Top 5 Best Cone Filter Coffee Makers: Choose A Brewer That Provides A Delicious Drink

In this day and time, you can find versatile coffee machines inside any appliance store. No matter how far technology has taken us, cone filter coffee makers have stood the test of time. They are very convenient for use and can easily provide a large amount of coffee at once.

When you decide to buy a cone filter machine you will find yourself with a choice between pour-over brewers and automatic drip coffee machines. We gathered all the important information about their differences, similarities, performance, prices, etc. The following models meet all required parameters and are top-rated by customers.

The Rundown

Why Should You Buy A Cone Filter Coffee Maker?

The best cone filter coffee makers provide you with a full-bodied coffee taste. This is because the cone shape of the filter affects the water flow through the coffee grounds. As a result, you get a much more even saturation and better flavor extraction.

Why Is The Filter’s Design So Important?

The shape of the coffee filter impacts the way that water flows through your coffee grounds. This affects both the number of the coffee molecules and the way that they are then transmitted into your brew. This process is very important since it defines both the flavor and aroma of the final brew.

Are There Different Cone Filters You Can Choose From?

There are 2 types of cone filters you can choose from permanent metal filters and paper filters. Permanent metal filters are made for continuous use and don’t need to be replaced except if the filter mesh gets damaged. Paper filters can be used up to 4 times (tops) before you need to discard them. Since you constantly have to purchase new filters, they can become quite a cost.

What Are The Advantages Of Cone Filters?

The main advantage of cone filters is that they provide a more flavorful and bolder brew. Due to their shape, the water saturates the grounds evenly and slowly, and as a result, extracts much more flavor. Research done by SCA and Breville Corporation confirms that cone filters do produce better coffee.

How Big Capacity Does A Cone Filter Provide?

The capacity of the cone filter depends solely on its size. You can choose from 4 different sizes:

• #1 size allows you to brew one cup of coffee at a time
• #2 size can brew 1 – 2 cups of coffee in a pour-over brewer or 2 – 6 cups of coffee in a drip coffee maker
• #4 size provides 8 – 10 cups of coffee with a pour-over brewer or 8 – 12 cups of coffee with a drip coffee maker
• #6 size is suitable only for pour-over brewers and can brew up to 10 cups of coffee at once

Which Coffee Makers Use Cone Filters?

As you can probably gather from the previous part, drip coffee makers and pour-over coffee makers use cone filters. The first ones are semi-automatic machines that only require you to add coffee grounds and choose desired brewing process. Pour-over models require you to add coffee, boil water, and slowly saturate the grounds.

What Is The Difference Between The Drip Coffee Makers And Pour-Over Brewers?

Drip coffee makers either come equipped with a permanent cone filter with a durable filter mesh or have a cone filter basket that requires additional paper filters to work properly. Pour-over brewers are cone-shaped and made for use over a coffee mug or a carafe. They are made for permanent use and, in some cases, require additional paper cone filters.

How To Use A Drip Coffee Maker?

Drip coffee makers are fairly easy to use. Here are a few steps you should follow to achieve the best results:

1. Fill up the machine’s water reservoir with the desired amount of water. To make things easier you can use the carafe as it usually comes with visible lines that let you know how many cups of coffee will be brewed.
2. Place a proper #size filter in its place. In case the machine comes with a permanent cone filter that does not require additional paper filters you can skip this step.
3. Measure out the coffee grounds you want to use and add them to the filter. A recommended ratio is 2-3 level TBS for each cup of water but you can adjust this to your preferences.
4. Close the lid or swing the filter basket back in its position (depending on its design).
5. Start the machine and wait until it stops dripping.

How To Choose The Best Drip Coffee Maker?

The first thing you need to think about is the machine’s capacity. Are you fine with a single cup of coffee in the morning or do you need more? Second, does the machine come with some programmable features you can adjust to your needs? Also, think about water filters. Do you want a machine that comes with one?

How To Use A Pour Over Coffee Maker?

