A Chemex is one of the simplest ways to brew a clean pot of coffee: a glass hourglass, a thick paper filter and a kettle. Once you have decided on one, the real question is which, because the sizes are counted in small 5 ounce cups and the handle styles change how you wash and carry it.
This guide is for buyers who have already picked the brand. It covers eight different models by size and handle style, not color choices. We explain how many mugs each truly makes, which filter each takes and what Chemex says about caring for the glass. We also say where a Chemex falls short and which competitors to consider.
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Quick verdict: which Chemex to buy
For most homes, the Classic 8-Cup is the one to buy: it makes about three mugs, can brew less when you want and uses the common filters. Buy the Classic 6-Cup bundle if you want filters in the box and brew for one or two. Choose the Glass Handle 8-Cup if you would rather not remove a collar to wash up. If you want an easier, cheaper dripper that uses more common paper, compare the Hario V60 and Kalita Wave in our pour-over guide.
The table covers the five models that suit the most buyers. All eight are reviewed below it.
Five Chemex models at a glance
Capacity and filter for our five standouts, from Chemex’s figures and the Amazon listings.
| Chemex model | Best for | Capacity | Filter | Buy on Amazon |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Chemex Classic 8-CupBest overall
|
Most households | 40 oz, about 3 mugs | Full-size bonded | View on Amazon |
Chemex Classic 6-Cup Bundle With Square FiltersBest starter set
|
First Chemex, one or two people | 30 oz, about 2 mugs | Full-size; 100 included | View on Amazon |
Chemex Classic 3-CupBest for one person
|
One mug at a time | 15 oz, about 1 mug | FP-2 half-circle | View on Amazon |
Chemex Classic 10-CupBest for a crowd
|
Pouring for four or more | 50 oz, about 4 mugs | Full-size bonded | View on Amazon |
Chemex Glass Handle 8-CupEasiest to clean
|
Daily use, quick rinse | 40 oz, about 3 mugs | Full-size bonded | View on Amazon |
Product images from Amazon. Specifications are as each maker or listing states them; “Not stated” means we could not find the figure from the maker or listing.
Chemex size guide: what a cup means
Chemex measures in 5 ounce cups, according to its own support page. So a 6-cup is not six mugs. Using a 12 ounce mug as a rough guide, the sums look like this:
| Size | Full capacity | Roughly | Filter |
|---|---|---|---|
| 3-cup | 15 oz | 1 mug | FP-2 half-circle |
| 6-cup | 30 oz | 2 to 2 1/2 mugs | Full-size |
| 8-cup | 40 oz | 3 mugs or more | Full-size |
| 10-cup | 50 oz | 4 mugs | Full-size |
These are full-carafe figures. Chemex says you can make less than the full amount in any size, so when in doubt, size up. Its starting ratio is one rounded tablespoon of ground coffee per 5 ounce cup.
Our picks for the best Chemex
Each pick below is a different size or handle style. We left out color-only variants and Renewed listings.
1. Chemex Classic 8-Cup – Room for a Few Mugs
Chemex counts a cup as 5 ounces, so the 8-cup holds 40 ounces, or about three full mugs at a time. That is why we start here. Chemex says you can brew up to the full amount or make less, so a large carafe still handles a smaller pot, while a small carafe cannot stretch.
It is the familiar hourglass in borosilicate glass, with a wood collar and leather tie to hold it by. Chemex gives it as 9 inches tall and 5 1/4 inches across, so check that it fits under your cabinets with a kettle pouring above it.
Your Dream Coffee calls this size the most practical for coffee-drinking households. It takes the same bonded filters as the 6-cup and 10-cup.
Why we like it
- 40 ounce capacity, or less when you want it
- Borosilicate glass, per Chemex
- Uses the common full-size bonded filters
- Collar and tie come off for the dishwasher
Key specifications
| Model | CM-8A |
|---|---|
| Series | Classic |
| Capacity | 8 cups, 40 oz |
| Handle | Wood collar and leather tie |
| Filters | FP-1, FC-100, FS-100 or FSU-100 |
| Height and width | 9 in tall, 5 1/4 in across |
| Cleaning | Dishwasher once collar and tie are off, per Chemex; hand wash the collar |
Why we recommend it
It suits most households of two to four, and anyone who is unsure. Its only real cost over the 6-cup is a little more size on the shelf.
Skip it if you only ever brew for yourself. The 3-cup or 6-cup will be easier to handle and store.
