The Hario V60 is a well-known and highly celebrated option when it comes to brewing coffee at home, but is it a better option than the traditional French Press? Both devices are very popular, and which is best comes down to preference: the V60 is better for gentle, smooth coffee but the French Press gives a richer, full-bodied flavour.
The fundamental difference between the two coffee makers is in their brewing methods, which affects the flavour and aroma that you get in your cup. The Hario V60 uses the pour over method, otherwise known as drip coffee, whereas the French Press steeps the grounds before separating them from the water with a plunged filter.
This article will go into detail about the specifics of both of these devices, how they work, how to get the best out of them, and how they are different so that you can make an informed decision about which coffee maker is the right one for you.
Where Does the Hario V60 Come From?
The Hario V60 is a pour over device made by the Hario company from Japan and, while it was originally based on a design from another company, it has become the most iconic cone-shaped pour-over device in the world. It was invented in 2004 with the intention of allowing people to make better coffee in their own homes.
Where Does the French Press Come From?
There are many different versions of the French Press, otherwise known as the “cafetiere”, but the design was first patented by two Italians in 1929. In 1958 a Swiss man created the type of French Press that is perhaps most recognisable today, known as the “Chambord”, which became particularly popular in France – earning it the name “French Press”.
How Does the Hario V60 Work?
The Hario V60 is a cone-shaped funnel that sits on top of a cup or decanter. With a filter placed inside, coffee grounds are put into the bottom of the funnel and hot water can then be poured over the top – this allows the coffee to steep as the water passes over it and drips through underneath.
How Does a French Press Work?
The French Press is essentially a flask, inside which coffee grounds and hot water can steep until the mixture is fully immersed. Within the lid of a French Press is a filter attached to a plunger, that can be pushed down through the mixed liquid to separate the grounds from the coffee, which can then be poured out.
Which Coffee Tastes Better, V60 or French Press?
Due to their different brewing methods, the flavour produced by both coffee makers is quite distinct. The Hario V60 creates coffee with a gentler flavour that is more mellow and smooth, bringing out the nuances in the grounds, whereas the French Press produces stronger, richer coffee with a full body and greater intensity.
How Do You Make the Best Hario V60 Coffee?
To get the most out of your Hario V60, a bit of technique is required. Rinse your filter before placing it inside, add in your coffee grounds then pour the hot water in stages – allowing it to filter through bit by bit (you can also stir or swirl the filter during the brew to improve the extraction).
How Do You Make the Best French Press Coffee?
The French Press is a relatively simple device to use in comparison. You want to put your grounds into the bottom of the jug, fill it to the top with freshly boiled water (maybe giving it a stir as you do so) and then wait patiently for around 3 or 4 minutes before gently pressing the plunger down.
Is the French Press of the Hario V60 Easier to Use?
Both of these coffee makers are pretty straightforward, but the French Press is probably the easier of the two, with brewing time and quantities being all that you really need to consider. The V60 is a little more fiddly overall, and the additional consideration of paper filters does add extra steps to the process.
Is the V60 More Versatile than the French Press?
The brewing process involves more stages and a little bit more technique with the V60 than for the French Press, which also gives you more options for experimenting. The only real changes you can make when brewing with a cafetiere are to the steeping time and the grounds themselves, so it is less adjustable.
Do The V60 and a French Press Use the Same Coffee Grounds?
One of the less obvious differences between the two devices is the type of grind consistency that they require. For a French Press you need coarse grounds so that they don’t pass through the filter as much, whereas a V60 does better with medium-fine grounds so that they can extract properly as the water passes over them.
Which is More Expensive, the V60 or a French Press?
There are different sizes and materials available for both cafetieres and V60s, but in general, a V60 will cost a little bit more. On average, the Hario V60 is around $40 whereas you can easily find a French Press for about $15, though if you want a different size or style the prices will vary a lot for both.
Is a V60 Quicker than a French Press?
When it comes to the time it takes to get your cup ready, the V60 is the speedier brewing method. A French Press needs to steep for around 3 or 4 minutes to achieve full immersion before you can plunge but the V60 only takes around 3 minutes in total before your cup is full and ready.
Which Gives More Coffee, the V60 or the French Press?
While it does come in different sizes, the V60 is best used to make one or two cups at a time and isn’t necessarily the best option when you are serving guests. You can get cafetieres that can dish out a lot of cups from a single brew, and they are really easy to fill and leave on the side when you are hosting.
Hi, I’m Jen Williams, chief editor and writer for ThirstPerk.com.
I’ve been drinking coffee and tea for most of my life, but it wasn’t until I started working at Thirstperk.com that I became an expert on the subject. I’m a total caffeine addict who has spent hours upon hours reading about and experimenting with the different types of coffees out there in my search to find the perfect cup of joe.
I’ve been a tea lover for as long as I can remember as well. I grew up in a house with a mom who loved to drink herbal tea, and I think that’s where my love for tea first began. These days, I’m always on the lookout for new and interesting teas to try, and I love experimenting with different brewing methods and flavoring combinations.