Best French Press Coffee Maker Of 2026: 8 Expert Picks
A French press is a kitchen staple for many of us, but it is too often overlooked for specialty coffee. That’s a mistake. Just because it’s simple and easy to use doesn’t mean it can’t deliver a fantastic cup of coffee, provided you buy the right tool for the job.
For this article, I tested and reviewed dozens of the most popular French presses on the market to find out which one will treat your coffee beans best. The results might surprise you. Expensive isn’t always best, material matters, and the style of coffee you enjoy is probably the most important factor.
Without further ado, here are the best French press coffee makers this year.
At A Glance:
- TOP PICK: Secura French Press
- BEST INSULATED FRENCH PRESS: Fellow Clara
- GREAT VALUE: Bodum Brazil
The 8 Best French Press Coffee Makers
There is a surprising diversity of French presses on the market. The design and construction of each play an important role in the quality and style of coffee it produces – not to mention its price.
The 8 best French presses of 2024 vary widely, but they’re all on this list thanks to their standout performances during testing. These are the brewers I thought delivered the best coffee with the least effort at a reasonable price point.
| image | product | details | |
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| No products found. | Secura Stainless Steel French Press |
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| No products found. | Bodum Chambord |
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| No products found. | Fellow Clara |
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| No products found. | Espro P3 French Press |
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| No products found. | Le Creuset Stoneware French Press |
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| No products found. | BaristasBuddy The Parisian French Press |
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| No products found. | Stanley Classic Stay Hot French Press |
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| No products found. | Bodum Brazil |
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1. Secura Stainless Steel French Press
Body material: Stainless steel
- Insulated: Yes
- Filter: 3-layer with stainless steel filter screen
- Sizes: 12 oz, 17 oz, 34 oz, 50 oz
The Secura French Press is a simple but highly-rated stainless steel press, and the reason for its popularity was clear during testing. I put it head-to-head against our previous top pick, the Frieling French Press, and it performed identically. The big difference between the two? The Secura is about a third the price.
This French press uses the standard three-layer filter design with a steel mesh, so it leaves a little silt in the bottom of the cup. But its price includes an extra mesh filter layer, so you can double them up for a cleaner brew (or have a spare in case you damage the first).
This Secura press has double-wall insulation that keeps the coffee inside hot for over 2 hours, while the outside stays cool to the touch. It comes in the biggest variety of sizes out of any model on this list, everything from a single serving to a 6-cup pot of coffee. It’s available in five lovely matte colors along with the classic polished stainless steel. Personally, I adore the blue.
2. Bodum Chambord
Body material: Borosilicate glass
- Insulated: No
- Filter: 3-layer with stainless steel filter screen
- Sizes: 17 oz, 34 oz
Dutch company Bodum claims to have perfected the French press. While that may be a little lofty, as the proud owner of two Bodums myself, I can tell you they’ve certainly cornered a segment of the market.
Bodum makes simple, reliable, affordable glass French presses. They’re easy to use, easy to clean, and look great on the counter.
The Bodum Chambord French Press is a classic, with a glass carafe and simple steel frame. Nothing flashy – it just works.
It uses the same filter setup as the Secura, delivering the same cup with a hint of fine sediment. Naturally, heat retention is quite poor in this glass press, so plan on drinking your coffee quickly or pouring it into a thermos for later.
If you’re a serious French press enthusiast, I’d probably steer you towards one of the more expensive steel models, but if you want to add a French press to your coffee bar for occasional use, this is the one I’d recommend.
3. Fellow Clara
Body material: Stainless steel
- Insulated: Yes
- Filter: Enhanced stainless steel filtration mesh
- Sizes: 24 oz
The Fellow Clara is the most expensive press on this list, but it wouldn’t be here if I didn’t think the value for money was sound. You aren’t just paying more for a brand name; you’re getting a better coffee maker.
Here are just a few things I loved about the Fellow Clara that I think make it worth your money.
- It has a finer and more uniform filtration mesh than the cheaper brewers, resulting in noticeably less sludge in the cup during testing.
- It kept my coffee hot for nearly 3 hours, second only to the Stanly Stay Hot.
- You can pour it in any direction without aligning the spout, a small but thoughtful detail that really improves the user experience.
- The nonstick coating on the interior makes it super easy to clean.
