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No capsules, no paper filter — just pure flavor.
We updated this article in July 2022 to add more information about each featured product, based on testing done by the Good Housekeeping Institute Kitchen Appliances Lab. All of our top-rated recommendations remain the same, but we updated our OXO pick to reflect a newer model and slimmed our list from seven to six.
A French press coffee maker requires minimal room for storage, does not need an electrical source and can brew up a strong, well-rounded cup of coffee. Coffee connoisseurs love using this gentle brewing method that doesn’t scald the beans and allows for maximum flavor extraction. You can use coffee grinders, kitchen scales and thermometers for a more specific brew, but making French press coffee is pretty straightforward: Add coffee grounds to the carafe with hot water, steep for about four minutes, strain and pour.
The Good Housekeeping Institute Kitchen Appliances and Innovation Lab has spent decades testing kitchen appliances and coffee makers, including drip coffee makers, single-serve coffee machines and Nespresso machines to help you make the best cup of coffee at home. When evaluating French press coffee makers, we check for ease of use, performance, residual sediment, temperature retention and taste. Our recommendations for the best French presses reflect models we rigorously tested side-by-side in the lab.
Our guide breaks down different French press features, including materials, brew capacity and even whether replacement parts are available. We also provide the best method for achieving a great cup of coffee from your French press.
The Bodum Eileen brewed a consistently well-rounded cup of coffee. Its stylistic and modern frame acts as an insulation layer to keep your coffee warmer for longer, and it protects the carafe from breaking, a common complaint with glass French presses. It has the same bones of the well-loved and ubiquitous Bodum Chambord French press, which we also tested and recommend. The stainless steel filter is sturdy, well-fitted and pushes down with ease; it also left behind barely any sediment (the thick layer of brewed coffee beans that accumulates on the bottom of cups.) The frame is available in black, chrome, gold, copper and white.
Material: Borosilicate glass with carbon steel frame Brew capacity: 34 ounces Dishwasher safe: Yes Replacement parts available: Yes
This affordable French press makes coffee with strong bold flavors; our tasters even noticed some crema, the top layer of froth often found in well-extracted espresso. The Hamilton Beach French press features a large vessel with a generous amount of space over the maximum fill line, guaranteeing that no hot liquids will accidentally spew out while plunging. It was one of the few French presses in our tests that has clearly visible liquid measurement lines so that you don’t have to pre-measure water. Another noteworthy feature is the frother attachment for making hot cocoa that can be swapped in for the coffee filter. Take note: All parts can be washed in the dishwasher, but do not use the high-heat setting as it can damage the plastic frame and lid. Material: Borosilicate glass with plastic frame Brew capacity: 34 ounces Dishwasher safe: Hand wash recommended Replacement parts available: Yes
We held our breath knowing that most stainless steel French presses make a jarring scraping sound when plunging, but the Espro P7 doesn’t! The double micro-filter, the finest and only non-metal filter we tested, has a silicone lip that fits snugly inside the carafe. We recommend separating the two micro-filters, with a simple unlock and twist, with each cleaning to make sure all the residual oils and sediment are removed. There's generous space above the max fill line to avoid spills and double-walled insulation to keep your coffee hot. It consistently brews a smooth and delicious cup of coffee, and of all of the French presses we tested, this one made the hottest coffee.
Material: Stainless steel Brew capacity: 32 ounces Dishwasher safe: Yes Replacement parts available: Yes
If you want great-tasting coffee that stays hot while brewing, we recommend the SterlingPro French press. It boasts a double-wall stainless steel carafe and lid that kept our coffee at an impressive 167˚F after 30 minutes. Our testers noted that this maker produced coffee with a great mouthfeel. We love that this French press offers measurement lines so you know how much water you are adding to the carafe. Like many all-stainless steel French presses, the metal filter makes a scraping sound (that at times can be harsh) as it plunges inside the carafe.
