Best french press machine

The Best French Press Coffee Makers of 2022

Straight to the Point

Our favorite French press coffee maker is the Fellow Clara French Press. Its heat retention was unmatched in our testing and it has smart design features, like a weighted handle that makes pouring easier. Our budget pick is the Coffee Gator French Press Coffee Maker. This double-walled model is about $40 and a solid performer.

Brewing coffee on a French press is highly rewarding and very simple: you pour hot water over coarsely ground coffee, wait a few minutes, and press down. Coffee that comes out of a French press is wonderfully bold and heavy, and you don't need to know too much about brewing or extraction techniques to get it right.

Almost all French presses have the same design: There’s a brewing chamber with a handle and a plunger with a mesh filter. But the details of a French press brewer can take your brew from just okay to extraordinary. I tested a range of models and tried a variety of brewing recipes to figure out the best French press for most people. Here’s what I found.

Editor's Note

We recently tested eight more French presses (models from Bodum, SterlingPro, Brim, Stanley and more) at our Lab and compared them to the performance and usability of our favorite French press from Fellow. You can read our thoughts on each of these new additions towards the bottom of this page.

The Winners, at a Glance

The Best Overall French Press: Fellow Clara French Press

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The Fellow Clara combines innovative design with excellent heat retention. With its sleek matte finish, double-walled chamber, and weighted handle, the Clara proves that the folks at Fellow understand what makes a French press brewer great.

Best for: Design-minded folks who want a beautiful piece of coffee equipment; people who want to keep their coffee piping hot for extended periods; people who want a brewer that can make an excellent cup of French press coffee without any fuss.

The Best French Press for Folks Who Like to Tinker: Espro P3 French Press

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The Espro P3 is probably the most “innovative” of the models I tested. The filter is a two-layer mesh cage meant to filter out fine particles, which means you can play with grind settings more. (What if you ground your coffee at an espresso setting? Wild things are happening!). The resulting coffee is cleaner than any cup I made with the other French presses, but it’s difficult to clean and doesn’t give you the hefty, almost viscous coffee you'd expect from a French press.

Best for: Folks who like to geek out on coffee; who have a burr grinder and can tinker with different grind settings; who want their coffee to taste closer to a pour over with the ease of a French press.

The Best Affordable French Press: Coffee Gator French Press Coffee Maker

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The Coffee Gator is made of layered stainless steel that's both sturdy and keeps coffee hot over long periods of time. The dual filter ensures that grit and coffee sludge don’t end up in the final cup but still produces coffee with the heft you’d expect in a French press. It also comes with a bonus canister to bring your beans on the road.

Best for: Folks looking for a classic cup of French press coffee; travelers and campers; those who are accident-prone and need a brewer that’ll withstand drops.

The Criteria: What We Look for in a Great French Press

Serious Eats / Ashley Rodriguez

A great French press has to make great coffee. It should be easy to use and easy to clean. It also should keep coffee hot and maintain that temperature for long periods of time.

To improve your coffee drinking experience even more, use freshly ground coffee if you can. Buy the best beans available to you and invest in a burr grinder as opposed to a a blade grinder.

What's the Best Temperature for Coffee Extraction?

Serious Eats / Ashley Rodriguez

Coffee is made by extracting soluble components out of ground coffee. The way coffee releases those components—which is where flavor comes from—is through interaction with water. The National Coffee Association states that the ideal brewing temperature for coffee is between 195°-205°F.

Anything hotter than 205°F will result in over-extraction, which causes bitter, acrid, and unpleasant flavors. Anything cooler than 195°F will result in under-extraction, where the resulting brew is sour and hollow. “Heat typically speeds up chemical reactions, so adding heat to your brewing process will increase the extraction rate of your brewing method,” says Erica Chadé, Specialty Coffee Educator.

A French press is a full immersion brewer, meaning that the coffee and water are hanging out with each other for a long time. Most French press recipes require water and coffee to brew together for at least four minutes before you plunge and separate the grounds from the final brew. That means you want to try to keep your water within that ideal brewing-temperature range for as long as possible.

Let’s be clear—you won’t be able to keep water within that range the entire time you’re brewing, and that’s not even really the point (every brew method will lose heat, even pour-over brewers). In every French press I tested, the water I used lost at least 20 degrees between the initial pour and the final brew. Yet while it's inevitable that the water will lose heat, the rate it does so depends on how the French press is insulated.

“Temperature stability is a variable that we understand will change throughout the French press brew process, and anything we can do to minimize its loss of heat helps with extraction and consistency from brew to brew,” says Akaash Saini, National Sales Manager for Ground Control Coffee Brewers in New York. “Pre-heating your vessel, and using double-walled french presses (like Fellow and Espro) will help.”

What's the Right Grind Setting for French Press Coffee?

Serious Eats / Ashley Rodriguez

Almost all French press recipes call for you to grind your coffee on the coarsest setting possible, but that's not what I recommend. There are two reasons: First, every grinder’s coarsest setting is different; second, you can increase extraction when you grind just a teeny bit finer.

To test my theory, I did a Very Scientific Thing: I asked #coffeetwitter what they thought. 21.7% said you should grind coarse, 19.6% said finer than you’d think, and 58.7% said medium-coarse.

We Tested 12 Coffee Grinders—Here Are the Best Ones

When it comes to determining the right grind setting, your best tool will always be your palate. I think that’s where lots of folks make mistakes—sometimes, coffee recipes are treated as prescriptive, but really, they’re meant to be jumping off points, and coffee is so easy to tinker with as long as you listen to what your palate is telling you. In general, if your coffee tastes sour and thin, try grinding finer. If it tastes bitter and syrupy, try a coarser grind setting.

Why You Should Trust Us

I worked in two different cafes that made all their drip coffee using a French press. One was appropriately called Daily Press, and the other was so busy that we’d sometimes have one barista just continuously brewing and cleaning out French presses during busy rushes.

As baristas, part of our job is to talk with customers about brewing coffee at home, and a good percentage of customers asked me about brewing coffee in a French press. There are certain principles that are true to coffee brewing in general, and one of the earliest and most important skills you learn as a barista is how to brew properly extracted coffee—and how to change variables when the coffee flavor is off.

I also wrote the Serious Eats review of the best espresso machines and the best milk frothers, where I detailed my years of experience making and writing about coffee.

The Testing

I designed three tests for determining the quality of a French press. First, I evaluated how functional and usable the press was. Second, I measured how well it retained heat over a half-hour period. Lastly, I evaluated the flavor of the coffee at various points and used two different brewing recipes to determine how the flavor was affected by each French press.

Test 1: Usability and Functionality

Serious Eats / Ashley Rodriguez

Cleaning a French press is hassle. However, being able to easily clean a French press is vital: because it’s a full immersion brewer, coffee oils and residue can build up quickly, so taking the brewer apart (so you can clean it) and putting it back together should be straightforward and simple.

I evaluated how easy each French press was to use, clean up, and store. I also took into account any stylistic elements, updates on the classic French press design, and the materials used to make each model. The French press is an iconic brewer, so I also took into account how visually appealing each brewer was and how the handles felt in my hand as I poured.

Test 2: Heat Retention

Serious Eats / Ashley Rodriguez

As I broke down above, heat retention in a brewer is the most consistent predictor of coffee quality. The brewers that were able to retain as much heat as possible always brewed the best coffee, so I tested how hot each brew was at multiple intervals: when the water initially hit the coffee, after each brew cycle (one recipe called for a four-minute brew, another eight), and then five and 20 minutes after brewing.

I preheated each brewer for a full minute with boiling water and used water that was 30 seconds off boil to brew. For each sample of coffee I took, I preheated each mug to ensure no heat was lost to a cold drinking vessel.

A note on time tests: many French press recipes call for you to pour the coffee into a separate carafe once it’s finished brewing. Even though the plunger on a French press is meant to separate the grounds from the final coffee, they’re still interacting with one another and flavors will continue to extract. I didn’t do this for these tests, mostly because I don’t think most people pour off their coffee into a different carafe, and because that wouldn’t tell us anything about the brewer’s ability to retain heat over time. I did note how the flavor changed over time, and was surprised by how well each coffee held up in the brewer.

Test 3: Flavor

Serious Eats / Ashley Rodriguez

There’s no point to these tests if they don’t produce excellent coffee. Heat retention and taste are linked, but I wanted to see if each brewer could handle different French press recipes.

