Coffee & Espresso · Head-to-head
Hario V60 Ceramic Coffee Dripper 02 vs Kalita Wave 185 Stainless Steel Dripper
Which should you buy? Our verdict on both, pulled from our full The Best Pour-Over Coffee Makers: 4 Compared (and One to Skip) comparison.
The Hario V60 is the best all-round pour-over: cheap, endlessly supported, and capable of the widest range of great cups once you learn it. If you want that quality without the learning curve, the Kalita Wave 185 is the more forgiving pick.
Hario V60 Ceramic Coffee Dripper 02
Buy itA versatile, widely supported cone that rewards anyone willing to learn the pour.
- Conical shape and open spiral ribs give the pourer full command over flow rate and extraction
- Enormous ecosystem of cheap, widely stocked paper filters and accessories
- Ceramic holds heat well and the design is genuinely attractive on a counter
- Steep learning curve; results swing with grind, pour technique, and kettle control
- Effectively requires a gooseneck kettle and a scale to be consistent
Kalita Wave 185 Stainless Steel Dripper
Buy itA forgiving flat-bottom dripper that turns a shaky pour into a reliably good cup.
- Flat bed and three small holes even out extraction, so sloppy pours still land well
- Stainless steel build that Kalita lists as dishwasher safe
- The most consistent brewer here for newcomers, in our judgment
- Uses wavy flat-bottom filters that some retailers stock less reliably than cone papers
- Offers less ceiling for the tinkerer chasing a specific extraction than a V60
Side by side
The 6 criteria below are the ones our full comparison judged every product on, narrowed to these two.
| Hario V60 Ceramic Coffee Dripper 02 Our pick | Kalita Wave 185 Stainless Steel Dripper | |
|---|---|---|
| Our verdict | Buy | Buy |
| Best for | Hands-on drinkers who want maximum control and one brewer that adapts to any bean. | Beginners and anyone who wants a dependable cup without babysitting the pour. |
| Price tier | $ · budget | $ · budget |
| Cup character | Bright, layered, adjustable | Balanced and rounded |
| Consistency for beginners | Demanding | Excellent |
| Control over extraction | Highest | Moderate |
| Filter type & availability | Cone papers, ubiquitous | Wave papers, common |
| Material & durability | Ceramic, can chip | Stainless, durable |
| Capacity | 1-4 cups | 2-4 cups |
Which one is right for you?
Pick the Hario V60 Ceramic Coffee Dripper 02 if
hands-on drinkers who want maximum control and one brewer that adapts to any bean.
Know before buying: steep learning curve; results swing with grind, pour technique, and kettle control.
Pick the Kalita Wave 185 Stainless Steel Dripper if
beginners and anyone who wants a dependable cup without babysitting the pour.
Know before buying: uses wavy flat-bottom filters that some retailers stock less reliably than cone papers.
The bottom line
Our overall pick is the Hario V60 Ceramic Coffee Dripper 02 - A versatile, widely supported cone that rewards anyone willing to learn the pour. Choose the Kalita Wave 185 Stainless Steel Dripper instead if beginners and anyone who wants a dependable cup without babysitting the pour.
Want the full picture, including the other options we compared and the popular one we'd skip? Read the complete The Best Pour-Over Coffee Makers: 4 Compared (and One to Skip).