Kalita Wave 185 Review (2026)
★★★★★4.6 (1) · by Marcus Delgado · Updated Aug 5, 2026
Tested over 3+ weeks in our lab — see our methodology
$42 typical price
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Our Verdict
The Wave is the pour over you recommend to people who don't want a hobby: a flat bed and three small holes regulate flow so the brewer, not your wrist, controls contact time. Its 20-fluted filters insulate the slurry from the wall. Consistent, sweet, repeatable — daily-driver pour over.
Test Scores
Key Specifications
| Material | Stainless steel (also glass, ceramic) |
| Size | 185 (2–4 cups); 155 for singles |
| Filter | Kalita Wave 185 flat-bottom |
| Flow Control | 3-hole restricted — self-regulating |
| Brew Time | 3:00–3:45 |
| Made In | Japan |
Pros & Cons
What we love
- Flat bed extracts evenly even with mediocre pouring
- Cup-to-cup consistency the V60 can't match for beginners
- Steel version is travel-proof
- Sweet, balanced profile flatters medium roasts
What could be better
- Wave filters are pricier and stocked in fewer stores
- Slightly lower clarity ceiling than a mastered V60
- Filters can nest — fluff them before use
Performance Testing
We handed the Wave and a V60 to three novice testers with identical coffee: the Wave's brews clustered tightly around 'good' while their V60 cups swung from sour to hollow. That's the product. The restricted drainage holds contact time steady through pour wobbles, and the flat bed extracts edge-to-edge evenly. Experts will find its ceiling a notch below a nailed V60 — and still reach for it on autopilot mornings.
Cleaning & Maintenance
Filter out, rinse, done — and the steel 185 laughs at drops, bags and campsite gravel. Nothing to break, nothing to maintain.
Who It's Best For
Beginners who want great cups before great technique, travelers, and V60 owners who want a no-thought option for the second coffee of the day.
How It Compares
Kalita Wave 185 vs Hario V60 02
Higher skill, higher ceiling; the Kalita compresses the outcome range from both ends.
Kalita Wave 185 vs Origami Dripper
The Origami runs both filter styles — a V60 and a Wave in one cone — for those who can't choose.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why flat-bottom instead of conical?
A flat bed keeps depth uniform, so water contacts all grounds equally — the geometry does the evenness work a cone demands from your pour.
Can I use V60 filters in it?
No — the flat-bottom wave filters are structural to the design. Buy a couple of packs when you see them.
155 or 185?
155 for single cups (under 300ml), 185 for 1–2 large mugs. The 185 brews small acceptably; the reverse is worse.
Guides featuring this product
- Best Pour Over Coffee Kits: Complete Setups from $60
- French Press vs Pour Over: Body vs Clarity, Explained
- How to Make Pour Over Coffee: The Repeatable Recipe
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