Are you conflicted about which brewing tool to get for the best tasting coffee every morning? Our Aeropress vs French press comparison can help you decide. Both French press and Aeropress function manually to curate some of the best cups of coffee.
These manual brewers allow you to enjoy your coffee’s most natural flavors, acidity, aroma, and the ultimate visual prize – crema. Yet, they come with the advantage of simplicity and convenience. You don’t have to be a trained barista to operate either machine!
So, understandably, you may be conflicted about which machine to invest in. To help you decide, here’s an airtight French press vs Aeropress comparison that takes your needs and preferences into consideration.


Specs
- Brews 8oz (237ml) of regular coffee per pressing in about a minute
- Can make espresso style shots and cold brew in two minutes
- Materials used are free of BPA and phthalates
Why we like it
- 1-3 servings of espresso style coffee in a minute
- Handy mug and lid
- Total control over brew time
- Easy to use
- Light-weight
Why we don't like it
- May not be suitable for larger servings of coffee
- Rubber seals will break down over time

Specs
- Made in the USA
- BPA and phthalate-free
- Makes 10oz (295ml) of regular coffee or 1 to 3 espresso style shots per pressing in about a minute
- Can make cold brew in just two minutes
Why we like it
- Professional-grade coffee right at home
- Goodbye, French press - no more bitterness or grit
- Lightweight, compact, and portable
- Fast and easy to use
Why we don't like it
- No temperature control
- Requires paper filters

The BAYKA French Press Coffee Tea Maker is a high-quality coffee and tea maker that is designed to produce rich and flavorful beverages. This elegant and durable press is made of high-grade stainless steel and heat-resistant borosilicate glass, making it a long-lasting addition to your kitchen. The compact and lightweight design makes the BAYKA French Press easy to take with you wherever you go, whether it's camping or to the office. The stainless steel and borosilicate glass construction ensures that this coffee and tea maker is long-lasting and resistant to wear and tear.
Specs
Why we like it
- Produces rich, flavorful coffee
- Durable construction
- Easy to use
- Large capacity
- Portable
Why we don't like it
- Can be messy
- Requires more effort
- Not programmable
- Fragile
- Prone to sediment

The Bodum Bistro Nouveau French Press is a 51-ounce capacity coffee maker that allows you to brew up to 12 cups of coffee at once. It features a borosilicate glass carafe that is heat-resistant and durable, along with a stainless-steel plunger and mesh filter that produce a rich and flavorful cup of coffee. The compact and stylish design of this French press makes it a great addition to any kitchen or coffee bar.
Specs
- 51-ounce capacity
- Borosilicate glass carafe
- Stainless steel plunger
- Comfortable handle
Why we like it
- Large capacity makes it perfect for serving multiple people
- Easy to use and clean
- Makes delicious coffee with a rich flavor
Why we don't like it
- The lid can sometimes be difficult to fit properly
- Glass carafe can be fragile if not handled with care
- The filter can sometimes let coffee grounds through

The Secura 1500ML/50-Ounce French Press Coffee Maker is a large capacity coffee press that can brew up to 12 cups of coffee at once. It features a double-walled stainless steel construction that keeps your coffee hot for longer and a three-layered stainless steel filter system that ensures no coffee grounds end up in your cup.
Specs
- Capacity: 1500 Milliliters
- Material: Stainless Steel
- Dimensions: 10.55 x 6.97 x 6.61 inches
- Weight: 3.52 pounds
Why we like it
- Large capacity for brewing multiple cups of coffee
- Durable and well-constructed with double-walled stainless steel
- Three-layered stainless steel filter system ensures no grounds end up in your cup
Why we don't like it
- Grinds may sometimes pass through the mesh screen
- Heat does not retain well as some of the other french presses
What Is The Main Difference Between French Press and Aeropress?
The main difference between the French press and Aeropress is their mechanism and design. The French press features a thin, long coffee pot where you load ground coffee beans, infuse them with water and plunge them.
The plunging mechanism filters out the bean residue, leaving behind the brewed coffee. On the other hand, an Aeropress works like an espresso machine. It features a piston that forces ground coffee beans through a thin filter paper into a coffee cup.
Here are the key differences between French Press and Aeropress;
- French press features a plunger-style design while Aeropress features a piston-style design.
- French press comes in various sizes and can produce more than one cup per brew (at least 2 cups). Aeropress only produces one cup per brew.
- French press use slightly coarse ground coffee beans than Aeropress
- French produce a rich and heavy taste while Aeropress produces a cleaner and flavor-packed taste
- French press produces a full body with oils and some sediments while Aeropress has a cleaner, brighter body with zero oils and sediments
- The French press has a slightly longer brewing time than Aeropress
- A French press uses a metal or plastic filter while Aeropress uses a finer paper filter to produce less sediment
French Press