Pros and cons
Pros
- Flexible batch size
- Common filter sizes
- Classic collar for grip
Cons
- Glass can break
- Collar needs hand washing
- Filters sold separately
2. Chemex Classic 6-Cup Bundle With Square Filters – Brewer and First Filters Together
The 6-cup holds 30 ounces, which is about two good mugs. Chemex gives it as 8 1/2 inches tall and 5 1/8 inches across, so it is the most compact of the full-filter sizes.
This listing pairs the brewer with 100 square bonded filters, which saves the common first mistake of buying a Chemex and then finding that nothing in the kitchen drawer fits it. The listing gives a one-year warranty.
Your Dream Coffee rates this size as a good fit for two or three people. That is about right for short cups, but heavy mug drinkers will want the 8-cup.
Why we like it
- Comes with 100 square bonded filters
- 30 ounce capacity
- Shortest of the full-filter sizes
- One-year warranty on the listing
Key specifications
| Model | CM-6A |
|---|---|
| Series | Classic |
| Capacity | 6 cups, 30 oz |
| Handle | Wood collar and leather tie |
| Filters | FP-1, FC-100, FS-100 or FSU-100; 100 square included |
| Height and width | 8 1/2 in tall, 5 1/8 in across |
| Cleaning | Dishwasher once collar and tie are off, per Chemex; hand wash the collar |
Why we recommend it
It suits a couple or a first-time Chemex owner who wants everything in one box and a brewer that does not dominate the counter.
Skip it if you regularly pour for more than two. You will brew twice, and the 8-cup costs you little extra space.
Pros and cons
Pros
- Ready to brew out of the box
- Compact
- Common filter sizes
Cons
- About two mugs per pot
- Glass can break
- Collar needs hand washing
3. Chemex Classic 3-Cup – A Small Pot for One
The 3-cup holds 15 ounces, roughly one big mug. It is tall and narrow by Chemex’s figures, 8 1/4 inches high and only 3 inches across, so it takes very little counter.
It is also the odd one out on filters. The listing calls for the half-circle FP-2 filter, not the full-size squares and circles. Your Dream Coffee also notes a different cone angle on this size, which it says can affect taste. Chemex’s halfway mark also works differently here: the belly button marks the full line rather than the halfway point.
On our stock check, some half-moon filter listings were scarce or out of stock, so check filter availability before you commit to this size.
Why we like it
- Takes up very little room
- Makes one proper mug
- Same borosilicate glass, per Chemex
Key specifications
| Model | CM-1C |
|---|---|
| Series | Classic |
| Capacity | 3 cups, 15 oz |
| Handle | Wood collar and leather tie |
| Filters | FP-2 half-circle only |
| Height and width | 8 1/4 in tall, 3 in across |
| Cleaning | Dishwasher once collar and tie are off, per Chemex; hand wash the collar |
Why we recommend it
It suits one person who drinks one mug at a sitting and wants the Chemex method in a small kitchen or office.
Skip it if you ever brew for two. It also needs its own filter size, which is harder to find.
Pros and cons
Pros
- Very small footprint
- Quick single batch
- Classic look
Cons
- Needs FP-2 filters
- Only about one mug
- Different cone angle
4. Chemex Classic 10-Cup – The Largest Classic Here
The 10-cup holds 50 ounces, enough for a table after Sunday lunch. Chemex gives it as 9 1/4 inches tall and 5 1/4 inches across, which is barely larger than the 8-cup on paper.
The catch is weight in the hand. Fifty ounces of hot coffee is a lot to lift by a wood collar, and a slow pour-over of that size takes patience with a kettle. Plan on a kettle that holds enough water in one go; our gooseneck kettle guide gives capacities.
It takes the same full-size filters as the 6-cup and 8-cup, so you do not need a special stock of paper.
Why we like it
- 50 ounce capacity
- Common full-size filters
- Nearly the same footprint as the 8-cup
Key specifications
| Model | CM-10A |
|---|---|
| Series | Classic |
| Capacity | 10 cups, 50 oz |
| Handle | Wood collar and leather tie |
| Filters | FP-1, FC-100, FS-100 or FSU-100 |
| Height and width | 9 1/4 in tall, 5 1/4 in across |
| Cleaning | Dishwasher once collar and tie are off, per Chemex; hand wash the collar |
Why we recommend it
Choose it if you regularly pour for four or more, or if you like to brew once and fill several cups.
Skip it if you usually brew two mugs. The 8-cup does that with less to lift and wash.
