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When it comes to making the perfect cup of Joe, nothing beats the French press. This tried-and-true coffee brewer has been around for centuries and is still the go-to option for coffee aficionados who want a brew with just the right amount of flavor and texture. To help you navigate the numerous options available today, we’ve listed and reviewed some of the top French press coffee makers of 2024. We've found that this selection from SterlingPro is the best overall due to its rust-free build and granule-free production. So pour yourself a cup and explore these timeless coffee makers now!

 

French Press Coffee Makers: A Buying Guide

If you're a coffee lover, chances are you've considered trying out (or have tried) a French press. Despite the device's relative simplicity, choosing the perfect French press coffee maker can be difficult and overwhelming. After all, there are a lot of factors to consider when making this purchase, including capacity, material, and filters. Don't worry, written with the essentials in mind, our comprehensive buyer’s guide for choosing a French press is here to help you make the ideal decision for your needs.

Considerations When Buying a French Press Coffee Maker

Heat retention

As you go about your morning routine on your busier days, your coffee might sit in the carafe for a while before you drink it. If the carafe loses the heat too fast, you'll end up with lukewarm coffee, which is not how a coffee aficionado would want to start the day. To avoid such a disaster, I recommend choosing a French press coffee maker with a double-walled design and vacuum-sealed lining to avoid heat dissipation. This will help keep your coffee hot until you're ready to drink it without changing its taste or smell.

Carafe material

The carafe’s material is the deciding factor in how long your French press coffee maker will last and how well it will maintain heat. French presses come in a variety of materials, from shiny glass to contemporary stainless steel.  You can easily see the brewing process and make any necessary modifications with a glass carafe and press, but remember, they’re delicate and may break if accidentally dropped. Stainless steel is incredibly durable and good at retaining heat, but it may also retain tastes and smells from prior brews. You should look for a French press coffee maker made of borosilicate glass with a stainless steel frame if you value longevity without sacrificing style.

Plunger

The plunger is what presses down on the coffee grounds inside the carafe to make a seal that keeps air out and heat in. If you want more control over your morning cup of coffee, make sure the plunger in your French press coffee maker is easy to push down and pops back up when you lift it off your carafe.  It must be durable enough to be used repeatedly without warping or cracking.

Mesh filtration

French presses, like other coffee makers, come equipped with mesh filters to prevent the transfer of coffee grounds into the drink. These filters come in a broad range of sizes and shapes depending on the manufacturer but typically have a metal screen that rests in the base of the carafe. These screens help you extract the maximum amount of flavorful oils from the beans while keeping the grounds out, preventing you from finding grit in your cup of coffee.

Handle

Your French press handle should be easy to grip and feel good in your hand. It also needs to be strong because, if it breaks when you're pouring a hot drink, you’ll end up burning or hurting yourself.

Capacity

Some models can only brew enough coffee for one or two servings, but others have a massive 34-ounce capacity, making it easy to make four or five cups at once. As such, you must choose the size depending on the number of people you want to serve. If you want to drink coffee all day, you should buy a French press coffee maker with a bigger capacity; on the other hand, if you want something small and easy to carry, choose one that can hold about three cups

Top Picks

  • Best Overall: Sterlingpro French Press Coffee Maker
  • Best Filtration: Fellow Clara French Press Coffee Maker
  • Most Unique Design: Coffee Press French Press Coffee Maker
  • Most Durable: Bayka French Press Coffee Maker
  • Best For Beginners: Cafe Du Chateau French Press Coffee Maker
  • Traditional Style: Bodum French Press Coffee Maker
  • Best Insulation: Mira French Press Coffee Maker
  • ```: Coletti Camping French Press 10 Cup

Reviews

Best Overall
SterlingPro French Press Coffee Maker

Sterlingpro French Press Coffee Maker

Pros Cons
  • Double-screen system for granule-free coffee
  • Durable, rust-free construction
  • Comes with two free filters
  • Available in three colors
  • Might make a gurgling noise
Best Filtration
Fellow Clara French Press Coffee Maker

