Chemex Classic 6-Cup Pour-Over 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 Classic 6-Cup Pour-Over Coffee Maker

9.0/10 Excellent

4.7★ (12,400 owners)

Borosilicate glass, thick bonded filters, MoMA-displayed design, clean cup, 6-cup. The design pour-over.

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 Classic 6-Cup Pour-Over Coffee Maker	illy X1 iPerEspresso Capsule Machine
247Verdict Score	9.0/10	8.8/10
Owner Rating	4.7★ (12,400)	4.4★ (4,800)
Verdict	Excellent	Great
Design	MoMA collection	Italian

Quick Verdict

Both are strong choices, but the Chemex Classic 6-Cup Pour-Over Coffee Maker edges ahead with a 9.0/10 vs 8.8/10. Borosilicate glass, thick bonded filters, MoMA-displayed design, clean cup, 6-cup. The design pour-over. 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 Classic 6-Cup Pour-Over Coffee Maker

Thick bonded paper filters remove the most sediment and oils for the cleanest, brightest cup
Iconic hourglass design displayed in the Museum of Modern Art's permanent collection
Borosilicate glass imparts no flavour and pours elegantly
Brews up to 6 cups — more than single-cup pour-over drippers
Doubles as a serving carafe — beautiful enough for the table

Chemex-specific thick filters cost more than standard paper filters
Clean cup means less body than metal-filtered or immersion methods
Glass requires careful handling

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 Classic 6-Cup or illy X1 iPerEspresso?

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

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

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

Borosilicate glass, thick bonded filters, MoMA-displayed design, clean cup, 6-cup. The design pour-over.

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 Classic 6-Cup Pour-Over Coffee Maker: Chemex-specific thick filters cost more than standard paper filters; Clean cup means less body than metal-filtered or immersion methods. 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 Classic 6-Cup Pour-Over Coffee Maker sits at 4.7★ from 12,400 verified Amazon owners, and illy X1 iPerEspresso Capsule Machine at 4.4★ from 4,800.

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