Filter & Pour-Over

Choosing a filter coffee machine

A quality filter coffee machine brews clean, sweet, full-flavoured coffee with almost no effort. The secret is water temperature: good drip filter coffee needs water at about 92–96°C held steadily through the brew. Cheaper coffee makers often run too cool, which gives thin, sour coffee. Machines certified by the Specialty Coffee Association, such as Moccamaster and Ratio, are tested to brew properly every time.

Moccamaster: the benchmark drip coffee maker

Hand-built in the Netherlands, the Moccamaster KBG Select, Polished Silver and Moccamaster KBGV Select, Black are simple, quick and incredibly consistent, and they’re designed to be repaired rather than replaced. For one perfect mug, the Moccamaster Cup-One, Matt Black brews straight into your cup.

Design-led filter coffee makers

The Ratio Six Coffee Maker, Stainless Steel and Ratio Four Coffee Maker, Linen use a bloom phase that soaks the grounds before brewing, just as a barista would by hand. The Aarke Coffee Maker, Stainless Steel adds Scandinavian minimalism and a smart hot plate.

Precision and smart brewers

The Fellow Aiden Precision Filter Coffee Maker lets you tune temperature and brew profile, the Sage Luxe Brewer Thermal keeps coffee hot in a thermal jug, and the xBloom Studio Smart Pour-Over Machine combines grinder, scale and automatic pour-over in one machine.

Pour-over coffee

Pour-over gives you full control and costs very little to start. The Hario V60 Pour-Over Starter Set is the classic, the Kalita Wave 185 Dripper is forgiving with its flat bed, and the Chemex Hand-Blown Coffeemaker with Wood Collar, 5-Cup and Chemex Classic Pour-Over Coffeemaker, 6-Cup brew several cups at once with a beautifully clean finish. Pair them with a temperature-controlled gooseneck kettle such as the Fellow Stagg EKG Electric Gooseneck Kettle, Fellow Stagg EKG Pro Electric Kettle or Brewista Handmade Gooseneck Kettle, 1L.

Other brewing methods

For rich, full-bodied coffee, the Espro P7 Insulated French Press, 946ml and Bodum Chambord French Press, 12-Cup are superb, the AeroPress Clear XL Coffee Press is endlessly versatile, and the Hario 5-Cup Glass Syphon Coffee Maker brings a little theatre to the table.

How to make better filter coffee

• Use freshly ground beans at a medium-coarse grind.
• Start with 60g of coffee per litre of water and adjust to taste.
• Use filtered or soft water to improve flavour and reduce limescale.
• Rinse paper filters before brewing to remove any papery taste.
• Descale your filter coffee machine regularly.

Drip coffee machine features to compare

• Capacity: from single-cup coffee makers to 1.25 litre jugs for the whole household.
• Glass jug or thermal jug: a thermal jug keeps coffee hot without the stewed taste of a hot plate.
• Bloom and pre-infusion: soaks the coffee first for a sweeter, more aromatic cup.
• Timer and smart features: wake up to freshly brewed filter coffee.
• Reusable filter or paper: paper gives a cleaner cup; a reusable filter keeps more body and oils.

Filter coffee machine vs bean to cup

A filter coffee machine makes a larger, lighter cup that’s perfect for black coffee and tasting single origins. A bean to cup coffee machine makes espresso-based drinks and milky coffees. If you love the aroma of a fresh pot in the morning, drip filter coffee is hard to beat.

Frequently asked questions

Is a filter coffee machine worth it?

If you drink more than one cup in the morning or brew for a household, absolutely. It’s simple, consistent and far cheaper per cup than pods.

How much coffee do you put in a filter coffee machine?

Around 60g of coffee per litre of water, or roughly 7.5g per 125ml cup, is a good starting point.

What is the best coffee for a drip machine?

Light to medium roasts shine as filter coffee. Try Roast Shop Kenya Peaberry Coffee Beans, 1kg or Moreish Colombia Huila Single Origin Beans, 1kg from our coffee beans.

Do I need a grinder for filter coffee?

For the best flavour, yes. The Fellow Ode Gen 2 Flat Burr Grinder is our favourite filter coffee grinder.

See our full guide to the best filter coffee machines.

Related buying guides

• Moccamaster KBG Select review
• The best filter coffee machines