Manual Brewers Buying Guide
We all long for the delicate, yet intricate, flavors that lie within a coffee bean. Freshly ground and brewed with precision, a well-brewed cup of coffee can unleash a world of unique flavors; from delicate florals, to sweet candy-like fruits, to even deeper, richer notes of dark chocolate and berries.
Manual brewing, in particular, provides complete control over the brewing process, and the brewer being used makes a huge impact on the flavor and mouthfeel of the cup. A pour over can leave you with a cup so clean it may almost be described as tea-like, whereas an immersion brew can produce a bold cup with a full body and mouthfeel. It all comes down to your preference and how much effort you want to exert during your morning coffee ritual. We’ve curated a guide of all our manual brewing devices to help aid you in deciding which brewer is right for you!
Part One: Manual Brewers Overview
We have broken down our brewers into four categories: pour over, immersion, siphon, and cold brew to help you get a feel for our catalog. Each option presents its core features and considerations to weigh before making your purchase. You’ll see a wide variety of pour overs, both cone and flat bottom; immersion brewers, presses, siphons; and even a few options for the folks that prefer their coffee served cold! So let’s get started!
Hario V60
The V60 is the perfect choice if you:
- Love to have options
- Prefer a clean cup of coffee
Features
Considerations
- Requires a gooseneck kettle
- Requires some pouring technique
Bee House
The Bee House is the perfect choice if you:
- Love to have options
- Enjoy simplicity in your coffee routine
Features
- Available in multiple sizes and colors
- Sturdy ceramic design
- Easy to use
- Uses Melitta filters
Considerations
- Doesn’t offer much room for technique
- Best results with a gooseneck kettle
Chemex
The Chemex is the perfect choice if you:
- Want coffee with tons of clarity
- Want to brew multiple cups at once
Features
Considerations
- Produces very clean, almost tea-like coffee
- Requires a gooseneck kettle
- Requires pouring technique
Kalita Wave
The Kalita Wave is the perfect choice if you:
- Are looking for a simple and reliable brewer
- Enjoy size and material options
Features
- Flat bottom design that encourages an even extraction
- Available in multiple size and material options
- Uses proprietary Wave filters
- Many recipes and resources available
Considerations
- Requires a Gooseneck kettle
- Results vary based on model
Tricolate
The Tricolate is the perfect choice if you:
- Want crazy-high extraction rates
- Prefer a hands-off approach
Features
- Produces consistently high extractions
- Works with all kettles
- Available in multiple color options
- No pouring technique required
Considerations
- Fully plastic design
- Longer brew times
Espro Bloom
The Bloom is the perfect choice if you:
- Long for clarity and complexity in your coffee
- Get excited over increased flow rate
Features
- Fast flow rate that allows for finer grinding and higher extraction
- Patented micro-filter design
- Can be used with or without paper filters
- Brews 1-2 cups
Considerations
- Requires a gooseneck kettle
- Brew times and extraction vary on filtration method
Immersion
Aeropress
The Aeropress is the perfect choice if you:
- Love brewing coffee on the go
- Enjoy experimenting with your coffee recipes
Features
- Offers versatility in your brew method
- Hundreds of recipes available
- Travel-friendly
- Dishwasher safe
Considerations
- Made of plastic
- Small batch sizes
Aeropress Go
The Aeropress Go is the perfect choice if you:
- You love brewing coffee on the go
- Want everything you need bundled together
Features
- Travel-friendly
- Bundled design
- Versatile brewing options
- Dishwasher safe
Considerations
- Small batch sizes
- Made of plastic
Clever
The Clever is the perfect choice if you:
- Want simplicity in your brewing process
- Enjoy versatile brewing options
Features
- Versatile immersion or pour over brewing
- Compatible with standard #4 filters
- Easy to clean
- Doesn’t require a gooseneck kettle
Considerations
- Made of plastic
- Full body mouth feel
Hario Switch
The Hario Switch is the perfect choice if you:
- Love the V60
- Enjoy a versatile brewer
Features
- Brew either pour over or immersion
- Uses V60 02 filters
- Convenient switch to begin drawdown
- Classic V60 cone design
Considerations
- Requires gooseneck kettle
- Stainless steel ball may fall out during cleaning
Delter Press
The Delter Press is the perfect choice if you:
- Love brewing coffee on the go
- Are a fan of the Aeropress
Features
- Travel-friendly
- Doesn’t require a gooseneck
- Innovative Jet-Seal
- Compatible with Aeropress filters and DISK filters.