I made coffee with all 10 presses using a standard recipe: 42.5 grams of coffee for 680 grams of water (1:16 ratio). I chose these particular parameters because some brewers were bigger than others, so I wanted a coffee to water ratio that could be made in each one. I pre-heated each brewer for a full minute, added the grounds, added all the water, stirred the grounds after one minute, covered the brewer with the lid, and then pressed down after four minutes total. I used a medium-coarse grind setting on a Baratza Encore and a coffee from Ruby Coffee Roasters called Creamery, a blend they recommend for both espresso and drip coffee. (Full disclosure: my partner works for Ruby).

I then took my top four brewers and tried a totally different recipe from Nick Cho, who recommends cranking your grinder to its coarsest setting and brewing for almost double the time typically recommended by other recipes. I kept the ratio of coffee to water consistent, but stirred the slurry after 45 seconds and plunged after eight minutes.

Serious Eats / Ashley Rodriguez

One thing I kept consistent in each brew recipe was stirring the coffee after the initial pour, or blooming the coffee. My classic recipe calls for stirring the bloom after one minute while Cho’s calls for a stir after 45 seconds. When you initially pour hot water onto coffee, the coffee (depending on how fresh it is) will create a crust with trapped volatile components, and stirring the bloom will release some of those gases. “It is...important to include a bloom pour/stage when constructing a French press recipe since I find that this vital step tends to be excluded for this particular brewing method,” Chadé says of designing recipes. “Blooming is a great technique that enhances extraction for all brewing methods, even batch brew!”

I stirred each bloom three times back and forth in order to break up the crust. “Incorporating agitation into the bloom stage can be helpful for ensuring that all of the coffee in the brew bed is adequately saturated for necessary degassing,” Chadé says. “If a crust forms during your brew, reincorporating those grounds into your brew with a gentle stir is best for promoting an even extraction. The goal of this stir should be reincorporation and not agitation, as agitation at this stage of brewing would most likely result in an uneven extraction.”

Just to make sure I didn’t miss anything, I took my top three brewers to my trusty friend, Phil—he helped test some of the models I recommended in my home espresso machine article—and asked him to brew coffee and talk through what he liked and disliked about each brewer. I gave him no instructions; I simply asked him to brew and record his thoughts.

The Best French Press: Fellow Clara French Press

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What we liked: The Clara gives you everything you need to brew beautiful coffee. The brewer comes with an agitation stick so you can stir your grounds after the initial bloom. No scale to measure coffee? No problem! There are fill lines etched inside the brewer to indicate how much coffee and water to use (I’d still use a scale if you can because volume and weight can vary). The handle is weighted so when you pour your first cup, you’re not straining to carry a heavy brewer with an uneven weight distribution.

It's also beautiful. The matte black finish and curved lines sit beautifully on any countertop. The Clara has a heat-lock double-walled vacuum to insulate the brewing chamber, a non-stick coating on the inside to make clean-up easy, and perhaps the most deceptively ingenious design upgrade I’ve seen on any French press: an all-directional pour lid. As a person who has spilled hot coffee on themselves hundreds of times because they’ve forgotten to align the spout with the lid, I very much appreciated this touch.

In my temperature tests, the Clara kept coffee the hottest. From initial pour to the end of the four minute brew, it lost about 19 degrees during the brew cycle. Coffees on the Clara tasted like nougat and chocolate. I’m not 100% convinced that has to do with the brewer directly, but rather indirectly through heat retention. On brewers where heat retention wasn’t as strong, there were noticeable sour notes and weird, lingering finishes that were unpleasant, but the coffee on the Clara drank well no matter when I poured a cup.

It feels weird to say that cleaning a French press is a pleasant experience because they’re notoriously annoying to take apart and clean properly (if you have a traditional French press at home and you haven’t taken the bottom apart, now is a good time to unscrew the mesh screen and give it a soak to remove old coffee oils). The Clara screen is just one piece lined with rubber to create a seal so no coffee grounds slip past the side of the filter when you plunge. All you have to do to clean is unscrew the bottom.

I know $99 is a lot to ask for a French press—the Bodum Brazil starts at $13—but this is a forever piece of equipment, and for the combination of brewing power, temperature consistency, and aesthetic and design choices, the Fellow Clara delivers on all fronts.

What we didn't like: Not much—besides the steep price, the Fellow Clara is an all-around fantastic French press.

Price at time of publish: $99.

Key Specs

Capacity: 24 oz
Dimensions: 4.53 inc x 6.69 in x 7.87 in
Materials: Stainless steel

Serious Eats / Ashley Rodriguez

The Best French Press for Folks Who Like to Tinker: Espro P3 French Press

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What we liked: In order to avoid sooty, sediment-laden coffee—a common French press complaint—Espro redesigned the entire bottom plunger piece, using two interlocking fine-mesh baskets to prevent any coffee particles from getting into your final cup.

Because the Espro P3 is able to filter out so much of the sediment that ends up in coffee, this French press is actually primed for experimentation. In the section above, I talked about how to grind for a French press, and with the Espro P3, you can push your grind setting finer, which can be fun for folks who like to try new things and push the limits on coffee.

This is also a great press for people who might not love the flavor of French press coffee, or at least don’t crave the characteristic grit produced by the brewing method. You might ask why someone would buy a French press if they didn’t care for French press coffee, and the answer is simple: it’s the easiest way to brew coffee.

What we didn't like: One thing I did miss on both Espro models I tested was the heft of a French pressed coffee. I did get some higher notes—think more acids and fruit flavors—from the P3 and P6 versus other brewers, but that’s not what I’m pulling out a French press for. I want some of the weight that comes from the coffee oils, and every cup I had just missed a little bit of that. Another downside: It's a pain to clean with its micro filters; you can't just quickly rinse it and set it aside.

But if you want to experiment and try out different brewing recipes (or hate experimenting and just want a nice, clean cup of coffee) this might be the press for you.

Price at time of publish: $40.

Key Specs

Capacity: 32 oz
Dimensions: 4.2 in x 6.6 in x 9.9 in
Materials: Glass, plastic

Serious Eats / Ashley Rodriguez

The Best Affordable French Press: Coffee Gator French Press Coffee Maker

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What we liked: I wasn’t sure what to expect from this French press. It looks like most classic presses and has the mesh screen I’m used to seeing, but the folks at Coffee Gator seem to know exactly what they’re doing and this press boasted all the right features: their double-walled carafe was one of the top performers in my temperature testing, and the small adjustments they made to the French press’s classic design only enhanced the drinking experience, including the small arrow on top of the plunger to indicate where the lid and the pour spout should align to prevent spills.

This brewer is almost ideal for traveling. It’s virtually indestructible—but it’s also pretty heavy. That being said, it made what I would call the most “classic” cup of French press coffee out of the bunch. Not only did it extract well, but it’s dual mesh filters gave some nice flavor clarity.

What we didn't like: Their website says that you can only use coarsely ground coffee for a French press, and while technically that’s not true—you can use whatever you want! Who’s going to stop you?—I likely would keep the grind fairly coarse when using the Gator. It doesn’t have the rubber seal or micro filter that the Clara or the Espro models have, so you will get a significant amount of grit if you go too fine.

Price at time of publish: $40.

