If you want to make a flavorful, full-bodied cup of coffee at home, and you don’t want to spend a lot of money on gear, a French press is a great option. This brewing method is quick and consistent, and a French press doesn’t hog counter space (like a drip machine) or require a perfect pouring technique. After testing 15 presses and making more than 75 pots of coffee over the years, we think the Espro P3 is the best French press. This elegant-looking press is easy to use and relatively simple to clean. And thanks to its unique double filter, the P3 makes richer, more flavorful coffee with less residue than its competitors.
If you are seeking a French press that delivers smooth, consistent flavor, we recommend the Espro P3 French Press. All Espro models have the same bucket-shaped double filter, which is much finer than most and will keep your coffee almost as grit-free as you get with pour-over. Once you’ve plunged the press, the filter is also effective at keeping the water away from the grounds, so the water won’t pull out too many of the bitter flavors that come from over-steeping your coffee. The first cup you pour tastes as good as the last, even if you let the coffee sit in the press for up to an hour. We like the clean lines of the frame and that it’s dishwasher-safe. The P3 used to be our upgrade pick, but its price has inched downward, making it much more competitive with our former pick, the Bodum Chambord. And we think the P3 makes better-tasting coffee. Demand for French presses has been high for the past couple of years, and we’ve seen the Espro go in and out of stock. A spokesperson informed us that the company worked to increase availability in response, but if you’re having a hard time buying a P3, you may want to try another Espro model that performs similarly.
Runner-up
The press popularized by Jørgen Bodum in the ’70s produces a consistent pour for the price, and we love its classic lines.
The Bodum Chambord makes an admirably consistent and flavorful cup of coffee. Although we found coffee from the Espro P3 to be brighter and more grit-free, some might prefer the deeper flavor of the Chambord’s coffee. We also love that this model has been a classic since the 1970s. The simple glass beaker and elegant frame have a refined aesthetic, and the steel filter pushes down without any scratching or stickiness, an issue with other presses. Since all of the Chambord’s parts are dishwasher-safe, it’s simple to clean. And should anything break, the company sells replacement parts.
Budget pick
The Caffettiera has the same classic lines as the Chambord, but with plastic features. It also comes in shades like Pistachio and Strawberry.
If you want the same taste the Chambord produces for nearly half the price, we recommend the Bodum Caffettiera. It has the same filter and glass beaker as the Chambord, as well as the same lines. But this model has an all-plastic top, which brings down the price significantly. If you leave your French press out on the counter and prefer some color, the Caffettiera comes in a variety of stylish pastels.
Upgrade pick
The P6 offers the same superior filtration as the other Espro models, plus better heat retention thanks to a double-walled carafe (which comes in brushed stainless steel or matte black).
We recommend the pricier Espro P6 French Press as a top-of-the-line model. This stainless steel press contains the same ultra-fine double filters as the P3. And even though it’s expensive, there’s no danger it will shatter if you drop it. Also, its double walls will keep coffee hot for more than an hour. As is the case with all Espro models, the P6 is designed to stop extracting once you’ve pressed, so your coffee won’t turn as bitter or sour if it sits in the press for a couple of hours. We are seeing some stock issues with the P6 as of this writing; if you’re willing to pay a bit more, the Espro P7 offers all the same features but has a curved stainless steel handle instead of a plastic one.
