The Top 5 Best French Press Coffee Makers for Home in 2024

As a self-proclaimed coffee snob who has been using a French press nearly every morning for over a decade, I feel qualified to preach the gospel of great French press coffee. After years of testing different models and breaking my fair share along the way (RIP cheap glass French presses), I’ve settled on my absolute favorites that I swear by for making a perfect cup of French pressed coffee: the best French press coffee makers money can buy.

So grab a hot cup of coffee and set aside a few minutes of your time to nerd out over the wonderful world of French press coffee with me. I promise you won’t regret it.

The Top 5 Best French Press Coffee Makers

1. Mueller French Press Double Insulated 310 Stainless Steel Coffee Maker — Best Overall
2. Bodum Java French Press Coffee Maker — Best Budget Option
3. ESPRO P7 French Press Coffee Maker — Best Premium Option
4. Frieling Double-Walled Stainless Steel French Press Coffee Maker — Best for Big Batches
5. Le Creuset Stoneware French Press Coffee Maker — Most Decorative

1. Mueller Austria Double Insulated 310 Stainless Steel Coffee Maker — Best Overall

When it comes to French press coffee, proper temperature control is absolutely everything. After all, if that water cools off too quickly while interfacing with those grounds, you simply won’t extract all those delicious flavor compounds locked away in your beans. Losing temperature too quickly while brewing means you’re more likely to end up with underextracted coffee, sour flavors, and an unpleasant coffee acidity. The best way to avoid that beyond understanding how a French press works is to use a highly insulated brewing chamber like this one.

The Mueller Austria French press uses two layers of stainless steel in a vacuum-sealed design to lock in warmth like Fort Knox locks away gold bars (it does do that, right?). My own personal testing reveals that it loses minimal heat while brewing to extract that bold, balanced flavor with no weak, under-extracted notes.

And I did some extensive testing. Over the four minute brewing time in this French press, my brewing coffee lost around 4 degrees (excluding how much is unavoidably lost when the coffee hits the room-temperature coffee). For comparison, a cheap glass French press I have lost nearly double that. Is that a huge deal? No, not really. But it does matter, especially if you have a good palette for coffee.

The double stainless steel works just as well as glass or stone for insulation. Keep in mind that metal has a higher propensity for pulling heat out of your coffee, so I do recommend pre-heating the brewing chamber. With this one small extra step, you’ll be dialing in those temperatures for perfect extraction every time.

Also, it’s far more durable than glass, which, in my opinion, trumps the need for the extra step to pre-heat. I can’t count how many glass French presses I’ve broken from thermal shock over the years (actually, I can, it’s two, but still…no one wants a broken French press). This sucker is nearly indestructible—I’ve dropped mine on tile more times than I’d like to admit and haven’t so much as dented it. That means your modest investment is going to pay you dividends for many years to come.

It also uses two fine stainless steel mesh screens that capture the majority of those pesky coffee fines that can over-extract and get your brew all muddy. I’ve used French presses with just one screen, and that often leads to too many fines, which produce an overextracted, bitter flavor after you pour. Not this one!

And it even has markings on the lid showing the ideal place to position the spout for easy, no-fuss pouring. This means fewer spills when you go to pour your coffee.

Really the only downside is the simple design won’t win any beauty pageants. But if consistently amazing and easy French press coffee is what you’re after, this one hits all the marks. It’s why I use it almost every single morning.

2. Bodum Brazil French Press Coffee Maker — Best Budget Option

Bodum has been making some of the most popular and affordable French presses for decades, and their Brazil model is a prime example of why. For the price, the quality here simply can’t be beaten.

The borosilicate glass does an excellent job trapping heat in spite of just having a single layer, meaning water stays hot even over that four minute immersion time. Again, that helps avoid underextraction and nasty astringency in your coffee. It also pulls heat from your water less readily than stainless steel, so high-quality glass like this is technically a better option than metal…if only it wasn’t breakable.

The chrome frame adds an eye-catching pop while protecting the fragile glass. That same simple yet elegant design makes it an aesthetically pleasing addition to your kitchen or dining space as well.

