Every Kalita Wave dripper comes in one of two sizes, 155 or 185, and the number on the dripper must match the number on the filters. The 155 is the small size for one or two cups. The 185 is the larger size for two to four cups. Wave 155 filters only fit 155 drippers, and Wave 185 filters only fit 185 drippers, no matter whether the dripper is stainless steel, glass or ceramic.
That one rule answers most of the questions I get about Kalita. Below is every Wave dripper and kit we carry, grouped by size, with the filter each one needs.
Kalita Wave 155 vs 185: what's the difference?
| Wave 155 | Wave 185 | |
|---|---|---|
| Brew size | About 1–2 cups | About 2–4 cups |
| Typical coffee dose | About 12–18g | About 20–30g |
| Matching filter | Kalita Wave 155 Filters (KW155F) | Kalita Wave 185 Filters (KW185F) |
| Best for | A solo morning cup | Brewing for two or more, or one big mug |
Both sizes use the same design: a flat bottom with three small drain holes and a ridged "wave" filter. The flat bed of coffee and the three holes slow the flow a little and spread it evenly, which is why the Wave is known as one of the most forgiving pour-over drippers to learn on.
Kalita Wave 155 drippers (use Wave 155 filters)
| Dripper | Material | Item code | Filter |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kalita Wave 155 Stainless Steel Dripper | Stainless steel, made in Japan | KW155SS | Wave 155 |
| Kalita Wave Tsubame 155 Dripper | Heavier-gauge stainless steel, made in Tsubame, Japan | KW155WDS | Wave 155 |
| Kalita Wave 155 Glass Dripper | Heat-resistant glass with black collar | KW155GL | Wave 155 |
Kalita Wave 185 drippers (use Wave 185 filters)
| Dripper | Material | Item code | Filter |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kalita Wave 185 Stainless Steel Dripper | Stainless steel, made in Japan | KW185SS | Wave 185 |
| Kalita Wave Tsubame 185 Dripper | Heavier-gauge stainless steel, made in Tsubame, Japan | KW185WDS | Wave 185 |
| Kalita Wave 185 Glass Dripper | Heat-resistant glass with black collar | KW185GL | Wave 185 |
| Kalita MINO 185 Ceramic Dripper, Sand Gray | Mino ware ceramic, made in Gifu, Japan | KW185MINOGRY | Wave 185 |
| Kalita MINO 185 Ceramic Dripper, Sand Brown | Mino ware ceramic, made in Gifu, Japan | KW185MINOBRN | Wave 185 |
| Kalita MINO 185 Ceramic Dripper, Sand Black | Mino ware ceramic, made in Gifu, Japan | KW185MINOBLK | Wave 185 |
| Kalita MINO 185 Ceramic Dripper, Sand Beige | Mino ware ceramic, made in Gifu, Japan | KW185MINOBGE | Wave 185 |
| Kalita Wave Style Glass Brewer, 500ml | Glass dripper and server in a stainless holder | KWBREWER | Wave 185 |
The MINO looks different from the other Wave drippers, but it uses the same flat-bottom, three-hole layout and the same Wave 185 filters. The Wave Style Brewer is a glass dripper and 500ml server in one piece that brews about two cups, and it also takes 185 filters.
Kalita Wave kits and which filters to reorder
Every kit comes with its first pack of filters. When you run out, reorder the size in the right-hand column.
| Kit | What's included | Reorder |
|---|---|---|
| Wave 155 Starter Kit, Stainless | 155 stainless dripper, 100 filters, coffee journal | Wave 155 |
| Wave 155 Starter Kit, Glass | 155 glass dripper, 100 filters, coffee journal | Wave 155 |
| Wave 155 Kit, Stainless with Server | 155 stainless dripper, 100 filters, 300ml glass server, journal | Wave 155 |
| Wave 155 Glass Kit with Server | 155 glass dripper, 100 filters, 300ml glass server, journal | Wave 155 |
| Wave 185 Pour Over Set | 185 stainless dripper, 100 filters | Wave 185 |
| Wave 185 Kit, Stainless with Server | 185 stainless dripper, 100 filters, 500ml glass server, journal | Wave 185 |
| Wave 185 Kit, Glass with Server | 185 glass dripper, 100 filters, 500ml glass server, journal | Wave 185 |
| Wave Style Pour Over Kit | Wave Style 500ml glass brewer, 100 filters, journal | Wave 185 |
Kalita Wave filters
- Kalita Wave 155 Paper Filters, 100 count: For every 155 dripper and kit above.
