Best French press coffee makers 2024 – for delicious, full-bodied coffee

Authentic and inexpensive, these cafetières from Espro, Bodum and Le Creuset will deliver flavorful cups of coffee each and every morning

One of the best French presses, the Bodum Chambord French presses on a table with a cup of coffee in front of them
(Image credit: Bodum)
Best French press coffee makers 2024: Jump Menu

A french press with a muffin and two cups of coffee on a wooden tray

(Image credit: GettyImages)

1. The list in brief ↴
2. Best overall: Espro P7
3. Best classic: Bodum Chambord
4. Best modern: Fellow Clara
5. Best stoneware: Le Creuset
6.Best for single-servings: Espro P3
7.Best stainless steel: Frieling
8. Best for cleaning: Brim
9. Best portable: Stanley Stay Hot
10. Best budget: Bodum Brazil
11. How to choose
12. How we test

French press coffee is some of the richest and most aromatic on the market. It's the classic, Sunday-morning coffee, allowing you to relish in your rituals and then slowly sip on your freshly brewed cup. 

To truly enjoy these moments, you need a luxury French press and one of the best coffee grinders: the process will be smooth and the flavors will be smoother. 

As a former barista, I'm well-placed to talk to you about the best French presses. These coffee makers, also known as cafetières and coffee presses, come in a few different shapes, sizes, and with a range of filter types. 

With a team of expert product testers, I've tested everything the French press market has to offer: the good, the bad, and the beautiful. We brewed and sipped from Espro, Bodum, Frieling, and more. We've narrowed down your options to these nine best French press coffee makers.

The quick list

Here's a shorter highlights section about our top picks. We'll delve deeper into the details further down this article.

The best French press overall

1. Espro P7 French Press

A luxurious option for smooth, bold coffee

Specifications

Size: 18 oz., 32 oz.
Material: Stainless Steel
Filter: Double Filter
Dishwasher Safe: Yes
RRP: $119.95- $149.95/ £109.90 – £129.90

Reasons to buy

+
Makes a killer cold brew
+
No risk of broken glass
+
Easy to use
+
Insulated design keeps coffee hot
+
Double filter minimizes graininess 

Reasons to avoid

-
Tight seal makes it more difficult to pull plunger out
-
Pricier than alternatives
Buy it if

✅ You drink cold brew: this makes a delicious concentrate
✅ You're clumsy: this isn't glass, so won't smash
✅ You're forgetful: this is a good insulator

Don't buy it if:

❌ You're not strong: this has a tight seal
❌ You're on a budget: this is more expensive
❌ You like watching your coffee brew: the stainless steel is opaque

The bottom line

🔎 Espro P7: undeniably the best option on the market, the P7 offers luxury without compromise. You'll just need to be strong to battle the tight seal.

Espro make the top French presses on the market. If you want the very best of the best, this is it. It makes a consistently smooth, perfect cup of coffee. Sure, the P7 is expensive, but it's a splurge you won't regret.

There are plenty of features which make the P7 something special, but I put a large proportion of the coffee flavors and mouth feel down to the two-stage filtration system and extra tight seal. This means you don't get any coffee grounds or grittiness at the bottom of your cup, just a mouthful of velvety coffee.

Whilst I love watching coffee brew in a glass carafe, it always comes with the risk of shattering (especially if you're clumsy like me). The P7's stainless steel body means that it's durable, great for travelling, and shatter-resistant. Even better, it's double insulated, so you can lead a busy (or forgetful) life and you'll never find a cold carafe of coffee on the side. While it's a shame that the stainless steel isn't transparent, the fact that it can keep your coffee so warm means that it's a compromise worth making. 

When you're finished, the P7 is easy to clean, dishwasher safe, and the seal doesn't loosen when it washes. There's a lot to love and very little to dislike, so the P7 has the top spot on our best French press coffee makers list.

