Kalita Wave vs V60: Which Pour-Over Dripper Should You Choose?

In the Kalita Wave vs V60 debate, the short answer is this: choose the Kalita Wave if you want a forgiving, consistent, sweet and balanced cup; choose the Hario V60 if you want maximum control and a brighter, more transparent cup and you do not mind practicing your pour. Both are excellent pour-over drippers, and the difference comes down to shape: a flat bottom with three small holes versus a cone with one large hole.

Below we compare design, flow, taste and ease of use, give a starter recipe for each, and help you pick the right dripper for your kitchen.

Kalita Wave vs V60: The Design Difference

Hario V60: the cone

The Japanese company Hario released the V60 in 2004. Its name comes from the 60-degree angle of the cone, which creates the V shape. Inside, spiral ridges run down the walls, and at the bottom there is a single large opening. The ridges keep the paper from sticking to the walls so air and coffee can flow, while the big hole means almost nothing restricts the drawdown except the coffee bed itself and the filter.

The V60 comes in several sizes, with the 01 for one cup and the 02 for one to several cups being the most common at home. You will find it in plastic, ceramic, glass and metal.

Kalita Wave: the flat bottom

The Kalita Wave has a flat bed with three small holes. It uses special filters with pleated, wave-like walls that touch the dripper only at their folds. Those pleats keep the paper away from the walls and help hold heat around the coffee. The two common sizes are the 155 (small, single cup) and the 185 (larger, one to several cups), available in stainless steel, glass and ceramic.

The flat bed means water passes through a coffee layer of even depth, and the three small holes slow the flow slightly so the brew is less sensitive to how you pour.

Side-by-Side Comparison

Flow and Taste: What Actually Changes in the Cup

Extraction depends on how long water stays in contact with the grounds and how evenly it moves through them. The two shapes handle that differently.

• In a cone, the coffee bed is deep in the center and thin at the edges. Water naturally rushes toward the middle and the single hole. A steady spiral pour keeps things even; a careless pour leaves channels and dry pockets. When it goes right, you get a vivid, clean cup that shows off fruit and floral notes.
• In a flat bed, the coffee layer has the same depth everywhere, so water extracts more uniformly. The small holes add a bit of resistance, holding water in contact a little longer. The result tends to be sweeter and fuller, with slightly less sparkle on top.

Neither cup is objectively better. If you love a bright, tea-like coffee from a light roast, the V60 brings that out. If you prefer a comforting, chocolatey, balanced mug, the Kalita Wave often gets there with less effort. For a deeper look at how grind and contact time shape flavor, read our guide to coffee extraction and TDS.

Ease of Use: Which Is Better for Beginners?

For most beginners, the Kalita Wave is easier. Because the holes control part of the flow, small differences in pour speed matter less, and the flat bed tolerates a less precise grinder. Many people get a good cup on the first try.

The V60 has a steeper learning curve. You will want a gooseneck kettle and a decent burr grinder, and you will need a few brews to learn how fast to pour. The upside is flexibility: by changing the pour, you can shift the taste of the same beans, which is why so many enthusiasts love it.

A few practical points also matter:

• Filters: V60 papers are sold almost everywhere. Kalita wave filters are a little harder to find, and the pleats can crush if you store them carelessly.
• Cleanup: Both are easy: toss the paper, rinse the dripper.
• Batch size: Both larger sizes (V60 02 and Wave 185) brew comfortably for one or two people.

Starter Recipes for Each Dripper

Both recipes use 20 g of coffee and 320 g (about 11 fl oz) of water at around 200°F (93°C), a 1:16 ratio. Adjust using our coffee to water ratio guide.

Hario V60 recipe

1. Rinse a cone filter in the V60 with hot water and discard the water.
2. Add 20 g of medium-fine coffee and level the bed.
3. Bloom: pour 40 g of water, swirl gently and wait 30 to 45 seconds.
4. Pour slowly in spirals to 160 g by about 1:15.
5. Continue pouring to 320 g by about 2:00, avoiding the paper walls.
6. Give the dripper a gentle swirl to flatten the bed. Drawdown should finish around 2:45 to 3:30.

Kalita Wave recipe

1. Place a wave filter in the dripper and rinse it gently by pouring into the center so the pleats keep their shape.
2. Add 20 g of medium-ground coffee and level the bed.
3. Bloom with 40 g of water for 30 to 45 seconds.
4. Pour in small pulses of about 50 to 60 g, keeping the water level steady, until you reach 320 g.
5. Drawdown should finish around 3:00 to 3:45.

Tip: If the cup tastes sour, grind finer. If it tastes harsh or bitter, grind coarser. Change only one thing at a time.

Which Pour-Over Dripper Should You Choose?

• Pick the Kalita Wave if you want consistency, brew half-asleep on weekday mornings, have an entry-level grinder or prefer balanced, sweet coffee.
• Pick the V60 if you enjoy experimenting, want to highlight bright light roasts and are happy to practice your pouring.
• Pick both if you are curious: they are affordable, and brewing the same beans side by side is a great way to train your palate.

Whatever you choose, beans matter more than the dripper. Fresh, whole beans ground just before brewing make a far bigger difference than shape, as explained in our whole bean vs ground coffee guide.

Kalita Wave vs V60 FAQ

Is the Kalita Wave easier than the V60?

Yes, for most people. The flat bed and three small holes make the flow less dependent on your pouring technique, so results are more repeatable. The V60 can match or beat it, but only once you have learned to pour consistently.

Can I use V60 filters in a Kalita Wave?

Not properly. The Kalita Wave is designed for its flat, pleated filters, and a cone paper will not sit flat on the bed. Use the matching size, 155 or 185, for the best results.

Which dripper makes stronger coffee?

Strength comes mainly from your coffee-to-water ratio, not the dripper. That said, the Kalita Wave often tastes a little fuller at the same ratio because of its slightly slower, more even flow. To make either stronger, add more coffee rather than grinding much finer.

Do I need a gooseneck kettle?

For the V60, a gooseneck kettle helps a lot because it gives you control over pour speed and placement. For the Kalita Wave, it is helpful but less critical. Either way, aim for water around 195 to 205°F (90 to 96°C).

Final Verdict

The Kalita Wave vs V60 choice is really about personality: steady and forgiving, or precise and expressive. Both reward fresh coffee. Every Feel Espresso coffee order is roasted 1 to 5 days before delivery, so your pour-overs start with lively beans. For a V60, try a bright single origin like Kenya; for a Kalita Wave, a sweet, balanced coffee like Colombia is a great match. Or explore the full single origin collection.