Brew like a pro: difference between pour over and drip coffee brewing [2022 edition]

There are several important differences between pour over and drip coffee.

The main difference is the level of control and involvement in the brewing process.

While pour over coffee makers offer extended flexibility and autonomy in the brewing process, they also require much more manual involvement and attention. Unlike drip coffee makers, pour overs need us to decide on the water temperature, amount of coffee grounds and water, and the setup.

On the other hand, drip coffee makers are easy and quick. All you need to do is insert coffee grounds and press the button.

In all, we believe that pour over and drip coffee makers will appeal to different audiences. Pour over might be superior to automatic drip coffee makers in terms of richness of flavors and quality. Further, coffee aficionados can experiment freely to reach their favorite flavors.

On the other hand, however, automatic drip coffee makers are much easier and more convenient than pour over coffee makers. They brew quickly and deliciously.

Definitive Guide: similarities and differences Pour Over vs Drip Coffee

Drip coffee

→ Drip coffee is more popular than pour over

One of the main differences between drip coffee and pour over is how we go about brewing coffee. While pour over requires us to pour water from the top, automatic coffee makers do that largely by themselves.

There are a couple essential but simple steps to brew coffee coffee in a drip coffee machine. We need to add coffee grounds to the coffee basket in the machine, pour water in the water tank, and press the on/off button.

The drip machine brews coffee according to pre-set functions, and it does not need much involvement on our part.

Drip coffee gives some flexibility in coffee brewing. Specifically, we can control the quantity of coffee grounds and the amount of water. Most drip coffee machines will brew until all the water has been used from the tank. How much water we put in the tank, ultimately, controls the strength and boldness of the coffee beverage.

However, unlike pour over, drip coffee does not give a lot of ownership or flexibility in the brewing process. We cannot control the brewing time, brewing temperature, or strength.

Though some drip coffee machines come with an automatic pre-infusion function, most don’t. Pour over allows to pre-infuse coffee grounds much more easily than drip coffee.

We can control the quantity of coffee grounds that we use, and most drip coffee machines will brew until all the water in the tank has been used, so we might be able to  control the quantity of coffee that is being brewed as well.

→ Drip coffee perks

The main advantage of drip coffee is the ease, speed and convenience. Unlike pour over, drip coffee makers typically work with the touch of one button. In fact, drip coffee machines only need us to add coffee grounds and water to the machine. The machine will do the rest all by itself.

On the other hand, pour overs need more manual involvement at each step of the brewing process. We are in charge of determining the quantity of coffee and water. We also need to physically pour hot water over coffee grounds.

Furthermore, most drip coffee machines also come with a warming plate. That plate remains warm for a period of time after the brewing is complete. Therefore, coffee can remain warm for an extended period of time.

Last but not least, most drip coffee machines are able to brew large quantities of coffee at a time. In contrast, pour overs are typically small. However, we have seen some larger versions, but brewing in them will take significantly more time.

→ Drip coffee challenges

Using a drip coffee machine does not allow full control over how coffee grounds are being soaked with water, because hot water is poured only in the middle of the coffee basket (unless the machine has a special function that allows water to be poured differently).

What that means is that the coffee grounds will be soaked unequally and their full potential will not be used, leaving behind a lot of flavor and coffee components that could have been used otherwise. This is the opposite of what happens in pour overs. The pour over method allows to soak all coffee grounds with water equally. Therefore, we can ensure that coffee grounds have all been infused, without leaving any dry patches.

Also, when using a drip coffee machine, there is little control over other aspects of the brewing process, like water temperature, for instance. Using a pour over gives full control over how hot I want my water to be.

→ Expected flavors

Drip coffee usually has a flat, simple flavor, and, on average, a 8oz cup of drip coffee can have around 65-120 mg of caffeine.

However, drip coffee can be strong, depending on the ratio of water and coffee. Increasing the quantity of coffee grounds and decreasing the quantity of water will, consequently, brew a cup of stronger coffee.

The flavor of the coffee will also depend greatly on the quality of coffee grounds. We personally recommend top notch organic and ethically-sourced coffee beans.

→ Who may enjoy drip coffee brewing method?

One of the main differences between pour over and drip coffee maker is the target audience.

We feel that drip coffee is mainly for busy people who are careful with their time. It can fit individuals with busy lifestyles.

