Aeropress vs V60 – Which is Better for Your Perfect Brew?

Introduction

Manual brewing methods have taken the specialty coffee world by storm, especially in the home brewing coffee community due to their ease of use, great value for money and versatility. Two of the most popular manual brewing methods of choice for aspiring home baristas are the Aeropress and the V60. Both are loved by coffee enthusiasts around the globe, but they are actually quite different in terms of how they brew coffee and who they’re aimed at. 

Whether you’re chasing a rich body of an aromatic Aeropress, or the vibrant clarity of a V60, both of these brewing methods can produce prolific cups of coffee. 

In this article, we’ll explore the differences between the Aeropress vs V60 in depth, covering everything from flavor and convenience to cost and use cases. We’ll also go through the best coffee beans for each brewing method, how to optimise both, and ultimately determine which is best for you.

What to Consider When Choosing a Manual Coffee Maker

There are a few factors that need to be considered when choosing between an Aeropress and a V60 coffee maker. Both of these devices use paper filters, and both are known as ‘manual’ brewers rather than more complicated and expensive ‘automated’ machines. 

However, just because both are straightforward to use, doesn’t mean picking between them is an easy task.  

Time

The time required to brew a single cup of coffee is pretty similar for both the Aeropress and the V60, so this may not be the most decisive factor that will sway you one way or another. 

In general, the V60 tends to take slightly longer to brew than the Aeropress, as coffee has to drop through the cone shaped device whilst seeping through a much larger surface area of filter paper. 

The Aeropress on the other hand has the help of a pressurised plunger and a much smaller filter paper, so even with plenty of time to steep your coffee grounds, an Aeropress should only take 2-3 minutes to brew a single cup of coffee, whereas a a V60 can take anywhere from 3-5 minutes depending on your grind size. 

Skills Required

Manual coffee brewers tend to take more skill, patience and time to produce the perfect cup of coffee than automated brewers. The obvious exception to this is espresso of course, but as a general rule of thumb, a coffee pod machine, traditional drip brew machine or a fully automatic bean to cup machine will make you a decent cup of coffee at the push of a button. 

Whilst Aeropress and V60 both require a certain level of technical ability to get right, the way they produce their coffee is quite different. 

The Aeropress needs precise dosage, a little agitation to distribute the grounds evenly, adequate brew time and plenty of even force when you press the plunger down to extract those essential coffee oils. 

On the other hand, the V60 requires a more delicate touch and a steady hand. Manual distribution of the grounds in the cone is required to ensure coffee is evenly extracted. Then, pouring hot water over the grounds in concentric circles will again ensure full and even extraction of coffee into the cup sat below. 

Both the Aeropress and V60 require quite a high level of skill, technique and patience to perfect, but that being said you can make a decent cup of coffee without too much tuition. 

Taste Preferences

Arguably the more important factor that will determine whether you’ll prefer a cup of coffee made by an Aeropress or V60 is of course your taste preferences. Both of these manual brewers are pretty versatile, which is part of the reason they’re so popular. 

However, the slightly coarser grind size, more gradual coffee extraction and longer brew time of the V60 tends to give it a more smooth, mellow and vibrant flavour. 

Conversely, the aggressive plunging involved in making an Aeropress coffee gives it a more full bodied, earthy and robust taste in comparison to the V60. 

Comparing the Aeropress and the V60

There are a number of similarities and differences between the Aeropress and the V60. Whilst both are technically ‘topper’ brewers (meaning they sit on top of your cup or carafe), the way they extract coffee oils from freshly ground beans are quite different. 

Where the V60 is a classic drip brew coffee maker, the Aeropress combines immersion and pressure based extraction to produce a more ‘hearty’ cup of coffee. The V60 utilises gravity and the pouring technique of the user to extract coffee flavour from grounds in an even, mellow and subtle manner. Whereas the pressure based immersion method used by the Aeropress plunger extracts coffee oils in a more aggressive way, delivering a more earthy and robust flavor profile. 

Overall, despite both of these popular coffee makers using paper filters, the Aeropress tends to offer a more intense drinking experience, whereas the V60 often delivers a crisp, clean and mellow tasting cup. 

Overview of the Aeropress

Invented in 2005 by Alan Adler, the Aeropress quickly gained a cult following for its simplicity, speed, and ability to brew a full-bodied cup with low acidity. The portability of the Aeropress also brought it notoriety, making it incredibly versatile for campers and commuters alike. This compact plastic device uses immersion and pressure to extract coffee, somewhere between a French press and an espresso machine.

Ground coffee is steeped in hot water in the brewing chamber of the Aeropress. This slurry is then pressed down using the separate plunger, through a paper circular paper filter using relatively gentle air pressure. 

Hot water is poured over coffee grounds and stirred with a large spoon or the included stirring paddle. Then, after being left alone to steep for a couple of minutes, use the separate plunger to press the coffee evenly and with plenty of pressure. 

I say relatively because you may be able to produce around 0.5-0.75 bar of pressure, whereas an espresso machine will typically produce about 9 bar. For Reference, a Moka Pot will often produce 1.5 bar at it’s peak.

Overview of the V60

The Hario V60 is a beloved Japanese pour-over dripper known for its elegant, almost spiritual pouring ritual. The V60 gets its name from the V shape of its construction at 60° angle of its conical shape. It is a staple of keen coffee enthusiasts in the home brewing environment, and is also a hallmark of a high end third wave specialty coffee house. I always think if a coffee house uses a v60 dripper, it’s a sign that they have great confidence in their coffee bean quality. 

Place a V60 on top of an appropriately sized coffee cup or larger carafe (adjust the dose of coffee and water accordingly), and then place a paper filter in the V60. Then wet the filter paper and add a dose of medium ground coffee to the middle of the cone. Distribute them evenly with a stirrer or end of a spoon ad create a small divot in the middle. Finally, pour over hot water (starting from the middle and working your way out in concentric circles) slowly and evenly with a gooseneck kettle if you have one.  

Side-by-Side Comparison: Aeropress vs V60

Here is a detailed and clear table comparing the Aeropress and V60 key features: 

Aeropress vs V60: Summary

Both the Aeropress and the V60 are versatile manual coffee brewing devices that are mainstays of the coffee home brewing community. The question of which suits you better really comes down to your personal taste preferences, need for speed and how much skill and patience you are willing to dedicate towards your coffee craft. 

If you’re looking for an easy to use, versatile brewer with a wide margin for error that will give you an intense and punchy coffee in the morning, then the Aeropress is a great option to go for. 

On the other hand, if you’re after a more leisurely, relaxed brewing method that produces mellow and subtle coffee to match, then the V60 would be more up your street. Bear in mind that the V60 does require a little more skill and technique to master successfully, but both of these brewing methods are relatively accessible if you just want to get started quickly. 

I’d recommend giving both the V60 and Aeropress a go, experiment with different bean varieties, grind sizes and techniques to see which one you prefer. 

FAQs

Can you use the same coffee in both the Aeropress and V60?

Yes, but you may want to adjust grind size and water temperature for best results. Aeropress typically uses medium-fine, V60 medium.

Which is better for iced coffee?

Both work well, but the Aeropress makes an excellent iced brew due to its pressure extraction and shorter brew time.

Which one is easier to clean?

The Aeropress is much easier to clean—just eject the coffee puck and rinse. V60 requires washing filters and carafes.

Which one can make espresso-style coffee?

Only the Aeropress can approximate an espresso-like brew, though it won’t fully replace a proper machine.