Pour-over brewers require a slightly higher effort input to provide the best results. Here are a few simple steps you should follow:

1. Measure out your coffee grounds and water. In general, you should add 2 tablespoons of coffee per 6 oz of water.
2. Heat the prepared water.
3. Place your brewer over a coffee cup or a carafe, add a paper filter if one is required, and start to slowly saturate the grounds with hot water until all grounds are wet.
4. Wait for about 30 seconds and then pour over the remaining water over the grounds. You can pour slowly and wait for it to pass through the grounds or pour all the remaining water at once and let it drip through at its own pace.

What Are The Benefits Of Having A Programmable Brewer?

The main benefit of a programmable coffee machine is that you can have complete control over its performance, depending on what programmable features it offers. For instance, you can adjust the strength of the brew by choosing a smaller brew size, you can set desired brewing temperature, program the timer several hours in advance, set the automatic shut-off function, etc.

Do Cone Filter Drip Coffee Makers Come With A Coffee Grinder?

Some cone filter drip coffee machines do come equipped with a coffee grinder. This is an especially important feature for those who love to experiment with different coffee flavors. You get to grind beans the minute before the brewing process and as a result, enjoy the freshest brew possible.

What Is The Perfect Coffee Grind For A Cone Filter?

If you are using a drip coffee maker, medium coffee grounds are the best choice for the cone filter. This means that they should be the size of sea salt. On the other hand, if you use a pour-over brewer, medium-coarse coffee grounds are the best fit. Just make sure that there are no large chunks.

Should You Buy A Brown Or White Coffee Filter?

Unbleached coffee filters, or brown filters, don’t provide a better brew. However, they are much more eco-friendly than white filters as they are less processed. White paper filters are bleached using chlorine or oxygen to achieve the color. Since their performance doesn’t differ, you can use either one.

What About Bamboo Filters?

Bamboo coffee filters are constructed out of 60% biodegradable bamboo material and 40% unbleached paper pulp. They easily hold the conical shape and fit plastic cones even better than paper filters do. However, they do not improve the brew’s flavor, may even leave an unusual papery taste, and finally are much more expensive.

Are There Any Substitutes For Cone Filters?

In case you run out of cone filters just as you are about to brew yourself a cup of coffee you can use a paper towel or a napkin. You can even use a fine-mesh sieve but be prepared for some coffee grounds inside the brew. Baking cups or cupcake liners are not a suitable replacement because they can’t filter anything.

Are Permanent Cone Filters A Better Option?

Permanent coffee filters may seem a bit more expensive at the beginning, but they make up for that with their lasting performance. They usually feature a fine metal mesh and may even be suitable for use without additional paper filters (depending on the model). The only downside might be that you need to carefully clean them after every use.

Are There Any Plastic Components Inside The Cone Filters?

You can find cone filters that are made out of plastic material. In this case, you should pay attention to its specifications and make sure that they say “BPA-free”. This means that the filter is perfectly safe for use and doesn’t contain any harmful chemicals that are usually found in plastic.

When Should You Replace Your Cone Filter & Where Can You Get It?

For paper cone filters, it is recommended that you reuse them up to 4 times before replacing them with a new one. Generally, you can use it for as long as you want and rely on the coffee’s taste to decide when it is time for a new one. You can easily purchase them online on Amazon.

What Is The Difference Between A Cone And Flat Bottom Filter?

Cone filters feature conical or half cone shapes, come in a variety of sizes (#1, #2, #4, and #6), provide a more complete coffee flavor, but are also a bit more expensive. Flat bottom filters feature a bucket-like shape, don’t come in versatile sizes, provide a slightly weaker coffee flavor, and are generally less popular and as a result a bit cheaper option.

Which One Is A Better Option?

Although they are a bit pricier, cones filters are a better option for everyone who wants to enjoy a bold coffee taste. On the other hand, flat-bottom filters may be a more convenient choice for those who want a bit sweater tea-like coffee brew.

