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 Price: $45-55

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 Price: $8-30 (depending on material)

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
Cost	$45+	$8-30

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.