A French press with fresh coarse ground coffee and four minutes can brew a hot, fragrant cup of coffee.
In this review, we have compared the best French presses for coffee so that you can start your day with a delicious cup.
Best French Presses
If we had to choose just one French press, we would consider the Bodum CHAMBORD as one of our top picks. It has a classic look and can make enough coffee for that early morning rush to work!
If you prefer to grab a fresh cup at work or on the go, consider the Bodum Travel French Press.
Bodum 8-Cup French Press Coffee Maker
- Carafe: Borosilicate glass
- Size: 34 ounces of coffee making power
- Filter Construction: Three part stainless steel filter for water movement and coffee filtration
- Plunger Characteristics: Metal domed lid with round plunger handle may cause some heat transfer; plunge with care.
- Cleanup: The pot is held in a metal bracket with plastic handle; all parts are dishwasher safe.
This French press coffee pot offers traditional construction and preserves the fun of really fresh coffee; that is, watching it foam up.
The only plastic on this coffee maker is in the heat resistant handle and the top of the plunger handle. No plastic touches your coffee directly.
SterlingPro Double Wall Stainless Steel French Coffee Press
- Carafe: Stainless steel, double walled for insulation.
- Size: Brews 59 ounces of coffee
- Filter Construction: Double fine screen construction to collect coffee debris
- Plunger Characteristics: Plunger has a flat topped handle and lid is doubled walled; no burnt knuckles as you plunge
- Cleanup: Promoted as dishwasher safe, but some users have found water within the double thermal walls. Wash by hand.
This large French press brews several cups and keeps them hot while you begin your day!
The metal pot makes it easy to clean; you can wash out and wipe down this stainless steel French press for a spot free finish.
Ritual Bamboo French Coffee Press
No products found.- Carafe: Borosilicate glass
- Size: 36 ounces
- Filter Construction: Dual fine stainless steel
- Plunger Characteristics: Bamboo lid and plunger handle, stainless plunger rod
- Cleanup: Hand wash
This beautiful French press is complete free of plastic and offers a dual precision filter.
It’s not recommended that this tool go in the dishwasher; however, if plastics are a concern for you, this pot is an excellent choice.
Glass, stainless steel and bamboo are the only materials used in the making of this beautiful pot and French press plunger.
Bodum BRAZIL French Press
- Carafe: Borosilicate glass
- Size: 12 ounces
- Filter Construction: Three part stainless steel filter
- Plunger Characteristics: BPA free plastic lid and plastic plunger handle
- Cleanup: Dishwasher safe
This pot is one of the more traditional French press sizes and produces three cups each of four ounces (the traditional French press cup), or two mugs.
The entire tool can simply be rinsed and placed directly into the dishwasher, just protect it from bumping against hard surfaces during the washing process and it should be ready to go!
KONA French Press Coffee Maker
- Carafe: Borosilicate glass
- Size: 34 ounces
- Filter Construction: Triple layer stainless steel filter
- Plunger Characteristics: BPA and BPS free lid with high dome, stainless steel rod, rubber knob on the plunger
- Cleanup: Dishwasher safe
This simple French press offers a uniquely designed handle that wraps around the pot to protect it from damage.
The handle is large is also BPA and BPS free and offers plenty of clearance, so no burned knuckles if you want to take your French press out to the patio.
Related | KONA French Press review
Coffee Gator French Press
- Carafe: Stainless steel with vacuum insulation
- Size: 34 ounces
- Filter Construction: triple layer filter with one layer of stainless steel mesh
- Plunger Characteristics: Stainless steel push button plunger
- Cleanup: Hand wash
This double wall French press is a great spot to brew and store your French press coffee.
It’s made of premium stainless steel, so if breaking glass carafes is a frustration, this tool will be a great fit!
The exterior finish is available in both gunmetal gray and stainless for a great look. The press filter is a double mesh construction so that all you are drinking is delicious coffee.
Cafe Du Chateau French Press
- Carafe: Borosilicate glass
- Size: 33 ounces
- Filter Construction: 4 level filtration
- Plunger Characteristics: Stainless steel button press
- Cleanup: Dishwasher safe
This elegant French press features two layers of fine filtration for a crumb-free cup of coffee.
The glass carafe rests in a stainless steel sleeve with a large handle that offers plenty of clearance, so no knuckle burns before you’ve had a cup.
There is some plastic in the plunger lid seal, but it is food safe and doesn’t touch your beverage.
Secura Stainless Steel French Press Coffee Maker
- Carafe: Insulated stainless steel
- Size: 34 ounce
- Filter Construction: Triple layer filtration, extra stainless steel filters included
- Plunger Characteristics: All stainless steel with a stainless steel button for press control
- Cleanup: Dishwasher safe
This striking insulated French press offers three layers of filtration and up to two extra mesh screens to give you nothing but delicious coffee in your cup.
