Aeropress vs Pour Over: A Detailed Guide

Both the Aeropress and Pour-Over methods have been making rounds among coffee enthusiasts. And for good reason. Because the coffee from either of these brewing methods is like no other. 

If you’re stuck choosing between the Aeropress or pour-over method, we’re here to help. 

Aeropress: The Swiss Army Knife of Brewing

The Aeropress was created by known frisbee maker Alan Adler in 2005. He made it to address a problem he had at the time. That was “how to make a single-serve cup of coffee taste good?” Because, while his coffee machine then could make great coffee for 5 or 6 people, he could never make good coffee for just himself.

That curiosity led to the Aeropress. It works by using pressure, heat, and total immersion to extract the flavor from within the coffee. All of these factors combine to give you great coffee with every single brew in less than two minutes.

With its versatility, it is a brewing device that greatly appeals to a large number of both casual and serious coffee drinkers. Among the manual brewing methods, it makes coffee the fastest. It’s also fairly easy to use and get consistent results with.

In recent years, usage of this coffee maker has gotten so popular that it made its way to coffee competitions. So much so that it even has its own dedicated brewing competition every year – the World Aeropress Championship. 

Pour-Over: The Making of a Perfect Cup

The pour-over has been around for many decades and is a favorite of those who prefer a very hand-on approach. It was invented by August Mellita Bentz in 1908. Thanks to her, we get to enjoy coffee without the bitter and watery taste. A bonus is that it also got rid of the gritty bits that tend to stick to the teeth with coffee makers like the French Press. 

Over the years, we’ve seen many iterations to Bentz’s invention from many manufacturers. But the process, by large, has remained the same. 

Brewing pour overs can be a bit tricky to learn at first. And while its concept is more or less the same across different models, you will still have to pay close attention to the process by hand. The big benefit with this, however, is that you control every aspect of the brew. Thus, bringing you closer to the cup you truly desire.  

Now, let’s see how the pour-over and Aeropress methods fair against each other.

The Brewdown

All factors being equal, this is how we think both hold up.

Ease of Use

The Aeropress is suited for any coffee lover who enjoys a quick brew and is fairly straightforward to use. With just ground coffee and hot water, you can make a great brew in less than two minutes. It also travels really well (you can brew with it on a flight if you really wanted to).

A big benefit of the Aeropress is that it is quite forgiving even when you don’t want to be very precise with your brews. You can get away with not using a scale or having a fancy kettle to make coffee with this method. Alan Adler himself does not use a scale or any strict measurements when he makes his coffee.

In terms of design, the Aeropress is easy to clean up. All you have to do is push out the puck of ground coffee, rinse out the piston, and you’re done. 

With the pour-overs, the adage “Practice makes perfect” certainly applies. It’s a more challenging method to perfect. You’ll definitely need some patience to master the technique. This method requires more attention to detail to create a good brew.

Since there is a wide variety of pour-over devices available, recipes will be a little more tricky to communicate. One pour-over device does not behave the exact same way as another. Meaning, you’ll deal with different parameters to dial in your coffee with each brewing device.

However, if you have a clear idea of what you’re after and you like the ritual of brewing, this one’s for you. Aficionados would argue that the time spent making is part of what makes coffee great. It’s also be a great way to start your day because it can help you get into the zone of concentrating.

If you’re just starting out with pour-overs, we recommend giving the Blue Bottle Dripper or the Origami Dripper a look. In our experience, they make consistent brews and are a bit easier to get the hang of compared to other models.

Versatility

When it comes to versatility, the Aeropress has a lot to offer. Besides a traditional brew, many people found that they can create a wide variety of recipes with it. It can range from lattes, cappuccinos, and even cold brew, to name a few. By adjusting variables like dosage, coffee-to-water ratio, grind size, brew time, and agitation you can create a wide range of unique cups. 

The Aeropress is perfect for coffee enthusiasts who are open to experimenting and trying different variations without breaking the bank. However, the serving size is limited to one to two servings each time. 

Pour-overs are great once you get the hang of them. But they aren’t versatile in the same way as an Aeropress is. While the Aeropress let’s you enjoy a variety of coffees, pour-overs let you maximize the quality of your coffee.

Unlike other methods, you have complete control over which aspects of your coffee you want to highlight from extraction aspects (acidity, sweetness, body) down to specific flavor notes in the actual coffee you’re brewing. As a brew method, this opens a lot of opportunities for experimentation. 

Convenience 

A major strength of the Aeropress is its compact size. It’s small and lightweight enough that you can bring it with you wherever you go. It’s also proven and tested to be durable and resistant to wear and tear. 

Pour-over aren’t known for being suitable for travel. They require a lot of different pieces such as, but not limited to: a scale, paper filters, a decanter, a timer, a grinder, and a kettle. If you’re on-the-go and and don’t want to carry equipment around, this is not a good fit. 

Both pour-overs and the Aeropress aren’t that time-consuming. Although the Aeropress is usually a lot faster.

Price

Since the Aeropress is more forgiving compared to pour-overs, you don’t need to invest in any other equipment other than a grinder (if you want your coffee to be as fresh as possible with every brew) . 

With pour-overs, most of the time, you’ll need a gooseneck kettle and a scale. You’ll have to spend on more equipment to fully experience the true colors of the pour-over system. To put together a simple set will be more expensive than just using an AeroPress.

Flavor

When comparing flavors, it’s important to remember that the brewing method is not a solution to bad coffee. An Aeropress won’t make bad coffee taste good. The same is true with any kind of pour-over.

What that also means is that, in their own respects, both the Aeropress and pour-over methods can (and do) make fantastic brews, when done correctly and with the right coffee. How you prefer the final cup to taste, however, is a matter of preference – to which we can help distinguish between both methods.

The Aeropress, while mainly an immersion brew, has some aspects of filter brewing. This is because the coffee passes through a paper filter at the end. The method removes any coffee sediments and oils from the final cup. The result is a rich coffee like that created by a French Press but much cleaner. 

On the other hand, if you enjoy a smoother but lighter coffee, pour-overs are a great option. The coffee may not be as intense due to the lack of immersion. However, this method really helps highlight the origin and uniqueness of the coffee you consume. Fruity flavors and the sweetness of coffees are more apparent with this method.

Both the Aeropress and the pour-over methods can highlight the flavor profile of any coffee. However, if you’re more partial to fuller-bodied coffee, try the Aeropress. If you’re more into a silkier coffee, try a pour-over. 

Buying Recommendations

Pour-overs are a particularist’s weapon of choice. If you’re aiming to cast a wider net in terms of experimentation and variation of coffee, the Aeropress might be a better fit.

The Aeropress is perfect for beginners and coffee enthusiasts who want to explore the world of coffee. Due to its versatility, you can get away with a lot of experimentation while producing consistent results. 

We always recommend having both options whenever possible so you can really test things our for yourself. But if you had to choose between the two:

Go for Pour-Over if you:

Pour-overs are best for people willing to invest the money and effort to learn the technique. This method requires practice and precision, but once you get the hang of it, better coffee days wait ahead. 

We recommend either the Blue Bottle Dripper or the Origami Dripper for anyone wanting to get into pour-over coffee.

Get the Aeropress if you:

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