Best French Press (2025)
Bodum Chambord French Press
Best OverallBest for: Classic French press experience
The French press people picture when they think French press. Elegant, affordable, and makes great coffee.
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French press makes rich, full-bodied coffee with almost zero technique required. Ground coffee, hot water, wait, press. It’s the simplest path to excellent coffee.
The format hasn’t changed in decades because it doesn’t need to. A $20 French press makes the same quality coffee as a $40 one - the difference is materials and aesthetics.
Quick answer: The Bodum Chambord is the classic choice at $40. For a budget option that brews identically, the Bodum Brazil is half the price.
Read on for insulated options, premium picks that filter out sludge, and the simple technique for great French press coffee.
Quick Comparison
Detailed Reviews
1. Bodum Chambord French Press
Best for: Classic French press experience
The French press people picture when they think French press. Elegant, affordable, and makes great coffee.
Pros
- Classic, proven design
- Borosilicate glass carafe
- Chrome-plated steel frame
- Widely available replacement parts
Cons
- Glass can break
- No insulation
2. Espro Espro P7 Stainless Steel
Best for: Cleaner French press coffee
The premium choice that solves French press problems - sludge and temperature loss. If these bother you, the Espro is worth it.
Pros
- Double-wall insulation
- Double micro-filter
- Cleaner cup than standard
- Keeps coffee hot longer
Cons
- Premium price
- Heavier than glass
3. Bodum Brazil French Press
Best for: Budget-conscious brewers
Makes the exact same coffee as the Chambord. The plastic frame is less pretty but costs less than half.
Pros
- Very affordable
- Same brew quality as Chambord
- Lightweight plastic frame
- Great for dorms and offices
Cons
- Less elegant appearance
- Plastic may stain
4. Bodum Columbia Thermal Press
Best for: Slow sippers
Great if you take your time with coffee. Insulation keeps it hot without the premium Espro price.
Pros
- Double-wall stainless steel
- Keeps coffee hot 2+ hours
- Unbreakable
- Affordable insulation
Cons
- Can't see brew level
- Same sludge as regular
How We Chose
We brewed hundreds of cups across French press styles, evaluating:
- Brew quality: Does it produce rich, full-bodied coffee?
- Filtration: How much sludge ends up in your cup?
- Heat retention: How long does coffee stay hot?
- Durability: Will it survive daily use?
- Cleaning: How easy is maintenance?
We tested each press with the same coffee and technique for fair comparison.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I make good French press coffee?
Coarse grind (like sea salt), 1:15 coffee to water ratio, 200°F water. Add coffee, pour water, stir once, wait 4 minutes, press slowly. That's it. Don't press too hard or you'll force fines through the filter. Let the last bit of coffee stay in the press to avoid sludge.
Why is my French press coffee bitter or gritty?
Bitter means over-extraction - try a coarser grind or shorter steep. Gritty means too fine a grind or pressing too hard. French press needs a coarse, even grind. If you're using pre-ground coffee, you'll get sludge - it's ground too fine for this method.
Glass vs stainless steel French press?
Glass lets you see the brew, is cheaper, but breaks. Stainless steel is unbreakable and insulated but you can't monitor the brew. For most home users, glass is fine. For travel or rough use, go stainless.
Is French press coffee bad for you?
French press coffee contains more cafestol, a compound that can raise cholesterol. If you have cholesterol concerns, consider paper-filtered methods. For most people drinking 2-3 cups daily, it's not a significant health concern. Enjoy your coffee.
How long should French press steep?
4 minutes is the standard, but you can experiment. Lighter roasts might benefit from 4:30-5 minutes; darker roasts from 3:30-4 minutes. The James Hoffmann method (15+ minutes with no pressing) is worth trying if you want an even cleaner cup.