Material: Stainless steel Brew capacity: 32 ounces Dishwasher safe: Yes Replacement parts available: No
Our tasters unanimously gave coffee brewed in this OXO French press two thumbs up; it was full-bodied, flavorful and smooth. This French press features a soft non-slip carafe handle that feels comfortable and sturdy. In our tests, the wide and flat plunger made it easy to push the filter down. It also features a BPA-free GroundsLifter, which helps remove the used coffee grounds from the bottom of the glass so you don't have to scoop them out with another tool or by shaking. Before brewing, be sure to align the GroundsLifter, filter and lid, to prevent coffee grounds from slipping into your coffee. Material: Borosilicate glass with stainless steel frame Brew capacity: 32 ounces Dishwasher safe: Hand wash recommended Replacement parts available: No
The single-serve Frieling French press stands only about 8 inches tall and 5.5 inches wide, but it consistently brewed a bold and flavorful cup of coffee. The double-walled, 17-ounce stainless steel carafe is sturdy enough to withstand daily brewing and cleaning, even in the dishwasher. Our experts recommend using up to 14 ounces of hot water (it should stop right before the base of the spout) to prevent hot coffee from splattering out or coffee grounds accidentally slipping into your coffee. The result is about 12 ounces of full-flavored coffee, the perfect serving for one person. During our tests, some larger coffee grinds made their way into the coffee, but they did not affect the taste.
Material: Stainless steel Brew capacity: 17 ounces Dishwasher safe: Yes Replacement parts available: Yes
While most French presses look similar, they actually differ a lot. The materials of the carafes vary, as do their insulation, handles, pour spouts, plungers and filters. That's why we put the best French presses to the test in the Good Housekeeping Institute Kitchen Appliance Lab. In our most recent test, we considered 14 highly reviewed French presses from top-selling brands, including glass, ceramic and stainless steel options at a variety of sizes.
We evaluated each French Press for ease of use and performance, first using the manufacturer's brewing instructions and then comparing each brew side-by-side with our own recipe, checking how well-rounded the coffee tastes and the amount of coffee grounds and sediment left behind. We considered how easy each coffee maker was to set up, plunge, pour and clean.
We also measured how well the carafes maintain temperature immediately after brewing and 30 minutes later, and we paid special attention to how well the filters performed and whether or not they warped after several uses. The best French presses were easy to set up, plunge and wash, and they delivered big on taste while leaving behind little to no sediment.
Before you buy a new French press coffee maker, here's what to consider:
✔️Material: French presses come in a variety of materials, including glass, plastic, ceramic and stainless steel. Glass and plastic presses are great for watching your coffee brew and tend to be more affordable, but ceramic and stainless steel generally retain heat better, keeping your coffee warmer for longer, especially if the carafe is double-walled (just expect to spend a little more!).
✔️Filter: A nested three-layer filter made of stainless steel fine mesh is an integral part of a French press. The filters should fit tightly inside the walls of the carafe to ensure coffee grounds don’t get into your coffee.
✔️Size: French presses come in a variety of sizes, from 12 ounces (which is great for a solo drinker) to 34 ounces, enough for four cups of coffee.
When making coffee with a French press, we recommend a 1:16 coffee-to-water ratio, which translates to one ounce (about four tablespoons) of coarsely ground coffee for 16 ounces (two cups) of water. We also recommend grinding your own beans on a coarse setting; coarsely ground coffee benefits from slow extraction. Finely ground coffee will taste over-extracted (likely harsh and bitter), and you'll likely wind up with a clogged filter and an extra gritty, unpleasant cup of coffee.
Clean your French press after each use. Coffee grounds and oil residue on the carafe and filter will impart bitterness into your coffee. Follow the manufacturer’s instructions for washing and make sure to disassemble the nested filter to scrub off any deposits and residual oils.
Myo Quinn is a seasoned chef, food writer and editor and product tester. She has covered all kinds of kitchen-related product reviews for GH, including single-serve coffee makers and coffee accessories.