best french press coffee makers

Our Picks for the Best French Press for 2020
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There are few pleasures in life as comforting as a great cup of coffee. For as many ways as there are to enjoy coffee, there are just as many ways to make it. For connoisseurs the world over, the French press is the only way to prepare a delicious brew.

How the French Press Works

The concept is simple enough. Instead of more traditional drip methods, the French press allows you to steep coarsely ground coffee beans in hot water. By plunging the mesh strainer, the press pushes down and isolates the grounds, capturing all the flavor of every bean without leaving it in coffee filter paper. This provides you with a smooth and silky cup you are free to pour and enjoy.

Which French Presses Are the Best?

With all the types available on the market, it’s hard to determine what makes an excellent French press. It could also become quite an intimidating and expensive hobby to collect and select various makes and models only to end up confused at the end of it all. This is why we’ve compiled this list of what we believe are the six best French press coffee makers of 2020.

Read on to find out more about our top picks!

Frieling French Press Insulated Coffee Maker

The future of the French press is here. Frieling provides its consumers with the French Press Insulated Coffee Maker, made of luxurious stainless steel. This award-winning coffee maker is a favorite among a myriad of magazines and coffee connoisseurs. This press stands out in stark contrast to others with its rich arsenal of functionalities.

First, it consists of a no-drip spout which is sure to keep your counters clean. Second, the press has a double-wall insulated body with a lid, which provides a much more efficient means for preserving heat than glass. To top it off, there is a fine filtration system that keeps out sediment, allowing for a velvety brew you cannot get enough of.

Pros

  • It’s made of high-end stainless steel that will last many years
  • The various components are designed to make preparing and pouring every cup of coffee a no-brainer
  • The design is elegant and suitable to be displayed wherever you see fit
  • Double-wall insulation keeps your coffee warmer for much longer

Cons

  • Compared to competing models of various brands, the price is steep
  • Not immune to the plunger getting stuck if the beans aren’t ground coarsely enough

Bodum CHAMBORD French Press Coffee and Tea Maker

Many coffee lovers favor the Bodum brand for its commitment to the original. Their CHAMBORD line pays homage to the iconic French press made in the 1950s from the Château de Chambord. The attention to detail in the craftsmanship of these presses holds true to their 70 years of creating quality products.

The frame and lid are made from chrome-coated steel to ensure durability throughout many years of using it in your kitchen. The CHAMBORD Polypropylene handle comes in a matte black finish that allows for a more comfortable grip while serving. This also adds to its handsome, classic design that will be beautifully displayed in any kitchen or dining room.

Bodum French presses are also manufactured ethically in Europe, using environmentally correct practices, so you know that you’re buying responsibly when you make this purchase.

Pros

  • Ethically sourced materials make this a guilt-free purchase
  • Easy to grip handle allows for a smooth pour due to its comfortable grip
  • Economical price point at $30 for a French press coffee maker
  • Also functions as a tea maker so you can enjoy a flavorful infusion anytime

Cons

  • The three-cup model might be a bit small for hard core coffee drinkers
  • The filter is made of plastic, which may be an issue to some consumers

Bodum BRAZIL French Press Coffee Maker

Bodum does it again with another French press coffee maker, this time from their BRAZIL line. This design hails from the quirky 1980s, making it a cute, attractive option for anyone who wants a more charming French press with a retro style.

The beaker is made of a high-quality borosilicate glass which is heat-resistant, light, and strong. This beaker will not get cloudy in the dishwasher making it a durable choice for years to come. Aside from the body, handle, and lid, all other components of the Bodum BRAZIL French press are made of stainless steel, ensuring you get full-bodied flavor from the proper separation of the beans.

The size is portable making it ideal for people who would like to bring theirs on the go with them, perfect for offices. However, this does mean having less volume, so the 12-ounce size may not be for you if you prefer to drink more in one go.

Pros

  • The borosilicate glass carafe and stainless steel parts ensure durability
  • This product makes tea as well
  • The great price point at around $20 for the model

Cons

  • Some parts are made of plastic, which could be an issue to some consumers
  • Small size may disappoint users

Coffee Gator French Press

The Coffee Gator French press has an edge over most of the other presses on this list in its design sense, offering six colors in a stainless steel finish. Its contours are streamlined making a sleeker French press you can proudly display anywhere you’d like.

Its construction is also high quality, with a thick double-walled stainless steel design that’s sure to be durable for years on end. It’s also vacuum layered, meaning that it will stay hot for much longer than other models. This French press has a double-layered filtration system to ensure that you are getting no sediment in your mug, just the full and bold flavor of the perfect cup of coffee.

Pros

  • Aesthetically pleasing with a sleek design and colors
  • Keeps coffee warmer for longer
  • Comes with a free coffee canister for your next cup
  • Its durability means years and years of using your French press

Cons

  • Some users have reported the mesh fraying, which can poke you

SterlingPro S/S Double Wall Cafetiere

SterlingPro hit the market in 2014, boasting a superior solution for filtration–their press uses a two-screen design to ensure the ideal grind-free drinking experience. Since then, many other models have begun using similar designs, but this press was the first.

While the design is simple, it makes up for it with high quality. SterlingPro is composed of 18/10 stainless steel, making it highly durable and long-lasting, as well as a breeze to clean. Its double-wall design keeps coffee hot for hours and keeps your hands safe from burns! One drawback of the screens is that they will need to occasionally be switched out, but the press comes with your first two replacement screens included.

Pros

  • No grains in your cup
  • Extremely high-quality construction
  • Affordable price
  • Can also make tea, lemonade, hot chocolate, and juice

Cons

  • Screens need to be replaced periodically

Le Creuset Stoneware Petite French Press

Like the Coffee Gator French press, this coffee maker from Le Creuset comes in an assortment of colors. That along with its stoneware construction gives it the most aesthetic appeal of anything on this list.

But it’s not just looks–being stoneware gives this little press a number of other advantages over its competitors. It distributes heat evenly and can take extremes of temperatures, being safe for the freezer or the microwave. Its enamel exterior and glazed interior make it resistant to scratches and easy to clean as well.

However, like any stoneware piece, it is fragile, so handle with care! Consumers have also complained that it is a bit smaller than it looks, so be aware that this press is best for 1 or 2 cups of coffee at a time.

Pros

  • A gorgeous addition to your kitchen that you can get in your favorite color
  • Easy to clean and care for
  • Great for special occasions

Cons

  • Very small at 12 ounces
  • Prone to damage if not handled with care

Conclusion

We hope that you have found this guide helpful in your search for your next French press coffee maker. While there are countless options available to you, we’ve done most of the legwork and narrowed it down to this list of six.

You should now be hard-pressed to find a better bunch of French press coffee makers to suit your needs. No matter what your budget may be, from the Frieling to the Bodum BRAZIL, you are certain to find something that works for you, in any style to suit your kitchen.

If we had to choose one (which who’s saying you just need to buy 1?) we would go with either the Coffee Gator French Press because of its design and durability, or the Frieling French Press. Both of these models will surely last you a lifetime if taken care of. However, if you’re looking for something that is a bit more classic, for serving or events, you might like the Bodum line better.

Which ever option you choose, all of these models make a great cup of coffee given you have the right beans. If you need some fresh, high quality beans, feel free to checkout out our selection where our beans are freshly roasted to order, helping you punch today in the face each morning.

Also, if you need a little refresher course on how to properly use the French Press, take a look at the article we wrote on how to use the French Press to make a stellar cup of coffee.

Enjoy!