The short answer
Buy the Kalita Wave 155 if you brew one or two cups, and the 185 if you brew two to four. They share the flat bed and three small holes; the filters are sized to each and are not interchangeable.
Side by side
Scroll the table sideways to see every column.
Quick picks
The answer first. Tap any row to jump to the full reasoning for that pick.
1. Choose this for one or two cups
Kalita Wave 155
Manual tier · The small Wave: the same flat bed and three holes, sized for one or two cups.
The small Wave, sized for a single mug.
The Wave 155 brews 1 to 2 cups - Espresso Parts lists about 350 to 450 ml - on the same flat bottom with three small holes as the larger size.
The stainless version is made in Japan and is dishwasher safe; a glass version is also sold, made in China.
It takes Wave 155 filters, which are smaller than the 185's.
It is compact: Espresso Parts lists it at about 2.5 inches high by 3.25 inches wide.
Specification
- Geometry
- Flat bottom, three extraction holes
- Capacity
- 1-2 cups (about 350-450 ml, per Espresso Parts)
- Material
- Stainless steel, made in Japan (a glass version is made in China)
- Filters
- Kalita Wave 155
- Size
- About 2.5 in H x 3.25 in W (Espresso Parts)
- Care
- Dishwasher safe
What it does well
- The same forgiving flat bed as the 185, sized for a single mug
- Stainless does not chip, and it is dishwasher safe
- Small enough to pack for travel
Where it gives ground
- Too small for brewing for two
- Needs Wave 155 filters - 185 filters do not suit it
- Wave filters are proprietary and cost more than cone filters
Skip it if
Skip it if you ever brew for two. The 185 covers both.
2. Choose this for two to four cups
Kalita Wave 185
Manual tier · A flat-bottom dripper with three small holes and a wave filter that limits wall contact.
The larger Wave, for a big mug or a shared pot.
The Wave 185 brews 2 to 4 cups on a flat bottom with three small holes, in stainless steel made in Japan.
Seattle Coffee Gear, Verve and Sweet Maria's list it at 2.75 inches high and about 4.4 to 4.5 inches wide.
It takes Wave 185 filters.
It is the more flexible size if more than one person drinks your pour-over.
Specification
- Geometry
- Flat bottom, three extraction holes
- Capacity
- 2-4 cups (a 16-26 oz brew, per Seattle Coffee Gear)
- Material
- Stainless steel, made in Japan
- Filters
- Kalita Wave 185
- Size
- About 2.75 in H x 4.4-4.5 in W
What it does well
- The flat bed is far more forgiving of a sloppy pour than a cone
- Three small holes regulate flow so your technique matters less
- Stainless does not chip and travels well
Where it gives ground
- Wave filters are proprietary and cost more than cone filters
- Stainless sheds heat quickly
- Ceiling is lower than a V60 in expert hands
Skip it if
Skip it if you only ever brew one mug and want the smaller dripper.
Buy the filters with the dripper
Wave filters are sized to each dripper, so 185 filters do not suit a 155, and the reverse. They are proprietary and cost more than cone filters, so buy the size you will actually use.