V60 vs Chemex: Which Pour Over Brewer Reigns Supreme?

So, you’ve decided to elevate your coffee game with pour over, but now you face a classic dilemma: Hario V60 or Chemex? These two giants of manual brewing are iconic for a reason, both capable of producing delicious coffee. However, they offer distinct flavor profiles. Which one deserves to be in your kitchen? Let’s break down the differences to help you choose your champion.

Meet the Contenders: Iconic Designs, Different Brews

While both are pour over devices, their design philosophies differ significantly.

The Hario V60: Spirals, Speed & Complexity

Instantly recognizable by its conical “V” shape (at a 60-degree angle, hence the name!), the Hario V60 features distinctive spiral ribs on its inner walls and a large single opening at the bottom. These design elements encourage airflow and allow for precise control over water flow and extraction. Available in various materials like plastic, ceramic, glass, and metal, the V60 is often associated with bright, nuanced cups and requires a bit more attention to technique.

The Chemex: Elegance, Purity & Simplicity

A masterpiece of design showcased in museums, the Chemex is crafted from a single piece of borosilicate glass shaped like an hourglass, often adorned with a wooden collar and leather tie. It functions as both the brewer and the carafe. Its defining feature, besides its beauty, is its use of proprietary, extra-thick paper filters, which are key to its signature clean brew.

Brewing Battleground: V60 vs Chemex Head-to-Head

Let’s compare these brewers across key factors:

Filter Factor: The Heart of the Difference

This is arguably the biggest difference.

• V60: Uses relatively thin paper filters (specific to its cone shape) that allow more coffee oils and fine particles through. This contributes to a fuller body and more complex flavor profile.
• Chemex: Uses significantly thicker (20-30% more than standard filters), bonded paper filters. These trap almost all oils and sediment, resulting in an exceptionally clean, clear, almost tea-like cup with lower perceived bitterness.

Grind Size & Flow Rate

The filter thickness directly impacts grind and flow:

• V60: Typically requires a medium-fine grind. The thinner filter and large opening allow water to flow through relatively quickly, demanding precise pouring technique to manage extraction time.
• Chemex: Needs a medium-coarse to coarse grind. The thick filter significantly slows water flow; too fine a grind can easily lead to clogging and over-extraction (bitterness).

The Flavor Experience: Bright vs. Clean

Your taste preference is key here:

• V60: Tends to produce coffee with brighter acidity, more pronounced complexity, and a lighter-to-medium body. It excels at highlighting the unique fruity and floral notes of single-origin beans.
• Chemex: Delivers unparalleled clarity and a smooth, clean taste with muted acidity and a lighter body. It creates a very “pure” expression of the coffee, allowing subtle sweetness and delicate notes to shine without interference from oils or sediment.

Ease of Use: Precision vs. Forgiveness?

There’s some debate here:

• V60: Often considered to have a steeper learning curve. Its sensitivity to grind size, pour speed, and pattern means technique significantly impacts the final cup. However, mastering it offers incredible control.
• Chemex: The thick filter offers some buffer, making it potentially more forgiving regarding pour technique variation. However, dialing in the correct coarser grind is crucial to avoid stalling. Many find it simpler for brewing consistently good, larger batches.

Aesthetics & Materials: Function vs. Form?

• V60: Offers variety (plastic is great for travel/durability, ceramic for heat retention, glass for neutrality, metal for ruggedness). Its look is functional and widely recognized in specialty coffee.
• Chemex: It’s a design icon. The glass construction looks stunning but is inherently more fragile. It’s a statement piece as much as a coffee maker.

Batch Size & Serving

• V60: Comes in sizes typically suited for 1-4 cups (01, 02 sizes are most common). Requires a separate mug or carafe to brew into.
• Chemex: Available in sizes ranging from 3-cup up to 10 or even 13-cup models, making it ideal for brewing multiple servings at once. Brews directly into the serving vessel.

The V60 is Your Champion If…

• You love bright, acidic, and complex coffee flavors.
• You enjoy playing with variables and mastering brewing techniques.
• You mostly brew just one or two cups at a time.
• You appreciate having choices in material and appearance (or need a durable option for travel).
• You want to explore the nuanced differences fine-tuned technique can make.

The Chemex Wins Your Vote If…

• You prioritize an exceptionally clean, smooth, balanced cup with minimal bitterness or acidity.
• You frequently brew coffee for guests or multiple people (3+ cups).
• You adore beautiful, timeless design and want a brewer that doubles as a serving carafe.
• You prefer a slightly more forgiving process regarding pouring technique (once the grind is right).
• You appreciate a “pure” taste profile that highlights subtle sweetness and floral notes.

Final Pour: Choosing Your Perfect Brewer

Neither the V60 nor the Chemex is definitively “better” – they simply excel in different areas and cater to different preferences. The V60 offers intricate control for a complex cup, while the Chemex provides unparalleled clarity and elegance, especially for larger batches.

Consider what you value most: the flavor profile, the brewing process, the batch size, or the aesthetics. Ideally, try coffee brewed from both if you can! Whichever you choose, you’re investing in a fantastic tool for brewing delicious pour over coffee.