While they are both very popular options for easy at-home pour over coffee, the Kalita Wave is a bit easier to get right every time, whereas the Hario V60 is more versatile. The main difference between the two, when it comes to how simple they are to use, is in the rate at which water flows through the device.
Ease-of-use is not the only factor that separates these coffee makers, but it is important, particularly if you are just getting into the pour over scene. The Hario V60 is generally preferred by enthusiasts who want to have more control over what kind of cup they end up with, whereas the Kalita Wave is more consistent if less adaptable.
This article will go into detail about these two superstar devices from the world of pour over coffee, who makes them, where they come from, and what the key differences are between them so that you can make your own decision about which is the right one for you.
Who Makes the Hario V60?
The Hario company is a Tokyo-based Japanese brand, that is much older than Kalita, starting life as a manufacturer of high-quality, temperature-resistant laboratory glass in 1921. It wasn’t until the 1940s that Hario began making coffee equipment, bringing new innovations to the market like the Coffee Syphon and the Slow Drip Brewer.
When Was the Hario V60 First Produced?
Hario spent over 30 years perfecting the design of the V60, which wasn’t released in the form that we know it today until 2004. Though it wasn’t the first coffee maker of its kind, it quickly became popular around the world and the name V60 is now synonymous with simple, at-home pour over brewing.
What Does the Hario V60 Look Like?
The Hario V60 is named after its iconic V-shaped 60-degree funnel, which is quite tall and comes to a point near its flat base that can easily rest on a cup. The standard V60 is made from porcelain, though there are glass, plastic, and metal options available – and even options with different patterns and designs.
Who Makes the Kalita Wave?
Kalita is also a Japanese company that was established in Tokyo in October 1958 and has been producing quality coffee products ever since. They rose in popularity due to the growing phenomenon of tea and coffee shops, known as Kissaten, and began by selling commercial coffee equipment before they branched out into producing home-use devices as well.
When Was the Kalita Wave First Produced?
The Kalita Wave series wasn’t created until 2010 but it has quickly grown in popularity and prestige to almost rival the older V60. It has the same streamlined style that Kalita’s other products are well known for, and there are some key differences, besides its appearance, which set this coffee maker apart from the more well-known Hario.
What Does the Kalita Wave Look Like?
The Kalita Wave is shorter than the V60 and has a flat base, looking even more like a cup resting on a saucer. The most recognisable Kalita Wave model is made from stainless steel, with a temperature-resistant handle on the side, but it is also available in ceramic or a glass version which has a brightly coloured base.
What is Pour Over Coffee?
Both the Kalita Wave and the Hario V60 are pour over brewing devices, which means that you pour hot water over grounds that are sitting inside of a filter. The hot water extracts soluble coffee from the grounds and is filtered as it passes through, dripping your fresh brew directly into a vessel below.
How Are the Kalita Wave and Hario V60 Similar?
One of the key aspects of both of these coffee makers is that they are neat and relatively easy to use, because they sit directly on top of a cup or decanter. Unlike other pour over coffee makers, you can pick either of these up by the handle and place them right where you need them.
How Do You Make Pour Over Coffee in a Kalita Wave or a Hario V60?
The process of making coffee is similar with both devices as they both use the pour over method. You place your coffee maker on top of your cup, put a filter inside and add your grounds, blooming them with freshly boiled water before filling it up twice, letting the water drain through each time.
What Are the Main Differences Between the Kalita Wave and the Hario V60?
Besides the design and the materials used, the main differences between the Kalita Wave and the Hario V60 are in their filtration and flow-rate. The shape of the filters and the shape, size and position of the drainage hole/holes affects the rate at which water passes through the grounds, and how much control you have over it.
How is the Drainage Different Between the Hario V60 and the Kalita Wave?
The Hario V60 has one large drain hole, which all of the water passes straight through, but the Kalita Wave has three smaller holes which limit the water flow. This means that you can adjust the rate at which water passes through the V60, but the Wave is more consistent, so you need to worry less about your technique.
How is the Shape of the Hario V60 and Kalita Wave Different?
The flat bottom of the Kalita Wave is very different from the cone shape of the V60, and this can affect how much extraction you get from your grounds. The flat bottom of the wave means that you get consistent extraction all the way down, but the V60’s cone adds concentration to saturated grounds when they reach the bottom.
How Are V60 and Wave Filters Different?
The Hario V60 uses cone-shaped filters, and there are now many different options on the market that will fit into your device so they are easy to get hold of. The Kalita Wave gets its name from the wave-shaped filters that it uses, which helps with thermal retention in the brew, but they are a trickier filter to find.
Why is the Kalita Wave Easier to Use than the Hario V60?
Because of the shape of its base, its drainage, and its filters, the Kalita Wave produces a more consistent cup of coffee – so it is harder to get wrong. This consistency, however, comes at the cost of versatility and it is much trickier to adjust your brewing technique with a Wave like you can with the V60.
Hi, I’m Jen Williams, chief editor and writer for ThirstPerk.com.
I’ve been drinking coffee and tea for most of my life, but it wasn’t until I started working at Thirstperk.com that I became an expert on the subject. I’m a total caffeine addict who has spent hours upon hours reading about and experimenting with the different types of coffees out there in my search to find the perfect cup of joe.
I’ve been a tea lover for as long as I can remember as well. I grew up in a house with a mom who loved to drink herbal tea, and I think that’s where my love for tea first began. These days, I’m always on the lookout for new and interesting teas to try, and I love experimenting with different brewing methods and flavoring combinations.