I have to mention its stunning design. It features the sleek matte black finish that has become a hallmark of the brand. A version with a walnut handle and lid retails for $20 more, and honestly, I’d say splurge if you like it. There’s value in owning coffee gear that makes you smile just to look at it, especially when it also makes delicious daily coffee.
My only complaint is the size. The Clara is only available in a 24-ounce model that makes a relatively small amount of coffee, so it’s best for a single person or couple.
4. Espro P3 French Press
Body material: Glass
- Insulated: No
- Filter: Double stainless steel microfilters
- Sizes: 18 oz, 32 oz
I can’t help but admire Espro for thinking outside the box with their French press design. They completely rethought the filter system to eliminate two common complaints about French press coffee: over-extraction and sediment in the cup.
The P3 uses two separate mesh filters. The ultra-fine upper filter is 12 times finer than average and has a silicone outer ring (1). Pressing the plunger almost completely halts brewing so your coffee never tastes bitter and over-extracted.
The double filter system definitely produced the cleanest cup during testing. It was immediately obvious we were dealing with something unique. And Espro sells custom paper filters you can add for an even crisper brew.
Espro claims that the P3 glass is 40% thicker than other glass models. I noted that it kept my coffee hot for about 15 minutes longer than the Bodum glass brewers. But it’s still glass; it’s not a great insulator, and it will break if you drop it.
All of Espro’s coffee presses use the same filter technology, only varying in size, material, and design. Check out the Espro P7 French Press if you prefer an insulated steel model, though I’ll warn you that it’s substantially more expensive.
5. Le Creuset Stoneware French Press
Body material: Ceramic stoneware
- Insulated: Yes
- Filter: Stainless steel mesh
- Sizes: 34 oz
Stoneware French presses are few and far between, but there is something undeniably charming about this ancient material. Stoneware offers better heat retention than glass, keeping coffee hot for over an hour in my tests. And though it will probably break if you drop it, it has excellent durability during normal use.
A lot of this press’s longevity can be attributed to Le Creuset’s famed super-hard enamel coating (2). I’ve always coveted the brand’s gear for its fun style, but that bright exterior is more than just a pretty face. It’s resistant to chips and stains and doesn’t scratch, even if you stir the coffee grounds with a metal spoon.
It’s safe for the microwave, oven, freezer, and dishwasher – something no steel or glass French press on this list can boast.
The downside is that Le Creuset products aren’t cheap. But in my opinion, your dollars are well spent on a high-quality, long-lasting French press that looks lovely displayed on your counter.
6. BaristasBuddy The Parisian French Press
Body material: Stainless steel
- Insulated: Yes
- Filter: 3-layer with stainless steel filter screen
- Sizes: 34 oz
The Parisian from the new brand BaristasBuddy impressed me right out of the gate. Its basic design looks similar to many others, including my top pick, the Secura French Press. But its colorful design and low price stand out from the crowd. It would make a great gift for any coffee lover.
It’s available in four lovely matte colors – basic black, dusty pink, vibrant yellow, and pale blue – each accented with a contrasting lid. Hopefully, you have plenty of counter space because you’ll hate hiding this coffee maker in a cupboard.
It’s a double-walled stainless steel model with great durability and decent insulation. It’s not the best of the bunch, but it kept my coffee hot for about 2 hours, which I think most users will find is plenty long enough to drink a few cups.
The filter design is the same three-layer steel mesh sandwich as most of the other presses on this list. So the coffee I made had the recognizable heavy body and slightly chewy finish of most French press brews.
7. Stanley Classic Stay Hot French Press
Body material: Stainless steel
- Insulated: Yes
- Filter: 3-layer with stainless steel filter screen
- Sizes: 48 oz
Stanley gear has made the news recently for its legendary durability, and that holds as true for this coffee press as it does for the famous mugs (3). Equipped with a lifetime warranty, there’s nowhere the Stanley Classic French Press can’t travel and few ordeals it can’t endure.
True to its Stay Hot moniker, the Stanley kept coffee hot longer than any other French press we tested for this review.
My coffee stayed warm for almost 4 hours when I brewed it at home and just over 3 hours when I retested it in relatively chilly conditions to mimic a cold morning camping.
