Every coffee enthusiast knows that a good cup starts with the right brewing technique, and one brewing method that has stood the test of time is the French press. The French press has been around for years, with the first patent being filed by Frenchmen Mayer and Delforge in 1852. Since then, it’s been a trusted source of delicious coffee.
French presses adopt the immersion brewing technique where coffee grounds are steeped in hot water for an extended period of time, and this method gives it a flavor that is richer and more robust than what many other coffee makers are capable of.
We rounded up our top picks for the best French presses of 2023, highlighting their features, pros and cons, as well as including a few unique presses that stand out among the rest. So, if you are thinking about buying a French press, check out our comprehensive guide below to learn more!
A Quick Look at Our Favorites of 2023
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BEST OVERALL  |
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BEST VALUE  |
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BEST PORTABLE FRENCH PRESS  |
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BEST FRENCH PRESS FOR CAMPING  |
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The 10 Best French Presses
1. Bodum Chambord French Press – Best Overall
The Bodum Chambord French press is our top pick for coffee enthusiasts looking to elevate their brewing experience. While Bodum was founded in 1944, this particular French press was designed in the 1950s in honor of the iconic Chateau de Chambord.
We recommend this French press coffee maker as it boasts a timeless design with a high-quality stainless steel frame. Its carafe is made from heat-resistant borosilicate glass which helps keep your coffee hotter for longer without compromising on taste, and its internal parts are constructed of stainless steel for maximum longevity.
- Stainless steel frame
- Heat-resistant glass
- Fine mesh filter
- Fragile
2. Mueller Double-Insulated French Press – Best Value
The Mueller Double-Insulated French press comes equipped with a sleek and modern design. Not only were we impressed by its stylish look, but its superior performance, thoughtful features, and affordable price easily make it the best value French press of 2023.
We appreciated that Mueller’s French press is made completely from high-quality stainless steel which makes it durable, resistant to rust, and provides additional weight for a hefty feel. Its generous 34-ounce (1 Liter) capacity makes it perfect for brewing coffee for multiple servings, so if you love to share coffee with friends and family, this French press will make brewing simple.
With its double-wall insulation, it can keep your coffee hot for upwards of an hour, which is longer than nearly all of its competitors. Lastly, it features a 4-layer filtration system so that you can confidently pour your coffee knowing that no sediment or residual grounds will find their way in your mug.
- Double insulated
- Stainless steel
- Large capacity
- Handle can get hot
3. Bodum Travel French Press – Best Portable French Press
French presses are commonly known for being able to serve multiple cups of coffee, but some individuals would rather make a single serving to enjoy while on the go. If this sounds like you, then consider checking out the Bodum Travel French press; our top pick as one of the best portable French presses. Whether commuting to work, traveling, or just running errands, you can easily have a premium cup of java at your fingertips with the Bodum travel French press.
One of the reasons we recommend this French press is its simplicity, it’s quick and easy to use. Furthermore its durable design and vacuum-sealed double wall construction ensures that your coffee will stay hot for hours. We appreciated the thoughtfulness of its spill-resistant lid, non-slip grip, and non-skid rubber base which we found to be incredibly useful features to rely on when traveling.
One potential downside of this French press is its size. It can hold up to 15 ounces of coffee, which may not be enough for those who require larger servings. However, by simply taking more coffee grounds with you on the go, you can easily make another cup of delectable coffee after reaching your destination.
- Good for travel
- Spill-resistant lid
- Durable
- Small capacity
4. Stanley The Stay-Hot French Press – Best French Press for Camping
We know how important it is to be able to enjoy a morning cup of coffee, no matter where you find yourself, which is exactly why we included this unique French press as one of our top picks for camping and outdoors. Since 1913, the Stanley Classic Stay Hot French press has been the perfect companion for individuals that prefer to enjoy their morning brew wherever adventure finds them.
It features a double-vacuum insulated design, allowing you to make a delicious cup of coffee and keep it hot for up to four hours. The best part? It can also keep cold drinks cold for up to nine hours, making it an ideal choice for both hot and cold beverages. Stanley’s Stay-Hot French press sports a 48oz capacity, and is built to be durable thanks to two layers of natural BPA-free stainless steel for superior insulation. Best of all, this French press comes with an outstanding lifetime warranty, so you can rest easy knowing that you’re getting a product that’s built with longevity in mind.
- Lifetime warranty
- Perfect for camping & outdoors
- Stays hot for 4 hours
- Heavy
5. Utopia Kitchen French Press
The Utopia Kitchen French press easily makes it on our list because of its highly functional features and qualities. It is a reliable and stylish choice for every coffee lover who appreciates this classic brewing method.