Pros and cons
Pros
- Big batch in one brew
- Common filter sizes
- Can brew less than full
Cons
- Heavy when full
- Slow to brew a full pot
- Glass can break
5. Chemex Glass Handle 8-Cup – All Glass, Nothing to Remove
The Glass Handle series swaps the wood collar for a molded glass handle. The capacity is the same 40 ounces, and it uses the same filters. It suits people who would rather not untie a collar before washing up.
Your Dream Coffee describes this style as easier to clean because there is nothing to take off. It also says these models are thicker and heavier than other types, and may be too bulky for a small household. So you gain convenience and lose some of the lightness.
A handle gives a surer grip for pouring, but it does also add a part that can snap if the carafe takes a knock. The listing linked here is the 8-cup Glass Handle sold as a set with 100 Chemex bonded filters.
Why we like it
- No collar or tie to remove
- 40 ounce capacity
- Same filters as the Classic 8-cup
Key specifications
| Model | CM-8GH |
|---|---|
| Series | Glass Handle |
| Capacity | 8 cups, 40 oz |
| Handle | Molded glass |
| Filters | FP-1, FC-100, FS-100 or FSU-100 |
| Height and width | Not stated |
| Cleaning | Not stated by Chemex on the page we read |
Why we recommend it
Choose it if you use your Chemex every day and want to rinse it and go, or if a wood collar worries you near a wet sink.
Skip it if you want the lightest Chemex, or you like the look of wood. The Classic 8-cup does the same brewing.
Pros and cons
Pros
- Nothing to untie
- Secure handle
- Same batch sizes as Classic
Cons
- Thicker and heavier, per one guide
- Handle adds a breakable part
- Less traditional look
6. Chemex ChemAer 8-Cup – Aerates After the Brew
The ChemAer is a glass-handled carafe that Chemex says is designed to aerate and oxygenate coffee, or wine, after brewing. The listing says it handles smaller 10 to 20 ounce batches for aerating, or a full 40 ounce pot of pour-over.
Chemex makes the flavor claims here, and we have not read an independent review that supports or disputes them. Treat this as the curious buyer’s pick, not an upgrade every Chemex owner needs.
Otherwise it is the same material as the rest of the range, and the listing describes the usual patented filter system.
Why we like it
- Glass handle with a 40 ounce capacity
- Also aerates wine, per the maker
- Handles 10 to 20 ounce batches for aerating
Key specifications
| Model | CM-AER8 |
|---|---|
| Series | ChemAer |
| Capacity | 8 cups, 40 oz |
| Handle | Glass |
| Filters | Not stated on the listing |
| Height and width | Not stated |
| Cleaning | Not stated by Chemex on the page we read |
Why we recommend it
It suits a coffee hobbyist who already enjoys pour-over and wants something to experiment with, or a house that would use one vessel for both coffee and wine.
Skip it if you are buying your first Chemex. Start with a Classic and learn what you like.
Pros and cons
Pros
- Unusual two-use design
- Glass handle
- Flexible batch size
Cons
- Benefits are the maker’s claims
- Filter list not on the listing
- More niche than a Classic
7. Chemex Twisted Glass Handle 6-Cup – A Sculpted, Colored Handle
This one is a handle style, not just a colorway: the listing describes a sculpted twisted glass handle in a color Chemex calls Tropical, on the standard 30 ounce, 6-cup brewer.
It brews like any other 6-cup and takes the same full-size filters. The reason to buy it is that it looks good left out on a coffee bar. The listing still describes borosilicate glass, and lets you cover and chill brewed coffee for later.
A twisted handle may be fiddlier to wipe than a plain one, and it adds nothing to the cup. It is here for how it looks.
Why we like it
- Sculpted handle stands out on a shelf
- 30 ounce capacity
- Same filters as other 6-cup models
Key specifications
| Model | Not stated |
|---|---|
| Series | Twisted Glass Handle |
| Capacity | 6 cups, 30 oz |
| Handle | Twisted, colored glass |
| Filters | FP-1, FC-100, FS-100 or FSU-100 |
| Height and width | Not stated |
| Cleaning | Not stated by Chemex on the page we read |
Why we recommend it
Buy it as a gift or for a kitchen where the brewer stays out on show. It does the same job as a Classic 6-cup.
Skip it if you care only about the coffee. A Classic gives you the same brew with no styling to pay for.
Pros and cons
Pros
- Distinctive look
- Standard filters
- Good everyday size
Cons
- No brewing advantage
- Handle shape may be fiddly to clean
- Model number not listed
8. Chemex Colored Glass Handle 3-Cup – Small Size, No Collar
This is the small 15 ounce brewer with a glass handle in place of the collar. The listing describes a gold-colored glass handle on a borosilicate carafe. For one person who would rather skip the wood collar, it is the only small option on this page.
