Understanding French Press Coffee Makers: A Comprehensive Guide
The French press, also known as a cafetière or coffee press, is a beloved brewing method for coffee enthusiasts who value a rich, full-bodied cup. Its simplicity, affordability, and ability to highlight the nuanced flavors of coffee beans make it a staple in many kitchens. This guide explores the best French press coffee makers, their pros and cons, detailed testing scenarios, and a buying guide to help you choose the perfect model.
Why Choose a French Press?
If you want to make a flavorful, full-bodied cup of coffee at home, and you don’t want to spend a lot of money on gear, a French press is a great option. This brewing method is quick and consistent, and a French press doesn’t hog counter space (like a drip machine) or require a perfect pouring technique. The French press offers the brewer nearly unlimited control over flavor. You control the ground size, brew time, and relative strength. It’s easy and affordable: This device is, pistons-down, the easiest and cheapest method for creating fine-tasting coffee. You can pick up a suitable press for about $20. It works in all recipes: Due to its great taste, this coffeemaker pairs well with any recipe that falls within the coffeehouse gradient, whether you’re trying to re-create recipes from the professionals by hand or making a cold brew. It saves counter space. If you are working with minimal kitchen space, the French press is perfect because it’s small enough to store in a cupboard.
How a French Press Works
All French presses work essentially the same way. The grounds steep in hot water for four to six minutes, and then the filter is pressed down, separating the beans from the freshly brewed coffee. French presses almost always have reusable mesh filters made from stainless steel, which allow more dissolved solids and oils through—creating a bolder, rustic-tasting coffee with a more substantial mouthfeel. While not quite as refined as a pour-over, a French press allows direct control over water temperature, grind coarseness, coffee-to-water ratio, and steep time. It’s customizable, but not something you have to work too hard at.
Best French Press Coffee Makers of 2025
After extensive research and testing, we’ve identified some of the top French press coffee makers available. Below, we highlight their features, pros, and cons, followed by a comparison table.
1. Espro P3 French Press
After brewing and drinking over 75 pots of coffee, we think the cleverly designed Espro P3 is the best French press for making a bold yet balanced brew. The Espro P3’s innovative filter consistently brews bright, grit-free coffee. Its unique double filter, with finer mesh than most, keeps coffee as close to grit-free as a pour-over. Once plunged, the filter effectively separates the water from the grounds, preventing over-steeping and bitterness. The first cup you pour tastes as good as the last, even if you let the coffee sit in the press for up to an hour. We like the clean lines of the frame and that it’s dishwasher-safe.
- Pros: Produces clean, bright coffee; effective double filter reduces sediment; dishwasher-safe; prevents over-extraction.
- Cons: Glass carafe can break; slightly more expensive than basic models.
2. Bodum Chambord French Press
Coffee lovers will instantly recognize the Bodum Chambord French Press. It’s one of the most classic French presses that has been around for over three decades since its inception in the 1990s. During our tests, this French press delivered exactly what we expected from French press-made coffee — a cup that drinks smoothly with no sediment and shows off a balance of acidity and flavor. The Bodum Chambord has an easy-to-use plunger that doesn’t stick, and cleaning it was painless since it’s dishwasher-safe. The only drawback we could find is the lack of added insulation, so it’s best to enjoy the coffee immediately after brewing.
- Pros: Classic design; smooth, sediment-free coffee; easy to clean; affordable.
- Cons: No insulation; glass carafe prone to breaking.
3. Fellow Clara French Press
The perfect French press is easy to use and clean and made from quality materials and parts that fit together well. The Clara is more evidence Fellow knows what it’s doing. The biggest positive here is the build quality. The double-walled press has components that fit together perfectly and it features a number of thoughtful design choices. I particularly liked its lid that allowed pouring from any direction, its nonstick interior coating that helped with cleanup, its weighted handle, and its included spoon for agitating grounds mid-brew.
- Pros: Stylish design; double-walled insulation; nonstick interior for easy cleaning; all-directional pour lid.
- Cons: Higher price point; heavier due to stainless steel construction.
4. Yeti French Press
For French press fans who enjoy the great outdoors, the Yeti French Press Coffee Maker is one of the sturdiest out there. In keeping with Yeti’s reputation for durability, we found every part of the unit, including the handle, filter, and lid, to be exceptionally sturdy, with bumps and scratches far less of a concern than with other stainless steel models we tested. In terms of performance, the Yeti brewed a delicious cup of coffee, with only a few stray coffee grounds making it into the cup. Heat retention was good, but not as outstanding as a couple of other stainless steel options.
- Pros: Durable stainless steel; minimal sediment; ideal for outdoor use; good heat retention.
- Cons: Expensive; plunger requires effort; slight dripping when pouring.
Shop Yeti French Press on Amazon
5. Secura Stainless Steel French Press
The Secura Stainless Steel looks like your standard stainless steel press. Yet this press proved itself across a number of our challenges. For one, it scored among the highest in our taste and filtration tests. It also has one of the most insulated carafes and kept our coffee warm the longest. At one point during testing, the lid fell off the counter, and the filter basket bent askew. Fortunately, it was easy to bend back, and the stainless steel is durable enough to take some abuse.
- Pros: Excellent filtration; long-lasting insulation; durable; multiple color options.
- Cons: Lacks unique design flair; filter basket may bend.
