Is the Chemex Ottomatic 2.0 Worth It?
Based on tests by America's Test Kitchen (Jun 2025). How we score
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Why
America's Test Kitchen rated the Ottomatic Recommended with reservations. Tasters liked the coffee's "nice body," but ATK "usually measured brewing temperatures that were too cool to meet SCA standards for nearly the first half of the brewing cycle," and "The carafe is tricky to hold and pour and feels fragile." A full 40-ounce tank nearly overflows the carafe, and you must use Chemex's filters with a clip. The OXO Brew 8-Cup, one of ATK's top picks, scored the same for coffee quality, earned full marks for ease of use, carafe and cleanup, and costs less.
Cheaper alternatives, scored against the Chemex Ottomatic
Brew 8-Cup Coffee Maker, Thermal Carafe
From 1 tester: America's Test Kitchen
From 1 tester: America's Test Kitchen
One of America's Test Kitchen's top picks, with the same coffee quality score as the Ottomatic (2 of 3) and full marks for ease of use, carafe and cleanup. "A huge ridged knob allowed us to open and close the carafe with silky smoothness and no ambiguity," and the thermal carafe has a brew-through lid. Its water was in the ideal range for 54 percent of the cycle, and tasters found the coffee "mild," "rounded," and "gentle." Half carafes need a basket swap. ATK didn't test long-term durability.
| Criterion | Chemex Ottomatic | OXO |
|---|---|---|
| Coffee quality | 2/3 | 2/3 |
| Ease of use | 1.5/3 | 3/3 |
| Carafe | 2/3 | 3/3 |
| Cleanup | 2.5/3 | 3/3 |
From America's Test Kitchen: The Best Coffee Makers (updated June 11, 2025)
Sources: America's Test Kitchen: The Best Coffee Makers (updated June 11, 2025), Manufacturer specs via Amazon listing
Common questions
Is the Chemex Ottomatic worth it?
Not according to America's Test Kitchen, which rated it Recommended with reservations: it brewed too cool for much of the cycle and its glass carafe is tricky to pour. The OXO Brew 8-Cup scored the same for coffee, was easier to use and clean, and costs less.
Sources: America's Test Kitchen: The Best Coffee Makers (updated June 11, 2025), Manufacturer specs via Amazon listing
