Last Updated on September 13, 2021 by John Moretti
A French press is one of the best brewing devices you can use to make great coffee without putting in a lot of effort. If you are shopping for one of these, we’ve selected some outstanding and budget-friendly models that you can use to make a cup of rich-flavored coffee.
The beautiful thing about French press coffee makers is that they allow you to brew fresh, flavorful coffee in a matter of minutes. You just need to pour the hot water into the carafe, swirl the grounds a little to “bloom” the coffee, cover, and leave it alone for a few minutes.
Once you press the plunger down, the French press coffee will release more of the natural oils into the coffee in the cup, resulting in more flavor.
If you’d like to switch to this brewing method, check out this list with the best cheap French Presses.
My Recommendation
I’ve tried several cheaper versions of the French Press and found out that this list of models below is the best if you want to make delicious coffee. What’s better, some of them even have a lifetime warranty.
When choosing a model, you should always go for value first. The material you choose boils down to your personal preference. Still, I’d suggest avoiding glass if you have children around as I do, or your kitchen constantly has activities going on.
Espro P3 French Press – My Top Pick
If you want a French press that delivers smooth, consistent flavor, I recommend the Espro P3 French Press. All Espro models have the same shape and double filter, which is more refined than most and will keep your coffee almost grit-free.
Once you’ve plunged the press, the filter is also effective in keeping the water away from the grounds, so the water won’t bring out too many of the bitter flavors that come from steeping the coffee too much.
The P3 used to be my upgrade pick, but its price has now reduced, making it much more competitive with my budget choice, the Kona French Press. I also think the P3 makes better-tasting coffee.
Pros
- It’s dishwasher safe
- Maintains its taste when left in the press for up to an hour
Cons
- The company has had trouble keeping the P3 in stock
BONJOUR Unbreakable French Press
Everyone knows I like different types of coffee, but I prefer a concentrated cup. This is what you’ll get from the BonJour French Press.
Because this French press is BPA-free plastic, it is unlikely to shatter if dropped.
Pros
- BPA-free
- Has a plastic mesh
- Has a flavor lock mechanism in the plunger
- Produces strong coffee
Cons
- The plunger is fragile and susceptible to breaking
BELWARES French Press
This device is a beauty, and of course, I love stainless steel. It’s a durable French press with a black matte finish and offers both quality coffee and style. There’s no better combination than this!
Pros
- Large French press coffee machine made of rust-resistant stainless steel
- Attractive matte black finish
- You’ll have eight 4-ounce cups in less than 10 minutes
- Heat retention is impressive
- Maintains the purity and quality of the ground
Cons
- It’s a bit heavy
Kona French Press Coffee Maker
There are many advantages of spending cash on a French Press, but it doesn’t mean you shouldn’t start with a less expensive option. The KONA French Press Coffee Maker brews a fantastic cup of coffee at an affordable price.
The French Press is attractive, featuring a reusable stainless steel filter, a substantial ergonomic handle, and a glass exterior. It’s also somewhat robust, with more excellent protection surrounding the glass carafe than most standard presses. A cheaper filter and plastic enclosure are the trade-offs with this inexpensive model.
Pros
- Makes great coffee
- Quite affordable
- Attractive
- Reusable stainless steel filter
- Ergonomic handle
- Carafe is well-protected
Cons
- Plastic enclosure
- Cheaper filter
Secura French Press in Stainless Steel
The Secura French Press appears to be a standard French press on the surface. It does, however, have a few advantages over the competition.
It has a three-screen system, with the first brushing the wall uniformly and firmly while the second catches any little grounds that have gotten past the first. If you’re concerned about getting “fines” in your cup, it will help you avoid it.
One of the advantages of this French Press is that it makes a smoother cup of coffee. Because of the stainless steel double wall design, your coffee stays warm while the outside remains cold to the touch.
Because there are no plastic elements, the French Press appears to be very sophisticated and trendy. It’s excellent if you’re afraid of ingesting coffee grounds, which is not an attractive feature for any coffee lover.
Pros
- Triple-layer to prevent dregs from getting into the coffee
- Double-wall design keeps coffee warm longer
- Fancy Design
- Great shock resistance
- Dishwasher safe
Cons
- Plunger dipping is troublesome at times
- No marker for volume
Veken
The Veken is right up there, with the Secura at the top of the list. It comes in stainless, silver, black, and grey colors and is available in two capacities. The Veken has a double-wall design and is exceptionally heat-resistant, dropping only 15°F in half an hour.
The Veken additionally has a highly effective double filter that allows only 0.45 grams of solids into your cup.
Aside from the typical replacement screens, the Veken comes with a cleaning brush, a long spoon, and an electric milk frother.
Aside from these accessories, I enjoyed the lengthy spout, which provided a smooth and accurate pour of some of the best coffee we tasted.
Pros
- Effective filtration
- Double-wall system to retain heat
- Has cleaning brush and milk brother
- Long spout
- Great tasting coffee
- Holds up to 12 ounces
Cons
- The lid sometimes doesn’t seal correctly
Bodum Chambord French Press
The Bodum Chambord delivers a tasty and consistent cup of coffee. Although we found the Espro P3 coffee to be more precise and grit-free, other people may prefer Chambord’s coffee’s richer flavor. We also appreciate the fact that this model has been in existence since the 1970s.
