Pour-Over or Drip Coffee? 3 Experts Agree This Brewing Method Makes the Best Cup

There���s nothing quite like that freshly brewed first cup of coffee in the morning. But whether you prefer pour-over or drip, a lot goes into perfecting that cup of joe to satisfy your taste buds. You might wonder whether one method of brewing coffee offers more caffeine or is generally better than the other, and you’re not alone in that. That’s why we tapped experts to help us differentiate between pour-over and drip coffee, along with noting whether one is packed with more caffeine and can offer an even bigger boost of energy than the other.

Pour-Over vs. Drip Coffee: What’s the Difference?

Simply put, pour-over coffee is the coffee you make manually—grinding the beans, pouring hot water over a filter, and waiting for coffee to fill the pot. “This requires more time and attention, but the major advantage—for some types of coffee drinkers at least—is that it offers much more control over each step,” says Christopher Alspach, co-founder of Oval Coffee Roasters. “Pour over lets you really fine-tune the brewing process, and that can enhance flavor in some truly amazing ways, especially with high-quality beans.” An hourglass-shaped coffee maker made of heat-resistant glass is one popular style of pour-over coffee maker you've likely seen.

On the other hand, drip coffee is relatively automatic: “Drip coffee is a little less precise,” says Shonali Paul, founder of Paul John Caffeine. “Not to say this coffee is bad in any way, it just won't give you a layered, perfectly extracted coffee like a pour-over. Drip coffee is brewed without precision, allowing for more variables, and sometimes that leads to an average cup.” If you own a Keurig, then you’re already intimately familiar with drip coffee—it’s an easy and convenient way to make coffee fast.

Which One Has More Caffeine?

"Drip coffee often contains more caffeine overall because it’s typically brewed in larger quantities and with a higher coffee-to-water ratio,” says Juan Palacios, barista at Dialtone Coffee and Wine Bar. “However, pour-over can actually be stronger per ounce, depending on how it’s brewed. Ultimately, the caffeine content comes down to how much coffee you use in the process.” For example, many modern Keurigs come with a ‘strong’ feature, which allows you to get more concentrated coffee in your cup. 

On the other hand, the type of coffee bean you’re using can make pour-over coffee stronger than drip. “The big thing to know is that some drip coffees—especially the budget options—may include robusta beans, and those naturally have more caffeine,” Alspach says. “In these cases, a machine brew might be stronger, but the difference comes down to the beans rather than the brewing method.”

Is One Better Than the Other?

However, all three coffee experts agree that pour-over coffee is the overall better choice, regardless of caffeine content. “Pour over is ideal when you have a little extra time and want to enjoy the process—it highlights the subtle flavors of the coffee, especially with single-origin beans,” Palacios says. “It’s perfect for making one or two cups when you’re in the mood for something special.” On days when you’re in a rush, drip coffee may be the more convenient and efficient option. When you’re off the clock or having a slow morning, consider starting a pot of pour-over coffee for a much more luxurious, intentional experience.