8 Best French Press Coffee Makers (and How to Use One)
The best French press for most homes is a 34 ounce glass or stainless steel press with a snug metal filter. Glass costs less and lets you watch the brew. Double-wall stainless steel keeps coffee hot longer and will not break. Below are 8 French press coffee makers compared by material, size and filter, followed by step-by-step instructions for how to use one.
These picks come from comparing published specs, materials and filter designs across the best-known models.
Quick Picks
Bodum Chambord – the classic glass and steel press
Bodum Brazil – the budget glass pick
Espro P7 – double filter for a cleaner cup
Fellow Clara – insulated, with fill lines inside
Stanley Classic Stay Hot French Press – large and rugged for a crowd or camping
Frieling stainless steel French press – polished all-steel build
Mueller stainless steel French press – low-cost insulated steel
Espro P3 – double filter in a glass press
French Press Comparison
| French press | Capacity | Body | Insulated | Stands out for |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bodum Chambord | 34 ounces | Glass with steel frame | No | Classic design, replaceable parts |
| Bodum Brazil | 34 ounces | Glass with plastic frame | No | Lowest cost from a known brand |
| Espro P7 | 32 ounces | Double-wall stainless steel | Yes | Two fine filters, less sediment |
| Espro P3 | 32 ounces | Glass with plastic frame | No | Two fine filters at a lower cost |
| Fellow Clara | 24 ounces | Double-wall stainless steel | Yes | Fill lines, non-stick interior |
| Stanley Classic Stay Hot | 48 ounces | Double-wall stainless steel | Yes | Size and toughness |
| Frieling | 36 ounces | Double-wall stainless steel | Yes | All-steel build, no plastic |
| Mueller | 34 ounces | Double-wall stainless steel | Yes | Insulated steel on a budget |
Sizes and finishes change over time, so check the listing for the current capacity before you order.
The Best French Press Coffee Makers
1. Bodum Chambord
The Bodum Chambord is the press most people picture: a borosilicate glass beaker in a steel frame with a 3-part stainless steel plunger. It comes in several sizes, and the 34 ounce version suits 2 to 3 people. Replacement beakers are easy to find. Best for: a first French press. Keep in mind that glass loses heat quickly and can break.
2. Bodum Brazil
The Bodum Brazil uses the same style of glass beaker and metal filter as the Chambord, with a plastic frame and handle that bring the cost down. Best for: trying French press without spending much. Keep in mind that the plastic frame is less sturdy than steel.
3. Espro P7
The Espro P7 has a double-wall stainless steel body and two fine mesh filters that nest inside each other and seal against the wall with a silicone lip. That design leaves less grit in the cup than a single mesh disc. Best for: people who like French press flavor but not the sludge. Keep in mind that the two-part filter takes a little more effort to clean.
4. Fellow Clara
The Fellow Clara is a 24 ounce insulated stainless steel press with marked fill lines for coffee and water inside the pot, a non-stick interior coating and a fine mesh filter. Best for: 1 to 2 people who want a simple routine without a scale. Keep in mind that it is smaller than a standard 34 ounce press.
5. Stanley Classic Stay Hot French Press
The Stanley Classic Stay Hot French Press is a 48 ounce vacuum-insulated stainless steel press built in the same style as the brand’s thermoses. Best for: families, weekend brunch and camping trips. Keep in mind that it is big and heavy for a single cup.
6. Frieling Stainless Steel French Press
The Frieling French press is double-wall stainless steel inside and out, with a polished finish and no plastic parts touching the coffee. It doubles as a serving pitcher. Best for: a buy-once press that looks good on the table. Keep in mind that it sits at the higher end of the price range.
7. Mueller Stainless Steel French Press
The Mueller French press is a 34 ounce double-wall stainless steel press with a layered filter. Best for: insulated steel at a lower cost. Keep in mind that the fit and finish are simpler than premium models.
