The Best French Press Coffee Makers

The 7 Best French Press Coffee Makers of 2020 https://www.thespruceeats.com/best-french-press-coffee-makers-4154244 A quick way to make great coffee Written by Donna Currie Updated 08/07/20 Our editors independently research, test, and recommend the best products; you can learn more about our review process here. We may receive commissions on purchases made from our chosen links. Our Top Picks Best Overall: Frieling Double Wall Stainless Steel French Press at Amazon "This highly polished stainless steel French press makes a pretty presentation and retains heat four times longer than glass." Best Durable: IdylcHomes KONA French Press Coffee Maker at Amazon "Durable with an insulated outer sleeve to prevent chips, dings, or shattering." Best Design: Bodum CHAMBORD French Press Coffee Maker at Amazon "This French press has a heat-resistant borosilicate glass carafe with a plastic handle and base, easy to use and keep clean." Best Budget: Bodum BRAZIL Coffee Maker at Amazon "This lower-cost model is made from heat-resistant borosilicate glass and is large enough for a whole family." Best for Travel: Bodum Travel Tea and Coffee Press at Amazon "If you want to take your coffee on the go, this French press is incorporated into a stainless steel travel mug." Best Stoneware: Le Creuset Stoneware French Press at Amazon "Stoneware has a nice heft and maintains temperature, so it keeps your coffee warm and resists scratches and stains." Best Stainless Steel: Secura Stainless Steel French Press at Amazon "This insulated, double-walled French press will maintain your coffee's temperature for at least one hour." French presses possess a simple elegance. The non-electric devices have just two parts, a plunger and carafe, but make coffee richer than most drip machines. This is because French presses are immersion brewers: the coffee grounds are soaked in hot water (195 to 205 degrees) for 2 to 5 minutes before plunging, rather than water being poured through the grounds. While there are some drawbacks to consider—added effort, frequent cleaning, smaller capacities—French presses are affordable, compact, and stylish. They are great for personal use but also come in sizes large enough for families. From glass to stainless steel, here are the best French presses you can buy. Best Overall: Frieling Double Wall Stainless Steel French Press EXCELLENT Buy on Amazon Buy on Wayfair Buy on Bed Bath & Beyond What We Like Durable Eye-catching design Great heat retention Superior coffee flavor What We Don't Like Expensive Finish is prone to spots and smudges Heavier than other models This highly polished stainless steel French press makes a pretty presentation, while the full-length handle makes it easy to lift and pour. It has a two-stage filter, including a pre-filter that strains out the larger grains of coffee, and a second fine mesh filter to remove sediment. The item is made from 18/10 stainless steel with double-wall construction that retains heat roughly four times longer than glass French presses, so it can even be used as a serving carafe at your kitchen table for other beverages. We tested the Frieling French press ourselves and found that it truly does keep your coffee hot longer than glass models will. Our product reviewer also noted that the stainless steel is "durable and won’t shatter like glass beakers." The only downside is that you can't see through the carafe to know how much coffee is left. The product disassembles easily and is dishwasher safe, and you don’t need to disassemble the plunger before washing. Our product reviewer added that it took "no more than a minute to take [the press] apart," and that it was "a breeze to put back together." Frieling Stainless Steel French Press Coffee Maker Review The 9 Best Coffee and Espresso Machine Combos of 2020 "With a price two or three times higher than many other French presses—around $100—this model might seem costly for a coffee maker. That said, the quality of the design, engineering, and resulting sediment-free java give this device an edge over its competitors." — Tracey Minkin, Product Tester Best Durable: IdylcHomes KONA French Press Coffee Maker VERY GOOD Buy on Amazon Buy on Walmart What We Like Affordable Ergonomic Protective outer shell Modern, lightweight design What We Don't Like Some grounds slip through filter Only two size options If you live in a busy household, a glass coffee maker might sound like a bad idea. Thankfully, the Kona French Press Coffee Maker has an insulated outer sleeve to prevent chips, dings, or shattering. After testing the item, our reviewer wrote that the combination of the glass body and the plastic sleeve puts the press on "the lighter side." This allows it be both "portable and durable," but keep an eye out because it's also "easier to tip over." The item is an all-time favorite online with thousands of positive reviews. Customers love that it's well-designed, easy to clean, and offers a delicious punch of caffeine—not to mention its budget price. Available in a 12 or 34-ounce option this pick is also dishwasher safe, which makes it even better for busy families. KONA French Press Coffee Maker Review "While there are cheaper French press coffee makers on the market, this model from KONA offers high-quality elements at a very reasonable price. This makes it a great entry-level product for first-time French press users or a lovely gift for newlyweds or even college students." — Tracey Minkin, Product Tester Best Design: Bodum CHAMBORD French Press Coffee Maker VERY GOOD Buy on Amazon Buy on Wayfair Buy on Walmart What We Like Affordable Classic design Broad range of sizes and finishes What We Don't Like Plunger can be wobbly Some grounds in mug Frame around carafe slips slightly Bodum has been manufacturing press coffee makers for decades, and they have a wide range of products, including many versions of the French press. This one has a heat-resistant borosilicate glass carafe with a plastic handle and base, so it’s easy to use and easy to keep clean. It's also available in a number of sizes, starting at 12 ounces and going all the way up to 51 ounces. The plunger is made from stainless steel with a mesh filter that helps extract the aromatic oils while leaving the grounds behind. The design is both elegant and modern, fitting any kitchen décor. Our reviewer said the item is a great value-for-money buy and an excellent starter choice for those new to French presses. The plunger can feel "a little wobbly" at times, however, which might lead to some stray coffee grounds in your mug—an issue that higher-end French presses typically avoid. Bodum CHAMBORD French Press Coffee Maker Review