Whether you’re a barista or a coffee connoisseur, the Hario V60 may change the way you brew coffee.
This manual coffee brewer allows anyone to brew better-tasting coffee with no hassle.
You can use the Hario V60 with the pour-over or drip brewing method. It also fits over almost any carafe or mug.
The one issue is choosing the material. The Hario V60 comes in plastic, ceramic, and metal.
The metal Hario V60 dripper is made using stainless steel. It’s durable, but some people think it leaves a metallic taste in their coffee.
In this article, I’ll focus on the Hario V60 Plastic Vs Ceramic options.
I’ll compare the different models so you can choose your next manual coffee dripper.
But first, let’s take a quick look at what the Hario V60 is. It’s brew time!
Disclosure: Some of these links are affiliate links, and at no additional cost, I earn a commission if you buy which helps to maintain this website.
What Is the Hario V60?
Japanese Origins
V60 is a coffee dripper from Japanese company Hario. The company is based in Japan and has made heatproof glass products for over 100 years.
Hario has experimented with coffee drippers in the past. But the current version of the V60 was released in 2004.
The name of the coffee dripper comes from the 60-degree angle of the conical shape.
V60 Shape
This conical shape allows you to add a deeper layer of coffee grounds.
Spiral ridges inside the V60 dripper help the flow of water. The water quickly saturates the grounds and starts extracting more flavor.
Improving the flow of water allows you to pour at a speed to suit your preferences. Pour slowly for a fuller flavor or pour quickly for a subtler taste.
- Durable, ceramic body retains heat to help ensure a constant temperature throughout the brewing cycle.
- Cone shape helps to better accentuate coffees with floral or fruit flavor notes.
- Spiral ribs allows for maximum coffee expansion.
- Large single hole can change coffee taste according to the speed of water flow.
- Designed and manufactured in Japan
Prices pulled from the Amazon Product Advertising API on:
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on [relevant Amazon Site(s), as applicable] at the time of purchase will apply to the purchase of this product.
V60 Sizes
The plastic and ceramic brewers from Hario come in three sizes. You can brew up to two, four, or six cups.
The six-cup coffee dripper is great for those who drink lots of coffee or brew for many people.
If you only drink a cup or two each day, the smaller sizes are convenient and take up less space. They also cost a little less.
How Does the Hario V60 Work?
The brewing process is the same, no matter the size or material.
The V60 sits on top of a carafe, decanter, or large coffee mug. It has a wide base to fit almost any serving vessel.
You add a paper cone filter into the Hario V60. Then add coffee grounds to the filter while you heat water in a kettle.
After the water heats, start pouring it over the coffee grounds.
You can use the slow pour-over method for a heavy, robust cup of coffee.
You can also pour quickly and allow the coffee to drip for a lighter brew.
How to Compare the Hario V60 Ceramic vs Plastic Brewers
While the Hario V60 is easy to use, the quality of your coffee depends on a variety of other factors.
The total brew time, water temperature, and type of coffee all impact the final flavor.
The material is also important when choosing a new brewer.
Some materials are good at retaining heat, while others are more durable.
Here are the factors to consider when comparing a plastic to a ceramic pour-over coffee maker:
- Durability
- Heat retention
- Appearance
- Cost
Let’s take a look at each of these factors in detail.
Durability
Plastic
The plastic dripper is less prone to breakage but more prone to gradual wear and tear.
The Hario V60 plastic dripper is unlikely to break when dropped on the floor.
Plastic is a more resilient material. It can bend slightly without breaking.
If you have pets or children and worry about the dripper dropping, choose the plastic option.
It can bounce off the floor instead of shattering into hundreds of pieces.
With the plastic options, the acids from the coffee grounds may stain the plastic.
Along with stains, daily use can slowly wear the plastic. The plastic dripper may look less appealing after several months of frequent use.
The stains become harder to remove and scratches from daily cleaning may appear.
Ceramic
Yet, a ceramic coffee brewer provides greater resistance to daily wear.
The Hario V60 ceramic coffee dripper has a nonporous surface.
It doesn’t stain easily and any stains that appear are often easy to remove.
With careful use, ceramic holds up better compared to plastic.
Over time, you may notice a ring of stains around the hole where the coffee drips.
Soaking or scrubbing with vinegar or baking soda and hot water should remove most of the stains.
Heat Retention
Ceramic
Heat retention and resistance are the main differences between plastic and ceramic materials.
These factors influence the results of your brewing method.
