Walking up to the coffee shop bar and seeing all the impressive gadgets, you would get the impression that brewing coffee is complicated. Coffee grinders, the best espresso machines, drip coffee makers—it's a lot. However, when you use the best French press out there, brewing coffee becomes much easier—it can take as little as just four minutes. This nifty gadget is incredibly easy to use. And the best part? You can buy one for just about any budget.
So, for those who like to have a nice strong cup of delicious coffee, consider these top French press options. If you’d like to learn a little bit more about these French press coffee makers and how to pick the best one for you, read on.
1) Secura Stainless Steel French Press
It makes perfect sense that the Secura French Press should be first on our list of top coffee makers on the market. It is made of high-quality stainless steel and has remarkable durability and sturdiness. Besides, it has a double-wall construction that is more efficient when it comes to retaining heat. Not to mention the thoughtfully crafted stainless steel filter construction that traps the coffee grounds to produce a full-bodied flavor.
Best Features
- Dishwasher safe parts that make clean up a breeze.
- It is heat-resistant and can keep your coffee hot for hours if you want to make it ahead of time.
- Ergonomically designed handle for safe and comfortable pouring.
2) Coffee Gator Large French Press Coffee Maker
Perfect for both novice and experienced coffee enthusiasts, the Coffee Gator French Press is by far the best coffee maker press under $50. This incredible barista-quality model boasts of a strong and sturdy build that lasts for years and is double filtered to keep the sediments out and the flavors locked in. Plus, it comes with a small airtight container you can use to store coffee grounds (or whole coffee beans) for your brew.
Best Features
- It is constructed from food-grade, food-safe materials.
- It keeps your coffee hot for much longer.
- It is double filtered to lock in the subtle flavors so that you can savor each note.
3) Kona French Press Coffee Maker
When it comes to the best French press coffee maker, nothing tops above the Kona model. It boasts a modern style and a vintage design that makes it the perfect addition to your kitchen counter. The borosilicate transparent glass material and plastic frame make it easier for you to monitor your coffee as it brews—but still durable.
Dubbed the best coffee maker French press under $50, Kona is the perfect definition of a high-quality press that delivers more for less. It's surprising that it's not a high-end coffee press! Not to mention the fact that it has been thoughtfully designed to minimize breakage. Plus it is also versatile and can be used to make some nice pressed tea during summer or even a cold brew.
Best Features
- You can use it to brew coffee espresso or tea.
- It has an attractive vintage design and modern style that make it the perfect kitchen centerpiece.
- It is dishwasher safe hence making cleanup a breeze.
- Using it is pretty much a no-brainer.
- It is a great coffee maker for travel.
- It is fairly quiet and you’ll hardly notice it's in the room which makes it perfect for the office environment.
- It is constructed from food-grade and food-safe materials so you don’t have to worry about chemicals leaching into your coffee.
4) Grosche Madrid French Press
According to Grosche, the Madrid model is a premium craft coffee and tea brewing specialty brand (and we couldn’t agree more). This premium quality French press has a modern sophisticated stainless steel design that makes it the perfect kitchen centerpiece.
Moreover, the strong and sturdy build makes it the perfect press for coffee and tea brewing day in day out. It is also multipurpose which means you can press with ground coffee and loose-leaf or blooming tea. It is the best press to buy if you’re looking for the best of functionality and remarkable design.
Best Features
- You can either use it to brew both coffee and tea.
- It has a sophisticated design that makes it ideal for a kitchen centerpiece.
5) Frieling USA Double-Walled Stainless Steel French Press Coffee Maker
Fifth on our list -the Frieling USA Double-Walled Stainless Steel French Press. Available in 3 exterior finishes, this exclusive Italian made press by Frieling is certainly no stranger among coffee aficionados.
Having gotten their start in 1988, Frieling not only brings years of vast experience but also a world full of innovation to every single serve ware that they design.
We also particularly love the fact that their Frieling French press doesn’t compromise on taste as well. So you can have a fully functional press that’s also elegant and beautiful too.
Best Features
- Double-walled stainless steel frame insulation will keep your coffee warm for longer.
- Dishwasher safe parts make it easy to clean up after use.
- Mirror finish that gives it an attractive look.
- Ideal for everyday use.
- It is easy to use.
6) Espro 18-Ounce Vacuum Insulated Stainless Steel French Press
Thoughtfully designed to keep the sediments away and the subtle yet sweet flavors and aromas in, the Espro French press coffee maker is definitely one that any coffee aficionado will love. It has an intelligent and thoughtful design and has vacuum insulated double walls that help it retain heat for a longer period of time. Sure, it may not be your first pick on the supermarket shelf mostly because of the bizarre cost, but it is definitely worth every single penny you invest.
Best Features
- Two filters that keep all the sediments away to extract all the flavors and aromas.
- Double-walled construction allows for maximum heat retention.
- It is made from food-grade and food-safe materials so you don’t have to worry about dangerous chemicals leaching into your coffee.
- You can either choose to hand wash or toss it in a dishwasher after use.
7) Café Du Chateau French Press Coffee Maker
If you’re a sucker for both functionality and exceptional design, then you’ll definitely love the Café Du Chateau French Press. With a stainless steel frame designed in the European style with clean, modern lines, you can clearly tell that this French press was thoughtfully crafted with brilliance to shine above the rest. The tempered borosilicate glass carafe safely withstands boiling hot water.