Top 5 Best Cone Filter Coffee Makers

All coffee brewers we reviewed below are very easy to use and provide a flavorful brew with every use. While the first two are manually operated pour-over brewers, the last three are automatic machines that require minimal effort input. Keep reading to find out which option is better for you.

Bodum Pour Over Coffee Maker

This cone filter coffee maker consists of a carafe and a cone coffee filter. The included carafe is made out of durable borosilicate glass that can easily withstand both high and low temperatures. It comes with a removable cork band that is specially designed to keep your hands from suffering a heat burn.

Its cone filter features a thick mesh design, is constructed out of stainless steel material, and is made for permanent use. The best thing is that it doesn’t require any additional paper filters. You will get to enjoy all the delicious coffee flavors that usually stay trapped inside the paper.

You can use this brewer to make up to eight 4 oz cups at once. To use it properly simply add coarse coffee grounds to the filter, pour hot water over the grounds in a circular motion to achieve the best saturation, and let the coffee brew for about 4 minutes. After that, remove the filter and enjoy your brew.

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Cafellissimo Pour Over Coffee Dripper

This is the only cone filter coffee maker that is entirely made out of stainless steel material. It features a simple mesh design and comes with a convenient protruding tab that helps you handle the filter as effortlessly as possible. Its bottom ring ensures you can easily place it atop any coffee cup.

Its size makes this model the perfect choice for on-the-road use. It is small enough and can easily fit into a bag or a backpack. Since it doesn’t require any power to work you can use it even in remote locations. It allows you to brew 1 or 2 cups of coffee at a time.

A small cleaning brush comes included in the package to ensure that you can easily remove even the smallest coffee grounds from the mesh filter. Also, keep in mind that the filter is completely dishwasher-safe. Make sure that you clean it immediately after every use to ensure its lasting lifespan.

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Hamilton Beach Thermal Coffee Maker

With its simple, user-friendly control panel, this cone filter coffee maker allows you to easily program its performance. You can adjust its brew strength between regular, bold, and robust options to achieve the best coffee flavor. Its cone-shaped filter allows the water to soak the grounds much more evenly and ensures optimal brew taste.

Apart from the brew strength, you can also program its timer for several hours in advance. Its backlit time display will let you do the desired adjustments with minimal effort. The included carafe is made out of stainless steel and provides amazing thermal efficiency. This means that it will maintain the brew’s temperature for a long time.

Another amazing feature of this brewer is its automatic pause & serve function. It allows you to stop the brewing process at any point and pour yourself a cup of coffee. Once you place the carafe back in its position, the brewing process will automatically continue where it stopped.

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Gevi 4-Cup Coffee Maker

This brewer comes with an efficient 700 Watt boil drip extraction system. It needs about 4 to 6 minutes to brew about 4 cups of coffee. The included carafe is made out of durable borosilicate glass material that can withstand a high thermal shock. It is BPA-free and features level markings that inform you about the amount of coffee inside.

With its simple swing-out brew basket, this cone filter coffee maker is very easy to use. Everything you need to do is add coffee to it and swing it back in its position. It is located on the front of the machine so you can easily access it.

Its bottom warming tray is specially designed to keep your brew at its optimal temperature level for up to 2 hours since the brewing process is done. Once the 2 hours pass, the machine will automatically shut down. This makes it a highly energy-efficient choice.

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Kenmore Aroma Control Coffee Maker

Its large brewing capacity allows you to make up to 12 cups of coffee. However, you can choose 1-4 cup mode to make a slightly smaller amount. Due to its pause & serve function, you can easily pour yourself a cup of coffee without waiting for the brewing process to complete.

This cone filter coffee maker offers versatile user-friendly features. Its control panel is located on the front of the machine and features a fully programmable timer with a backlit display. Its reservoir features a see-through water indicator thanks to which you can easily check how much water is left inside the reservoir.

Included with the brewer, there comes a specially designed charcoal water filter. It is made to purify all the toxins from the brewing water without compromising its natural minerals. Combined with a gold-tone cone filter, it ensures the most flavorful brew with every use.

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