Key Specs

Capacity: 64 oz
Dimensions: 5.6 in x 5.8 in x 11.9 in
Materials: Glass, plastic

Serious Eats / Ashley Rodriguez

The Competition

Bodum Tribute Coffee Press: This French press is well-built, stylish and performed well in tests, but the Fellow edged it out due to better heat retention.
Sterling Pro French Press Coffee Maker: The Sterling Pro worked well and made a fine cup of coffee. But, unfortunately, the build quality was not quite up to the standards set by our top picks.
Bodum Columbia Thermal French Press Coffee Maker: The Bodum Columbia made decent coffee, but its wide, round shape and small base made it a bit awkward to use and easy to tip over.
Brim 8-Cup French Press Coffee Maker: Although this press made a decent cup of coffee, the build quality was subpar; it felt flimsy in comparison to our top picks. It also struggled to retain heat compared to the other French presses we tested, likely due to the glass beaker.
Bodum Chambord: There are only a few coffee brewers as iconic as the Bodum Chambord. While it's a totally capable brewer, it just didn’t produce as flavorful a cup as some others, and the mesh screens are prickly on the sides.
Bodum Brazil: The Brazil is a slightly more affordable French press from Bodum. I ordered one to test how well a French press could froth milk, but as a French press, this model fell short and couldn’t retain heat well.
Espro 6: The only measurable difference between the Espro 6 and the Espro 3 is that the 6 retains heat better, but it’s a big jump in price between models. If you’re thinking of making the leap, I think the Fellow Clara is a better pick.
OXO Brew GroundsLifter French Press: I’m a fan of everything OXO, and initially thought their French press model—which features an item called the GroundsLifter, a ladle to scoop out coffee grounds—would help produce a cup of coffee with minimal grit, but its glass build didn’t extract coffee well and produced one of the thinnest cups of coffee I tried.
Mueller French Press: The Mueller French press is double-walled and brewed great coffee. It’s just a teeny bit heavy and the mesh filters were a little clumsy.
Frieling French Press: I’ve seen the Frieling French press in coffee shops before, and like most of the double-walled brewers, it did a great job. But at around $50, it didn’t hold up to the Gator.
Le Creuset Stoneware French Press: Every fiber of my being wanted to love the Le Creuset French press because it’s so beautiful, but ceramic sucks heat from water unless thoroughly pre-heated, which takes forever. The coffee wasn’t as bad as I would have expected, but this brewer lost the most heat over time and couldn’t extract as well as other presses.
Espro Coffee French Press P7: Like the Espro P6, the P7 features the same dual mesh filters and insulation, only in a sleeker package. The only real difference between the two is the outer design, so at this price point, our overall pick still stands.
Bodum Caffettiera French Press Coffee Maker: A slightly more colorful version of the classic Chambord, the Caffettiera fell flat on flavor tests. Plus, its glass construction couldn’t hold the temperature as steady as its dual-walled competition.
Stanley French Press: While the insulation on this Stanley French press held up to the competition, it flunked the taste test. The lid and plunger were consistently loose, allowing grounds to bypass the filter, leaving all the cups murky and bitter.
OXO Brew Venture French Press: With a plastic jacket, the Venture had better thermal stability than its glass counterparts, but, ultimately, the filter was lacking and produced chalky and bitter-tasting coffee.

FAQs

What type of coffee is best for a French press?

Any type of coffee will work in a French press; feel free to use your favorite beans! The most important thing to consider is the grind size. French press filters aren’t as fine as paper filters, so a coarser grind size ensures less sediment and grounds in the finished cup of coffee.

What material is best for a French press?

Stainless steel tends to make the best French press. It’s easy to clean, doesn’t break easily, and retains heat well. With glass beakers, there is always the potential for the glass to crack or chip and our testing shows that it isn’t as effective at maintaining temperature as stainless steel. Avoid plastic beakers if possible; they can stain and crack from regular use.

How long should you brew French press coffee?

Brew time is dependent on how coarse the beans are ground as well as how hot the water is. At a coarse grind and a water temperature of the recommended 205°F, it should take about four to six minutes to brew a pot of coffee in your French press.

We Tested Automatic Drip Coffee Makers—Here Are Our Favorites

The 7 Best French Press Coffee Makers of 2022

Tested & Approved

The best overall French press and a clear winner in our tests is the Espro Everyday P3. It's convenient, stylish, and brews tastier coffee than many pricier options. For an even more affordable pick, as well one that's great for beginners, check out the Bodum Brazil French Press.

French presses have been a trusted source of delicious coffee for over a century. Patented in 1929, the idea can be traced back to the early 1800s France. How has the item remained so popular for so long? Above all, the answer is taste. French presses utilize a technique known as immersion brewing, where coffee grounds are steeped in hot water for several minutes. The resulting flavor is richer than what many other coffee makers can accomplish. French press coffee makers come in glass, stainless steel, and stoneware and can usually be found with capacities from 12 to 51 ounces.

To help you make a more informed buying decision, we tested 20 top-rated French presses in a variety of sizes and materials side by side in our Lab. Our testers assessed each one by brewing multiple batches of coffee and performing taste tests. They also tested their insulation by measuring how hot the coffee was after 10 and 30 minutes. Each French press was rated on its design, brew quality, and ease of use. Furthermore, we sent several French presses to our experienced at-home testers so they could spend weeks using them and give additional insights on their design and durability.

Here, the best French presses you can buy.

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What We Like

Excellent filter, no sediment
Strong, tasty coffee
Easy to clean
Sturdy materials

What We Don't Like

Who else recommends it? Reviewed and Wirecutter both picked the Espro P3 French Press.

What do buyers say? 80% of 400+ Amazon reviewers rated this product 4 stars or above.

After Lab testing over 20 French presses, our all-around favorite is the Espro Everyday P3. Its price is on par with the typical 32-ounce French press (that's the only size the P3 comes in), yet we found the coffee it brews to be tastier and to contain less sediment than nearly every competitor. This is partially due to Espro's patented double filter system; instead of a single filter to plunge coffee grounds, the P3 uses two extra-fine mesh filters to ensure a smoother cup of coffee.

One of our only criticisms is that the P3 has poor insulation. We brewed a full pot and it was lukewarm after 30 minutes, ranking near the bottom of the models we tested. Aside from that, our testers called it a tremendous bang for your buck.

It's dishwasher safe and the plunger is easy to take apart if you prefer to rinse by hand. There's noticeable resistance when removing the plunger because it forms a vacuum seal, but it's not too difficult. The design is simple yet stylish—a glass carafe with a black plastic frame—and should blend into any kitchen aesthetic.

Price at time of publish: $65

Material: Glass and polypropylene | Capacity: 32 ounces | Color/Finish: Black | Dishwasher-Safe: Yes

The Spruce Eats / Fred Hardy

Testing Takeaway

"The P3 tied for the best brew quality, not so coincidentally with the Espro P7. The ultra fine, double-filter construction ensures a consistent, high-quality brew every time."

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What We Like

What We Don't Like

One reason French presses are so popular, aside from the tasty coffee they make, is that there are choices out there to fit any budget. In fact, some French presses cost little more than a bag of coffee beans. Our favorite low-price option is the Bodum Brazil. It stacks up against more expensive French presses, brewing similarly strong coffee and it's just as easy to use and clean. While the brew quality isn't at the absolute top, our Lab testers described it as exactly what you would expect from a French press.

One of our editors used the Bodum Brazil as an everyday brewing device for around four years and gave it high praise. It had to be replaced once during that time after the glass chipped from being hit against the sink, but other than that there were no durability issues. He adds that the stainless steel filter sufficiently kept coffee grounds out of his cup. Users may notice some coffee sediment when pouring the last cup, but that's typical of most French presses.

The Bodum Brazil is available in three sizes—12, 34, and 51 ounces—and the plastic frame comes in three colors, black, white, and red. The carafe is made from heat-resistant borosilicate glass, which many customers prefer because there's no scraping sound from the plunger and you can see how much coffee is left. However, the insulation doesn't last as long as stainless steel models. All parts are dishwasher safe.

Price at time of publish: $28

The Spruce Eats / Fred Hardy

Material: Glass | Capacity: 12, 34, and 51 ounces | Color/Finish: Black, red, and white | Dishwasher-Safe: Yes

Testing Takeaway

"The Bodum Brazil lasted several years as my daily coffee maker. I never had any issues with it. In short, I think this French press far exceeds its low price."

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What We Like

What We Don't Like

Frieling Stainless Steel French Press Coffee Maker Review

The Frieling French Press is the ideal blend of style and function. Its highly polished stainless steel exterior creates a pretty presentation in the kitchen, while the full-length handle is easy to lift and pour. Plus, it brews bold coffee. It was one of the best batches we tried from more than 20 French presses. There was a moderate amount of sediment, but it's on par with most French presses.

The carafe is made from two layers of stainless steel—advertised as "double-walled"—so the coffee stays warm longer than in glass presses. We measured coffee temperature 10 minutes and 30 minutes after brewing for our insulation test, and the Frieling French Press ranked in the top half of all the models. So the insulation is better than average but not outstanding, which is a slight letdown considering its hefty price tag.

The product disassembles easily and is dishwasher safe. You don't even need to disassemble the plunger before washing, so it took us no more than a minute to take the press apart and put it back together. Our testers added that the stainless steel feels extremely durable and won't shatter like glass beakers. One of the few downsides is that this puts the item on the heavier side as far as French presses go. The item is available in four sizes: 17, 23, 36, and 44 ounces.