My biggest gripe after owning a few of these over the years is just that they don’t seem to have that long of a lifespan. I somehow managed to break two—one from a drop and one from a shock fracture when washing. But hey, for the price, just consider it a “disposable” French press you can replace every couple years. Just know that you’ll end up spending more on your French presses over time.

Also, double-walled glass French presses are technically the best insulators—in my testing, they lost just 1 degree over the 4-minute brew time, while this one lost about double that—but they’re far more expensive and still breakable. In my opinion, the trade-off isn’t worth it, and I’d sooner recommend this one from Bodum.

3. ESPRO P7 French Press Coffee Maker — Best Premium Option

Listen, I know the ESPRO P7 costs a small fortune for a French press. But when that first velvety sip with perfectly balanced sweetness, acidity, and bitterness with no gritty over-extracted flavors hits your taste buds…you’ll see why I’m recommending this one. Pure magic.

This innovative French press uses a stainless steel and rubber gasket “filter basket” design with ultra-fine stainless steel mesh screens above and below your grounds to block even the finest of coffee particles from getting into your cup. No other press gets a cleaner cup with less sludge while keeping all those tasty oils intact—without using a paper filter, that is.

This is important because French press has one fatal downside: without a paper filter, those fines WILL make their way into your cup, and they’ll continue extracting long after you pour. While that first sip might be amazing, the bottom of your cup might taste overly bitter from the plant cell walls that break down after long exposure to heat. The ESPRO P7 does a better job at preventing that. I’m no super taster, but I notice a difference, and I’m sure you will, too.

It’s also a gorgeous thing to behold with its unique silhouette and brushed metals that make a real statement piece. I’d be proud to display this on my counter, which means you’re less likely to have to find a dedicated spot in a crowded cabinet to store this brewer.

Plus, it does a great job holding in heat despite lacking a true vacuum-sealed wall or double wall insulation. I was getting around 4 degrees of heat loss over 4 minutes, which is really good for a stainless steel French press. Just make sure you pre-heat the brewing chamber before making coffee.

As long as you can get over the sticker shock, your mornings will be filled with French press nirvana courtesy of the ESPRO P7.

4. Frieling Double Walled Stainless Steel French Press Coffee Maker — Best for Big Batches

Sometimes you need more than just a single serving of French pressed perfection, and that’s when the Frieling press’s 44 oz capacity comes to save the day. Or should I say the morning…for your whole family. Maybe even the whole neighborhood! A larger size like this makes it ideal for making coffee for company. Instead of standing in your kitchen waiting for batch after batch to brew, you can brew one big batch and spend more time with your guests. That’s a big deal, in my opinion.

This brewer makes incredible coffee, too. That crisp flavor comes courtesy of the vacuum-sealed double wall stainless steel that would make a Yeti mug jealous when it comes to insulation. Mine lost just 3 degrees over the brewing period during testing. I should note that larger batches tend to hold temperature better because there’s a larger thermal mass from the coffee itself. This is great if you’re brewing big batches and still want great coffee. And that’s a big upside of immersion brewing: regardless of the batch size, the flavor should remain more or less unchanged. The same can’t be said for drip brewing and pour over.

It also uses two fine stainless steel screens to filter out tons of sediment and over-extracted compounds for balanced flavor containing all the oils you know and love from French press. It’s not quite as good as the ESPRO P7 for removing fines, but it does a good job and is on par with most other high-end French presses.

While certainly still a sizable investment, it costs notably less than similar premium double wall stainless steel options. And it includes all the right touches like a marking on the lid for mess-free pouring and a classic style that still looks great on your countertop.

I will say that this might not be a daily driver for most and is better for special occasions when you have multiple people to brew for. When I tested this to brew a small batch, the massive headspace above the coffee meant that there was just too much heat loss. I wouldn’t recommend this if you’re only looking to brew one or two cups.

But when you need a large batch of perfect French press coffee without breaking the bank, pull out the Frieling press and get the whole squad caffeinated in minutes flat.

5. Le Creuset Stoneware French Press Coffee Maker — Most Decorative

Let’s face it—most French presses look pretty boring. Especially set against that vibrant Le Creuset dutch oven you just had to have.

