The 6 Best French Press Coffee Makers, According To Experts
You’d be hard-pressed to find better coffee makers than these.
Delish editors handpick every product we feature. We may earn commission from the links on this page.
The French press has a reputation for being one of those fancy coffee-brewing gadgets, but it's actually pretty straightforward. Just steep your coffee grounds in hot water for about four minutes, strain, and you're good to go. As advocates of the French press method will attest, you can definitely tell the difference. That said, there are ways to get the best, most consistent cup out of your French press every time.
Just ask the Director of the Good Housekeeping Institute’s Kitchen Appliances & Culinary Innovation Lab, Nicole Papantoniou, who has 10 years of experience helping home chefs find the best kitchen tools and gadgets. She advised, “I would recommend cleaning it, so you always get a clean, crisp taste. You’ll want to use coarse ground coffee so it doesn’t have a muddied flavor and feel. Coarseness also contributes to flavor and grit, because you don’t want your grinds coming through.”
Patrick Main, the Beverage Innovator and Senior R&D Manager at Peet's, also offered his advice: “When I want to get the full expression of the coffee, I'll do something that's more of a direct infusion process, like a French press, where you're letting coffee and water sit there together for a long time before separating the coffee from the water,” he said. “That actually allows a little bit of sediment and oils to come through.” Pro-tip: This method is especially great for dark roasts, which many French press experts recommend (along with medium roasts) because they allow for a slower extraction of oils and flavors during brewing. The end result is a smooth, full-bodied cup with a rich depth of flavor.
Another must-have for a delicious cup of French press coffee? A good French press, of course! Based on consumer reviews, expert insights, and the Good Housekeeping Institute’s comprehensive research and testing, these are the six models that should be on your radar.
A good French press can really boost your brunch game, but if you want to take your budding barista skills to a whole other level, check out our favorite coffee recipes and some expert-approved tips for making the best coffee at home.
Our top picks
- Best French Press: Bodum Eileen French Press
- Best Budget French Press: Hamilton Beach French Press
- Best Splurge French Press: ESPRO P7 French Press
- Easiest to Use French Press: OXO Brew GroundsLifter French Press
- Best Insulated French Press: SterlingPro French Press Coffee Maker
- Best Single-Serve French Press: Frieling Double-Walled Stainless-Steel French Press Coffee Maker
How we picked these products
To find the best French presses, we turned to our friends at the Good Housekeeping Institute, who have identified the best and highest-rated brands and put them to the test. Their team of on-staff experts—which includes all types: engineers! data analysts! registered dietitians!—rigorously put everyday products to the test (and then more and more tests) in their New York City-based labs to determine which ones you can trust.
These Kitchen Tech Experts put a bunch of French presses (14, in fact!) through rigorous tests to analyze their user-friendliness, brew quality, insulation, cleanability, filter quality, and the amount of coffee grounds and sediment left behind after use. After reviewing their findings and discussing their road tests in-depth with Papantoniou, we’ve determined that these are the best French press coffee makers you can buy in 2022.
Pros
- Leaves very little sediment
- Well-insulated
Cons
- Lacks measurement lines
When you roll out of bed, you won’t be able to help saying “come on” to the Bodum Eileen as you grab your French press and jumpstart your day—because in the mornings, this coffee maker means everything!
“I really love the design of this one,” Papantoniou said. “Bodum, overall, is known for their French press coffee makers. It has a comfortable handle, it retains heat well, and it’s made of quality materials that make you feel like you have this really great, elevated experience.”
Perfect for caffeine connoisseurs who like to enjoy cup after cup all day long, this 34-ounce coffee maker produces a rich, full-bodied brew and looks good doing it. The Bodum Eileen’s durable stainless-steel frame, lid, and plunger envelopes the borosilicate glass carafe to insulate and protect it while still offering enough visibility for you to keep an eye on your coffee. The only way it could be easier to use is if it came with measurement or maximum fill lines.
During the Good Housekeeping Institute’s tests, their panelists noted “The stainless steel filter is sturdy, well-fitted and pushes down with ease,” adding “It also left behind barely any sediment (the thick layer of brewed coffee beans that accumulates on the bottom of cups.)”
And for easy clean-up, you can just pop the Bodum Eileen and all of its components right into the dishwasher.
Hamilton Beach Hamilton Beach French Press
Pros
- Affordable
- Includes measurement lines and frother
Cons
- Hand-wash recommended
Keep your mornings right on track with the Hamilton Beach French Press, which can make up to 34 ounces of delicious coffee or tea at a fraction of the price of other models. Its 1-liter borosilicate glass carafe even includes measurement lines to avoid any spillage—no measuring cups needed!
“This feels larger than the Bodum, but it actually isn't,” Papantoniou said. “It's made of plastic and has an oversized handle that’s comfortable to grip. It makes a really great cup for a really great value.” Adding to its already impressive value is the included frothing attachment, which can be swapped in for the coffee filter to make a rich and creamy batch of hot chocolate.
However, it’s good to bear in mind that all of the Hamilton Beach French Press’s parts are technically dishwasher-safe, but the manufacturer strongly recommends that users avoid washing this maker on high-heat settings, as it can damage the plastic frame and other components.
