Updated on Mar. 12, 2025
It's pretty enough that you might mistake it for its namesake, but the Origami pour-over is artfully crafted to make a nearly perfect cup of coffee.
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When it comes to kitchen gadgets, the ones that are aesthetically pleasing aren’t always functional. Luckily, that’s not the case for the Origami pour-over. Our team loves this sleek coffee maker for its adorable design—and for the fact that it brews a cup so flavorful, we wanted to stop testing and just sit down to enjoy it!
We ranked Origami the top overall option on our list of the best pour-over coffee makers. Here’s what you need to know about this pretty and practical option.
Made out of ceramic, the Origami is a pretty classic pour-over coffee dripper. It sits on top of your mug or glass of choice as you brew your coffee. It has a maximum yield of 7 ounces, so it can only make one cup of coffee at a time.
Its uniquely fluted design is similar to a lampshade, and it comes in a variety of colors, so you can pick one that matches your kitchen. It’s hand-crafted by Japanese artisans and made out of the same type of Japanese clay used in Mino ware pottery, which is known for its ability to retain heat. The fluted design also serves a specific purpose: It maximizes airflow and drainage for a smoother end result.
The coffee maker is conical-shaped, and you can use any generic disposable filters with it, including Origami paper filters, Kalita Wave filters or V60 paper filters. (And if you’re in need of beans, we recommend signing up for a coffee subscription box or exploring some of the best organic coffee.)
MARK DERSE FOR TASTE OF HOME
We found that our favorite overall pour-over looks as good as it performs
The Origami Pour-Over is a beautiful way to make a delicious cup of coffee. It’s made from Mino porcelain from Gifu, Japan, which means it boasts a truly gorgeous look. It’s available in multiple colors and features a 20-fold design and an Acacia wood dripper holder at the bottom. It’s also versatile in its sizing, so it’ll fit with most pour-over stands.
Beyond its aesthetics, it’s large enough to make one to four cups of coffee depending on the size of your mug. The ceramic material is great for retaining heat, though it’s recommended that you use disposable filters with this model.
We put all of our pour-over coffee makers through the same initial test: making a cup of coffee based on the manufacturer’s guidelines. In this case, the Origami pour-over didn’t come with instructions (a bit of a disappointment), so we used the standard 12 grams of coffee ground to a medium coarseness with 8 ounces of water.
Despite the lack of directions, this pour-over was very easy and intuitive to use. We used a gooseneck kettle, heating the water to 200 degrees Fahrenheit. Generally, when making a pour-over, you want to start by letting the coffee bloom. Pour in just enough water to moisten the grounds, and let it sit for about 30 seconds. This helps release carbon dioxide, which makes for a smoother cup of coffee. Once it’s bloomed, continue pouring the rest of the water (ideally in a circular motion) to make sure all of the grounds are saturated.
The end result? A really, really fantastic cup of coffee. Our testing team said they just wanted to stop testing and sit down and enjoy it. The strength ranged between average and strong, with our testers noting that it really allowed the flavors to come through. While there was some bitterness, it nearly completely disappeared once we added cream. After brewing, the temperature was 158.9 degrees, a difference of about 41 degrees.
Cleaning was just as much of a breeze. You can rinse the Origami pour-over in the sink or toss it into the dishwasher. Throw your paper filter in the trash. That’s it. While its flutes may make it slightly harder to clean than smoother styles of pour-overs, we didn’t have any problem.
If you haven’t made pour-over before, it requires a little more involvement (but not that much more) than a coffee machine or Keurig, but it’s well worth it. (That’s why if you see it on the menu at your local cafe, it costs a lot more than a typical drip coffee.) Luckily, the Origami allows you to enjoy a flavorful cup without the extra expense—and without needing to change out of your pajamas.
The Origami Pour-Over doesn’t have a ton of online reviews. A 5-star rating from an Equator Coffees buyer described it as “amazing,” and it currently has a 5-star rating on Lois.
“This drip coffee maker is not only beautiful, but it makes a smooth cup of coffee,” one shopper wrote. “We typically use the V60 pour over which is great, but this is even better. It makes an even better pourover than the V60 or Chemix for anyone who likes smooth coffee. Would highly recommend.”
From another rave review: “Love the design & I’ve made some great coffee using this brewer!”
The Origami Pour-Over is one of our favorite models ever—so much so that it ranked as number one in our list of the best pour-over coffee makers. However, there are other options worth taking a look at, like the Chemex Classic, which differs in its overall design. For one, it boasts a beautiful glass look that would look just as gorgeous on your countertop as the Origami Pour-Over. Unlike the Origami, though, it can’t be placed directly on your mug, instead brewing grounds directly from the filter into the carafe. It can be covered and refrigerated once it’s cooled down, though.
They both land in similar price ranges (the Chemex Classic is around $50, which is just a bit cheaper than the Origami Pour-Over) so ultimately, it comes down to personal preference. We found that the Origami produces super smooth coffee, but overall we had more to say about the Chemex’s look and construction than the coffee it made.
The Origami Pour-Over makes for a truly beautiful coffee experience. The ceramic design is not only practical in its heat retention, but it looks gorgeous when in use or just sitting on your kitchen counter. When it came to testing it out, we were really happy with the coffee it produced. It wasn’t too bitter or strong, resulting in the perfect mid-point cup for any pour-over coffee drinker. It’s a bit pricey (especially when you add in the paper filters), but if you cherish your morning coffee, we definitely recommend picking this one up.
MARK DERSE FOR TASTE OF HOME
Learning how to make pour-over coffee is easier than you think. To brew coffee with the Origami Pour-Over, we used 12 grams of coffee ground to a medium coarseness with 8 ounces of water. We first placed the filter inside, then, using a gooseneck kettle with water boiled to 200 degrees Fahrenheit, poured just enough in to moisten the grounds and let the coffee bloom for 30 seconds. At around the 60 second mark, you’ll want to pour in the rest of the hot water in a circular motion, making sure all the grounds were covered. You also want to ensure that all the water is slowly drawing out from the grounds during this step. When you’re done, the digital scale should read 375 grams.
We think a cup of pour-over is great on its own or with some cream and sugar. You can also experiment with some flavored coffee syrups or with a milk frother.
The Hario V60 is another popular pour-over that often rivals the Origami Pour-Over. We haven’t tested the V60 yet, but it’s similar to the Origami’s ceramic construction.
Our expert Product Testing team put various pour-overs to the test. We tested each using the yield, ground coarseness and brewing process recommended by the manufacturer to ensure an end result similar to what someone else might make at home. We evaluated the brewed coffee based on its flavor and its strength. We also used a liquid thermometer to see how well heat was maintained post-brew. Among the competition? Other pour-overs from top brands like Chemex and Stanley.
Along with being a frequent writer of gift guides and product reviews, I’m also an ardent drinker of pour-over coffee. I’ve had amazing and sub-par results, and I take finding an option that matches your flavor preferences, budget and lifestyle seriously.
Melissa Lee, Content Updates Editor at Taste Recipes, updated and contributed to this piece. She has been writing buying guides since 2019 and is a former senior staff writer at Reviewed.
The Origami pour-over is available from Equator Coffees or Stumptown Coffee Roasters for $55.
