Chemex vs Hario V60: The Pour-Over Showdown

Chemex and V60 are both pour-over brewers, but they produce noticeably different cups due to filter thickness and brew geometry.

Chemex

Filter: Thick bonded paper (20-30% thicker than standard) Capacity: 3-cup, 6-cup, 8-cup, 10-cup Material: Borosilicate glass with wood collar

The thick Chemex filter removes more oils and fines than any other paper filter, producing the cleanest, most transparent cup in pour-over. Light roast coffees shine on Chemex — delicate floral and fruit notes come through without any muddiness.

Recipe (6-cup): 42g coffee, 700ml water, 4:00-4:30 total brew time. The thick filter slows drawdown significantly.

Hario V60

Filter: Standard thin paper Capacity: 01 (1-2 cups), 02 (1-4 cups), 03 (1-6 cups) Material: Ceramic, plastic, glass, or metal

The V60 has a single large drain hole and spiral ridges that allow faster, more variable flow. This gives you more control over extraction through pour technique — but also means technique matters more. The thinner filter allows more oils through, producing a cup with more body than Chemex.

Recipe (02): 20g coffee, 320ml water, 2:30-3:30 total brew time.

Head-to-Head

Factor	Chemex	V60
Clarity	Higher — thicker filter	Good — thinner filter
Body	Light, tea-like	Medium, more textured
Forgiveness	More forgiving (slow drain)	Less forgiving (technique-dependent)
Capacity	Better for 2+ servings	Best for single cups
Cleanup	Easy (lift filter, toss)	Easy

Choose Chemex for the cleanest cup, light roasts, and brewing for multiple people. Choose V60 for more control, faster brewing, single servings, and lower cost.

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