Kalita Wave 185 Stainless Steel Coffee Dripper (WDS-185)
A flat-bottomed pour-over dripper made of stainless steel in Japan, for two to four cups. It's more forgiving of uneven pouring than a cone dripper.
Quick verdict
- Best for:
- Forgiving pour-over, 2–4 cups.
- Watch out:
- Needs Kalita Wave 185 filters.
Amazon US listing and availability checked October 26, 2026. Prices and stock can change.
Reviewed October 17, 2026 · How we review
Part of our buying guide: Gifts for Coffee Lovers: How to Pick One That Fits How They Brew
Our Take
The Wave is the main alternative to a cone dripper like the Hario V60. Its bottom is flat, with three small holes, and it uses Kalita's own fluted Wave filters, so the coffee bed stays level and the water drains at a steadier pace. In practice that makes it more forgiving if your pouring isn't perfectly even, at the cost of the fine control a cone gives you. Kalita lists the WDS-185 as stainless steel, made in Tsubame, Japan, for its Wave Filter 185 (two to four people), 138 × 115 × 70 mm and 140 g. Steel won't break if you drop it, unlike ceramic or glass. The catch is the filters: it only takes Kalita Wave 185 filters, which are less common in stores than V60 or basket filters. We haven't tested it ourselves.
Specs (This Configuration)
- Material
- Stainless steel, made in Tsubame, Japan (Kalita)
- Makes
- 2–4 cups (Kalita)
- Filters
- Kalita Wave Filter 185 only (Kalita)
- Size
- 138 × 115 × 70 mm (Kalita)
- Weight
- 140 g (Kalita)
Best For
- Pour-over coffee with less practice
- Two to four cups at a time
- A dripper that won't break if dropped
Skip If
- You want filters you can buy at any supermarket
- You enjoy fine-tuning every pour
- You make one small cup at a time; the smaller Wave 155 suits that
What We Like
- Flat bed is forgiving of uneven pouring
- Stainless steel doesn't chip or crack
- Made in Japan by Kalita
What To Know
- Needs Kalita Wave 185 filters
- The rating on Amazon is shared with the smaller Wave 155 size
- Our photo is a Kalita Wave steel dripper photographed in 2016; the photographer didn't state its size
Pros
- 4.7 stars from over 3,000 ratings, shared with the Wave 155
- Light, at 140 g (Kalita)
- Fits on most mugs and carafes
Cons
- Specific filters cost more and are harder to find
- Sold by a third-party seller on the listing we checked
- Metal gets hot to the touch while brewing
Alternatives
- Hario V60 Ceramic Coffee Dripper — The classic cone dripper: more control, more practice needed, easy-to-find filters.
- AeroPress Original — Even more forgiving, makes one or two cups and travels well.
Why PriceDropIQ Selected It
If you want pour-over coffee but find a cone dripper fussy, the flat-bottomed Wave gives you more consistent cups with less practice. The steel version won't break. The trade-off is that it needs Kalita's own Wave 185 filters, so stock up when you buy it.
Before You Buy
- Select Size 185 on the listing; Size 155 is the smaller dripper
- Add Kalita Wave 185 filters; regular cone filters don't fit
- Check the seller; the listing we checked was sold by Japanique Living
Frequently Asked Questions
What filters does it use?
Kalita lists the WDS-185 for its Wave Filter 185 only. Cone filters such as Hario V60 papers don't fit.
Kalita Wave or Hario V60?
The Wave has a flat bottom that drains at a steadier pace, so it's more forgiving. The V60 is a cone that gives more control but rewards practice.
How many cups does it make?
Kalita lists the 185 size for two to four people. The smaller 155 is for one or two.
Related Buying Guides
More in Home
All Home reviews and guides
Interested in this product?
Reviewed October 17, 2026. Check the current offer, seller, availability, and shipping details on Amazon.
Independent buying advice, in your inbox.
New reviews and practical buying guides from PriceDropIQ.
Product photo by Olgierd Rudak (CC BY 2.0). Full image credit