Considerations
- Complex brew method
- Flavor closer to a pour over than immersion
Pro 1 Cezve
The Pro 1 Cezve is the perfect choice if you:
- Prefer a rich, full-bodied cup of coffee
- Enjoy experimenting with unique brew methods
Features
- Handmade in Turkey
- Promotes more even extraction
- Perfect for brewing traditional Turkish Coffee
- Beautiful design
Considerations
- Requires fine grind
- No filtration
Espro Press
The Espro Press is the perfect choice if you:
- Prefer a rich, full-bodied cup of coffee
- You want an immersion brew with less sediment
Features
- Two different size options
- Two fine mesh filters
- Double-walled vacuum insulation
- Stainless steel construction
Considerations
- Cleaner mouth feel than standard French Press
- Can be more difficult to clean
Espro Travel Coffee Press
The Espro Travel Coffee Press is the perfect choice if you:
- Want to brew your coffee on the go
- Enjoy an immersion brew with a cleaner mouth feel
Features
- Travel-friendly design
- Vacuum insulated for long-lasting warmth
- Dual-wall filter for cleaner cup of coffee
- Optional paper filters
Considerations
- Not dishwasher safe
- Some sediment in coffee
Yield Design Ceramic French Press
The Yield Design Ceramic French Press is the perfect choice if you:
- Want a brewer that makes a statement
- Simple brew method with full body mouthfeel
Features
- Gorgeous glazed ceramic designs
- Stainless steel filter
- Dishwasher safe
- Optional paper filters
Considerations
- Stainless steel filter may retain some sediment
- Fragile
Hario Olivewood Coffee Press
The Hario Olivewood Coffee Press is the perfect choice if you:
- Want a brewer that makes a statement
- Want simplicity in your morning coffee routine
Features
- Beautiful olivewood accents
- Available in two size options
- Stainless steel mesh filter
- Made of heatproof glass
Considerations
- Hand wash only
- Stainless steel filter may retain some sediment
Hario Metal Coffee Press
The Hario Metal Coffee Press is the perfect choice if you:
- Are looking for an affordable, no-frills immersion brewer
- Want simplicity in your morning coffee routine
Features
- Full immersion method with stainless steel mesh filter
- Available in two size options
- Made of heatproof glass
- Produces tasty, full-bodied coffee
Considerations
- Simple, no-frills design
- Stainless steel mesh filter may retain some sediment
Hario Double-Walled Glass Coffee Press
The Hario Double-Walled Glass Coffee Press is the perfect choice if you:
- Want a brewer that makes a statement
- Want simplicity in your morning coffee routine
Features
- Elegant design with olivewood and leather accents
- Great insulation due to thick double-walled design
- Simple brew method
- Glass components are dishwasher safe
Considerations
- Only brews 1-2 cups at a time
- Wood and leather accents shouldn’t get wet
Siphon
Yama Coffee Vacpot Tabletop Siphon
The Yama Coffee Vacpot Tabletop Siphon is the perfect choice if you:
- Enjoy a heavily involved brewing method
- Want to brew without a stovetop
Features
Considerations
- Complex brewing method
- Does not come with denatured alcohol
Yama Coffee Vacpot Stovetop Siphon
The Yama Coffee Vacpot Stovetop Siphon is the perfect choice if you:
- Enjoy a heavily involved brewing method
- Have access to a stovetop
Features
Considerations
- Complex brewing method
- Does not come with heating element
Hario Coffee Siphon NEXT
The Hario NEXT is the perfect choice if you:
- Enjoy a heavily involved brewing method
- Long for an upgraded version of the classic siphon
Features
- Redesigned, rubber handle that doesn’t heat while you brew
- Improved aesthetics that focuses on sleek curves
- 600 ml capacity
- Multiple filter options available
Considerations
- Complex brewing method
- Does not come with denatured alcohol
Hario Tabletop Coffee Siphon
The Hario Tabletop Coffee Siphon is the perfect choice if you:
- Want to brew without a stovetop
- Appreciate the quality of Hario products
Features
- Comes with denatured alcohol burner
- Compatible with Yama Butane Burner
- Produces beautifully clean, yet full-bodied cup
- Different filter options available
Considerations
- Complex brewing method
- Does not come with denatured alcohol
Cold Coffee
Hario Mizudashi
The Hario Mizudashi is the perfect choice if you:
- Have a deep love for cold coffee
- Want cold brew coffee made easy
Features
- All-in-one device
- Produces sweet, syrupy coffee
- Available in two sizes
- Also suitable for hot tea and coffee
Considerations
- Contains some plastic parts
- Takes 18 hours to brew
Hario V60 Fretta
The Hario V60 Fretta is the perfect choice if you:
- Want cold coffee and you want it now
- Don’t want your ice coffee to be diluted
Features
- Produces a clean, chilled cup of coffee without being watered down
- Can brew hot or cold coffee
- Heatproof-glass carafe with pop-in lid
- Produces 2-4 cups of coffee
Considerations
- Consistency of iced coffee more than cold brew
- Brews with hot water
Yama Cold Coffee Brewer
The Yama Cold Coffee Brewer is the perfect choice if you:
- Want slow-drip cold brew
- Appreciate brewers that resemble art
Features
Considerations
- Takes at least 3-12 hours to brew depending on grind size and drip rate
- Large footprint
Bruer
The Bruer is the perfect choice if you:
- Are looking for an easy and convenient way to make iced coffee at home
- Want control over your drip rate
Features
- Made of borosilicate glass, stainless steel, and food-grade silicone
- Adjustable drip rate
- Dishwasher safe
- Makes about 20 oz. of cold brew coffee
Considerations
- Fragile build
- Slow drip takes between 4-8 hours
Part Two: Deciding Factors in Choosing a Manual Brewer
A lot goes into deciding which brewer is right for you, so we broke it down into easy-to-read visuals to help make it easier. Take a quick glance at levels of technique required, brewer capacity, cup clarity, and filter options.
