Hario Switch 02 Vs. 03: My Hands-On Comparison As A Daily Brewer

As a coffee enthusiast who’s brewed hundreds of cups with both the Hario Switch 02 and 03, I want to help you decide which one fits your routine best.

These hybrid drippers let you switch between pour-over and immersion styles effortlessly, giving brighter or fuller-bodied cups depending on your mood. My goal here is to break down the real-world differences so you can pick the right size without regrets.

Key Differences Between Hario Switch 02 And 03

I’ve owned and used both the Hario Switch 02 and 03 extensively over the past few years, brewing everything from quick solo cups to batches for friends.

While they share the same clever design—that silicone base with the reliable ball valve switch—the differences boil down to scale and how that affects your daily brewing life. Here’s a much closer look at what sets them apart, based on hundreds of brews.

• Capacity for full immersion

This is the biggest practical difference.

The 02 tops out around 200-250ml when the valve is closed (I’ve comfortably done 230ml without spilling, but 250ml pushes it to the brim).

The 03 handles 360-450ml easily—I’ve poured 400-450ml for a proper steep without worry.

If you love true immersion brewing where all the water sits with the grounds for minutes, the 03 lets you do that for larger cups or multiple servings in one go.

With the 02, you’re often limited to single mugs or small carafes, which is fine for solo routines but frustrating when you want a bigger, more relaxed brew.

• Physical size and footprint

The 02 is noticeably more compact—the cone is shorter and narrower, making it feel nimble on the counter and easy to handle with one hand. The 03 has a taller, wider cone, which gives it a more substantial presence.

Side by side, the 03 looks almost oversized next to the 02, but that extra glass volume is exactly what enables bigger brews. The difference in height is about 2-3cm, and the base diameter widens noticeably, changing how they sit in your setup.

• Filter requirements

The 02 uses standard V60 02 papers, which are everywhere—every coffee shop, supermarket, and online retailer stocks them, often cheaper in bulk packs. The 03 requires 03 papers, which are a bit less common in physical stores but still easy to find online.

You can technically fold or adapt 02 filters in the 03 in a pinch (they fit, just look a little small and might channel slightly), but it’s not ideal. The reverse doesn’t work at all—the 03 papers are too tall and wide for the 02 cone, so you’d waste them.

• Interchangeability of cones

One of my favorite things about the Switch line—the silicone base is identical on both models. That means you can pop a 02 glass cone into a 03 base or vice versa without any issues.

I’ve done this myself multiple times: I bought a standalone 03 cone later to upgrade my original 02 Switch without buying a whole new unit. It’s a smart, future-proof design from Hario that saves money and reduces waste if your needs change over time.

• Mug and server compatibility

The 02’s smaller base fits snugly on narrow mugs, travel tumblers, small decanters, or even directly on some thermoses—no wobbles or balancing acts needed. The 03’s wider stance can be picky; it doesn’t always sit perfectly on slim or tapered mugs, and I’ve had to switch to wider servers or carafes to avoid tipping risks when the brewer is full and heavy.

• Headroom for agitation

With the 03, there’s significantly more space above the slurry during immersion, so you can swirl, stir, or even use a spoon aggressively for even extraction without sloshing water over the edge.

On the 02, especially when brewing near max capacity, you have to be much gentler—too much movement and you’ll end up with coffee on your counter. This makes the 03 better for recipes that benefit from thorough agitation.

• Heat retention differences

The larger glass mass in the 03 holds temperature a touch better during longer steeps, meaning your brew stays hotter throughout a 3-4 minute immersion. The silicone base insulates both well, but the 03’s extra volume gives a slight edge.

For small brews in the 03, you do need to preheat extra thoroughly since there’s more surface area to warm up initially.

• Portability and storage

The 02 wins hands down for travel, office desks, or tiny kitchens—it’s lighter, smaller, and packs easier into a bag or drawer. The 03 feels bulkier and heavier, taking up more cabinet space and not sliding as neatly into travel kits.

If counter real estate matters to you, the 02 feels less intrusive day to day.

• Brewing larger volumes in pour-over or hybrid mode

Both can handle way more than their immersion capacity by keeping the valve open for traditional pour-over or using hybrid techniques (partial steeps with early releases). But starting with the 03 gives you more flexibility right away—no need to babysit multiple pours or split batches as often when aiming for 500-600ml total output.

• Drawdown behavior with full loads

When packed with grounds and water, the 03’s larger bed depth can make drawdown slightly slower if you’re using very fine grinds, but it’s rarely a problem with proper technique. The 02 feels snappier and quicker with smaller doses, giving a more immediate release.

• Stability when full

Surprisingly, the 03’s wider base actually makes it more stable overall, even though the taller cone raises the center of gravity a bit. The 02 can feel tippier if you’re pouring aggressively or if it’s near the top during immersion.

• Ease for beginners with big recipes

The 03 is more forgiving overall—if you’re new to ratios, timing, or pour control, having extra room means fewer overflows while you learn the rhythm. The 02 demands more precision and attention to avoid spills, which can be intimidating at first.

• Cost and availability

Typically, the 02 runs a few dollars cheaper and is more readily stocked in most shops, making it the default choice for many. The difference is small, but the 03 sometimes feels like the “pro” or upgrade choice because it unlocks more recipes without needing workarounds.

