Since Hario replaced their white, tabbed V60 filters with the ‘green stripe’ version in January 2023 I have been looking for an easy to find, affordable, well stocked replacement.

I dabbled with the Cafec filters (of which, the Abaca seem to be the earliest version of the V60 white tabless), but results weren’t that promising. Plus the differing versions, each of which have 2 designations, seem a pain, as does domestic shipping cost.

I also tried the LilyDrip Lotos, a device that converts V60/Switch to Kalita flat bottomed filter use. I think this is more of a ‘get you home’ in an emergency fix, rather that an everyday solution. Compared to Kalita Wave brews, Hario with the Lotos always seemed siltier & drier.

I compared the Rombouts No.4 against Chemex full circle white filters (trimmed to fit) and the ‘medium crepe inside & out’, Japanese, tabbed white Hario filters, which were available up until a few months ago (and now seem to be completely replaced with new stock). I did 10 brews with each of the 3 filters, the same 10 coffees used in each case.

I had a slight preference for the Rombouts & medium crepe papers compared to the Chemex, but then I’ve never been blown away by the Chemex filters (but they’re better than the green stripe Hario). If you’re good with the Chemex filters you may not need to read further.

For the Chemex & Rombouts I ground coarser (6.67 on Ode V1.1, 6% 400Kruve) & stretched out the pour rate from 40g every 40s (200g total) with the medium crepe, to 30g every 30s (210g total) for the former two. Rombouts 2 pours in the centre of the Drip Assist, then the remaining 5 in the ring. With the Chemex filters, 3 pours in the centre and 4 in the ring.

More details in the description of the video.