What we love most about this particular model is that it utilizes a superior filtering system that preserves the pure flavors to ensure that you savor the deep roasted flavor and subtle notes.
Best Features
- Small compact design that makes it the best camping French press coffee maker.
- Lifetime replacement guarantee.
- Double stainless steel construction for added durability.
- It is made from BPA-free materials and so it doesn’t leach dangerous chemicals into your coffee.
8) Bodum Chambord French Press Coffee Maker, Brazil Model
Designed in the early ’80s, the Bodum Brazil French Press is the top French press under $20. It boasts of a simple brewing method and a functional design that makes it a cut above the rest. It is also quite easy to use which is a plus if you don’t like complexity. Also, it comes in a borosilicate glass beaker that’s fairly transparent which makes it easy to monitor your coffee as it brews.
Best Features
- It has a fine mesh filter that locks in the subtle flavors and sweet aromas of the coffee you are brewing.
- It is fitted with a safety lid that minimizes the splattering of liquids during processing.
- All Bodum products are dishwasher-safe to ease clean up.
- It makes up to 8 cups.
- It is easy to use.
9) Le Creuset Stoneware French Press
The Le Creuset French press is the best choice for you if you don’t mind splurging a little more to get a unique crafted coffee maker. It has an enameled surface that makes it easy to clean after use and strong and durable construction that ensures that it doesn't scratch or chip. It is also safe for use in the freezer, microwave, refrigerator, oven, and dishwasher.
Best Features
- It is made of durable high fired stoneware.
- It is dishwasher safe, meaning cleanup is a lot easier.
- It has a non-porous enamel finish that resists staining.
How to Find the Best French Presses?: Buyer's Guide
Finding the perfect press to quench your coffee needs is easier said than done. Sure these French presses have just one job: to brew the perfect coffee. However, despite how simple it sounds on paper, French presses come in all shapes and sizes. This makes separating the must-have functional bits from the pleasant (but unnecessary) add-ons a bit difficult. To help you find the best press for your needs, keep the following aspects in mind.
Capacity
Think about how many cups you need to produce in one round. If you’re only going to make coffee for yourself, then a single cup of coffee French press or a larger press that produces just a few cups of coffee will be ideal. However, if you have a large family of coffee drinkers, look for a model that can brew more cups of coffee in one go.
Material
French presses come in a range of materials. Let’s take a look at some of the most common construction materials.
Stainless Steel
Experts say that stainless steel French presses are some of the best on the market (and we have to agree). Stainless steel, though notoriously expensive, has several perks that make it the perfect candidate when you’re looking for a press construction material. It is non-reactive. This means it won't leach metals into your coffee and it also retains heat quite well which is a fairly important feature especially if you intend to have your coffee while it’s still hot. However, on the flip side, unlike with glass, a stainless steel French press is opaque and so you can’t keep an eye on your coffee as it brews.
Glass
Borosilicate glass is excellent at retaining heat and is transparent enough to allow you the freedom to keep track of the brewing process. Not to mention it is one of the most common materials used in the construction of French presses. On the downside, however, glass in its very nature is highly susceptible to shattering from time to time so you’re not off the hook in as far as an accident-free experience is concerned. As long as you make sure you're careful when handling them, glass French presses will last you a long time.
Polycarbonate
Polycarbonate might not be the fanciest material out there but it offers plenty of good qualities that make it the perfect candidate for press construction. Plus polycarbonate doesn’t shatter easily which makes it a more durable option than glass French presses. Additionally, it allows you to monitor the coffee brewing process from start to finish. However, polycarbonate scratches quite easily and contains a chemical called BPA which could leach into your coffee. If you have to go for a polycarbonate press, then look for a polycarbonate model that is free from BPA.
Stoneware
Stoneware might not be as common as glass and stainless steel, but it is just as functional as the other materials. However, it has an opaque nature that makes it hard to monitor the brewing process and like glass, it can shatter quite easily.
Hybrid
A hybrid model is a coffee maker made of stainless steel, glass, and plastic frame.
Price
After the capacity and material used in the construction of the French press, the next most important consideration to make is the price of the model in question. Luckily, you can find a press to suit just about any budget.
Basic French presses range from $15 whereas higher priced French presses cost up to $200. However, unless you’re looking for a luxury model, a mid-range price of $35 to $75 works just as fine.
Durability
A good press-style coffee maker should be durable enough to last you years. It should have a solid construction that isn’t prone to shattering and be strong enough so as not to succumb to wear and tear.
Portability
Fortunately, French presses are generally small in size which makes them particularly easy to take with you when you are going for an adventure. However, some are no doubt better than others and so you have to pay attention to the weight and overall durability to avoid a disaster.
Timer
If you like walking up to a freshly brewed coffee pot that is ready to drink, a press with a timer is perfect for you.
Why Buy a French Press?
Still skeptical about making a purchase? Here are a few reasons why it is a worthwhile investment.
- Using a French press is the best way to make a delicious cup of coffee if you don't want to spend a lot of time weighing coffee grounds and water. It's the perfect no-frills approach.
- These French presses have fine mesh filters to lock in the subtle flavors that give coffee its unique taste and aroma. No need to spend money on disposable paper filters.
- The press method requires you to steep coffee grinds in hot water to allow for maximum extraction.
- The coffee grounds get totally immersed in water so nothing goes to waste.
