When it comes to coffee brewing, drip brewing is one of the most effective methods for extracting the maximum flavor from your morning cup of coffee.
Many coffee enthusiasts prefer this method due to its control over taste and ease of use.
One of the most popular pour-over drippers on the market is the Hario V60.
The Hario V60 is a cone-shaped pour-over dripper designed to emphasize clarity and dialing in control (grind, pour rate, and brew time).
In this article, I will dive into more detail about the pros I mentioned above and discuss a few cons to consider before purchasing a Hario V60 for yourself.
You can have a quick look below for the pros and cons before getting into an in-depth look:
- Flavor (unique design)
- Variety of sizes and materials
- Affordable
- Durable
- Easy to clean
- Need extra equipment
- Learning curve
- Not ideal for larger groups
After reading this article, you will have the information you need to decide if this brewer is the right one for you!
Pros of a Hario V60
The Hario V60 is a popular drip brewer, and for good reason. There are numerous advantages to using this brewer.
Some of these pros include:
- More control over flavor thanks to the cone shape, fast-flow design, and paper filter
- Variety of sizes and materials to fit your needs
- Affordable to fit every budget
- Durable for prolonged lasting use
- Easy to clean and maintain
Pro 1. More flavor because of the unique design and filter
Arguably, one of the biggest pros of using the Hario V60 is the flavorful coffee it produces.
A big part of the V60's flavor profile comes from its cone shape + fast flow + paper filter setup.
The Hario V60 uses size-specific cone-shaped paper filters (01/02/03).
Paper filters help produce a cleaner cup by catching a significant amount of oils and fine sediment, which can bring out lighter, more delicate notes.
Thicker filters (such as Chemex-style paper) can further reduce body and slow drawdown, which alters the cup profile.
Pro 2. Variety of sizes and materials to fit your needs
The Hario V60 is available in three sizes (01, 02, and 03) and features several material options, including plastic/resin, glass, ceramic, stainless steel, and copper.
Due to this variety, you can be sure to find the perfect dripper for your family and aesthetic.
Sizes
The Hario V60 comes in the following three sizes:
- Hario V60 01. The 01 is the smallest of the three sizes. This dripper is ideal for brewing one or two cups of coffee and is specifically designed for direct cup pouring. This size is perfect for a single coffee drinker’s household.
- Hario V60 02. The next size up is the 02. This is the most popular size and is typically rated for about 1-4 cups (depending on your recipe and cup size).
- Hario V60 03. The 03 is the largest V60 available and holds up to six cups of coffee. This size is ideal for a family of coffee lovers.
Materials
In addition to the different sizes, the Hario V60 is also available in various material options.
Here are the available material options:
- Hario V60 Plastic Coffee Dripper
- Hario V60 Copper Dripper
- Hario V60 Ceramic Coffee Dripper
- Hario V60 Glass Coffee Dripper
- Hario V60 Metal/Stainless Steel Coffee Dripper
Pro 3. Affordable to fit every budget
Another big reason people love the V60 is that it's affordable (especially the plastic version).
The price of the Hario V60 dripper will depend on the size and material that you buy. Prices for the V60 range from under $10 to over $60.
If you’re looking for a budget-friendly V60 option, consider the smaller drippers.
Typically, the smaller dripper sizes, 01 and 02, cost less than the larger 03.
Additionally, if saving money on a dripper is a priority, you'll want to opt for a less expensive material.
You can purchase some of the plastic V60s for under $10, and the glass drippers come in at under $20.
However, if money isn't a major concern, the ceramic and metal drippers are roughly $30, and the copper dripper is often in the higher price tier.
Although these may seem expensive compared to glass and plastic options, their prices are very affordable compared to other drippers on the market.
With the variety of options the Hario V60 offers, you are sure to find a dripper that fits your budget.
Pro 4. Durable for prolonged lasting use
The V60 drippers are sturdy and durable when handled with proper care.
The plastic version of this dripper is made from hard plastic that won't break easily.
The plastic dripper is a perfect option if you are busy and need a reliable dripper for your morning coffee.
Although ceramic and glass are more likely to break than plastic, these drippers will last a long time if handled with care and stored properly.
Lastly, the copper and metal drippers could dent if dropped or mishandled, but they are a great option that will withstand the wear of everyday use.
By taking care of your V60, any of these material options will be a great addition to your home.
Pro 5. Easy to clean and maintain
A dirty coffee brewer is one of the easiest ways to negatively affect the taste of your coffee.
The oil from the coffee beans can easily cake around the grooves of a brewer, especially a dripper such as the Hario V60:
To ensure you always get the freshest coffee, it’s essential to keep your dripper clean.
After use cleaning
The simplest way to keep your Hario V60 dripper clean is to run it under hot water after every use.
