9 Unique French Press Coffee Makers for 2026 – Expert Quality Picks

Customer Review: “For the price this is a hard value to beat! I live off grid and this has transformed my coffee drinking experience! I can keep it extra warm on the woodstove in winter, and summer is warm enough to maintain heat. It is no thermal comparison as a good thermos. Its not thin metal, has some insulation properties, but don’t expect it to be extremely thermal capable. In a colder (50f degree) air temp, it cools off pretty quick. Filter quality is superb! Usability is superb! Easy to use and clean! For the price its hard to beat!”

Customer Review: “Very sturdy. Beautiful. It has 3 filters and makes a great pot of coffee. Easy to clean. The price is unbeatable for the quality.”

Customer Review: “This is the French press. I used the regular ones with the mesh screen filter, they work OK. Then tried the ESPRO, the dual screen and silicone seal make your coffee 100% better, by simply preventing the fine grounds from getting into your drink. French press taste, none of the grit. It looks great, easy to clean, easy to use. I use a scale to weigh the water and grounds. There is a line inside the glass to show the fill height, there is a small arrow on the lid to align the pouring screen window. I no longer use my Mochamaster drip coffee maker. If ESPRO came out with an updated model for 2026, and the handle was improved a bit less flimsy, and the lid orientation arrow was a bit easier to see, I’d buy a new one! Be careful with the glass in the dishwasher it’s fragile!!”

Customer Review: “Double Micro-Filter for a grit free brew works almost too good. I kinda like a little bit of sediment in my coffee for a more robust flavor. I guess that’s good for those of you that don’t. I like how easily it cleans up and it does make a very good cup of coffee. I went with the stainless model as I read that it comes with a thicker, more durable carafe that also has better heat retention.”

Customer Review: “The french press is a staple in any coffee lover’s setup of makers or brewers. This timeless piece of engineering creates a great, full-bodied cup without all the hassle of perfecting pouring techniques or needing a large budget or space with more elaborate setups. All that’s needed is the french press, a decent scale, beans along with the grinder (to control your grind size), and a way to heat water. This is usually a coffee lover’s gateway into brewing cups other than instant coffee at the supermarket. It’s not too difficult to use, and the cups are usually consistent and end up being less frustrating in the long run compared to pour-overs.It would be advisable to stick with darker or medium roasts with a french press since you’re aiming for full-bodied cups which contain more oils and fines. A super expensive grinder is not necessary, which makes an entry-level grinder such as a Hario with ceramic burrs, or a pentagonal stainless steel burr hand grinder (i.e. Timemore C2, Hario Smart G Pro) decent options. This plays into the affordability factor, though a more expensive burr hand grinder is always welcome.After all the frustration as well as fulfillment that goes along with pour-over coffee equipment, as well as brewers, it’s great to go back to more simple methods. Paper filters are also not necessary, which makes one less thing to worry about. The cups are great to drink with its high temperature and full-bodied flavor. Clean up isn’t too bad with this french press either. It also makes a great cup of tea if you’re using loose-leaf. Aside from the functionality, it looks amazing on your kitchen counter.”

