Coffee Makers

Chemex CM-6A Classic 6-Cup

#2 · Best Value (Manual Pour-Over)
7.4 /10 Our score
Lowest verified price $47.03 Amazon
Our verdict
The best value here, and the cleanest path of any pick. Chemex says its warranty covers Amazon purchases only from its own Chemex Coffeemakers seller account, so buy from chemexcoffeemaker.com or check the seller name on the Amazon offer.

Pros

  • Fully plastic-free brew path
  • Budget price
  • No electricity or electronics
  • Same-design 8-cup size available

Cons

  • Needs a kettle and some technique
  • Glass is breakable
  • No temperature control or certification
  • Warranty does not cover breakage

Disclosure: We may earn a commission when you purchase through links on this page. This does not affect our editorial rankings.

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Last reviewed October 28, 2026
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Review

What to know about Chemex CM-6A Classic 6-Cup

The classic manual drip brewer: a one-piece borosilicate glass flask with a wood collar and leather tie, used with bonded paper filters. There is no plastic or metal in the brew path, and it needs no electricity, which makes it the cheapest truly plastic-free option. It suits buyers who already own a kettle and don't mind brewing by hand.
Editorial notes

Why it stands out

Why we like it

Nothing in the brew path is plastic or metal. There are no electronics to fail or throw away. It costs roughly a ninth of the SimplyGoodCoffee Brewer. Sustainably Kind Living, Interior Medicine and Nontoxic Nook all recommend it.

If you need more than about 30 oz, the 8-cup CM-8A is the same design in a larger size.

What to know

Skip it if you want push-button brewing. Brew temperature depends entirely on your technique, and it has no SCA certification.
Performance

Score breakdown

Plastic-Free Brew Path

How completely hot water and brewed coffee are kept away from plastic, as disclosed by the manufacturer and checked by reviewers. Covers the reservoir, heater and water lines, shower head, brew basket, carafe and lid. Full marks: only glass, stainless, ceramic or silicone touches water and coffee. Partial marks: plastic limited to the cold-water tank. Low marks: plastic baskets or funnels that hold hot coffee.

10.0
Only borosilicate glass and a paper filter touch the coffee.
Coffee Quality

Brew temperature accuracy (SCA 195-205°F), contact time, even saturation and taste in independent tests, plus SCA/ECBC certification.

6.5
Bonded filters make a clean cup, but there's no temperature control and no SCA certification. Results depend on the user's kettle and pour.
Health & Materials Transparency

How specific the material disclosures are: named polymers, BPA/BPS/BPF/phthalate-free claims, any aluminum in the water path, explicit PFAS statements, third-party testing, safety certifications (UL/NSF) and recall history.

7.0
Simple, disclosed materials (labware-grade borosilicate).
Ease of Use & Cleaning

Setup, one-button operation or programmability, removable or dishwasher-safe parts, descaling, and whether a kettle or extra accessories are needed.

4.0
Needs a separate kettle and a manual pour, which the rubric penalizes. The neck needs a brush to clean.
Durability & Repairability

Build quality, warranty length, lifetime repair programs, and availability of replacement carafes, baskets and parts.

6.0
Nothing electronic to fail, but the glass can break, breakage isn't covered, and the Amazon warranty depends on the seller.
Value

Price compared with how plastic-free the machine is, how well it brews, and how long it should last.

9.0
About $47 for a fully plastic-free brew path.
Specifications

Chemex CM-6A Classic 6-Cup specs

General

Brewer Type
Manual pour-over
Brew Capacity
30 oz

Materials

Water Reservoir Material
None (kettle required)
Brew Basket / Filter Holder Material
Borosilicate glass cone with paper filter
Carafe Material
Borosilicate glass
Plastic-Free Hot Brew Path (as shipped)
Yes

Features

Programmable Timer
No

Performance

SCA / ECBC Certified
No
Shopping

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Disclosure: We may earn a commission when you purchase through links on this page. This does not affect our editorial rankings.

Prices and availability may change. The retailer's price and availability at checkout govern the transaction.

RetailerPriceAvailability
AmazonLowest $47.03 In Stock View deal
Lowest verified price $47.03
30-day low $47.03
90-day average $47.03
90-day low $47.03

Based on 2 retailer price observations captured during the last 90 days.

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