Price at time of publish: $140

The Spruce Eats / Fred Hady

Material: Stainless steel | Capacity: 17, 23, 36, and 44 ounces | Color/Finish: Mirror and brushed | Dishwasher-Safe: Yes

Testing Takeaway

"This brews a pretty bold, strong cup of coffee with clean flavor and has an aesthetic that looks like it belongs in a nice hotel or restaurant. "

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What We Like

What We Don't Like

Bodum CHAMBORD French Press Coffee Maker Review

Bodum is a trusted brand that's manufactured coffee makers for decades, including many types of French presses. The Chambord is extremely popular thanks, in part, to its classic design of a glass carafe with an outer steel frame. It's available in a number of sizes, starting at 12 ounces and going all the way up to 51 ounces, as well as different colors so that you can match your kitchen aesthetic. It's more than a chic kitchen accessory, though. We were impressed by the Chambord's consistency and ease of use.

The plunger is made from stainless steel with a mesh filter that helps extract the aromatic oils while leaving the grounds behind. Our home tester said it's a great value-for-money buy and an excellent starter choice for those new to French presses. The plunger felt a little wobbly at times during our testing process, which might lead to some stray coffee grounds in your mug—an issue that higher-end French presses typically avoid. The steel frame can also move around at times, but this is not a sign of durability issues. We expect the Chambord to hold up after years of use as an everyday brewing device.

Price at time of publish: $39

The Spruce Eats / Fred Hardy

Material: Glass | Capacity: 12, 17, 34, and 51 ounces | Color/Finish: Black, chrome, copper, cork, white, and gold | Dishwasher-Safe: Yes

Testing Takeaway

"This is your classic French press; it features excellent and consistent brew quality."

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What We Like

Double filter eliminates sediment
Sleek design and color options
Well-built and long-lasting

What We Don't Like

The Espro P7 stands out as one of the best French presses we tested, especially in the most important department: taste. The coffee it brews is rich, flavorful, and sediment-free, largely because of its unique double filter. The majority of French presses have a single mesh filter to press down coffee grounds, but the P7 uses two filters with extra-fine mesh to ensure that no grounds or grit get into your cup. The plunger can be difficult to remove from the carafe, however, because there's a silicone gasket that sticks to the interior.

We found the P7 to have above-average insulation and expect it to last for years. It was the heaviest French press we tested, weighing a little less than 3 pounds when empty, which illustrates the quality of the stainless steel. Yet, it wasn't too heavy or cumbersome for our tester to pour. Espro backs the item with a lifetime guarantee as well, excluding personal damage. While the P7 is very expensive for a French press, its overall quality along with this long-lasting assurance justify the price for those who don't mind spending more.

The P7 is available in two sizes, 18 and 32 ounces; we tested the latter and found it to be a suitable size for both personal and household use. You can also choose between four attractive finishes, including brushed stainless steel, polished stainless steel, matte white, and matte black.

Price at time of publish: $150

The Spruce Eats / Fred Hardy

Material: Stainless steel | Capacity: 18 and 32 ounces | Color/Finish: Brushed, white, polished, and matte black | Dishwasher-Safe: Yes (top rack only)

Testing Takeaway

"The Espro P7 makes coffee that's noticeably richer and devoid of any unpleasant sediment. It's one of the best French presses I've ever used."

Indulge in the Best High-End Coffee Makers for the Perfect Cup

Fellow

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What We Like

Excellent heat retention
Smooth plunging and pouring
Exterior doesn't smudge from fingerprints

What We Don't Like

The Fellow Clara French Press showcases our favorite design not only because of how stylish it looks in the kitchen but because of its quality materials and overall usability. The lid fits securely onto the carafe and seals well. Plunging is smooth. And pouring is mess free. One design-related shortcoming is that the interior can scratch easily, especially if you use a metal spoon to stir the coffee; the brand compensates for this, however, by including a wooden stirring stick with the purchase.

Slow coffee drinkers will be happy to hear that this French press has the best heat retention out of all the options we tested. It remained piping hot more than 30 minutes after brewing, and our taste testers gave the flavor high marks. The long-lasting insulation is owed to the double-walled stainless steel body and the Clara's small 24-ounce capacity. Despite the high temperatures, both the handle and carafe itself stay cool to the touch. The carafe has to be rinsed by hand when you're finished brewing. Nonetheless, we found it quick and easy to clean. Unfortunately, there are only two colors to choose from—matte black and matte black with walnut accents—but both are universal enough to suit any décor.

Price at time of publish: $99

The Spruce Eats / Fred Hardy

Material: Stainless steel | Capacity: 24 ounces | Color/Finish: Black and Walnut | Dishwasher-Safe: No (except for mesh filter)

Testing Takeaway

"The Fellow Clara French Press is pricey, but the brew quality and design features make it a worthwhile purchase. Its modern aesthetic and matte finish make it something you would be proud to display on the countertop."

Courtesy of Amazon

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What We Like

Beautiful design
Great flavor
Reliable filter

What We Don't Like

Stoneware is a type of ceramic known for its sturdiness and versatility. Whether it's used for bowls, plates, or French presses, the aesthetic suits many kitchens. Le Creuset's Stoneware French Press is no different. It's available in 10 striking colors, including the brand's signature Cerise option. The material has a glossy sheen that makes it pop even brighter.

It's not just the design that we love, though. The brewing performance makes the press worth purchasing, too. There were some inconsistencies in the batches we made, but overall the flavor is strong, balanced, and everything you could want out of a French press.

One downside is that this French press doesn't keep coffee hot as long as glass or stainless steel unless you pre-heat the inside before brewing. To test this out, we left hot water in the carafe for a couple of minutes to prime the material before brewing, which did improve matters. Lastly, the press can drip a bit after pouring, as if a small amount of coffee collects underneath the spout. It isn't a major issue, however, and we recommend the item as a whole, even if it has some drawbacks.

Price at time of publish: $85

The Spruce Eats / Fred Hardy

Material: Stoneware | Capacity: 34 ounces | Color/Finish: Cerise, Flame, Caribbean, Marseille, Artichaut, White, Meringue, Oyster, Licorice, and Deep Teal | Dishwasher-Safe: Yes

Testing Takeaway

"Not only is this a reliable French press that will keep grounds out of your coffee, it also has an eye-catching design and a high-end feel. "

We Tested the Best Non-electric Coffee Makers—Here Are Our Top Picks

Final Verdict

The Espro Everyday P3 French Press is our overall winner because of its accessible price and top-notch performance in Lab tests. If you're looking for a budget option, go with the Bodum Brazil French Press. It also performed well in Lab tests and stands up to long-term use as well.

The Spruce Eats / Isaac Nunn

How We Tested

We researched top-rated French presses in a variety of sizes and materials and sent 20 models to our Lab to be tested side by side. The testing methods included making multiple cups of coffee and assessing consistency and brew quality, filling the French presses with hot water and measuring the temperature after a period of time to gauge the insulation, and taking them apart to clean. Our testers then rated each French press on its design, brew quality, and ease of use. We use a 1-5 scale with set criteria to ensure accurate and consistent reviews of all the products we test. We also sent several models to at-home testers for additional insight into the strengths and weaknesses of the French presses.

Learn More About How We Test Products

Other Options We Tested

Secura Stainless Steel French Press: The Secura Stainless Steel French Press is a well-rounded option that fell just short of making our list. Its design doesn't stand out—although, the stainless steel is durable—and, most importantly, we found the coffee bitter and below average in quality.
Kona French Press: This is another French press where the negatives outweigh the positives. The materials feel cheap and the coffee it makes is weaker than other models we tested.
Bodum Travel Press: Despite being convenient and reasonably priced, this portable French press didn't live up to expectations. The main issue is the filter. An excess amount of grounds repeatedly escaped through the plunger, making the coffee unpleasant and, even, undrinkable.

The Spruce Eats / Isaac Nunn

What to Look for When Buying a French Press

Material

The material is a great place to start narrowing down your options. French presses can be made from glass, stainless steel, or stoneware. Each one has its own pros and cons and will bring a unique aesthetic to your kitchen. Glass is by far the most common material, as well as the most affordable, but it's the easiest to break and leads to poor heat retention. Stoneware and stainless steel, on the other hand, are pricier but make up for it with better durability and heat retention.

Fortunately, the flavor is not affected by the material that you choose. The coffee will be delicious no matter what.

Heat Retention

While this key consideration is directly tied to a French press's material, it is worth mentioning on its own. Coffee drinkers who have gotten used to drip machines with two-hour hot plates may, at first, be disappointed when switching to a French press. All non-electric coffee makers, not just French presses, naturally struggle to keep coffee hot for as long as electric brewing devices can.