Enter Le Creuset’s stoneware French press that perfectly matches the rest of your prized kitchenware for a seamlessly stylish look. The thick stone retains heat nearly as well as glass to extract all the flavors from your favorite beans. And it holds heat better than steel provided you pre-heat the brewing chamber. This one lost around 2 degrees over the 4-minute brewing timeline, which is outstanding for dialing in the perfect rate of extraction to suit your taste.

Is it the most high-tech or performance-driven press out there? Certainly not. But I’d argue no other model looks quite as perfect sitting next to your beautiful stove and handcrafted wood countertops.

Just be aware that all stoneware has its fragility limits, especially compared to stainless steel. But as long as you treat it with care, it should hold up reasonably well and continue gracing your space with charm for years of delightful morning brewing.

Buyer’s Guide: What to Look for in an Ideal French Press

From construction to functionality and beyond, choosing the right French press comes down to a handful of key factors. So before throwing your money at the first suggested item on Amazon, let’s dive deeper into what makes certain models shine brighter than a morning cup of their sweet, sweet brew.

Temperature Control and Construction Material

Far and away the most critical element of a properly functioning French press is precise temperature control throughout the entire four minute brew time. After all, water too hot will scorch your grounds and bring overly bitter notes. But water too cool won’t properly extract all those tasty flavor compounds because the rate of extraction is based on temperature. Low temperatures don’t extract those flavorful compounds as quickly and can lead to underextracted, sour coffee with less caffeine. That’s a lose-lose situation.

So what materials do best? Glass and double-wall stainless steel absolutely ace this test, with thick stoneware coming in a reasonably close third. Each material uses its thickness and trapped air to create insulation only a true snob can appreciate.

Glass, usually borosilicate, does this with an innate effectiveness thanks to the crazy complex world of thermodynamics. Heat simply doesn’t love passing through it easily, making most quality glass presses reach flavor extraction nirvana even with just a single layer. If you want to go really crazy with temperature control, invest in a double-wall glass French press that’s vacuum sealed. I personally think this is overkill, since most single-wall models only lose around 2 degrees over the brewing period, but for absolute precision, choose a double-wall glass chamber and preheat before brewing.

If you’re buying a metal French press, make sure it has a double wall with a vacuum seal. By actively removing air from between layers to create a vacuum-like seal, manufacturers massively boost the insulation and can get metal just as insulative as glass. Like a hydro flask for coffee flavor instead of just temperature, it keeps all of the heat inside the brewing chamber to unlock every subtle note in those grounds. gain, just make sure to pre-heat the press.

Quality glass and stainless steel constructions simply do best to hit that 195 to 205 degree (F) coffee sweet spot, but stoneware French presses are also good enough for most coffee drinkers.

Mesh Screen

Without a filter, those messy fines (which every grinder produces) make their way into your cup and over-extract over time, leaving grit and bitterness behind. This mostly comes from acids breaking down into quinic acids, and the cell walls of the coffee degrading and leaving bitter compounds in your cup. A fine stainless steel mesh screen acts as a pseudo-filter to inhibit most of those pesky fines from winding up in your coffee.

The best French press screens, like the ones in the ESPRO P7, catch 70 to 80% or more of the tiniest sediment particles without blocking too much of those precious oils that give French press its signature mouthfeel and creamy texture.

It’s hard to assess the actual effectiveness of a French press screen before testing it because manufacturers don’t usually include the sizes of the perforations. Unfortunately, you’ll have to rely on my word or test them yourself. The ESPRO P7 is really the only one of the above presses that do a much better job than the others. The screens on the Stoneware Le Creuset French press are a little below-average, in my opinion.

Paper Filter Capability

Sometimes to achieve true French press peace, you need the power to call in paper filter reinforcements. These guys catch nearly 100% of fines when coupled with a standard mesh screen for the cleanest possible cup. That means minimal bitterness developing in your cup after you press and pour, so your last sip will taste just as good as the first one. And you won’t have any coffee mud at the bottom of your cup. I personally enjoy that, but you might want a paper filter to make a cleaner cup that you can finish without the bitter end.

The only issue with paper filters is that you lose most of the oils in your coffee—namely, cafestol and kahweol—and therefore the heavy, creamy body characteristic of French press coffee. The paper soaks up the oils and prevents them from getting into your poured coffee. So, being able to toss in paper filters with standard stainless steel screens gives you the ability to remove those fines, but only at the expense of the mouthfeel and boldness.

