V60 vs Chemex vs Kalita: Which Pour Over Is Best for You?
You want to upgrade your coffee routine with a pour-over brewer, but the V60 vs Chemex vs Kalita debate has you stuck. Each brewer promises exceptional coffee, yet they all look different, cost different amounts, and according to the internet, produce wildly different results. The choice feels more complicated than it should be.
This guide breaks down the real differences between these three popular brewers. You’ll learn how each one affects taste, which techniques they demand, and most importantly, which brewer matches your skill level and coffee preferences. By the end, you’ll know exactly which pour-over deserves a spot on your counter.
1. Hario V60
The Hario V60 is the most popular pour-over brewer in specialty coffee shops worldwide, and for good reason. Its conical design and distinctive spiral ribs create a brewing method that rewards precision while punishing carelessness. You’ll find this brewer in ceramic, glass, plastic, and metal versions, but they all share the same fundamental design that’s remained largely unchanged since its introduction in 2005.
Design and filter mechanics
The V60’s 60-degree cone angle gives this brewer its name and defines how water flows through your coffee grounds. Unlike flat-bottom brewers, the conical shape creates a longer path for water to travel, which increases contact time and extraction potential. The spiral ribs along the interior wall create small air channels between the filter and the brewer, allowing air to escape and preventing the filter from collapsing against the sides.
Your choice of filter directly impacts the final cup. Paper V60 filters are thin and allow oils to pass through more readily than thick Chemex filters, which creates a brighter cup with more body. The single large hole at the bottom offers zero flow restriction, meaning your pour technique alone controls the brew time. This design feature makes the V60 incredibly versatile but also demanding.
Taste profile and acidity
The V60 produces bright, clean cups that highlight the origin characteristics of your coffee beans. You’ll taste more pronounced acidity and distinct flavor notes compared to what you’d get from a Kalita Wave. The thinner filter preserves coffee oils that would otherwise be absorbed by thicker paper, adding a subtle richness to the cup.
Lighter roasts truly shine with the V60 method. The high extraction potential brings out floral notes, fruit flavors, and complex acidity that might get buried with other brewing methods. Your coffee will have a crisp finish that makes it easy to distinguish between different single-origin beans.
The V60 gives you complete control over extraction, which means you can dial in exactly the flavor profile you want, but only if you master the technique.
Required brewing technique
Your pour technique matters more with the V60 than with any other method in the v60 vs chemex vs kalita comparison. The lack of flow restriction means you control the brew time entirely through how fast you pour and where you aim the water. Pour too fast and you’ll under-extract, creating weak, sour coffee. Pour too slowly or unevenly and you’ll over-extract, resulting in bitter, astringent flavors.
You need to master the spiral pour pattern, starting from the center and working your way outward in concentric circles. Keep your water temperature consistent at 195-205°F and maintain a steady pour rate throughout the bloom and main pour phases. Most experienced V60 users aim for a total brew time of 2:30 to 3:00 minutes for optimal extraction.
Grind size becomes critical because the V60 offers no built-in forgiveness. You’ll want a medium-fine grind that looks like table salt, but you may need to adjust based on your specific coffee and desired brew time. Expect to waste some coffee while you dial in your technique.
Who the V60 is best for
The V60 suits experienced home brewers who enjoy the process of making coffee and don’t mind investing time in technique refinement. You should choose this brewer if you want maximum control over your coffee’s flavor profile and you’re willing to practice your pouring skills. It’s the right pick for coffee enthusiasts who buy different single-origin beans regularly and want a brewing method that showcases subtle differences between them.
Skip the V60 if you want consistent results without much effort. This brewer also isn’t ideal if you’re making coffee first thing in the morning when you’re half-asleep. The skill requirement is real, and you’ll taste the difference between a good pour and a mediocre one every single time.
2. Kalita Wave
The Kalita Wave takes a completely different approach to pour-over coffee than the V60. Where the V60 rewards precision, the Kalita Wave prioritizes consistency through its unique flat-bottom design. This Japanese brewer originally gained popularity in specialty cafes because baristas could produce repeatable results even during busy morning rushes. You’ll find it in three sizes (155, 185, and the professional 155), with stainless steel and ceramic being the most common materials.
Flat-bottom design and wave filters
Your water flows through the Kalita Wave in a fundamentally different way than it does through a conical brewer. The flat bottom creates an even bed of coffee grounds, and the three small drainage holes restrict flow rate naturally. This design feature removes much of the human error factor that makes the V60 challenging, because your pour technique has less impact on the final result.
The signature wave filters give this brewer its name and its most distinctive characteristic. These accordion-style pleated filters create 20 ridges that minimize contact between the filter and the brewer walls. Air escapes freely during brewing, which prevents channeling and helps maintain a stable extraction. Paper wave filters are thicker than V60 filters but thinner than Chemex filters, which creates a balanced cup with moderate body and clarity.
Taste profile and consistency
Kalita Wave coffee sits comfortably between the bright acidity of the V60 and the ultra-clean profile of the Chemex. You’ll taste well-rounded flavors with good body and a pleasant sweetness that makes this method versatile for different coffee origins. The flat-bottom design extracts coffee more evenly than the V60’s cone, which reduces the risk of bitter or sour notes.
