Paper coffee filters Hario V60. How are they different?

Why do we use multiple types of paper filters for the Hario V60 drip coffee machine? Today I'll tell you about the differences between paper coffee filters and how to choose between them.

Coffee filters for Hario V60

The iconic Hario V60 handheld drip coffee maker is probably on every coffee drinker's list. I personally have three versions: a plastic one and two ceramic ones, including one in the V60 Kasuya. In addition to the drippers themselves, I immediately haveseveral versions of coffee filter papers for this method of brewing.

Now I'm not referring to the different size versions like the filters for the V60-01 or 02. All of these filters of mine are designed for the V60-02, but they are made differently. The shape corresponds to each other, what is different is the permeation properties of these papers.

Test of paper coffee filters

I would like to show you the differences in paper coffee filters. Therefore, I have stocked up on more types of coffee filters for the V60 and carried out a test. I prepared eight identical filtered coffees. Same grind, dosage, pouring speed, everything except the paper filter. I always used one of these types:

HARIO V60-02 unbleached paper filters (box)
Unbleached paper filters HARIO V60-02 (bag)
Bleached paper filters HARIO V60-02 (box)
Bleached paper filters HARIO V60-02 (bag)
Bleached paper filters HARIO V60-02 (bag, EU production)
Bleached paper filters HARIO V60-02 (Love Bird edition)
Timemore bleached paper filters for Crystal Eye and drippers type V60
Timemore bleached paper filters for V60-02

How are paper filters for coffee different?

The production of each paper coffee filter is very similar. It starts with the processing of the raw material, wood, into paper fibers that are pressed according to the specific product requirements for density and shape.

The manufacturer then decides whether the filters will be further bleached. This choice, then, most of all affects how the filter is rinsed before preparation, where unbleached filters are recommended to be washed more thoroughly to minimize the transfer of paper flavor into the coffee cup.

The paper density of the coffee filter

Now let's talk about why the density of the paper filter isso important. It has to do with the density of the paper fibers in the filter:

extraction rate,
the purity of coffee taste,
ease of use.

In practice, it works like this: the denser the paper structure, the cleaner the cup of coffee. The pores in the paper filter do not let oils and other substances from the coffee through. You can think of the purity of the taste of a cup of coffee as the difference between a V60 and a French Press, for example. Only here it is the same method with different filters, so the difference is not that extreme.

At the same time, it is common that higher density also means higher paper weight. Thicker paper creates a greater barrier to water, lets the water through more slowly, and this increases the extraction time of the coffee in the filter. This may or may not be a desirable characteristic. There is more time for experimentation, but also for error in preparation.

Finally, there's ease of use, by which I mean better adhesion of the filter to the dripper. My experience here is that finer paper adheres better to the walls of the dripper. Of course, it also depends on choosing the right size filter and its manufacturer.

Results of the coffee filter paper permeability test

For the test I used 15g of coffee and 200ml of water. Watered at a speed of about 6g/s. The extraction rate is the resulting time when the water visibly flowed through the coffee in the dripper. I rinsed all filters with water before the test.

Type of paper filter	Extraction speed
Unbleached HARIO (box)	1:46
Unbleached HARIO (bag)	1:36
Bleached HARIO (box)	1:45
Bleached HARIO (bag)	1:49
Bleached HARIO (bag, EU production)	1:59
Bleached HARIO (Love Bird edition)	1:24
Bleached Timemore for drippers	1:29
Bleached Timemore for V60-02	1:31

How to choose paper filters for coffee?

So now you know the effect of differences in filter structure on coffee brewing and extraction speed of different filter papers. But how do you practically deal with this? Takeyour choice of dripper paper filter as part of the recipe to brew your best coffee.

Depending on what kind of coffee you have at the moment, how it is roasted, the flavour profile of the coffee and your personal taste. You can support this by choosing the optimal paper filter.

Do you use light roast coffee? Try one of the coarser filters that supports a slower flow.
On the other hand, do you have darker roasted coffee? Reach for a fine filter with faster extraction.

To better navigate between Hario paper filter packs, you can look at the code on the packaging. It says: