The Best French Press Coffee Makers Of 2022

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Deliciously known otherwise as a coffee plunger, the French press is as simple and Parisian as it sounds –– a carafe with a filter attached to the end of a plunger that presses and extracts the coffee from the grounds. First designed in 1852 by the French, the French press's low-waste, economically sustainable, and low energy usage appeals to a environmentally conscious generation and society –– no K-cups or coffee filters required.

Using a French press for coffee is similar to steeping tea –– it allows the water to "mix and mingle" with the coffee grounds to achieve an intense, yet savory coffee concoction. However, it's not as easy as throwing coffee grounds into a pot and pouring water overtop, according to an interview in Mashed with Alex Azoury, CEO of Home Grounds. Making a perfect cup of French press coffee is about grinding your own coffee beans to a medium or coarse consistency, finding your water to coffee ratio, and of course, finding the right French press.

When looking for the right French press, it's important to consider the three parts of a French press –– the carafe, the plunger/filter, and the lid (via Barista Joy). Azoury, in that same Mashed interview, says he prefers ceramic, and tempered glass is fragile, but doesn't negatively affect the taste of your coffee like plastic could. A good plunger is key to keeping coffee grounds from passing through, creating a muddy and textured coffee, and a good lid protects you from scalding hot coffee.

Our overall best French press pick isn't the best because it is flawless, or because it possesses every possible bell and whistle –– it's the best because it is able to fulfill a wider variety of needs for a larger audience.

Rated the Best of Best on Best Views Reviews with an overall 10 out of 10 rating and almost 23,000 five-star reviews, the Müeller French Press is an actual jack of all trades, master of none. Explained in a French Press Buyer's Guide 2022 Youtube video, Müeller holds 34 ounces of coffee, enough to share with a crowd, and has a triple-layered filter that provides a smooth and sediment-free coffee.

According to Müeller's French press page, the double-layered stainless steel retains heat up to 60 minutes longer than glass French press coffee makers, and is drop-proof, rustproof, dishwasher-safe, and "probably bulletproof." The overall look is simple and to-the-point with no added frills, and the cool-to-the touch surface makes for safe handling. For under $30, including replacement filters and a coffee bean canister for traveling, Müeller delivers a quality product that goes to bat against its competitors.

Purchase the Müeller French Press for $29.97 on Amazon.

Sometimes, one cup of coffee is all you need, especially in a household where only one person drinks coffee or tea. Many French press coffee makers claim to be single-serve, but Kona French Press is the one-stop-shop for a one-person coffee show. Rated the French press with the best value for the money on Best Views Reviews, Kona is affordable, yet durable and lightweight.

In a press review for The Spruce Eats, the Kona French Press was praised for its easy-to-grip plunger handle, good plunging capability, and straightforward use. It also is surprisingly durable compared to other glass carafes, thanks to the outer plastic sleeve and connected handle that act as a buffer if dropped. Also, it is small enough to put in a suitcase and travel with, since coffee machines are one of the dirtiest things in a hotel room. Everything a more expensive, flashier, or larger French press can do, Kona french press can do just as well, if not better.

Purchase the 34-ounce Kona French Press for $31.99 on Amazon.

Le Creuset, like Fiestaware, has developed a cult following from collectors and chefs alike through their trusted ceramic Dutch ovens, and vibrant colors in glossy finishes. The Le Creuset French Press is no exception with its timeless, rustic look and high quality. Since ceramic has a higher ability to retain heat as opposed to glass, it will keep coffee hotter for longer compared to glass carafes. Not only is it dishwasher safe, but it is also freezer safe and oven safe (should you want to do that for some reason), but it's also safe to use with metal utensils

Press reviews like ones seen in Coffee Review, appreciate the familiar aesthetics and colors that are associated with Le Creuset, but found the lid to be wobbly, and filter to be sub-par, with one review on their product page also stating that their filter tore after about 100 uses. That same Coffee Review also cited poor heat retention, saying that the temperature dropped 15 degrees over five minutes. This French press is a great example of how aesthetics and brand imaging can lead to a product becoming popular, but with other reviews recommending Le Creuset's French Press, the hype may be worth the price compared to other stoneware options.