Further, drip coffee is great to brew larger quantities of coffee at a time.

On the flip side, this brewing method might not be for people who consider themselves coffee aficionados. It is mostly for those who drink coffee not for the taste, but solely as a means of getting their daily caffeine dose.

→ Recommended appliances & coffee

Drip coffee machines are available for purchase online and in stores. We consider them to be the easiest coffee machines to use because they do not need any special skills or coffee brewing knowledge.

They often require pressing one button to start the brewing.

If you are someone who prefers to buy whole beans, you will also need a coffee beans grinder.

Drip coffee machines work best with medium ground coffee. Fine grounds are not recommended because the small coffee particles can clog the coffee baskets of these machines. Coarse grounds are also not recommended, because the infusion time is not long enough in a drip coffee machine in order to allow the flavors of the coffee to be extracted properly.

Pour over

→ Pour over requires some basic knowledge on how to brew

One of the differences between pour over and drip coffee maker is that pour over is more manual. Brewing coffee in a pour over brewer requires attention and time.

In theory, pour over seems like an easy method to brew. However, it does in fact require some basic understanding of brewing coffee.

The actual extraction of coffee is very similar in pour over and drip coffee. In pour overs, we can extract coffee by pouring a certain quantity of water over coffee grounds. As coffee grounds immerse in hot water, extracted oils and coffee components drip into a small carafe underneath.

Pour overs are much simpler than drip coffee makers. Pour overs come with a cone shaped recipient called “dripper” for coffee grounds. The dripper can be lined with either a permanent filter or a paper filter. (We recommend the use of the paper filter for filtered coffee vs unfiltered coffee.)

This brewing method gives a lot of freedom, because we can choose the quantities, strengths and temperatures to our personal preferences.

→ Pour over perks

Among the differences between pour over and drip coffee is the control, flexibility and ownership in the brewing process. Relative to an automatic drip coffee maker, a pour over allows users to experiment to reach the perfect flavor.

In pour over, we can choose the amount of water, and how fast or how slow to pour it. We can choose to allow the grounds to pre-infuse, for instance, by pouring a small quantity of water over the grounds and letting the grounds bloom for 30 seconds.

Additionally, we have control over the water temperature in the brewing process.

→ Pour over challenges

Similarly to French press, pour overs need our undisturbed attention and involvement. We need to participate in each step of the brewing process, because this is a largely manual method.

Further, pour over can brew unfiltered coffee, if we use permanent or metal filters. We do not recommend unfiltered coffee, as some people can experience negative impact on their health.

In order to brew filtered coffee in a pour over coffee brewer, we need to use paper filters.

The pour over is mainly a single serve method, and while larger drippers are available, pour over typically brews smaller quantities of coffee.

→ Expected flavors

Pour over offers a more complete coffee extraction. Therefore, we can expect much fuller, deeper and more complete flavors.

Because of the control and flexibility in pour overs, we can largely impact the the strength of final product by modifying quantities of water and coffee.

If we allow grounds to pre-infuse for about 30 seconds, we can expect coffee to be even more flavorful and rich.

→ Who may enjoy pour over brewing method?

One of the main differences between pour over and drip coffee maker is the target audience.

Pour over can be perfect mainly for people who love coffee and care about its strength and flavor. In fact, we believe that only these individuals have the patience and desire to put the required attention and time.

→ Recommended appliances & coffee

We do not need to much to brew coffee in a pour over. We will only need a dripper or a chemex, a water kettle (electric or oven) to heat up water, a paper coffee filter and a coffee grinder.

Further, pour over uses medium or medium-fine grounds.

So which one is it? Drip coffee or pour over?

Choosing between drip coffee and pour over will largely depend on each person’s individual preference, lifestyle and relationship with coffee.

If you are someone who needs to be watchful with time and do not really care about the richness or depth of coffee, drip coffee machine might be a better choice for you.

On the other hand, if you deeply care about the richness, depth and flavor of your coffee, and you are willing to invest the time and effort, pour over might be a better choice for you. You can experiment in your coffee brewing. And, as pour over is a fairly simple method, you are not risking much!

What do you think? What are some similarities and differences between drip coffee and pour over  for you? Which coffee brewing method do you like better? What machines do you use to brew your coffee?

Let us know in the comments!