Like every 3-cup, it needs FP-2 half-circle filters. It also has an oddity in its data: the model field on the listing names a different color from the title, so check the photos before you order.
If the color does not matter to you, the plain Classic 3-cup is the simpler choice, and our other notes on the 3-cup size apply here too.
Why we like it
- Compact 15 ounce size
- Glass handle, no collar to remove
- Colored handle for a little style
Key specifications
| Model | Listing shows CM-1GH-Sapphire; title says Gold |
|---|---|
| Series | Colored Glass Handle |
| Capacity | 3 cups, 15 oz |
| Handle | Colored glass |
| Filters | FP-2 half-circle only |
| Height and width | Not stated |
| Cleaning | Not stated by Chemex on the page we read |
Why we recommend it
It suits one person in a small kitchen who wants an easy-to-rinse brewer and likes a bit of color.
Skip it if you ever brew for two, or you would rather have the common full-size filters.
Pros and cons
Pros
- Small and easy to store
- No collar to remove
- Attractive handle
Cons
- Needs FP-2 filters
- Only about one mug
- Listing color data conflicts
How to choose a Chemex
Size by your biggest regular pot
Think about the most coffee you usually brew in one go, then pick the carafe that holds it. It is easy to brew less in a large one and impossible to brew more in a small one.
Collar or glass handle
A wood collar is the traditional look and has to come off before the dishwasher. A glass handle needs no such step, but Your Dream Coffee says those models are thicker and heavier.
Budget for filters
Chemex’s listings direct you to its own bonded filters: FS-100 or FC-100 and related types for the 6-cup and up, FP-2 for the 3-cup. If you would rather avoid paper, our guide to the best reusable coffee filter covers a steel cone made for it.
A burr grinder and a kettle help
A Chemex depends on your grind and your pour. See our guides to the best coffee grinder and the gooseneck kettle above if you do not have either.
Chemex glass safety and care, from the maker
Chemex says its coffeemakers are made from borosilicate glass and will not impart chemicals or flavors to the coffee. Its support page says none of its products should be reheated in the microwave. Its dishwasher advice is to remove the collar and tie first, then make sure the carafe is secure and not bumping against other dishes.
The page we read does not cover putting a Chemex on a stove burner, or warn about chipped glass or sudden temperature changes. So we would not put it on a burner unless the instructions in your box allow it, and we would retire a chipped or cracked carafe. It is glass, and hot, so lift a full one with care and keep it back from the counter’s edge. The Chemex listings describe covering and refrigerating brewed coffee to reheat later; for that, pour it into a saucepan rather than the microwave.
Where Chemex falls short
It is more breakable than plastic or steel. Its listings direct you to its own filters, which you may not find in every supermarket, and the narrow neck means you may want a brush to clean it. Serving temperature falls off too, because there is no insulation; pour into an insulated carafe if your pot needs to last, or see our thermal carafe coffee maker guide. If that sounds like too much trouble, a Hario V60 or Kalita Wave is a simpler dripper, and a machine will do the pouring for you.
How we chose these eight models
We used Chemex’s Classic Series support page for materials, sizes and care, and the Amazon listings for models and filters. Stock was checked on each listing, and all eight are sold by Chemex’s own storefront. Your Dream Coffee’s size guide gave the household-size views we quote; it does not document using each size, so treat those as opinion. We searched the US Consumer Product Safety Commission’s recall database under Chemex and found nothing listed. We have not brewed on these ourselves, and flavor claims are the maker’s.
Chemex questions, answered
Which Chemex size should I buy?
For most people, the 8-cup. Choose the 6-cup for one or two people, the 3-cup for one mug at a time and the 10-cup for a crowd.
How many ounces is a Chemex cup?
Five ounces, according to Chemex. So a 6-cup holds 30 ounces and an 8-cup holds 40.
Can a Chemex go in the dishwasher?
Yes, according to Chemex, once the collar and tie are removed, with the carafe secured so it does not bump other dishes. Wash the collar by hand.
Can I microwave a Chemex?
No. Chemex says none of its products should be reheated in the microwave.
Do regular coffee filters fit a Chemex?
The listings call for Chemex’s own bonded filters. Our reusable filter guide covers a metal alternative.
Our final pick among Chemex sizes
Buy the Classic 8-Cup if you are unsure, the 6-Cup bundle if you want an easy start, and the Glass Handle if washing up is what would put you off. And for the days you do not want to brew or cook at all, see the menu or call to order.