It can brew up to 4.2 cups of coffee at once, making it perfect for serving a group of people or enjoying by yourself throughout the day. The heat-resistant borosilicate glass carafe beaker sits in a stylish insulate frame to provide added durability and a sleek look.
The Utopia Kitchen French press is easy to use, all you need to do is add coarse coffee grounds to the glass carafe, pour hot water over the grounds, let it steep, then slowly press the plunger down to separate the grounds from the water. The end result is a full-bodied and aromatic cup of coffee that can rival any coffee shop brew.
- Large capacity
- Durable
- Easy to clean
- Not dishwasher safe
6. KONA French Press Coffee Maker
The KONA French press coffee maker. This coffee press features a unique stainless steel filtration system to ensure that coffee grounds stay at the bottom of the press instead of the bottom of your mug. It holds up to 8 cups for your brewing pleasure, and has an excellent reputation for being one of the best French presses available.
This particular coffee press is made from an extra-thick borosilicate glass, providing better durability and heat retention than other French press makers. Its insulated outer shell not only offers a modern look and feel, but also lends an additional level of protection from chips and cracks.
We enjoyed how effortless it was to pour coffee from KONA’s French press thanks to its thoughtfully-designed ergonomic handle. Not to mention, although your coffee never comes into contact with the lid while steeping, its plastic material is free of both BPA and BPS for added peace of mind. We also appreciated that this French press is dishwasher and microwave safe, which makes it easy to reheat and clean.
- Ergonomic handle
- BPA and BPS free
- Easy to clean
- Plastic frame
7. Secura French Press Coffee Maker
Like our previous pick from Mueller, the Secura French press coffee maker has a layered stainless steel filtration system to help catch coffee grounds for clean pours every time. This particular French press is one of the larger offerings among our top picks, as it is able to store 50 ounces of coffee, or 1.5 liters!
The Secura French press coffee maker has a double-wall construction to help keep your coffee at maximum temperatures for hours. We also liked the thoughtfully designed “cool-touch” handle and knob that makes pressing and pouring easy while keeping your hands cool. Best of all, Secura’s French press is entirely dishwasher safe so that you can easily clean it after enjoying a delicious brew.
- Dishwasher safe
- Cool touch handle
- Large capacity
- Heavy
8. OXO Brew Stainless Steel French Press Coffee Maker
If you enjoy the convenience of a French press but hate the mess it can make, the OXO Brew stainless steel French press coffee maker might be the perfect choice for your needs. Having tried a number of different French presses, we were pleasantly surprised by the “GroundsLifter” tool provided by OXO which makes cleanup of used coffee grounds a breeze.
With a sleek stainless steel exterior frame and a borosilicate glass carafe that holds up to 4.2 cups of coffee, this is a great option for producing endless amounts of delicious coffee. Similar to other French presses, OXO’s also comes with a stainless steel mesh filter. However, none of its competitors offer the intuitive “GroundsLifter” tool that this French press possesses.
- Easy to clean
- Comfortable non-slip grip
- Borosilicate glass
- Not insulated
9. Le Creuset Stoneware French Press
One of the most unique French presses from our top picks of 2023 comes from the longstanding brand known as Le Creuset. This stoneware French press combines functionality and elegance using the same innovative design the brand has been known for for more than 100 years. With a non-reactive, nonporous glaze, Le Creuset’s premium French press is resistant to scratches, stains and chips to keep your coffee maker looking new for years to come. We don’t just love its design alone, the brewing performance of this French press makes it a top choice as well!
It’s worth mentioning that, since this is a stoneware French press, it’s capable of absorbing a larger amount of heat compared to borosilicate carafes. For this reason, it’s recommended that you first preheat this French press with hot water before making your coffee inside of it. This will ensure that your finished brew maintains its maximum temperature for a longer period of time.
Lastly, what makes Le Creuset’s stoneware French press truly unique is that it’s safe for your freezer, oven, microwave, dishwasher, and metal utensils, making it a useful piece of kitchen equipment spanning far beyond coffee alone.
- Durable stoneware
- Chip, stain, and scratch resistant
- Easy to clean
- More expensive than others
10. Secura Stainless Steel French Press – Best Stainless Steel French Press
The second Secura coffee press making our top picks of 2023 is made from 18/10 stainless steel that provides exceptional corrosion resistance against oxidation. It also offers outstanding heat retention thanks to its double-wall construction. However, you can pour your freshly brewed coffee without worry, as this particular model features a cool-touch handle and plunger knob.
We appreciated that Secura’s stainless steel coffee press came with a standard 3-layer mesh filtration system to trap coffee grounds at the bottom of the unit. As an additional bonus, they also include an extra stainless steel coffee filter screen that you can add to their traditional 3-layer filter for a more refined taste.