ESPRO ESPRO P7 French Press
Pros
- Quiet double micro-filter
- Brews hot, smooth coffee
Cons
- Pricey
Elegant and dependable (and dishwasher-safe), the ESPRO P7 is just like every other French press with the exception of one crucial factor that makes it worth every penny. To prevent over-steeping and keep your coffee sludge-free, its unique design features a patented double micro-filter encased by a silicone lip along the rim to create a vacuum seal. Extraction ceases and the grounds are sealed off at the bottom of the press as soon as you press the plunger down, therefore ensuring a consistent cup from your first serving to your last. No bitter brews here!
“This also made a really nice cup of coffee—it was really smooth. The design is sleek and it’s pretty large. It’s taller than others, but it’s actually 32 ounces,” Papantoniou explained, adding, “What’s interesting about this one is that the grounds are contained, so you can actually get your coffee to stay hotter for longer without over-steeping. And it also has two filters, so it really helps control any grit that could potentially get into your coffee.”
Furthermore, unlike the SterlingPro French Press Coffee Maker, the P7’s stainless steel filter didn’t make any of those harsh, grating scraping sounds so commonly experienced with other stainless steel models during the Good Housekeeping Institute’s tests. The vacuum seal requires a little extra pressure to push the plunger and filter down, which may be a little harder on your hands if you have arthritis or other motor difficulties.
OXO Brew GroundsLifter French Press
Pros
- Intuitive design
- Ergonomic handle
Cons
- Hand-wash only
New to the world of French press coffee? The OXO Brew GroundsLifter is a great place to start. T
his 32-ounce French press’s user-friendly design features a borosilicate glass carafe ensconced in an insulating and protective stainless steel frame, which also has a soft, non-slip handle for easy gripping and two windows so you can always know how much coffee you have left.
Part of what makes the OXO Brew GroundsLifter so great for fledgling French press users is its intuitive fine mesh stainless steel filter and spout filter, so you get all the richness with none of the grit or sludge infringing upon your beloved morning ritual. Plus, the wide, durable plunger is also a breeze to use, and the insert makes removing used coffee grounds a cinch. In fact, the hardest part about using this coffee maker is clean-up, as this model does need to be hand-washed, but we think its overall efficiency and intuitive design make it worth getting your hands a little dirty.
According to Papantoniou, “The exterior metal part of the OXO Brew GroundsLifter makes it feel sturdy, as does the thick handle. It’s easy to clean, and then it has this grounds lifter—so when you pull the lifter out, the grounds come up with it, instead of having to turn it over and rinse it out. And thanks to the grounds lifter, you can remove the grounds and leave your coffee in there however long you want like with the Espro P7.”
SterlingPro SterlingPro French Press Coffee Maker
Pros
- Double-wall stainless steel design
- Includes measurement lines
Cons
- Noisy metal filter
Nobody likes lukewarm coffee. Iced coffee, sure, but lukewarm? Blech. But you’ll never have to choke down a grainy, unappetizing cup of joe again with the SterlingPro French Press Coffee Maker. In fact, you just might struggle not to pour yourself cup after cup.
Perfect for those who like their French presses like they like their coffee—simple and to the point—Papantoniou noted that the SterlingPro was a popular choice among shoppers, pointing out its “really basic design” and that “it can keep your coffee hot for a long time.”
In addition to featuring a double-wall design for premium insulation, this 32-ounce coffee maker is entirely constructed of stainless steel, so you can enjoy your java at your own pace. Plus, it’s rust-resistant and dishwasher-safe, ensuring a timeless look that will fit in perfectly on your kitchen counter or breakfast table for years to come.
The SterlingPro also has a dual filter system, which features one screen that stays flush against the wall of the carafe to catch most of the grounds while the second screen catches any tiny remnants that may have made their way past the first filter. It’s good to note that the metal filter can make a pretty harsh scraping sound while in use, though this is common for most all-stainless steel French presses.
Frieling Frieling Double-Walled Stainless-Steel French Press Coffee Maker
Pros
- Small footprint
- Double-walled stainless steel design
Cons
- Produces slightly gritty coffee
Looking for a way to elevate your coffee game without taking up too much of your time (or counter space)? Not only is the Frieling Double-Walled Stainless-Steel French Press Coffee Maker dishwasher-safe, but its 17-ounce capacity also makes it just the right size for smaller batches.
Calling the Frieling “little and super cute,” Papantoniou said, “It’s best for serving one, and that’s what makes it stand out. And it’s stainless steel, which is another plus.”
In addition to boasting a patented dual-screen filtration system, the Frieling’s double-walled design also features an insulated body and lid, allowing it to retain heat much longer than glass French presses—which means it'll keep your coffee hot all through a long, lazy brunch.
“Our experts recommend using up to 14 ounces of hot water (it should stop right before the base of the spout) to prevent hot coffee from splattering out or coffee grounds accidentally slipping into your coffee,” advised The Good Housekeeping Institute. However, they pointed out: “During our tests, some larger coffee grinds made their way into the coffee, but they did not affect the taste.”
Is a French press actually better?
