V60: conical filter, fast flow, clear bright cup, lots of control. Chemex: thick filter, clean cup, less body. Kalita Wave: flat-bottom, consistent, forgiving — ideal for beginners.

What is the difference between V60, Chemex, and Kalita Wave?

V60: conical filter, fast flow, clear bright cup, lots of control. Chemex: thick filter, clean cup, less body. Kalita Wave: flat-bottom, consistent, forgiving — ideal for beginners.

Why that is

All three are pour-over brewers — hot water flows through coffee grounds in a paper filter. But the differences in shape, filter paper, and drainage lead to significantly different cup profiles.

Hario V60 — the classic for control. A conical shape with spiral ridges on the inner wall and a single large drainage hole. The thin paper filter allows some coffee oils to pass through. The water flows quickly — the brew time is controlled mainly via the grind size and pouring technique. The V60 rewards precision: Small changes in pouring speed or pattern noticeably alter the flavor. This makes it the first choice for professionals and experimenters, but it can frustrate beginners. The result: a clear, vibrant cup with good fruitiness and medium body.

Chemex — the aesthete for clarity. An elegant glass carafe with an integrated filter holder. The Chemex filter is significantly thicker than V60 filters — almost twice as thick. It slows down the water flow and holds back more coffee oils and fine particles. The result: an exceptionally clean, clear cup with great clarity, but less body and mouthfeel than a V60. Light, fruity coffees shine in the Chemex. However, the thick filters also remove some of the sweetness — which some perceive as “too clean.” Brew time: 4–5 minutes.

Kalita Wave — the beginner-friendly brewer. A flat-bottom design with a scalloped filter and three small drainage holes. The flat base ensures that the water penetrates the coffee bed more evenly than in the conical V60. The three holes slow the flow, making the brew time less dependent on the pouring technique. The result: a consistent, balanced cup with good body. Less control than the V60, but also less prone to errors. Ideal for anyone who wants consistently good coffee without having to pour perfectly every time.

Summary:

	V60	Chemex	Kalita Wave
Cup profile	Clear, fruity	Very clean, light	Balanced, full-bodied
Forgiveness	Low	Medium	High
Control	Maximum	Medium	Moderate
Brew time	2:30–3:30 min	4–5 min	3–4 min
Ideal for	Pros, experimenters	Clarity lovers	Beginners, everyday

In practice at Green Wall Coffee

At Sophienstraße 27, we use the V60 — we like the control and the ability to tailor each cup to the bean. For guests who want to start brewing at home, I recommend the Kalita Wave: more consistent results with less practice. If you fall in love with pour-over and want more control, you can always switch to the V60 later.

Related questions

• How to brew Hario V60 correctly?
• What distinguishes pour-over from a regular drip coffee maker?
• How long should a pour-over coffee take?

You can find more depth on this topic in the article V60 Pour-Over Guide. Or come visit us at Sophienstraße 27 — Mon–Fri 8am–5pm, Sat 10am–5pm.