Best French Press Coffee Makers

The best French press coffee maker for most people is the Bodum Chambord: it is affordable, widely available and makes rich, full-bodied coffee. If you dislike sediment, the Espro P7 uses a double micro-filter for a noticeably cleaner cup. If you want coffee to stay hot, an insulated stainless model like the Fellow Clara or Frieling Double-Walled keeps it warm far longer than glass.

A French press coffee maker steeps coarse grounds in hot water for about 4 minutes, then separates them with a metal mesh plunger. Because no paper filter is used, the coffee keeps more oils and body.

The best French press coffee makers

1. Bodum Chambord: best overall

The Chambord is the classic French press, with a borosilicate glass beaker in a stainless steel frame. It comes in several sizes, from 3-cup (350 ml) to 12-cup (1.5 L), and replacement beakers and filters are easy to find. It makes the full-bodied coffee most people expect from a French press, usually for around $30–$50.

Who it’s for: anyone who wants a reliable, classic press.

2. Espro P7: cleanest cup

Espro’s P7 is a double-walled stainless steel press with a two-stage micro-filter that traps far more fine particles than a standard mesh. The result is a cleaner, less gritty cup that still has French press body. It also stops extraction more effectively after plunging. Expect to pay around $90–$120.

Who it’s for: people who love French press flavor but dislike sludge at the bottom of the cup.

3. Fellow Clara: best design and heat retention

The Clara is a double-walled stainless steel press with a nonstick-coated interior, an included “agitator” paddle for stirring, and fill lines inside. Its mesh filter has a tight seal against the walls, and the plunge is smooth. It holds about 700 ml and usually costs around $90–$110.

Who it’s for: design-minded brewers who want hot coffee for longer.

4. Frieling Double-Walled Stainless Steel: best stainless steel

Frieling’s press is fully 18/10 stainless steel with double walls for insulation and a two-stage filter. It is very durable, dishwasher safe and comes in several sizes. Prices are usually around $80–$120.

Who it’s for: anyone who wants a press that will last for years and keep coffee warm.

5. Le Creuset Stoneware French Press: best stoneware

This enameled stoneware press holds heat better than glass and looks great on a table. It has a stainless steel plunger and comes in Le Creuset’s familiar colors. It usually costs around $60–$80.

Who it’s for: people who brew at the table and want a press that doubles as a serving pot.

6. Bodum Brazil: best budget

The Brazil uses the same type of glass beaker and filter as the Chambord but with a plastic frame and lid, which keeps the price low, often around $20–$30. It makes the same style of coffee.

Who it’s for: first-time French press users and students.

Comparison table

French press	Material	Insulated	Filter	Typical price
Bodum Chambord	Glass, steel frame	No	Single mesh	Around $30–$50
Espro P7	Stainless steel	Yes	Double micro-filter	Around $90–$120
Fellow Clara	Stainless, nonstick interior	Yes	Mesh with tight seal	Around $90–$110
Frieling	18/10 stainless steel	Yes	Two-stage mesh	Around $80–$120
Le Creuset	Enameled stoneware	Partly	Single mesh	Around $60–$80
Bodum Brazil	Glass, plastic frame	No	Single mesh	Around $20–$30

How to choose a French press coffee maker

Material

• Glass: cheap and lets you watch the brew, but fragile and cools fast.
• Stainless steel: durable and, if double-walled, keeps coffee hot. Good for travel and households with kids.
• Stoneware or ceramic: holds heat well and looks good, but heavy.

Filter quality

A standard single mesh lets some fine particles through, which adds body and a little grit. Double or micro-filters, like Espro’s, produce a cleaner cup. Whatever you choose, a good seal between the filter and the walls matters.

Size

French press “cups” are usually about 4 oz (120 ml), so a “3-cup” press makes about 350 ml, enough for one large mug. An 8-cup press (about 1 liter) suits two to three people.

Heat retention

If you drink slowly, choose an insulated model, or decant the coffee into a thermal carafe right after plunging. Leaving coffee on the grounds keeps extracting and turns it bitter.

Ease of cleaning

Look for a filter that unscrews for cleaning and parts that are dishwasher safe.

How to make French press coffee

1. Measure. Use about 30 g of coarse coffee for 450 g (450 ml) of water, roughly 1:15. Adjust to taste.
2. Grind coarse, like rough sea salt. Fine grinds make muddy, bitter coffee and a hard plunge.
3. Heat water to about 93–96°C (200–205°F), or let boiling water rest for 30 seconds.
4. Add coffee and water. Pour all the water, making sure every ground is wet.
5. Steep 4 minutes. Put the lid on with the plunger up.
6. Stir or break the crust at 4 minutes, then skim off the foam and floating grounds with a spoon for a cleaner cup.
7. Plunge slowly, taking about 15–20 seconds.
8. Pour right away into cups or a carafe. Leave the last few millimeters behind, as that is where the sediment collects.

For more ratios and methods, see our guides to how much coffee per cup and coffee brewing methods.

Common French press mistakes

• Using pre-ground coffee. Most pre-ground coffee is ground for drip machines and is too fine, which makes muddy, bitter coffee and a stiff plunge.
• Using boiling water straight off the stove. It can taste harsh with dark roasts. Let it rest for about 30 seconds.
• Leaving coffee in the press. The grounds keep extracting, so a second cup poured 20 minutes later tastes bitter.
• Plunging hard and fast. This forces fines through the mesh. Press slowly and steadily.
• Not cleaning the filter. Old oils trapped in the mesh turn rancid and spoil the next brew.

Best beans for French press

Medium and dark roasts with chocolate, nutty and caramel notes suit the French press’s heavy body. Single origins from Brazil, Colombia and Sumatra are popular. Grind fresh with a burr grinder for an even coarse grind. See dark roast coffee for brewing tips, and our best coffee beans guide for picks by brew method.

French press vs pour over

A French press makes heavier, richer coffee with more oils, while pour over makes a cleaner, brighter cup. The French press is also more forgiving and needs no special kettle. Many coffee lovers own both. If you are curious about the other style, see our best pour over coffee makers.

Is French press coffee bad for cholesterol?

Unfiltered coffee, including French press, contains natural oils called diterpenes (cafestol and kahweol) that can raise LDL cholesterol in some people when consumed in large amounts. Paper filters remove most of them. If you have high cholesterol, it is worth mentioning your coffee habits to your doctor; the Espro P7 can also be used with paper filter inserts.

Other uses for a French press

• Cold brew: steep coarse coffee in cold water in the fridge for 12–18 hours, then plunge.
• Loose-leaf tea: works well, but clean thoroughly between coffee and tea.
• Frothing milk: pump warm milk with the plunger. See how to froth milk without a steam wand.

FAQ

What is the best French press coffee maker?

For most people, the Bodum Chambord. For less sediment, the Espro P7. For heat retention, an insulated steel model like the Fellow Clara or Frieling.

Is glass or stainless steel better for a French press?

Glass is cheaper and lets you watch the brew; stainless steel is unbreakable and, when double-walled, keeps coffee hot longer.

How long should French press coffee steep?

About 4 minutes is a good starting point. Steep longer for stronger coffee, but do not leave it on the grounds after plunging.

Why is my French press coffee muddy?

Usually the grind is too fine or uneven. Use a coarse burr grind, skim the crust before plunging, and leave the last bit in the press.

How do you clean a French press?

Scoop out the grounds (do not pour them down the drain), rinse, and take the filter apart regularly to wash trapped oils and particles.