In modern specialty coffee, the V60 is the king of pour-over. But Chemex is also thriving – and for good reasons. The difference between them is not marketing, but very concrete.
The Filter – The Fundamental Difference
The V60 uses a thin filter (~0.3mm). Chemex uses a filter 2-3 times thicker. This changes everything.
The thick Chemex filter retains more oils and fine particles. Result: cleaner profile, lighter body, higher acidity. Floral-citrus coffees (Washed Ethiopia, Kenya, Tanzania) come out crystal clear with Chemex.
The thin V60 filter leaves more texture in the cup. Result: fuller body, more pronounced sweetness, a "bolder" profile. Coffees with a classic sweet profile (Brazil, Honduras, Peru) find their ideal expression in the V60.
Quantity – Practical Choice
V60 #02 comfortably makes 1-2 cups (15-25g coffee, 250-400ml water). If you try to make 4 cups with a V60, disaster strikes – the drip becomes slow, extraction uneven.
The 6-cup Chemex is designed for 2-4 cups (30-50g coffee, 500-800ml water). The 8-cup Chemex reaches 5-6 cups. For serving more people, Chemex is vastly superior.
Classic Recipes
V60 – 1 cup: 15g finely-medium ground coffee, 250g water at 92°C, 30g/30s bloom, total 3:00 min.
Chemex – 2 cups: 30g coarse ground coffee, 500g water at 93°C, 60g/30s bloom, total 4:30 min.
Use our calculator for personalized recipes per origin.
When to Use One vs. The Other
- V60 – when making a single cup, when you want a fuller body, when you have sweet-rounded coffees.
- Chemex – when making for 2+ people, when you want crystalline clarity, when you have bright-citrus coffees (Ethiopia, Kenya, Tanzania).
The ideal: have both. Things in real life are not either/or, they are both.
Things That Don't Matter (Though Marketing Says They Do)
V60 Material: Ceramic vs. glass vs. plastic. Ceramic retains heat best, but the difference is marginal. Plastic is the fastest to heat up and indestructible. Choose what makes you happy.
White vs. Natural Chemex Filter: The white one is rinsed more easily of the paper taste. The natural one looks good on your Pinterest board. Functionally, identical.
In Conclusion
V60 and Chemex are different tools for different moments. It's not "which is better." It's "which is more suitable now." A good grinder, good water, fresh coffee – contribute more than the choice between the two.
See the Home Barista course for detailed recipes for both methods.