We updated this post in July 2022 to include more information about each listed product based on HAI Kitchen Appliances Lab testing. Our top-rated picks remain unchanged, but we modified our OXO pick to reflect a newer model and reduced our list from seven to six.
A French press coffee machine takes relatively little storage space, does not require electricity, and produces a robust and well-rounded cup of coffee. Coffee enthusiasts like this moderate brewing method because it avoids scalding the beans and allows maximum flavour extraction. For a more precise brew, you can use coffee grinders, kitchen scales, and thermometers, but brewing French press coffee is simple: Pour hot water over the coffee grounds in the carafe, steep for four minutes, strain, and serve.
To help you prepare the best cup of coffee at home, the Home Accessoris Institute Kitchen Appliances and Innovation Lab has spent decades researching kitchen appliances and Coffee makers, including drip coffee makers,Cold Brew Coffee Makers, single-serve coffee machines, French press coffee makers, latte machines, cold brew coffee makers, and coffee makers with grinders. When evaluating French press coffee makers, we look at the ease of use, performance, residual sediment, temperature retention, and taste. Our picks for the best French presses are based on models we extensively tested in the lab.
Our top picks:
Our tutorial deconstructs several French press elements, including materials, brew capacity, and even replacement parts available. We also show you how to make the perfect cup of coffee with your French press.
1
PROS
- Double-walled stainless steel
- Great for a small kitchen
- Full-flavored coffee in testing
CONS
- Some coffee grounds got into coffee during testing
Material: Stainless steel.
Brew capacity: 17 ounces.
Dishwasher safe: Yes.
Replacement parts available: Yes.
The single-serve Frieling French press is small, around 8 inches tall and 5.5 inches broad, but it creates a robust and tasty cup of coffee every time. The 17-ounce stainless steel carafe has two walls and is strong enough to endure everyday brewing and cleaning, even in the dishwasher. To prevent hot coffee from splattering out or coffee grinds from unexpectedly slipping into your coffee, our experts recommend using up to 14 ounces of hot water (it should stop immediately before the base of the spout). The result is around 12 ounces of full-flavored coffee, plenty for one person. Some larger coffee grinds made their way into the coffee during our tests, but they did not affect the taste.
2
PROS
- Comfortable non-slip handle
- Great tasting coffee in testing
- Easy-to-use coffee filter
CONS
- Not dishwasher safe
Material: Borosilicate glass with stainless steel frame.
Brew capacity: 32 ounces.
Dishwasher safe: Hand wash recommended.
Replacement parts available: No.
Our tasters unanimously agreed that the coffee produced in this OXO French press was full-bodied, delicious, and smooth. This French press has a nonslip carafe handle that is both comfortable and robust. The large and flat plunger made it simple to push the filter down in our tests. It also has a BPA-free GroundsLifter that helps remove used coffee grounds from the bottom, so you don’t have to scoop them out with another tool or shake the glass. To prevent coffee grounds from slipping into your coffee, align the GroundsLifter, filter, and lid before brewing.
3
PROS
- Double-wall stainless steel design kept coffee hot
- Measurement lines
- Coffee produced with a great mouthfeel in testing
CONS
- Metal filter can makes a harsh scraping sound
Material: Stainless steel.
Brew capacity: 32 ounces.
Dishwasher safe: Yes.
Replacement parts available: No.
We recommend the SterlingPro French press if you want great-tasting coffee that stays hot while brewing. It has a double-walled stainless steel carafe and lid kept our coffee at 167 degrees Fahrenheit after 30 minutes. This maker made coffee with a beautiful mouthfeel, according to our testers. We like how this French press has measuring lines to help you know how much water to pour into the carafe. The metal filter, like many all-stainless steel French presses, creates a scraping sound (which can be harsh at times) as it plunges within the carafe.
4
PROS
- Double micro-filter
- Hottest coffee in testing
- Brewed a smooth and delicious cup of coffee in testing
CONS
- Pricey
Material: Stainless steel.
Brew capacity: 32 ounces.
Dishwasher safe: Yes.
Replacement parts available: Yes.
We held our breath because most stainless steel French presses produce a loud scraping sound when plunged, but not the Espro P7! The finest and only non-metal filter we tested, the double micro-filter, has a silicone lip that fits securely inside the carafe. With each cleaning, we recommend separating the two micro-filters with a simple unlock and twist to ensure that any remaining oils and debris are eliminated. There’s plenty of room above the maximum fill line to prevent spills, as well as double-walled insulation to keep your coffee hot. It consistently produces a smooth and tasty cup of coffee, and it had the most scalding coffee of any of the French presses we tried.
5
PROS
- Great tasting results in testing
- Built-in liquid measurement lines
- Frother attachment
CONS
- Cannot be washed in dishwasher with high-heat setting
Material: Borosilicate glass with plastic frame.
