Why we love it
Okay, the AeroPress isn't technically a French press — it's an immersion brewer that uses air pressure and paper micro-filters instead of a metal mesh. But if you're shopping for a French press, there's a very good chance you'd actually love this more. It brews a clean, grit-free, full-flavored cup in under two minutes with zero bitterness. The paper filters catch all sediment and most oils, giving you a cup that's somewhere between French press richness and pour-over clarity. It's also virtually indestructible, weighs almost nothing, and is the ultimate travel coffee maker. Cleanup takes literally ten seconds — pop out the puck, rinse, done. If you're on the fence between French press and something else, the AeroPress is the "something else" worth trying.
Pros
- Completely grit-free coffee — paper micro-filters catch everything
- Brews in under 2 minutes — fastest method on this list
- Incredibly versatile — espresso-style, cold brew, and American coffee
- Near-indestructible and ultra-portable
- Ten-second cleanup — pop the puck, rinse, done
Cons
- Single-serve only — about 10oz per brew
- Requires paper filters (included, and cheap to replace)
- Not a French press — different brewing experience and body
- Plastic body won't win design awards
