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Hario V60 and Kalita Wave are two of the most well-known Japanese pour-over coffee drippers. Both can make excellent coffee at home, but they feel quite different to use.
The short answer is simple: choose the Hario V60 if you enjoy learning and experimenting with your pouring technique. Choose the Kalita Wave if you want a more forgiving brewer that can be easier to use consistently.
This guide compares the two systems and helps beginners choose the right one.
Quick Answer: V60 or Kalita Wave?
Choose the Hario V60 if you want:
- A classic Japanese pour-over experience
- More control over your brew
- A lightweight and affordable plastic dripper
- A large selection of recipes to explore
- Clean, bright, and expressive coffee
Choose the Kalita Wave if you want:
- A flatter brewing bed
- A more forgiving daily routine
- Less sensitivity to pouring technique
- A good option for making coffee for two people
- A simple path to repeatable results
Hario V60 Overview
The Hario V60 is a cone-shaped dripper with spiral ribs on the inside. It is one of the most recognized Japanese coffee tools worldwide.
The plastic Hario V60 02 is a strong starting point for most beginners. It is light, durable, affordable, and designed for one to four cups.
The V60’s cone shape creates a deeper coffee bed. Because the dripper has a large opening at the bottom, your pouring speed and grind size have a strong effect on the final cup.
A faster pour can create a lighter body, while a slower pour can produce a fuller cup. This is why many coffee enthusiasts enjoy the V60: it gives you room to adjust and learn.
[Check the current price and availability of the Hario V60 on Amazon.]
Kalita Wave Overview
The Kalita Wave uses a flat-bottom brewing design and special wave-shaped paper filters.
Its flat brewing bed can help water contact the coffee more evenly. The dripper also uses a three-hole design at the bottom.
For many beginners, this can feel less demanding than a cone-shaped dripper. You still need to pour carefully, but small differences in pouring speed are often less dramatic than with a V60.
The Kalita Wave is available in different sizes. The 155 size is generally better for one or two small cups, while the 185 size is designed for about two to four cups.
[Check the current price and availability of the Kalita Wave on Amazon.]
Brewing Design: Cone Shape vs Flat Bottom
The biggest difference is the shape of the coffee bed.
The Hario V60 is cone-shaped. Coffee grounds sit deeper in the center, and water flows toward the large opening at the bottom. This gives the brewer a lot of flexibility, but it also means technique matters more.
The Kalita Wave has a flat bottom. The coffee bed is flatter, which can make water distribution feel more even and predictable.
Neither design is automatically better. They simply suit different preferences.
If you want to learn how grind size, pouring speed, and water flow change your coffee, the V60 is a great tool.
If you want an easier daily brewing routine with fewer variables, the Kalita Wave may be a better first choice.
Taste Differences
Coffee taste depends on many things, including beans, roast level, grind size, water temperature, and recipe. However, each dripper can encourage a different style of cup.
The Hario V60 is often chosen for coffee with clear flavors, aroma, and brightness. It can be especially enjoyable with light and medium roasts when you want to notice fruit, floral, or tea-like notes.
The Kalita Wave is often appreciated for a balanced and rounded cup. Its design can make it easier to get a satisfying result without constantly changing your technique.
These are general tendencies, not strict rules. The same coffee can taste very different depending on your recipe.
Ease of Use for Beginners
For a complete beginner, the Kalita Wave is often the easier choice.
Its flat-bottom design gives you a little more forgiveness. You do not need perfect pouring technique to make a pleasant cup of coffee.
However, the Hario V60 is not difficult to start with. It is simply more responsive. That can be a benefit if you enjoy learning by making small changes.
A useful way to decide is to ask yourself one question:
Do I want the simplest path to consistent coffee, or do I want a brewing method that I can grow with?
Choose the Kalita Wave for consistency.
Choose the Hario V60 for flexibility and learning.
Filters and Ongoing Costs
Each brewer needs its own paper filters.
The Hario V60 uses cone-shaped V60 filters. Make sure you choose the filter size that matches your dripper. For example, use 02 filters with a V60 02 dripper.
The Kalita Wave uses flat-bottom wave filters. A Kalita Wave 185 needs 185 filters, while a Wave 155 needs 155 filters.
Before choosing either system, check that replacement filters are easy to buy where you live. This matters because filters are an ongoing cost and you will need them regularly.
[Check the current price and availability of Hario V60 filters on Amazon.]
[Check the current price and availability of Kalita Wave filters on Amazon.]
Recommended Starter Set: Hario V60
For most people who want an affordable, flexible first pour-over setup, I recommend:
- Hario V60 Plastic Dripper 02
- V60 02 paper filters
- A digital scale
- Fresh coffee
- A gooseneck kettle, if possible
The plastic V60 02 is a practical choice because it is lightweight and can brew one large mug or coffee for two people.
If you are nervous about pouring technique, consider adding the Hario V60 Drip-Assist. It helps distribute water over the coffee bed more evenly.
[Check the current price and availability of the Hario V60 Drip-Assist on Amazon.]
Recommended Starter Set: Kalita Wave
For people who want a more relaxed and repeatable brewing routine, I recommend:
- Kalita Wave 185 dripper
- Kalita Wave 185 filters
- A digital scale
- Fresh coffee
- A gooseneck kettle
The 185 size is a practical choice for brewing one large cup or two smaller cups.
Use medium-fine coffee grounds, pour slowly and evenly, and make only one change at a time when adjusting your recipe.
Simple Beginner Recipe for the Hario V60
Try this starting recipe:
- Rinse the paper filter with hot water.
- Add 15 grams of medium-ground coffee.
- Pour 40 grams of hot water and wait 30 seconds.
- Slowly pour until you reach 240 grams of water in total.
- Let the coffee finish dripping.
If the coffee tastes sour or weak, try a slightly finer grind. If it tastes bitter or too strong, try a slightly coarser grind or use a little more water.
Simple Beginner Recipe for the Kalita Wave
Try this starting recipe:
- Rinse the wave filter with hot water.
- Add 20 grams of medium-ground coffee.
- Pour 50 grams of hot water and wait 30 seconds.
- Continue pouring slowly until you reach 300 grams of water.
- Let the coffee finish dripping.
This makes approximately two smaller cups or one larger serving.
Final Verdict
Both the Hario V60 and Kalita Wave are excellent Japanese drippers for home coffee.
Choose the Hario V60 if you want a low-cost brewer that lets you experiment. It is ideal for people who enjoy learning about coffee and want more control over the final cup.
Choose the Kalita Wave if you want a simpler daily method that is easier to repeat. Its flat-bottom design can make it a comfortable choice for beginners who want consistency.
If you are unsure, start with the Hario V60 Plastic Dripper 02. It is affordable, widely available, and gives you plenty of room to improve over time.
For more beginner-friendly recommendations, read our guide to the best Japanese coffee gear for beginners:
https://japanbrandguide.com/best-japanese-coffee-gear-for-beginners/
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