7 Best French Presses of 2026, Tested and Reviewed
We tested 13 top-rated glass, stainless and insulated French presses to determine which brewed the richest, smoothest pot of coffee.
Taylor Murray
Tested by Taylor Murray
Americans are decidedly coffee drinkers — we drink about 400 million cups per day in this country alone. Some of us prefer a simple, hassle-free cup of morning Joe, made using something convenient like an automatic drip machine or a Nespresso device But, for those who enjoy a more sensory coffee experience, a French press offers a quick way to craft a rich, aromatic cup of coffee that's brimming with flavor. Not only can these devices make great coffee, but they can also be used to steep a hot pot of tea.
No matter which way you prefer to make your daily cup of coffee, you may find a need for a French press. Not only do these devices produce a superior sip, but they are often attractive enough to adorn a brunch table or make breakfast in bed that much more special. The grounds spend more time steeping in water in a French press, so more of the natural oils can infuse into the final drink. While the base method of extraction doesn't vary much, there are so many ways that the various models on the market distinguish themselves. From insulation to filtration to choices in color, we tested 13 of the top French presses on the market to find out which were the best.
Our Top French Press Picks
Taylor Murray
How to Use a French Press
There are so many ways to brew a cup of coffee, but the French press remains one of the most popular. However, the beautiful piece of equipment can be intimidating for first-time users. Find out how to use this popular device.
How We Tested
To find the best French presses on the market, we started by thoroughly researching models available from top online retailers such as Amazon, Williams Sonoma, Target and more. We read real customers' reviews and chose 13 top-rated models for our at-home testing.
To test the presses, we first made a full pot of coffee in each following the product's instructions. After the recommended steep time, we gave each brew a taste. We took note of the aroma and flavor and considered if it was smooth and rich or thin and watery. We also checked to see if any pesky grounds or sediment ended up in our cup. When operating the plunger, we looked for things like squeaking or scraping and touched the handle and exterior of the pot to see how hot it was.
Taylor Murray
Taylor Murray
Taylor Murray
We then let each pot of coffee hang out for a full hour, recording the temperature at 30-minute intervals to see how the carafe could keep the coffee warm. While we waited, we took final notes on our opinion of the overall design, aesthetic and durability of the press.
Finally, we emptied each carafe and gave them a wash, considering how easy (or hard) it was to remove the grounds and if the specific model had any features to make this easier.
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- Excellent heat retention
- Easy to clean
- Durable construction
- More expensive than some
- No color options
While most of the French presses on the market excel in one area but come up short in another, the Hydro Flask French Press is a great choice in all areas. It's pricier than some, but nowhere near the top end of the market for what you get. With a smooth, nonslip bottom and brushed chrome insulated sides, the Hydro Flask French Press strikes the right balance between form and function. It's not prone to breaking, chipping or denting, and we particularly enjoyed the extra wide and flat top of the plunger, which separates coffee and grounds with ease. The lid is splash-proof and spill-resistant, so you can take this plunger wherever you prefer to wake up with your morning cup. It can make 4fourcups of coffee at a time, which will stay above 160°F for at least an hour.
The flavor and aroma of the coffee we made in the Hydro Flask were better than most. The filter perfectly removed grounds and excess sediment while still allowing enough of the body of the coffee to pass through to create a rich, tasty cup. Cleaning the filter is a simple task after simply untwisting it from the plunger rod and we found that no coffee residue or oils clung to the high-quality 18/8 steel interior.
- Material 18/8 stainless steel
- Capacity 32 ounces
- Insulated? Yes, double-walled
- Dishwasher-Safe? Yes
Taylor Murray
Taylor Murray
Taylor Murray
- Classic design
- Superior coffee
- Affordable
- Low heat retention
If you're looking for a standard French press with no frills, the Bodum 34-Ounce Chambord French Press is most likely the model you have in mind. The Danish company has been making French presses since the 1970s and produces one of the most iconic models on the market. While newer brands have bells and whistles to set their versions apart, the Bodum Chambord is simple and straightforward. The filtration system produces a perfect cup of French press coffee and the clear glass carafe lets you see the coffee from the outside.
While the glass offers more heat retention than you might think, it's still not quite as good as some of the double-walled versions. If you want to make a pot, make just enough to have right then and make a fresh one for subsequent sips.
