Aeropress vs french press, which is better?
There are many different types of “press” coffee brewers on the market, and sorting through all of the information can be complicated and challenging.
If you’re having trouble deciding which one to buy…
…I’ll make it easier for you by telling you about two brewers of this kind to keep an eye on.
Listen to Eden’s story.
I really enjoy coffee.
Both drinking it and making it myself.
I just love to explore the taste notes of different coffee beans and the variety of the grinds.
What troubled me was when I’m traveling to countries that–especially–have coffee beans that I want to taste using my own skill.
Fortunately, I have my french press and Aeropress with me all the time!
I didn’t know they’re so durable for a long trip!
Do I have your attention?
There are many coffee lovers going through the same trouble with Eden.
So, to know which to bring with you for your travel–just in case you only want to buy one or bring one–let’s get to the next step.
Let us dig a little deeper.
Aeropress vs French Press: Let’s Look at the Quality
The Aeropress and the French press are two different types of coffee makers.
Despite the fact that both have the word “press” in their names, the Aeropress and the French press operate in quite different ways.
They brew coffee with various qualities, flourish in various situations, and fit various lifestyles.
I’ll assist you in determining which brewer would be a better fit for your specific circumstances and tastes.
Let’s get this party started!
Design And Longevity
Both the Aeropress and the French press have a straightforward design with only a few components.
Both of these brewers are simple to clean, use, and maintain because of their simplicity.
They’re frequently buy-it-and-keep-it things.
Metal frames, heat-resistant glass carafes, plastic or metal lids, and a metal filter attached to the end of a rod are common features of French Presses.
The glass carafe may need to be replaced at some point due to accidents, but the rest of the brewer is built to last a lifetime.
You should be fine as long as you don’t run your press over with a car.
Sizes
The sizes of French presses range from 8 ounces to 48 ounces, although the bigger versions can still be utilized to brew smaller quantities of coffee.
This Aeropress is manufactured of food-safe rubber that holds up well under pressure, and it has only three parts: a brewing chamber, plunger, and filter cap.
The Aeropress is only available in one size: 8 ounces. It’s minor, but it contributes to the charm. If you’re worried about being too clumsy to use a glass French Press every day, the Aeropress will calm you down.
If an 8-ounce brewer doesn’t appeal to you, go for a larger French Press.
Ease of Use in Brewing
The Aeropress and the French press are both simple to use and forgiving in their own ways. Let’s start with the similarities.
Both brewers are “immersion brewers,” as we term them. Before being filtered, the water and coffee grounds are allowed to sit together for a length of time.
The filtering process is started by you, the coffee enthusiast.
The fundamental distinction between Aeropress and French press brewing may be noticed in the techniques and processes used in each.
The brewing method for a French press is normally as follows: coarse grinds and hot water are immersed in the glass carafe.
You plunge the filter, pour the coffee out, and drink after the four minutes are up.
As you plunge it down, this stainless steel mesh filter connected to the end of a metal rod separates the grounds from the brewed coffee.
It’s simple and painless.
Another aspect of the brewing process that the Aeropress integrates is pressure. They also have several Aeropress filter alternatives that you can use.
This additional feature gives the Aeropress a lot of freedom when it comes to how it brews coffee, making it a coffee connoisseur’s dream.
However, this does not detract from the straightforward procedure that everyone can follow.
The brewing chamber is filled with medium to coarse grinds and hot water. You press down the plunger after 1-3 minutes (depending on your grind size).
This puts a lot of pressure on the coffee, forcing it through the filter. You may use the Aeropress in two different ways to brew your coffee.
Attach the filter cap to the brewing chamber and place it on top of your mug to utilize the “normal” position.
Attaching the plunger to the brewing chamber and leaving the filter cap off so that the aperture is face-up is the “inverted” orientation (my personal favorite).
This prevents the coffee from draining through the filter too quickly, but it requires you to turn the Aeropress over onto your mug. It’s frightening at first, but you’ll get the hang of it.
In general, neither the French Press nor the Aeropress is difficult or complicated, but they are distinct.
When it comes to pure, consistent simplicity, the french press is the clear winner. If you’re a tinker or want to experiment with your coffee brewing methods, the Aeropress is a great option.
