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Last Updated on December 15, 2023
For most people across the globe, coffee is one of our favorite beverages. It’s the boost people need to get them going in the morning, it’s a way to bring people together, it’s a way to wrap up a good meal, and it’s a culture in itself.
The question for all you coffee lovers out there is—how do you prefer to make your coffee? If you’ve done your homework, you might appreciate the exquisite taste that comes from a perfect French press brewing method.
Of course, that leads to the next question: Which French press should you get so that you can always have the best possible cup of coffee? We’ve done the research for you, and we’re here to fill you in on the six best French press coffee makers on the market today.
Our Pick for the Best French Press Coffee Maker
Top 6 French Press Coffee Makers at a Glance
Don’t worry, we’re going to dive into what we love about each one, but first . . .
What Makes a Great French Press?
If you’re already an expert on French presses and just want to get to the list, feel free to skip ahead. If you’re wondering how we came up with our six best French presses, we based it on these criteria:
- Material quality
- Capacity
- Durability
- Ease of cleaning
- Filter quality
- Price
Material quality
When it comes to material quality, you mostly have two choices: glass and metal. Technically, there are other materials, but these two dominate the market. We found one exception to this rule, which you will see in detail later.
As for the common choices, glass looks nice, but it’s not the best insulator, and your coffee can cool off pretty quickly. A better but more expensive option is double-wall stainless steel. It’s designed specifically for insulation and can keep delicious coffee hot for hours.
Capacity
As for capacity, it’s really a trade-off. If you want more cups of coffee to start the morning, you need a bigger French press. But if you prefer something that is portable or that doesn’t take up much space, you’ll have to trade in some of that capacity. We have recommendations in different sizes for this exact reason.
Durability
Durability is also a simple concept. French presses that last longer are better. You can trust that all six of our recommendations are worthwhile investments.
Ease of Cleaning
Ease of cleaning is where French presses can really separate from each other. The machine is pretty simple in concept, so when it comes time to clean your French press, you want it to be easy to disassemble, clean, and reassemble. Unnecessary complications didn’t make the cut.
Filter Quality
French press filter quality and construction is arguably the most important category. Nobody wants gritty coffee, and too many French presses let the grains through, making the last few sips rather unpleasant. We scoured the market to find you French presses with high-quality filters that minimize grit.
Price
Lastly, price is always important. We aren’t listing the six cheapest French presses. Rather, we’re focused on getting you the most bang for your buck.
With all that in mind, let’s get into the six best French presses you can find.
6 Best French Press Coffee Makers in Detail
Secura Stainless Steel French Press
This 34-ounce (1 liter) French press is perfect for larger families, for boutique inns serving breakfast to multiple people each morning, or for the next time you host brunch.
Made with double-wall stainless steel on both the interior and exterior, the Secura is built to last. The stainless steel design also allows this French press to retain a ton of heat. It should keep your tasty coffee hot for about an hour longer than glass-carafe models or even single-wall steel.
Even though the body is made to retain heat, the handle and knob on the Secura French press are made with Cool Touch technology so you don’t burn your hands.
Bodum Chambord French Press
The Chambord French Press designed by Bodum comes in an eight-cup and a three-cup model, providing options for larger groups and single-cup drinkers.
Bodum, a Swiss company, has been around since the 1940s and is a household name when it comes to kitchen appliances and products. The company is extremely well known for its quality coffee makers and accessories. The Chambord model has roots dating back to the 1970s.
The design of the Chambord French Press is classic and timeless. It’s also quite environmentally friendly.
This French press has a stainless steel frame and lid with a carafe created from heat-resistant borosilicate glass. It will last years as long as you handle that glass carefully. It also has a comfortable handle and a modern, dome-like, sleek design. The stainless steel plunger makes cleanup fairly simple.
The Bodum Chambord’s three-cup model has a stylish cork dome top, while the eight-cup model has a stainless steel dome top.
ESPRO P7 French Press
Two coffee-loving engineers in Vancouver attempted to fix the most common complaints about a typical French press. The result was the ESPRO.
The ESPRO is a double-walled, stainless steel French press with an innovative filter that keeps all the coffee grounds and fines out of your cup but allows the oils in. The ESPRO’s unique filter has two layers, each shaped like a basket, and they are made of microfilters that are 9 to 12 times finer than the filter on a typical French press.
You can buy glass-carafe ESPRO models, but the double-walled steel version keeps the coffee nice and hot, overcoming a common criticism of French press, which is that the hot water often dips below optimal extraction temperature before steeping is complete. No such issue exists with the ESPRO, and of course, your coffee stays hot on the table for a lot longer, too.
So here you have a French press that is durable and keeps your coffee hot, giving you all those flavorful coffee oils without any of the sediment.
ESPRO’s coffee French press line has six different designs, including two travel options (one of which is ultralight). The ESPRO selections range from the Everyday 32-ounce P3 to the 32-ounce P7.
Frieling Stainless Steel French Press
The Frieling is a stylishly modern take on the French press, made of double-layered stainless steel.
The double-walled exterior provides really good insulation and will keep your coffee hot for four hours. It’s built to last and comes with a five-year warranty.
Its plunger and filter fit snugly in the cylindrical pot, and it has a double filter system with a very fine mesh screen, so it really cuts down on sediment in your coffee. It’s also really easy to disassemble for cleaning. If you want, you can put the whole thing in the dishwasher without any worries. This would be a much sketchier proposition with a thin-glass French press.
But the greatest part of the Frieling might be the handle. It feels comfortable and solid in your hand, it’s well balanced, and it makes pouring very easy, even when you’re using the big 44-ounce version. (Other sizes are 8, 17, 23 and 36-ounce.)
The Frieling comes with an exterior of either brushed or mirrored steel and moves easily between casual everyday use and more formal occasions.
It’s a unique unit that takes the flavor of coffee to the next level. I’ve tasted many a coffee made by this machine, and the quality is consistent in the hands of a competent French press brewer.
Le Creuset Stoneware French Press
The Le Creuset French Press is the only stoneware option on our list, and it’s absolutely amazing. Le Creuset has long been known for its quality cookware. This French-Belgian brand has been a kitchen staple since 1925.
This option is also the most colorful on our list with 11 different glaze finishes. The glaze also means this French press is nonporous, nonstick, and resistant to scratches, stains, and chips. Stoneware also provides excellent heat retention, and it’s easy to clean.
The stoneware French press comes in a 34-ounce standard size and will vary slightly in price depending on the glaze.
Le Creuset also has a 10-year warranty on its products.
Stanley Classic Stay Hot French Press
Last but certainly not least is the Stanley Classic Stay Hot French Press. Stanley has been around for more than a century, and their thermoses have carried a lot of coffee.
This 48-ounce French press is meant for the outdoors, but many customers use it as their daily coffee maker. It can brew enough hot coffee for your entire family or camping group, and with vacuum insulation, it can keep coffee warm for up to four hours.
The Classic Stay Hot French Press is made for the everyday outside worker, van lifer, camper, or other outdoor enthusiasts, but it’s also just a solid coffee maker.
This French press is available in five different color options.
A French Press for Everyone
There’s something for everyone on our list. The Bodum Chambord is a classic—the sort of product whose picture might appear in the dictionary right next to the definition of “French press.” If you’re looking for the most recent step in the French press’s evolution, that’s probably the ESPRO.
All the models in between are solid, too. Choose whichever one speaks to you, and don’t worry about whether you’re getting quality, because Bean Poet doesn’t let pretenders squeeze through our filters.
