Chemex Classic 6-Cup Pour-Over Coffee Maker vs Sowden SoftBrew 8-Cup Coffee 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 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

Sowden SoftBrew 8-Cup Coffee Maker

8.8/10 Great

4.5★ (3,800 owners)

Stainless mesh filter, immersion brewing, 8-cup ceramic, George Sowden design, no paper filter. Designer filter coffee.

Full Review

At a Glance

	Chemex Classic 6-Cup Pour-Over Coffee Maker	Sowden SoftBrew 8-Cup Coffee Maker
247Verdict Score	9.0/10	8.8/10
Owner Rating	4.7★ (12,400)	4.5★ (3,800)
Verdict	Excellent	Great
Material	Borosilicate glass	Ceramic
Design	MoMA collection	George Sowden Italian
Capacity	6 cups	8 cups

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 Sowden SoftBrew 8-Cup Coffee Maker is worth considering if Stainless mesh filter, immersion brewing, 8-cup ceramic, George Sowden design, no paper filter. Designer filter coffee. 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

Sowden SoftBrew 8-Cup Coffee Maker

Stainless mesh filter eliminates paper filter cost and waste forever
Immersion brewing extracts coffee oils for fuller, richer body than paper-filtered methods
Ceramic vessel is dishwasher safe and aesthetically distinctive on any kitchen surface
George Sowden's award-winning Italian design heritage applied to coffee brewing
Under £60 for a 8-cup coffee maker that never needs consumable filter papers

More sediment in the cup than paper-filtered methods — the fine mesh allows some passage
Requires coarser grind than paper filter methods for optimal results
Ceramic can crack under thermal shock — avoid pouring boiling water directly on cold ceramics

FAQ

Which is better, Chemex Classic 6-Cup or Sowden SoftBrew 8-Cup?

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 Sowden SoftBrew 8-Cup best suited to?

Stainless mesh filter, immersion brewing, 8-cup ceramic, George Sowden design, no paper filter. Designer filter coffee.

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. Sowden SoftBrew 8-Cup Coffee Maker: More sediment in the cup than paper-filtered methods — the fine mesh allows some passage; Requires coarser grind than paper filter methods for optimal results.

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 Sowden SoftBrew 8-Cup Coffee Maker at 4.5★ from 3,800.

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