There are no plastic components to this French press and every portion of it can go in the dishwasher. The pitcher and handle design are nothing short of elegant.
Bodum COLUMBIA Thermal French Press Coffee Maker
- Carafe: Insulated stainless steel
- Size: 51 ounces
- Filter Construction: Triple layer stainless steel mesh filter
- Plunger Characteristics: Plunger has an L shaped button with a locking mechanism
- Cleanup: Dishwasher safe
Only dedicated fans of French press coffee need consider this formidable Bodum coffee pot.
In addition to 51 ounces of brewing capacity, this carafe has double walls for thermal insulation and stainless steel finish; no plastic to worry about.
Finally, the lid of this pot locks in place so no risk of spills should it tip over. This charming French press pot has an old world feel thanks to its rounded bottom.
Related | Colombian Coffee Brands
Bodum Travel French Press
- Carafe: Stainless steel coffee mug
- Size: 15 ounces
- Filter Construction: Stainless steel mesh
- Plunger Characteristics: Incorporated into the plastic lid, plastic button on top
- Cleanup: Dishwasher safe
The Bodum stainless French press travel mug is an ideal option for busy folks on the go.
However, many users have trouble with the cup as it doesn’t filter completely, so be certain to use coarse ground coffee and consider re-straining your coffee before you get on the road.
Why Buy A French Press?
French press coffee brews most effectively fresh ground, coarse coffee. You’ll want a burr grinder for best results as blade grinders produce a lot of dust that can make your coffee oily or gritty.
Regardless of your roast preference, fresh ground coffee offers the finest flavor and aroma. It takes a little manipulation to make French press coffee, which increases your exposure to the delicious aroma of coffee and improves your enjoyment of the coffee making process.
Related | What Is French Roast Coffee
Fans of ritual will love the process of making French press coffee. You’ll need your beans and grinder or coarse ground coffee, a French press pot, a hot water pot and a stirring utensil.
Related | How To Use A French Press
Features & Parts
French Press Filter
Your French press filter has several components and filtering steps. There are multiple plates within the filter; some for moving large amounts of water easily and some for capturing fine bits of coffee grounds.
For this filter to work most effectively, you need to:
- Plunge slowly when brewing your French press coffee
- Clean it thoroughly when you’re done.
Coffee gets much of its flavor and aroma from the oil in the beans. This oil can stain the glass of your French press carafe and clog your filters.
French Press Plunger
Your plunger covers the top of the French press pot. The filters for your French press pot live on the business end of the plunger, while the handle of the plunger lives on top.
This mechanism is fairly straightforward; the only way to damage your French press plunger is to let it get dirty so it gums up and has to be forced, or to bend the plunger rod.
Once you’ve used your press, be sure to clean it up right away, let it dry and store it with the plunger inside the pot. This should protect the mechanics from damage.
French Press Cup or Carafe
Most French press pots are clear glass, while most portable French press cups are stainless steel.
There are many French press pots on the market that offer double wall construction to keep your coffee hot, but this also stores it on top of the grounds.
French Press Sizes
Several of the French press pots in this review brew 34 ounces of French press coffee, while some brew less and one brews only a travel cup.
For best results, if you’re going to brew several cups, move the coffee to a thermos or carafe to maintain flavor.
No matter the size of your French press, using great coffee and the right brew time will result in a wonderful beverage.
Cleaning Parts
Cleaning your French press will be easy, but you need to do it soon after brewing.
- Authorities with FrenchPressCoffee.com recommend dumping the grounds into a strainer (rather than the drain) for a clean transfer to trash or compost bucket.
- Add warm water and a bit of soap to your French press, run the plunger up and down inside the carafe to clear the fine filters, and rinse thoroughly.
- Wipe out the inside of your French press to remove coffee oils, let the plunger air dry and you’re ready for the next pot!
Related | How To Clean A French Press
Final Thoughts
French press pots are an ideal addition to your coffee arsenal as you can brew robust, delicious coffee with only hot water and a little time.
Are they more involved than a drip coffeemaker? Yes. But you can start your day with focus, intention, and the aroma of amazing coffee.
These pots come in a variety of shapes and sizes, from a large carafe to a single traveling cup. No matter how much French press coffee you need, be certain to keep a separate carafe or thermos available so you can transfer your coffee away from the grounds.
This transfer is critical to maintaining great flavor. The plunging mechanism will leave your coffee grounds at the bottom of the pot, so your beverage may grow bitter and dark if left in contact with the grounds.
French press coffee offers coffee fans a chance to enjoy true coffee flavor with no paper filter interference. There is a risk of coffee grounds entering your cup, but re-straining is always an option; you can even do it as you transfer your coffee to a thermos.
