Welcome to the heads-up battle of the top manual brewers. The AeroPress vs the French press and how they compare so you can choose the best one for you.
Which one is best? Sorry to spoil it but: It depends. But don’t click off yet, check out our review about which is best for your specific taste that is best for YOU!
This article discusses a brief overview of both coffee makers as well as the pros and cons of each.
You will find links in the article that take a deeper dive into each manual coffee maker.
Which is Better?
AeroPress is better if you’re traveling and want a better tasting coffee. The French Press is a better choice if you’re serving more than 2 and want a full bodied brew.
French Press Basics
A French press consists of a carafe and a mesh filter attached to a plunger. The plunger is pressed through a lid.
French presses typically have a cover for the carafe and handle as to not burn you or damage the surface it’s on.
There are several variations of the French press. Some are insulated, have more different filter types, which all have an effect on the end product.
The French press is very easy to use but takes a few tries to master if you’re new.
Add coffee grounds and hot water to the carafe. Let it steep for 3 to 5 minutes, press the plunger and viola!
The filter attached to the plunger separates the coffee grinds from the coffee and you get a delicious, full-bodied and robust coffee.
It has a more oily mouthfeel than a typical drip coffee maker but not as much as espresso.
How to Use a French Press
AeroPress Intro
The AeroPress isn’t as sexy looking on the counter top as a French Press. However, where it loses in looks it makes up for in durability.
The AeroPress is a small plastic cylinder with a wide plunger with a rubber seal at the bottom.
A paper filter prevents sediments from entering the coffee.
Like the French press, coffee grounds are added to the cylinder and then hot water. After steeping for 3 to 5 minutes the plunger can be pushed so that the coffee is forced through the water and turned into coffee using an immersion method of brewing.
If you want to be fancy, you can use what AeroPress enthusiasts call the “inverted” method.
You still pour in your water and beans and let them brew, but you do it with the device turned upside down and then flip it upright.
By using a paper filter the natural coffee oils are removed that are more prominent in a French press. Depending on your preference this could be more desirable.
Cleanup is also very easy with an AeroPress. You simply unscrew the cap and push the plunger all the way through the cylinder over the trash to pop out the filter and used coffee grounds. If there are any coffee grounds remaining a simple rinse will get the job done.
How to use an AeroPress
Check our guide on the 6 best tips to get the most out of an AeroPress.
Grind Size & Brew Strength
AeroPress is best for those who buy pre ground coffee. Finding the right coarseness coffee for a French press is difficult. You can try online or find a local roaster/barista that will grind the beans to the appropriate coarseness for you.
Chances are if you’re reading this then you don’t have a grinder.
If you like to buy pre-ground coffee in a bag, you’ll want to choose the AeroPress. Instead, you can buy a grinder if your heart is set on a French press. A French press requires a coarser grind for best results.
Grinders are an essential part to the best coffee possible. They can get expensive, however a good manual grinder can get the job done for cheap.
Which one Brews More?
The AeroPress brews 6-8 ounces. You can create stronger brews and dilute with water afterwards.
The French press is ideal for those who brew larger quantities and like to keep the carafe on the table to get that second cup easily.
Of course, the type of French press plays a role too. That’s why the French press is best if you have several coffee drinkers that may return for more in a short period of time, like breakfast with the family in the morning.
Check out the results of competition and replicate award winning recipe!
Style and Material Choices
The French press is a timeless piece of kitchenware. Their are many design choices as far as materials used and colors and styles.
The AeroPress isn’t built to win design contests. It’s more practical, like a 2000 Toyota Camery. It will get the job done, it’s dependable, but it’s not sexy.
Cleaning, Maintenance & Durability
The French press has a more involved cleaning process. Due to the mesh filter and in most cases glass carafe cleaning has a few more steps than an AeroPress.
A French press must be cleaned more thoroughly or the oil residue will stick to the mesh filter and give off flavors to your coffee.
A soak in soapy water and vinegar once a week should keep it clean. Some French press have filters that should be replaced more often than others. It comes down to the quality of the product.
The AeroPress is much simpler to clean. Simply rinse it out after each use. You should soak it in vinegar or soap and water once a week.
The AeroPress comes with disposable filters. New ones are cheap too. Personally, I use the filter more than a couple times before throwing it away.
The AeroPress is a very durable portable coffee maker. You can easily throw it in your suitcase and it is essentially indestructible. There have been reports that the rubber seal loses strength after some time and does not create as tight a seal, however I have not experienced this after 4 years of daily use. I also never put it in the dishwasher.
The French press on the other hand is typically more fragile, no matter what it’s made of. It’s not ideal for traveling. The filters typically fall apart after a few years and need to be replaced.
Portability
AeroPress for the win!
It’s small, durable and lightweight. That’s why we’ve named it the Best Portable Coffee Maker.
The French press is prone to breaking. Even if it’s made of metal there is a chance of warping in a suitcase. Furthermore, it will take up more room in your suitcase too.
In addition, a French press weighs a bit more than an AeroPress. An AeroPress is an excellent option for the outdoorsy types and anyone else that wants a functional item because of its strength and mobility.
Price
French press varies in prices. Our favorite French press from Bodum is cheaper than the $35 AeroPress.
If you’re trying to save money then the French Press is the way to go. However, consider reading the review before making a purchase, or choosing a brand that is trustworthy. Simply because a French press is $90 doesn’t mean it’s going to be better than a $20. Later on it may be difficult to replace parts.
On the flip side, a cheap French press typically doesn’t last long. The mesh filter starts to have issues or other parts start breaking down much sooner than better built models.
The conclusion? The price points of things aren’t that different as long as you get a high-quality product with favorable ratings from a respected manufacturer.
The price of a premium French press with a triple filter as opposed to a single filter will be more. The price increases if you’re looking for a durable French press that is made by a trusted brand.
Pros and Cons of the AeroPress
PROS
- Produces a clean cup of coffee that preserves the intended coffee flavors
- Papers separate the oils from the coffee
- Durable and portable
- Easy to clean
CONS
- Learning curve
- Only able to make for 1 or 2 people at a time
- Doesn't look as good as a French press
Pros and Cons of the French Press
PROS
- Strong and flavorful brew
- Looks better than an AeroPress
- Simple to use
- Brews enough at a time for everyone
- Easy to setup & put together
CONS
- The heavy mouthful maybe too much for some
- Coffee sits in the water, which results in an oiler coffee
- More steps to clean
- Not durable or as portable as AeroPress
So Which Brewer is Best for You?
Now that you know what are the pros and cons of both French Press and AeroPress you can make an educated decision about which one is best for you. If you’re a real coffee snob like us then you’re probably going to get both.
They’re both absolutely great manual coffee makers that bring out the best in coffee beans.
That being said, each one has its own time and place to be the best choice.
