AeroPress vs French Press: Which Coffee Maker is Better

aeropress vs french press
Coffee Lovers Guide

This article will explain the differences between AeroPress vs French Press, and help you determine which is best for you.

The AeroPress and the French Press are two of the most widely used manual coffee makers on the market. Despite its name, the French Press was invented in 1929 by an Italian named Attilio Calimani and is still commonly used more than 85 years later. The AeroPress, in contrast, is relatively new compared to the French Press. Alan Adler, president of Aerobie, invented it in 2006.

Although they both have the word “press” in their names, they operate much differently. They produce coffee with various qualities, thrive in different conditions, and fit different lifestyles.

AeroPress vs French Press Differences

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Let’s look at the list we’ve compiled here today to learn more about the other significant differences between the AeroPress and French Press, in terms of capacity, usability, durability, and other factors.

How They Work

Comparing the design elements of the French Press and AeroPress is like comparing apples and oranges. They’re both “fruit” (or, more accurately, coffee makers), but they’re not even close to the same.

AeroPress coffee makers feature an airtight seal that adds pressure to the brewing chamber. This air pressure pushes the coffee and hot water mixture through a thin paper filter, producing a fresh cup of coffee.

A French Press also needs pressure. You press the plunger to build up air pressure in the brewing chamber. This pushes the coffee and hot water mixture through a metal mesh filter to make the coffee.

Brewing coffee with any method requires pressure, but an AeroPress paper filter allows for additional pressure, resulting in a smoother coffee.

Aeropress on White Cup on White Background. French press vs aeropress differences

Convenient and Fast

Many coffee drinkers like to brew coffee fast and easy, and fortunately, both AeroPress and French Press are easy to use.

Brewing coffee with AeroPress is a breeze. The filter is near the cylinder and functions almost like a squeegee that removes oil from the sides.

At the base of the cylinder, the grounds condense into a tidy little “puck” that may be knocked free and thrown away. Another key selling point for AeroPress is how easy it is to clean. Since the coffee grounds end up in the cap, crushed into a small puck, you can unscrew the lid and rinse the rest of the device.

Easy to Use

The process of using a French Press is easy too. You pour water over coarsely ground coffee, let it steep for a few minutes, and then press the plunger to push the stainless steel mesh filter down.

However, cleaning a French Press is a complex task. When using a French Press, the coffee grounds are tightly compacted into the bottom of a glass cylinder. If you plan to compost them, you must dig them out before you can start cleaning the vessel, which would be considered inconvenient.

Brewing Speed

The AeroPress has one benefit over the usual French Press, as the brew is ready in just one to two minutes with a French Press. High pressure lets the water capture the flavor from the finely ground coffee considerably faster than an espresso maker or drip coffee maker, making it one of the quickest coffee brewing processes available.

On the other hand, a French Press needs three to five minutes. The coffee grounds remain in the water for longer before being extracted by the metal mesh filter, giving you a stronger cup of coffee.

AeroPress is generally preferable if you need anything quickly. This is true as long as you need a single cup and are not a huge fan of coffee bean oil in your coffee. A French Press is preferable when you’re not in a rush, need to make more coffee, or want a stronger flavor.

Coffee Flavor and Quality

Now comes the good stuff: the coffee itself. Both the French Press and the AeroPress can produce excellent coffee that is full-flavored, well-balanced, and utterly delightful. However, there are some subtle flavor variations that you should be aware of.

First, the French Press’s metal filter often produces coffee with a rich body and full flavor. The mesh filter doesn’t stop microscopic coffee grounds and natural oils, which gives the coffee a touch of fullness and heaviness and enhances the taste. These factors limit specific flavor clarity while producing a more robust, well-rounded flavor.

Given its paper filtering system, which prevents oils and small particles from entering the brewed coffee, the AeroPress improves flavor clarity. AeroPress creates a lighter-bodied, sediment-free cup that brings out the vibrant and fruity flavors of whatever coffee bean you use. The coffee is often smoother and more fragrant than French Press coffee.

These are both flavorful coffee alternatives, but AeroPress is the way to go if you enjoy a smooth, clean cup of coffee. A French Press is best if you prefer strong and hot coffee.

Coffee Grind Size

The key to making the best coffee is choosing the right beans or, more specifically, choosing the appropriate grind size for the brewing method. There are several options available in the coffee market, and both French Press and AeroPress coffee makers use different grinds.

AeroPress produces a fine grind, with few coffee grounds when used as intended. Even though the brewing process takes less time, there’s still a lot of pressure involved, and smaller coffee bean grinds allow the hot water to pick up the taste more effectively. It has the potential for a smoother flavor and needs less time to steep than the French Press.

The French Press typically requires a relatively coarse grind because of filter design; the metal mesh usually calls for a coarse grind. Because of the coarse grind, the French Press takes longer to steep, which can be useful for multi-taskers but unfavorable for those in a hurry.

Brewing Capacity

When brewing coffee and choosing the best brew methods, you need to consider who you’re preparing coffee for – and this is the biggest difference between French Press vs AeroPress coffee.

The AeroPress is a single-cup coffee maker, and the cup is relatively small. AeroPress is made to hold 6 to 8 ounces of coffee, making them essentially single-serve coffee makers. Therefore, they work well for single people and college students who only need a quick cup but not so well for households of coffee lovers.

That may be all you need to know to change your mind and choose the French Press. The majority of French Presses can produce 1 to 8 cups of coffee. You can use a small French press to make a single cup or a larger one to make several cups at once. With a French Press, you may brew for a dinner party or the entire household.

If that’s what you’re looking for, the French press is the way to go.

Warm Homemade French Press Coffee discussion on Aeropress vs french press coffee

Design And Durability

The French Press consists of a narrow cylindrical beaker made of transparent plastic or glass with a lid made of plastic or metal, a stainless steel wire filter, a plunger that securely fits the cylinder, and a suitable nylon mesh filter.

If you purchase a high-quality French Press and use it frequently, the screen will last at least a year without facing any troubles. A cheap French Press should last anywhere between six months and a year. If you want to bring your press with you on your adventures, the French Press may not be ideal because it breaks down easily.

On the other hand, the AeroPress uses a food-safe rubber designed with fewer parts and is exceptionally durable under pressure. It has a hard plastic chamber that can withstand heat.

A plunger that fits into the room’s top makes an airtight closure. It’s a strong, dependable brewer you can use whenever and wherever. Overall, an AeroPress brewer is an excellent investment because, with good care, it will last you for two to three years.

Which is Better, AeroPress vs French Press?

The French Press and AeroPress are the market’s most well-liked manual brewing tools. They promise a freshly brewed cup of coffee whenever you need one.

The AeroPress is the best option for anyone looking to brew espresso-like coffee using pressure quickly, easily, and electricity-free. AeroPress machines are frequently smaller and more portable, making them an excellent alternative for brewing coffee on the go.

It’s a matter of personal preference as to the maker and type of coffee you prefer. But the good news is that you can have both of them for a reasonable price and drink great coffee right away!

When it comes to the battle of AeroPress vs French Press, we say, do the research and pick the product appropriate for your situation. In our case, we’d rather have the AeroPress, which offers convenience, speed, and quality.

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