Last Updated On December 27th, 2021
A French press produces smooth, rich, and aromatic coffee all in the comfort of your home. Easy to use and able to be paired with your favourite ground coffee, their compact design won’t take up much room on your countertop, either. So if you’re hoping to downsize your drip coffee machine or looking for something that you can take with you on-the-go, then you’re in the right place.
With so many features to consider it can be difficult to know exactly what you need. That is why we have searched the internet to help you find the best french press for you. To find the best selections, we considered capacity, materials, design, filtration system, and more.
Take a look at our top 9 findings below and discover the best cafetière for your kitchen.
Best French Press Reviews – Top 9 Picks
1. Cafe du Chateau Heat-Resistant Borosilicate Glass (Editor’s Choice)
This French press features a four-level filtration system that keeps grounds out of your cup of coffee. Comprising of two stainless steel screen filters, a spring-loaded base, and a lid strainer to trap coffee, this French press coffee maker is great for home and work use.
Features
It’s designed with rust-and-corrosion-resistant stainless steel. The housing, handle, and lid are made of high-quality steel to remain durable and feel comfortable to hold. In fact, all of the materials used are BPA-free, allowing you to enjoy delicious ground coffee without any safety concerns. The stainless steel material keeps the coffee at a high temperature while using a combination of glass to add a level of transparency. What’s more, this glass also makes it safe to use as it won’t shatter when exposed to a high temperature.
Furthermore, it has a large 34-ounce capacity, that can make up to eight cups of coffee—which is ideal for a large household. Designed with borosilicate glass, this French press coffee maker is easy to clean and has excellent clarity, so you can clearly see the grounds inside the pot.
On the other hand, this French Press coffee maker may have a slightly sharp handle that doesn’t feel soft to hold. If you intend on using this item every day, this could become uncomfortable, and even unmanageable, with regular use. In addition, this coffee maker’s base might not be level, which can lead to some inaccuracies or spillage when measuring and pouring out the coffee.
- Large 34-ounce capacity for eight cups of coffee
- Uses borosilicate glass for excellent heat retention
- Dishwasher safe for low maintenance
- Durable stainless steel material
- Lid strainer can remove coffee grounds easily
- Size might be too large for single-person use
- May have sharp edges around the fine mesh filters
2. BODUM Columbia (Luxury Choice)
If you’re looking for the best French press coffee maker to keep on display in your kitchen, this BODUM product makes a great choice. It boasts a 33-ounce capacity that’s large enough for nearly eight cups of coffee. This certainly makes an excellent gift to coffee enthusiasts, but it’s also a wonderful appliance to treat yourself to.
Features
Most impressively, this is the best French press coffee maker for durability. In particular, it uses a silicone and mesh plunger that prevents scratching and offers a complete filtration process with minimal grounds in your cup of coffee. These materials help to make the French Press maker more durable than a stainless steel option while still turning the coffee ground into tiny particles for a smooth taste. But possibly the most stand-out feature of this coffee press is its elegant, curved design and smooth handle that makes it convenient to pick up.
Moreover, its safety lid prevents coffee from spilling, so you can enjoy great coffee with minimal mess. It also boasts a double-wall stainless steel design that is excellent for heat retention and acts as a coffee warmer. In fact, it can keep coffee hot for up to two hours. This is great for hosting dinner parties or using at a work conference to top up clients’ cups.
In contrast, this BODUM stainless steel French Press maker might release some coffee grounds into your cup of coffee, as the mesh filter might not catch every particle. Furthermore, it may be difficult to keep the stainless steel frame clean and smudge-free as any slight fingermark can show up on the exterior. And, due to its steel frame, you can’t see the remaining amount of coffee inside, which could lead to a guessing game when accurately measuring out coffee.
- Keeps coffee hot for up to two hours
- 33-ounce capacity is great for a larger household
- Double-walled stainless steel construction
- Comfortable grip handle for easy pouring
- Fine mesh filter might not catch all coffee grounds
- Might be difficult to keep clean
- Some people may prefer a transparent design
3. BODUM Kenya 3 Cup (Best Value)
For a larger variety of capacity, this BODUM coffee press is available in four sizes: one, three, four, and eight cups. This diversity means you can choose a size to suit your household or work environment. It’s easy to operate; the strainer, which uses a suction action to ensure it catches every particle of ground coffee, isn’t too hard to push down. Plus, the French press’s large handle offers plenty of grips if you have weak wrists and need more support.
Features
It’s designed with borosilicate glass, which holds excellent heat retention to maintain a hot coffee for longer. In fact, this material won’t crack in high temperatures like ordinary glass; it’s a durable type of glass that’s long-lasting and reliable. Plus, the plastic frame protects a table from heat damage, so you can place it onto a desk or table without concerns about damage.