The Quality of the Coffee Taste
I’ve got some fantastic news for you:
Both the Aeropress and the French press can produce outstanding coffee that is rich, balanced, and deeply fulfilling.
However, there are some subtle changes in flavor that you should be aware of. To begin with, the metal filter of a french press makes coffee with a rich body and flavor.
Natural oils and microscopic coffee grinds pass through the mesh filter unhindered, creating a sense of weight and fullness while also increasing flavor.
These two factors tend to limit individual flavor clarity while resulting in a flavor that is more powerful and rounded.
You may be confident that your coffee will be rich, balanced, and rounded every time you use a french press because the recipes are very consistent (coarse grind, 4 minutes).
Paper filters are always included with the Aeropress. Compared to the french press filter, these filters produce coffee that is sharper, brighter, and cleaner.
Unfortunately, the natural oils and micro-ground, which have a lot of flavors, aren’t allowed in the finished mug.
Many people like this cleaner, lighter cup, although stainless steel Aeropress filters are also available if you prefer a richer, fuller mug.
Because Aeropress brewing formulas are so adjustable, there’s a lot of flexibility for experimentation while still obtaining great coffee.
A bright, crisp cup of coffee can be made with a fine grind setting and a short length of time.
A coarse grind and a long brew time produce coffee that is similar to that of a french press. Both are delectable in their own right.
You can’t go wrong with this one when it comes to flavor and quality.
Versatility
When it comes to adaptability, both brewers have benefits. Hot coffee from a French press maker is excellent, but only in one way.
They are, nevertheless, excellent carafes for preparing cold brew coffee or pour-over coffee. On the other hand, the Aeropress can make hot coffee in a variety of ways.
You can produce coffee that is robust and bold, light and crisp, or even close to espresso.
The Aeropress, on the other hand, isn’t a suitable cold brew coffee maker, and it’s far too small to serve as a pour-over coffee carafe.
However, it can be used to make Shaken Iced Aeropress Coffee.
Which is More Travel-Friendly?
Both brewers are non-electric, manual, and can be used anywhere in the world.
However, I believe one of them is significantly better suited to travel than the other. French presses are often larger and made of breakable glass.
The Aeropress is the ultimate travel coffee brewer in many ways.
It’s compact, lightweight, quick and simple to use, and practically unbreakable.
It’s ideal for international flights, mountain climbs, and camping in the valley.
Sure, it only produces 8 oz of coffee at a time, but that’s more of a travel fault than anything else.
The difference in travel readiness between the Aeropress and the French press is obvious: the Aeropress wins in every category except batch size.
However, if you want a sturdier French Press, check these stainless steel Presses. Not only they’re more durable, they also keep your coffee warm longer.
Fellow Clara French Press Stainless Steel
Prices pulled from the Amazon Product Advertising API on:
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on [relevant Amazon Site(s), as applicable] at the time of purchase will apply to the purchase of this product.
ESPRO P7 French Press – Double Walled Stainless Steel
Prices pulled from the Amazon Product Advertising API on:
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on [relevant Amazon Site(s), as applicable] at the time of purchase will apply to the purchase of this product.
Which Is The Best Option For You?
The bottom line is,
I can’t decide which brewer is best for your lifestyle or taste preferences, but I’ve provided you with all the information you’ll need to make that decision.
You are the only one who can make that decision. Will you choose the enormous, lovely maker that creates simple, powerful hot and cold coffee?
Will you choose the smaller, travel-friendly brewer that prepares a variety of hot coffee styles?
Don’t worry: there’s no such thing as a bad answer – as long as you use coffee worthy of the brewers. Both of them are great coffee makers overall.
There is no substitute for freshly roasted, specialty-grade beans, in our opinion. When compared to stale grocery shop beans, they’re more flavorful, sweeter, more balanced, and have a larger spectrum of flavors.
Conclusion
That’s all from us!
What do you think? Which one do you like better?
Give us your opinion in the comment box below!
Related Articles for You
Was this helpful?
Hi there! I’m a food enthusiast and journalist, and I have a real passion for food that goes beyond the kitchen. I love my dream job and I’m lucky enough to be able to share my knowledge with readers of several large media outlets. My specialty is writing engaging food-related content, and I take pride in being able to connect with my audience. I’m known for my creativity in the kitchen, and I’m confident that I can be the perfect guide for anyone looking to take their culinary journey to the next level.
