Quick verdict
The Kalita Wave 185 has a flat bed, three small holes and a patented wave filter. Kalita says the filter keeps hot water from pooling, and the design sets flow less by pour speed than a V60 does. The stainless version is made in Japan, dishwasher safe and brews 2–4 cups. The trade-off is filter dependence: you need Kalita Wave 185 filters, which are sold separately.
Buy it if
- You want more consistent pour-over with less technique.
- You want an unbreakable, dishwasher-safe dripper.
Skip it if
- You don't want to rely on one filter brand.
- Best for
- Pour-over drinkers who want a flatter bed and more forgiving flow.
- Main compromise
- Needs Kalita Wave 185 filters, sold separately.
- Type
- Flat-bottom, three small holes, wave filter
- Material
- Stainless steel, made in Japan
- Capacity
- 2–4 cups
Specifications
| Spec | Detail and source |
|---|---|
| Type | Flat-bottom, three small holes, wave filterManufacturer: Kalita USA |
| Material | Stainless steel, made in JapanManufacturer: Kalita USA |
| Capacity | 2–4 cupsManufacturer: Kalita USA |
| Filter | Kalita Wave 185 (sold separately)Manufacturer: Kalita USA |
| Care | Dishwasher safeManufacturer: Kalita USA |
Strengths and limitations
What stands out
- Flat bed with three holes, per Kalita (Kalita USA).
- Stainless steel and dishwasher safe.
- Kalita recommends preheating the dripper before brewing.
Limitations
- Needs Wave 185 filters.
- No independent test in our ledger.
Complete setup
Our recommendation
I'd recommend the Wave 185 to pour-over brewers who value repeatability over fine-tuning.
Check price on Amazon: Kalita Wave 185 (stainless) (opens Amazon in a new tab)
Amazon listing: Wave 185, stainless steel
Sources
- Kalita Wave 185 Stainless Steel Coffee Dripper — Kalita USA. Manufacturer. Accessed September 26, 2026.