Moreover, this BODUM appliance uses a stainless steel filtration system, capturing all of the coffee grounds for a smooth texture. It’s an overall quick and easy process to remove ground beans from your coffee without them pouring into your cup. Furthermore, it’s long-lasting and makes the perfect addition to your daily coffee intake.
Unfortunately, the plastic frame might not be an eco-friendly option if you’re looking for a sustainable French press that uses resourceful materials. Furthermore, the three-cup French press might produce three cups of coffee that have a small size, making it unsuitable for those who enjoy large hot drinks.
- Dishwasher safe for easy maintenance
- Stainless steel filtration system, so you don’t need paper filters
- Plastic frame protects furniture from heat damage
- Dishwasher safe for easy cleaning
- Plastic frame may not be an eco-friendly option
- Coffee maker might only pour small cups of coffee
4. Secura Stainless Steel (Best Sturdy Frame)
This one-litre stainless steel cafetière is made of 18/10 stainless steel on the interior and exterior and is designed to be long-lasting and durable, enabling you to use this stainless steel press every day without any worries. This exterior keeps your coffee warm for a while, and its easy-pour feature prevents any air from getting into the appliance, thus further helping to keep it in the heat.
Features
It boasts a three-layered stainless steel filtration system that’s designed to trap freshly ground particles to produce exceptional ground coffee. This is also great because the press doesn’t require a mesh filter. And the stainless steel body can keep your coffee hot for a long time.
It’s also the best French press maker for pouring because you can rotate the spout in the direction you need. Therefore, it’ll reduce spillages and create an even pour—without having to hold the lid firmly in place. Furthermore, the handle is heat-resistant, so you can touch it without burning your hand.
Unfortunately, there’s no mention that this is dishwasher safe, which means that you could have to clean it by hand. It might be lightweight, so you’ll need to hold it firmly in place while pouring boiling water into the pot.
- Stainless steel body makes it high quality and durable
- An excellent coffee warmer for business meetings
- Spout can be rotated in different directions
- Heat-resistant handle for safety
- Three-layered filtration system that creates smooth, delicious coffee
- May not be available in different sizes
- May not be dishwasher safe
5. MeelioCafe 1.5L (Best With Accessories)
Designed with a non-drip spout, this coffee press provides safe and accurate pours to prevent any spillages. This is great for avoiding injuries, too. In addition, it’s available in numerous sizes: 350ml, 800ml, 1 litre, and 1.5 litres, enabling you to choose a capacity that best suits you.
Features
Impressively, your purchase includes a coffee measuring spoon and two extra filter screens. This makes it easy to use if you’ve never owned a French press coffee maker before, but it will also make a great gift. In fact, its high-gloss mirror surface provides a beautiful design that’s also easy to clean and offers minimal maintenance.
Moreover, it features double-wall technology with a material that retains heat, keeping your beverage warm for a while. This unique technology keeps your beverage hot without making the exterior surface hot, so you can touch the French press without scalding your fingers. With an excellent welding design, it won’t leak any hot water as you pour coffee into a cup. Furthermore, its stainless steel body ensures that it keeps the water hot for a long time while also providing an elegant finish to your kitchen.
Unfortunately, the product doesn’t have much grip on the base, which can make it slippery on kitchen surfaces. While its steel design can be difficult to hold with hot water inside. Furthermore, its design may not be as simple to use as other options, so you may have to push the filter down harder. plus, it’s not suitable for use in a dishwasher, so it may require some laborious work after each use.
- Includes a coffee measuring spoon and two extra filter screens
- Double-wall technology to keep coffee warm
- Available in four sizes: 350ml, 800ml, 1000ml, and 1,500ml
- Exterior doesn’t become too hot to touch when pouring coffee
- Might not have much grip on the base
- Could get hot to touch with hot water inside
- May not be suitable for the dishwasher
6. BODUM Cafeteria (Best For Materials)
This BODUM cafetière is available as a 3 or 8-cup option, making it highly versatile depending on how many cups of coffee you consume each day. The press makes ground coffee smooth, thanks to its stainless steel parts that also prevent you from having to purchase mesh filters.
Features
This stainless steel French press comes with a patented safety lid that prevents coffee from splashing while you’re pressing. This is great for newbies and protects kitchen surfaces at the same time. It also uses borosilicate glass, which has a wide thermal shock range of 170 degrees. In fact, you can instantly pour cold water into the press without it shattering.
In addition, it’s easy to clean and remove all of the parts. Plus, the steel filter is well built, helping to avoid small components where ground coffee could potentially get stuck. You’ll like how this French press sits on your countertop, thanks to the lifted base that slightly raises it from the surface. Not only does this add an element of elegance to its appearance but prevents it from attracting dirt underneath.
