The best cafetieres to make fuss-free French press coffee at home

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The cafetiere, or French press as it's known to some, is a classic coffee making technique loved by everyone from casual coffee drinkers to serious aficionados.

This is because they're affordable and easy to use.

Indeed, the best coffee doesn't always come from a coffee machine, bean-to-cup machine or pod machine. With the right coffee beans, you can craft a beautifully rich and full cup using a good cafetiere.

Cafetieres work using an immersion brewing method. Semi-coarse coffee grounds steep directly in hot water inside a jog for around four minutes to extract the best flavour possible from the beans.

A plunger with a fine mesh filter is then slowly pushed down, separating the grounds from the liquid to produce a long, well-rounded black coffee.

A selection of Danielle's tried and tested favourites

If you're a dedicated cafetiere fan, even the greatest machines from the likes of Ninja and De'Longhi won't sway you from this traditional brewing method.

If you prefer a smoother, longer black coffee, a french press is a quick and easy way to get a quality caffeine fix.

I've tested dozens so you don't have to; these are the ones that actually made the cut.

• Best cafetiere: Quick list
• Best budget cafetiere: TrueStart cafetiere
• Best value stainless steel cafetiere: Grind french press
• Best large cafetiere: Stellar cafetiere
• Best cafetiere alternative: Aeropress
• Clear XL Prestige pick: Graef cafetiere
• Best all in one cafetiere: Peugeot Paris Press

How we test

Whether it's a fully integrated bean to cup model or a simple press, the most important thing when testing coffee machines is does the product produce a good quality brew.

For cafetieres, this involves using the same beans as always from our favourite - Curve Coffee roasters. We then make several cups of coffee using each cafetiere, assessing how easy it is to use and how well the filter strains the coffee.

If you’re paying a lot of money for a cafetiere, it’s important that is has a good tight seal around the press for the best extraction, which is why I carefully assess each one and compare it to others in a similar price range.

If you value good heat retention, we’ve got you covered there too. A double wall is going to do this best, but I also assess how well single walled models retain heat, as these are often cheaper. Finally I look at the overall designed quality, as well as what, if any, accessories come with the cafetiere to assess value for money.

The best cafetières to buy right now

1. Best budget cafetiere: TrueStart cafetiere

This is a no frills value cafetiere that is guaranteed to brighten up your day. It's simple to use, has a huge 1L capacity and is easy to clean.

The main colourful exterior is made from a combination of plastic and stainless steel but the jug is fully glass and the top and plunger are stainless steel.

When testing this it didn't blow we away with any fancy features but it works well enough, doesn't feel cheap and keep coffee hot enough to enjoy a couple of cups. The filter could have been a little tighter to edge but it's fine enough to produce a smooth cup.

You can get this model in either bright yellow or blue and it comes on its own or as part of a set with two bags of ground coffee.

2. Best value stainless steel: Grind french press

Grind are well known for its coffee so it makes sense that the brand would also have its own brand of cafetiere. This 680ml french press is the ideal size for two people (or more if you prefer a smaller cup).

It has a really lovely classic, double wall stainless steel design and stylish pouring spout. The polished exterior is both a blessing and a curse - it looks good but picks up fingerprints almost immediately.

I enjoyed using this one in my tests; the filter has a nice tight fit, so you know you're getting a good press and it retains heat really well. Taking build quality and price into account, this is a great value buy.

3. Best large stainless steel: Stellar cafetiere

The problem with a lot of cafetieres is that they are a bit too small for households that drink a lot of coffee. That certainly isn't the case here.

Although it comes in three different sizes, the largest of Stellar's stainless steel cafetieres has a whopping 1.4L capacity - more than enough for up to six people who enjoy a decent sized cup.

Like the Grind model above, Stellar's cafetiere is made from stainless steel but comes in a matte finish rather than polished. This makes those pesky fingerprints slightly less obvious but it doesn't completely hide them.

This one has a nice sturdy filter and although the mesh isn't quite as fine as in some of the others, it's still good enough for a super-smooth cup on larger filter grind.