If you only make a cup or two and drink it quickly, this isn't an issue. But if keeping coffee hot for a long time is important to you, consider buying a thermal or insulated French press.

Hot Tip

"If you’re using a super light-roasted coffee, you may need to go a little hotter with the water and a little longer steeping. With darker-roasted coffees, you maybe want to go a little cooler with your water and a little shorter steeping. Think of it as: the lighter your coffee, the more flavor components that are still in there. So you’re going to need to basically “cook it” for a little longer and a little hotter." — Timothy Johnson, Head of Education and Training at Vibe Coffee Group

Capacity

French presses only make a few cups of coffee at once, with capacities ranging anywhere from 12 to 51 ounces. If you intend to use a French press for an entire household, go with a larger option, roughly 8 cups and up. Just know that size and price are linked together: Larger French presses are more expensive, and smaller French presses are cheaper.

One last detail to keep in mind is that the coffee world is a little misleading with its measurements. Many customers assume that each "cup" equals 8 ounces. However, coffee brands consider a cup to be 4 to 6 ounces. For example, the popular 8-Cup Bodum Chambord French Press has a capacity of just 34 ounces, not the 64 ounces you would expect using standard measurements.

Ease of Cleaning

Making the coffee is only half of the process. When you're done, you need to remove the plunger, discard the used coffee grounds, and clean the carafe for the next use. Dishwasher-safe components will speed up the process, although some people prefer to wash their press by hand right after so that it's ready to go whenever they need it. It's not difficult or time-consuming to clean a French press by hand, but some may grow tired of having to clean it after every batch of coffee.

The Spruce Eats / Isaac Nunn

Warranty

French presses with a glass carafe are an extremely fragile type of coffee maker, quicker to chip or break than most. Brand instructions typically advise against using metal spoons when stirring so as not to damage the glass. Take a look at an item's warranty beforehand to see what damages may or may not be covered.

The Spruce Eats / Jordan Provost

Good to Know

Types of French Presses

Glass

The instinctive image when picturing a French press usually involves a gleaming glass carafe. Not only are these the most popular kind of French press, but they are also the most affordable. Other advantages of going with glass include its light weight and that you can see the amount of coffee left inside. Many glass French presses are dishwasher safe too, which makes the cleaning process quicker. However, they can break more easily, so avoid stirring them with a metal spoon when preparing your coffee.

Stainless Steel

Stainless steel is the second most popular type of French press. They are more expensive than glass ones (some even pass the $100 mark) but have several advantages, especially heat retention and durability. Most are dishwasher safe, too; just check the manufacturer's instructions ahead of time. As far as designs go, you can choose between the classic silver steel or find a variety of bold colors. The last thing to keep in mind is that stainless steel presses can be heavy when lifting and pouring, so if you prefer a lightweight option, go with glass.

Portable

Yes, there is such a thing as a truly portable French press. These wondrous little devices look like travel mugs but, inside, have a filter and plunger to make delicious coffee on the go. They are typically constructed from stainless steel, so you can toss them in a bag or suitcase when camping or traveling. Designed for personal use, expect portable French presses to have a smaller capacity than household ones. The best part, though? They are just as affordable as standard French presses.

The Spruce Eats / Isaac Nunn

Brands/Manufacturers

Bodum

Bodum is the number one brand to know if you're interested in buying a French press. Founded in 1944, the company manufactures all sorts of coffee-related products, from grinders to milk frothers, but it is best known for its line of budget-friendly French presses. Many start as low as $10. Few other brands offer the sheer variety that Bodum does. The company makes several different kinds of French presses, from ones constructed of glass and stainless steel to travel presses. The sleek Chambord is its most popular option, but the Brazil, Eileen, and Columbia are all worth considering, too.

Frieling

Founded in 1988, Frieling is a well-known American manufacturer of high-end kitchenware. The brand's most popular French press—simply called the Frieling French Press—is constructed from heavy-duty stainless steel and comes in a number of sizes. Others include the all-glass Aroma French Press and the uniquely designed Perfetto French Press.

Le Creuset

This French brand has long been heralded for its colorful cast-iron cookware. For almost 100 years, Le Creuset has manufactured everything from skillets to Dutch ovens to French presses. It does not have a wide selection to offer, but its best-known French press stands out compared to others on the market. The Le Creuset Stoneware French Press is a high-end option made from sturdy enamel and available in 10 colors.

Maintenance

It can be daunting to brew your first pot of French press coffee, so here are quick, simple instructions to ensure tasty results every time. First, start with coarsely ground coffee. Too fine a grind and you'll end up with coffee silt in the bottom of your cup. Second, scoop in roughly 1 gram of coffee for every 15 grams of water you intend to use. Third, once the water is heated to 195 to 205 degrees, slowly and evenly pour it over the coffee grounds, then stir. Finally, let the coffee steep for about four minutes. That's it! Plunge it, pour it, and enjoy.

Good to Know

"With a French press, I would say my standard amount of time for steeping is four minutes. You don’t really need to steep it for as long as we were led to believe in the past. Four minutes is totally fine." — Timothy Johnson, Head of Education and Training at Vibe Coffee Group

Once you're finished drinking the coffee, however, you might also have some questions about properly cleaning the device. French presses need to be cleaned after every use. Check to see if yours is dishwasher safe beforehand, as this will speed up the process. If not, start by dumping the wet coffee grounds into a strainer and then trash or compost them. After that, disassemble the plunger into its individual parts—the mesh, the spring, and the cross plate—and rinse each one. Place the parts on a towel to dry and finish by cleaning the carafe with a soapy sponge.

Accessories

One accessory specifically useful for French press owners is a gooseneck kettle. With their elegant and sloped spouts, gooseneck kettles provide better precision when pouring. This, in turn, helps thoroughly cover the coffee grounds in a French press, leading to a tastier cup of joe. Gooseneck kettles can be designed for stovetop use (typically made from stainless steel) or they can be electric. The latter is certainly more expensive but has added convenience and can include unique features like specific temperature control.

Another accessory worth looking into is a coffee grinder. This is recommended for any kind of coffee maker, not just French presses. Coffee beans release the most flavor just minutes after being ground, when all the aromas have been freshly cracked open. You can choose from manual coffee grinders, which are more affordable, or electric ones. Bodum, Breville, and KitchenAid all manufacture dependable grinders.

FAQs

How much coffee should I use for a French press?

There's a phrase in the coffee industry called "The Golden Ratio," which is a general recommendation for the amount of coffee grounds and water to use when brewing. The Golden Ratio is typically 1 gram of coffee for every 18 grams of water (1:18). While this is an excellent rule of thumb overall, some brewing devices produce better results with a slightly different ratio. When using a French press, Timothy Johnson, the Head of Education and Training at Vibe Coffee Group, recommends a ratio of 1 gram of coffee for every 15 grams of water (1:15). "We like to use a little bit more coffee per water to punch through and get that body from the French press,” he says.

What grind size should I use?

French press coffee is best made by using coarse or medium-coarse ground beans. If the grounds are too fine, the coffee may end up bitter and over-extracted, not to mention that small grinds can slip through the filter and ruin the entire pot. Coarse-ground beans, on the other hand, will lead to a balanced and sediment-free brew. We asked Timothy Johnson of Vibe Coffee Group what the recommended grind size for a French press is and he added that, while coarser is the way to go, experts are "finding that taking your grounds and going a little more fine than we traditionally thought works. You should do about a medium coarse, not super coarse."

Finding coarse to medium-coarse beans in the grocery store or grinding them at home may be an extra step, but it's worth it in the end for delicious coffee.

Is French press coffee more caffeinated?

It's logical to assume that French press coffee is more caffeinated than standard drip coffee. After all, it certainly tastes stronger when brewed properly. But caffeine content depends more on the type of coffee being used and the number of scoops you put in than the brew method. Sometimes French press coffee is slightly more caffeinated than, say, drip coffee because it's common to use a higher ratio of coffee grounds to water. Yet, French press coffee can often wind up less caffeinated than both drip and pour-over coffee. This is because the grounds used are coarser than that of other brewing methods and, as a result, don't extract as quickly. So, in short, caffeine content varies too much for there to be a definitive answer.

Can a French press be used to make other drinks?

Absolutely! Even though French presses are primarily designed for brewing hot coffee, there are many other ways to use the device. Cold brew is perhaps the most popular alternative drink to make with a French press, but users can also whip up tea, juices, and fruit-infused water. French presses can even froth milk for lattes and cappuccinos.

