Every once in a while, a great debate surfaces in the coffee world. It has people taking sides, drawing lines in the sand, and brewing some seriously delicious coffee. We’re talking, of course, about the battle of the brew methods: AeroPress vs V60.
Both of these brewing methods have their dedicated following for coffee lovers, but which one makes the best cup of coffee? Today I’m going to show you the ins and outs of each method, so you can decide for yourself which one is the best.
A Quick Overview of The AeroPress
The AeroPress is a brewing device that was invented by Alan Adler in 2005. It has a different design than most manual coffee makers, making it a unique and popular option for coffee enthusiasts.
It uses a plunger to force coffee through a thin paper filter, which results in a mellow brew that is rich in flavor. And the best part is that it’s made out of BPA-free plastic, so you can be sure that your coffee maker won’t break over time.
If you are a beginner, the AeroPress is a great coffee maker to start with because it’s easy to use and clean. Plus, it’s lightweight and portable, so you can take it with you wherever you go.
The main parts that make up the AeroPress are:
- The Chamber: This is where you put your ground coffee and water. It’s also where you will squeeze the plunger, which pushes the coffee through the filter and into your mug.
- The Plunger: This is what you use to press the mixture of coffee and water through the filter. One thing to add here is that the plunger has a rubber seal on the bottom that helps will the whole process.
- The Filter Cap: This is what goes at the bottom of the chamber and holds the filter in place. The filter is what separates the coffee grounds from the brewed coffee.
- The Funnel: This is optional, but it helps to pour the water evenly into the chamber.
- Stirring Paddle: This is another optional accessory, but it’s really helpful when stirring your coffee grounds before you plunge.
- Spoon: You’ll need this to scoop the coffee grounds into the chamber.
Before we start with the comparison let’s quickly check the pros and cons of AeroPress:
Pros and Cons of AeroPress
Pros:
- Quick Brewing Time
- Easy to Clean
- Lightweight
- Best Choice for Camping
- Affordable
- Mellow Taste
- Best for Beginners
Cons:
- Can only make one cup
- The Coffee can get cold faster
- Harder to get an espresso-like crema
What Exactly is The V60?
We all hear about pour-over all the time, but what actually is it? Pour-over coffee makers have been around for over 100 years, and the V60 is one of the most popular models.
The company that makes them (Hario Co.) was founded in Japan in 1921. Now they’re one of the leading brands when it comes to pour-over coffee makers, with their V60 being their top seller.
The V60 is a V-shaped conical dripper that can help you control the flow of the water and coffee, which results in a consistently delicious cup.
They have different models of the V60 that are made from different kinds of materials, but they all use the same process and filters to brew the coffee.
The most common materials that they use are glass, ceramic, and plastic. The one that you choose is really a matter of personal preference, but the ceramic is the fan favorite because it retains heat the best.
Pros And Cons of V60
Pros:
- Intense Flavor
- Comes in Many Materials
- Retains Heat Longer
- Easier to Clean Than AeroPress
Cons:
- Best for Experienced Coffee Lovers
- Requires More Money in the Long Run (for quality coffee beans, scale, gooseneck kettle)
- More Effort to Achieve A Consistent Brew
Get this free cheat sheet to step up your coffee game and learn about the different grind sizes!
Differences Between The AeroPress and The V60
If you’ve been following closely, then you’re probably not surprised to see that the AeroPress and V60 both have their own set of pros and cons. And that’s because they’re two completely different ways of brewing coffee.
So, what exactly are the differences between them? Let’s take a closer look:
1. Grind Size
The grind size will always be the most important factor when brewing coffee, no matter what method you’re using. Unfortunately, many people get it wrong, which is why their coffee doesn’t taste as good as it could.
AeroPress and V60 both require a medium-fine grind. While most pour-over methods need a medium-coarse grind, the V60 can handle a slightly finer one.
You can definitely get away with a more coarse or fine grind with either of these methods, but it’s going to result in a less than ideal cup of coffee. So, it’s always best to start with a medium-fine grind and adjust from there.
TIP: The quality of your grinder is very important, as a coarse or fine grind will result in too much or not enough extraction. And it’s hard to get it right by eye. So, the best option here is to use a manual grinder to control it.
Read Also: AeroPress Grind Size
2. Taste
If you’re here for the taste, then you’ll find that the AeroPress tends to be less intense than the V60. It’s a bit more mellow, with less acidity.
Since the brewing time for the V60 is longer, the coffee grounds spend more time in contact with the water, which extracts more of the acidity. This gives you a more intense flavor, but it’s not to everyone’s taste.
Also with the V60, you will need to use more expensive and better quality coffee beans to pull out the best flavor. So, if you’re looking for a good cup of coffee without breaking the bank, then AeroPress is the better option here.
You can use any type of bean with AeroPress (even cheaper ones), and still, get a great cup of coffee. So, it’s more versatile in that sense.
3. Water Temperature
When you brew coffee using the V60, you need to make sure that the water temperature is between 195-205 degrees Fahrenheit. This is the ideal temperature for all pour-over methods.
With AeroPress, you have a bit more flexibility in terms of temperature. The recommended water temperature is between 175-185 degrees Fahrenheit, but you can go as high as 195 if you want.
The official AeroPress manual calls for a water temperature of 175 degrees Fahrenheit, which is a bit low. And according to some people, you can get the best results when it’s closer to 185.
