Hario V60 Review: The Pour Over Dripper Cafés Rely On

Hario V60 Review: Key Specs

Details come from the Amazon listings for the V60 starter set and drippers.

Feature	Hario V60 Starter Set (size 02)
Included	V60 02 plastic dripper, V60 02 glass server, measuring scoop, 40 paper filters
Capacity	Size 02 makes 1 to 4 cups; server holds 700 ml
Design	60 degree cone, spiral ridges, single large hole
Server	Heatproof glass with BPA-free handle and lid
Made in	Japan
Price	Around $22

How the V60 Works

The V60 is a cone shaped dripper with a 60 degree angle. Spiral ridges on the inside let air escape as water flows, so the paper filter does not stick to the walls. The single large hole at the bottom means the dripper itself barely slows the water; instead, your grind size and pour speed control the brew. Hario notes you can pour quickly for a lighter flavor or more slowly for a richer, deeper cup.

That freedom is the V60's defining feature. It lets experienced brewers fine tune each cup, but it also means inconsistent pouring leads to inconsistent coffee.

What We Like

Clean, Sweet, Vibrant Coffee

The V60 produces a clean cup with clear flavors and pleasant sweetness. Light roasts taste fruity and floral, and medium roasts show caramel and chocolate notes without heaviness.

Excellent Control

Because flow depends on your technique, you can adjust extraction precisely. That makes the V60 a favorite for learning how grind, temperature and pour speed shape flavor.

Affordable Starter Set

The starter set includes everything you need except coffee and water: dripper, glass server, scoop and filters. It is one of the cheapest ways to get into specialty pour over.

Many Materials and Sizes

V60 drippers come in plastic, ceramic, glass and metal, and in sizes 01, 02 and 03 for one to six cups. You can upgrade later without changing your filters if you stay with the same size.

Limitations to Know

Technique Matters

The V60 is less forgiving than flat bottom drippers or automatic pour over brewers. Pouring too fast, too slow or unevenly changes the brew time and taste. A gooseneck kettle and a scale with a timer help a lot.

Grind Sensitivity

A burr grinder is almost essential. Uneven grounds from a blade grinder create fines that clog the filter and coarse pieces that under extract.

Small Batches

The size 02 is best for one or two mugs. For larger batches, a size 03 or a Chemex is more practical.

Which V60 Should You Buy?

Starter Set

The best choice for beginners. You get the plastic dripper, a 700 milliliter glass server and filters, ready to brew.

Plastic Dripper

The standalone plastic V60 is lightweight, sturdy and perfect for travel. Plastic also holds heat well because it does not absorb much warmth from the water, so many baristas use it for consistent results.

Ceramic Dripper

The ceramic V60 is made from Arita-yaki Japanese porcelain. It looks beautiful and retains heat once preheated, but it costs more and can chip. Preheat it well with hot water before brewing.

V60 Filters

V60 drippers use cone filters matched to their size. Hario sells natural (unbleached) and white versions. White filters generally taste cleaner; natural filters should be rinsed thoroughly before brewing. A 200 count pack lasts months of daily brewing and costs little.

How to Brew With a V60

1. Heat water to about 200°F (195 to 205°F depending on roast).
2. Weigh and grind 15 grams of coffee medium fine for 250 grams of water.
3. Fold and place the filter along its seam, set it in the dripper, rinse with hot water and discard the rinse water.
4. Add coffee, level the bed and tare your scale.
5. Bloom with 30 grams of water for 30 to 45 seconds.
6. Pour slowly in small circles from the center out, avoiding the filter walls, to 150 grams.
7. Finish pouring to 250 grams once the level drops slightly.
8. Swirl gently to flatten the bed and let it drain. Aim for 2:30 to 3:00 total.

If the brew runs fast and tastes sour, grind finer. If it runs slow and tastes bitter, grind coarser. Our full guide explains how to make pour over coffee, including recipes for other drippers.

Who Should Buy the V60

The V60 suits coffee lovers who brew one or two cups at a time, enjoy refining their technique and want a clean, vibrant cup. It is also a great travel brewer in plastic form.

Skip it if you want a set-and-forget method or brew for a crowd. For a more forgiving option, see our guide to the best pour over dripper, and for larger batches compare it with the Chemex in our Chemex vs Hario V60 guide.

Essential Accessories

A gooseneck kettle gives the slow, controlled pour the V60 needs; see the best gooseneck kettle. A scale with a timer helps you repeat recipes, and a burr grinder ensures an even medium fine grind. Filtered water improves taste and protects your kettle from scale.

