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Pour-Over

V60 vs Chemex: Which Pour-Over Brewer Should You Buy?

July 14, 2026

The Hario V60 and the Chemex are the two brewers we get asked about most. Both are great choices, and both work with everything in our pour-over guide. They just produce different cups and suit different habits.

The short version

  • V60: faster drawdown, more control, more body, more room for error.
  • Chemex: slower, more forgiving, very clean and light cup, looks lovely on the counter.

Filters make the biggest difference

The Chemex uses thick bonded paper filters, about 20 to 30 percent heavier than most. They trap more oils and very fine particles. The result is a bright, tea-like cup with very little sediment.

The V60 uses thin paper filters and has spiral ridges on the inside that let air escape and water drain quickly. More oils pass through, so the cup has more body and texture.

Grind and flow

Because the Chemex filter slows the water so much, you usually need a coarser grind than for a V60. Use the same setting on both and the Chemex may stall for six minutes. Our article on pour-over grind size explains how to use drawdown time to find your setting on either brewer.

The V60’s single large hole means flow depends heavily on how you pour. That gives you more control, but it also means small changes in technique show up in the cup.

Batch size

The Chemex comes in sizes that comfortably make four to ten cups, which is handy if you are brewing for a household. The V60 is mainly a one or two cup brewer, though larger sizes exist.

For larger brews, keep a close eye on your pour-over ratio and expect a longer total brew time.

Ease of use

The Chemex is more forgiving. Its thick filter evens out minor pouring mistakes. The V60 rewards practice, and many people find that is part of the fun.

Cleaning is simple for both, though the Chemex’s narrow neck can be awkward to scrub by hand.

Which should you buy?

  • Choose the Chemex if you like a very clean cup, brew for several people, or want something easy to repeat.
  • Choose the V60 if you mostly brew for yourself, want to experiment, and like a bit more body.

Honestly, plenty of people end up owning both.

Getting started with either

Whichever you pick, start with a simple recipe, weigh everything and keep notes. The brewer matters less than doing the same thing twice and adjusting one variable at a time.

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