Hario V60 vs Kalita Wave (2026): Which Pour Over Should You Buy?
March 18, 2026 · 8 min read
Every pour-over conversation eventually lands here: Hario V60 vs Kalita Wave. They're the two most popular manual coffee makers on the planet, they cost roughly the same, and they produce noticeably different cups. Which one should you buy first?
We've brewed thousands of cups with both. Here's the honest, side-by-side breakdown.
The quick answer
If you're a beginner, want consistency, and don't want to obsess over technique: buy the Kalita Wave. If you want maximum control, the cleanest flavors possible, and don't mind practicing: buy the Hario V60. Both are excellent.
| Feature | Hario V60 02 | Kalita Wave 185 |
|---|---|---|
| Shape | 60° cone | Flat bottom |
| Drainage | Single large hole | 3 small holes |
| Filter cost | ~$0.03/brew | ~$0.10/brew |
| Ideal capacity | 1–3 cups | 2–4 cups |
| Learning curve | Steeper | Gentle |
| Flavor profile | Bright, articulate | Balanced, sweet |
| Price | $25 ceramic | $42 stainless |
Hario V60 vs Kalita Wave at a glance.
Design differences
The V60's steep cone
The Hario V60 is a 60° conical dripper with a single large drainage hole at the bottom. Water flows quickly, so brew time depends heavily on how fine you grind and how slowly you pour. It's built to give the brewer maximum control — which is a feature if you want it, and a chore if you don't.
The Wave's flat bed
The Kalita Wave has a flat bottom with three small drainage holes. The flat bed creates an even coffee layer, and the small holes restrict flow, so extraction time is much more consistent regardless of pour technique. The signature 'wave' filter creates a small air gap between the paper and the metal wall for even drainage.
Cup profile: what each brewer tastes like
The V60
The V60 gives you the most articulate cup — every note in the bean is separated and clearly defined. With a light-roasted Ethiopian, you can taste lemon zest, jasmine, and honey as distinct flavors. It's the brewer of choice for anyone chasing 'clarity' in a coffee.
The Wave
The Wave produces a more balanced, sweeter cup. Notes are integrated rather than separated. Same Ethiopian brewed in a Wave tastes like 'sweet floral coffee' rather than 'lemon + jasmine + honey.' Neither is objectively better — it's a matter of preference.
Ease of use: which is more forgiving?
The Kalita Wave, by a mile. The flat bed and small drainage holes forgive a sloppy pour, an uneven bloom, and small grind-size errors. You can pour water directly into the center in a single continuous stream and still get a great cup.
The V60 punishes technique errors. Pour too fast and you'll under-extract. Pour unevenly and you'll create channels through the bed. Grind too fine and water will pool and stall. Get everything right, though, and it's magical.
Filters and ongoing cost
V60 filters are a commodity — you can buy 100 for $5 at any coffee shop or grocery store worldwide. Kalita Wave filters are specialty items, cost 3× more per brew, and can be hard to find in a pinch. Amazon Prime carries both, but if you like to shop in person, this matters.
V60 recommended setup
Hario V60 02 Ceramic
Pros
- Cheapest premium dripper
- Best flavor clarity of any pour-over
- Filters are cheap and universal
Cons
- Rewards technique
- Needs a gooseneck kettle
Kalita Wave recommended setup
Kalita Wave 185 Stainless Steel
Pros
- Extremely forgiving of technique
- Stainless steel is nearly indestructible
- Consistent every brew
Cons
- Wave filters cost more and are harder to find
Get both — Dual Dripper Starter Bundle
V60 + Wave + Timemore hand grinder + gooseneck kettle. Try both and pick your favorite.
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Brew recipes for each dripper
Hario V60 recipe (1 cup)
22 g coffee, medium-fine grind, 360 g water at 200°F. Rinse the filter, bloom with 50 g for 40 seconds, then pour in three slow spirals to 360 g. Target a 2:45–3:15 total brew time. If it drains before 2:30, go one grind step finer.
Kalita Wave 185 recipe (1–2 cups)
25 g coffee, medium grind (one or two clicks coarser than V60), 400 g water at 202°F. Bloom with 60 g for 40 seconds, then add water in four pulses of about 85 g, keeping the bed flat. Target 3:15–3:45. The Wave drains slower by design — do not chase a faster time by grinding coarse.
Kalita vs V60: cost over a year
| Cost item | Hario V60 | Kalita Wave |
|---|---|---|
| Dripper | $25 (ceramic) | $42 (stainless) |
| Filters (365 brews) | ~$11 | ~$37 |
| Replacement risk | Ceramic can chip | Steel is near-indestructible |
| Year-one total | ~$36 | ~$79 |
What each pour-over setup actually costs over 12 months of daily brewing.
Over five years the gap narrows: the stainless Wave will outlive several ceramic V60s, but V60 filters stay far cheaper and are stocked in almost every supermarket.
Which pour over should you buy?
If you're brand new to pour-over: get the Kalita Wave. It rewards you with a great cup while you're still learning to pour evenly. Once you're comfortable, add a V60 (they're only $25) and switch between them depending on the bean.
If you already brew good coffee and want maximum flavor: skip the Wave and get the V60 with a gooseneck kettle and a good burr grinder. That's the setup that gets you to competition-level cups at home.
Brewing for more than two people, or still deciding between styles altogether? Compare pour-over against immersion brewing in our French press vs pour over head-to-head before you spend anything.
See our full best pour-over roundup for 2026Shop Read: French press vs pour over — which suits you?ShopThe verdict
Both drippers earn their spot on our top pour-overs list. The Kalita Wave is the best beginner pour over coffee maker on the market; the Hario V60 is the best pour over coffee maker overall. There's no wrong answer — just the right one for your kitchen.
Ready to upgrade your setup? Check our full reviews.ShopFrequently asked questions
Which is easier to use, V60 or Kalita Wave?
The Kalita Wave. Its flat bed and three restricted holes make brew time consistent even with a sloppy pour, so results vary less day to day.
Does the V60 make better coffee?
In skilled hands, the V60 produces more clarity and higher sweetness with light roasts. With inconsistent technique it also produces more bad cups than the Wave.
Can I use the same grind size for both?
No. The V60 needs a medium-fine grind; the Kalita Wave brews best one or two clicks coarser because its flat bed drains more slowly.
Is the Kalita Wave worth the extra money over a V60?
Yes if consistency matters more to you than price. The Wave costs about $42 versus $25 for a ceramic V60, and its filters cost roughly three times more per brew, but it produces a repeatable cup with far less technique.
Which pour over is best for beginners?
The Kalita Wave 185. Its flat bed and three restricted drainage holes forgive uneven pouring and small grind errors, so a beginner's first cups taste closer to their tenth.
Can I use V60 filters in a Kalita Wave?
No. The Wave needs its own flat-bottomed wave filters; a cone filter collapses against the flat base, blocks the drainage holes and stalls the brew.
Tools & deeper dives
More on pour over and brewing basics.
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