The 5 Best French Presses

Most people drink coffee in the morning, and we all want our coffee to taste good. Getting delicious coffee made by a barista at a coffee shop can be expensive. What if you could make barista-quality coffee in your home very inexpensively? You can, with a French press coffee maker. A French press gives you the best quality coffee for an affordable price. Drip coffee machines have paper filters that absorb the oils from the coffee grounds. The best flavor lies in the coffee oils, so you really want those oils in your coffee, not in the filter. The metal filter in a French press squeezes all of the oils into your coffee. French presses also don't use electricity, which saves you money on your electric bill and is more eco-friendly. We reviewed a number of French presses to find the ones that make the best coffee. Read on for our reviews of the 5 Best French Presses.

Mueller French Press

Cream of the Crop

This uniquely designed French press makes the best coffee.

Best Overall

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Our pick for best French press is this marvel from Mueller. Developed through years of testing, this French press has been uniquely designed to produce the best-tasting coffee. The filter has three layers to catch all the coffee grounds and stop the sediment, while allowing the coffee oils through to make delicious coffee. Mueller guarantees that no coffee grounds will get through into your coffee. This French press is made from double-layered stainless steel, which will keep your coffee hot for an hour longer than French presses made from glass or thinner steel. Its stainless steel construction means this French press won’t rust, nor will it break if you drop it. It comes with a travel canister for beans or grounds that you can take with you when you are traveling.

Pros

Triple-layer filter
Stainless steel
Travel canister included

Cons

Might need to press harder because of the triple-layer filter

Bodum Chambord French Press

Love at First Sight

This lovely-looking French press makes a tasty cup of coffee.

Best Looking

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This is a beautiful French press from Bodum. It was designed in the 1950s to pay homage to the Chateau de Chambord in France, and it is still built in the same fashion today. The beaker is made of Borosilicate glass, which is both very light and very strong. It’s also heat-resistant and won’t get cloudy in the dishwasher. The stainless steel mesh filter extracts the oils and rich flavors from the coffee grounds. The patented safety lid prevents the coffee inside from spilling. This French press makes eight four-ounce cups of coffee. The beaker, filter, and plunger are dishwasher-safe for easy cleaning.

Pros

Beautiful design
Borosilicate glass beaker
Patented safety lid

Cons

The frame and lid are not dishwasher-safe

Secura French Press

Double Your Pleasure

The double-wall design of this French press keeps your coffee hot for longer.

Best Design

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Secura has made a stellar French press. The double-wall design features an interior and exterior wall both made from 18/10 stainless steel. This is more effective in retaining heat and keeping your coffee hot than single-wall design French presses. The filter is also made from stainless steel; its three-layer design filters out even the smallest coffee grounds, so you get a rich, smooth cup of coffee. This French press comes with a bonus stainless steel screen, which you can use to give your coffee a more refined taste. The cool-touch handle and knob on this French press ensure that you won’t burn yourself when you’re pouring coffee.

Pros

Double-wall design
18/10 stainless steel
Cool-touch handle and knob
Bonus screen

Cons

No water level markings

Cafe du Chateau French Press

Four Is Better Than Three

This French press has a four-level filtration system that makes delicious coffee.

Best Filter

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This is an incredible French press from Cafe du Chateau. As the name indicates, this French press has a European-style design that is both elegant and functional. The base, lid, and handle are made from food-grade stainless steel that looks shiny and is rust-resistant. The curved stainless steel housing is laser-cut and looks amazing. The carafe fits perfectly into the housing and is made from German borosilicate glass, which can hold boiling water and will not leak. This French press has a four-level filtration system with two stainless steel screens, which makes absolutely delicious coffee. This French press comes with a lifetime replacement guarantee in case anything happens to it.

Pros

Four-level filtration system
Curved stainless steel housing
German borosilicate glass carafe
Lifetime replacement guarantee

Cons

A little laborious to clean

Coffee Gator French Press

Strong Coffee

This sturdy French press will last through many cups of scrumptious coffee.

Best Construction

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Coffee Gator makes a superior French press. It is made from military-grade materials, so you can count on this French press to last. It is made from vacuum-layered stainless steel that significantly reduces heat loss and increases the length of time your coffee will be hot for. The construction is sturdy, durable, and rust-proof. The stainless steel double-filtration system keeps the grounds out and the flavor in. The cool-touch handle keeps your hands cool while your coffee is hot. This French press also comes with a miniature canister for carrying coffee beans or grounds.

Pros

Vacuum-layered stainless steel
Stainless steel double-filtration system
Cool-touch handle
Mini-canister included

Cons

Top is not one piece of metal

Frequently Asked Questions

How often do I need to replace the filters in the French press?

Unlike drip coffee machines that require you to replace the paper filter for every new pot of coffee, French presses have permanent metal filters that you do not need to replace.

Do I heat the water in the French press itself?

No, you heat the water separately in a kettle or pot. Once the water is boiling, you pour it into the French press to make the coffee.

Can I use the French press to brew tea?

Yes, you can use the French press to brew tea. Use it the same way, just with tea leaves instead of coffee grounds. If you’ve used the French press to make coffee, make sure to clean the screen well before you make tea, so you don’t get coffee oils in your tea.