Hario V60 Size Comparison: Which Size Makes the Best Cup of Coffee

The Hario V60 is a celebrated pour-over coffee dripper that comes in three main sizes: 01, 02, and 03. The primary difference between them is their brewing capacity.^{[1, 2, 25]} While all three sizes share the same iconic 60-degree cone angle, large central hole, and spiral ribs, the size of the dripper has practical effects on the brewing process, influencing factors like coffee bed depth, flow rate, and heat retention.^{[1, 15, 20]} This guide combines information to help you choose the one that best fits your coffee-making needs.

V60 Sizes at a Glance

The size you choose directly impacts the amount of coffee you can brew. The manufacturer provides cup-based recommendations, but a more practical measure is the volume of water the dripper can comfortably handle. Below is a comprehensive comparison of the three sizes.

*Ranges assume a 1:15–17 coffee-to-water ratio and allow room for bloom. Precise dose recommendations vary.^{[22, 29, 51]}

Brewing Considerations by Size

Hario V60 01

The V60 01 is the smallest dripper, designed for brewing single servings and ideal for those who almost exclusively make one cup at a time. Its compact size also makes it a suitable option for travel.^{[1, 7, 52]}

• Capacity: Best for brewing between 150 ml to 360 ml of coffee. It is ideal for coffee doses ranging from 12g to 24g.^{[22, 29]} Pushing larger volumes risks an overflow.^[30]
• Brewing Characteristics: The 01's smaller drain hole can slightly slow the flow, which may enhance clarity with smaller doses.^[34] Due to its shallower coffee bed, water passes through more quickly, making grind size and pouring technique more critical for a balanced extraction.^[1] However, its lower height allows you to pour closer to the coffee bed, which can reduce agitation and aid in control.^{[22, 53]}
• Heat Management: It is lightweight and heats up quickly; a brief rinse is typically enough to stabilize its temperature.^[35]

Hario V60 02

The V60 02 is the most popular, standard, and versatile size, offering a great balance between brewing a single large mug and making enough coffee for several people.^{[1, 2, 31, 54]}

• Capacity: It comfortably handles brews from 250 ml to 500 ml and can be pushed to 700 ml, serving one to four people. It's commonly used for coffee doses between 18g and 42g.^{[1, 2, 22, 29, 48]}
• Brewing Characteristics: The 02 creates a deeper coffee bed than the 01, which can be more forgiving of small inconsistencies in pouring technique and helps promote a more even extraction.^{[1, 31]} Because most V60 recipes and guides are written for this size, finding brewing guidance is easy.^{[35, 55]}
• Flow Rate: Some users note its drain hole is slightly larger than the 01's, meaning drawdown can be faster. You may need to grind a touch finer to achieve the same contact time as with an 01 dripper.^[32]

Hario V60 03

The V60 03 is the largest dripper, designed for brewing multiple servings at once, making it ideal for families, office settings, or when hosting guests.^{[1, 3, 18, 54]}

• Capacity: This size is intended for brewing up to 1000 ml (1 liter) of coffee, which can serve up to six cups. Recommended coffee doses are typically in the 30g to 60g range.^{[22, 28, 29]}
• Brewing Characteristics: The 03 has the deepest coffee bed, which gives significant room to control flow rate with slow, precise pouring. However, brewing large batches requires a very consistent technique to ensure the entire bed is saturated and extracted evenly.^[1] The proportionally larger hole may also require a finer grind or slower pours to maintain desired contact times.^[33]
• Heat Management: Its taller walls and greater thermal mass (especially in ceramic or metal versions) demand thorough pre-heating to avoid significant heat loss, which can lead to under-extraction.^{[33, 54]} The 03 is often only available in plastic.^[4]

How Size Influences the Final Cup

The consensus among brewers is that no size has an inherent flavor advantage when brewing parameters are dialed in correctly.^{[32, 52]} The core design is consistent across all models. However, the physical differences between sizes can influence the brewing process and, consequently, the final cup.

• Coffee Bed Depth: For a given coffee-to-water ratio, a larger dripper creates a deeper bed of grounds. This increases the contact time between the water and coffee, which is a key variable in extraction.^{[1, 15]}
• Flow Rate and Control: While primarily determined by grind size and technique, the dripper's geometry plays a role. The 01’s smaller size and shallower bed lead to a faster flow that is less forgiving of error. In contrast, the deeper beds in the 02 and 03 can slow water flow, providing more leeway for adjustments.^{[1, 32]}
• Heat Retention: The material of the V60 (plastic, ceramic, glass, metal) generally has a more significant impact on heat retention than size.^[54] However, a larger dripper has more mass and surface area, which can act as a heat sink. This makes proper pre-heating crucial for the 02 and especially the 03 to avoid drawing heat from your brew water.^{[33, 54]}
• Pouring Height: When brewing a small, single serving, the 01 dripper allows you to pour water from a lower height. This can reduce the agitation of the coffee grounds, a factor some brewers prefer to control for a gentler extraction.^{[22, 53]}

Which Size Should You Buy?

The best V60 size is the one that matches the quantity of coffee you typically make. The goal is to use the smallest dripper that comfortably fits your target yield; this helps keep the coffee bed depth and flow rate in a "sweet spot" and simplifies achieving repeatable results.

• For Brewing for One: V60 01. If you almost always brew a single cup (under 360ml), the 01 is the most practical choice. Its design is optimized for small doses.^{[6, 7, 32]}
• For All-Around Versatility: V60 02. This is the most common recommendation. It can effectively brew a single large cup but also has the flexibility to serve two to four people, making it the best all-rounder for most home users.^{[2, 4, 6, 31]}
• For Brewing for a Crowd: V60 03. This dripper is built for brewing for families or groups. If you regularly need to make more than half a liter of coffee at once, the 03 provides the necessary capacity without compromise.^{[3, 18]}

While it is possible to brew a small amount of coffee in a larger V60, the resulting shallow coffee bed can make achieving a balanced, even extraction more difficult.^[14]

Practical Tips for Any Size

1. Pre-heat Thoroughly: Always pre-heat the dripper, especially ceramic or metal versions, to maintain a stable brew temperature throughout extraction.^[33]
2. Use a Gooseneck Kettle: A gooseneck kettle is highly recommended for the controlled, precise pours necessary for an even extraction.^[36]
3. Rinse the Filter: Rinsing the paper filter with hot water before adding coffee grounds removes any paper taste and warms the brewer.^[35]
4. Aim for a Target Brew Time: A good starting point for total brew time (including a 30-45 second bloom) is around 2.5 to 3.5 minutes. Adjust your grind size or pour rate to hit this window.^[32]
5. Weigh Everything: For consistent, repeatable results, use a scale to weigh both your coffee and your water. A simple 1:16 coffee-to-water ratio is a reliable starting point.^[37]

Works Cited

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