The best classic French press

2. Bodum Chambord French Press

A French press worth raving about

Specifications

Size: 12 oz. 17 oz., 34 oz., 51 oz.
Material: Stainless Steel and glass
Filter: Double Filter
Dishwasher Safe: Yes
RRP: $20-$55 / £18-£50

Reasons to buy

+
Contemporary design
+
Easy to use
+
Double filter minimizes graininess 

Reasons to avoid

-
Glass is thin and doesn't retain heat well
Buy it if

✅ You want a classic French press: this is iconic
✅ You've never had a French press before:
this is easy to use
✅ You're on a budget:
this is reasonably priced

Don't buy it if:

❌ You're clumsy: the glass might shatter
❌ You're forgetful:
this doesn't insulate well
❌ You don't have a good grinder: you need coarse grounds

The bottom line

🔎 Bodum Chambord: this is an iconic and classic French press. It makes delicious coffee, but the glass is a little fragile.

The Bodum Chambord French press takes the cake for the 'most beautiful' coffee maker, and in my opinion, is beautiful enough for a permanent place on your countertops. Aesthetically, it’s almost too pretty to use. 

Whilst this traditional design might look complicated, it's not. This is really easy to use. The glass carafe sits snugly in a stainless steel frame, helping minimize the risk of you shattering the carafe. 

I say minimize, because it's still possible that you could drop and shatter the Chambord. This thinner glass also means it has much less insulating capacity, so if you forget about your coffee and come back to it forty minutes later, you'll be closer to drinking iced coffee than you will a warming brew.

The Chambord produces an incredibly rich and silky cup of coffee. The instructions specify the user uses coarsely ground beans and that's really important. Not only are these less likely to sneak through your filter, they'll also deliver the bold and acidic flavors that French press is so popular for. I tried using slightly finer grounds and found that the filters stopped being so perfect, so only use this is you have a grinder which is consistent on coarse settings.

It's also great to know that Bodum as a brand utilizes entirely natural products. They incorporate glass, steel, wood and bamboo into their beautiful pieces, and they’re all ethically sourced. It looks good, makes good coffee, and does good too.

You can find out more in our full Bodum Chambord review

The best minimalistic French press

3. Fellow Clara French Press

A French press that improves upon the craft coffee experience

Specifications

Size: 24 oz.
Material: Stainless Steel
Filter: ultra-fine mesh filter
Dishwasher Safe: Only mesh filter
RRP: $99/ £99

Reasons to buy

+
Attractive design
+
Non-stick interior for easier cleaning
+
Includes fill lines for less precise measuring
+
Stays hot for longer than other products

Reasons to avoid

-
Fill lines hard to read
Buy it if

✅ You want a simple design: this is attractive and minimalistic
✅ You're not a keen cleaner:
this is non-stick inside
✅ You're forgetful:
this is a great insulator

Don't buy it if:

❌ You have bad eyesight: the levels are hard to see
❌ You're on a budget:
this is relatively expensive
❌ You like watching your coffee brew: this is opaque

The bottom line

🔎 Fellow Clara French Press: in true Fellow style, this is a beautiful, premium French press. It's easy to use, but a little expensive

The Clara French Press is designed to improve upon everything we know and love about French press coffee. Fellow's smart team has designed a 360-degree pour spout, non-stick interior for easier cleaning, ratio aid lines, and don't even get me started on its design-forward looks. It's a truly innovative French press.

Modern and minimalistic, the Clara looks beautiful and subtle on the countertop; the brand's Scandi-style really shines through If you aren't sure about the matte black, this is also available with a wood accent. It doesn't draw attention to itself, but when you look closely at it, you can see how well-built this is.

As for coffee making, the Fellow incorporates subtle ratio aid fill lines to take out the measuring guesswork. You might need your reading glasses to see the lines though, or you can measure: the ratio lines calls for 60 grams of coffee and 840 grams of water. Once you've got your coffee in, the top of the French press can be placed on at any angle. After plunging the ultra-fine filter, you can pour a smooth cup of coffee. This can handle some finer grinds, without too much grittiness, so you can afford to pair it with a less-than-perfect grinder too.

