Morning coffee is a sacred ritual. For coffee connoisseurs, the French press is like an old friend – simple but dependable.
With just coarse grounds, hot water, and time, a French press delivers a full-flavored, full-bodied brew.
Unlike fancy drip machines, it lets the natural oils and sedimental flavors shine through the filter, resulting in a bold, rustic cup.
It’s totally customizable because you control grind size, water temperature, and steep time so every cup is exactly to your taste.
Best French Press Coffee Makers: At A Glance
- Bodum Chambord – Best Overall French Press
- Bodum Brazil – Best Budget Glass Press
- Fellow Clara – Best Premium Design
- Espro P3 – Best for a Clean Cup
- Coffee Gator 34oz – Best Budget Insulated Press
- Frieling Double Wall – Best Splurge / Keep-It-Hot Press
- Stanley Classic (Stay Hot) – Best for Camping and Hot Retention
- YETI Rambler 34oz – Best for Durability
- Le Creuset Stoneware Press – Best Stoneware/Chef’s Pick
- BaristasBuddy “Parisian” – Most Stylish French Press
1. Bodum Chambord – Best Overall French Press
The Bodum Chambord (about $40) is a classic choice for serious coffee lovers. This iconic glass-and-stainless model consistently makes a smooth, balanced cup.
In testing, it delivered exactly what fans expect: clean flavor with no bitterness or sediment. The plunger glides easily, and the parts are dishwasher-safe, making it a breeze to use and clean.
The main downside is the lack of insulation because there’s no built-in heat retention, so it’s best to drink your coffee soon after brewing.
Still, its tried-and-true design and reliable brew quality keep it at the top of many lists.
2. Bodum Brazil – Best Budget Glass Press
The Bodum Brazil (~$20) is a great pick for beginners or budget-minded brewers. It’s a simple glass press available in several sizes and fun colors, so you can match it to your kitchen or mood.
Despite its low price, it makes a robust, full-bodied coffee. You might notice a bit of grit since it uses a single-screen filter, but that’s normal for French presses in this range.
Its components all come apart easily for washing, and you can even buy replacement glass jars if you accidentally break one.
For around the cost of a good coffee bag, the Brazil gives a genuine French-press experience without breaking the bank.
3. Fellow Clara – Best Premium Design
The Fellow Clara (about $100) looks and feels like a designer gadget because it wins points for style and functionality.
It’s all stainless steel, double-wall body keeps coffee hot longer than most glass pots, and the refined lid lets you pour from any direction (handy if your coffee mug is on a cluttered table).
The Clara includes clever extras like a wooden stirring spoon and a silicon gasket filter, so the brew has almost no sediment. Reviewers loved its snug fit and smooth action because it’s sturdy and well-built.
The tradeoff is price and size: at about $100, it’s one of the priciest presses here, and it only holds 24 ounces.
But for someone who sips slowly or just wants a beautiful countertop showpiece, the Clara’s design and heat retention make it worth the splurge.
4. Espro P3 – Best for a Clean Cup
The Espro P3 (around $40) is for people who want French-press flavor without the sludge. It uses a clever double micro-filter system that blocks almost all fine grounds.
In tests, this produced one of the cleanest cups of coffee among presses – noticeably smoother and less gritty than standard models. In fact, reviewers say the P3 “achieved top marks” for brew quality.
It’s glass, so you can see the coffee brewing, and it feels solid (its glass is thicker than typical). On the downside, the P3 has no insulation: the coffee does cool off after about 30 minutes.
But if you drink fairly quickly and hate sediment, the Espro P3 delivers a balanced, tasty cup and easy cleaning for a very reasonable price.
5. Coffee Gator 34oz – Best Budget Insulated Press
For a double-wall insulated French press that won’t dent your wallet, check out the Coffee Gator (34-ounce, about $30).
It’s stainless steel inside and out, so it looks and performs like luxury presses, but costs less than half their price. In tests, it held heat on par with other insulated pots.
It brewed good coffee, and reviewers say it produced “quality coffee,” though the texture was a bit chewier due to double mesh filters.
The Coffee Gator isn’t as refined as pricier models, and its wide spout means you have to pour carefully (it can drip).
Still, at this price, its performance is excellent: you get the benefit of insulation and stainless steel build without high cost.
6. Frieling Double Wall – Best Splurge / Keep-It-Hot Press
The Frieling 36oz double-wall press (about $160) is the luxury pick for those who want a “handsome” brew.
Its full stainless steel carafe looks sleek, and the two-layer walls mean coffee stays hot much longer than single-wall models.
In taste tests, it made a bold, balanced cup, and the press feels solid—trendy enough for a brunch table. One minor gripe: the lid can wobble slightly when pressing, so hold on tight.
The big advantage is size and heat retention: Frieling offers models up to 44 ounces, and users loved that leftover coffee stayed warm for a long time.
If you don’t mind spending extra, this German-made press gives barista-quality insulation and a luxe look.
7. Stanley Classic (Stay Hot) – Best for Camping and Hot Retention
If you love camping (or just want your coffee hot for hours), Stanley’s Classic Stay Hot French Press is legendary. It’s stainless steel with double insulation and comes with a lifetime warranty.
