FANTASTIC GIFT for any "on the go" coffee love created and built by award winning designers. Equipped with a portable and durable case, which is convenient and practical. Classic 2-play 18/8 stainless steel laser drilled on the outside with micro mesh on the inside means you don't need paper filters for a clean cup (if you want to use a paper filter, use a #1).
• FRESH COFFEE ON THE GO: The portable coffee maker set is designed to not absorb any residue or odors, no matter how strong your brew. This ensures that you always get the purest flavor from your coffee.
• FOOD GRADE MATERIALS: Featuring a high-quality and reusable pour over coffee brewer, completely food grade materials make you absolutely at ease. It not only ensures the health of the body, but also protects the environment. LFGB-tested beyond FDA guidelines (LFGB is the German standard).
• BUY WITH CONFIDENCE: We're so confident in the quality of our products that we offer a lifetime guarantee on factory defects. If for any reason anything is missing, incorrect, damaged, or not up to the mark, please go to the order page, send us a message and please DO NOT opt out so we can help make the situation right. We MUST be able to contact you to offer a solution. Thank you!

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Welcome to Cafe Crush Club, an American coffee preparation and brand.

Your happiness is what we value. We are old. Very old. As a child Wayne farmed with a team of horses! If you are blessed with a loved one in your home, surprise them with a coffee in bed.

Love, Lisa, Wayne & Suzette-Marie

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We have a shared love – COFFEE! Purchase our Cold Brewers, (Immersion or Ice Dripper), our Pour-Overs (Stainless Steel Cone Filter or Travel Set), or French Press replacement glass, plunger, and filter parts with confidence.

Your bet that we are "Best in Class” is correct with <0.02% that slip by inspection and require a free replacement.

So, contact me directly via Amazon Seller Support. It’s super simple - No Problem! I personally field customer inquiries, because your happiness is Cafe Crush Club's business! Holler if you need help, or want to tell us something.

Product Description

What grade of stainless steel is it made from?

The Travel Glass Pour-Over filter and lid is made of 18/8 2-Ply Stainless Steel Filter

Can the components be safely cleaned in a dishwasher?

All components of the hot and cold brewers are dishwasher-safe.

What versatile beverage options can be prepared and enjoyed using cold brewers?

The cold brewer is a versatile device that allows for the brewing and serving of a wide range of beverages, including coffee, tea, and water.

Are there any other special features of cold brewers?

One of its standout features is the ability to produce a low-acid brew. By steeping coffee grounds in cold water for an extended period, cold brewers create a smoother and less acidic coffee experience.

What is the ideal size of coffee grounds recommended for brewing?

For optimal brewing, it is recommended to use coffee grounds that are coarse to medium coarse in size. This allows for proper extraction of flavors while minimizing over-extraction or sediment in the final brew.

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Customers like the fit, practicality, quality and appearance of the coffee maker. For example, they mention it's petite, works great and serves its purpose. Some appreciate the sleek design and modern carrying case. Overall, customers are happy with the product and recommend it as a great gift for anyone who travels often.

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Customers are satisfied with the quality of the coffee maker. They mention that it is a high-quality product, works perfect regarding durability, and makes great coffee. They also say that the coffee set is practical and protected even when placed in one's pocket.

"...However, this set is so nice to make my own delicious cup anytime I want. The carrying case is the best!..." Read more

"...They all fit nicely and are protected even when placed in one's suitcase...." Read more

"I’m impressed with how well made this product is! The travel case is very sleek and modern and is cushioned well enough to protect the glass inside...." Read more

"The perfect set for college. The coffee set makes great coffee and is very practical.Thank you. Received the coffee set very quickly!" Read more

Customers are satisfied with the appearance of the coffee maker. They mention that the travel case is sleek, modern, and cushioned well enough to protect it. Some say that the design choice is great and the coffee set is neat and petite.

"...The way the components all fit into the cup is great design choice . The kit does not take up any space in your suitcase or carryon...." Read more

"I used this product while traveling. It is awesome all around. The case is great ; it holds the glass mug, the stainless pour over and round..." Read more

"...no filter needed - and makes delicious coffee. Love the carrying case - great gift for anyone who travels often!" Read more

Customers find the travel coffee set neat, petite, and protected. They say it doesn't take up any space in their suitcase or carry-on and is perfect to stick in their bag for a trip.

"...The kit does not take up any space in your suitcase or carryon. Your toiletry case will take up more space. LOL!..." Read more

"...It’s truly perfect to stick in your bag for a trip. I would recommend it for yourself or as gift to the coffee lovers in your life!" Read more

"My daily coffee ritual just got better! This travel coffee set is neat, petite , and rests on a hook in my RV when not in use...." Read more

Customers are satisfied with the practicality of the coffee maker. They mention that it makes great coffee and serves its purpose.

"...The coffee set makes great coffee and is very practical .Thank you. Received the coffee set very quickly!" Read more

"...Use the filter and works great serves its purpose . Was a gift so didn't notice till too late to return." Read more

" Awesome Product ..." Read more

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