Synthesized from owner reports and long-term reviews; our own testing notes will replace this as they mature.
The short version
The V60 is the benchmark cone dripper: the clearest, brightest cups of any common brewer, and the least forgiving. It rewards a gooseneck kettle, a decent grinder, and a dozen practice brews. And the enthusiast consensus on materials is the opposite of what the price tags suggest: buy the plastic one.
What owners consistently say
Clarity and control come up first: pronounced florals and fruit in light roasts, with a recipe ecosystem (Hoffmann, Kasuya, Brewers Cup standards) bigger than any other brewer's. On materials: plastic has almost no thermal mass, so it steals less heat from the brew, travels well, and costs around ten dollars. Ceramic looks better on a counter, needs a serious preheat to avoid thin cups, and breaks. Barista Hustle's forum testing found the measurable extraction difference between materials close to negligible, which still argues for the cheap one.
Where it falls short
Technique sensitivity is the whole trade: pour rate visibly changes the cup, which is either the appeal or the dealbreaker. The plastic stains over time, and the filters aren't grocery-store items.
Who it's for
Brewers who enjoy dialing things in and want maximum clarity per dollar. If you want repeatable coffee without practicing, a flat-bed or immersion brewer will treat you better.
Sources worth your time
Drip Roast's materials guide · Barista Hustle forum test · Home Coffee Expert review