It has a lovely aesthetic, and the steel filter presses down without scraping or stickiness, which is a problem with other presses.
It’s easy to clean the Chambord because all of its pieces are dishwasher safe. In the event that something goes wrong, the company supplies new parts.
Pros
- Replacement parts if it breaks
- Dishwasher safe
- Easy to clean
- Rich coffee flavor
Cons
- Fragile carafe
Bodum Caffettiera French Press
The Caffettiera has almost the same classic designs as the Chambord; it is, however, made of plastic. It also comes in a variety of colors, including Pistachio and Strawberry.
We propose the Bodum Caffettiera if you would like the same flavor as Chambord for roughly half the cost. It shares the Chambord’s filter and glass beaker and the same lines.
However, because this version has an all-plastic lid, it is substantially less expensive. The Caffettiera comes in a range of attractive colors if you like to put your French press out on the countertop.
Pros
- Great flavor
- Low price
- Nice colors
- Very attractive
Cons
- Made of plastic
Cafe Du Chateau
I won’t lie; the design and overall elegance of this first drew me to it. However, after testing out this model, I found that it sure has worth as it presses a great cup of Joe.
This coffee press has a four-level filter system that includes two stainless steel screens, a spring-loaded base, and a lid strainer to keep grounds out so that you won’t make any more muddy coffee.
I like that this French press comprises high-quality glass that can endure boiling water without distorting or shattering. The enormous French press’s carafe casing, filter, grip, and top lid are all made of 304-grade stainless steel, which is rust and weather-resistant and built to last.
Beginners and experts alike can use it safely. The materials used also meet or exceed the FDA and European Commission food safety standards.
Pros
- Cafe Du Chateau has a Lifetime Replacement warranty
- Quadruple filtration system
- Safe for everyone to use
Cons
- It might be too hot to touch during usage
PRIMULA Tempo French Press
Are you new to the world of the French Press? Then the Primula is perfect for you. It is easy to use and considered a low-cost, introductory French press that satisfies the requirements of most casual coffee lovers. If you’re a coffee-lover, you’ll enjoy a cup of coffee for years because this model will serve you for a long time.
Pros
- The low cost is appealing.
- A plastic framework protects the fragile glass carafe
- The plunger is stainless steel
- It’s simple to use and clean
- The smaller size makes storage and travel easier
Cons
- After a few washes, there were a few instances of corrosion. (Would suggest following manufacturer’s care instructions)
What to Look for When Buying a Budget French Press
When buying a French Press, keep in mind that budget-friendly does not mean fragile and useless. You can get stainless steel, glass, BPA-free plastic, and more at affordable prices.
• Construction and Anatomy
From model to model, the French press architecture is generally consistent. Each of the models has a plunger/filter assembly that fits tightly over a cylindrical and a heat-resistant carafe. Manufacturers, on the other hand, have a variety of construction materials from which to select.
Here are the most well-known materials:
Stainless Steel
Stainless steel is excellent at retaining heat, especially when the carafe has a double insulated wall. Because stainless steel is a non-reactive metal, it won’t impart any metallic flavors to your coffee.
As a result, several specialists recommend stainless steel. It’s pricey, and you can’t watch the brewing process.
Glass
Glass is an excellent medium for coffee brewing since it holds heat effectively and does not interfere with the acidity of the coffee. You can also see the brewing process from start to end because it’s transparent.
Glass carafes, on the other hand, can shatter. A low-cost French press with a thin glass carafe is more likely to fracture than one with stronger glass.
Polycarbonate
While a “cheaper” material like plastic may appear less attractive than glass or stainless steel, polycarbonate has many of the same advantages as glass without fragility or heat retention difficulties. Shatter-resistant polycarbonate carafes allow you to watch the brewing process.
When buying one of these, make sure it is “BPA-Free.” Each material has advantages and disadvantages, and no one substance outperforms the others. The “best” French press material is frequently a matter of personal choice.
• Capacity
There are occasions when you need to brew a large amount of coffee, and some French press pots are adequate for the task. If you plan on brewing a lot of coffee, I recommend a glass or polycarbonate carafe with a minimum capacity of four to eight cups.
• Price
French Press Prices range from 15 to 200 dollars, but I suggest aiming for a 35 to 75 dollars mid-range price.
French Press Maintenance and Care
Although French press carafes are simple devices, they still need to be handled with care and maintained regularly. A well-maintained French press should last at least five to ten years.
When caring for your French press, keep the following in mind:
- To avoid discoloration and other difficulties, gently wash and dry the pot between uses.
- Before putting your system in the dishwasher, double-check the cleaning instructions.
- Some systems can be washed in the dishwasher, while others require special care and detergent.
- The mesh filter can collect coffee grounds. Brush away any accumulation with a gentle brush.
- It would be best if you stored glass carafes with care. A fractured carafe is both useless and dangerous.
- After years of usage, plunger/filter assemblies might flex or shatter; therefore, they’ll need to be replaced.
- Replacement components are usually available from the manufacturer or an authorized dealer.
Otherwise, look at these fantastic options and see which fits in with the theme at your home and makes the type of coffee that whets your appetite. Enjoy!
