V60 vs Chemex – Which is Best?
Manual brewing methods have taken the specialty coffee world by storm, especially in the home brewing coffee community. The V60 and Chemex are two of the most recognisable, versatile and pure forms of pour over coffee brewing available, so it’s no wonder they are in such high demand.
Both are loved by coffee enthusiasts around the globe, and whilst both use a similar method of extracting coffee, there are a number of key differences between them. From brew time, to technique to cost, the audiences that V60s and Chemexes are pitched to are actually quite distinct.
Whether you’re chasing the balance of a V60 brew or the clarity and subtlety of a Chemex, in this article we’ll explore the similarities and differences between them, and discover which is best for your personal coffee preferences.
What is a 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 that 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 and 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.
What is a Chemex?
The Chemex is an incredibly elegant pour over coffee maker. The long, slender hourglass shaped glass flume makes for a great table top ornament, let alone a vessel for making delicious coffee.
“The CHEMEX® coffeemaker was designed and then patented in 1941, by the eccentric chemist and inventor Dr. Peter Schlumbohm.” – Chemexcoffeemaker.com, About Us.
Whilst on the face of it the Chemex may seem like more style over substance, it brews intricate and subtle tasting coffee. Its larger and thicker filter papers mean that brew times tend to last longer, more refined pouring technique is required and lighter roasts tend to complement it better.
What to Consider When Choosing a V60 or Chemex
There are a few factors that need to be considered when choosing between a Chemex 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.Brew Time
The time required to brew a single cup of coffee is pretty similar for both the Chemex and the V60, so this may not be the most decisive factor that will sway you one way or another. In general, the Chemex tends to take slightly longer to brew than the V60, as coffee has to drain through thicker filter papers. Also, most people will buy a larger Chemex than their traditional V60, which of course means more ground coffee, more water and a longer brew time. On average, a standard single serve V60 brew will take 2-3 minutes to complete, whereas a 2-3 cup Chemex brew will generally take between 5-6 minutes.Skills Required
Both the V60 and Chemex require some level of skill to brew great coffee, which comes in the form of pour technique. A steady hand coupled with precise water quantity control will send you well on your way to mastering either of these pour over brewers. Whilst both the Chemex and V60 rely on the home barista’s hand to extract a great brew, the Chemex is arguably the more difficult device to master. This may go against the conventional wisdom that the thicker filter papers and longer brew time give the Chemex more margin for error. However, most people that use a Chemex want to make the most of its ability to accentuate delicate flavours in lighter roasted coffee. Also, the larger quantity of coffee used to make Chemex coffee can offer more opportunity for channeling and uneven water coverage if your pour technique isn’t spot on. Therefore, whilst the Chemex may be more forgiving on paper, in practice I would argue there are a few variables that make the brew harder to get right.Taste Preferences
Arguably the most important factor that will determine whether you’ll prefer a cup of coffee made by a Chemex or V60 is of course your personal taste preferences. The great thing about these brewers is that they are versatile, meaning you can brew various different roast profiles, origins and coffee bean varieties in either a V60 or Chemex. Generally speaking a Chemex will offer a more subtle, clear and wine-like taste, revealing delicate flavours and tasting notes. On the other hand, the V60 is famed for its all round balance, being a more versatile and easy to use coffee maker. It is generally very well suited to medium roasts, as it tends to offer more body and viscosity than the Chemex due to its thinner filter papers. Which one is best? You decide.Size
Both V60s and Chemexes come in a few different sizes. These are detailed below:| V60 | Chemex | |
| Size Categories | 01, 02, 03 | 3 Cup, 6 Cup, 8 Cup, 10 Cup |
| Brewing Quantity | 5-12 oz, 10-24 oz, 15-36 oz | 16 oz, 30 oz, 40 oz, 50 oz |
Cost
Another factor that separates the V60 and the Chemex are their respective costs. The V60 and its respective filter papers tend to be much cheaper to buy than the Chemex. This makes it more suitable and accessible for a beginner coffee brewer. Generally speaking, you will be able to pick up a V60 for around $20-$30 USD (depending on size, material and delivery method), whereas a good Chemex can set you back anywhere from $35-$100 USD (depending on size, quality, manufacturing method and shipping location).Grind Size
Grind size is always a key variable in determining the overall taste of any coffee brewing method. Tiny adjustments in grind size can make a major difference to how your brew will turn out, so getting it right for both the V60 and Chemex is of vital importance. Generally speaking, a V60 requires a slightly finer grind than a Chemex, due to the shorter brewing time and thinner filter papers requiring a higher rate of water flowing through the bed of coffee. Therefore, a medium grind size that resembles table salt (slightly coarser than you’d use for an Aeropress and finer than you’d use for a French Press) will do the trick. On the other hand, the Chemex uses thicker filter papers and a larger brewing volume which requires a slightly slower rate of water flow, hence the coarser grind size. You’ll want to go for something slightly finer than you’d use for a French press.Comparing the Chemex and the V60
So far we’ve covered the various factors to consider whilst deciding whether a V60 or Chemex is right for you. Now, let’s take a closer look at these factors and help you decide which one of these pour over coffee makers you should go for. Here is a detailed and clear table comparing the Chemex and V60 key features:| Feature | V60 | Chemex |
| Brew Style | Percolation (drip brew) | Percolation (drip brew) |
| Flavor Profile | Smooth, well balanced, clean | Subtle, high clarity, low acidity, bright |
| Brew Time | 2-3 minutes | 5-6 minutes |
| Ease of Use | Beginner-friendly | Slight learning curve |
| Cleanup | Quick and easy | Quick and easy |
| Portability | Very portable | Less portable |
| Grind Size | Medium (Table Salt, Sand) | Medium to Coarse (Kosher Salt) |
| Typical Serving Size | 1-2 Cup | 2-4 Cups |
| Recommended Coffee Beans | Medium Roast | Light to Medium Roast |
| Price Range | $20–30 | $30–100 |
V60 vs Chemex Summary
Overall, the Chemex 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. Whether you love the intricacy and ritual of a Chemex coffee maker, or the all round balance and versatility of the V60, both can brew amazing cups of coffee with a little care and attention.V60 vs Chemex Frequently Asked Questions
Not necessarily. Some argue that V60 is slightly easier to use than the Chemex, as its end product tends to be more full bodied and well balanced, as opposed to a Chemex brew which is often more delicate and more difficult to get right. This doesn’t necessarily make the V60 better or worse than the Chemex, but it can be argued that it’s a little more forgiving, less expensive and slightly more versatile.
Chemex coffee isn’t necessarily ‘better’ than V60 coffee. However the slower brew time and thicker filter papers tend to extract coffee more slowly and gently than the V60. This extraction tends to lend Chemexes more closely to lighter roasted coffee, which in turn tend to have more acidity, more complex flavours and can be regarded as higher quality. This is definitely not a hard and fast rule though.
Generally speaking the V60 uses a slightly finer grind size than the Chemex, due to the faster water flow rate and lower brewing volume.
