Hario V60 Dripper: History, Features, Pros and Cons

 

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The Hario V60 is one of the most widely used drippers in Korea — and really, one of the most widely used drippers anywhere. It's popular enough that plenty of World Brewers Cup champions have relied on it too. This post covers the V60's history, design features, honest pros and cons, and how it differs across materials.

 

 

A Brief History of the Hario V60

Hario, a Japanese company, released the V60 dripper in 2005. The name comes from "Vector 60" — a reference to the dripper's signature 60-degree cone shape. It was originally developed in ceramic and glass, with plastic and metal versions following later. Today, the Hario V60 is used in more than 75 countries around the world.

Matt Perger won the World Brewers Cup in 2012 using a Hario V60, and it's remained a favorite among champions ever since — Stefanos Domatiotis in 2014, Odd-Steinar Tollefsen in 2015, Tetsu Kasuya in 2016, Chad Wang in 2017, and Matt Winton in 2021 all took the title brewing on a V60. That kind of track record says a lot about how well this dripper actually extracts.

 

 

What Makes the V60 Distinctive

As the name suggests, the V60's defining feature is its cone shape. Spiral ribs line the inside of the dripper, creating space between the filter and the walls to keep extraction flowing smoothly. Its large single opening at the bottom also lets water pass through quickly.

The V60 comes in glass, ceramic, stainless steel, and plastic, and in a couple of sizes — the 01 (for 1–2 cups) and the 02 (for 1–4 cups) — so you can pick whatever fits your preferences and brewing needs.

 

 

Pros and Cons

The large opening gives you fine control over flavor, while the spiral ribs maximize contact between the grounds and water. Together, these features let the V60 draw out complex, nuanced flavor.

On the downside, plastic versions can discolor or show wear over time. The large opening also means it takes a certain level of skill and experience to control your extraction speed well. Prices vary quite a bit by material too, with the premium options running noticeably higher.

Even so, the V60's flexibility and its ability to express such a wide range of flavor profiles have made it a favorite worldwide. It's especially well-suited for anyone chasing the bright acidity and layered flavor of a light roast.

 

 

How the Different Materials Compare

As mentioned, the V60 comes in a range of materials, each with its own trade-offs.

Ceramic V60 — Excellent heat retention and a genuinely attractive look, with the added benefit of minimal chemical leaching. The downsides: it takes longer to preheat, and it's relatively expensive, fragile, and heavy.

Metal V60 — Great heat retention, the most durable of the bunch, and easy to travel with. Like ceramic, it takes a while to preheat and tends to cost more.

Plastic V60 — Affordable and quick to preheat. It's also lightweight, portable, and won't crack or dent. The trade-off is that it holds heat the least well of the four and isn't quite as sturdy as metal. (Heat retention isn't a huge issue if you're only brewing one or two cups at home.)

Glass V60 — Strong heat retention and easy to clean, though it's the most fragile of the bunch and can break easily.

If you're just starting out with pour over, the plastic V60 is a solid choice — it's the most affordable option, and its quick preheat time makes it convenient for brewing a cup or two. That said, its weaker heat retention might give you pause if you're brewing larger volumes in a commercial setting.

 

 

That covers the Hario V60's history, design, pros and cons, and how it compares across materials. With so many recipes shared online, why not give the Hario V60 a try for your own pour-over setup?