Switching brew methods? Hitting the road and looking for a good travel option? There’s a coffee system to match your needs and a reusable filter to go with it. We’ll walk you through your options, and highlight the key differences in size, technique, and more.

Brew systems and filters come in a large array of sizes and shapes. From old-school coffee pots with their #2 and #4 filters to small, medium, or large pour-over options and travel systems.

The right system for you depends on factors such as:

• The number of people you’re serving

• Your taste preferences

• Whether you’re traveling or at home

• If you’re traveling: the amount of space available in your luggage and access to electricity or a way to heat water

• At home: how often you drink coffee and how important aesthetics are to you

There’s more to it even still. The good news is that we’ve written several deep-dive articles about the most popular brew types and the filters that go with them. Get the overview and the links below.

Pour over, machine brewed, stove top, and cold brewed: Coffee-making methods explained

Which coffee brewing method you choose boils down to a few key variables and your coffee priorities. If you want a cup of coffee in your hands quickly and prioritize convenience, you’ll likely choose a different method than if you are going for a specific flavor profile. And if you' have limited space or you’re traveling, that will matter too. Here the pros and and cons of the most-used methods.

Pour-Over Coffee

Pour-over coffee involves manually pouring hot water over coffee grounds in a filter. It relies on gravity to extract the coffee.

• Pros:

  • You can precisely control the water temperature, flow rate, and coffee-to-water ratio for customization.

  • You’ll get consistent quality every time, whether you’re making one cup or five.

  • Produces a clean, aromatic cup with nuanced flavors.

  • Brewers take up very little space and some are beautiful objects of art.

  • There are several travel varieties that take up very little space for backpacking.

• Cons:

  • Requires practice to master the pouring technique.

  • Can take several minutes of attention.

Read More: There are many pour-over methods available. We’ve got the details: Pour-over coffee methods explained.

Machine-Brewed Coffee

Machine-brewed coffee is made with automatic drip coffee makers that control water temperature and flow.

• Pros:

  • Most machines are convenient, allowing you to go about your business while the coffee brews itself.

  • Can scale up or down: Most machines can make a couple of cups or several.

• Cons:

  • You’ll have limited control over brewing variables, which can affect flavor. So a machine may not produce as nuanced or flavorful coffee as manual methods.

  • Machines typically sit on the counter and take up space, even when you’re not using them.

  • They don’t travel well and require electricity.

Read More: Yes, you can use a cotton filter with your auto-drip machine

Stove-Top Coffee: Moka Pots and Percolators

Stove-top coffee is made using a Moka pot or a percolator, which uses steam pressure to brew coffee.

• Pros:

  • Produces a concentrated, bold coffee with a rich flavor.

  • Stores well when not in use.

• Cons:

  • You’ll have limited control over brewing variables.

  • Can have a learning curve to get the right grind size and heat control.

Cold-Brewed Coffee

• Pros:

  • Creates a smooth, low-acid coffee concentrate.

  • Ideal for iced coffee or diluting with water/milk.

  • You don’t need electricity or heat.

• Cons:

  • There’s a lengthy brewing process (12-24 hours). So if you want coffee now, this isn’t the way to go. Unless of course, you made it yesterday.

  • If you prefer how coffee, this method is brewed to drink cold. You can certainly warm it up though!

Read More: Cold Brew Coffee 101—Your Complete Guide to the Best Brew

Aeropress

Aeropress is a small plastic coffee maker that sits on top of your coffee cup and uses a filter and plunger method along with pressure to produce an espresso-like brew.

• Pros:

  • Aeropress fans love the bold brew it produces.

  • It’s small and easy to store.

  • You can travel with it.

• Cons:

  • Requires practice to master the technique.

  • You’ll have to repeat the process to make more than 3 cups.

Read More: All About Aeropress

Summing up the choices

The choice between these methods depends on your preferences and priorities:

• If you seek precision and/or you’re travelling: Pour-over coffee is for you. It offers full control but requires practice.

• If you prioritize convenience and want hot coffee in your hands when you wake up: Machine-brewed coffee is the most straightforward and consistent choice.

• If you prefer strong, bold coffee and don't mind manual effort: Stove-top is a good option.

• If you want a smooth, low-acid coffee for iced drinks: Cold-brewed coffee is perfect, but it requires patience.

Ultimately, the "best" method depends on your taste preferences, time, equipment, and willingness to experiment. Many coffee enthusiasts enjoy exploring different methods to find the one that suits them best.

About those filters.

Paper is recyclable and compostable, so why is cotton more sustainable?

Once you’ve used a paper filter to brew coffee, you can’t recycle it (1). But you can usually compost it. The thing is, paper filters can contain chemicals like bleach, which isn’t good for your compost. Even if you use unbleached paper filters, the paper still comes from trees. And every day, people toss out millions of paper filters. That’s a lot of trees.

Here’s why organic cotton is better:

• You’ll use only one cotton filter for every 500 or so paper filters. 

• Organic cotton contains no chemicals and is completely compostable.

• Your coffee will taste better. A cotton filter absorbed some of the oil from beans  while letting the acid pass through. You’ll notice the difference.

How do I wash the filter?

After you toss your grounds into the compost bin, simply rinse your filter in water until the water runs clear. Then hang it to dry. That’s it!

To keep your filter in use for nine months or more, check our sock care tips.

I use this system. Which filter should I buy?

Whether you use a standard drip coffee maker, pour over methods, or another common system, there’s a filter for that. Here’s a quick guide:

• Standard drip machine: If you have a regular old drip coffee maker that uses standard paper filters, you’ll use the basket filter. You can also find cone filters in the shop.

• Chemex pour over: Chemex makers come in multiple sizes. We use a six cup Chemex, but you’ll find filters for all sizes in the shop. 

• Small pour over: For most small pour over devices that sit on a cup, you’ll use the #2 cone.

• Hario v60 style has a slightly different shape. And we’ve got a filter for it. Same goes for the Kalita wave style.

• Aeropress: The disc filters work with Aeropress brand or with syphons.  

• Cold Brew filters come in several sizes, and you can get a kit that includes a jar. Check out these options.

Not finding what you’re looking for? We make custom filters too. 

What about french press?

If you already own a french press, no need to switch brew systems just yet. We’re all about a world with less waste. And the truth is, you can’t recycle or compost that french press. So we don’t suggest tossing it.

You should know though, studies have linked unfiltered coffee to a range of health problems (2). This goes back to the oils in the beans. Filtering traps some of those oils. Some coffee lovers claim the oils make the brew taste better. But if you’re at a higher risk for heart disease, we recommend you filter your coffee.

Instead of junking the press, add pour over to your routine with a cotton filter. You’ll get more of the oils than with a paper filter, but less than with your press. And both you french press and your body might last a little longer!