Best Chemex Filters

Paper filters are widespread accessories for coffee drippers like Chemex. Most users prefer them because they are cheaper and easy to use. But, did you know about the variety of Chemex filters?

For making pure drip coffee, you will find many alternatives along with paper-made filters. Despite material and manufacturing differences, most produce the same quality pour-over coffee.

It is tough to separate the best pour-over filter among others. However, the following products are the best Chemex filters based on our analysis and customer reviews.

What filters can be used in a Chemex?

You can use any cone-shaped filter that fits in your Chemex. Drip coffee filters are now made of different materials. That’s why you will find both single-use and reusable Chemex filters in the market.

Traditionally, Chemex users are used to paper filters. But, you can use metal, cloth, and plastic filters on Chemex. We will describe each filter in short with its pros and cons.

Paper filters:

Paper filters are older pour-over filters that are still in use. They are considered the traditional Chemex filters. Paper coffee filters are cheaper and very convenient to use.

Research says that dripping with paper filters is the healthiest way of brewing coffee since they remove excessive oily substances from coffee. The only drawback of paper filters is that you can use them for a Single time.

Metal filters:

If you believe in long-term investment, metal coffee filters are the best option for your Chemex. They are cost-effective since you can use one for years. The usage and cleaning of metal filters are also more accessible. Along with a longer lifespan, metal coffee filters always ensure aromatic coffee. Besides, you will never have an outer smell in your coffee.

Cloth filters:

Cloth filters are not only famous for their eco-friendly characteristic but also for their durability. You can reuse a cloth coffee filter for up to a year. Besides, they are easy to use and clean. Cloth coffee filters also produce tasty coffee with no outer smell.

Plastic filters: 

A new addition to the coffee filter industry is plastic filters. There is no doubt that they are cost-effective because of their extended lifespan. But, below-standard plastic coffee filters can ruin coffee’s taste and smell. Since leaching is a common issue with plastic products, you must pick one with food-grade certification.

Best Chemex Filters to use in 2024

1. Chemex Classic Squares Coffee Filters

The Chemex classic square coffee filter is a traditional paper-made filter for Chemex brewer. It delivers the authentic taste of drip coffee with no outer smell.

Unlike other paper filters, Chemex classic square is 30% thicker, which is a prime feature of this product. The extra thickness is also the secret behind its flavorful brewing.

Coffee contains oil and other substances that can make brewed coffee bitter. However, this filter precisely removes them and provides fresh coffee every time. This process is also helpful in reducing cholesterol levels.

The material of this filter is laboratory-grade paper produced from cotton fibers. It is entirely natural and biodegradable. To remove the papery smell from filters, Chemex bleaches them.

Chemex classic square fits nearly all Chemex drippers except Chemex CM-1, CM-1C, and CM-1GH.

2. Chemex Bonded Filter – Natural Square

A unique filter from Chemex is the bonded natural square paper filter. Bonded paper filters are more durable than other paper filters. They are produced from cotton rag fiber which makes them more solid.

Therefore, it can separate even precise bitter elements and unwanted coffee oils; and produces the purest coffee with mind-blowing flavor. This is a healthy brewing process because excessive coffee oil can increase cholesterol.

Chemex Bonded Natural Square paper filters are pre-folded, which might be convenient for beginners. They look brown because they are unbleached. However, the manufacturer applies oxygen cleansing to them to remove grime from raw materials.

It is a safe and natural refining process with no chemical involvement. Chemex Bonded paper filters are biodegradable and safe for human health.

They are easier to remove from drippers because of the square shape. You can use this filter on any Chemex dripper other than CM-1, CM-1C, and CM-1GH models.

3. Chemex Filter – Natural Square

Chemex Natural Square is a paper filter for brewing high-quality drip coffee at home. It comes with a conical shape that fits easily in a Chemex dripper. The filter is also thicker than regular paper strainers because the item is produced from laboratory-grade paper.

The extra thickness helps eliminate subtle particles from coffee, particularly highly acidic substances and oils. Thus, it can brew healthy coffee for users.

Though it has a chunky layer, the thickness won’t slow down the brewing. Instead, it ensures no chance of exploding during filtration.

The pack contains 200 pieces of unbleached paper filter for Chemex. They are biodegradable and eco-friendly. Except for the CM-1, CM-1C, and CM-1GH drippers, you can use them in any Chemex brewer.

4. Chemex Bonded Filter – Circle

The beautiful look of your dripper is inspiring while brewing. If you dislike the spiky edges of square filters, you should go for Chemex Bonded circle filters. It perfectly fits in a Chemex dripper and creates a fantastic appearance.

We have already discussed the bonded paper. The material is well known for more thickness and outstanding performance.

This Chemex bonded paper filter will provide you with the finest drip coffee by catching unwanted substances like excessive oils. Along with the pure taste, it also helps to brew healthy coffee.

Chemex Bonded circle looks white because it is bleached. So, the filter is highly recommended for users who want no papery smell or taste in coffee.

The filter is designed for all Chemex brewers except the CM-1, CM-1C, and CM-1GH drippers.

5. Chemex Bonded Filter – Half Moon

Unlike regular drippers, Chemex has a few narrow brewers like Chemex CM-1, CM-1C, and CM-1GH. Because of their slim shape, you cannot use regular filters on them. So, Chemex particularly produces a unique filter for these models called half-moon.

These filters have a noticeable half-moon shape in their apex. That’s why you can easily differentiate them. Chemex produces them with bonded paper to make its layer thicker.

It makes the filter prevent elements that cause bitter coffee. As a result, you can enjoy fresh, aromatic, and healthy coffee with no unwanted oil.

Chemex also bleaches them to remove papery taste and smell. They come in circle shapes. That’s Chemex half-moon fits really well in suggested brewers.