Why Trust The Spruce Eats?

This piece was written by Derek Rose, the coffee and tea expert for The Spruce Eats. He tested many of the French presses that appear on this list, including the Bodum Brazil, which lasted several years as his everyday brewing device, and the Espro P7, which he found to be one of the best French presses he has ever used. Derek received an MFA in Creative Writing from Columbia University and a BA in Communications from Marist College.

Sources

The author of this article spoke with Timothy Johnson, the Head of Education and Training at Vibe Coffee Group, to gain more insight into French presses. Timothy has worked in the coffee industry for 16 years. Vibe Coffee Group is the parent company of three Washington-based coffee brands: Victrola Coffee Roasters, Whidbey Coffee, and Seattle Coffee Works.

The Spruce Eats / Jordan Provost

These Are the Best Pour Over Coffee Makers to Make Rich Brew at Home

French cars proved to be more reliable than Japanese and German ones

The reputable American company J.D. Power summed up the results of another study of car reliability. The results turned out to be paradoxical: the French Peugeot turned out to be the most trouble-free brand, the best of the Japanese is in 4th place (Nissan) behind Korean Hyundai, German Volkswagen is only in 12th place, and among the top ten premium brands, only Swedish Volvo. The collapse of authority?

How the French got the upper hand

French cars have a poor reputation in Russia. At least in comparison with the icons of the German trio Audi, BMW, Mercedes and Japanese cars led by Toyota (by the way, it is only in 19th place in the J. D. Power rating). So how did Peugeot manage to climb so high?

J.D. Power's study analyzed the number of problems that occur with a particular brand of car in the first three years. The specialists took into account 177 possible defects, divided into eight categories: problems with the engine and transmission, bodywork, handling, instruments, multimedia, seats, climate systems, interior.

According to the authors of the study, the cars of reputable brands bring problems with newfangled systems, including auxiliary electronics - navigation, lane control, multimedia ... If Peugeot cars have only 77 complaints per 100 cars, then BMW, which closes the rating, has 181.

Best French Press Grinder (Read Before You Buy)

Best Choice

How to Choose the Best French Press Coffee Grinder

Like all brewing methods, the French press has its own set of requirements to ensure that you will get the best cup of your beans. It can be easy to get carried away with grinders offering the latest technology or extra features, but what do you want from the best French press grinders? Here are a few things to consider.

	PRODUCTS	parts	Button
Best Overall	Baratza for an encore	Automatic 4.7 x 6.3 x 13.8 inches 225 g	WATCH ON AMAZON
Easiest to use	Conical coffee grinder OXO Brew	Automatic 6.8 x 11.8 x 14.8 inches 340g	WATCH ON AMAZON
The highest technology	Breville Pro Smart Sander	Automatic 8. 5 x 12.5 x 16.3 inches 510g	WATCH ON AMAZON
Best Design	Fellow Ode Brew Grinder	Automatic 4.7 x 9.5 x 9.4 inches 80g	WATCH ON AMAZON
Budget selection	JavaPress Manual Coffee Grinder	Manual 1.8 x 7.5 x 1.8 inches 40g	WATCH ON AMAZON
The best hand grinder	1ZPresso JX Coffee Grinder	Manual 5. 1 x 2.2 x 6.2 inches 35g	WATCH ON AMAZON
Easiest to clean	Shardor conical mill	Automatic 7.9 x 4.7 x 11.8 inches 240g	WATCH ON AMAZON
The best ratio of price and quality	Coffee grinder Bodum Bistro Burr	Automatic 7.1 x 7.6 x 12.5 inches 220g	WATCH ON AMAZON
Best for travel	Porlex Mini	Manual 1. 8 x 2.3 x 6 inches 20 g	WATCH ON AMAZON

Baratza for an encore

Best Overall

Automatic
4.7 x 6.3 x 13.8 inches
225 g

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Conical coffee grinder OXO Brew

Easiest to use

Automatic
6.8 x 11.8 x 14.8 inches
340g

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Breville Pro Smart Sander

The highest technology

Automatic
8. 5 x 12.5 x 16.3 inches
510g

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Fellow Ode Brew Grinder

Best Design

Automatic
4.7 x 9.5 x 9.4 inches
80g

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JavaPress Manual Coffee Grinder

Budget selection

Manual
1.8 x 7.5 x 1.8 inches
40g

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1ZPresso JX Coffee Grinder

The best hand grinder

Manual
5. 1 x 2.2 x 6.2 inches
35g

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Shardor conical mill

Easiest to clean

Automatic
7.9 x 4.7 x 11.8 inches
240g

WATCH ON AMAZON

Coffee grinder Bodum Bistro Burr

The best ratio of price and quality

Automatic
7.1 x 7.6 x 12.5 inches
220g

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Porlex Mini

Best for travel

Manual
1. 8 x 2.3 x 6 inches
20 g

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Why is grind size important for French press coffee?

Company The correct grind size is important, if not vital, for all coffee brewing methods. But while coffee drinkers are happy to spend money on a dedicated espresso grinder, the French press isn't always held in the same esteem.

It may seem strange to buy an expensive burr grinder just to pair it with a French press. But if you want great coffee, you should consider this.
Perfect Daily Grind

Without the right grind size, you won't get the full-bodied, full-bodied taste of for which great coffee in the French press is known.

To make coffee with the French Press, you need the coarse grind . If you want technical information, you need a grind between 1000 and 1200 microns. A good coarse grind should have a coarse, sea salt-like texture with a consistent grind size. The best French press grinder should also have enough settings to customize it for the coffee beans you use.

Using a finer grind will result in over-extracted and bitter coffee. When brewing coffee in a French press, the hot water is in full contact with the coffee grounds for about four minutes, which is much longer than with a pour over or espresso. The larger grind size helps slow down the extraction due to the longer brew time. Using a finer grind also allows more fine particles to seep through the filter, resulting in more sediment. You may find that with finer grinds you cannot press the plunger properly.

As you might use for cold brewing, coarser grinds will take longer. If you increase the brew time, you will find that by the time your coffee is done, it will have cooled down.

While most home-use electric coffee grinders perform well in the medium grind range, even the best bean grinders can be less consistent on either the finer or coarser end (or both). When buying a French press grinder, make sure it produces the same grind size on coarse settings.

Size and capacity

One of the great things about a French press is that it is handy for making large amounts of coffee. One serving cafeteria is not the norm and you will find that most kitchens have something like an 8 cup French press. With more servings, you will, of course, need more coffee grounds.

The espresso grinder only has enough capacity for one coffee. If you're brewing 8 or even 12 cups of coffee in a French press, you'll need to make sure your grinder can deliver enough grind without the need to refill.

This shouldn't be a big deal with an electric grinder, but it's something you need to consider if you're considering a manual grinder. They have a significantly lower capacity, so make sure you can grind enough for your needs, even if it's just for a single serving French press.

Bean tank capacity and machine size often go hand in hand, so make sure your new kit will fit under your kitchen cabinets. In any case, bigger is not necessarily better in this case. While you want a grinder that has enough capacity for occasional brewing, we don't recommend using the bean bin as storage. The best freshly ground coffee requires fresh coffee beans.

Burr type

If you came here looking for cheap grinders, you are out of luck. Due to the inconsistent way coffee is ground with blades rather than grinding it, we believe that burr grinders are only good for making good coffee.

There are two types of burr grinders: flat burrs and conical burrs. In general, flat burrs are considered more reliable and efficient, and you can only find them in electric coffee grinders. Conical burrs produce less heat, less noise and less grinding retention. Conical burrs are used in both electric and manual coffee grinders. However, these pros and cons will depend on the quality of the coffee grinder.

When used in a home grinder, you probably won't see much difference between the two, and you certainly shouldn't let the shape put you off a particular grinder.

Millstones are usually made of stainless steel or ceramic, although sometimes you may see cast iron millstones in some of them. best manual coffee grinders Ceramic burrs have a longer life, but they are brittle and can break if dropped. New stainless steel burrs are sharper than ceramic burrs, but they wear out over time and need to be replaced sooner. They are not brittle, but can still be dented if they hit a pit in your coffee beans.

Cleaning and maintenance

A good quality burr grinder should last you many years, but if you want good years, you need to clean your grinder regularly. Cleaning not only prolongs the life of your coffee machine, but also makes your cup of coffee tastier. Stray grounds left in your grinder will become stale and their taste will ruin the rest of your grind.