If you forget about your coffee, you can come back to it and will very likely find it still warm. The Heat Lock Double Wall Vacuum body is made of 304 18/8 insulated stainless steel keeps coffee hot and consistent long after the coffee is brewed. Not to mention, the design is durable against accidental drops. 

It's pretty hard to fault the Clara, because even the clean up is easy. There's a non-stick interior and the filter is just one piece. All I can say is that sometimes it's nice to see your coffee brewing, but it's also nice to just admire the Clara, so you're not compromising too much.

You can find out more in our full Fellow Clara French press review

The best stoneware French press

4. Le Creuset Stoneware French Press

It doesn't get more luxurious than with Le Creuset's stoneware

Specifications

Size: 32 oz.
Material: Stoneware
Filter: Single Filter
Dishwasher Safe: Yes
RRP: $84.95/ £65

Reasons to buy

+
11 classic Le Creuset colors to choose from
+
Extremely easy to clean
+
Stonewear has strong insulating properties
+
Microwave, dishwasher, freezer, fridge safe

Reasons to avoid

-
Stoneware breaks easily if dropped or hit on hard surface
Buy it if

✅ You want color options: this comes in 11 hues
✅ You're forgetful:
this is a natural insulator
✅ You want easy cleaning:
this is dishwasher safe

Don't buy it if:

❌ You're clumsy: this is easy to break
❌ You like watching your coffee brew:
this is opaque
❌ You're on a budget: you're paying Le Creuset prices

The bottom line

🔎 Le Creuset Stoneware French press: in true Le Creuset style, this is a timeless French press. It feels durable and well-designed, but be careful not to drop it.

Nothing says luxury quite like Le Creuset. With their timeless design with a ten year warranty, this doubles up as both a coffee maker and heirloom. 

The French press is designed in classic Le Creuset style: with a beautiful gaze and vibrant colors. You can select eleven different hues, all are equally eye-catching and perfect for a range of kitchens. You can opt for subtle monotones, or bright pops of color: the world is your (coffee equivalent of an) oyster.

The stoneware looks beautiful, but it's also extremely practical too: it's non-porous and strong, protecting it from staining, odors, and accidental knocks on the floor. The stoneware itself can withstand temperatures up to 500°F, meaning it's microwave safe and an excellent insulator too. It's also perfect for hopping between coffee and teas, the floral notes and seasoned beans will not get absorbed into the French press body.

In addition to being ultra heat-resistant, Le Creuset is also safe to pop in the fridge. Reviewers swear by this for cold brew coffee, and naturally, we had to test their theory. It’s confirmed, Le Creuset French press makes an irresistible cold brew. Just make sure you use coarsely ground beans, as they yield the tastiest results.

The best French press for single-servings

5. Espro P3

Petite and perfect for small homes

Specifications

Dimensions: 4.2 x 6.6 x 9.9"
FIlter type: Permanent
Capacity: 32 oz
Weight: 1.4 lbs

Reasons to buy

+
Feels premium
+
Smooth flavors
+
Easy to use
+
Makes great cold brew

Reasons to avoid

-
Not heat-resistant
-
Limited capacity
-
Feels a little cheaper
Buy it if

✅ You're short on space: this is compact
✅ You want a good seal:
this is the best
✅ You want durability:
this feels sturdy

Don't buy it if:

❌ You're forgetful: this isn't a great insulator
❌ You need capacity:
this is a little small
❌ You're clumsy: this isn't a great insulator

The bottom line

🔎 Espro P3: perfect for most homes the P3 offers Espro's luxurious brewing styles in a traditional design. It's not the best insulator, but it's great value.

Espro's P3 tops a lot of French press buying guides. It's priced to suit those who need an 'everyday' kind of appliance: it's inexpensive, but still effective.

Personally, I think the aesthetic errs on the functional side of the French press market. There's no curved edges like the Fellow Clara, no colors like Le Creuset, and lacks the sleek, stainless steel finish of Espro's other P7. However, it's still a classic carafe style, which has more general appeal. Even better, you'll have the satisfaction of watching your grounds brew and separate, as well as the privilege of watching the plunge.