6. Chemex Filter – Natural Half Moon

Chemex Natural Half-moon is nearly the same filter as the previous one. But, there is a subtle difference between the two items. The natural half-moon is produced from laboratory-grade paper instead of bond paper.

This Chemex half-moon filter is designed for narrow drippers, including the CM-1, CM-1C, and CM-1GH. You can easily distinguish it from regular filters by checking the visible half-moon shape in its apex.

Like other Chemex filters, it also can separate fats and oil from coffee. This is the healthiest way to brew coffee, as recommended by experts. Besides, it is a crucial step for having fresh and flavorful coffee.

Chemex produces this filter naturally with no bleaching process. That’s why it is biodegradable and safe for our health.

It is a cost-effective filter for Chemex because the pack contains 100 filters. The natural half-moon is a circle-shaped filter that fits well in the recommended drippers.

7. Barista Warrior – Chemex Stainless Steel filter

A big issue with paper Chemex filters is that they are not reusable. Though paper filters seem cheaper, the yearly cost behind them is considerable. In this case, a reusable coffee filter can save money in the long run.

Let’s get introduced to the Barista Warrior Chemex Stainless Steel filter. Its manufacturer claims that using this item can save up to 25000 paper filters. This is an ideal product if you are worried about waste pollution and saving money.

Barista Warrior stainless steel filter is built with accurate size to fit in Chemex drippers. It has numerous fine meshes to prevent unnecessary substances in coffee.

So, you will never have an outer smell in brewed coffee since it is made of stainless steel. Its material is food-safe and grows no rust. That’s why users can enjoy fresh and delicious coffee for longer. You can clean this reusable filter easily using fresh water.

8. Able KONE – Chemex Metal filter

This filter is a gem if you want to brew professional drip coffee at home. Baristas have praised this drip coffee filter because of its outstanding performance. Able KONE, the manufacturer, says it is their 4th generation metal drip coffee filter. So, it comes with all the improved features.

The filter is made of the highest quality stainless steel in the kitchen appliance industry. Besides, it is carefully engineered to ensure the best brewing performance. Its anti-rust feature enhances the product’s longevity.

Able KONE Chemex Metal filter seizes all unwanted elements from coffee which is a big reason for bitter coffee.

Some paper filters absorb the aromatic elements too during filtration. As a result, you may not get the completely rich flavor of the coffee. However, its fine mesh only catches bitter substances, not aromatic ingredients.

Able KONE Metal filter perfectly fits in regular Chemex drippers. After using, you can easily clean trapped oil and ground in its meshes.

9. CoffeeSock – Chemex Reusable Coffee Filters

Using fabric coffee filters to brew drip coffee is becoming a trend gradually. They are cost-effective, eco-friendly, and reusable, which is convenient for most users.

CoffeeSock Reusable Chemex Filter is made of organic natural cotton. It can prevent harmful substances in coffee with no leaching issue. So, you can brew and enjoy healthy coffee until its expiration.

This fabric filter is very durable and can be used for months. But, it is entirely biodegradable that won’t produce waste.

You can fold and use it like a regular Chemex square paper filter. After every use, rinse and air-dry the filter to have the best taste of coffee for a longer time.

FAQs

Are all Chemex filters the same?

All Chemex filters’ primary function is to remove unnecessary substances and debris from coffee. Thus, you get fresh coffee with no bitter taste.

However, Chemex coffee filters have varieties. Chemex filters are made of different materials, including papers, stainless steel, fabric, and plastic. Besides, they come in wide and narrow shapes for use in different Chemex drippers.

Do I need to use a reusable filter in Chemex?

Buying a single-use or reusable filter depends on users’ personal preferences. Paper filters are for single-use, but they precisely soak excessive acidic substances from coffee. On the other hand, metal coffee filters are reusable that seem cost-effective for their longer lifespan.

Can I use other filters in Chemex?

It doesn’t matter which pour-over filters you put in a Chemex dripper. If a filter fits in the dripper, you can use it. It doesn’t matter which pour-over filters you put in a Chemex dripper. If a filter fits in the dripper, you can use it.

However, your coffee taste can differ depending on the filter quality. Chemex produces drip coffee filters from the highest quality bonded papers. They are thicker and reduce the bitterness of the coffee.

Using a low-quality filter in Chemex can experience dull and papery tasteful coffee.

How long does the Chemex filter last?

Chemex paper filters are designed for single use only. If you want a reusable filter, you must go for a fabric or metal pour-over filter.

Fabric Chemex filters usually last for a year. However, metal filters will provide you with the highest durability. A high-quality metal filter last at least 5 years.

Is the Chemex filter safe?

Both bleached and unbleached Chemex paper filters are safe for users. A common misconception about bleached filters is that they are unhealthy and bad for the environment.

But, the truth is – the amount of bleach used in filters is too small to harm us. In rare cases, bleached filters can leach into the coffee.

How to use Chemex paper filter?

Whether it is a square or circle Chemex filter, their using process is the same. Here are the steps of using Chemex paper filters:

• Fold a Chemex filter in half and do it again.
• Push your fingers into the middle of the 3rd and 4th layer so that it looks like a funnel.
• Put the filter on the top of your Chemex dripper and fill it with medium-coarse grind coffee.
• Now, pour steaming water over the ground and see the coffee dripping into the lower chamber.

The Verdict

Our best Chemex filters list represents both one-time and reusable filters available in the market. After going through their reviews, you should know which one to pick.

Paper filters are the traditional accessory to brew drip coffee. You can choose both bleached and unbleached coffee filters for Chemex to enjoy fresh and aromatic coffee at home.

However, metal filters can be cost-effective and durable for your Chemex dripper. They provide the same brewing result along with longevity.