Even the best coffee grinder needs a deep cleaning once or twice a month, depending on how often it is used. So when you're thinking about buying a burr grinder, consider how easy it is to take apart. Are tools required for this? Will cleaning require a grind reset? And do I need to empty the grain bin first?

Products such as grinder cleaning granules are a handy tool for regular cleaning, but they cannot replace thorough manual cleaning of all individual parts.

Best French Press Coffee Grinders in 2022

Now that you're armed with the knowledge to choose a great coffee grinder, here are some of the best coffee grinders with french press burrs in a variety of sizes and budgets.

1. Baratza encore - Best overall

Features

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When you buy a coffee grinder at Baratza, you are buying a coffee grinder that will stand the test of time . The brand demonstrates an impressive commitment to sustainability. They do this in two ways: they make very durable products and they make sure you can repair machines and have spare parts, even for older models.

The case is plastic, which is to be expected at this price point, but nothing cheap or flimsy about it. It is a high quality plastic resin that provides strength and durability, and is also fingerprint resistant.

The meat grinder is extremely easy to operate. Simply turn the side switch to the "on" position to start the grinder and turn it back when you're done. There is also a momentum button on the front which is useful for extra grinding.

Of course what matters is what's inside. The Encore is powered by a powerful DC motor with an upgraded gearbox that limits speed to 550 RPM . With the possibility of grinding coffee beans at a speed of up to 1.1 g/sec. is not the fastest electric grinder, but lower speed means less noise, less heat and less static buildup (1).

M3 40mm stainless steel burrs are not designed for espresso, but for something a bit rougher, the Baratza Encore delivers a more even grind than other grinders in this price range. The consistency and build quality make it the best French press grinder.

2.

OXO Brew Conical Grinder - Easiest to use

Specifications

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We won't lie, making coffee can be quite technical, but it doesn't have to be complicated. If you're a fan of using a French press because of how easy it is, you'll appreciate a one-touch coffee grinder like the Oxo Brew.

The large timer on the front allows you to set the amount of grinding up to 30 seconds. The timer saves the last used setting, so if you are a regular coffee drinker, daily grinding is as simple as pressing the start button.

The
OXO Brew Conical Burr is the best grinder we've tried in its price range.
wire cutters

40mm stainless steel burrs are what you would expect from a standard electric coffee grinder, but they deliver the grind consistency that makes Oxo Brew good value for money. There are 38 grind settings adjustable by turning the bean bin, coming close to rivaling the Baratza Encore.

Company 16oz Bean Hopper is made of tinted plastic for UV protection, but the best part is underneath. It has a locking feature that allows you to remove the hopper for cleaning even when it is full.

Ease of use is more than just simplicity. Oxo products are designed to be used by everyone, regardless of hand size, right-handed or left-handed, or have limitations such as arthritis. This universal design philosophy was the inspiration for the company's first product and has continued to be the basis for every product since (2).

3. Breville Pro Smart Sander - Most High Tech

Specifications

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The design of the French press coffee maker hasn't changed much since it was invented in the 1920s, and to be honest, it's very low tech equipment (3). But there's no reason why you can't improve your coffee grinding process by using something more modern for a French press. And if you need innovation from your appliances, Breville is the company to turn to, with world leaders in kitchen appliances (4).

The new technology in the Breville Smart Grinder Pro (BCG820BKSXL) is the Dosing iQ system that allows you to balance the number of cups and grinding time to get the perfect amount of ground coffee. To begin, press the button until the desired number of cups appears. The display next to it will show you how long the machine will grind. You can increase or decrease the time in 0.2 second increments and then save this as your preset whenever you grind that many cups.

You will also see the number of the grind setting you have selected on the display, as well as a scale at the top showing whether you get coarser or finer as you turn the dial. The adjustment dial is located on the side of the machine, so it is convenient to see the setting at a glance.

Let's say you use this for other methods and also for the French press. In this case, you can use the adjustable portafilter holder or the ability to grind directly into a paper or gold filter.

4.

Comrade Ode Brew Grinder - Best Design

Specifications

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The Ode holds a special place in the hearts of coffee lovers thanks to its minimalism and sophisticated appearance that stands out from everything else on the market. If you already have a Fellow teapot or French press coffee maker, this is the perfect addition to your designer coffee serving.

Of course the design is a plus and we wouldn't recommend this grinder if it didn't work well. The Fellow Ode doesn't just randomly make coarse coffee; it is specially designed for manual brewing. The Fellow team made a conscious decision to move away from espresso grinding and focus on the needs of homebrewers.

Excellent performance comes from 64mm diameter stainless steel professional flat burrs . This is much larger than most household coffee grinders and provides a more even grind, better efficiency, and even less clumps when grinding (5).

Ode's thoughtful design even extends to some features we didn't even know we needed grinders, such as a magnetically aligned grind chamber or a grinder that ejects grind residue from the chute.

Ode is designed to grind coffee for one serving, so when you press the start button, it will continue to grind until the hopper is empty. We recommend weighing whole coffee beans before adding them for the most accurate result, and this tip applies to any grinder on this list.

5. JavaPress Manual Coffee Grinder - Budget Choice

Specifications

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Even if you have a very limited budget, there is no reason to settle for a simple grinder. If you're willing to put in the effort, you can get high quality grinds for a low price using a manual grinder. It may be cheap, but the JavaPress manual coffee grinder has a lot to offer.

The stainless steel case is strong and lightweight, making it a great travel companion. It's durable enough to be tossed into a backpack without worrying about doing any damage, which is what we expect from any handheld grinder we take on a hike.

What really sets the JavaPresse manual coffee grinder apart is the patented burr system. It has double plates which are designed to provide more stability and improve grind consistency. Plus, it's quieter than even other manual burr grinders.

To change the grinding settings, you need to remove the grinding chamber and turn the adjustment knob under the burrs. There are no marks at all, so you need to start with the best setting and then count the number of "clicks" as you turn. The recommended coffee setting for a French press starts at 13 clicks, but you'll probably want to experiment to find the perfect size.

You can tell the difference between this and the more expensive manual coffee grinder in the time it takes to grind. It will take about 5 minutes for a full hopper of coffee beans, or increase the effort if you want it done faster (6). On the plus side, you get a bonus morning workout!

6. 1ZPresso JX Coffee Grinder - Best Hand Grinder

Specifications

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Manual coffee grinders are often cheaper than an electric coffee grinder, but this does not always mean a budget purchase. The 1ZPresso JX Manual Grinder is a serious piece of kit that will satisfy even the pickiest home barista.

The 1Zpresso brand doesn't have a long history like other coffee grinder brands, but it has gained attention for its focus on manual coffee grinders designed for coffee aficionados. The range is constantly expanding and includes grinders for different needs such as espresso grinding, higher performance or greater portability.

1ZPresso JX is for manual brewing, not for espresso. From Total 90 grind settings. , you can adjust the grind finely, which is especially useful if you want to use this for pour-over brewing as well.

Cleaning and maintaining the JX is as easy as it gets. Like all of the brand's coffee grinders, you can take it apart without any tools for easy access to the burrs. Better yet, taking it apart for cleaning won't mess up the grind setting. This is a useful feature for grinders with multiple grind settings.

It's not as portable as Porelex or JavaPress manual grinders, but still a fantastic coffee grinder for traveling in a motorhome, making the perfect french press coffee at work, or just grinding coffee at home if you want to keep the noise down. minimal. minimum.

1ZPresso also makes an upgraded model of this JX-Pro grinder that can also grind espresso finely enough. However, if you only plan on brewing your coffee in a French press or pour over, go for the JX. It's cheaper, lighter, and even grinds faster.

7. Shardor Cone Mill - Easiest to clean

Features

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You can have chrome on the Shardor brand with their unique oval grinder. While we love good design, the Shardor grinder is the best choice for those who want a quality grind and more grind customization options.

Shardor actually makes a wide range of blade and burr grinders, but they stand out to us because of 35 grinding settings . It also uses stainless steel conical burrs compared to block burrs on some cheaper burr models. The grind settings are marked under the funnel as espresso, drip/drip and french press.

With 10 settings dedicated to the French press, you should have more than enough to experiment with here.

The dial on the front allows you to select how much coffee you want to grind. This is indicated in cups, usually measured for drip coffee machines, but in any case, it will be quite close to the measures for coffee in a French press.