It's worth noting that a transparent carafe like this is a poor insulator. When we left this for 30 minutes and came back to it, our coffee was well on the way to tepid. Chatty morning coffee drinkers might be a little disappointed with that.

The P3 comes with 32 oz capacity, but it's best used for single-servings (or 24 oz brews). When we tested it, we felt we got the smoothest, most velvety results when it wasn't at maximum capacity. The filtration is great and seal is so tight that we could tilt the coffee at quite some angles before some poured out. Whilst this might get frustrating when you're getting the last drops of coffee our of your French press, it means you'll get a grit-free brew. Lots of reviewers even compare it to pour-over coffee makers.

Everything is dishwasher safe and easy to clean by hand. Obviously, the tight seal requires a bit of strength to remove, but it's not too difficult. When you're weighing this up against the Espro P7, it's just worth noting that this feels a little cheaper. 

The best stainless steel French press

6. Frieling Double Wall French Press

A durable, stainless-steel design

Specifications

Material: Stainless steel
Capacity: 17, 23, 36, 44
Finish: Mirror or brushed
Dishwasher safe: Yes

Reasons to buy

+
Good insulation
+
Makes good coffee
+
Simple design
+
Feels durable

Reasons to avoid

-
Expensive
-
Some sediment issues
-
High maintenance exterior
Buy it if

✅ You're a slow sipper: this keeps your coffee warm
✅ You want subtle style:
this is nice, but not notable
✅ You want quality:
this feels premium

Don't buy it if:

❌ You're not a keen cleaner: the exterior marks easily
❌ You're on a budget:
this is expensive
❌ You like watching your coffee brew: this is opaque

The bottom line

🔎 Frieling French Press: this boasts both form and function, making a delicious brew. It's just expensive and a little high maintenance.

When it comes to French press style, simplicity is often best. The polished, stainless steel Frieling embodies that 'understated' look which our team love. It comes in four sizes (17, 23, 36, and 44 ounces), so will suit a range of different households.

Just because it isn't flashy, doesn't mean it can't deliver impressive coffee. According to expert reviewers, this makes a delicious, bold brew. In fact, we found lots of people who said that this was the most flavorful French press coffee they've ever made. Its biggest issue is the sediment. The first cup is great, but as you get to the dregs, you might notice some graininess.

If you're a slow sipper of your coffee, you'll be pleased to know that this is double insulated. That means that you can leave this on the countertop for half an hour and still enjoy a warm cup of coffee. The Espro P7 is a better insulator overall and, for the price, this could be better, but it's still a preferable option to the Bodum (insulation-wise at least).

When you're finished caffeinating, this is dishwasher safe. The plunger can even go in the dishwasher still assembled, which is music to most people'e ears. It's also really durable, so if you drop it, you won't risk shattering it either. 

The easiest French press to clean

7. Brim 8 Cup French Press

A French Press that is actually easy to clean

Specifications

Size: 34 oz.
Material: Stainless steel and borosilicate glass
Filter: Single Filter
Dishwasher Safe: Yes
RRP: $29.95

Reasons to buy

+
Borosilicate glass is stronger than typical glass
+
Spare filter included
+
Easy cleaning
+
Compact and easy to store

Reasons to avoid

-
Reviewers claim handle is flimsy
-
Doesn’t keep coffee as hot as stainless steel alternatives
Buy it if

✅ You're short on space: this is compact
✅ You hate cleaning:
this is effortless to clean
✅ You're clumsy:
this has stronger than average glass

Don't buy it if:

❌ You're a slow sipper: this isn't a great insulator
❌ You want a tactile handle:
this isn't very comfy
❌ You're on a budget: this is reasonably priced

The bottom line

🔎 Brim 8 Cup French Press: this is a reliable, simple French press. It feels a little cheap, but it's a brilliant basic.

