10 Best French Presses of 2024 – Reviews & Top Picks
Every coffee enthusiast knows that the perfect brew starts with the right technique, and one piece of coffee gear 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 2024, 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 2024
Image | Product | Features | Price |
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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 2024.
We value 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 enjoy having more than one cup of coffee, or plan on sharing with others, Mueller’s 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 its 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 not only versatile in the kitchen, but can also be used while on the go.
If you make coffee while camping, or like having the option to make better coffee while away from home, then consider 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.
We chose Bodum’s travel French press because of its simplicity, making it quick and easy to use.
Its durable design and vacuum-sealed double wall construction also 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 essential design features for individuals that lead active lifestyles.
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 drinking your first brew.
- 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.
As an added benefit, it comes equipped with an outstanding lifetime warranty, so you can rest easy knowing that you’re getting a product that’s built to last.
- Lifetime warranty
- Perfect for camping & outdoors
- Stays hot for 4 hours
- Heavy
5. Utopia Kitchen French Press
The Utopia Kitchen French press made our list of top French press coffee makers because of its highly-functional features and quality build.
It can brew up to 4.2 cups of coffee at a time, making it perfect for serving a group of people or enjoying by yourself throughout the day.
The heat-resistant borosilicate glass carafe helps keep your coffee hot, and sits in a stylish insulated frame to provide added durability and a sleek look.
The Utopia Kitchen French press is easy to use, simply add your coffee grounds of choice to the glass carafe, pour hot water over the grounds, let it steep, then slowly press the plunger down, separating the grounds from the water.
- Large capacity
- Durable
- Easy to clean
- Not dishwasher safe
6. KONA French Press Coffee Maker
The KONA French press coffee maker 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 of coffee 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 presses.
Its insulated outer shell not only offers a modern look and feel, but also provides 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, making 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 so that coffee grounds don’t get in your mug.
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 protected from high temperatures.
Best of all, Secura’s French press is entirely dishwasher safe so that you can easily clean it after enjoying your brewed coffee.
- 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 surprised by the “GroundsLifter” tool provided by OXO which makes cleanup of used coffee grounds easy.
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 2024 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, 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 for much more than just coffee.
- 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 2024 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. Like other specialty French presses, you can pour your freshly-brewed coffee without worry, thanks to a cool-touch handle and plunger knob.
We liked 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, it also includes an extra stainless steel coffee filter screen that you can add to its traditional 3-layer filter to keep coffee grounds from getting into your mug.
- 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 press coffee makers are capable of brewing multiple cups of coffee at once, with capacities ranging from approximately 12 to 51 ounces.
If you want to make more than a single serving of coffee with your French press, 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 step of the process when using a French press. Cleaning your coffee press is an essential step to ensuring that it continues serving you for years to come.
How To Clean A French Press
To clean a French Press, you will need to remove the plunger, dispose of the used coffee grounds and clean the carafe with warm, soapy water.
While cleaning a French press by hand isn’t time consuming, some individuals prefer investing in a dishwasher-safe coffee press for quicker cleanup times, which is worth considering for the sake of convenience.
3. Durability
French press coffee makers are beautifully constructed, but many are made of fragile glass that can crack or chip if not maintained.
The longevity of your French press will most likely come down to the material used to construct the carafe, as well as how it’s taken care of by its owner.
The question of which French Press is better, glass or stainless steel, depends on your specific preference.
Stainless steel coffee presses may be a better option to keep your coffee hotter for a longer period of time. They are also more resilient and can withstand drops without breaking.
Some individuals prefer glass French presses, as they possess a more elegant appearance than stainless steel coffee presses, but either choice is a great option depending on your personal preference.
4. Brand Reputation
The French press brand you’re considering investing in should be at the front of your mind when making a purchasing decision.
Many brands listed previously have a long-standing reputation making the best coffee gear and, oftentimes, these manufacturers are generous with warranties to provide you peace of mind.
No matter what French press you end up buying, it’s always advisable to do your due diligence before placing your order, which is 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 may be surprised when switching to a French press.
It is natural for all non-electric coffee makers, including coffee presses, to cool faster than electric coffee makers.
If you prefer to keep your coffee hot for longer, we recommend that you purchase a thermal or insulated French press which help maintain higher temperatures for longer periods of time.
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 a French press is its mesh filters wearing down over time. This will lead to coffee grounds traveling through the filters and 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 French press looking worn, but it could also cause unwanted residue to transfer 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 2024.
If you have any questions or concerns before making your purchasing decision, don’t hesitate to reach out to our team!