- Material Borosilicate glass with a stainless steel and plastic housing
- Capacity 34 ounces
- Insulated? No
- Dishwasher-Safe? Yes
Taylor Murray
Taylor Murray
Taylor Murray
- Long heat retention
- Superior filtration
- Hefty and durable
- Expensive
- Less rich coffee
There's not a lot to find fault with in the Espro P7 (though it will set you back a pretty penny). This stainless-steel French press traps and holds heat longer than most, if not all, other French presses, guaranteeing fresh, flavorful coffee even after an hour or more. It has a patented double filter that is shaped like a basket and ringed with silicone, which virtually eliminates the chance of any grounds or sediment working its way through. While some French presses recommend you decant the coffee immediately if you're not going to pour it into a mug so the coffee doesn't over-extract, the Espro P7 keeps the grounds so separated that this isn't necessary. Even so, the filter is still easy to clean and is designed with a simple locking mechanism to detach them for rinsing.
The Espro P7 is made from the best-quality steel that doesn't hold on to odors or residue. It's hefty, solid and unlikely to break even after years of use. The only downside we could find is that the ultra-fine filter removes some of the body in the flavor of the finished coffee, making it taste more akin to drip coffee than French press.
- Material Stainless steel
- Capacity 32 ounces
- Insulated? Yes, double-walled
- Dishwasher-Safe? Yes; hand-washing recommended
Taylor Murray
Taylor Murray
Taylor Murray
- Affordable
- Simple design
- Great tasting coffee
- Not insulated
- Tricky to clean
While we love the Chambord model from Bodum, the Brazil model offers many of the same great features but for less than $20. The carafe is still made of heat-resistant borosilicate glass and has the same well-designed filter, but this model has plastic accents on the exterior instead of an attractive chrome housing. For a budget pick, this is a great option that's easy on the wallet but doesn't compromise on coffee quality.
The glass body is prone to breaking and doesn't offer much to help keep your coffee hot, but it doesn’t hold on to flavors or stains. Some of the plastic parts did hold on to coffee residue and required a bit of manual scrubbing, but nothing too time-consuming.
- Material Borosilicate glass and plastic
- Capacity 34 ounces
- Insulated? No
- Dishwasher-Safe? Yes
Taylor Murray
Taylor Murray
Taylor Murray
- Long heat retention
- Superior filtration
- Durable
- Expensive
- Heavier than others
While the Frieling French Press is quite a bit more expensive than other models on the market, it offers the best of all worlds in terms of aesthetic design and top-notch performance. The double-walled carafe keeps coffee hot far longer than glass or plastic presses. It holds four eight-ounce cups of coffee and looks great doing it. The polished chrome exterior has a sleek look that you'd be proud to serve to guests and provides a long-lasting durability you won't find in all French presses. It comes in three other sizes (17-, 23- and 44-ounce) plus two finishes.
We particularly liked the two-stage filter, which kept out sediment and grounds to produce a smooth and rich cup that was full-bodied in flavor. The filter is simple to take apart, though we didn't need to during cleaning to get all the grounds out. Keep in mind that this press is a touch heavier than other presses due to its construction, but not enough to make it truly cumbersome.
- Material Stainless steel
- Capacity 36 ounces
- Insulated? Yes, double-walled
- Dishwasher-Safe? Yes
Taylor Murray
Taylor Murray
Taylor Murray
- Huge capacity
- Durable construction
- Extra-long heat retention
- Prone to leaking
Coupled with the rugged durability that Stanley is known for, the Stay-Hot French Press provides a whopping 48-ounce capacity. That will provide six piping-hot cups of coffee, making it a great addition to all kinds of situations from the family camping trip to a remote job site. Stanley as a brand is known for crafting well-insulated drinking containers and the Stay-Hot is no different. True to its name, this French press has top-tier heat retention, staying at 167°F even after a full hour.
This press comes in a variety of colors, from the signature Stanley army green to a chic matte black. We appreciated the tougher-than-average construction, which can withstand drops without damage. We did notice that the carafe was prone to a bit of dripping from the spout and a few coffee grounds snuck out of the sides of the plunger and into our coffee, but not so much that it made it undrinkable.
- Material 18/8 stainless steel
- Capacity 48 ounces
- Insulated? Yes, double-walled
- Dishwasher-Safe? Yes
Taylor Murray
Taylor Murray
Taylor Murray
- Aesthetic
- Array of color options available
- Dishwasher-, microwave-, oven- and freezer-safe
- Can leak grounds
Fans of Le Creuset's products already know that the brand's signature colors can be reason enough for some to choose this press. From bright cherry red to a deep forest green, the stoneware carafe comes in 13 options (with more seasonal offerings) and is a gorgeous option that could be the star of your next brunch table. If aesthetics and design are a top consideration for you, we could easily see this press doubling as a piece of kitchen decor when not in use.
