Last Updated on September 14, 2021 by John Moretti
I know it’s hard for many French Press lovers to fathom that any machine is out there that can replicate the French press to give you a full-bodied brew, but there are a few.
That’s right, not just one, several, and I should know since I aim to try everything on the planet that attaches itself to the word coffee.
After experimenting with quite a few of them that I researched, I decided to compile a list of the best ones, especially for people who may be skeptical about acquiring a French press but still want the full burst you get from a cup of Joe.
I’ll take you through the pros and cons of purchasing the Simpli Press, Clever Dripper, and the Aeropress, then you can decide. Let’s go!
Simpli Press
French press without the mess is how I’d describe this machine whose creation aims to give you the same great tasting coffee but in a cleaner and more straightforward process. Ever wonder if you could make tasty coffee with no grit? Simpli Press does that. The device comprises glass and steel.
The machine’s most distinguishing feature is the Easy Catch System. It’s a simple method that allows you to shift all the components at once. You can dispose of the grounds and then clean the containers and their contents. I’ve tried cleaning multiple traditional French press plungers, and it’s a task.
Another valuable feature of Simpli is that it includes a coffee basket that also serves as a measuring cup. It appeals to me as someone who values creativity and sound design. It’s a reduction in items to remember to bring out when I make my morning coffee.
What I like best about this equipment is the taste of rich coffee with no grit. For those unfamiliar, the finer the grind, the smoother the coffee. These fine grinds are possible because of Simpli Press’s twin laser-etched filtration mechanism.
This particular filter has additional advantages. Because the filter apertures are so small, the days of bothersome grinds creeping through and into your freshly brewed coffee are over.
When you combine this with the increased richness that comes from this way of brewing, you’ve got yourself a cup of coffee that’s both refined and powerful.
I love the extra attention to detail and quality the manufacturers gave, and the brewer feels quite sturdy. Meanwhile, all of the system’s components are perfectly aligned with one another, making assembly and disassembly a breeze.
You don’t need paper filters with the Simpli Press. While this isn’t one of the product’s key selling points, it’s nevertheless wonderful to know that we’re helping to reduce our carbon footprint.
Pros:
- Has a premeasured coffee basket
- Dual laser-etched filter that can steep fine coffee grounds
- 34 oz vessel
- Easy Catch System that lifts everything out for easy cleaning
- No-grit-free
- No plastics
Cons:
- A bit heavy
- No variety
- Pricey if you’re on a budget.
AeroPress
In recent years, AeroPress has grown in popularity, and it has a myriad of benefits over the French press.
Because of overpressure, versatile French presses are just helpful for coarsely ground coffee. If not, you take the chance of not being able to pull the filter. Because the finer grinds circumvent the filter, they will produce more residue in the mug.
The AeroPress’ versatility stems from its ability to accommodate a wide range of grind sizes. In fact, instead of the other way around, you could customize your brewing procedure to the grind size.
Because of the pressure you apply to the plunger; it’s just as simple to make a filter coffee as it is to make espresso-like coffee.
Simple to use
The AeroPress is easy to operate and functions similarly to a French press. It comprises three parts: a brew chamber, a cover, and a plunger. It’s essentially a giant syringe.
Place a paper filter into the lid of the AeroPress and screw it onto the brewing chamber to use it. Place the device over your favorite mug and fill it with coffee grounds.
Fill with boiling w and set aside to steep. Push the plunger and force the coffee into the mug once the coffee has done brewing.
The result is a cup of coffee that is exceedingly clean and smooth, with no ground coffee debris. Because of its simplicity and versatility, AeroPress has grown in popularity among coffee enthusiasts in recent years
It’s considerably easier to clean up an AeroPress than a French press. It’s almost self-cleaning due to the way it operates. Push the grounds into the garbage after you’ve finished brewing, then rinse the three components under the tap.
When you buy an AeroPress, you get everything you need, including paper filters, a measuring scoop, a stirring paddle, and a funnel.
Filtration
Using a paper filter for your coffee improves the clarity of the flavor. The disadvantage of using paper filters is that they are an additional cost, but the 350 filter pack will last roughly a year
If you like the heavy body of French press coffee that comes from paperless filtering, the good news is that there are a variety of aftermarket attachments that can help you duplicate the French press filter experience.
You can buy metal coffee filters, ideally long-lasting stainless steel filters. Metal filters let very small ground coffee dregs and oils from the coffee beans pass through, giving the coffee a robust, dense mouthfeel.