4. Best cafetiere alternative: Aeropress Clear XL

If you're already in the cafetiere fan club but fancy trying something a little bit different, an Aeropress could be your new favourite coffee making toy.

Aeropress works a little differently from a traditional french press in that it combining three brewing methods - immersion, fast pressure, and then micro filtration. Coffee grounds are steeped in hot water for a short period, then a plunger pushes the liquid through a paper filter using air pressure. It can feel a bit scary to use at first but many people claim it gives an even smoother, brighter cup on coffee.

In my testing I did prefer the taste of the Aeropress compared to filter coffee, though I'm aware this is a personal preference - so what's right for me might not be right for use. The aeropress is also fun to use but you do need to exert quite a bit of force to use it, so it might not be suitable for everyone.

It's more expensive than a lot of cafetieres but it's a lot easier to clean and makes a mean cup.

5. Prestige pick: Graef cafetiere

If you're looking for a coffee related gift for yourself or a loved one that really wows, this gorgeous looking cafetiere from Graef is a great choice. It’s made with glass, black plastic and wood, and comes in a set with additional steel filters and a spoon – all in a lovely presentation box.

In my tests I found the filter worked really well; it has a nice tight fit around the jug and the mesh is super fine to allow for the smoothest cup possible.

It’s also easy to clean and I always value a french press that allows you to see what’s going on inside. There is also a removable silicone base which helps to keep your jug firmly in place – something I haven’t seen on other cafetieres I’ve reviewed.

This one might be a little more style over substance given its high price tag but it is a genuinely good cafetiere that also happens to make a great gift.

6. Best all in one: Peugeot Paris Press

A truly unique offering from Peugeot here (yes, really). This french press also happens to double as a manual hand grinder, so you can pop fresh beans straight into the top without having to spend out on a separate product.

The main body is made from plastic and stainless steel and while it’s not the most robust model I’ve tested it certainly looks and feels the part. In my tests I found it mostly easy to use. The hand grinder does take a bit of work but once you’re in the swing of things, it’s not too bad.

I loved being able to grind fresh beans straight into the cafetiere

The capacity is on the smaller side as well but I think this would be the ideal fit for a solo coffee drink who prefers the freshest beans possible at all times. Bring it to work, use it at home; it’s really lightweight and versatile.

Verdict

For me, Grind's double wall stainless steel offering is a great allrounder. It ticks a lot of the right boxes - stylish, double walled and affordable. It's not the biggest jug but enough for two large coffees or four small ones.

If you're on a budget, then TrueStart's colourful cafetieres are the smart option. For under £20 you get a huge 1L jug and a choice of two colours - yellow or blue.

My three favourites - Peugeot, Grind and TrueStart

Those looking for a gift-worthy cafetiere should consider Peugeot’s combination hand grinder and french press. It’s the ideal gift for a coffee lover who doesn’t already own their own grinder but wants to use the freshest beans.

Why trust us

Danielle has been testing kitchen appliances, including coffee machines and coffee accessories for 7 years.

She’s an experienced product reviewer and has tested hundreds of products. Her reviews are unbiased, impartial and offer a full picture of what a product is really like.

FAQs

How do I choose the right cafetiere?

'Go for something sturdy, easy to clean, and properly filtered. A good cafetière should keep heat well and extract cleanly without leaving gritty bits in your cup.'

Key features to look for:

'The filter is the big one. A tight, well-made mesh makes a noticeable difference. Stainless steel models hold heat better and are more durable while glass lets you see the brew but is more fragile. Choose a size based on how many cups you actually make.'

How different designs affect flavour and extraction:

'Thicker walls and better heat retention help extract fuller flavour. Cheaper presses cool quickly which can leave coffee tasting thin or sour. A well-fitting plunger also stops over-extraction giving you a smoother cup.'

What are the common mistakes people make when using a french press?

'Using too fine a grind; leaving the coffee brewing for too long; pouring before the grounds settle. Over-stirring also agitates the coffee and creates sludge.'

Your top tips for making the best cup at home with minimal kit:

'Use freshly ground coffee; coarse grind; water just off boil. Brew for around 4 minutes; then gently press plunger. Let sit 30 seconds before pouring to keep sediment bottom.'