I should also mention that those coffee oils have been linked to raised cholesterol, so if you have concerns about cholesterol, investing in something like the ESPRO P7 that can take paper filters might be a good idea.

If you think you’ll want paper filtering flexibility, ensure the French press you buy can accommodate this with its current filter basket design before taking the plunge (pun intended).

Visible Pour Spot

Nothing will harsh your morning mellow faster than coffee splattering all over when you go to pour a cup. Many stainless steel and stoneware French presses feature markings or spots that ensure you position the spout properly every time for drip-free pouring. Note that this isn’t needed on see-through glass French presses.

While not wholly necessary on metal or stone, either, this tiny feature just makes the process smoother from first sip to the last drop—something I think we all can appreciate before fully waking up in the morning. I personally will never buy a French press without this. I hate fumbling with the lid and trying to get the spout to sit correctly when I could otherwise already be enjoying my coffee.

Capacity

Batches big or small—different jobs call for different sized French presses. Compact 3 to 4 cup variants work beautifully for solo morning brewing and even travel. But buy one that’s over 32 ounces for serving family or even hosting gatherings of java junkies.

I only owned a small French press designed for single servings before I tested these products out, and I can remember numerous mornings where we had friends or family over, and I was stuck in the kitchen brewing batch after batch to make sure everyone had coffee. Now, I keep the large 44 oz French press from Frieling on hand for such occasions It gives me more time to spend with the ones I love rather than making multiple batches with a smaller model.

Just keep in mind that using a large press for a small batch isn’t optimal, as excess open space above the brewing coffee introduces more room for heat to escape. With a rapidly falling brewing temperature from too much headspace, you’ll get off flavors in your brew if you try it. You might experience some added acidity that’s unpleasant, or even sourness that can make your coffee undrinkable.

Smaller presses can still churn out multiple servings in a pinch with good technique, but you’ll spend far more time making coffee. I’d recommend choosing a French press that meets your daily needs best to save time. And if you typically only drink one or two cups but also host guests often, I’d suggest buying two: one small French press as a daily driver, and one larger one for special occassions.

Durability

Let’s face it—mornings equal clumsy. And coffee gear sits prime real estate for sending shards of glass or stoneware scattering messes across kitchens worldwide…especially since you’re probably groggy when you’re making your first cup.

Stainless steel simply rises above other materials when it comes to durability, albeit usually at a premium cost. Next comes stoneware, which withstands drops better than glass but remains prone to fractures, chips, and cracks to some degree, especially with rapid changes in temperature when you go to clean your French press.

And finally we have glass French presses. Beautiful? Yes. Delicate? Oh my, yes. I can personally attest to spontaneously shattering two different glass presses at inopportune times even with careful use. So while affordable upfront, their lifespans prove quite limited for many owners.

You should also consider the price as it relates to durability. You’ll spend roughly twice as much on a stainless steel French press with double-wall insulation, but it can also last many times as long. Over time, I believe a stainless steel French press is a better investment that won’t need replacement.

Bottom line for durability: stainless steel undoubtedly goes the distance best if you want a single French press to last many, many years. I went through two glass French presses in two years, but I’ve had my current stainless steel French press for almost a decade! In my experience, paying a little more for stainless steel is well worth the money.

Design & Style

Minimalists may gravitate toward simple tempered glass and sleek chrome designs that blend into any decor seamlessly. While design-forward foodies likely crave brightly glazed stoneware that further showcases their artfully curated kitchens.

And function-over-form purists? They probably reach for those timeless stainless steel presses that exude utilitarian durability. Much like I do.

This is going to come down to personal preference, honestly. I love the look and feel of stainless steel, but if you don’t mind potentially having to replace your French press down the road due to breakage, consider glass or stoneware: whichever fits your decor and preferences best.

Price

Let’s just rip the bandaid off now—quality French press coffee does not come cheap. In fact, prices commonly range from $25 on the very low end to $150+ for prestige models. Ouch. But still, this pales in comparison to most other brewing equipment—just consider that a DECENT espresso machine will cost over $1,000!