From my experience 175 is still a good starting point, but you will need to be quick when brewing otherwise the coffee will be colder than you want.
4. Brewing Time
If you just want a quick cup of coffee before going to work or to study, then AeroPress is definitely the better option here.
The brewing time of AeroPress is around 1-2 minutes, which is probably the fastest method out there.
With the Hario V60, you are looking at around 3-4 minutes, which is still pretty quick. But it’s not as fast as AeroPress. This happens because, with the V60, you need to pour the water slowly to get the best flavor.
Also, don’t forget about coffee blooming. This is when you pour a small amount of water over the coffee grounds to wet them before brewing. It helps to release the CO2, which leads to better extraction. So, you’ll need an extra 30 seconds or so for this step in your brewing time.
5. Cleaning
The obvious winner here is the V60 simply because there is only one part that needs to be cleaned, which is the dripper itself. With AeroPress, there are more parts, and the rubber seal needs to be cleaned thoroughly.
The one thing I don’t like about the V60 is that the coffee grounds tend to get stuck in the ridges of the cone. So, you need to be careful when cleaning that area.
But overall, the V60 does win this round because you can throw it in the dishwasher or just rinse it with water and white vinegar.
TIP: You can reuse the coffee filters of both AeroPress and V60, which helps to save some money in the long run. Just make sure to clean them with water and then use a paper towel to dry them.
6. Cost
The AeroPress will cost you around $30, which is quite affordable. But you will also need some filters to brew with it, and they are not expensive either. When you first buy an AeroPress, it comes with 350 filters.
But after that, you’ll need to buy more, and a package of 350 filters costs around $7.95, which is a very good price. The same thing applies to the replacement parts of the AeroPress as well.
The V60 can vary in price depending on the material. But you’re looking at around $25 for a ceramic dripper and $10 for a plastic one. The filters are also quite affordable, and a package of 100 costs around $8.
7. Quantity
When it comes to quantity the AeroPress can only brew one cup of coffee at a time. So, if you like brewing coffee for all your family or just want to drink more than one cup, then the V60 is the better option.
With the V60, you can brew around 2-3 cups of coffee, which is perfect if you have guests over or just want to enjoy a few cups throughout the day.
The carafe that you have will also determine how much coffee you can make at once, but most of them can hold around 2-3 cups.
Important: There are three V60 sizes on the market. The first size is the “01” which is suitable for 1-2 cups, the second “02”, for 3-4 cups, and the “03” for 6 cups or more.
8. Ease of Use
As I mentioned before, AeroPress is best for beginners as it’s very easy to use. You just add the coffee, water, and filter, then just press the plunger down. It can’t get any simpler than that.
With the V60, you need to be a bit more careful when pouring the water as it’s important that the water slowly absorbs through all of the coffee grounds.
You should also use a timer when pouring so you can control how long the water is in contact with the coffee. This will take a bit of practice to get right, but once you do, you’ll be able to make great-tasting coffee every time.
So, overall the AeroPress is easier to use.
Which One is Best For You?
“AeroPress is like a training wheel for coffee brewing. It’s a great way to get started, but eventually, you’ll want to graduate to a more sophisticated method.”
This is not far from the truth. The AeroPress is very easy to use, and it makes a great cup of coffee. But if you’re serious about making the best coffee possible, you’ll need to upgrade to a more sophisticated brewing method like the V60.
If you are a complete beginner and are just starting to get into coffee brewing, the AeroPress is a great option. You can make delicious coffee even with the most basic equipment and without any previous experience.
But if you want to unlock the full potential of your beans and improve as a coffee brewer, the V60 is the way to go. It’s a more challenging method that requires more precision and care, but it’s worth it!
Which One is Best For Specialty Coffee?
If you want to use specialty coffee, then you have to prepare it in a way that brings out its best features. And to do that you need all the special equipment you can get.
These include:
- High-Quality Grinder
- A scale
- A kettle with temperature control
- A thermometer
- Filtered Water
- And of course, your specialty coffee beans
The most important factor when it comes to specialty coffee is to release all the flavors and aromas of the beans. The way to do this is by using a brewing method that can help you bloom your coffee beans and extract all their flavor.
The V60 is definitely going to help you achieve this more effectively than the AeroPress. The V60 is designed to extract maximum flavor from your beans, and it’s perfect for brewing specialty coffee. It’s also the preferred brewing method of many professional baristas.
So, if you’re looking for the best way to make specialty coffee, the V60 is the one, because it’s easier to bloom the grounds, control the extraction timing and temperature, and achieve a balanced cup.
The Verdict
In the end, it all comes down to what you’re looking for in a coffee brew. If you’re a beginner, then AeroPress is a great way to get started.
But if you’re looking for more control, finesse, and delicious flavor, then the V60 is the way to go. There are other factors that come into play, of course, like the type of beans and water you use.
But as far as brewing methods go, the experience you have as a home barista will determine the best one for you. Also, don’t forget to get our free grind size cheat sheet to help you get the perfect grind for your coffee brewing method!
Evelina
Evelina’s passion for coffee could never been hidden. Having worked as a barista, she learned the true value of the coffee bean and its secrets. As she continued to evolve as a barista, so did her knowledge, techniques on making different coffee blends and most importantly how to operate every kind of gear when it comes to coffee. Having a degree in biomedicine and being a barista, allows her to provide our community with in-depth knowledge surrounding the topics of coffee.
Get this free cheat sheet to step up your coffee game and learn about the different grind sizes!