Visual aspects aside, the thick stoneware construction is durable and strong. While this material isn't prone to easily shattering, it does need to be warmed up before making coffee or it will rapidly bring down the initial temperature. Still, the carafe does come with a decent stainless-steel filter that can produce a tasty and rich cup of coffee. The angled spout might provide a leak point for grounds to escape beyond the mesh filter if the carafe is overfilled even slightly, so take care when brewing a pot.
- Material Stoneware
- Capacity 34 ounces
- Insulated? No
- Dishwasher-Safe? Yes
Taylor Murray
Taylor Murray
Taylor Murray
What to Look for When Buying a French Press
- Material: Hardcore coffee enthusiasts know that material can greatly affect the resulting flavor of coffee. It's for this reason that you won't find many French presses that aren't made of either glass, stainless steel or stoneware. Usually made from borosilicate glass, this is a classic choice that imparts no flavor and is resistant to heat. This is why you'll see Chemex pour-over coffeemakers and other types of coffee accessories made from this material. It's lightweight and easy to clean but prone to shattering if not handled with extreme care. It also doesn't offer much in the way of insulation. Another common material for French presses is stainless steel. This material is durable and easy to clean, as the natural oils in coffee can't stick to the surface. Stainless steel French presses can be crafted with double-walled insulation, which can double the rate of heat retention in some cases. It is heavier than glass and can be more pricey as well.
- Size/Capacity: Almost all the French presses we tested were around 32 to 34 ounces, though they come in a wide range of sizes. We've seen presses on the market hold anywhere from eight ounces all the way up to 51. A 32-ounce model translates to four eight-ounce cups of coffee, which is enough to serve two to four people. Consider how many cups you usually serve and make your calculations from there. Keep in mind that French presses have no built-in heating mechanism like an automatic drip coffee machine, so it's better to brew a fresh pot than to have the coffee sit and get cold for longer than an hour or so.
- Ease of Use: Look for features that help with ease of use, such as a comfortable handle, a spout that pours without spilling and a plunger that moves smoothly without scraping. The design should be straightforward, allowing for easy assembly and disassembly. Some presses include measurement markers to help with consistent brewing.
- Care and Maintenance: Dishwasher-safe tools are always a plus. One of the challenges with any French press is removing the grounds, which can't be washed down the garbage disposal. More durable presses, like those that are made of stainless steel, can withstand a few hard raps on the side of the trash can to dislodge the grounds. Look for plunger and filter components that can be disassembled and replaced, as well.
Taylor Murray
Frequently Asked Questions
How do you brew coffee in a French press?
Brewing coffee in a French press is no more difficult than steeping a pot of tea. Source some coarsely ground coffee or grind your own. Add the grounds to the press and pour hot water over the grounds. The water should be right around 200°F for perfect extraction. Give the mixture a quick stir to hydrate the coffee, then place the lid with the plunger on and pulled up. Let steep for about four minutes, then slowly press the plunger down to separate the grounds from the coffee. Last, just pour a cup and enjoy!
What type of coffee is best for a French press?
A French press is designed to be used with coarsely ground coffee beans. If you grind your beans using the grinder at the grocery store, there should be a special setting for French press specifically. Medium to dark roasts are particularly great in this method, which can help bring out bolder, richer flavors. Some coffee beans are specifically labeled for use with a French press, which can give you superior results.
How long do you steep French press coffee?
The typical steep time for French press coffee is about four minutes. This gives the coffee enough time to steep in the water without risking over-extraction. If you prefer a richer or stronger coffee, you can lengthen the steep time slightly.
Is French press coffee better than regular drip coffee?
It can be, depending on your preferences. If you are used to drip coffee, French press coffee might taste much deeper and fuller compared to what you're used to. That's due to the ultra-fine filter used for drip coffee, and the fact that the grounds stay in contact with the water longer in a French press. If you like enjoying the complexly subtle notes in various coffee roasts and origins, a French press could be a great way to help coax those flavors out.
Why You Should Trust Our Tester
Taylor Murray is a graduate of Johnson and Wales University with a degree in Culinary Nutrition. She worked as a professional chef for over 10 years before moving into recipe and product testing and development. She has tested several hundred products for Food Network and other brands over the last six years, covering everything from carbon steel pans to food dehydrators.
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Food Network Shopping Experts believe the best method for testing products is based on how our fans are going to use them in the real world. In each of our Tested and Reviewed stories, products are tested in real home kitchens that reflect real-world use cases. Our testers follow rigorous testing rubrics designed by our expert editors and take copious notes during the testing process. When choosing the best products, our testers evaluate all of the testing data and take into consideration many factors including ease of use, price, product availability and practicality. The products covered on FoodNetwork.com are chosen completely independently by our editors without any outside influence. Our editors do not accept products in exchange for a positive review or promised coverage.
