Best French Presses

Disclosure: TheCoffeeGearReport is reader-supported. As an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases. If you buy through our links we may earn a commission at no extra cost to you.

The short answer

The best French press for most people is the Espro P7: its double micro-filter leaves far less grit and sludge in the cup than a standard mesh plunger, and the vacuum-insulated stainless body keeps coffee hot long after brewing. If you want the classic glass press at a fair price, the Bodum Chambord is still the benchmark. On a tight budget, the Bodum Brazil makes the same style of coffee for less, and the Fellow Clara is the best-designed insulated press for one or two people.

We compared specs, owner reviews and published reviews from coffee and kitchen outlets. French presses are simple, so the differences come down to three things: how well the filter keeps fines out of your cup, how well the body holds heat, and how easy the press is to clean.

Our picks at a glance

Pick	Model	Body	Capacity	Filter	Best for	Amazon
Best overall	Espro P7	Double-wall insulated stainless	32 oz (also 18 oz)	Two-stage micro-filter	Clean cup, heat retention	Check price
Best classic glass	Bodum Chambord 8-cup	Borosilicate glass, stainless frame	34 oz	Stainless mesh plunger	Traditional look and taste	Check price
Best budget	Bodum Brazil 8-cup	Borosilicate glass, plastic frame	34 oz	Stainless mesh plunger	First French press	Check price
Best design	Fellow Clara	Double-wall insulated stainless	24 oz	Tight-sealing mesh filter	One to two people	Check price
Best for big batches	Frieling double-walled	18/10 stainless, double-wall	36 oz	Two-stage filter	Families, durability	Check price

1. Espro P7 — Best overall

The P7 is the press that most often wins “cleanest cup” comparisons. Instead of a single mesh screen, Espro uses a two-stage filter: two fine filter baskets with a gasket that seals against the walls of the press. That design keeps far more of the silty fines out of the cup, and because the grounds are trapped below the filter, extraction slows down once you plunge, so the last cup is less bitter than with a typical press.

The body is double-walled, vacuum-insulated stainless steel, so it doubles as a serving carafe. It comes in an 18 oz size for one or two mugs and a 32 oz size for a household.

Who it’s for: anyone who likes the body of French press coffee but not the sludge at the bottom of the mug.

Good to know: the filter gasket makes plunging stiffer than on a cheap press, and the two-piece filter takes a little longer to rinse. Espro also sells paper filters that fit the basket if you want an even cleaner cup.

Check the Espro P7 on Amazon →

2. Bodum Chambord — Best classic glass press

The Chambord is the press most people picture: a borosilicate glass beaker in a polished stainless steel frame, with a stainless mesh plunger. The 8-cup size holds 34 oz, which is about three to four regular mugs. Glass is neutral-tasting, easy to see through (you can watch the bloom and judge the steep), and the beaker is replaceable if it breaks.

Who it’s for: traditionalists who want a reliable, good-looking press that has barely changed in decades.

Good to know: glass loses heat quickly, so decant the coffee once it has finished steeping. A single mesh screen lets more fines through than the Espro, so grind coarse and leave the last half-inch in the press.

Check the Bodum Chambord on Amazon →

3. Bodum Brazil — Best budget

The Brazil uses the same borosilicate glass and stainless mesh plunger approach as the Chambord, with a plastic frame and lid instead of steel. That lowers the price without changing the coffee in a meaningful way. The 8-cup version also holds 34 oz.

Who it’s for: first-time French press buyers, dorms, offices and vacation homes.

Good to know: the plastic frame is less durable over years of daily use, and like any glass press it needs careful handling around the sink.

Check the Bodum Brazil on Amazon →

4. Fellow Clara — Best design

The Clara is Fellow’s take on a modern press: a double-wall insulated stainless body, a 24 oz capacity, a filter designed to seal tightly against the walls, and a stirring paddle in the box. Owners like the clean lines and how well it holds heat on the counter.

Who it’s for: one or two coffee drinkers who want an insulated press that looks good on the counter.

Good to know: 24 oz is smaller than the 32–36 oz presses here, so it is not ideal if you regularly brew for three or more.

Check the Fellow Clara on Amazon →

5. Frieling Double-Walled Stainless — Best for big batches

Frieling’s press is made of 18/10 stainless steel with a double wall that keeps coffee hot, and a two-stage filter that does a better job than a single screen. At 36 oz it is the largest press on this list, and an all-steel build means there is no glass to break.

Who it’s for: families, camping trips, and anyone who has broken a glass press before.

Good to know: you cannot see the coffee inside, so use a timer, and the steel body is heavier than glass when full.

Check the Frieling French Press on Amazon →

How to brew better French press coffee

• Grind coarse and even. A burr grinder set to coarse, close to sea salt, gives far less sludge than pre-ground coffee or a blade grinder.
• Use a ratio around 1:15. About 60 g of coffee to 900 g (roughly 32 oz) of water is a good starting point; adjust to taste.
• Water just off the boil. Let a kettle sit for 30 seconds or so after boiling.
• Steep about four minutes, then break the crust, skim the foam, and plunge slowly.
• Decant right away. Coffee left on the grounds keeps extracting and turns bitter, unless your press has a filter that isolates the grounds.

Some brewers prefer a longer, gentler method: steep four minutes, stir, wait another five to eight minutes so fines settle, then press only to the top of the liquid. It takes longer but produces a noticeably cleaner cup.

Buying checklist

• Capacity: “cups” on French presses are 4 oz units. An 8-cup press holds about 34 oz, or three to four mugs.
• Glass vs stainless: glass lets you see the brew and tastes neutral; double-wall stainless holds heat and survives drops.
• Filter quality: a tight seal against the wall and a finer or double screen mean less grit.
• Cleaning: check whether the plunger disassembles and whether parts are dishwasher safe.
• Spare parts: replacement beakers and screens for Bodum and Espro are widely available.

FAQ

What is the best French press for no sediment?

A press with a double or micro filter, such as the Espro P7, leaves much less sediment than a single mesh screen. A coarse, even grind from a burr grinder matters just as much.

Is a stainless steel French press better than glass?

Not for taste, but double-wall stainless keeps coffee hot much longer and will not shatter. Glass is cheaper, neutral and lets you watch the brew.

How much coffee do I use in a French press?

Start with a 1:15 ratio by weight, about 60 g of coffee for 900 g of water in a 32–34 oz press, and adjust to taste.

How long should French press coffee steep?

About four minutes is the standard. Steeping longer with a gentle press and settling time can give a cleaner cup without bitterness if you do not stir after plunging.

Can I use pre-ground coffee in a French press?

You can, but most pre-ground coffee is ground for drip machines and is too fine, which makes it muddy and harder to plunge. Coarse-ground or freshly ground beans work much better.