Hario V60 Dripper 02 Pour Over Coffee Set vs Sowden SoftBrew 8-Cup Coffee Maker (2026)

✍️ By the 247Verdict Editorial Team📅 Updated 05 October 2026

Which is better? We compared both on score, owner ratings, pros and cons.

Hario V60 Dripper 02 Pour Over Coffee Set

9.1/10 Excellent

4.7★ (18,600 owners)

Ceramic V60 02 dripper, 1-2 cups, cone geometry, spiral ribs, no electricity. The pour-over standard.

Full Review

Sowden SoftBrew 8-Cup Coffee Maker

8.8/10 Great

4.5★ (3,800 owners)

Stainless mesh filter, immersion brewing, 8-cup ceramic, George Sowden design, no paper filter. Designer filter coffee.

Full Review

At a Glance

	Hario V60 Dripper 02 Pour Over Coffee Set	Sowden SoftBrew 8-Cup Coffee Maker
247Verdict Score	9.1/10	8.8/10
Owner Rating	4.7★ (18,600)	4.5★ (3,800)
Verdict	Excellent	Great
Method	Pour-over cone	Immersion
Capacity	1-2 cups	8 cups
Material	Ceramic	Ceramic

Quick Verdict

Both are strong choices, but the Hario V60 Dripper 02 Pour Over Coffee Set edges ahead with a 9.1/10 vs 8.8/10. Ceramic V60 02 dripper, 1-2 cups, cone geometry, spiral ribs, no electricity. The pour-over standard. That said, the Sowden SoftBrew 8-Cup Coffee Maker is worth considering if Stainless mesh filter, immersion brewing, 8-cup ceramic, George Sowden design, no paper filter. Designer filter coffee. Check the current price on Amazon →

Pros & Cons Side by Side

Hario V60 Dripper 02 Pour Over Coffee Set

V60 cone geometry produces the most flavour-transparent cup of any manual brew method
Spiral ribs allow full extraction from all parts of the coffee bed simultaneously
Under £25 — the definitive specialty coffee dripper at under £25
Japanese manufacturing quality consistent across decades of production
18,600 Amazon reviews at 4.7★ from specialty coffee professionals and enthusiasts globally

Requires kettle, timer, scale and V60 filters — not self-contained like pod machines
Learning consistent pour technique takes 5-10 brews to develop
1-2 cup capacity only — not practical for groups without multiple brews

Sowden SoftBrew 8-Cup Coffee Maker

Stainless mesh filter eliminates paper filter cost and waste forever
Immersion brewing extracts coffee oils for fuller, richer body than paper-filtered methods
Ceramic vessel is dishwasher safe and aesthetically distinctive on any kitchen surface
George Sowden's award-winning Italian design heritage applied to coffee brewing
Under £60 for a 8-cup coffee maker that never needs consumable filter papers

More sediment in the cup than paper-filtered methods — the fine mesh allows some passage
Requires coarser grind than paper filter methods for optimal results
Ceramic can crack under thermal shock — avoid pouring boiling water directly on cold ceramics

FAQ

Which is better, Hario V60 Dripper 02 Pour or Sowden SoftBrew 8-Cup?

Is the Hario V60 Dripper 02 Pour worth the extra cost?

Yes — Hario V60 Dripper 02 Pour Over Coffee Set scores higher at 9.1/10 vs 8.8/10.

Who is the Hario V60 Dripper 02 Pour best suited to?

Ceramic V60 02 dripper, 1-2 cups, cone geometry, spiral ribs, no electricity. The pour-over standard.

Who is the Sowden SoftBrew 8-Cup best suited to?

Stainless mesh filter, immersion brewing, 8-cup ceramic, George Sowden design, no paper filter. Designer filter coffee.

What are the main downsides of each?

Hario V60 Dripper 02 Pour Over Coffee Set: Requires kettle, timer, scale and V60 filters — not self-contained like pod machines; Learning consistent pour technique takes 5-10 brews to develop. Sowden SoftBrew 8-Cup Coffee Maker: More sediment in the cup than paper-filtered methods — the fine mesh allows some passage; Requires coarser grind than paper filter methods for optimal results.

Do owner ratings agree with our verdict?

Largely, yes — Hario V60 Dripper 02 Pour Over Coffee Set sits at 4.7★ from 18,600 verified Amazon owners, and Sowden SoftBrew 8-Cup Coffee Maker at 4.5★ from 3,800.

As an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases. Links below are affiliate links.