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French Press vs Pour Over: Why I Keep Coming Back to the V60

Written by Daniel Norris | Jun 24, 2025 1:18:32 AM

I’ve tried just about every way to make coffee, French press, AeroPress, automatic drip, you name it. But at the end of the day, I keep coming back to pour-over, especially using a Hario V60.

 

It’s simple, clean, quick, and consistent.

And once you get the hang of it, it’s honestly hard to beat.

👉 Here’s the V60 I use on Amazon

 

I know French press has its fans, my wife and I used one for years back when we lived in Australia. But here’s why I think pour-over is the better choice in the end.

 

 

1. Pour Over Is More Reliable

French press is great, when everything goes right. But it’s easy to mess up.

Too fine a grind? Oversteeped? Pressed too early?

Suddenly it’s bitter, flat, or sludgy.

 

With pour-over, once you dial in your recipe, it’s easy to repeat.

The right grind, a gooseneck kettle, and a little patience = a great cup.

The V60 gives you full control over time, temperature, and flow.

 

2. A Cleaner, Smoother Cup

This is the big one for me. French press always leaves a bit of grit and oil at the bottom of the cup. Some people love that texture, I don’t.

Pour-over uses paper filters that remove sediment and excess oils.

The result? A cleaner, crisper brew that brings out the clarity and sweetness of the beans—especially with light roasts.

 

3. Pour Over Is Just Easier to Clean

French press cleanup is messy. Grounds get stuck in the mesh, and the whole thing takes effort to rinse out properly.

 

With pour-over, cleanup is as easy as tossing the filter. No plungers, no scooping out sludge. Just rinse and go.

 

 

4. Better Flavor, Less Effort

When done right, French press can be rich and bold, but it rarely has the flavor clarity of a well-brewed pour-over.

The V60 gives you a sweet spot:

Great extraction, balanced flavor, and full control—without a ton of work.

And once it’s part of your morning rhythm, it’s quick and satisfying to brew.

 

Final Thoughts

French press has its moments, slow weekend mornings, maybe.

But for clean, flavorful, easy-to-clean coffee that still feels like a ritual, pour-over is the way to go.

 

If you haven’t given the V60 a fair shot, now’s the time.

👉 Click here to check it out on Amazon

 

Also if you are looking for the best source of fresh coffee beans for your pour over check out Trade.