Doing this will help remove any oil and leftover residue before it has the chance to build up on your dripper.
Taking a few seconds after every brew to give your dripper a quick rinse will go a long way in preserving the maximum flavor of your morning coffee.
Routine cleaning
Even if you clean after every use, you will still need to give your dripper a thorough clean on a routine basis.
I recommend thoroughly washing your V60 at least once a week, especially if you use it regularly.
There are a few different ways to clean your dripper:
- Soap and water. Mild dishwashing soap and warm water are an easy way to clean your dripper. You can easily clean the V60 with other dishes you are washing in the sink.
- Vinegar. A vinegar bath is an effective way to remove stubborn coffee stains from your brewer. Soaking the V60 in vinegar and rinsing it with warm water will ensure it is ready to use the next day.
- Baking soda. Using baking soda for incredibly stubborn stains is a great way to reach hard-to-reach places at the bottom of the brewer and will keep your dripper looking brand new.
- Dishwasher. Many V60 drippers are dishwasher safe, but it depends on the exact model/finish. Always check the product page or manual.
If you want to learn more about any of these techniques, you can read the step-by-step processes here.
Cons of a Hario V60
Though there are many pros to the Hario V60, all products come with a few cons.
There aren't many with this brewer, but there are a few that are worth mentioning:
- Need extra equipment
- Steep learning curve for brewing the perfect cup
- Not ideal for larger groups
Con 1. Need extra equipment
To use a V60, you'll need filters and a method for pouring hot water. A grinder, scale, and gooseneck kettle help produce more consistent results.
Before you can use it to brew your morning coffee, you will need to get a few other items.
First, you'll need V60 cone filters that match your dripper size (01/02/03).
You will also need a coffee grinder and a decanter if you plan to brew more than one cup at a time.
Specialty filters
As I mentioned earlier, what makes the Hario V60 special is its unique filter design.
These filters are shaped like no other dripper, and they are incredibly thin.
Have a look at a comparison between a Chemex filter and a Hario V60 filter:
These specialty filters enable a more flavorful coffee experience and are a signature feature of the Hario V60.
You will want to ensure that you get a filter, such as the Hario V60 Paper Coffee Filters, that matches the size of your dripper.
Coffee grinder
Because the grind of the coffee is so essential to its flavor, you will need a coffee grinder.
Coffee grinders enable you to take whole coffee beans and grind them to the exact size you prefer for your coffee.
Any grinder will work, but some models will offer greater precision in grinding than others.
Decanter
If you plan to make more than one cup of coffee, you will also want to buy a decanter.
The Hario V60 is a free-flowing dripper, which means there is no bottom to catch the coffee.
If you are making a cup for yourself in the morning, you can easily set the dripper on top of your cup and brew the perfect amount for one.
However, if you are making more than one cup, it is best to use a decanter to catch the brewed coffee before serving.
Con 2. Steep learning curve for brewing the perfect cup
Due to the unique shape of this dripper and the specific filter used, there is a slight learning curve involved in finding your perfect cup of coffee.
The Hario V60 is a free-flowing dripper.
If you look at the shape of this dripper, you'll notice that there is a big hole at the very bottom.
There is no restriction in the dripper slowing down the water flow rate through your coffee beans.
Grind size
Due to this free-flowing method, you'll want to be cautious about the grind size of your coffee beans.
The size of your grounds will be the main thing slowing down the water flow.
The finer your grind, the longer it will take for the water to flow through the grinder.
This lack of water restriction can be beneficial because it allows you to fine-tune your brew and have ultimate control over the taste of your coffee.
However, the V60 is less forgiving than some brewers; small changes in grind size and pour rate can noticeably change drawdown and flavor.
If you aren't used to adjusting grind sizes or are new to coffee drippers, you may have a more challenging time getting the cup of coffee you want.
Pour flow
In addition to grind size, pour flow is very important with this dripper.
Due to the free-flowing nature of the dripper, it is essential to control your pour rate and avoid pouring too fast or too slowly.
This is another detail that can get you the exact flavor that you want, but the skill of pouring at the perfect rate can be a hard one to master.
Con 3. Not ideal for larger groups
The last con of the Hario V60 is its small size.
Compared to other brewers, the V60 isn't able to serve as many people at one time.
Even the largest V60 size is best for smaller batches; for bigger groups, you may prefer a larger brewer or multiple back-to-back brews.
Conclusion
If you are looking for a coffee dripper to enhance the flavor of your morning coffee, the Hario V60 is the best option.
The variety of the V60 ensures that you can find one to fit your family and budget that will last for years to come.
However, if you are at the beginning of your coffee journey, you should expect a bit of a learning curve before achieving your perfect cup.
I hope you found these pros and cons helpful. Happy brewing!
