How We Test
We aggregate millions of product reviews, scour other websites for their professional opinions - then we test the products ourselves. We do not accept free products from manufacturers, and our only goal is to give you the best recommendations possible. However, if you buy from the links on this page, we may earn a small commission.
- Best Sapphire Engagement Rings - July 25, 2024
- Best Coffee - July 25, 2024
- Best French Press - July 25, 2024
Our office runs on caffeine. Lots of caffeine. We have multiple coffee making machines in the office and our French press devotees were very excited to put many models to the test. We quickly learned there are an overwhelming amount of choices out there for the best French press coffee makers, and the last thing you want to do is waste your money.
So we did all the (caffeinated) research, tested a variety of French press coffee makers, and aggregated tens of thousands of online reviews. After extensive tasting (and testing) – we were able to find the best choices. Here are our top picks – enjoy.
Our Top Pick
Mueller French Press
With a nearly perfect 5 star rating and over 6,000 glowing reviews, Mueller’s French press tops our list. We loved the sturdy and simple design, fully stainless steel construction, and double insulated carafe. It’s dishwasher safe and guaranteed rust-free. This is the perfect blend of quality design, excellent tasting coffee, and an affordable price tag. Highly recommended.
Other Great Picks
Secura French Press Coffee Maker
You cannot go wrong with Secura’s French press coffee maker. Its double wall construction helps retain heat and as a bonus it is available in ten different colors. Over 10,000 coffee lovers agree this insulated and 3 layered filtration system makes a tasty cup of joe. Definitely recommended.
Bayka 34 Oz French Press Coffee Maker
Another insulated model ranked high in our tests and with customers. This sleek coffee maker boasts a 4 level filtration system and is dishwasher safe. It is made completely of steel, even coming with a stainless steel press. Its low price tag is just an added bonus to this great buy.
Secura French Press Coffee Maker 50-Ounce
For the serious coffee drinkers out there who need to make larger quantities, the Secura 50 ounce coffee brewer is the perfect tool. Like its smaller counterpart, this is a stainless steel insulated design that is dishwasher safe. It makes delicious coffee and is a breeze to clean.
Kitchen Supreme French Press Coffee Maker
This stylish French press coffee maker has a glass carafe and stainless steel frame. The lid is double insulated to help retain heat and it is equipped with a 4 level filter system. With a 3 year replacement guarantee you can be reassured in your purchasing decision. Recommended.
SterlingPro French Press Coffee Maker
We were impressed with the SterlingPro stainless steel French press. Its double filter screen system ensures no coffee granules end up in your steaming cup of coffee and it was easy to use and clean. Nearly 4,000 reviewers were happy to endorse this coffee brewer and so are we. Definitely recommend.
Veken French Press Coffee Maker
We all agreed this was the best looking French press we tested. With its brushed copper stainless steel frame and convenient measurement scale on the glass carafe it is one stylish press. It also made fantastic coffee and was equipped with micro-filters to keep coffee granules out of the end product. Highly recommended.
Bodum Chambord French Press Coffee Maker
This steel and glass French press brews coffee in just 4 minutes and makes up to 8 cups of coffee at a time. With over 7,000 satisfied customers it’s a great option.
Cafe du Chateau French Press Coffee Maker
The Cafe du Chateau French press coffee maker makes a strong cup of coffee and uses a 4 level filtration system to ensure quality. With a glass carafe and stainless steel filter and frame it is easy to clean and durable. With a 4.6 star rating, you are sure to be happy with this coffee maker.
Utopia Kitchen French Coffee Press
Rounding out our top ten is this budget friendly model. With a glass carafe and bpa-free plastic frame it is dishwasher safe and extremely durable. It makes up to 8 cups of coffee at a time and we were impressed with the great flavor every time we used it. Recommended, for the budget-minded.
What Is French Press?
You are likely familiar with coffee – nearly all of us drink it on a regular basis. But you may be less familiar with French press coffee.
French press is the term used for coffee brewed in a French press maker. The coffee grounds are steeped for several minutes and then a mesh filter is pressed to the bottom of the carafe to filter out grounds from the drinkable coffee.
French press coffee allows the brewer to customize each batch to their own preferences. By altering the water temperature, how long it’s steeped, and the grounds used, a coffee lover can make the perfect cup for anyone.
What Is A French Press Coffee Maker?
A French press coffee maker (sometimes referred to as a press pot) consists of a carafe encased in a frame with a handle. A lid and plunger covers the carafe and is used to “press” the coffee grounds to the bottom after it is done steeping. Stainless steel wire or mesh filters are used to filter the coffee grounds out of the coffee.
Coffee made in French press makers is often touted as tastier and stronger than coffee made in traditional drip coffee machines. You can be a home barista with an investment in these simple and affordable French press coffee makers.
Smaller devices called travel presses are essentially miniature French presses designed to be easy to pack and make individual portions of coffee.
How Do You Use A French Press Maker?
Although a French press coffee maker may take a little more effort and time than brewing coffee with other methods, it is very simple. A few steps is all it takes to get a delicious cup of coffee.
- Add coffee grounds to the carafe
- Pour nearly boiling water into the carafe and stir
- Place the lid tightly over the carafe. The plunger should not be used yet, but should hover at the top of the carafe
- After several minutes of steeping slowly press the plunger down until the mesh filters are all the way depressed
- Pour and enjoy
What Grind Of Coffee Is Best For French Press Coffee Makers?