Shop Secura Stainless Steel on Amazon
Comparison Table of Top French Presses
| Model | Material | Capacity | Insulation | Dishwasher-Safe | Price Range |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Espro P3 | Borosilicate Glass | 32 oz | No | Yes | $40-$50 |
| Bodum Chambord | Borosilicate Glass | 34 oz | No | Yes | $30-$40 |
| Fellow Clara | Stainless Steel | 24 oz | Double-Walled | Yes | $90-$100 |
| Yeti | Stainless Steel | 34/64 oz | Double-Walled | Yes | $100-$130 |
| Secura | Stainless Steel | 34 oz | Double-Walled | Yes | $30-$50 |
Pros and Cons of French Press Coffee Makers
Pros
- Offers excellent taste. The French press offers the brewer nearly unlimited control over flavor. You control the ground size, brew time, and relative strength.
- It’s easy and affordable: This device is, pistons-down, the easiest and cheapest method for creating fine-tasting coffee.
- It saves counter space. If you are working with minimal kitchen space, the French press is perfect because it’s small enough to store in a cupboard.
- It works in all recipes: Due to its great taste, this coffeemaker pairs well with any recipe that falls within the coffeehouse gradient.
Cons
- Clean up is messy. Unless you can machine-wash your dishes, cleanup by hand isn’t as simple as tossing a filter in the trash.
- Glass models are prone to breaking, which can be a hazard in busy kitchens or outdoor settings.
- Uninsulated models lose heat quickly, requiring immediate consumption or transfer to a thermal carafe.
Test Scenarios and Performance
To evaluate French presses, we conducted rigorous tests simulating real-world use. Here’s how we tested:
- Flavor and Sediment Test: We brewed a full pot of coffee in each press using 54 grams of coarse grounds and 200°F water. After a four-minute steep, we tasted the coffee for aroma, flavor, and sediment. The Espro P3 and Secura excelled, producing nearly sediment-free coffee, while the Bodum Chambord had minimal grounds but slightly more silt.
- Insulation Test: We measured coffee temperature immediately after brewing, then at 30 and 60 minutes. Insulated models like the Secura and Yeti kept coffee above 150°F for an hour, while uninsulated glass models like the Bodum Chambord dropped to lukewarm after 30 minutes.
- Ease of Cleaning: We disassembled each press, cleaned by hand, and checked dishwasher compatibility. The Fellow Clara’s nonstick interior and the Espro P3’s simple filter design made cleaning effortless.
- Durability Test: We simulated drops and knocks. Stainless steel models like the Yeti and Secura withstood abuse, while glass models like the Espro P3 required careful handling.
Buying Guide: Choosing the Right French Press
When selecting a French press, consider the following factors:
- Material: Glass french presses are beautiful and sleek. As long as it’s made with high borosilicate and heatproof glass, the carafe won’t break easily. Metal french presses are durable powerhouses, ideal for travel or busy kitchens, but they require preheating to maintain brewing temperature.
- Capacity: You don’t want to buy a French press with a larger capacity than you’ll need. After all, any excess space will just make your coffee cool faster. A 12-20 ounce capacity is good for 1-2 servings, while 24 ounces or higher suits three or more people.
- Insulation: If you don’t immediately drink the coffee, consider an insulated French press. Most insulated pots kept coffee piping hot and palatable for a full hour; uninsulated ones became lukewarm after about 30 minutes.
- Filtration: A French press with a fine strainer that fits snugly against its walls will prevent coffee from containing too much sediment or stray grounds. Models with double filters, like the Espro P3, excel here.
- Ease of Cleaning: If cleaning your cafetière is time-consuming and fiddly, you’re more likely to reach for the jar of instant. Look for dishwasher-safe models or those with simple filter designs.
For more tips on brewing, check out Coffee Review for expert advice on coffee equipment and techniques.
How to Brew the Perfect French Press Coffee
- Boil water to 204 degrees Fahrenheit.
- Grind 24g of freshly roasted coffee beans to a coarse texture.
- Pour 300ml of water into your French press to preheat. After 30 seconds, add your 24g of coffee.
- Fill the press with water until the coffee reaches the bottom of the pour spout.
- After about 3 ½ minutes, stir the top crust of the coffee for about ten seconds.
- Attach the top lid and plunge for about 20 seconds.
- Pour into a cup and enjoy!
Frequently Asked Questions
1. What grind size is best for a French press?
A coarse, even grind is ideal. A fine grind can clog the filter, while a very coarse grind may result in weak coffee. Aim for a consistency similar to coarse sea salt.
2. How do I reduce sediment in my coffee?
Use a double-filter system like the Espro P3 or pour through a secondary mesh strainer. Letting the coffee settle for a minute after plunging also helps.
3. Can I use a French press for cold brew?
Yes! Add coarse grounds and cold water, steep for 12-24 hours in the fridge, then plunge and pour. It’s a mess-free way to make cold brew.
4. Are stainless steel French presses better than glass?
It depends on your needs. Stainless steel is durable and insulated but heavier and pricier. Glass is lightweight and visually appealing but fragile and less insulated.
5. How often should I clean my French press?
Clean after each use to prevent oil buildup, which can impart bitterness. Disassemble the filter and wash thoroughly, or use a dishwasher-safe model for convenience.
With the right French press, you can elevate your coffee game and enjoy a robust, flavorful cup every morning. Whether you prioritize affordability, durability, or design, there’s a model to suit your needs. Happy brewing!