Is pour over coffee better or worse than espresso?

Neither is objectively better — they're different. Pour over (V60, Chemex, Kalita Wave) produces a clean, bright, nuanced cup that highlights a coffee's origin characteristics. Espresso is concentrated, intense, and showcases the roast character. Specialty coffee enthusiasts often prefer pour over for light-roast single origins and espresso for darker roasts or milk drinks. The "better" one is whichever brewing method you prefer for the occasion.