However, this BODUM stainless steel French press coffee appliance might be smaller than it looks, which isn’t ideal if you want to make a cup of coffee for everyone in the room. In fact, it’s better for brewing coffee in small cups or for making espresso. Furthermore, the handle may not boast an ergonomic grip, which isn’t ideal if you struggle to keep items stable in your hands.
- Glass won’t shatter in high and cold temperatures
- Available in two sizes for excellent versatility
- Easy to clean after each use
- Designed with high-quality glass to retain heat and prevent shattering
- May be too small for some coffee lovers
- May not be dishwasher safe
- Handle might not be soft or ergonomic to hold
7. BODUM Stainless Steel (Best For Travel)
If you’re looking for the best cafetière for taking on your travels, this BODUM French coffee maker makes an excellent contender. It has a 0.35-litre capacity to make delicious coffee without transporting a huge weight with you on your travels. What’s more, this handy cafetière doesn’t require an additional coffee mug, because it doubles as a travel thermos.
Features
It’s also great for keeping your coffee warm, thanks to its stainless steel body. The silicone band doesn’t retain heat, allowing you to enjoy as much coffee as you like without burning your hands. Furthermore, you can adjust the amount of coffee that pours out by turning the screw in the lid. This keeps you in control and can prevent any overpours.
The effective filter makes coffee without much effort. In fact, the filter is excellent at picking up every particle, resulting in coffee with a smooth consistency. What’s more, the non-skid rubber base prevents any accidents while you’re utilising this cafetière.
In contrast, you’ll need to ensure that the filter is securely pressed down before drinking coffee out of the mug or it may spill out as you take a drink. In addition, it may not be leakproof, which could cause some issues when you’re transporting the French press so be sure to keep it upright.
- Lightweight and small capacity to make a cup of coffee when travelling
- Silicone band prevents you from burning your hands
- Made from BPA-free materials
- Snap lid adds a layer of security to minimize spillage
- Non-skid rubber base
- May not be leakproof, which could be inconvenient during transportation
- Plastic strainer might not be an eco-friendly option for some
8. KICHLY Double Wall 100% Stainless Steel (Best For Durability)
This French Press coffee appliance boasts a one-litre capacity, making it great for daily use and slim and compact enough to keep on display in your kitchen. In fact, it’s sturdy enough for commercial use in a restaurant or cafe. Plus, its shiny stainless steel appearance makes it highly presentable.
Features
In addition, this stainless steel French Press features a double-walled construction that makes it durable and resistant to damage while also retaining heat to keep your coffee warm. Furthermore, this choice of material won’t crack or rust, so you can make coffee in it every day with peace of mind.
Most importantly, it’ll make a smooth, great-tasting cup of coffee, as the stainless steel filter removes all grounds from the coffee for a texture you’ll love. Once you’ve drunk the coffee, it easily disassembles and can be put in the dishwasher for convenient, thorough cleaning. Furthermore, you may love its stylish design with clean lines that makes it the perfect appliance to keep on your kitchen countertop.
Unfortunately, it may not have a non-slip base, which can make it difficult to keep still when you’re pouring coffee into it and could result in some spillage. In addition, you may need to take extra precautions when making coffee because there’s no anti-spillage design on this cafetiere. Finally, some people might find its handle a little uncomfortable to hold when pouring coffee.
- Double-wall construction to keep coffee hot
- Won’t crack or rust with regular use
- Dishwasher safe for easy cleaning after each use
- One-litre capacity for plenty of coffee
- Elegant design that looks great on display
- May not have a non-slip base
- May not have a secure lid design
- Lid might be uncomfortable to hold when pouring coffee
9. Le Creuset Stoneware (Best For Design)
If you’re looking for a French press that will look presentable on display, the Le Creuset Stoneware cafetière might be just what you need. Let’s face it, practicality is important, but it’s also beneficial if your French Press appliance looks good, too. It’s available in a range of colours, including red, blue, orange, white, green, black, and grey. With this much variety, there’s a style for everyone’s tastes, to suit all kitchen colour schemes.
Features
It’s equipped with a stainless steel mesh and plunger to ensure that it perfectly filters all ground coffee for a smooth and delicious consistency. The use of enamel makes the French Press safe to use and retains heat, helping to keep your coffee warmer for longer. This material is also chip-resistant and can withstand temperatures up to 260 degrees, making it a long-lasting purchase.
Moreover, pouring coffee out of this French press is simple, thanks to the smooth-pour spout that minimizes any splashes and makes it easy to handle and pour. Plus, the appliance is suitable to use in a dishwasher to make cleaning up even easier. Finally, its large handle makes it comfortable to hold while you’re pouring coffee into a cup.