- Kalita Wave 185 Paper Filters, 100 count: For every 185 dripper and kit above, including the MINO and the Wave Style Brewer.
Filters that look similar but don't fit a Wave
- Kalita 102 and 103 filters (102, 103) are made for Kalita's wedge-shaped 102 and 103 drippers, not the flat-bottom Wave.
- ORIGAMI wave filters are sized for ORIGAMI drippers. For a Kalita Wave, stick with genuine Kalita Wave filters in the matching size.
How to choose the right Kalita Wave
Pick the size first
If you usually brew for yourself, get the 155. If you brew for two, want a large travel mug, or like to brew once for the whole morning, get the 185. When in doubt, the 185 is more flexible, because you can brew a smaller batch in it but can't brew a bigger batch in a 155.
Then pick the material
- Standard stainless steel: Durable, lightweight and unbreakable. A good everyday and travel choice.
- Tsubame stainless steel: The same Wave design in heavier-gauge steel from Tsubame, a Japanese city known for metalwork, with a curved handle. Choose it if you like a more substantial tool.
- Glass: Lets you watch the coffee as it brews, which helps when you're learning to read your pour. Preheat it well, since glass loses heat faster than steel.
- MINO ceramic: Handmade Mino ware from Gifu, Japan, in four sand-textured colors. Holds heat well once preheated and looks great on the counter.
- Wave Style Brewer: An all-in-one glass dripper and server, for a tidy setup with nothing to balance on a mug.
A simple Kalita Wave recipe
These starting recipes use a 1:16 coffee-to-water ratio. Adjust from there to taste.
- Wave 155: 15g of coffee to 240g of water.
- Wave 185: 22g of coffee to 350g of water.
- Heat water to about 200–205°F.
- Grind medium-fine, a little coarser than you would for a V60.
- Rinse the filter with hot water to warm the dripper and remove any papery taste. Pour straight into the center so you don't flatten the ridges, then discard the rinse water.
- Bloom: Add the coffee, level the bed with a gentle shake, and pour about twice the coffee's weight in water. Wait 30–45 seconds.
- Pour in stages: Add the rest of the water in a few small pours, in slow circles, keeping the water level steady. Avoid pouring directly onto the filter's sides.
- Let it drain. A total brew time of about 3–4 minutes is a good target. A flat, even bed of grounds at the end means an even extraction.
If it tastes sour or thin, grind finer. If it tastes bitter or drains too slowly, grind coarser.
Frequently asked questions
Can I use 185 filters in a 155 dripper?
No. A 185 filter is too big for the 155 and won't sit flat, so it folds over and the water doesn't flow evenly. Match the number on the filter pack to the number on your dripper.
Can I use 155 filters in a 185 dripper?
No. A 155 filter is too small for the 185, so water can run down the sides past the coffee.
Do the glass, stainless and ceramic versions use different filters?
No. The material doesn't matter, only the size. Every 155 uses Wave 155 filters and every 185 uses Wave 185 filters.
What's the difference between the Tsubame and the standard stainless Wave?
Same size, same filters, same brewing layout. The Tsubame is made from heavier-gauge steel in Tsubame, Japan, and has a curved handle.
Is the Kalita Wave good for beginners?
Yes. The flat bottom and three drain holes make it more forgiving of uneven pouring than a cone dripper, which is why many people learn pour-over on a Wave.
0 comments