Brew capacity: 34 ounces.
Dishwasher safe: Hand wash recommended.
Replacement parts available: Yes.
This low-cost French press produces coffee with rich, bold flavours; our tasters even detected crema, the top layer of foam commonly observed in well-extracted espresso. The Hamilton Beach French press has a massive vessel with plenty of space above the maximum fill line, ensuring no hot liquids spill out while plunging. It was one of the few French presses we tested that had visible liquid measurement lines, eliminating the need to pre-measure water. Another exciting feature is the frother attachment, which may be used in place of the coffee filter to make hot cocoa. Please remember that all pieces can be washed in the dishwasher, although the high-heat setting may harm the plastic frame and lid.
6
PROS
- Additional insulation from the metal frame
- Very little sediment left behind in testing
- Stylish and modern design
CONS
- No maximum fill line or measurement lines
Material: Borosilicate glass with carbon steel frame.
Brew capacity: 34 ounces.
Dishwasher safe: Yes.
Replacement parts available: Yes.
The Bodum Eileen regularly produced a well-rounded cup of coffee. Its stylish and sleek frame functions as an insulating layer, keeping your coffee warmer for longer and preventing the carafe from cracking, which is a common complaint with glass French presses. It is built on the same principles as the well-known and widely used Bodum Chambord French press, which we also tested and recommend. The stainless steel filter is strong, well-fitting, and easy to press down; it also leaves little sediment (the thick coating of brewed coffee beans that develops on the bottom of cups). The frame comes in black, chrome, gold, copper, and white.
How we test French presses
While most French presses appear to be the same, they are not. Carafe materials vary, as do their insulation, handles, pour spouts, plungers and filters. That’s why, in the Home Accessoris Institute Kitchen Appliances Lab, we put the best French presses to the test. In our most recent test, we looked at 14 highly rated French presses from renowned companies, including glass, ceramic, and stainless steel models in various sizes.
a tray containing coffee cupsIMPORTANT
We tested each French Press for ease of use and performance, first by following the manufacturer’s brewing instructions and then by comparing each brew with our recipe, assessing how well-rounded the coffee tasted and the amount of coffee grounds and sediment left behind. We considered how simple it was to set up, plunge, pour, and clean each coffee maker.
After testing, coffee sediment remained in the cups of coffee. IMPORTANT: We also tested how well the carafes kept their temperature immediately after brewing and 30 minutes later, and we paid close attention to how well the filters worked and whether or not they bent after multiple uses. The most significant French presses were simple to set up, plunge, and wash, and they provided huge flavour with little to no sediment.
What to look for when shopping for the best French press
Here are some things to think about when purchasing a new French press coffee maker:
✔️Material: French presses are made of many materials such as glass, plastic, ceramic, and stainless steel. Glass and plastic presses are fantastic for watching your coffee brew and are often less expensive, but ceramic and stainless steel retain heat better, keeping your coffee warmer for longer, especially if the carafe is double-walled (but expect to pay a bit more!).
✔️A nested three-layer filter constructed of stainless steel fine mesh is an essential component of a French press. To prevent coffee grounds from getting into your coffee, the filters should fit tightly inside the walls of the carafe.
✔️Size: French presses range from 12 ounces (ideal for a single consumer) to 34 ounces (enough for four cups of coffee).
How to brew coffee using a French press
We recommend a coffee-to-water ratio of 1:16 when using a French press, which equates to one ounce (approximately four tablespoons) of coarsely ground coffee for 16 ounces (two cups) of water. We also advocate coarsely grinding your beans; coarsely ground coffee benefits from slow extraction. Finely ground coffee will taste over-extracted (likely harsh and bitter), resulting in a clogged filter and an extra gritty, unpleasant cup of coffee.
Bring water to a boil, then remove from heat and cool to around 200oF (approximately 30 seconds after the water reaches a full boil).
Pour in the ground coffee, followed by the boiling water. After one minute, the coffee grounds rise to the top and form a “crust.” Gently break through the crust with a wooden spoon and mix. The feet will eventually sink to the bottom.
Place the cover on the carafe, plunger up and steep for three minutes more.
After three minutes, gently push the plunger down and serve immediately; the coffee will continue to brew and become bitter as it sits!
After each usage, clean your French press. Coffee grounds and oil residue on the carafe and filter will make your coffee bitter. Follow the manufacturer’s washing recommendations and disassemble the nested filter to remove any deposits and residual oils.
Why trust Home Accessories?
Brigit Earley is a writer and editor with over 15 years of expertise covering home products such as furniture and accessories. She researched and reviewed the Coffee maker mentioned in this story with the help of HA Institute professionals, including vacuum scientists and engineers in the HA Institute Textiles Lab.