The insulated stainless steel build and fairly large 48-ounce capacity make the Stanley French Press a great choice for home, an RV, or taking the whole family to the campground. But this isn’t a backpacker’s brewer; it’s the heaviest on this list at 2.5 pounds.
8. Bodum Brazil
Body material: Borosilicate glass
- Insulated: No
- Filter: 3-layer with stainless steel filter screen
- Sizes: 12 oz, 34 oz, 51 oz
The Bodum Brazil is the second bodum model on this list, and I would describe it as a more affordable, less classy alternative to the first. Performance-wise, they’re identical – same filter, same glass. But the Brazil trades the Chambord’s shiny metal frame for a BPA-free plastic base, handle, and lid.
The plastic frame makes the Brazil a bit more shock-resistant than the Chambord, but it’s still relatively fragile. Take this one camping at your own peril. I once broke one midway through a two-week trip and was sadly undercaffeinated for days.
Bodum is clearly leaning into Brazil’s more playful, less sophisticated look by offering it in a series of fun colors. Along with basic black, you can find cherry red, lime green, and rotating special editions. The Brazil is also noteworthy for offering a smaller 12-ounce size, perfect for brewing a single serving.
How I Tested The Best French Presses
Most of my French press testing was qualitative. I recruited three taste testers (plus myself) and brewed a full pot of coffee with each press using the same coffee beans, grind size, water temperature, coffee-to-water ratio, and steeping time.
We tasted each coffee blind and rated its flavor, body, and mouthfeel. We then decanted our coffee to see how much sediment remained in the cup. In the interest of fairness, I tracked who had the first serving from a given brew versus the last, which is always the grittiest.
The only quantitative test I performed was a measurement of heat retention. I filled each press with 200 F water and monitored how long it took to drop below 120 F.
Related Links:
- French Press Vs Drip Coffee
- Moka Pot vs French Press
- Aeropress vs French Press
- French Press vs Pour Over coffee
- French Press vs The Chemex
How To Find The Best French Press For You
The French press is one of the most popular coffee makers worldwide because it is reliable, easy, and delicious. No precision pouring, stirring, or Gooseneck kettle required. No paper filters needed. Just boldly flavored brewed coffee that captures the full essence of the bean.
Despite the simple mechanism, French presses come in many variations, and it can be difficult to separate the functional from the flashy. To help you navigate the flurry of dinky knock-offs and overpriced frustration traps, here is guide of what to look for when searching for the best value brewer.
Materials: Stainless Steel, Glass, Ceramic, Or Plastic
These coffee makers are almost exclusively made from heatproof borosilicate glass, stainless steel, or (less often) ceramic stoneware. There are a few plastic French presses out there, but I’d steer clear of those.
Choosing the material for your French press carafe comes down to price, durability, heat retention, and visual appeal. While you can decide for yourself on aesthetics, here is the lowdown on the other factors.
Heat Retention
Double-wall stainless steel French presses offer the best insulation. Most will keep your coffee warm for hours. However, remember that the grounds and coffee at the bottom of the press will continue to extract during that time, eventually becoming bitter. So I highly recommend decanting your brewed coffee into a thermos if you don’t plan to drink it in the first half hour.
That said, I still prefer an insulated French press because it ensures my brew water stays at constant temperature during the 4 to 5-minute brew time. This results in the best extraction and most flavorful cup no matter the type of coffee (4).
Durability
Stainless steel is orders of magnitude more accident-proof than glass. Although the borosilicate glass used in press pots isn’t as fragile as fancy wine glasses, it’s still glass. It will shatter if you drop it or it gets banged around in your luggage. Choose a metal press if you are clumsy or plan to travel with your coffee maker.
Price
Glass French presses are generally more affordable. Steel is more expensive than glass, and double-wall insulated flasks are more complex to engineer. Metal French presses are virtually indestructible, so you will get your money’s worth in time. But if you only occasionally crave a French press brew, a glass model is probably the more financially sound decision.
Filter Design: Body, Silt, And Grit Considerations
The filter in a typical French press is composed of a sandwich of steel mesh held in place by stamped steel. Some French presses use finer filters, and some even allow you to insert a paper filter for a cleaner cup. The right model for you depends on the style of coffee you enjoy.