Also known as a coffee plunger or cafetiere, a French press machine features a tall carafe and metal step connected to a mesh or plastic filter. The stem built-in filter acts as a plunger. To use the French press, add coffee grounds to the carafe with hot water and let sit for a few minutes.
Then, press down the “plunger” to filter out the coffee residues, leaving behind freshly brewed coffee. This style of brewing produces a rich coffee with a robust mouth feel. If you want to enjoy the most authentic taste and body of your coffee, the French press lets you do so.
Pros
- Multiple cups per brew
- Easy to use
- Minimal prep
- Consistent brewing and taste
Cons
- Difficult to clean
- Slightly muddledd taste –with a little bit of acidity
Aeropress

The Aeropress machine features a plastic brewing cylinder fitted with a piston-style plunger (similar to a toy plastic syringe). It is then tightened by a filter car that prevents messes. The brewing cylinder rests on top of the coffee cup so the coffee pours directly into it. To brew coffee, add ground coffee and water and then, push the plunger down.
However, the Aeropress also boasts a versatile design. You can use the Aeropress machine regularly or invert for an inversion method. When inverted, the Aeropress machine functions as a French press (with an included metal mesh filter).
Pros
- Easy to clean
- Versatile – can be used regularly or inverted (to use a French press)
- Portable build
Cons
- It can get a little messy
- Not ideal for multi-person serving
Feature Differences
Here are the key French press vs Aeropress feature comparisons;
Brew Mechanism
The French press simply uses the plunger mechanism to brew coffee. For this reason, it's important to let the coffee grounds and hot water sit for a few minutes for these two components to fuse well before plunging them.
On the other hand, the Aeropress uses a shorter brewing period thanks to its high pressure. In fact, the machine uses its high pressure mechanism for brewing, using an average of a minute to two. French press takes slightly longer to brew coffee, about 4 to 5 minutes.
Filtration