Perhaps the biggest benefit is the ESD Ground Chamber, which Shardor team spent three years developing. Static electricity is a common problem when you use any kind of plastic and it causes coffee grounds to stick to the walls of the grounds chamber, making transferring the grounds to the coffee maker a little messy. This also means that you need to clean it up so that the remaining particles do not become obsolete. The

Shardor Grinder also has a small cleaning brush that mounts under the lid, so you have no excuse for not cleaning those burrs regularly.

8. Bodum Bistro Burr coffee grinder - Best value for money

Specs

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The Bodum brand name is synonymous with french press, so it makes sense that they should also make a good french press grinder. It's also very well priced. For any coffee newbies or casual coffee lovers who aren't sure if they need a coffee grinder for their humble coffee shop, Bodum Bistro can convince you.

First of all, let's talk about appearance. In a market filled with black and silver appliances, this vibrant color is a welcome addition. You can also choose from white and red or red and black to suit your style.

For grinding you have 12 grind settings making it the least versatile on our list, but for an entry level french press grinder it should be enough to experiment with. Choose the time you want to grind, then press the start button next to the timer. The good news is that the timer saves your settings for next time, but the 20-second maximum can be a little limiting when brewing large batches.

Thanks to the borosilicate glass chamber, this is a hassle-free operation, reminiscent of the brand's flagship French press.

One of the unique features of this grinder is the friction clutch. This causes the machine to shut down if it catches a random stone in the coffee rather than trying to grind and damage the burrs.

9. Porlex Mini - Best for travel

Specifications

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French presses are not the most common coffee maker to take on the road, but if you want to travel, you will probably want to keep the size and weight of the coffee grinder to a minimum. And at just 6 inches long and 8 ounces in weight, you won't get much more portable than this one.

Porlex Mini's no-nonsense appearance hides a long and respected history. The brand has specialized in ceramic burr grinders since 1978 and still manufactures all of its products in Japan to ensure the highest standards.

As you would expect from an expert, Porlex ceramic cone burrs are excellent quality, designed to last for years and many pounds of coffee beans. The all-stainless steel housing is not only durable, but also eliminates the static adhesion of plastic coffee grinders.

A few years ago, Porlex made some improvements to the Mini to improve its chopping quality (which is why you sometimes see it sold as the Porlex Mini II). It now grinds 1.3 times faster, so you get more coffee with less effort, and the handle is less likely to slip during the grinding process.

Capacity is your main compromise with Porlex Mini. With a 20g bean hopper, you can grind as much coffee as you need for one cup of French press. If you can spare an extra inch and 3 ounces in your bag, you'll get a 30g capacity with the Porlex Tall model.

Verdict

When buying a best french press grinder, you have to be as perceptive as you would for any other brewing method. We like Baratza Encore for its ease of use, consistency of grind, and Baratza's commitment to making long lasting products. With 40 grind settings, it's also versatile enough to fit a variety of brewing methods.

Frequently Asked Questions

The difference between French press coffee and regular coffee is the way it is brewed. The French press is an immersion brewing method, meaning the water is in full contact with the coffee grounds during brewing. Regular coffee is prepared by a filtration method in which hot water has only limited contact with the ground coffee. The French press method extracts more of the coffee oils, resulting in a richer and richer cup of coffee. Regular coffee has a lighter and cleaner taste due to the filter used.

No, you can't make espresso with a French press, but you can make strong, concentrated coffee that will satisfy your espresso cravings. You cannot reach the pressure generated by an espresso machine with a French press, so you need to add strength by brewing the coffee twice. Start by making coffee in the French press, as usual, with a coarse grind. Once you've brewed it, filter the coffee and make another pot using fresh grounds, only this time using brewed coffee instead of water.

The best French press has a good filtration system, retains heat well, and is easy to use. When buying a French press, you should also consider how much power you need and your budget. We love the Bodum Chambord French Press for its classic design, ease of use and build quality. One of the great things about French press coffee makers is that there are many models to choose from and they tend to be very affordable.

You clean your French press by emptying the grounds and rinsing all parts after each brew. Leaving used coffee grounds, especially on the filter, can lead to a buildup of residue that will give your cup of coffee an unpleasant aftertaste. You should do a deeper cleaning every 2-3 weeks to remove stubborn residue and prolong the life of your gear. This involves filling the coffee maker with soapy water or diluted vinegar and leaving it for 4 hours with the plunger depressed. Pump the piston up and down several times, then flush well. If stains remain on the strainer, they can be removed with a baking soda paste and a toothbrush.

Medium or dark roast beans work best in a French press, although in theory you can use any beans you like. Darker roasts are usually chosen because the deep, sometimes smoky flavor of the beans is complemented by the richness of the French press infusion. Medium and dark roast beans extract more quickly than light roast beans, making it easier to brew a full-bodied drink without the coffee cooling down. No matter which beans you choose, make sure they are freshly ground. need more information? Check out our guide on How to Choose the Right Coffee Beans for French Press Brewing.

Recommendations

Coffee, coffee everywhere: grinding static. (2020, October 13). Daily coffee news from Roast Magazine. Retrieved from https://dailycoffeenews.com/2020/10/13/coffee-coffee-everywhere-static-in-grinding/
Wilson, M. (2018, September 25). The untold story of the vegetable peeler that changed the world. Fast company. Retrieved from https://www.fastcompany.com/
156/the-untold-story-of-the-vegetable-peeler-that-changed-the-world
Kumstova, K. (2018, March 22). History of the French press. European coffee journey. Retrieved from https://europeancoffeetrip.com/the-history-of-french-press/
The history of Breville: a chronology of innovation. (2016, June 4). Breville. Retrieved from https://www.breville.com.ph/blog/242-the-breville-story-a-timeline-of-innovations
Raper, A. (December 23, 2018). How to choose a meat grinder. Clive Coffee. Retrieved from https://clivecoffee.com/blogs/learn/what-makes-a-grinder-great
Mutter, M., & Tata, S. (2017, October 1). JavaPress Coffee Company Guide. TechGirLab. Retrieved from https://www.techgearlab.com/reviews/kitchen/coffee-grinder/javapresse-coffee-company-manual

Thomas

Husband, father and former journalist, I combined my love of writing with my love of coffee to create this website. I love high quality products, but I write all my content for coffee lovers on a budget. I prefer a light roast and my usual drink is something like a pour over, although my guilty pleasure is sometimes a flat white.

Best french press machine

The Best French Press Coffee Makers of 2022

Straight to the Point

Editor's Note

The Winners, at a Glance

The Best Overall French Press: Fellow Clara French Press

The Best French Press for Folks Who Like to Tinker: Espro P3 French Press

The Best Affordable French Press: Coffee Gator French Press Coffee Maker

The Criteria: What We Look for in a Great French Press

What's the Best Temperature for Coffee Extraction?

What's the Right Grind Setting for French Press Coffee?

Why You Should Trust Us

The Testing

Test 1: Usability and Functionality

Test 2: Heat Retention

Test 3: Flavor

The Best French Press: Fellow Clara French Press

Key Specs

The Best French Press for Folks Who Like to Tinker: Espro P3 French Press

Key Specs

The Best Affordable French Press: Coffee Gator French Press Coffee Maker

Key Specs

The Competition

FAQs

What type of coffee is best for a French press?

What material is best for a French press?

How long should you brew French press coffee?

The 7 Best French Press Coffee Makers of 2022

How We Tested

Other Options We Tested

What to Look for When Buying a French Press

Material

Heat Retention

Capacity

Ease of Cleaning

Warranty

Types of French Presses

Glass

Stainless Steel

Portable

Brands/Manufacturers

Bodum

Frieling

Le Creuset

Maintenance

Accessories

FAQs

How much coffee should I use for a French press?

What grind size should I use?

Is French press coffee more caffeinated?

Can a French press be used to make other drinks?

Why Trust The Spruce Eats?

Sources

French cars proved to be more reliable than Japanese and German ones

Best French Press Grinder (Read Before You Buy)

How to Choose the Best French Press Coffee Grinder

Why is grind size important for French press coffee?

Size and capacity

Burr type

Cleaning and maintenance

Best French Press Coffee Grinders in 2022

1. Baratza encore - Best overall

2.

3. Breville Pro Smart Sander - Most High Tech

4.

5. JavaPress Manual Coffee Grinder - Budget Choice

6. 1ZPresso JX Coffee Grinder - Best Hand Grinder

7. Shardor Cone Mill - Easiest to clean

8. Bodum Bistro Burr coffee grinder - Best value for money

9. Porlex Mini - Best for travel

Verdict

Frequently Asked Questions

Learn more