Tom’s Guide Verdict
For strong coffee lovers, the Kalita Wave is the ideal pour-over dripper.
However, its still prime real estate for experimentation, and can easily be adapted for lighter preferences.
And the best part?
The Kalita Wave is an iconic pour-over dripper in the world of specialty coffee.
Therell always be someone singing its praises in the shadowy corner of hipster artisan coffee shops.
Is that person now gonna be me?
As far as coffee nerds go, Im not actuallythatfastidious.
Yes, I have a favorite pop in of bean.
Yes, I spend much of my waking time researching, brewing, and drinking coffee.
If it tastes good, Im here for it.
Im not even opposed to the occasional Nescafe.
Could this ease of use make the Kalita Wave one of thebest coffee makers?
Find out in this Kalita Wave coffee pour-over dripper review.
This is the stainless steel version I tested.
For a pour-over dripper, $44 is pretty pricey.
The plasticHario V60hovers at around $10, and the6-cup Chemexis $47.
However, the flavor profiles from each are totally different, which Ill get into later.
Kalita Wave Dripper review: Design
The Kalita Waves design is definitely its number one selling point.
The wave design is actually patented by the Japanese brand, much likeAeroPress vacuum technology is patented.
Theres a little Kalita logo embossed into the metal on the bottom rim.
What sets the V60 Dripper and the Kalita Wave dripper apart is the bottom of each gadget.
I recommend theFelicita Arcor theTimemore Black Mirror Basic 2.
These filters are $10 for a pack of 100, which works out to 10 cents per filter.
Heed my warning: the Kalita Wave isnota V60, and it wont brew exactly like one.
If youre here looking for a V60 clone, Im sorry, but the Kalita Wave is not it.
They wont get clogged unless you use Turkish grind.
Im just not sure itd win any taste awards.
So for a 350ml mug, I will use 19g of coffee.
Id recommend medium-coarse grind, as medium tends to taste over-extracted with the Kalita in my experience.
I scooped in 19g of coffee and poured around 40g water to bloom the grounds.
I was able to pour the entire weight of water in just two runs.
It took 2.29 to brew 276g of coffee, which worked out at a flow rate of 1.8g/s.
Youll also need to ensure you have the correct grind for your tastes again, I like medium-coarse.
I wouldnt even put the inner pot of my Instant Pot in the dishwasher.
Kalita Wave Dripper review: How does it compare?
In terms of ease of use, the Kalita Wave is directly comparable with the Hario V60 and Chemex.
I would give each new brewer a trial run though, before showing off in front of friends.
Cleanup is easy, too, thanks to the dripper being dishwasher safe.
The V60 is dishwasher safe, too, and the original AeroPress.
In terms of flavor, well, thats up to you.
At a baseline level, the Kalita Wave makes a stronger coffee with a more intense flavor.
However, the default flavor of the Kalita Wave is definitely stronger than a V60.
Whether thats what you want, or not, only it’s possible for you to answer that question.
Kalita Wave Dripper review: Verdict
I love my Kalita Wave.
Mastering this dripper is as easy as pie, and easily makes way for major experimentation.
However, it does brew amuchmore intense coffee than a V60, Chemex, or AeroPress.
This is a beginner-friendly dripper just as much as its an expert-friendly it just requires some experimentation.