- Easy to use
- Double-wall design
- Cool-touch handle and plunger knob
- Small capacity
What to Look for When Buying a French Press
When it comes time to decide which coffee press is right for you, there are a number of important factors worth considering such as size, capacity, cleaning, durability, portability, and so much more. Below, we’ll dive a little deeper into the main points of info you should be keeping in mind when shopping for a French press.
1. Size and Capacity
French presses only make a few cups of coffee at once with capacities ranging anywhere from approximately 12 to 51 ounces. If you want to use your French press in a group setting, you should consider the larger options such as the 1.5-liter Secura French press or the Stanley Stay-Hot coffee press.
2. Ease of Use and Cleaning
Making coffee is just one part of the process, the other part is cleaning your coffee press. You will need to remove the plunger, dispose of the used coffee grounds and clean the carafe. While cleaning a French press by hand doesn’t bother everyone, some individuals prefer investing in a dishwasher-safe French press for quicker cleanup times, which we would also recommend for the sake of convenience.
3. Durability
Coffee presses are beautifully constructed, but many are made of fragile glass that can crack or chip if not taken care of. The longevity of your French press will most likely come down to the material of the carafe as well as how it’s maintained by its owner. The question of which material is better, glass or stainless steel, depends on your specific preference. Stainless steel may be a better option to keep your coffee hotter for a longer period of time. It is also more resilient and can withstand drops without breaking. Some individuals prefer a glass French press as they have a more refined appearance than stainless steel coffee presses, but either choice is a great option depending on the specific look and feel you prefer.
4. Brand Reputation
The brand of coffee press you’re considering investing in should be at the front of your mind while making a purchasing decision. Many brands listed above have been making high-quality coffee gear for decades and, oftentimes, these manufacturers are generous with warranties if you run into any issues along the way.
No matter what French press you end up buying, it’s always advisable to do your due diligence before placing your order. This is one of the reasons why we’ve made our French press buyer’s guide as thorough and comprehensive as possible.
5. Heat Retention
Those who are accustomed to using drip coffee makers with hot plates that can keep their carafe warm for hours may initially be surprised when switching to a French press. It is natural for all non-electric coffee makers, including coffee presses, to have difficulty in maintaining coffee’s temperature for as long as electric brewing devices can.
If you only prepare and consume a small amount of coffee quickly, this is not a concern. But, if you love keeping your coffee hot for a longer period of time, we recommend that you purchase a thermal or insulated French press so that you can enjoy your coffee throughout the day.
6. Price
The price of a French press can vary greatly, with some models being as affordable as $20 and others costing over $100. It’s advisable to aim for a reasonable price range within your budget, and ultimately comes down to what you’re comfortable spending. Some individuals would rather purchase a budget French press, like our value pick from Mueller, while others may prefer a high-end coffee press to complement the look and feel of their kitchen.
What Can Go Wrong with A French Press?
French presses are one of the most straightforward pieces of coffee equipment to use thanks to their simple build. One of the most common problems you might experience when using your French press is that your mesh filters will begin to wear down over time. This will lead to sediment finding its way into your mug. Thankfully, French press parts are relatively affordable and easy to replace.
Lastly, if your French press is made of metal, it could begin to corrode over time due to coffee’s high acidity content. Not only will this result in your coffee gear looking unsightly, but it could also cause material on your French press to flake off into your coffee. To ensure that your metal coffee press lasts as long as possible, you’ll want to invest in one that’s made from 304 stainless steel. This type of material is typically known as “restaurant grade” stainless steel and is built to last much longer.
Bonus Features
Aside from the standard features that French presses have in common, some coffee presses on our list go beyond the typical offerings typically found in these products. This includes the Secura French press coffee maker which comes with a bonus stainless steel screen that can be stacked for a richer espresso taste. Or, you may be considering Bodum’s travel French press if you have an active lifestyle or are a working professional. Whatever you choose, it’s important to visualize how you see yourself using your coffee press so that you are satisfied with your purchase.
Final Verdict
Overall, we enjoyed Bodum’s Chambord French press the most due to its elegant design, reinforced stainless steel frame, extra-thick borosilicate glass, and outstanding filtration system. However, if you’re looking for the best budget coffee press, we’d recommend Mueller’s double-insulated French press because of its large capacity, double insulated construction, and exceptional durability.
If your lifestyle involves being outdoors more often than not, Stanley’s Stay-Hot French press is an exceptional choice given its ruggedness and double-insulated design to keep your coffee hot for hours. Not to mention, it includes an outstanding lifetime warranty to help you brew mug after mug without worry.
We hope you enjoyed reading our comprehensive buyer’s guide on the best French press coffee makers of 2023. If you have any questions or concerns before making your purchasing decision, don’t hesitate to reach out to us to learn more!