In testing, it kept coffee warm for almost 4 hours, which was the longest of any press. The 48-ounce size is ideal for the whole family or a camping crew.
It’s built like a tank – rugged and bump-proof – but that means it’s heavy (around 2½ pounds when full), so it’s great in an RV or at a cabin but a bit much for backpacking.
True to the Stanley name, it’s as durable as a Dutch oven. For cold-weather brews or big batches, few presses can match its heat retention and toughness.
8. YETI Rambler 34oz – Best for Durability
YETI’s 34oz Rambler French Press (about $110) is built for the outdoors — and anything else life throws at it. Every part (lid, handle, mesh filter) is solid stainless, and reviewers found it exceptionally sturdy.
It delivers a clean brew: the plunger seals well, so hardly any grounds escape into your cup.
It keeps coffee hot for quite a while, too (thanks to vacuum insulation), though a couple of testers noted you need some muscle to plunge it and pull out the filter because it fits snugly.
The price is higher than most, but YETI products are known for lasting for years.
If you’re willing to spend a bit more for indestructibility, this French press will serve you faithfully both in the kitchen and on the trail.
9. Le Creuset Stoneware Press – Best Stoneware/Chef’s Pick
The Le Creuset 34oz stoneware French Press is a niche choice – and charmingly so. Made of enameled ceramic, it holds heat far longer than glass, so your coffee stays warmer for the first hour or more.
It’s decorated in Le Creuset’s signature gloss colors (like those popular Dutch ovens), so it adds a pop to any counter.
It’s extremely durable in normal use (not easily scratched or stained thanks to a hard enamel coating). You can even toss it in the microwave or dishwasher – something no steel or glass press can do.
The downside is weight and price: it’s heavier and typically more expensive.
But if you want a press that doubles as an art piece and can handle kitchen abuse, this stoneware brewer is fun and high-quality.
10. BaristasBuddy “Parisian” – Most Stylish French Press
If personality counts, the BaristasBuddy “Parisian” press stands out. It’s similar in build to some insulated models (double-wall steel) but comes in playful matte colors like dusty pink, yellow, and blue.
In our roundup, it kept coffee hot for about 2 hours, which is decent for a double-wall press. It brewed a typically rich French-press cup (full-bodied with the normal filter system).
It’s not the absolute cheapest option, but it’s moderately priced and definitely eye-catching.
For a coffee lover who wants to brighten their morning, it’s a stylish pick that blends solid performance with color.
Buyer’s Guide: How to Choose the Right French Press
Size Matters
Think about how much coffee you actually drink. A single-cup press might be fine if you’re a lone wolf who only needs one strong mug in the morning.
But if you’ve got roommates, a partner, or you love going back for refills, a larger press makes more sense.
Remember, French press coffee doesn’t sit around well. Brew it, drink it, enjoy it. So don’t buy a giant press unless you’re filling it.
Material Choices
Most presses come in glass, stainless steel, or plastic. Glass looks great and lets you watch your coffee bloom, but it’s fragile. Stainless steel is tough, holds heat longer, and is less drama if you’re clumsy.
Plastic is lightweight and durable, but it can feel a little cheap and sometimes affect taste. Think about where you’ll use it. Kitchen only? Glass is fine. Camping or travel? Stainless steel or sturdy plastic wins.
Heat Retention
If you like to linger with your coffee, pay attention here. Glass loses heat quickly, which means your second cup might be lukewarm.
Double-wall stainless steel, on the other hand, keeps things toasty longer. If hot coffee over time matters to you, lean toward insulated models.
Nobody’s day ever started great with cold coffee that wasn’t meant to be cold.
Filter Quality
The filter in a French press is the hero or the villain of your cup. A good filter keeps grounds out but lets the rich oils through.
A flimsy or poorly fitted filter? Hello, gritty sludge at the bottom of your mug.
Look for a press with a sturdy plunger and a tight, well-constructed mesh. It’ll save you from chewing your coffee.
Ease of Cleaning
Here’s the unglamorous truth: French presses get messy. Grounds stick everywhere, and some designs feel like you need a degree in engineering to take them apart.
The best presses come apart easily and can be rinsed clean in seconds. Some are even dishwasher-safe, which is a blessing if you hate scrubbing.
Trust me, the less hassle it is to clean, the more likely you’ll keep using it.
Price vs. Value
You can find French presses for the cost of a couple of lattes, or you can spend big on premium models. The difference usually comes down to durability, design, and heat retention.
A cheap glass press can make coffee just as good as an expensive one, but it may break faster.
If you want something to last for years, stainless steel might justify the higher price. Think of it as an investment in your morning sanity.
Aesthetics and Style
Okay, this one’s more personal. Do you care if it looks sleek on your counter? Some people don’t, and that’s fine. Others like their coffee gear to match their vibe.
There are minimalistic designs, classic café-style glass presses, and even bold colors. It won’t change the taste, but it might make you smile in the morning, and that counts for something.
Bonus Features
Some presses come with little extras: built-in measuring lines, double filters, insulated handles, or even travel lids. None of these is essential, but they can make the ritual smoother.
Think about whether you’ll actually use them. If you won’t, don’t pay extra.