Experts agree that the grind of coffee used with a French press coffee maker will greatly determine the taste and quality of the coffee it produces. A coarse grind is the recommended type to use.
Finely ground coffee produces a more bitter flavor and cloudy appearance in a French press and should be avoided when possible. French press enthusiasts often grind their own beans to better control the grind quality.
Bottom line: Buy coarse ground coffee (or use a coffee grinder to make your own) and invest in quality coffee beans for the best coffee.
How Much Coffee Do You Use In A French Press?
The amount of coffee grounds you use to brew your coffee will be determined by personal preferences and tastes. If you want a strong flavor you will add more and for mild coffee lovers you will add less.
A heaping tablespoon of grounds per cup of water is the general recommendation. You will want to experiment with different amounts until you find the right combination for your taste.
How Long Does French Press Coffee Take To Brew?
A French press essentially steeps coffee grounds to produce your morning cup of coffee. The general recommendation is to allow coffee grounds about 4 minutes of steeping before pressing the plunger and pouring your coffee.
For lighter coffee reduce the time to 2.5 – 3 minutes. For a stronger flavor try brewing longer than 4 minutes. Be careful of over steeping, however, as that will produce a bitter flavor
Do French Press Makers Keep Coffee Hot?
Unlike a drip coffee machine that may have a built-in carafe warmer, French press makers are not equipped with heating devices to keep coffee warm.
Some of the models are insulated for better heat retention, but in general a French press coffee maker is intended to make one or two portions at a time so the user is always enjoying a piping hot fresh cup of coffee.
When brewing larger portions, it is best to pour the completed coffee into a thermos or travel mug to keep it warm longer.
Are French Press Makers Bad For Your Health?
You may have heard that French pressed coffee is unhealthy or bad for you. This stems from the fact that pour-over and drip coffee machines often use paper filters which trap some of the substances in coffee grounds more efficiently than the metal and mesh filters French press makers have.
A Harvard study linked French press makers to higher levels of cafestol, a compound that can increase bad (LDL) cholesterol, than coffee brewers using paper filters. However, one would need to consume a great deal of French press coffee to make a statistically substantial effect.
Bottom line: as with just about anything else, moderation is the key.
Can French Press Be Used To Make Tea?
Your French press coffee maker can double as a tea steeper. The processes are nearly identical so many find making a cup of tea in their French press just as convenient as any other device.
The steps to steeping tea are the same as coffee. Simply pour in your loose tea leaves, pour your hot water over it, close the lid, allow to steep for 2-4 minutes (depending on tea type), push the plunger down, and pour.
Can French Press Be Used To Make Espresso?
You may be happy to hear that a French press coffee maker can also make a high-quality espresso. With a few alterations and additional steps you can brew a strong tasty espresso.
- Use a fine grind for espresso (unlike coarse grind for coffee)
- Use a 2:1 ratio with 2 tablespoons of coffee per 1 cup water
- Pour the fine grinds into the carafe
- Add just a small amount of hot water at first to activate the coffee
- After 30 seconds or so pour the remaining hot water into the carafe
- Stir gently
- Place the lid on top (don’t push the plunger yet)
- After 3-4 minutes press the plunger down and pour your espresso
Can French Press Be Used To Make Cold Brew Coffee?
Yes, cold brew coffee can be made with a French press coffee maker as long as you have the patience to brew it.
Because cold brew requires steeping with cold water (hence the name) a batch will take between 12 – 16 hours to complete. A little pre-planning is all you need for a delicious smooth cold brew coffee.
Using about 4 oz of course ground coffee, pour 3 cups of cold water over the grounds and stir gently. Place the lid on the carafe and allow it to sit for 12 – 16 hours in a dark place or fridge. This will create a cold brew concentrate.
To drink a cold brew coffee add one part of the cold brew concentrate to one part cold water. You can add ice, sugar, or creamer to your liking.
How Do You Clean French Press Coffee Makers?
French press coffee makers should be cleaned after each use to maintain quality and taste and prolong the life of the device. Luckily, French presses are simple to clean.
The messiest step is removing the grounds. You should discard used grounds in the garbage or compost bin, never in the sink (they can clog the pipes!).
Then disassemble the French press and clean the components either by hand or place them in the dishwasher if your model is dishwasher safe (most are).
How Long Do French Press Coffee Makers Last?
The simplicity of design and lack of mechanical and motorized components ensure a long life for your French press coffee maker. Many people have used the same French press for a decade or longer.
French press coffee makers are built with high-quality materials like stainless steel and borosilicate glass which reduces breakage and improves durability.
While drip coffee machines and coffee bean grinders must often be replaced as their parts wear down, a French press coffee maker can outlast many of its competitors.
Why Should I Use A French Press?
Using a French press coffee maker is an individual choice based on your personal preferences. There are many reasons one might choose French press over other coffee machines, but the main factor is customization.
For coffee enthusiasts who want the perfect cup of joe every time, the French press can deliver. Once you find the perfect combination of grounds, temperature, and steeping time you can have a full body delicious coffee every day.
The Best French Press Coffee Maker
There you have it – our picks for the best French press coffee makers. If you love caffeine as much as our staff does – you’ll love any of the devices profiled here.
A French press is a low cost investment for making truly delicious coffee. Other brewing methods are available, but the French press gives you the most control over flavor profile and quality.
There are a ton of great coffee accessories besides French press coffee makers though – so be sure and take a look at our other reviews in the kitchen and home categories.