One of our experts, Courtney, loves this Brim French press. It’s a well-designed kitchen gadget that produces a solid cup of coffee, quickly. It blends the modern, stainless steel style with more European, glass carafes, meeting in a chic hybrid, which is surprisingly attractive.

The Brim's hybrid design boasts all the benefits of glass: you can see the levels of coffee and water from outside. However, as opposed to fragile standard glass, the borosilicate glass is less likely to break or to crack with sudden temperature changes. The extra filter is a nice touch, too, as regardless of use, any filter can get icky as time goes on. 

On our tests, this made delicious French press coffee. It was smooth, bold, and acidic. If you don't normally drink French press, you'll enjoy that this makes one of the least acidic cups of French press on test. Even better, if you enjoy cold brew, this makes a super smooth and rich concentrate that you and the family can enjoy. 

Most French presses say they’re 'dishwasher safe' when referring to the carafe. This model is completely dishwasher safe, though. Including the filter lid and plunger. Testers claim the Brim 8 Cup French Press is by far the easiest to clean, a time saver for sure.  

For all that we love about the Brim, the handle isn't the most comfortable to hold. It also feels generally a little cheap, especially because it's not a great insulator. However, if you drink your coffee quickly and don't mind compromising on experience to achieve delicious coffee as an end-result, you'll like this.

The best portable French press

8. Stanley Stay Hot French Press

A very durable French press that's great for the outdoors

Specifications

Size: 48 oz.
Material: Stainless Steel
Filter: Single Filter
Dishwasher Safe: Yes
RRP: $70

Reasons to buy

+
Double-wall insulation keeps beverages hot up to 4 hours
+
Lifetime warranty
+
Unbelievably durable

Reasons to avoid

-
Coffee grounds make their way into coffee 
Buy it if

✅ You travel a lot: this is ultra portable
✅ You want a cup for life:
this has lifetime warranty
✅ You have a long commute:
this keeps coffee warm for up to 4 hours

Don't buy it if:

❌ You don't like graininess: this isn't the smoothest
❌ You're on a budget:
this is relatively expensive
❌ You need a light bag: this is quite heavy

The bottom line

🔎 Stanley Stay Hot French Press: this extremely durable French press comes with incredible insulation and a lifetime guarantee. It doesn't make the smoothest cup of coffee though: it's a little grainy.

You'll either know Stanley for their camping equipment or their iconic 30 oz drinks cup. Since the cup became one of the hottest hydration commodities, Stanley's very boxy aesthetic is more functional-fashion than a French press faux pas. So when they called it the 'Stay Hot', they were talking about more than just coffee. 

The Stanley uses an incredibly durable design, which won't break and can keep your coffee hot for up to four hours. They offer lifetime warranty, so you know Stanley stands behind this French press as one to live with. It's all about quality. One of our experts, Courtney, said "I’m convinced if I ran this French press through my washer and dryer, it would survive. I didn’t test this theory, but I’m certain it’s true".

The only compromise you'll need to make is that this just uses one filter, which means that your coffee could taste a little grainy. Your first cup will be delicious, but as you drink down the carafe, the results will become far from perfect. However, the flavors of a good French press are there. If you aren't pouring out the dregs from your French press, you'll dodge the graininess, but this is quite wasteful.

You can find out more in our full Stanley Stay Hot French press review

The best budget French press

9. Bodum Brazil French Press

Surprisingly durable for the price

Specifications

Size: 34 oz.
Material: Stainless steel, borosilicate glass
Filter: Double Filter
Dishwasher Safe: Yes
RRP: $34.97

Reasons to buy

+
Excellent filter
+
Inexpensive without compromise
+
Filters well

Reasons to avoid

-
Awkward lid
-
Small cup measurement
Buy it if

✅ This is your first French press: it's easy to use
✅ You're on a budget:
this is reasonably priced
✅ You want easy cleaning:
it's dishwasher safe

Don't buy it if:

❌ You sip your coffee slowly: this is a poor insulator
❌ You like big cups of coffee:
this considers a cup to be 4.5 oz
❌ You're clumsy: the carafe is glass

The bottom line

🔎 Bodum Brazil: for $30 you can't go wrong. This is reasonably well-built and, most importantly, makes delicious, grain-free coffee. The lid is a little awkward though.