If you want the best bang for you buck, go with stainless steel. It’s reasonably affordable upfront and will last basically forever, making the long-term costs basically static for the rest of your life. Glass is going to be the cheapest option, by far, about half as expensive as a metal one. But it can more easily break, which means you’d eventually spend the same as you would on a stainless steel model. And if it breaks again? Now you’ve paid more than you would have if you had just invested in stainless steel from the beginning.

While certainly not mandatory, paying more does buy markedly increased quality and durability over cheaper counterparts. So, invest wisely based on your budget and desired longevity.

I’d recommend stainless steel overall, glass as a second option if you’re on a tight budget, and more expensive stoneware only if you really want a pop of color and warmth in your kitchen.

Wrapping Up: What Is the Single Best French Press Money Can Buy?

If I dared crown a solitary champion of pressed coffee greatness with complete disregard for cash limits, none could ever dethrone the ESPRO P7 and its flawless brews.

Between ingenious filter basket design and smoldering good looks, each cup leaves zero room for improvement short of employing a personal barista. It holds temperature amazingly well, the mesh screens remove far more fines than most others, and the option for paper filters gives you room to experiment by getting super clean cups and removing coffee oils to reduce mouthfeel and potentially make your coffee healthier by removing coffee oils that raise cholesterol.

But back in reality where cost matters to most, my pragmatic top honors have to land upon the Mueller stainless steel press, which I personally use every single morning. For a fraction of the ESPRO’s price tag, it still nails the fundamentals of stellar temperature regulation, strength, and filtration to output daily morning brews I genuinely look forward to.

Because ultimately, finding the “best” French press proves an incredibly personal decision based heavily upon your own unique preferences, style, and budget. Luckily, this diverse range of fantastic options means nearly anyone can discover their perfect pressed coffee partner to caffeinate their days for years on end.

Methodology

I always want to be totally transparent in how I review coffee products. Below is the methodology I used to compare the best French press coffee makers.

Insulation Capability (35%)

In my opinion, the ability of a French press to hold the proper brewing temperature is the most important factor to consider. The more insulation you have for your brewing chamber, the more likely you are to dial in that ideal rate of extraction over the brew time. This mostly helps you avoid sour and acidic flavors from underextraction, which can result from your brewing coffee losing temperature too quickly.

Some of the absolute best French presses can maintain your brewing coffee within 1 degree (F) over the 4-minute brew time. This kind of precision gives you total control over how your coffee comes out, but, honestly, it’s overkill for most people. You’d need a double-walled, vacuum-sealed glass French press to maintain temperature that well. These are expensive and still breakable, and I personally don’t think they’re worth it. You’ll notice, for that reason, that I didn’t include any double-walled glass presses in my reviews.

I would recommend a double-walled, vacuum sealed stainless steel French press, which can maintain your brewing temperature within 2 to 3 degrees (F) and costs a fraction of the equivalent glass model. Plus, it’s not breakable. After that, I’d suggest a single-wall glass French press, which can maintain temperature just as well, and then a stoneware French press.

Mesh Screen Quality (25%)

When you press your coffee, you ideally want all of the grounds and fines to be pressed out of the brewed coffee, but this almost never happens with a French press. French press coffee is considered “unfiltered” because a lot of those fines get through the mesh. This isn’t necessarily a bad thing, but they do end up in your cup, and you’ll get some mud at the bottom, which many people don’t like drinking.

Those fines will also continue extracting in your cup after you pour. If you don’t drink your coffee quickly, the cell walls of the plant cells will deteriorate and produce some bitterness in your coffee. Again, this is unavoidable, but you want to remove as many as possible.

That’s why I also rated the French presses I tested by their mesh screen quality. The finer the mesh, the more fines you remove, and the lower the chance that you’ll get unwanted bitterness.

Durability (20%)

As I mentioned, I’ve broken two glass French presses over the years, which means I’ve had to reinvest in new coffee equipment. Glass is the cheapest French press material, but it’s also the most fragile. So, while you’ll pay less upfront, you will likely pay more for glass over time, even if you’re careful.

Glass can break and crack from drops, strikes, and even from temperature shock if you go to wash your French press before it cools. You could always wait for it to cool before cleaning with cold water, but still, the material will weaken over time even with gradual changes in temperature. Plus, if you ever want to make coffee for company, you’ll have to wash your French press while it’s still hot so that you can get that next batch going.