Customer Review: “I was always very curious about the french press method of brewing coffee, but never really got into it. Being away from my espresso machine, I really wanted to try something that was simply better than drip. I thought about getting the aeropress, but decided instead for the french press. Boy am I happy. So why is the french press method than drip you ask? Quite simple…*No paper filter! Coffee has a lot of natural oils in it that carry a lot of flavor. Using a paper filter traps those oils, so they never get expressed in the cup. The french press method produces a coffee that is much richer and fuller in body than any drip coffee I have ever had. I feel like I’m drinking coffee instead of cream and sugar.*Complete control over the brewing process. You control the grind, you control the temperature of the water and you control how long the water is contact with the grinds.*Steeping vs. Drip. Using a drip, the water goes through the grinds and out. Very little prolonged contact with the water. Also, it’s very common to see channels develop in the basket which leads to underextraction. With the press, all the grounds are completely submerged within the water for however long you decide. Better extraction, just don’t let them sit in there too long.Sometimes you hear of people complaining that there are too many grinds left in the cup using a press. Here is some good advice: “Don’t skimp on the grinder”. Toss your whirly-blade away (or relegate it to spices) and get yourself a burr grinder. I use a rocky with my french press, but you don’t have to buy a $300 grinder for french press. You’ll probably want to spend no less than 60. I’ve heard good things about the antiqua from bodum, the infinity from capresso and pretty much anything in the baratza line-up. Why such an expensive grinder you ask? Well you need to grind your own for any method of coffee brewing you use (throw the folgers out the door), but you need a fairly consistent grind. Whirly-blades will give you a lot of dust and coffee boulders; neither are very good for coffee brewing. Also, if you think that there is any possibility you might one day venture out into the world of espresso, go for no less than the gaggia mdf, or better yet a rocky. Nothing below those two will give you a grind for espresso. (End grinder tirade) Using a good grinder, the amount of grinds in the cup will be exceptionally minimal. You do get a little bit of coffee dust into the cup, but it’s hardly noticeable and usually settles out into the very bottom of the cup. The filter on the press does a very nice job of keeping the grounds out.I read somewhere in one of the amazon reviews that the press doesn’t go down far enough to really press the coffee. I’m not sure how much coffee this person was using, but I use slightly less than the recommended amount and I am able to press the grounds quite firmly.This particular 3-cup model will make about 8-10 oz of brewed coffee. You can’t quite get all 12oz of water in with the grounds, and some of the water gets soaked up in to the grounds. This is the perfect amount for me, since I only drink one cup-a-day, but if you drink more, go for a bigger model. Make sure not to leave the brewed coffee sitting in the press. Pour out any you don’t drink immediately into some kind of thermal carafe to keep it warm. The unit itself solid enough. Obviously the glass is breakable, so don’t go bouncing it off the floor. Cleanup is pretty easy. I rinse out the press, put some soap in the bottom, fill with water, and plunge up and down a few times and let it set while I drink my coffee. Make sure you keep the press clean, previously brewed coffee grounds are very good at ruining your coffee.As far as how to brew french press, check out the guide over at coffeegeek, but also look at the Illy method of preparation as they detail on their site. Decide which one you like better.The only improvement I would like to see would be some sort of thermal insulation to keep the coffee warm while it brews. The coffee is still hot when I’m ready to pour into the cup, but it would still be nice. Make sure to preheat your press with some how tap water. Bodum does make thermal french presses, but they come at a higher price point.Overall, great little brewer that comes at a very affordable price-point. Pair this with a good grinder as some freshly roasted beans (you’re not still using folgers are you?), and you’ve got a recipe for excellent coffee.”

Customer Review: “Love this pot–keeps coffee hot for hours, traps even the tiny sediment so coffee doesn’t get bitter, and looks very nice, IMO. Made well, and feels substantial Appreciated the matte finish, too. Worth the splurge…I think it will last a very long time.”

Customer Review: “Update: After three weeks of use, here’s what I can tell you. This press has totally replaced my classic Bodum French press, which has been relegated to basement storage. My initial impression that it was harder to clean than the Bodum one was wrong. Actually, it’s easier to clean and I never have to worry about breaking it. My annoyance that it didn’t keep the coffee as hot as other reviewers promised (whoever said it keeps coffee hot four hours is lying) has totally faded because the coffee is delicious. While it does not keep the coffee hot like a thermos would, it does keep it nice and fresh and hot if you want to make a press and have it on the table throughout a leisurely breakfast while reading the newspaper or whatever. So, overall, I do stand by my bottom line. Great coffee, might not be worth the extra for the double-wall vacuum-sealed, but I can’t see going back to my old press again.Original review below:I bought this after reading a NYTimes Wirecutter review of French Presses. I’ve used a classic Bodum press for two decades, but after reading about the potential cholesterol raising effects of unfiltered coffee, was looking for an alternative. I use a Clever for single-cup filtered coffee, but most days I want to brew more than one cup at a time. Enter the Espro. And as long as I was upgrading, why not go all in with the double-wall vacuum insulated model? This could be my leisurely weekend coffee maker.Well, the coffee is great, but the added expense of the double-wall, vacuum insulation is not at all worth it. Kept the coffee moderately hot for one hour. After two hours, it was unpleasantly cold. I thought this would spare me the need to decant into a thermos, thereby saving me some clean up. But since there are so more parts to the filtration system than a typical press, it’s more of a pain to clean up, and doesn’t keep the coffee very hot.Bottom line: Great filtration, but the glass or non vacuum sealer metal versions would suffice. The top of the line version doesn’t deliver on keeping coffee hot long enough to justify the high price tag.”

