Alternatives to the Chemex Classic 6 Tazas: Better or Cheaper Options 2026

Review of the Chemex Classic 6 Tazas

We have analysed the Chemex Classic 6 Tazas on what matters: how it behaves in real use, what compromises the manufacturer has accepted, and whether its price holds up against direct alternatives such as the Cecotec Power Espresso 20. No spec list copied from the product page: only what changes your experience.

The 9 bars of pressure that really matter

Almost every entry-level machine advertises 15 or 20 bar, and it is a marketing figure: that number is the maximum pressure of the vibration pump, not what reaches the coffee. A correct espresso is extracted at 9 bars at the group head, and above 11-12 the extraction turns bitter because it drags out compounds that should stay behind. A 15 bar machine with a properly calibrated OPV valve makes better coffee than an unregulated 20 bar one. When comparing, ignore the bar figure and look at whether the portafilter is pressurised or not, and at temperature stability.

Bean-to-cup: what justifies the jump in price

Between a 300 € bean-to-cup machine and a 800 € one there are four real differences: the grinder (number of steps and whether it is steel or ceramic), the temperature and ratio control per drink, the milk circuit (removable and washable versus fixed) and the ease of maintenance (removable brew group or not). What does not justify the jump: big screens, the number of pre-programmed recipes and app connectivity, which almost nobody uses after the first month. If you make one or two milk drinks a day, the sweet spot is between 400 and 600 €.

Pressurised vs non-pressurised portafilter

It is the most important difference in the 80-300 € range and almost nobody explains it. The pressurised (double-bottomed, with a valve that creates the back-pressure artificially) forgives a bad grind and produces crema even with supermarket coffee: ideal if you are not going to buy a grinder. The non-pressurised (mesh bottom, barista type) depends on you grinding, tamping and dosing well, but it is the only one that gets you to a specialty espresso. If you buy a machine with a pressurised basket expecting to make third-wave coffee, you are going to get frustrated.

Moka pot: why it is not an espresso

The moka pot works at 1,5-2 bars, a long way from the 9 of an espresso, so it does not produce real crema: it makes a concentrated coffee, with body and roasted notes. To get it right: medium grind (coarser than for espresso), fill the filter without tamping, put already-hot water in the boiler so the coffee does not stew on the way up, and take it off the heat as soon as it starts to gurgle. Never wash it with detergent or in the dishwasher if it is aluminium: just water, then dry it. It costs 20-35 € and is still the best pleasure-per-euro in home coffee.

• Build quality and materials
• Recent verified reviews (3-4 stars included)
• Warranty and returns policy
• Current price against its historical average
• Seller reputation
• That the key features match how you will use it (everyday use)

Thermoblock, boiler and PID: why it shows

The thermoblock heats the water on demand: it is ready in 30-40 seconds and is the norm below 400 €, but the temperature swings several degrees between extractions. The boiler keeps a volume of hot water and gives more stability. The dual boiler lets you extract and steam at once with no waiting. The PID is a controller that holds the temperature locked at one value (usually between 90 and 96 °C) instead of letting it swing with a thermostat: it is the upgrade that changes what is in the cup the most, and it already appears on machines at 500-700 €.

Criteria	Chemex Classic 6 TazasOur choice	Cecotec Power Espresso 20
Ideal for	Balanced, all-round use	everyday use
Strong point	Value for money	Specific features
Ratings	Very positive and numerous	Positive
Guide price	from ~240 €	from ~150 €
Recommendation	Our choice	Best alternative
View on Amazon	See price →	See price →

Manual filter: V60, Chemex and AeroPress

Manual methods cost little and give a clean, aromatic coffee that no automatic machine can match. The V60 (Hario) is the most precise and the most demanding on the pour; the Chemex, with its thicker paper filter, holds back more oils and gives a very clean cup, ideal for light roasts; the AeroPress combines immersion and pressure, tolerates any grind and is practically unbreakable, which is why it is the queen of travel. With all three you need a gooseneck kettle to control the flow and a scale. Total investment: under 100 €.

Final verdict

The Chemex Classic 6 Tazas is a buy worth making if it matches what you have read above, and a disappointment if you were expecting a different category of product. Against the Cecotec Power Espresso 20, it wins on overall balance and loses on specific features. Price and availability change often on Amazon, so confirm both before buying.

Frequently asked questions

Is a drip coffee machine any good?

No, it is different: it gives a clean, long, mild coffee, ideal for several cups in a row. What sinks it is the jug sitting on a hotplate, which stews the coffee in twenty minutes. Look for models with a thermal carafe and a temperature of 92-96 °C, and you will have filter coffee on a par with a V60.

How much should I spend on my first coffee machine?

For 100-150 € you get decent pressurised espresso; the value sweet spot for bean-to-cup machines sits between 400 and 600 €; and below 60 € a stovetop moka pot or an AeroPress makes better coffee than any electric machine at that price.

Why does my machine make no crema?

Three causes, in order of frequency: the coffee is not fresh (two months past roasting it barely degasses any more), the grind is too coarse, or the dose is short. With a pressurised basket it is almost always the coffee; with a barista basket, the grind.

Is a drip coffee machine any good?

No, it is different: it gives a clean, long, mild coffee, ideal for several cups in a row. What sinks it is the jug sitting on a hotplate, which stews the coffee in twenty minutes. Look for models with a thermal carafe and a temperature of 92-96 °C, and you will have filter coffee on a par with a V60.

How much should I spend on my first coffee machine?

For 100-150 € you get decent pressurised espresso; the value sweet spot for bean-to-cup machines sits between 400 and 600 €; and below 60 € a stovetop moka pot or an AeroPress makes better coffee than any electric machine at that price.

Should I go for the Chemex Classic 6 Tazas or the Cecotec Power Espresso 20?

The Chemex Classic 6 Tazas is the most balanced option and the one we recommend by default. The Cecotec Power Espresso 20 makes sense if your priority is everyday use. As a budget reference, the useful range starts at around 150 € and the best balance is usually found around 240 €.

By the Café en Casa Team · reviewed by

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