Chemex 6-Cup Classic Coffee Maker vs Wacaco Nanopresso Portable Espresso Maker (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

Wacaco Nanopresso Portable Espresso Maker

8.8/10 Great

4.4★ (12,400 owners)

18 bar manual pressure, 80ml, 45g weight, no batteries. True espresso without electricity.

Full Review

At a Glance

	Chemex 6-Cup Classic Coffee Maker	Wacaco Nanopresso Portable Espresso Maker
247Verdict Score	9.0/10	8.8/10
Owner Rating	4.7★ (22,400)	4.4★ (12,400)
Verdict	Excellent	Great

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 Wacaco Nanopresso Portable Espresso Maker is worth considering if 18 bar manual pressure, 80ml, 45g weight, no batteries. True espresso without electricity. 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

Wacaco Nanopresso Portable Espresso Maker

18 bar extraction pressure — higher than many electric espresso machines
45g weight fits in a jacket pocket — genuinely the most portable espresso solution available
No electricity required — works anywhere with hot water
Produces genuine espresso crema comparable to electric alternatives
Under £50 — the most affordable genuine espresso maker that doesn't require power

Manual pumping action requires 10-15 pumps per shot — physical effort involved
80ml water capacity limits to one espresso per fill without refilling
Learning curve for optimal tamping pressure to achieve consistent extraction

FAQ

Which is better, Chemex 6-Cup Classic or Wacaco Nanopresso?

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 Wacaco Nanopresso best suited to?

18 bar manual pressure, 80ml, 45g weight, no batteries. True espresso without electricity.

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. Wacaco Nanopresso Portable Espresso Maker: Manual pumping action requires 10-15 pumps per shot — physical effort involved; 80ml water capacity limits to one espresso per fill without refilling.

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 Wacaco Nanopresso Portable Espresso Maker at 4.4★ from 12,400.

As an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases. Links below are affiliate links.