In 2004, Japanese glassware manufacturer Hario invented the V60, and after its winning appearance at the 2010 World Brewers Cup, making pour-over coffee has never been the same. By giving brewers precise control over water flow and extraction rates, this brewer shifted coffee-lovers’ focus towards highlighting nuanced flavour notes. As the reigning gold standard for pour-over coffee, it is no wonder then that the V60 has inspired innovative new drippers to suit different brew styles. For brewers who want a more straight-forward approach, Hario has more recently designed the Mugen dripper as an easily-replicable, one-pour filter brewer. 

‘Mugen’ is the Japanese term for ‘infinity’, chosen to reflect this brewer’s near-endless potential for a delicious cup. Instead of following recipes involving bloom phases, staged pouring, or gentle stirs, all the Mugen requires is a single slow continuous pour over freshly ground coffee.

Whilst the Mugen is compatible with Hario’s V60 02-size filters, and despite being visually similar to the V60 dripper, the Mugen requires a different brewing approach altogether. Most notably, because the filter clings to the dripper’s flat walls, there is almost no bypass and the water’s flow is more restricted than with the V60. Without spiral ribs, the Mugen’s diamond-shaped ridges cause a slower drawdown that increases contact time between coffee and water; meaning that a coarser grind than V60 is required for an even extraction. The Mugen’s heat-resistant and durable-resin body is easy-to-clean, and has a removable holder, so you can place the dripper on a stand during brews, or easily hang it up to dry.

For a straightforward and reliably tasty day-to-day brew, Hario recommends using a coarse grind and pouring all of your water in about 15 seconds, bringing your total brew time to about 2 minutes. We might be so bold as to suggest still blooming and allowing for a longer contact time, but we’d encourage you to experiment with your variables to produce a cup that you enjoy.

Hario V60 Mugen features

• Conical-shape
• Compatible with V60-02 size paper filters
• Flat walls & star-shaped ridges promote even extraction
• Single-pour design
• Slower drawdown for a more forgiving pour-over
• Removable base with hook hole

Hario V60 Mugen Dripper specifications

• Capacity: 1-2 cups
• Colour: Transparent black
• Size: W 142 x D 116 x H 94mm
• Materials:
• Body: Acrylonitrile-styrene Resin
• Holder: Polypropylene
• Weight: ~200g
• Country of Origin: Japan