Care and Cleaning

Discard the filter and grounds, then rinse the dripper and server with hot water. Wash with warm soapy water regularly to remove oils. Plastic and glass parts are easy to clean by hand; check Hario's guidance before using a dishwasher. For ceramic drippers, avoid knocks against hard sinks.

Browse more brewers in our French press and pour over section.

Common V60 Mistakes

• Pouring too fast in the center channels water straight through the middle of the bed and under extracts the edges.
• Pouring onto the filter walls lets water bypass the coffee and weakens the cup.
• Skipping the bloom leaves trapped gas that pushes water away from the grounds.
• Using a blade grinder creates fines that clog the filter and slow drainage.
• Not preheating a ceramic dripper cools the brew and dulls flavor.

V60 Iced Coffee

The V60 makes excellent Japanese style iced coffee. Put about 100 grams of ice in the server, then brew 15 grams of coffee with 150 grams of hot water, grinding a little finer than usual. The hot coffee drips onto the ice and chills instantly, preserving bright aromas. Swirl until the ice melts, then pour over fresh ice. Fruity light roasts from Ethiopia and Kenya are especially refreshing this way, tasting almost like iced tea.

Brewing Larger Batches

The size 02 server holds up to 700 milliliters, so you can brew two mugs with about 30 grams of coffee and 480 grams of water. Grind slightly coarser for the deeper coffee bed, bloom with 60 grams of water, and pour in three or four stages. Expect a total time of around 3:30. For regular batches of three or more cups, a size 03 dripper or a Chemex is more comfortable. If you want a carafe style brewer that handles bigger batches more easily, compare options in our guide to the best pour over coffee maker.

Coffee That Shines in a V60

The V60 highlights clarity and sweetness, which makes it ideal for washed light and medium roasts from Ethiopia, Kenya, Colombia and Central America. Use beans roasted within the past few weeks and grind just before brewing. Filtered water at about 200°F suits most coffees; drop to around 195°F for darker roasts to keep bitterness in check.

V60 vs Other Drippers

Compared with flat bottom drippers like the Kalita Wave, the V60 is less forgiving but offers more control and often a brighter, more layered cup. Compared with the Melitta cone, which has small holes that slow the drip, the V60 drains faster and depends more on technique. Compared with auto-drip pour over brewers such as the OXO single serve, the V60 needs more attention but rewards it with more flavor control. If you want a ready-to-serve carafe for several people, the Chemex is the classic choice.

Is the V60 Worth It?

For anyone curious about specialty coffee, the V60 is one of the best values available. The starter set costs about as much as a few café drinks, includes everything you need, and lasts for years. It teaches you how grind, water temperature and pour speed shape flavor, skills that carry over to every other brewing method. If you outgrow the plastic dripper, you can upgrade to ceramic or glass without changing your routine.

How We Evaluated It

This review is based on research rather than in-person trials. We studied the Amazon listings for the V60 starter set, plastic and ceramic drippers and filters, compared the V60 with other drippers, and considered how widely it is bought and how owners describe daily use.

FAQs

How long does a V60 brew take?

About 2:30 to 3:00 for a single cup of 15 grams of coffee and 250 grams of water. Larger batches take a little longer.

Do I need to rinse the V60 filter?

Yes. Rinsing removes paper taste and preheats the dripper and server, which keeps the brew temperature steady.

Is the Hario V60 good for beginners?

Yes, especially the starter set, though it takes a few brews to learn steady pouring. A scale and gooseneck kettle make it easier.

Plastic or ceramic V60: which is better?

Both brew excellent coffee. Plastic is cheaper, lighter and holds heat well; ceramic looks nicer and retains heat when preheated.

What size V60 should I buy?

Size 02 suits most people, brewing one to four cups. Size 01 is for single cups and size 03 for larger batches.

What grind size works best?

Medium fine, similar to table salt. Adjust based on brew time and taste.

Can I use other cone filters in a V60?

V60 filters are designed for the 60 degree cone and give the best fit and flow. Other cone filters may not seat properly.

Final Verdict

Our Hario V60 review verdict: the V60 is an affordable, versatile dripper that rewards good technique with clean, sweet, vibrant coffee. Start with the starter set, add a gooseneck kettle and a burr grinder, and practice a steady pour. If you enjoy manual brewing, the Hario V60 review ends with a strong recommendation.