Hand brewed and filtered coffee

has a very special place in our hearts and cups. While there is nothing better than a perfect and complex shot of espresso or a full-bodied French press, for most of us , pour over (filter coffee ) is the first choice for home, work and weekends.

People have been making their coffee this way for many decades - the first Melitta filter was developed in 1908 and can now be found in almost every grocery store, corner shop and shop worldwide. The Chemex was invented in 1941 and has remained essentially unchanged. Its timeless design has earned it a place in MOMA's permanent design collection.

Every year new filter brewing methods come onto the market, as well as updates and tweaks to existing models. We're constantly testing and reviewing new coffee equipment, but over the years Bee House, Chemex, Hario V60 and Kalita Wave have proven to be our tried and tested favorites for their quality and cup character.

We love all of these brewers for many different reasons, as explained below, and they all make you a very delicious cup of coffee, some quicker than others and some requiring more technique. But first, we want to give you the most important rule of thumb for making a good cup of coffee: Drum roll please: Buy good coffee beans and always grind them fresh.

Once you've got this part done, you're well on your way.

Chemex

The Chemex has a thicker, patented filter that brews a cleaner cup and provides a smoother body and balanced floral notes. Use a medium grind , about as fine as kosher salt. Check out the Brew Guide to see how it works!

Chemex Benefits

Its thicker filter provides a cup of coffee with more clarity and sweetness. The Chemex also allows you to brew larger quantities (more than one cup) with ease. The thick filter is also quite forgiving when brewing, unlike the V60, which offers similar complexity but is more demanding.

Chemex Disadvantages

The Chemex filter carafes are not as common as the Melitta filters, but they are more commonly available to buy than the Hario V60 or Kalita Wave . It is made of glass and therefore not portable.

Chemex Brew Guide

Hario V60

The nuanced and versatile Hario V60 is a stylish handheld filter for those who want a little challenge when perfecting their daily coffee. The brewer's large opening and thin, proprietary filter allow for faster brewing and requires sophisticated technique and a steady hand. When done well, it can produce a beautiful, bright and crisp cup with prominent citrus notes. Use a medium grind, about as fine as kosher salt. Check out the brewing guide to see how it works!

Hario V60 Advantages

The versatility makes it a great coffee filter for any pour-over pro who really wants to change things up and customize their brewing technique based on variables like speed and pour method. It's more nuanced and flexible.

Hario V60 Disadvantages

Although it is more customizable, the Hario V60 is also less forgiving, and this brewing method needs your full attention to pull it off. All pour-over filters benefit greatly from the use of a gooseneck kettle, but with the V60 it is almost essential. These kettles are mostly unavailable, however. Check us out for more information.

Hario V60 Brew Guide

Kalita Wave

The Kalita Wave impresses coffee and design lovers alike. The flat base shape and the unique wave-patterned filters (hence the name!) ensure even extraction when brewing. With the Kalita you always brew a balanced, complex and transparent cup of coffee. Use a medium-fine grind, about as fine as table salt. Check out our brewing instructions to see how it works!

Kalita Benefits

The Kalita is lightweight and durable, making it a great coffee filter for on the go or at camp. Due to the flat bottom design and special filters that help control the flow of water through the coffee, it is more forgiving than the V60 and has a more nuanced cup quality than the Bee House.

Kalita Disadvantages

This unit requires a little more attention to brew well compared to the Bee House - the key here is a controlled spiral pour-over, so a gooseneck kettle is ideal here too. It is the most expensive of all the single cup brewers and filters. The filters must be ordered online or found in a specialty store.

Kalita Wave Brew Guide

All of these filters bring something unique to the coffee table. We're often asked which coffee is the best, but we recommend that you figure out what variables are important to you and let that be your guide.

Once you've found your brewing method, here are some hot tips on how to perfect your pour over. For a deeper look into the impact of filters on your coffee drink, browse here .

Do you have any more questions about brewing coffee ? We're here to help. Check out our full brew guide or contact us directly .