Bodum's reputation for well-designed, reasonably-priced French presses perseveres in the Bodum Brazil. Even though it's just $30, this can expertly filter coffee, brewing a smooth, flavorful, delicious cup. It's not the best insulator, but with a price tag like that, it's a worthwhile compromise.

I love the Brazil's sleek design. Even though the main frame is (BPA-free) plastic, it still feels relatively premium. Sure, the glass is a little thin (clumsy coffee drinkers beware), but you rarely touch it. Bodum's tactile handle and lightweight design makes this easy to hold and pour from with just one hand.

French presses are rarely complicated to use, but this was extra-easy. The only thing I would note is that the lid has to sit on in a very particular way, so you can't have the filter raised up on the plunger. You'll get used to it, but it's certainly a Bodum Brazil quirk.

I made everything from a single cup to a whole carafe of coffee and had very little to complain about with the Brazil. My coffee tasted delicious, there were no grains, and, although I spotted some sediment at the bottom of my cup, it wasn't a huge amount. 

If you're a slow sipper, be warned. This cools quickly, because there's no insulation on the borosilicate glass. I was fine drinking this after five to fifteen minutes, but anything beyond that and your coffee will start to get cold. For $30, I'd be willing to take the Brazil's compromises and run with them. It's a steal.

You can find out more in our full Bodum Brazil French press review

How to choose the right French press for you

As coffee makers go, there aren't a great number of discrepancies between French presses. In theory, that makes your decision easier. In practice, it's a whole lot harder, because they'll all appeal. We have some discriminators which might help you though.

Size and capacity
This is a key factor to consider. If you're the only French press drinker in your home, you don't need a huge carafe. In fact, you'll make worse French press coffee in one, so choosing a small model is imperative. On the other hand, if you need to serve the whole family's coffee at once, you'll need quite some capacity.

Style
French presses can make great style statements on the countertop, so choosing one which fits the aesthetic of your coffee nook is important. Some minimalist styles look better in modern kitchens, whilst stoneware looks great in farmhouse-style interiors.

Filtration
Double and triple filtration options are great if you want a super-smooth sip-sperience with your French press, so I always look for double filtration. However, if you think insulation is more important, a single filter will be fine.

Insulation
There are two extremes in the French press world. Some will be double-walled, able to keep your coffee warm for hours and others will have fine glass carafe sides, which cool within fifteen minutes. If you drink coffee quickly, a delicate design shouldn't create any problems. If you need time between cups, you'll want a more insulated option.

How we tested these French presses

We put a lot of thought into how we test the best coffee makers, especially specialty makers like French Presses. Our team has had hands-on experience with each product, so that they can tell you, first-hand, whether it's any good and any quirks its worth knowing before making a purchase.

We consider factors like how easy they are to set up, the quality of the coffee they're able to produce, our thoughts on the user experience, the all-important cleaning process, and of course any noteworthy design features that set them apart from the competition. Once you've read what we have to say, we're confident that you'll know everything you need to in order to make an informed purchase.

Laura Honey
eCommerce Editor

Laura is our eCommerce editor. As a fully qualified barista, she's our expert in all things coffee and has tested over thirty of the best coffee makers on the market. She has also interviewed Q-Graders and world-leading experts in the coffee industry, so has an intimate knowledge of all things coffee. Before joining Homes & Gardens, she studied English at Oxford University. Whilst studying, she trained as a master perfumer and worked in the luxury fragrance industry for five years. Her collection of home fragrance is extensive and she's met and interviewed five of the world's finest perfumers (also known as 'noses'). As a result of this expansive fragrance knowledge, she always puts quality and style over quantity and fads. Laura looks for products which have been designed simply and with thoughtful finishes.  

With contributions from