Fellow Clara French Press Coffee Maker

Pros Cons
  • Easy to clean
  • Ribbed silicone rings keep grit out
  • Keeps coffee hot longer
  • Available in two colors
  • A little pricey
Most Unique Design
coffee press French Press Coffee Maker

Coffee Press French Press Coffee Maker

Pros Cons
  • Affordable for the quality
  • Easy to disassemble and clean
  • Double filter keeps all coffee sediment out
  • Available in four colors
  • Batches are relatively small
Most Durable
BAYKA French Press Coffee Maker

Bayka French Press Coffee Maker

Pros Cons
  • Made to withstand temperature changes
  • Simple, user-friendly construction
  • Anti-drip design for added convenience
  • Classy, stylish appearance
  • Bottom might leak
Best for Beginners
Cafe Du Chateau French Press Coffee Maker

Cafe Du Chateau French Press Coffee Maker

Pros Cons
  • Utilizes a four-level filtration system
  • Durable, long-lasting glass construction
  • Includes a brewing manual
  • Dishwasher-safe for quicker cleanup
  • Doesn’t retain heat for long enough
Traditional Style
Bodum French Press Coffee Maker

Bodum French Press Coffee Maker

Pros Cons
  • Available in two sizes
  • Lightweight, warp-proof carafe
  • Sturdy base for optimal stability
  • Mesh filter makes a more flavorful brew
  • Handle feels a bit flimsy
Best Insulation
MIRA French Press Coffee Maker

Mira French Press Coffee Maker

Pros Cons
  • Handle is cool to the touch
  • Ergonomic spout for easy pouring
  • Available in three different stylish finishes
  • Lightweight and compact
  • The plunger may come apart easily
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COLETTI Camping French Press 10 Cup

Coletti Camping French Press 10 Cup

Pros Cons
  • Durable stainless steel build
  • Keeps coffee hot for hours
  • Makes great-tasting coffee
  • Heavy and not pack-friendly
  • Does not hold 42oz as advertised
  • CERAKOTED ceramic-polymer coating
  • Insulated with air-tight silicon gasket
  • Locking lid for secure use
  • Thick steel walls, 2mm insulation
  • Made from AISI 304 stainless steel
  • 10 Cup capacity (42 oz
  • 14-gauge construction material

FAQs

How do I use a French press coffee maker?
To use a French press coffee maker, you need to first heat some water until it reaches the desired temperature. Once heated, pour the hot water into the carafe, followed by ground coffee beans. Stir the mixture to make sure that all of the grounds are saturated with water and then let it steep for between four and five minutes. When you achieve the desired strength, color, and flavor, press down on the plunger to separate the grounds from the liquid and pour your freshly brewed cup of Joe.
How much coffee should I use for a French press coffee maker?
When making coffee in a French press, you should use about 2 tablespoons of ground coffee per 6 ounces of water. This can be adjusted if you prefer a stronger or weaker cup of coffee.
What type of grind should I use for a French press coffee maker?
For French press coffee makers, a coarse grind is ideal to prevent over-extraction and sediment in your brew, providing you with a smooth and flavorful cup of coffee.
Do I need to filter the coffee from a French press coffee maker?
No, you typically don't need to filter the coffee. This is because most premium-quality French presses are designed with fine filters to keep almost all particles out of your cup, all while allowing enough oils to seep through for maximum flavor extraction.
How long does brewed coffee stay hot in a French press coffee maker?
Brewed coffee in a French press typically stays hot for about 20-30 minutes before starting to cool down significantly. To keep it warm for longer, consider preheating the French press and using an insulated container to store the brewed coffee.
Is a French press coffee maker easy to clean?
Yes, a French press coffee maker is relatively easy to clean. After use, simply disassemble the components, discard the grounds, and rinse with warm water. Periodically, you may want to give it a deeper clean by using soap and a brush to remove any residual oils.