Unfortunately, due to the enamel material, this French Press could be too heavy for some people to hold while pouring coffee into a cup. As it doesn’t have a transparent exterior, it might be difficult to keep track of how much ground coffee is inside the press.
- Safe to use in a dishwasher
- Stainless steel mesh for smooth coffee grounds
- Chip-resistant enamel material
- Matching coffee accessories available
- May be too heavy for some people to hold
- May be difficult to track how much coffee is inside
Buying Guide
When looking for the best coffee makers, there are several important factors to consider. Below, we’ve outlined some of the top-priority features to remember throughout your search.
Capacity
As you’ll notice from the above coffee makers, not all French press coffee makers are available in the same size. Assess your current routine. Do you typically make a single cup of coffee or do you like to go back for more soon after? Alternatively, do you like to make several cups for the household or to accommodate an office environment? Either way, the French press coffee appliance should be the perfect capacity for your needs.
Choosing a coffee maker that’s too big for your needs means that it’ll take up more space on your countertop and, with extra air inside the appliance, it could result in colder coffee—especially if you don’t drink it straight away.
Design
A French press coffee appliance could be practical while also having a pleasant design that you like to keep on display. This is particularly important when using the coffee makers during the office or if you want them to match your kitchen colour scheme.
Choose an appearance and style that you like. Many coffee makers are available in various colours, so you can choose one that suits your tastes. And consider the material used, too. For example, a stainless steel French press has a sophisticated finish, whereas a glass design allows you to view the coffee to see how much of your beverage is remaining.
Does the French press feature a non-slip base? This feature is particularly important for preventing accidents and to keep it stable when you are plunging the filter or filling it with boiling water. In addition, a heat-resistant handle is a great feature to help avoid injuries and allow you to pour hot coffee into a cup without scolding yourself.
Filtration System
Furthermore, the coffee maker’s filtration system makes a big difference to the beverage’s overall taste and texture and can determine the appliance’s quality. A French press typically has a stainless steel mesh filter that’s used to catch all of the coffee grounds to create a deliciously smooth coffee.
A three-layered filtration system traps even the smallest pieces of coffee, creating a full-bodied flavour.
Material
Next up, it’s time to make a decision on the French Press’s material.
Glass
Glass provides a great view, allowing you to clearly see the coffee inside without having to take specific measurements. In fact, this is a huge advantage for elevating your coffee-making experience and examining the texture with your eyes.
With that said, don’t just choose any glass, consider a high borosilicate glass, which is heatproof and won’t break easily. This material can withstand extremely high temperatures followed by a cooler temperature immediately after when washing the Press coffee.
In addition, a glass French press provides immediate heat retention, keeping the coffee warmer for longer. This is ideal if you don’t plan on drinking the beverage straight away or want to drink the coffee slowly in a team meeting.
Metal
On the other hand, a metal cafetiere and filter is highly durable and reduces the chances of breaks and scratches if you bang the French Press against a kitchen doorknob or on the side. One big flaw of a stainless steel press is that you can’t see the coffee inside. Plus, you don’t get to appreciate the swirling and mixing action, which some coffee enthusiasts like.
However, a stainless steel filter and exterior retain heat better than a glass coffee maker, helping to keep your beverage warmer for longer. In this case, opt for a double-walled material that keeps the French press at a high temperature, preventing your beverage from going cold if you like to go back for second helpings.
Maintenance
The last thing you want is a French Press that requires a lot of time and effort to clean. Some appliances come with dishwasher-safe components that speed up the cleaning process and require minimal maintenance. However, there are some cafetières that require cleaning by hand using warm soapy water to keep the elements clean. This could damage the filter if you’re not careful.
Portable Finish
Incredibly, there are some cafetières that are portable—turning them into a thermos that you can drink your beverage from. These look like a coffee flask at a glance but feature a filter and plunger. They’re usually constructed from stainless steel, which allows you to store them in a bag while you’re on the go.
The most critical factor to remember with portable cafetières is that they boast a smaller capacity than household options, but make a great alternative to a full-sized French press.
The Winning French Press
We hope you enjoyed these cafetière reviews, but if we could only recommend one item, it’d be the Heat Resistant Borosilicate Glass option by Cafe du Chateau. This is the best french press for us since it boasts a four-level filtration system to catch all coffee grounds and create smooth brewed coffee.
It’s also designed with a stainless steel housing, handle, and lid that are BPA-free, so you can enjoy the best coffee without worrying about toxins entering the maker. In addition, it has a 34-ounce capacity to make a plethora of brewed coffee, which is great for accommodating several people. Or you can leave the brewed coffee in the pot and it’ll keep your beverage warm. No doubt, this is the best cafetière for us.
What are your thoughts on our roundup? Let us know your feedback, or other recommendations, in the comments.