If you’re trying to reduce your waste, looking at your coffee could be a good starting point. Some French presses and other coffee makers are simply too large for the people that own them, producing batches that often have leftovers.
Otherwise, you may be looking for a smaller French press just because you want one that’s easier to transport. Either way, we’ve done the searching for you and found several of the best one cup French presses.
Best One-Cup French Presses
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We’re starting off the list strong with this Clever Chef Single-Serving Coffee Maker. With a 12-ounce capacity, it can make one large cup of coffee for you at a time.
Beyond its manageable size, it’s sold in three colors: black, gray, or copper. This gives you a little bit of versatility with the press, as you can choose one that fits into different kinds of color schemes.
Should you decide you need a larger model, you even have the option of getting this press in a one-liter size.
- Capacity: 12 oz.
- Material: Glass and plastic.
- Shatter-Resistant Glass: The glass of the carafe is designed to resist shattering, increasing its longevity.
- Stainless Steel Screen: At the bottom of the plunger, there’s a durable stainless steel screen that will filter out your coffee grounds for a long time to come.
- Multiple Available Colors: Because it’s sold in three colors, you have an increased ability to choose a version that appeals most to you.
When it comes to longevity, stainless steel presses like this Mira model reign supreme. Their material naturally allows them to resist rusting and breaking, making them excellent for people who need to take their French press along with them wherever they go.
This Mira French press is no exception. Made entirely from stainless steel, you can safely anticipate it to last you for a long time.
What’s more, its small size is perfect for transport and storage. You’ll never need to fight to find room for this beautiful and gleaming press.
- Capacity: 12 oz.
- Material: Stainless steel.
- Double-Walled Insulation: With dual walls, this press will preserve the temperature of your coffee even longer than glass alternatives.
- Dishwasher-Safe: Cleanup is a snap with this press because you can run it through your dishwasher.
- Fine Mesh Filter: Ultra-fine filtration stops coffee grounds from being poured into your cup.
Read Also: Best Camping French Press
There’s no denying the fact that wood looks sophisticated. The bamboo lid and handle on the Sivaphe French press gives it a classic feel and unique appearance that you won’t find in many other places.
The glass is extra-tough, too. Crafted from the finest borosilicate glass, you won’t need to be concerned about it shattering from the heat no matter how hot the coffee you put inside it is.
- Capacity: 12 or 34 oz.
- Material: Glass and bamboo.
- Wood Lid and Handle: The bamboo of the lid and handle adds some visual appeal to the design.
- Two Sizes: Since it’s sold in two different sizes, you have the option to choose the size that works best for you.
- Durable Design: The glass of the carafe is borosilicate, which is resistant to high temperatures. You won’t have to deal with the possibility of thermal shock here.
If you’d like to see more French presses with no plastic in them, we’ve got a list of no-plastic options here.
Don’t like waiting for your coffee? You can cut out some of that wait with the Bodum Brazil French press.
Rather than wait several minutes for your coffee to brew each time, you’ll only need to wait four. In under five minutes, you’ll be able to enjoy a steaming hot cup of coffee time after time.
It’s an extremely flexible coffee maker, too. You can buy it in three different sizes and two different colors, which essentially allows you to customize your French press.
- Capacity: 12, 34, and 51 oz.
- Material: Borosilicate glass and BPA-free polypropylene.
- Fast Brewing: You won’t need to wait long for a cup of coffee, as this can brew each serving in four minutes.
- Two Colors: You can get it in red or black, which allows it to fit into a wider range of settings.
- Easy Cleaning: Done brewing coffee? You can effortlessly clean it by putting it in your dishwasher.
Sometimes, you just can’t beat the look of long-lasting metal. The Magicafe French press is proof of that statement. Available in sleek stainless steel or copper colors, this is one press you’ll enjoy having out on your kitchen table.
One of the best things about it is how long it keeps coffee up to temperature. Because of its dual-wall construction, it holds in the heat of your coffee. In fact, using just the French press, you can keep your coffee hot for up to an hour and a half.
Worried that the press will get too hot to hold? That’s not a problem, either, because the handle is designed to remain cold at all times.
- Capacity: 12 or 24 oz.
- Material: Stainless steel.
- Two Colors: Sold in copper or stainless steel, so it can blend in just about anywhere.
- Insulation: It has double walls, allowing it to hold onto your coffee’s heat even longer.
- Dishwasher-Safe: You can save time on the cleanup by washing it in your dishwasher.
Bodum makes quite a few fantastic French presses, which is why we had to include another one on this list. This is another example of a French press you can customize to some degree.
You even get to choose the material. Whether you prefer glass or shatterproof SAN, you’ll be able to get the French press that works best for you.
Beyond material, you can choose the size and color of the press. There’s even an eclectic cork option that’s perfect for rustic homes.
- Capacity: 12, 17, 34, and 51 oz.
- Material: Stainless steel, glass, and plastic.
- Several Colors: It has tons of color choices, giving you plenty of attractive options.
- Easy Cleaning: Because it’s dishwasher-safe, you can quickly clean the French press with minimal effort.
- BPA-Free: No matter which configuration of the press you choose, it will be free from harmful BPA.
Parts of a French Press
Plunger and Lid
The defining part of a French press is its plunger and lid. Brewing French press coffee only works because of the plunger inside the lid, after all.
To brew a batch, you just let the coffee steep for a few minutes. Then you push the plunger down slowly, and filters on the end strain the coffee by separating it from the grounds.
For that reason, you should always pay attention to the plunger design on any French press. A good rule of thumb is, the more filters on the end, the better. More filters prevents coffee granules from getting in your drinks.
Beaker
The second important feature is the French press’s beaker. It works just like any other pitcher with a pour spout.
However, it can be made from a variety of materials. Stainless steel, plastic, glass, and ceramic are all potential options with their own benefits.
We’ll discuss below how you decide which material is best for you.
Choosing the Right One-Cup French Press for You
Insulation
If you hate when your coffee gets cold, then you need to learn what kind of insulation every French press has. Insulation depends on both the way the press is designed and what it’s made from.
Stainless steel tends to be great for insulation because you can make thermal dual-walled presses from it. Ceramic is also great in this regard.
Want to find French presses with the best insulation? Take a look at our list of the best insulated French presses.
Material
We discussed the material in brief detail above, but there are some further considerations when it comes to the material. Aside from insulation, durability comes into play.
Plastic, stainless steel, and ceramic are all wonderfully tough materials. Stainless steel and plastic are both resistant to shattering. Ceramic can often be glazed to make it even stronger, too.
In terms of durability, glass can be the most fragile. If you’re drawn to glass French presses, though, consider looking for one that’s made from heat-resistant glass so you can be sure it won’t break from thermal shock.
Read Also: Best Non-Glass French Press
Aesthetic
There’s no reason why you can’t also look for a French press that you think is attractive. French presses come in just about any color and design.
If you’re spending money on one, you have the ability to get one that you feel looks best. This could be especially important to you if you’re trying to match the décor in your home or you just like particular colors.
Wrap Up
Our personal favorite French press on this list is the Magicafe French Press. The stainless steel build will ensure it lasts for as long as possible, and it certainly doesn’t hurt that you can get it in copper or steel tones.
We also love that it’s insulated. Because of the double walls, there will be no rush to finish a batch of coffee if you choose not to drink it all at once.