A metal filter also has the advantage of being reusable, which means it will ultimately pay for itself and result in less waste for the environment and a better-tasting brew.
Consider how it could pay for itself by allowing you to avoid getting your cup of joe at the local cafe because it can make such great milk-based coffee drinks.
Durability
The AeroPress is composed of indestructible plastic that is BPA and phthalate-free. As a result, you’ll never have to be concerned about unintentional knocks. If you take care of this item correctly, it will last you a very long time.
Because it’s constructed of plastic, the coffee remains warmer for longer. Compared to other products like glass, metal, and ceramic, plastic collects less heat from boiling water.
Retaining the water warmer not only ensures a delightful, steaming cup of coffee, but it also ensures that the coffee processes more efficiently, as hotter water pulls more of the deliciousness from the ground coffee.
Portability
The AeroPress is the ideal travel coffee maker because it comprises highly durable plastic.
Because you can fit it all together, it uses up minimal space as well.
The Rhinoware hand-grinder goes snuggly within the conventional AeroPress, making this the best on-the-go coffee arrangement for people who want to grind their coffee.
Pros:
- Portable
- Multiple grind sizes
- Stays hot long
Cons:
- Only one size.
- It makes only one cup
- Uses filters
Clever Dripper
The Clever Dripper is a lesser-known coffee maker that works just as well as a French press and is even easier to operate than the AeroPress. Let’s take a closer look at this underappreciated coffee machine.
Simple to use
The Clever Dripper is, in my opinion, the most excellent entry-level coffee maker on the market. It’s exceedingly easy to use and provides sediment-free filter coffee, thanks to its paper filtering.
After you’ve inserted the paper filter and coffee into the brewer, fill it halfway with freshly boiled water and soak it for several minutes, precisely like a French press.
The magic begins now. A valve at the bottom of the Clever only opens when you place it on top of your mug. After the coffee has had time to brew, put the Clever on the mug and let the coffee drip.
You’ll have a clean cup of coffee, free of any ground coffee sediment and with true clarity of flavor, and the Clever Dripper cleans easily.
Grab the paper filter and discard it in the trash. Allow the Clever to drip dry after rinsing it under the tap. Because there are no pieces to disassemble, cleaning is a breeze, taking less than 20 seconds.
Durability
The Clever Dripper, like the AeroPress, is composed of BPA-free sturdy plastic. While it isn’t nearly as tough as the AeroPress, it would take a lot to shatter it.
The plastic structure provides benefits in the form of heat retention. The Clever also arrives with a lid so that you can keep the heat within the brewer even longer.
Use Over the Road
Because of its plastic composition, you can use Clever while traveling. However, due to its size and design, it is not as small as the AeroPress.
When you consider that the paper filters on the AeroPress are on the chunky side, you’ll likely prefer it for coffee-making on the go.
If space isn’t a concern, though, this is a great option, especially if you’re traveling with another coffee enthusiast. Because of its bigger size, it can easily make coffee for two people.
Filter Process
Because of its prominence, the Clever has a slew of aftermarket accessories. A reusable filter is one example, which makes coffee that tastes as though it came out of a French press.
All of the coffee grounds and the majority of the oils stay in paper filters. The oils that organically reside in coffee beans add to the thick texture that French press coffee provides.
If you want to make coffee as you do in a French press, this filter from Think Crucial is the way to go because it’s the perfect fit.
The legendary French press is a classic coffee maker, but it’s prone to breakage and difficult to clean, so alternative coffee makers have taken their place.
Which brewer will you choose? The AeroPress and Clever Dripper are two of my favorite brewers.
Pros:
- BPA-free plastic
- Retains heat
- No sediments
- Durable
Cons:
- Uses paper filters
- Bulky
What to Look For in a French Press Alternative
Check the reviews to ensure that it makes full-bodied coffee, or it would be like pour-over or some other method.
If you’re buying plastic, make sure it’s BPA-free. The material is essential mainly if you use the coffee maker frequently.
Make sure that it disassembles easily and cleans up without too much hassle. Finally, it should not be a messy process. Otherwise, you would have stuck to your French Press.
Bottom Line
You may wonder why people seek an alternative to the French Press when it already makes rich-tasting coffee. Well, ease of use and less mess are usually more attractive.
That’s what you get with these three: Simpli Press, Aeropress, and Clever Dripper. Of course, the closest taste to French pressed coffee is Simpli Press. It’s how simple you want to go, how much space you have, and the amount of coffee you’d like in one go.
As for a great-tasting cup of Joe, that you’ll get from all three. Enjoy!