Customer Review: “UPDATE:. Oh, I’m loving this French press! I bought a metal mesh sieve (set of 3, actually), which makes the cleanup so much easier. You can buy them here on Amazon, but I don’t think they appreciate adding links to purchases. Actually, THEY really should add mesh sieves to the bottom of the screen as “bought together”…or maybe the seller can add a metal mesh sieve to the set! [*wink-wink*]. So, I simply allow the glass to cool a bit before putting warm water in the grounds, swishing the water around to catch all the grounds, and pouring them into the sieve. It really helps if you have a “shower” type of spray nozzle on your spigot. This prevents the water from splashing all over the sink. So I rinse as many times as I can to remove the grinds; usually not more than three times. NEVER add cold water to hot glass. This can cause the fragile glass to crack. I empty the strained grinds into the trash. Then I use the spray nozzle to spray the few loose grinds off the sieve and plunger. I fill the carafe 3/4 full with clean warm water, then add a bit of detergent to the water in the carafe, then pump the plunger up and down in the water to clean the glass and plunger at the same time. To empty the carafe, I pour the detergent water over the sieve to clean that, and use the spray spigot to rinse the soapy dishes. I rinse everything with hot water, again using the spray nozzle, then set everything in the empty dishwasher to drain. I have a top rack for small dishes, but you may need to drain the small items on a towel on your counter.I also discovered that the glass does slide out of the metal holder. I was pulling up on the plunger one day when I discovered the glass pulling away from the metal. I don’t know if it was originally glued in, but this certainly makes it much easier to clean. I was noticing coffee grinds between the glass and metal, which was very annoying. I’m so glad it can be removed to clean. But I do have to make sure it doesn’t slide out of the metal casing when I pour or pull out the plunger.Since everything is much easier to clean now, I make all my coffee in the FP. I also noticed a difference in the taste, and it is not my imagination. I don’t think I’ll ever go back to drip!”

Customer Review: “Nice and simple press, its easy to clean and it’s filters hold down the grounds well, the plunger is form fitting not allowing grains past it. It also looks nice.”

Customer Review: “This is really cute. Used it for galentine’s day party. Was able to find a lot of great themed stuff from PH collection but this I’ll use more than for a party! Everyone wanted to know where I got it.”

Customer Review: “Not one grind passes through this press. – I have this lovely stylish adorable budget friendly press and another press with numerous sophisticated engineering factors and a triple price tag. Guess what! This press from Ms. Hilton makes a much better coffee, and it’s cute.. I use it both for a hot sip or an overnight chilled serving. If I bought another press, I would purchase this exact press a second time. It’s lovely. – The one thing you need to be aware of is keeping the exterior parts dry when using so the metal remains pretty and untarnished. The casing must be dry and the exterior of the glass carafe must be dry before sliding it into the metal casing. Take care of it properly and your press will remain spotless. I make a full servings when company is present or half when I just want a mug for myself. If you have a small silicone spatula on hand, it will work best for grind cleanup. Without fail and plenty use, every coffee pours perfectly. This press is a keeper!”

Customer Review: “The glass is a bit thinner than I expected, which makes me want to be careful setting it down on hard surfaces. That said, the double mesh filter does a great job keeping the grounds out of the cup and I haven’t noticed much grit in my coffee. The capacity is enough for a couple of people easily.The extra filters included are a really thoughtful add. I bought paper filters also since that’s what I’m used to. Cleanup is quick and easy since all the parts come apart for rinsing.I’m pretty happy with it overall. The only ongoing concern is being careful with the glass and the lid is plastic, so you are basically drinking hot microplastic.”

Customer Review: “🔮 Vine find,🕯taxed at filing, 🌘 no spell veils what I say…I have a smaller French press that only holds 12oz, which means constant refills during tea parties with my kids. They’re 5, 13, and 15 and they still ask to have tea parties with me, and I absolutely treasure it 🥹. This bigger press is perfect because with the tiny Japanese cups we use, one brew lasts the whole tea party. No more running back and forth to make more. The copper color is beautiful and the whole thing feels sturdy and well made.It comes with extra filters and adds a fancy little touch to our gathering. It’s become part of the memory‑making, and I love that. For something so simple, it makes our time together feel even more special 🫖💕.”

Customer Review: “I was pleasantly surprised by how easy it is to make excellent coffee with a French press. The direct infusion method really does make a difference in flavor quality. The coffee tastes amazing, and you truly get to control the brewing process.A pro tip: grind your own beans and go slightly coarser. It minimizes sediment getting through the filter, though I had very few issues anyway. Even without this extra step, the press is incredibly user-friendly.What impressed me most is the combination of quality and value. It’s affordable, easy to clean, and produces genuinely great-tasting coffee. The 304 stainless steel construction feels durable and built to last, and the sleek stainless steel color looks amazing on my kitchen counter. This has completely changed how I approach my daily coffee. A definite game-changer. Highly recommended for anyone looking to elevate their coffee experience without the complexity or cost of expensive equipment.\u200b\u200b\u200b\u200b\u200b\u200b\u200b\u200b\u200b\u200b\u200b\u200b\u200b\u200b\u200b\u200b”

Customer Review: “Great quality for the price. Its attractive, works well, and even comes with spare mesh so it lasts a long time. Its also easy to clean, lightweight, and the capacity is great for 1 or 2 people. The coffee stays a decent temperature if you do a shorter steeping time.”