Buy the LeCreuset Stoneware French Press on Amazon for $79.95.

YIELD's website states that it's all about a combination of functionality and elegant design, creating timeless and modern home goods and jewelry with ethical production and sustainability in mind. YIELD's Ceramic French Press is no exception their manifesto –– a plastic-free, minimalist press that "looks like a small sculpture," according to a quote from Dwell Magazine on the product's page, and "takes morning coffee to a new level of elegance and sophistication," according to a Forbes Magazine review quote.

In a review on the product page from The World of Interiors, their ceramic french press' production follows ethical and fair trade guidelines by working in collaboration with a potter based in Vietnam. The founders of YIELD told Remodelista in an interview that they wanted to create a centerpiece, merging both functionality and beauty through its selection of fresh and light colors like glossy chartreuse and matte sand, and copper pull.

However, reviews found on Food 52 found that buyers thought that the aesthetics overshadowed its functions, from heat loss, to grounds escaping past the filter, and a flimsy lid and pull. Considering the $120 price tag, this piece benefits more from its beauty rather than use, and works best as an occasional coffee maker that leaves you feeling good about your environmental impact.

Purchase the Ceramic French Press at Yield for $120.

Espro's French press has long been seen as the high-end way to craft the perfectly-filtered cup of coffee, ranking as the top French press pick. What makes this special is its patented double micro-mesh filters that trap virtually all coffee grounds and particles from escaping the carafe. The filter is also compatible with pour-over styles of coffee by adding a paper filter between the two mesh filters.

Regarding the Espro Press P5 specifically, it's able to prevent the coffee from over brewing by sealing off the coffee from the grounds. However, its best aspect is also considered one of its flaws. In an equipment review of the Espro Press 7 in Coffee Review, they cited that the fine mesh filter was hard to clean in some areas due to the amount of residue trapped. The replacement filters are $18.95 a pop –– on top of a P5 model costing $69.95, and the P7 Press costing as much as $149.95 –– which can make this a very costly press over time. However, for obsessive French press fans that love a clean cup of coffee, the investment is surely worth the initial cost.

The Espro Coffee French Press P5 is $69.95 and can be bought on the brand's website.

Bodum French presses have been consistently ranked as some of the best in their market in terms of affordability and bang-for-your-buck, as seen in Wirecutter. Bodum's Travel French Press is the best of both worlds –– a french press and a travel mug to make those early mornings slightly more bearable. It features all the heavy hitters in a french press –– a fine mesh filter, a double-insulated mug, silicone band, and rubber base that makes a perfect companion for other beverages like overnight cold brew and tea.

A press review in Home Grounds explains how the Bodum travel mug is one of the simplest and most affordable ways to take your coffee anywhere. It's quick to assemble in the morning, and cleaning is as easy as popping it in the dishwasher. The only drawback is that prolonged steeping can create bitterness, especially if using it to make tea, and can spoil the coffee, so the faster you drink it, the better it'll taste.

Purchase the Bodum Travel French Press on Amazon for $26.94.

The Cadillac of French presses, Freiling's french press offers both sleekness and durability, with its double-walled insulation to keep coffee and tea hotter four times longer. Its classic mirror finish complements any kitchen style and aesthetic, as long as you don't mind a few lingering fingerprints. A unicorn in itself, it is available in a vast variety of sizes –– 17, 23, 36, or 44 ounces — perfect for both single servings and large crowds for entertaining, and it's 100% dishwasher-safe.

Customers on Frieling's website and Food52 raved about its durability (especially after breaking multiple glass French press makers) and functionality, from the stability of the plunger to the double filter. In a test review for The Spruce Eats of Frieling's french press the most glaring flaws were its heavier weight, which makes it harder to travel with, and the built-up resistance when plunging that could lead to a potential coffee geyser. Another downside is the price –– almost $100 for the 17 ounce press, and almost $160 for the largest 44 ounce option –– a hefty price when cheaper and comparable options are available. Hey, that's why it's in the high-end category, making it an investment piece that will outlast others like it.

Buy the Frieling French Press starting at $99.95 on the brand's website.