Some coffee connoisseurs consider French press coffee to be the best, but is it actually? Papantoniou weighed in on the great debate, saying that when it comes to brew quality, “People think that the taste is better because it uses a more gentle brewing method, which means that—compared to drip coffee machines, where the water is heated and passes through the grounds—this is steeped. And the recommended temperature is just below boiling at about 200 degrees.”
She continued: “When the water is not so hot, it allows the taste of the coffee to come through more, and some people say it’s less acidic and gentler on their stomachs.” Many may laud the palatability of French press brews, but you may want to consider another option, like cold brew (which is considered to be the least acidic coffee brewing method), if you’re solely interested in these coffee makers for their rumored health benefits.
We’re not quite sure where this myth that French press is the healthiest brewing method came from, but Papantoniou revealed that not only is this rumor false, but that the case is actually the opposite: “There’s some belief that it’s actually less healthy because it doesn’t use a paper filter which catches some of the oils.”
As is the case with any type of coffee made without a paper filter, the French press method may slightly raise your cholesterol because the process doesn’t remove cafestol, a compound found in coffee that elevates cholesterol. But have no fear! You shouldn’t have to worry unless you’re guzzling cup after cup to get you through your day. According to a 2007 study, drinking five cups of French press coffee every day for four weeks resulted in a six to eight percent increase in cholesterol levels.
It’s also important to keep in mind the amount of time you have available. If you’re looking to make a quick cup of joe every morning before work, a single-serve coffee maker may be more your speed. “In terms of ease of use, it’s definitely more involved, and I actually find it to be too involved for daily use,” advised Papantoniou.
But if you, like the other millions of French press fanatics across the U.S., find spending that extra few minutes as part of your meditative morning ritual, the good news is you don’t have to spend an amount of money that is tantamount to your time. Not only are French presses relatively inexpensive, but they’re definitely one of the least expensive types of coffee makers out there. How much you should spend depends on what you’re looking to get out of it. (For example, is this going to be for all day, everyday use, or do you just want to up your hosting game when having friends over for brunch on the weekends?)
“French press coffee makers vary in price, but they’re usually around the $50 mark or less, and there’s nothing else that makes it expensive—you could use an electric kettle, if you want, but you can also just use water you’ve boiled on the stove,” Papantoniou suggested.
Whether you want to save yourself a little extra time or you want to extract every last ounce of flavor out of your beans, the idea of reusing your coffee grounds may be appealing, but just because you can doesn’t mean you should. In fact, Papantoniou warned “I wouldn’t reuse coffee grounds—they’ll be diluted.”
Instead, you can get the most out of your French press by following Main’s expert tips:
Use fresh beans: The fresher the beans, the richer the cup. Buy only what you'll use before your next grocery shopping trip, and invest in a quality container to keep your beans as fresh as possible.
Pour fresh water: Fresh, cold, and filtered water that is not chemically softened or distilled makes a delicious difference. If you don't have access it, try using bottled water.
Fine-tune the grind: Grind your beans to the consistency of coarse sea salt. A consistent grind enables even extraction. If the plunger is difficult to push down at the end of the brew, try a slightly coarser grind next time. (Need a grinder? We've got you covered.)
Trust the recipe: The secret to perfect coffee is the right ratio of coffee to water. Measure 1/4 cup of ground coffee for 12-ounces of water, which makes roughly one mug.
Are all French presses the same?
French presses may look the same and brew the same, way but there are several key factors that make a difference: the carafe material, lids, plungers, handles, pour spouts, filters, and insulation.
Per Papantoniou, “They’re the same in how they work, but their body might be a different material, which could affect how well it retains the temperature of the coffee.” In fact, when buying a French press, she had a few suggestions to help shoppers find the model that best suits their lifestyle and preferences. “I would start off with size. Look for something that’s good for you to manage. Then I would look at material—something like glass is common, but it’s a little more delicate than, say stainless steel. And if you’re looking for better temperature retention, you’ll want a model that’s insulated.”
These design features can also affect the longevity of your coffee maker: For example, a Bodum French press like the Eileen can last you for years if you treat it with the proper care, and its stainless steel exterior is just as crucial for the glass carafe staying in good working order as it is aesthetically pleasing. Another factor to consider is the composition of your carafe—if you do go with glass over stainless steel, you’ll want to make sure it’s made with high borosilicate and heatproof glass for optimal durability (and safety in the event you drop it by accident).
“One major advantage of a glass carafe is the ability to see what's happening during the brewing,” Main shared, adding, “Features like a stainless steel carriage, ease of movement in the plunger and heft in the mesh of the filter all make the coffee brewing a visual experience as much as a tasting one.”
As for the best size for a French press, Papantoniou explained, “The Bodum Eileen French Press is 34 ounces, and I think that’s a good size for a couple of cups. It’s big enough that you can serve a few people, but it’s also not too big if you’re only making coffee for yourself.”
Le Creuset's Dutch Oven Is On Sale For Prime Day
Ninja’s Viral CREAMi Is On Sale For Prime Day
The 21 Best Prime Day Kitchen Deals
Prime Day Deals That are Cheaper Than Costco