Consistency is where the Kalita Wave truly excels in the v60 vs chemex vs kalita comparison. Your morning coffee will taste remarkably similar to your afternoon coffee, even if your pour technique varies slightly between brews. This repeatable extraction comes from the controlled flow rate and even saturation of the coffee bed.
The Kalita Wave’s design does the heavy lifting for you, making it nearly impossible to mess up a brew once you’ve dialed in your grind size.
Ease of use and forgiveness
You can achieve excellent results with the Kalita Wave after just a few practice brews. Pour your water in steady circles or even in a single central pour, and you’ll still extract well thanks to the restricted flow and flat bed geometry. Brew time typically falls between 2:30 to 3:30 minutes, giving you a wider acceptable range than the V60 allows.
Grind size matters less with the Kalita Wave because the three-hole design regulates flow naturally. A medium grind works for most situations, and small deviations won’t ruin your cup like they would with the V60. Water temperature can also vary by a few degrees without drastically affecting extraction.
Who the Kalita Wave is best for
Choose the Kalita Wave if you want specialty coffee quality without mastering advanced pouring techniques. This brewer suits busy mornings when you need consistent coffee but can’t focus on precision. You should pick this option if you value reliability over the ability to manipulate every variable in your brew.
The Kalita Wave works particularly well if you’re new to pour-over methods but don’t want the thick, heavy body that a Chemex produces. It’s also the right choice for households where multiple people will be making coffee with different skill levels.
3. Chemex
The Chemex stands apart from other pour-over brewers through its iconic hourglass design and bonded paper filters. Dr. Peter Schlumbohm invented this glass brewer in 1941, and its design has remained unchanged because it simply works. You’ll recognize the wooden collar and leather tie immediately, though these serve as functional heat protection rather than mere decoration. The Chemex produces the cleanest cup in the v60 vs chemex vs kalita comparison, which appeals to coffee drinkers who want clarity above all else.
Bonded filters and glass design
Your Chemex uses proprietary bonded filters that are 20-30% thicker than standard coffee filters. These filters contain multiple layers of paper bonded together, which creates a barrier that absorbs coffee oils and fine particles that would otherwise end up in your cup. The result is coffee with exceptional clarity but less body than you’d get from a V60 or Kalita Wave.
The non-porous borosilicate glass construction doesn’t absorb odors or chemical residues, which means your Chemex will brew clean coffee for years without developing off-flavors. Glass also allows you to watch the entire brewing process, which helps you monitor your pour technique and adjust on the fly. The wide opening at the top gives you plenty of room to pour and stir if needed.
Taste profile and clarity
Chemex coffee tastes remarkably clean with a light body and bright finish. The thick filters strip out most coffee oils and sediment, which creates a cup that almost resembles tea in its delicate clarity. You’ll taste the subtle notes in your coffee beans without the muddiness that oils can sometimes create.
This brewing method works exceptionally well with light to medium roasts where you want to highlight floral or fruity notes. Darker roasts can taste thin or one-dimensional because the Chemex filters remove the oils that typically provide richness in espresso-roasted beans.
The Chemex sacrifices body for clarity, making it the perfect choice when you want to taste every nuance in a high-quality single-origin coffee.
Brewing technique and grind size
You need a coarser grind for the Chemex than you’d use with the V60 because the thick filters slow down flow rate naturally. Aim for a grind that resembles kosher salt, and expect a total brew time of 4 to 5 minutes for optimal extraction. This longer brew time comes from the filter thickness rather than your pour technique.
Pour your water in steady circular motions, keeping the water level below the top of the filter. The Chemex forgives uneven pouring better than the V60 does, but you still need to saturate all grounds evenly during the bloom phase. Most brewers use a 1:15 to 1:17 coffee-to-water ratio depending on strength preference.
Who the Chemex is best for
Choose the Chemex if you prefer delicate, tea-like coffee with minimal body and maximum clarity. This brewer suits you if you buy exceptional single-origin beans and want to taste every subtle flavor without interference from coffee oils. You should pick this option if you’re brewing for multiple people regularly, since Chemex models range from 3 cups to 10 cups.
Skip the Chemex if you enjoy rich, full-bodied coffee or if you primarily drink dark roasts. The filters and design work against creating the heavy mouthfeel that some coffee drinkers prefer.
Making the right choice
Your decision in the v60 vs chemex vs kalita debate comes down to your priorities and skill level. Pick the V60 if you want maximum control and enjoy the process of dialing in technique. Choose the Kalita Wave when you need consistent results without constant attention to pouring precision. Select the Chemex if you prefer clean, delicate coffee and regularly brew for multiple people.
Whichever brewer you choose, the quality of your beans matters more than your equipment. Premium beans make the difference between good coffee and exceptional coffee, regardless of method. Start your pour-over journey with coffee that deserves the attention these brewers provide. Explore our selection of 100% Kona Coffee to experience how proper beans transform your morning routine.