Stick with the classic steel mesh filter if you like a very full-bodied, almost chewy coffee and you don’t mind a bit of silt at the bottom of your cup. Opt for an ultra-fine filter like those used by Espro and Fellow if you want a smooth coffee with a heavy body but less sediment. Add a paper filter for a cleaner cup with no sediment and a body similar to drip coffee.
Keep in mind that a good coffee grinder can make a big difference here, both in the mouthfeel and flavor of the coffee.
Get a good grinder so you can lessen the chance of having too many ‘fines’ that will sneak past the filter and cause the coffee to be over-extracted.
A grinder that yields a uniform coarse grind with fewer fines will naturally result in less grit in your cup, regardless of filter.
Capacity: How Much Coffee Do You Drink?
Capacity is an important consideration when buying any coffee maker. The only thing worse than wasted coffee is not having enough coffee!
The most popular French press sizes range from about 12 oz to 50 oz, though you’ll find variations by brand. I consider the 12-oz models to be single servings, 17 oz serves one or two, and 24 oz serves two or three.
The most common French press size is 34 ounces (1 liter), which serves four. It’s a practical choice for most users, balancing capacity with a manageable size. Opt for a larger press over 40 ounces if you need to serve a crowd.
Verdict: What Is The Best French Press?
A great thing about buying a French press is that there are many brands and models to choose from, regardless of your needs and budget. I’m a fan of all the coffee presses on this list, but in the end, the Secura Stainless Steel French Press came out on top.
The Secura delivers the robust brew you expect from a French press with just a hint of sediment. Its double-wall stainless steel build provides excellent durability and heat retention, and it comes in an array of sizes and colors – all at a remarkably friendly price point. It’s a great buy for both occasional and enthusiastic French press coffee drinkers.
FAQs
French press coffee is not bad for you unless you have a pre-existing condition making you susceptible to high cholesterol. Unfiltered or metal-filtered coffee, which includes French press coffee, contains higher levels of cafestol, which can increase bad cholesterol (5). This compound is filtered out in coffee brewing methods that use paper filters.
Your taste dictates whether you prefer French press or pour over coffee; neither is better (6). French press coffee has a heavy body, oily mouthfeel, and bold flavor. It is also much easier for a beginner barista to use a French Press. Pour over coffee yields a cleaner cup with a lighter body and more complex and subtle flavors. It takes more skill to achieve consistency.
The best way to make French press coffee is to add coarsely ground coffee and hot water at 200 F to the French press in a ratio of 1:18.
For a standard 34-ounce press, I add 50 grams of coffee (1.76 oz) followed by just enough water to saturate the grounds. After 30 seconds, I add the remainder of the water, for a total of 900 mL (30 fl oz). I place the lid on the press, steep for 4 minutes, then press the plunger and serve.
References
- Brown, N. (2013, March 13). Vancouver’s Espro Justifies its Successful Return to Kickstarter. Retrieved from https://dailycoffeenews.com/2013/03/13/vancouvers-espro-justifies-its-successful-return-to-kickstarter/
- Hilpern, K. (2010, November 19). The Secret History Of: Le Creuset. Retrieved from https://www.independent.co.uk/property/interiors/the-secret-history-of-le-creuset-2138071.html
- Stessman, E. (2021, July 26). Why is everyone so obsessed with the Stanley tumbler? What you need to know. Retrieved from https://www.today.com/shop/stanley-adventure-quencher-40-oz-tumbler-t226227
- Buchanan, M. (2013, June 18). Chasing the Perfect Cup of Coffee with Science. Retrieved June 2, 2019, from https://gizmodo.com/chasing-the-perfect-cup-of-coffee-with-science-5642561
- Godman, H. (2016, April 30). Pressed coffee is going mainstream – but should you drink it? Retrieved June 2, 2019, from https://www.health.harvard.edu/blog/pressed-coffee-going-mainstream-drink-201604299530
- Burgess-Yeo, S. (2019, March 15). Drip and immersion brewing: A battle of two methods. Retrieved from https://perfectdailygrind.com/2019/03/drip-pour-over-vs-immersion-the-battle-of-the-coffee-brew-methods/
So AeroPress not one of the best in 2020?
I use mine with a Prismo & would consider this combo great for single cup brewing.
The Aeropress is great, but this post is looking at French press coffee makers only. We love (and talk about) the Aeropress all over Home Brews Coffee. Use the search bar and you’ll find some of our posts featuring it 🙂