Chemex vs V60: Which Pour Over Brewer Is Right for You?

Both the Chemex and the V60 are pour over brewers. Both use paper filters, both produce filter coffee that is clean and clear by design, and both have loyal followings in the speciality coffee world. But they are meaningfully different in a number of ways: the thickness of their filters, the way they control flow rate, the flavour they tend to produce, and the practicalities of brewing with them at home. Choosing between them is not just an aesthetic decision, it actually affects what ends up in your cup.

If you are trying to decide which to buy, this article breaks down the genuine differences. And if you already own one and are curious what the other might offer, this comparison should help you understand what you are getting and what you might be missing.

The Design Difference

The Chemex was invented in 1941 by chemist Peter Schlumbohm and has barely changed since. It is a single piece of borosilicate glass with an hourglass shape, bound with a wooden collar and a leather tie. It is genuinely beautiful: the Chemex sits in the permanent collection of the Museum of Modern Art in New York. The vessel and the brew receptacle are one and the same. You brew directly into the bottom of the glass.

The V60 (the name refers to the 60 degree angle of its cone shape) was developed by Hario, a Japanese glassware company, and launched in 2004. It is a dripper that sits on top of a separate cup, carafe or server. The original ceramic version is elegant; there are also plastic, glass and metal versions. The plastic V60 in particular is something of a cult object in home brewing circles: it is cheap (under £10), extremely light for travel and produces results identical to the ceramic and glass versions.

Filter Thickness and How It Affects Flavour

This is where the two brewers differ most significantly. Chemex uses its own proprietary bonded paper filters, which are considerably thicker than standard V60 filters. These thick filters absorb more of the coffee's oils and very fine particles, producing a cup that is exceptionally clear and light in body. The result is almost delicate: bright, pure and transparent. Some people find it extraordinary. Others find it lacks the weight they want in a coffee.

The V60 uses thinner paper filters (or reusable metal mesh filters), allowing slightly more oils through into the cup. The result is still a clean, filter style coffee but with marginally more body and a slightly richer mouthfeel than Chemex. The difference is subtle but it is there, particularly with coffees that have pronounced sweetness or body.

In practice, if you love the cleanest possible expression of a coffee's flavour, a Chemex is the more extreme version of that. If you want clarity with a little more weight in the cup, the V60 sits in that sweet spot. Both are still much lighter bodied than French press or moka pot.

Brew Volume and Everyday Practicality

This is often the deciding factor for home brewers. The V60 in its standard size 02 brews well for one to two servings: typically 250ml to 500ml. It can be stretched to larger volumes but requires careful technique and is not naturally suited to brewing for a crowd.

The Chemex comes in multiple sizes: 3 cup (around 450ml), 6 cup (around 900ml), 8 cup (around 1.2 litres) and larger. The 6 and 8 cup sizes are particularly popular for households where two people want coffee at the same time, or where you want to brew a larger batch to keep warm on the stove for a second cup later. The Chemex retains heat reasonably well in the glass vessel, and brewing a full batch and pouring over the course of 15 to 20 minutes produces consistent results.

If you are brewing for one person, the V60 is slightly more practical for single cup brewing because you use exactly what you need and there is nothing sitting in a vessel losing heat. If you are regularly brewing for two or more, the Chemex wins on convenience.

Cost and Running Costs

The V60 in ceramic is around £20 to £30. The glass version is similar. The plastic version is under £10. V60 filters cost around £5 to £6 for a pack of 100. Running cost is very low.

The Chemex is more expensive to buy: typically £40 to £60 for the classic 6 or 8 cup version from a UK retailer. The proprietary Chemex filters cost around £8 to £12 for 100. Slightly more expensive than V60 filters but not dramatically so.

If budget is a concern, the V60 plastic is genuinely excellent and makes the barrier to entry negligible. You can start brewing excellent pour over coffee for under £15 (V60 dripper plus a pack of filters). The Chemex requires a larger initial investment but its durability means it will last essentially forever if treated reasonably.

Which Should You Choose?

The honest answer is that both are excellent and neither will disappoint if used with good coffee and a decent technique. Here is the summary for a quick decision:

• Choose the V60 if you brew for one, want a lower cost entry point, like to geek out on technique and want a slightly richer filter coffee.
• Choose the Chemex if you brew for two or more, want a showpiece on your kitchen counter, prefer the absolute cleanest and lightest filter coffee, and do not mind the higher initial cost.
• If you cannot decide: buy the plastic V60 now. Use it for three months and develop your pour technique. Then if you want something more refined or larger capacity, upgrade to the Chemex with a much better understanding of what you are looking for.

Frequently Asked Questions