When you’re choosing between Chemex vs Bodum pour over, it comes down to whether you prefer decent coffee from affordable coffee maker, or from expensive one.
Over the last few years, the pour-over method has enjoyed a resurgence, both among baristas and amateur coffee lovers who like to experiment with different coffee-brewing methods. Apart from flavorful and nuanced cups of coffee, the pour-over method gives you lots of control over the various elements of the coffee-making process.
It’s also fun since each new brew comes out slightly different. If you’re currently wondering which coffee maker is best when it comes to the Chemex vs Bodum pour over, you’ve come to the right place. I’ve tested both to provide you with this short but comprehensive comparison.
- A Quick Overview of the Chemex vs Bodum Pour Over?
- What Are the Similarities Between the Chemex and Bodum Pour Over?
- Comparison Between a Chemex and a Bodum Pour Over
- What’s Better About a Chemex?
- What’s Better About a Bodum Pour Over?
- Who Should Opt for the Chemex?
- Who Should Opt for the Bodum Pour Over?
- Chemex Comparisons
A Quick Overview of the Chemex vs Bodum Pour Over?
With its svelte hourglass shape and appealing combination of glass, wood, and leather materials, the Chemex is the supermodel of pour overs. The Chemex offers more than good looks, though. Since the coffee maker features its own proprietary filters that are thicker than regular filters, it produces a wonderfully clear and nuanced cup of coffee.
The Bodum pour over’s design is strongly reminiscent of that of the Chemex. However, it comes at a much more affordable price. Like the Chemex, the Bodum pour over is shaped in the form of a carafe and is constructed from borosilicate glass.
The Bodum pour over also comes with a cuff like the one on the Chemex, which is made from either silicone or cork. One of the main differences between the Bodum pour over and the Chemex is that instead of paper filters, the Bodum pour over comes with a reusable stainless-steel mesh filter.
What Are the Similarities Between the Chemex and Bodum Pour Over?
The neck of the Chemex carafe is narrow, which causes the coffee brew to drip slower into the flask
The Chemex and the Bodum pour over share many similarities, which include:
- Both are pour-over coffee makers, and they share a similar design.
- They are both constructed from durable borosilicate glass.
- You can wash both coffee makers in a dishwasher.
- Both coffee makers are good for brewing larger batches of coffee.
- Both coffee makers can be placed on a burner or stovetop at low heat.
Comparison Between a Chemex and a Bodum Pour Over
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Chemex |
Bodum Pour Over |
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The Chemex takes its own proprietary filters, which are thicker than regular filters. This means that they hold back most of the coffee oils and sediment and provide a clear cup of coffee. | The Bodum pour over comes with its own mesh stainless steel filter, which allows more oils and sediment to escape, resulting in a cup with a heavier mouthfeel.
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| The Chemex comes in different sizes, which produce 3, 6, 8, and 10 cups, respectively. |
The Bodum pour-over is super easy to use. You simply put the mesh filter into the mouth of the carafe. |
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The Chemex is pricey. |
You can buy a Bodum pour over at just over half the price of the Chemex. |
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The Chemex comes in different sizes, which produce 3, 6, 8, and 10 cups respectively. |
The Bodum pour over is also available in different sizes, namely a 4-, 8-, and 12-cup size. |
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The neck of the Chemex carafe is narrow, which causes the coffee brew to drip slower into the flask. |
The Bodum pour over has a wider neck than the Chemex to accommodate the flat-bottom stainless-steel filter. |
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With the Chemex, you want to use a medium-course grind. |
The Bodum pour over works best with a medium grind. |
What’s Better About a Chemex?
Call me a coffee snob if you like, but I prefer the clear and nuanced coffee that Chemex produces. Apart from the fact that the mesh filter of the Bodum pour over allows more of the coffee oils and sediment to end up in the coffee brew, it also causes a quicker extraction process. This results in a weaker cup of coffee with a lack of depth.
Also, pouring coffee from the Bodum is often a bit messy, whereas you can pour cup after cup from the Chemex without spilling a drop. Lastly, I simply adore the gorgeous design of the Chemex. I view mine as part of my art collection.
You might also be interested in our Bodum Milk Frother Vs. Nespresso Milk Frother guide.
What’s Better About a Bodum Pour Over?
If you’re a newbie as far as the pour-over coffee-making method goes and want a no-fuss coffee maker that produces an enjoyable cup of coffee, the Bodum pour-over will be a good fit. Because of its flat-bottomed stainless-steel filter that’s fairly forgiving, you don’t need to worry too much about ground-water ratio and precise measurements.
Also, the stainless-steel filter is really easy to use and will save you from having to invest in paper filters. What’s more, the Bodum pour-over is super affordable.
Who Should Opt for the Chemex?
If you prefer quality coffee and a design that’s both beautiful and practical, opt for the Chemex. That is, of course, if you don’t mind loosening your purse strings a bit. Coffee aficionados who enjoy a clear cup of coffee with nuanced flavors should definitely invest in a Chemex.
Who Should Opt for the Bodum Pour Over?
Those who can’t afford a Chemex but still want a decent cup of coffee will do well with a Bodum pour over. This pour over is also better for those who are not that experienced in the pour-over method. Making pour-over coffee with the Bodum is a bit less complicated than with the Chemex, so it is a nice way to get one’s foot in the door of the pour-over world.
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