Chemex 6-Cup Classic Coffee Maker vs illy X1 iPerEspresso Capsule Machine (2026)

✍️ By the 247Verdict Editorial Team📅 Updated 05 October 2026

Which is better? We compared both on score, owner ratings, pros and cons.

Chemex 6-Cup Classic Coffee Maker

9.0/10 Excellent

4.7★ (22,400 owners)

Non-porous glass, thick filters, 6-cup, hand-blown, natural wood collar. The manual brew museum piece.

Full Review

illy X1 iPerEspresso Capsule Machine

8.8/10 Great

4.4★ (4,800 owners)

19 bar, illy iPerEspresso capsules, Italian design, 1L tank, Michelin-starred coffee brand.

Full Review

At a Glance

	Chemex 6-Cup Classic Coffee Maker	illy X1 iPerEspresso Capsule Machine
247Verdict Score	9.0/10	8.8/10
Owner Rating	4.7★ (22,400)	4.4★ (4,800)
Verdict	Excellent	Great
Design	MoMA permanent collection	Italian

Quick Verdict

Both are strong choices, but the Chemex 6-Cup Classic Coffee Maker edges ahead with a 9.0/10 vs 8.8/10. Non-porous glass, thick filters, 6-cup, hand-blown, natural wood collar. The manual brew museum piece. That said, the illy X1 iPerEspresso Capsule Machine is worth considering if 19 bar, illy iPerEspresso capsules, Italian design, 1L tank, Michelin-starred coffee brand. Check the current price on Amazon →

Pros & Cons Side by Side

Chemex 6-Cup Classic Coffee Maker

Permanent collection in the Museum of Modern Art — design recognised as functional art
Thick Chemex filters remove oils for the cleanest, clearest cup of any manual method
Non-porous borosilicate glass absorbs no odours or tastes — pure coffee flavour
6-cup serves 2-3 people in one pour — the most social manual brew method
Under £40 — the most beautiful coffee brewing method at any price

Proprietary Chemex filters required — standard filter paper incompatible
Requires kettle and coarse-grind coffee — not self-contained like pod machines
Glass requires careful handling — drops at sink height typically crack the base

illy X1 iPerEspresso Capsule Machine

illy is the coffee brand of Michelin-starred restaurants worldwide — the quality benchmark
iPerEspresso two-stage capsule extraction produces espresso with genuine professional crema
19-bar pressure matches professional espresso machine extraction standards
Italian design that sits as a kitchen statement piece
illy's 90-year commitment to espresso quality in the most convenient format

Proprietary illy iPerEspresso capsules only — ecosystem lock-in to a premium pod range
Pod costs are premium vs Nespresso — illy positions pods as premium coffee
Less variety than Nespresso's 30+ Original pod range

FAQ

Which is better, Chemex 6-Cup Classic or illy X1 iPerEspresso?

Is the Chemex 6-Cup Classic worth the extra cost?

Yes — Chemex 6-Cup Classic Coffee Maker scores higher at 9.0/10 vs 8.8/10.

Who is the Chemex 6-Cup Classic best suited to?

Non-porous glass, thick filters, 6-cup, hand-blown, natural wood collar. The manual brew museum piece.

Who is the illy X1 iPerEspresso best suited to?

19 bar, illy iPerEspresso capsules, Italian design, 1L tank, Michelin-starred coffee brand.

What are the main downsides of each?

Chemex 6-Cup Classic Coffee Maker: Proprietary Chemex filters required — standard filter paper incompatible; Requires kettle and coarse-grind coffee — not self-contained like pod machines. illy X1 iPerEspresso Capsule Machine: Proprietary illy iPerEspresso capsules only — ecosystem lock-in to a premium pod range; Pod costs are premium vs Nespresso — illy positions pods as premium coffee.

Do owner ratings agree with our verdict?

Largely, yes — Chemex 6-Cup Classic Coffee Maker sits at 4.7★ from 22,400 verified Amazon owners, and illy X1 iPerEspresso Capsule Machine at 4.4★ from 4,800.

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