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Melitta 1-Cup Pour-Over Review

This is a very light and inexpensive pour over option that provides solid taste and stellar value
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melitta 1-cup pour-over camping coffee review
Price:  $6 List
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Manufacturer:   Melitta
By Mary Witlacil and Penney Garrett  ⋅  May 21, 2021
67
OVERALL
SCORE


RANKED
#9 of 17
  • Taste - 40% 7.0
  • Ease of Use - 25% 7.0
  • Group Cooking - 15% 5.0
  • Portability - 10% 5.0
  • Weight - 10% 9.0

Our Verdict

We know a good deal when we see one, this is why we love the Melitta 1-Cup Pour-Over. It delivers consistently tasty coffee at an unbeatable price. If you're looking for a fast, easy, inexpensive way to brew coffee while on a camping vacation, this dripper is an excellent choice. The Melitta is fairly simple and straightforward, consisting of a single, lightweight piece of durable plastic. Grab some #2 filters, your favorite bean, and you're ready to Joe! While this cone does not earn top ratings in taste or ease of use, it still fared decently, and the cost is far less than many other options. For the price, this brewer is hard to beat.
REASONS TO BUY
Light
Simple
Affordable
Design allows you to see the level of coffee while brewing
REASONS TO AVOID
Not as refined a flavor as the V60
Bulky

Compare to Similar Products

 
Awards  Editors' Choice Award Best Buy Award Best Buy Award  
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Overall Score Sort Icon
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Star Rating
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Pros Light, simple, affordable, design allows you to see the level of coffee while brewingGourmet flavor, stylish, compact, easy to clean, easy to use, made from stainless steelGourmet flavor, well-conceived design, ceramic version available for home useNo filter needed, tiny and light, consistently good tasteNo filter needed, tiny and light
Cons Not as refined a flavor as the V60, bulkyHefty, not ideal for big groupsSpecial shaped filters are harder to find, expensive for a plastic dripper, heavier than other brandsMust lift filter out of most cups to avoid over-steeping, poor for large groupsMust pour carefully for bold flavor, delicate clips
Bottom Line This is a very light and inexpensive pour over option that provides solid taste and stellar valueA cleverly designed, compact, and easy to clean pour-over device that brews consistently great coffeeThe iconic pour over model in a light plastic package, delivering a consistently great flavorThe best option for light travel and backpacking, this savvy brewer will keep you caffeinated without taking up space in your bagA great ultralight backpacking option, as long as you pour carefully and aren't too rough with the contents of your pack
Rating Categories Melitta 1-Cup Pour-... MiiR Pourigami Hario V60 Plastic D... Primula Coffee Brew... GSI Outdoors Ultral...
Taste (40%)
7.0
9.0
9.0
7.0
6.0
Ease of Use (25%)
7.0
7.0
7.0
9.0
7.0
Group Cooking (15%)
5.0
6.0
6.0
4.0
5.0
Portability (10%)
5.0
8.0
5.0
9.0
9.0
Weight (10%)
9.0
7.0
8.0
9.0
9.0
Specs Melitta 1-Cup Pour-... MiiR Pourigami Hario V60 Plastic D... Primula Coffee Brew... GSI Outdoors Ultral...
Measured Weight 2.01 oz Dripper alone: 4.89 oz
Dripper + case: 5.52 oz
Dripper alone: 2.95 oz
Dripper + scoop: 3.37 oz
1.1 oz 1.1 oz
Brew Type Pour Over Pour Over Pour Over Pour Over Pour Over
Main Material Hard plastic Stainless steel with Hardshell powder coat Hard plastic Nylon filter Nylon filter
Filter Needed? Yes Yes Yes No No
Notable Features Can see cup without lifting dripper Easy to clean, collapsible pour over with slim carrying case Cone shape, large hole, ribs along side Rests on any mug Collapsible to fit under fuel canister

Our Analysis and Test Results

The Melitta 1-Cup Pour-Over is simple, cheap, and effective. Across nearly all of our metrics, this dripper scored fairly well. We were most impressed by how it brewed decent coffee at an unbeatable price. The Melitta is not an ideal shape for backpacking, but because it is among the lightest weight options in our review, it could work in a pinch — especially if you're a clever packer.

Performance Comparison


melitta 1-cup pour-over camping coffee review - the simple and competent melitta cone, ready to brew some delicious...
The simple and competent Melitta cone, ready to brew some delicious coffee.
Credit: Penney Garrett

Brew Features


The Melitta is a pour-over style cone that uses #2 basket-shaped filters, which you can find at most grocery stores. Its biggest asset is the way the dripper hole is elevated above the base so you can monitor the level of coffee in your mug while brewing and eliminate surprise overflows. For group situations, if you're careful, you can use a #4 filter and load this up even more. The Melitta is a great brewer for the uncomplicated nature of its design.

Coffee slowly dripping through the small hole on the Melitta Ready...
Coffee slowly dripping through the small hole on the Melitta Ready Set Joe.
A unique and useful feature of the Melitta Ready Set Joe is the hole...
A unique and useful feature of the Melitta Ready Set Joe is the hole allowing the user to see the dripping, and how full the cup is without lifting it up.

Taste


At first glance, you may not notice how this dripper is any different than the Hario V60 Plastic Dripper. The main difference between these two plastic brewers is the shape at the base and the size of the hole your water will be flowing through. The V60 is cone-shaped (at a 60° angle, to be specific), and the hole at the bottom is large. The Melitta, on the other hand, is V-shaped and wide at the bottom with a tiny hole. These design choices have a lot of effect on the final flavor of your brew. The V60 delivers a noticeably better cup because water can flow through more evenly and consistently. However, if brewed with care, the Melitta produces a decent brew, even for diehard coffee snobs. While it does not rank as high as some of our top performers, it makes a consistently delicious cup once you hone your technique, and for the price, it is unbeatable.

melitta 1-cup pour-over camping coffee review - the drastic difference in design between the hario v60 and the...
The drastic difference in design between the Hario V60 and the Melitta 1-Cup Pour Over.
Credit: Penney Garrett

Ease of Use


This cone-style coffee maker is straightforward and easy to clean. There are no small parts to keep track of, just the cone, a filter, and some coffee grounds. The view-hole in the side makes brewing even easier since you can monitor the level of coffee in your mug — no more sneaky overflows! However, given that the Melitta is a pour-over brewer, it does take some time to finesse your brewing method, which is why it does not score as high as some of our other brewers. That said, with some patience and a little attention to detail, it will produce a decent cup of coffee for a fraction of the cost of other models.

Go tree-free!
If you would prefer to be done with disposable paper filters, CoffeeSock offers reusable organic cotton filters to help further your zero waste kitchen.

melitta 1-cup pour-over camping coffee review - the view-hole in the base of the melitta is our favorite feature -...
The view-hole in the base of the Melitta is our favorite feature - though it does allow heat to escape more quickly.
Credit: Penney Garrett

Group Cooking


The Melitta 1-Cup is best suited for one to two people (hence the name), but, as mentioned above, if you're careful, you can use a larger filter, load it up, and brew more at a time. While this option can work in a pinch, it does sacrifice some flavor. If you want to use the Melitta to produce a delicious cup of coffee, our reviewers suggest sticking to the recipe for a single cup and making multiple rounds to appease the whole crew.

melitta 1-cup pour-over camping coffee review - the melitta with its basket-style filter. you can use a larger...
The Melitta with its basket-style filter. You can use a larger filter if you need to brew for more people at once, though it tends to affect the final flavor in a less-than-ideal fashion.
Credit: Luke Lydiard

Portability


This brewer is relatively bulky and does not fit as easily into a backpack as some of the other models in our review. Additionally, the shape of the cone-style filter is a bit awkward for tight-packing in your kitchen bin. WE feel, however, that the lightweight nature makes up for its odd shape. You would be remiss to overlook this brewer if you are looking for a budget pour-over option to take backpacking. The feather-weight, portability, and affordability combine to make it a decent option for both car camping and backpacking, though we do prefer it for adventures in the car.

melitta 1-cup pour-over camping coffee review - early desert mornings are for making coffee. fumie hiromitsu...
Early desert mornings are for making coffee. Fumie Hiromitsu pointing out her camping coffee-making kit with the Melitta.
Credit: Mary Witlacil

Weight


This is one of the lightest brewers in our review and the lightest of the cone-style brewers, weighing just 2.01 ounces. This weight makes the Melitta a painless option for car camping, and even though it doesn't boast the most packable shape, it is a great weight for backpacking trips too.

melitta 1-cup pour-over camping coffee review - the melitta is a fantastic way to stay light while traveling or...
The Melitta is a fantastic way to stay light while traveling or backpacking.
Credit: Penney Garrett

Value


This cone is a mega bargain. While other brewers produce a better flavor, the Melitta makes a perfectly drinkable cup every time. It is easy to use, easy to clean, durable, and lightweight. Just don't forget, you will need to purchase filters, and, ironically, those cost more than the brewer itself. You'll get 100 filters at a time in a box or, if you're willing to do a little washing, you can purchase a reusable cotton filter and be done with it.

Conclusion


The Melitta 1-Cup Pour-Over works great for car camping and even backpacking — as long as you can accommodate for the awkward shape in your pack. It is also one of the most economical options in our review. For hardly any chunk of change at all, you get a durable, high-quality coffee maker that's great for the house or the campsite.

melitta 1-cup pour-over camping coffee review - brew with ease and style with the classic melitta cone.
Brew with ease and style with the classic Melitta cone.
Credit: Penney Garrett

Mary Witlacil and Penney Garrett
 

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