Capacity
Capacity
An important factor to consider when choosing the right manual brewer for your home setup is how much coffee you'll be brewing at one time. For example, if you're the host or hostess of your friend group, you will likely want a brewer that is capable of brewing multiple cups at a time, like a Chemex. But, if you're brewing coffee for only yourself, you may opt for something small like the V60 01. This chart clearly displays the brewers available in our catalog from the lowest capacity of 1/4 a cup, all the way to the brewer with the greatest capacity of 10 cups.
Clarity
Clarity
The consistency and clarity of your coffee can really make a difference. However, it all comes down to preference. If you prefer a bold cup of coffee with a full-bodied mouthfeel, you may lean more toward an immersion brewer like a Aeropress or French Press. Conversely, if you love a coffee bursting with clarity and delicate flavors, you'll likely enjoy a pour over brewer like the Bloom or Kalita Wave.
Technique
Technique
Some people treat their coffee as an artform, a precise and thorough endeavor that results in a beautifully balanced cup thanks to the careful consideration of each variable. Others prefer simplicity — add the coffee, add the water, and enjoy. Your prefered brewing technique is important to consider when choosing the right brewer.
Filters
The type of filters used to brew coffee can make a significant impact on the flavor and body of your coffee. Paper filters are disposable and do a fantastic job at producing exceptionally clean cups of coffee. Cloth filters are resuable and brew with more body than paper, but less sediment than metal mesh filters. Again, these all come down to what matters most to you. Different brewers use different filters, and some come with several options.
Part Three: Comparing Similar Brewers
Now that you've been fed a plethora of information on the manual brewers we offer and explored the considerations that must be made when choosing one to fit your needs, we felt the need to break it down one more time. By now you likely have a general idea of what you want, but perhaps you're stuck between two options, so we've taken it upon ourselves to compare a few similar brewers side-by-side to better help you make the decision that best fits your coffee brewing needs.
V60 or Chemex?
Hario V60 Feautures:
- Available in numerous color and material options to fit any coffee setup aesthetic
- Available in 3 sizes
- 03 can brew for 3-4 people
- 60 degree cone angle with swirling ribs encourages even extraction
- No built in carafe
- Brews a clean, sediment-free cups of coffee
- Paper and cloth filter options
Chemex Features:
- Avilable with Wood Collar or Glass Handle
- Available in 4 size options
- Largest variant brews up to 10 cups
- Made of chemically inert material that does not absorb odors or chemical residues
- Combined brewer and server
- Brews incredibly clean, sediment-free cups of coffee
- Paper, cloth, and metal filter options
Kalita or Bloom?
Kalita Wave Features:
- Available in several material options
- Available in 2 sizes
- The 185 brews for 3-4 people
- Flat-bottom design gives a consistent brew bed for even extraction
- 3 outlet holes
- Brews a delcious, clean cup of coffee
Espro Bloom Features:
- Made of stainless steel with a silicone sleeve
- Brews 1-2 cups
- Micro-filter design crafted with 1500 holes in a spiral pattern
- Option to brew with or without paper filters
- Fast draw-down that allows for finer grinds
- Produces high extractions
Aeropress or French Press?
Aeropress Features:
- Travel-friendly
- Capable of multiple brewing styles
- Tons of different recipes available
- Brews 1-3 cups
- Available in paper and stainless steel filter options
- Brews a clean but full-bodied cup
Hario French Press Features:
- Made of heatproof glass
- Brews 1-3 cups depending on size
- Stainless steel mesh filter that allows some sediment through
- Acts as a brewer and server
- Easy and straightforward brew method
- Produces a rich cup with full mouthfeel
Clever or Switch?
Clever Features:
- Immersion or pour over brewer
- Plastic construction
- Easily accessible #4 filters
- Immersion brew yields 16 fl oz
- Available in three color options
- Drawdown begins when set on cup or server
Hario Switch Features:
- Immersion or pour over brewer
- Made of heatproof glass
- Uses V60 02 filters
- Immersion capacity of 240 grams
- Classic V60 cone design
- Drawdown begins with the flip of a switch
Final Thoughts
Your daily coffee is a big deal. Whether you're just starting out in specialty coffee and looking for you first manual brewer, or you're a seasoned professional still chasing that perfect cup, we're thrilled to get to be a part of your coffee journey. We hope this buying guide has helped you determine what brewer is right for you, and be sure to join the Prima Coffee Community to get exclusive content like brew guides, live events, and one-on-one help from a member of our team!
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