French press is typically fitted with a coarse metal or plastic filter while Aeropress is fitted with a fine paper filter. Because the French press uses the coarse filter, it calls for the use of coarse ground coffee. After all, using finely ground coffee will mean it can easily penetrate the coarse filter.
However, the use of coarse coffee affects the brewing process and overall body and flavour. Coarse coffee has a lower surface area using hot water, extending its brewing time. You can leave the coffee and water for up to 5 minutes as you wait for optimal extraction.
Moreover, the use of the coarse metal or plastic filter allows some of the sediments and oils to pass through. As a result, you get a rich and thick coffee with some sediments and oils.
On the other hand, the paper filter allows you to use finely ground coffee with Aeropress. Combining the fine paper filter with the high pressure nature of the machine, the brewing time shortens. Yet, you get a cleaner and brighter coffee with significantly reduced oils and sediments thanks to the finer filter.
But, remember, the Aeropress machine can be inverted and used as a French press using its included mesh metal filter accessory. In this form, you can use coarse ground coffee with your Aeropress machine.
Versatility
As mentioned above, the Aeropress machine is pretty versatile. On one end, you can use it as a regular Aeropress with its fine filter to produce a coffee with a cleaner taste. However, you can also invert it to use it as a French press to enjoy coffee with a richer and heavier taste.
This versatility allows you to experiment with different types of coffee and grind sizes. The French press machine doesn’t enjoy this versatility. But, it comes with the advantage of flexibility. While it’s impossible to do so with an Aeropress, the French press machine lets you experiment with the water temperature and brew time.
Serving Capacity
The French press machine comes in a wide range of sizes. In general, a single brew from a French press makes 2 to 3 cups. The Aeropress machine, on the other hand, produces only a single cup per brew.
So, if you are serving more than one person, you will have to brew your coffee multiple times. This single-serve capacity also explains the coffee machine’s shorter brewing time.
Is an AeroPress better than French press?
The AeroPress generally produces a cleaner cup with a more concentrated flavor, while the French press yields a richer and bolder flavor. The AeroPress and French press are both popular manual brewing methods that offer a different experience and result in different flavor profiles.
The AeroPress uses a paper filter, which removes most of the coffee sediment and oils, resulting in a cleaner and brighter taste. It also uses pressure to extract the flavors from the coffee, which can lead to a more concentrated brew. The device itself is compact and easy to clean, making it a convenient option for coffee lovers who value simplicity and efficiency.
On the other hand, the French press is known for producing a rich and full-bodied cup of coffee. It uses a metal mesh filter that allows the coffee oils and sediment to pass through, giving the brew a heavier texture and more robust flavor. The French press also allows for more control over the brewing process, as the user can adjust the steeping time and water temperature to achieve the desired taste.
Have a better understanding of the pros and cons of each method and which one may be best for your ultimate coffee experience with this short video:
Why does AeroPress taste better?
The AeroPress can taste better to some people because of the following reasons:
- It uses a paper filter: The AeroPress comes with a paper filter that removes most of the coffee sediment and oils, resulting in a cleaner and brighter taste. This removes any bitterness or harsh flavors that may be present in the coffee.
- It uses pressure: The AeroPress uses air pressure to extract the flavors from the coffee, which can lead to a more concentrated and flavorful brew.
- It has a shorter brew time: The AeroPress typically has a shorter brewing time compared to the French press, which can prevent over-extraction and bitterness in the coffee.
- It's versatile: The AeroPress can be used in different ways, such as using different coffee grinds or water temperatures, to achieve different flavor profiles. This allows for more experimentation and customization of the coffee taste.
However, it's important to note that taste is subjective and what tastes better to one person may not be the same for another. Some people may prefer the richer and bolder flavor of the French press, while others may prefer the cleaner and brighter taste of the AeroPress.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is special about AeroPress coffee?
AeroPress coffee is special because it offers a unique brewing method that allows for a clean and flavorful cup of coffee. Here are a few reasons why AeroPress coffee is special:
- Paper filter: The AeroPress uses a paper filter that removes most of the coffee sediment and oils, resulting in a cleaner and brighter taste. This removes any bitterness or harsh flavors that may be present in the coffee.
- Pressure brewing: The AeroPress uses air pressure to extract the flavors from the coffee, which can lead to a more concentrated and flavorful brew.
- Versatile: The AeroPress is versatile and can be used in different ways, such as using different coffee grinds or water temperatures, to achieve different flavor profiles. This allows for more experimentation and customization of the coffee taste.
- Quick brewing: The AeroPress has a shorter brewing time compared to other brewing methods, such as the French press, which can prevent over-extraction and bitterness in the coffee.
- Portable: The AeroPress is compact and portable, making it a convenient option for coffee lovers who want to enjoy a quality cup of coffee on-the-go.
Overall, AeroPress coffee is special because it offers a clean and flavorful cup of coffee that can be easily customized to suit individual preferences.
Final Verdict: Which Is Better – French Press vs Aeropress?
Ultimately, your choice of brewer is all about the overall body and flavor, apart from all the mechanics and designs of the brewer. Now, if the body and flavor are your number one priority – the answer is simple. Go for an Aeropress if you want a cleaner, brighter body and flavors with reduced oils and sediment.
You can go for the French press if you don’t mind a bit of oil and sediments with an overall richer body and taste. Other people also look for other properties based on their needs. French press is ideal for a couple or small family, making more than a cup per brew on those weekday mornings.
On the other hand, the portability an Aeropress offers is perfect to use on the go- whether in your office cubicle or the wilderness during camping. But, it most certainly isn’t the best for multiple drinkers on a busy weekday morning.
Which Produces A Stronger Coffee – French Press or Aeropress?
The French press produces stronger coffee. This method of brewing lets you retain most of the coffee’s flavors, acidity, oils, and some sediment. The flavors and elements of the coffee are also extracted more aggressively as they are consistently infused with water and use a coarser filter. Since you steep the coffee with water for a slightly longer time, the extraction is much stronger too.
Why Is My Aeropress Coffee Bitter?
Aeropress is not designed to produce bitter coffee. So, if your Aeropress produces bitter coffee, it’s a sign you are doing something wrong. After all, its fine paper filter means you brew a cleaner and mellower-tasting coffee.
The bitterness may be a result of over-extraction. So, you may want to use slightly coarse coffee grounds or plunge the Aeropress slightly earlier.
Does Aeropress Produce Enough Pressure To Brew Espresso?
An Aeropress machine doesn’t produce pressure anywhere near an espresso machine to produce espresso. Typically, a standard espresso machine produces up to nine pressure bars to be able to produce an authentic cup of espresso. A standard Aeropress machine can barely produce a single bar of pressure.