Stoneware is a small step up in durability, as it’s less likely to crack from thermal shock, but you can still drop it and hit it against the counter, causing cracks and shattering. They’re also more expensive, so replacing them over time will get pricey.

Stainless steel is the obvious choice for maximum durability. I’ve owned the Mueller French press I reviewed above for over 10 years now, and it’s just as strong and durable as it was on day one. Metal won’t degrade or weaken over time with rapid changes in temperature, and you can drop it all you want without compromising it. It’s also mid-range when it comes to price, making it the best option overall, in my opinion.

Price (10%)

Price is always a factor when making a coffee purchase, and it’s not just a matter of buying the cheapest French press you can find. The cheapest ones will be single-wall glass French presses, but these are the most likely to break and require a reinvestment down the road, especially if it’s not high-quality borosilicate glass.

Stainless steel is a bit more expensive, but it’s basically indestructible, so you’ll only ever have to buy one. That means the smallest investment long-term, despite a slightly higher price point upfront.

Stoneware tends to be the most expensive, and it’s still breakable. If price isn’t a major concern and you really want to add some style to your kitchen, stoneware is probably best. Otherwise, I’d recommend sticking with stainless steel.

Adaptability (5%)

Some French presses give you options for changing up how you brew your coffee. For example, the ESPRO P7 I reviewed above can take French press paper filters, which gives you the ability to remove more fines and those coffee oils that can lead to a better mouthfeel.

If you find that French press coffee is too thick or syrupy, then having the ability to take out those oils and fines is great. If you drink your coffee slowly, a paper filter is also great because it removes the fines that can continue to extract in your cup. That can lead to a cleaner cup of coffee that doesn’t change in flavor as you sip, and it will remove that coffee mud that French press is so well known for.

Paper filters also remove compounds like cafestol and kahweol, which have been shown to increase cholesterol. If cholesterol is a concern of yours, you might want to consider a French press that has the ability to take paper filters.

Appearance (5%)

Finally, I ranked these French presses based on appearance. Personally, I love stainless steel French presses for their durability and insulative capabilities (provided you get a vacuum sealed one with a double wall), but I also know that they’re not the most attractive option.

Stoneware, in my opinion, looks best, followed by glass, and finally stainless steel. But since the quality of the coffee the French press makes is the most important thing, I used the aesthetics as a final metric and only gave it a small amount of weight in my ranking system.

Frequently Asked Questions

Why are glass French presses so fragile and prone to breaking?

Glass French presses have very thin walls, making them more fragile and shock sensitive. Rapid heating or cooling can create internal stresses that cause fractures or shattering. Even small bumps and drops that likely wouldn’t damage metal or stoneware can crack glass. So while very affordable, expect to replace a glass French press every few years on average simply due to the delicate materials.

Is a 3-4 cup French press too small to make coffee for me and my partner each morning?

Not at all! A 3-4 cup French press can comfortably brew 2 mugs worth of coffee without any issues. You likely won’t be able to make much more than that in a single batch, but 2 servings is very reasonable. Just make sure not to put in too much coffee and water, or it may overflow when you push the plunger down. As long as you don’t overfill the grounds, a “3-4 cup” press should work beautifully for 2 people’s morning coffee.

Why shouldn’t I use paper filters with my French press?

Paper filters are great for trapping extra sediment, but they strip away most of the flavorful and aromatic oils that give French press coffee its signature rich, heavy mouthfeel. So if you exclusively use paper filters, you lose out on much of what makes this brew method so special. It ends up more akin to a filtered drip coffee. Occasional use can be nice to reduce grit, but avoid relying solely on paper or you miss the best benefit of French press, at least in my opinion.

Can I wash my glass French press directly after brewing without it breaking?

Never pour cold water into a hot glass French press or rinse with cold tap water right after brewing. The extreme temperature differential can create internal stresses in the thin glass, causing fractures or even explosive breaking. Always fully cool a glass French press before cleaning or reheating. Quick temperature changes risk ruining the delicate constructions. Even metal and stoneware presses are still best cooled first.