Customer Review: “The french press is a staple in any coffee lover’s setup of makers or brewers. This timeless piece of engineering creates a great, full-bodied cup without all the hassle of perfecting pouring techniques or needing a large budget or space with more elaborate setups. All that’s needed is the french press, a decent scale, beans along with the grinder (to control your grind size), and a way to heat water. This is usually a coffee lover’s gateway into brewing cups other than instant coffee at the supermarket. It’s not too difficult to use, and the cups are usually consistent and end up being less frustrating in the long run compared to pour-overs.It would be advisable to stick with darker or medium roasts with a french press since you’re aiming for full-bodied cups which contain more oils and fines. A super expensive grinder is not necessary, which makes an entry-level grinder such as a Hario with ceramic burrs, or a pentagonal stainless steel burr hand grinder (i.e. Timemore C2, Hario Smart G Pro) decent options. This plays into the affordability factor, though a more expensive burr hand grinder is always welcome.After all the frustration as well as fulfillment that goes along with pour-over coffee equipment, as well as brewers, it’s great to go back to more simple methods. Paper filters are also not necessary, which makes one less thing to worry about. The cups are great to drink with its high temperature and full-bodied flavor. Clean up isn’t too bad with this french press either. It also makes a great cup of tea if you’re using loose-leaf. Aside from the functionality, it looks amazing on your kitchen counter.”

Customer Review: “I was always very curious about the french press method of brewing coffee, but never really got into it. Being away from my espresso machine, I really wanted to try something that was simply better than drip. I thought about getting the aeropress, but decided instead for the french press. Boy am I happy. So why is the french press method than drip you ask? Quite simple…*No paper filter! Coffee has a lot of natural oils in it that carry a lot of flavor. Using a paper filter traps those oils, so they never get expressed in the cup. The french press method produces a coffee that is much richer and fuller in body than any drip coffee I have ever had. I feel like I’m drinking coffee instead of cream and sugar.*Complete control over the brewing process. You control the grind, you control the temperature of the water and you control how long the water is contact with the grinds.*Steeping vs. Drip. Using a drip, the water goes through the grinds and out. Very little prolonged contact with the water. Also, it’s very common to see channels develop in the basket which leads to underextraction. With the press, all the grounds are completely submerged within the water for however long you decide. Better extraction, just don’t let them sit in there too long.Sometimes you hear of people complaining that there are too many grinds left in the cup using a press. Here is some good advice: “Don’t skimp on the grinder”. Toss your whirly-blade away (or relegate it to spices) and get yourself a burr grinder. I use a rocky with my french press, but you don’t have to buy a $300 grinder for french press. You’ll probably want to spend no less than 60. I’ve heard good things about the antiqua from bodum, the infinity from capresso and pretty much anything in the baratza line-up. Why such an expensive grinder you ask? Well you need to grind your own for any method of coffee brewing you use (throw the folgers out the door), but you need a fairly consistent grind. Whirly-blades will give you a lot of dust and coffee boulders; neither are very good for coffee brewing. Also, if you think that there is any possibility you might one day venture out into the world of espresso, go for no less than the gaggia mdf, or better yet a rocky. Nothing below those two will give you a grind for espresso. (End grinder tirade) Using a good grinder, the amount of grinds in the cup will be exceptionally minimal. You do get a little bit of coffee dust into the cup, but it’s hardly noticeable and usually settles out into the very bottom of the cup. The filter on the press does a very nice job of keeping the grounds out.I read somewhere in one of the amazon reviews that the press doesn’t go down far enough to really press the coffee. I’m not sure how much coffee this person was using, but I use slightly less than the recommended amount and I am able to press the grounds quite firmly.This particular 3-cup model will make about 8-10 oz of brewed coffee. You can’t quite get all 12oz of water in with the grounds, and some of the water gets soaked up in to the grounds. This is the perfect amount for me, since I only drink one cup-a-day, but if you drink more, go for a bigger model. Make sure not to leave the brewed coffee sitting in the press. Pour out any you don’t drink immediately into some kind of thermal carafe to keep it warm. The unit itself solid enough. Obviously the glass is breakable, so don’t go bouncing it off the floor. Cleanup is pretty easy. I rinse out the press, put some soap in the bottom, fill with water, and plunge up and down a few times and let it set while I drink my coffee. Make sure to keep the press clean, previously brewed coffee grounds are very good at ruining your coffee.As far as how to brew french press, check out the guide over at coffeegeek, but also look at the Illy method of preparation as they detail on their site. Decide which one you like better.The only improvement I would like to see would be some sort of thermal insulation to keep the coffee warm while it brews. The coffee is still hot when I’m ready to pour into the cup, but it would still be nice. Make sure to preheat your press with some how tap water. Bodum does make thermal french presses, but they come at a higher price point.Overall, great little brewer that comes at a very affordable price-point. Pair this with a good grinder as some freshly roasted beans (you’re not still using folgers are you?), and you’ve got a recipe for excellent coffee.”