There are many ways to make coffee. Each one affects the taste, aroma, and richness of the resulting brew. In this article, we review Chemex vs auto drip coffee makers.

Never before have coffee drinkers had so many choices in the type of machine they use for brewing. It is impossible for people who love coffee to agree on a single type of coffee maker. If you are a coffee lover like me, then you are open to the range of devices on the market.
Chemex is one such machine, and it is often compared to the standard auto drip coffee maker that are found in most homes and offices around the world. If you are thinking of buying a new coffee maker, then you should know something about each of your options.
In this article, we will compare and contrast Chemex and auto drip coffee makers. Doing so will help you make a more informed purchasing decision.
What is a Chemex Coffee Maker?
Chemex is a manual pour-over style glass coffeemaker. It consists of an hourglass-shaped flask with a conical funnel-like neck, and special filters that are made of bonded paper, which are much thicker than the filters used in a conventional drip coffeemaker.
The Chemex was invented in 1941 by German chemist Peter J. Schlumbohm. The air of the chemist’s lab is quite obvious in the composition and shape of the coffeemaker. Dr. Schlumbohm put together his creation by fusing a glass funnel and an Erlenmeyer flask.
What is an Auto Drip Coffee Maker?

An auto drip coffee maker is a brewing device that uses the filter-drip method to make coffee. You place the water into the machine, heat it, and then drain it into a bed of roasted or ground coffee.
The water goes through the coffee grounds, soaking up their flavor. The coffee beans then pass through a paper filter into a coffee pot.
This dripping of the coffee into the pot produces an aroma that is well known to coffee lovers. There is nothing like the fragrance of a fresh batch of your favorite coffee beans.
An auto drip machine allows this scent to permeate through whatever space it happens to be in. For some people, it is the only thing that can get them going in the morning.
What Chemex and Auto Drip Have in Common
Chemex and auto drip coffee makers have almost nothing in common. Indeed, I can go so far as to say that the only thing that unites them is purpose: they are both designed to brew the coffee of your choice.
Chemex and Auto Drip: The Differences
Chemex and auto drip machines are distinguished by their differences. Here are a few of them:
Chemex |
Auto Drip |
Pour-over |
Electric |
Boiled in a kettle |
Pressurized by machine |
Uses thick specially-made filters |
Takes any filter |
Produces a deep and concentrated brew |
Delivers mild and aromatic coffee |
Requires the coffee-maker to be involved in the brewing process |
The coffee-maker can turn the machine on and forget it |
What’s Better About Chemex?
One of the great benefits of the Chemex is that you get to pour the water over the coffee beans by hand. This gives you greater control over how it is distributed, which means you can ensure an even pour that soaks up all the grounds.
The thicker filters of the Chemex are also an advantage. They eliminate fats and oils, giving you a cleaner and more flavorful cup of coffee.
What’s Better About Auto Drip
The most advantageous feature of an auto drip machine is its ease of use. All you need to do is pour water into the chamber, put your grounds into the filter-basket, turn the machine on, and you will be able to pour yourself a delicious cup of coffee in less than 10 minutes.
An auto drip machine pressurizes the water in the chamber, which forces it through the filter basket fast. This creates a quick-brewed taste that can have the punch of espresso if you use enough beans.
Who Should Get a Chemex and Why?

The Chemex is for anyone who has a highly developed palate for coffee, and who can tell a good brew from a mediocre or bad one. The ease with which Chemex coffee makers can be maintained and cleaned is useful for individuals with a busy schedule.
Who Should Get an Auto Drip and Why?
An auto drip coffee maker is for people who are busy and constantly on the move. Whether you are looking to buy a machine for your home or your office, or for an office that is in your home, you should be realistic about the time you will have to brew your beans.
Buying an auto drip coffee maker need not mean a sacrifice in quality. The more high-end machines provide a rich and tasty brew. It is up to you to find one that meets this standard.
Chemex Comparisons
Chemex Ottomatic Vs Ratio Eight