• Aesthetic and handling feel

Holding them side by side, the 02 feels delicate, precise, and intimate—like a tool crafted for focused single cups. The 03 has a bolder, more generous vibe—it’s the one I instinctively grab when I’m in a relaxed mood, brewing slowly, or sharing coffee with someone.

• Long-term versatility

Many users (including me initially) start with the 02 because it’s the most common recommendation, then later wish for the 03’s extra room. But thanks to the interchangeable cones, getting the 03 base first actually makes more sense—it lets you downsize later by adding a 02 cone if you ever want a compact option.

These differences rarely affect taste directly when using similar recipes, but they change how flexible your brewing feels day to day.

Key Features of The Hario Switch

What makes the Switch special is its clever valve system. You flick a switch to hold water for steeping, then release for drawdown – it’s like having a V60 and Clever Dripper in one.

• The glass cone with spiral ribs promotes even flow in pour-over mode.
• Silicone base with stainless steel ball valve seals reliably without leaks.
• Heatproof borosilicate glass handles hot water without cracking.
• Compatibility with standard V60 papers keeps supplies easy to find.
• Detachable cone allows swapping sizes or materials (like plastic Mugen for travel).
• Hybrid brewing options: full immersion, partial steep, or straight percolation.
• Easy preheating by rinsing with valve closed.
• Durable build that lasts years with care.
• Simple mechanism – no electronics, just mechanical reliability.
• Aesthetic appeal with clear glass showing the brew process.

Both sizes share these, making the Switch my go-to for versatile manual brewing.

Pros And Cons of The Hario Switch 02

I’ve used the 02 as my daily driver for solo mornings, and it shines in simplicity.

Pros

• Perfect for single cups without feeling oversized.
• Compact size stores easily in small spaces.
• Fits most mugs and servers without wobbles.
• Encourages precise small-batch brewing for fresher taste.
• Slightly faster drawdown with less grounds volume.
• Easier to pour accurately with lower rim height.
• Great for travel or office setups.
• Uses widely available 02 filters.
• Feels nimble and responsive during pours.
• Less risk of overfilling during immersion.

Cons

• Limits full immersion to around 230-250ml max.
• Harder for sharing or weekend batches for two.
• Requires hybrid methods for larger volumes.
• Can feel restrictive if your dose preferences grow.
• Less headroom for aggressive swirling or stirring.
• Might need multiple brews for guests.
• Slightly less stable with very full hybrid pours.
• Not ideal for very coarse immersion recipes needing volume.
• Can overflow easily if you’re not careful.
• Feels small when experimenting with longer steeps.

Overall, the 02 suits me when I want quick, focused cups without fuss.

Also Read: Comparison of Fellow Opus And Ode.

Pros And Cons of The Hario Switch 03

I reach for the 03 on weekends or when brewing for my partner – the extra space changes everything.

Pros

• Handles full immersion up to 400-450ml comfortably.
• Ideal for sharing without second brews.
• More flexibility with recipes and ratios.
• Better for hybrid methods with larger water volumes.
• Allows coarser grinds and longer steeps without issues.
• Feels more forgiving for beginners with bigger batches.
• Great for iced coffee or concentrated brews.
• Accommodates more grounds for stronger cups.
• Easier to swirl and agitate for even extraction.
• Future-proof if your habits change to larger servings.

Cons

• Bulkier footprint on the counter.
• Wider base doesn’t fit some narrow mugs perfectly.
• Higher rim can make precise pouring trickier for small doses.
• Uses less common 03 filters (though still available).
• Slightly heavier when full.
• Overkill for strict solo brewers.
• Takes more space in storage or travel bags.
• Drawdown can feel slower with very fine grinds and full loads.
• Higher cost initially.
• Glass cone more fragile in larger size if dropped.

The 03 has become my favorite for its do-it-all nature.

My Brewing Experiences With Hario Switch 02 And 03

Starting with the 02, I loved how it forced me to refine small recipes.

A typical morning: 18g coffee, medium grind, 280ml water. Bloom with valve open, then close for a short steep, release. Clean, bright cups every time.

Switching to the 03 opened up immersion-heavy brews.

I follow a simple steep-and-release: 30g coffee, 450ml water, 3-minute steep, gentle swirl, open valve. Fuller body, less acidity – perfect for medium roasts.

In pour-over mode, both perform identically to standard V60s. The switch just adds options.

I’ve done hybrid brews on the 02 by partially opening early, but the 03 handles it without overflow worries.

One tip: preheat thoroughly, especially the base. Rinse with hot water valve closed to warm everything evenly.

Grind size? For immersion, go medium to medium-coarse – coarser than pure pour-over to avoid slow drawdown. I adjust based on bean freshness and roast level.

If you brew alone most days but occasionally for others, start with 03. The interchangeable cones mean you can add a 02 later cheaply.

Also Read: Is Simply Good Coffee Brewer Worth It?

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Final Thoughts

If your routine is mostly solo cups around 200-300ml, the 02 keeps things simple and compact. But if you ever brew more, share coffee, or want unrestricted immersion, go 03 – the flexibility outweighs the size.

I’ve settled on keeping both: 02 for quick mornings, 03 for relaxed sessions. But if choosing one, I’d pick the 03 now. It handles everything the 02 does, plus more.

You deserve a brewer that matches your life – whether that’s efficient singles or generous pots. Whichever you pick, the Switch will elevate your coffee game.