8. Espro P3
The Espro P3 puts the brand’s double filter into a glass beaker with a plastic frame. Best for: a cleaner cup while still watching the brew. Keep in mind that it is glass, so it is not insulated.
Glass or Stainless Steel?
Pick glass if you want the lowest cost and like to see the coffee. Pick double-wall stainless steel if you pour a second cup 20 minutes later, have stone countertops or want to take the press outdoors. Either way, coffee left sitting on the grounds keeps extracting and turns bitter, so pour it all out when the timer ends.
What Size French Press Do You Need?
| Press size | Makes about | Good for |
|---|---|---|
| 12 ounces | 1 mug | One person |
| 24 ounces | 2 mugs | 1 to 2 people |
| 34 ounces | 3 mugs | 2 to 3 people |
| 48 ounces | 4 mugs | Families and guests |
French press sizes are often labeled in 4 ounce “cups,” so an “8 cup” press is about 34 ounces, or roughly 3 regular mugs.
How to Use a French Press
Use 1 gram of coffee for every 15 grams of water. For a full 34 ounce press, that is about 60 grams of coffee (about 3/4 cup of coarse grounds) and 900 grams of water (about 3 3/4 cups).
- Grind the coffee coarse, about the size of coarse sea salt.
- Heat the water to about 200 degrees F. If you have no thermometer, boil it and wait 30 seconds.
- Add the grounds to the press and pour in all the water, wetting every bit of coffee.
- Stir gently, place the lid on with the plunger pulled up, and steep for 4 minutes.
- Press the plunger down slowly and evenly. If it is hard to push, the grind is too fine.
- Pour all of the coffee into mugs or a carafe right away.
A consistent coarse grind matters more than the press itself. A burr grinder gives a more even grind than a blade grinder, and we compare them in our guides to the best burr grinders and the best coffee grinders under $100. A coffee scale makes the ratio easy to repeat.
Marcus’s Pro Tips
- Preheat the press. Swirl hot water in it and pour it out before brewing, especially with glass.
- Do not press too hard. Forcing the plunger stirs up fine grounds and can crack a glass beaker.
- Leave the last sip. The bottom of each mug holds the most sediment.
- Take the filter apart weekly. Old coffee oils trapped between the mesh layers turn rancid and flavor the next pot.
- Use it for cold brew. A press is a ready-made cold brew maker. The method is in how to make cold brew coffee at home.
Frequently Asked Questions
What grind size is best for a French press?
Coarse, like coarse sea salt. A fine grind slips through the mesh, makes the plunger hard to push and tastes bitter.
How long should French press coffee steep?
4 minutes is the standard. Go to 5 minutes for a stronger cup, or shorten to 3 minutes if it tastes bitter.
How much coffee do I use in a French press?
Use a 1 to 15 ratio by weight. That is about 30 grams of coffee for 450 grams of water (2 mugs), or about 60 grams for a full 34 ounce press.
Is French press coffee stronger than drip?
It tastes heavier and fuller, because the metal filter lets coffee oils and fine particles through that a paper filter traps. The caffeine depends on how much coffee you use, not the method.
Why is my French press coffee muddy?
The grind is too fine or uneven, or the plunger was pushed fast. Grind coarser, press slowly and consider a press with a double filter.
Can you make tea or froth milk in a French press?
Yes to both. Steep loose-leaf tea the same way, and pump the plunger up and down in warm milk for 20 to 30 seconds to make foam. Wash the filter well between coffee and tea.
For most kitchens, a 34 ounce Bodum Chambord is the place to start, and an insulated steel press is the upgrade if you want the second cup hot. If you prefer a cleaner, lighter cup, compare this with our pour over coffee guide.
Marcus Webb writes about home coffee for BrewElevate. He researches and compares brewing gear, beans and recipes so home brewers can make a better cup without overspending. His rule: if he wouldn’t be comfortable buying it himself, it doesn’t make the list.