Ceramic has more thermal mass, which means that it takes longer to become hot.
Ceramic heats slowly, which can also transfer more heat from the water to the dripper.
As ceramic holds more heat, it can also maintain a stable temperature longer.
You can preheat it to ensure that your brew reaches the optimal brewing temperature.
Ceramic is a more stable, reliable material when dealing with hot temperatures.
Plastic
Plastic has less thermal mass compared to ceramic, which means it holds less heat. Plastic heats quickly and cools quickly.
If you’re serious about brew temperatures and perfecting your coffee, go for ceramic.
For those who want to enjoy a cup of coffee but aren’t worried about the small details, plastic is still a great choice.
Appearance
Ceramic
The Hario ceramic coffee drippers are more visually appealing. This is especially true after a few months of use.
The ceramic coffee dripper is unlikely to have any stains or signs of wear if you clean it often.
Most people would agree that ceramic is a more attractive material. This is thanks to its shiny, non-porous surface.
It should look right at home on your kitchen counter. It’s also available in white or red to suit your tastes.
Plastic
- Cone shape helps to better accentuate coffees with floral or fruit flavor notes
- Spiral ribs allows for maximum coffee expansion
- Sturdy, lightweight pour-over coffeemaker, perfect for travel
- Large single hole can change coffee taste according to the speed of water flow
- Size 01: 1-2 cups, Size 02: 1-4 cups, Size 03: 1-6 cups
Prices pulled from the Amazon Product Advertising API on:
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on [relevant Amazon Site(s), as applicable] at the time of purchase will apply to the purchase of this product.
The plastic dripper may appear a little worn out after three or four months of daily brewing.
The Hario V60 plastic coffee brewer comes in translucent plastic, red, or white.
All three options resemble an inexpensive plastic pitcher. But they can still brew a great cup of coffee.
Cost
The Hario plastic coffee dripper is the less expensive option. It costs a fraction of the price of the ceramic coffee brewer.
But keep in mind that the price depends on the size.
The largest ceramic coffee dripper is about twice the price of the largest plastic dripper. And three times the price of the smallest.
Yet, both options are still affordable.
You are likely to spend more on a package of quality coffee beans compared to either of these drippers.
Hario V60 Plastic Vs Ceramic Coffee Dripper – What Else Do You Need?
No matter which option you choose, you will need a few other items to brew coffee:
- Filters
- Kettle
- Server (mug, carafe, or decanter)
Both options need paper coffee filters. Hario sells three sizes of cone-shaped coffee filters for each of the three sizes of drippers.
You also need a kettle to heat water and a serving vessel of some kind, such as a carafe or a large ceramic coffee mug.
Hario sells a glass range coffee server designed for use with the V60 coffee brewer.
The brewer fits on top of the server, which includes a handle for easy pouring.
If you use a mug or carafe, make sure that the interior measures between 2.5 and 4.25 inches.
The bottom of the dripper has a ring that fits in the mouth of the coffee cup or serving vessel that you choose.
A base plate extends to the sides and rests on top of the cup or serving vessel.
The bottom part that sits inside the cup measures 2.5 inches in diameter. The base plate has a diameter of about 4.25 inches.
If the interior of the mug is less than 2.5 inches, the dripper cannot fit over it.
If the interior is more than 4.25 inches, the dripper may fall inside.
Hario V60 Plastic Vs Ceramic – Conclusion
The Hario ceramic coffee dripper offers a few advantages over the plastic version.
It holds heat better, which allows you to preheat the dripper.
The increased heat resistance also keeps it from absorbing too much heat from the water.
It’s easier to maintain a stable temperature with ceramic.
Ceramic also has a higher melting point. This keeps the dripper from wearing out quickly due to frequent use.
Compared to plastic, ceramic is also less prone to staining. It holds up better when cleaned regularly.
Yet, plastic is less fragile. The Hario V60 ceramic dripper is likely to shatter if dropped on the floor.
Plastic also costs less. You can buy three Hario V60 plastic coffee drippers for the price of a ceramic one. Even if it wears quickly, plastic is affordable to replace.
So, which should you choose?
When it comes to the Hario V60 plastic versus ceramic debate, the answer depends on your preferences.
If you want more control over your brewing methods, go with the ceramic option. It holds temperatures better.
If you want the least expensive, most durable option, go with the Hario V60 plastic coffee dripper.
Have you tried either the Hario V60 plastic or ceramic models? Have another coffee dripper you want to recommend?
Let me know in the comments below. Stay caffeinated!
