Pour Over vs French Press: Which Method Should I Use?

If you brew coffee at home, chances are you’ve considered purchasing a pour over vs French press device at some point. Both are manual coffee brewers but other than that, they couldn’t be more different. Coffee snobs love to claim that their favorite brewing method is the one true method and that all others are inferior, but that is nonsense. There is plenty of room in the coffee world for everyone’s favorite brew method, but how do you know what method is right for you?

In this article, we’ll give you a blow by blow breakdown of the similarities and differences between pour over and French press. Below you’ll find in-depth reviews of our favorite pour over makers and French presses, a comprehensive comparison covering everything from what type of coffee is best for each brewing method, and answers to some frequently asked questions. We’ve got a lot to cover, so grab a hot cup of coffee and let’s get started!

Our Top Picks

1. Hario V60 Ceramic Coffee Dripper, Size 02 – Pour Over

Kicking things off, we have the Hario V60 pour over cone. Don’t be fooled by the simple design; this coffee dripper is one of the most versatile coffee makers you can buy and is the quintessential example of a pour over coffee maker. 

What’s so special about it, you ask? The secret to the V60’s success and popularity is the control it gives you over your cup of coffee. There is a single large drainage hole in the bottom of the V60, which means it’s up to you to control the water flow rate by varying your pouring speed. Changing the flow rate changes the extraction process and, therefore, how your coffee tastes. 

However, such fine-tuned control is a double-edged sword since the V60 has a steep learning curve and can be frustrating when you first start using it. Slight differences in pouring technique create drastically different tasting cups, so it takes practice before you will be able to make great coffee consistently.

We like the ceramic V60 for regular kitchen use, but you can also buy plastic, glass, and copper versions. The coffee you make will be virtually identical regardless of which you choose, so pick one based on convenience and practicality. All are easy to clean and dishwasher safe, but the ceramic and glass cones can break if you’re not careful.

Make sure you also buy filters since the cone doesn’t come with any. Hario makes it easy to find the right size filter since both are labeled using the same 01, 02, 03 numbering scheme.  

Overall, we highly recommend the V60 despite the effort it takes to use it well. Learning how to brew coffee in a V60 is rewarding and gives you the ability to tweak your process until you find the perfect cup for you. That’s something we haven’t found in any other brewer, and it makes the V60 stand out from the crowd.

Pros

• Extremely versatile
• Easy to clean
• Affordable

Cons

• Steep learning curve
• Doesn’t come with filters

2. CHEMEX Pour-Over Glass Coffeemaker – Classic Series – 6-Cup – Pour Over

Next up, we have Chemex. On the surface, Chemex looks very similar to the V60 – which isn’t so surprising since they are both pour over coffee makers after all. However, there are a few subtle differences between the two, and which you prefer largely comes down to personal preference. 

The biggest difference between Chemex and V60 is the filter. Both use paper filters, but Chemex filters use larger, thicker paper than Hario, resulting in a cleaner cup with less body. The thicker filter Chemex favors also decreases the water flow rate, so you lose some of the flexibility you have with a V60, but it also means Chemex is easier to use. 

Chemex comes with a stylish glass carafe and filters, which explains why it’s more expensive than the V60 and makes it easier to get started. Aesthetics might be important to some people, and there’s no denying that a Chemex looks great on the kitchen counter and is a conversation starter.

Another great feature of Chemex is the large capacity – up to six cups at once. This is great for large families and people that regularly brew coffee for more than just themselves. 

The bottom line is Chemex is an excellent pour over brewer that is probably a better first pour over purchase than a V60 for most people. It’s simple to use, easy to wash, and makes clean, bright cups of coffee. If you’re someone who loves to tinker and tweak things until they’re just right, Chemex might not be the best choice since it’s more restrictive than the V60, but for anyone looking for a simple introduction to pour over, Chemex is the way to go. 

Pros

• Large 6-cup capacity
• Stylish design
• Easy to use
• Comes with filters

Cons

• Slightly expensive
• Thick filters remove some flavor

3. Kalita Wave Pour Over Coffee Dripper, Size 185 – Pour Over

The Kalita Wave is a different beast than our first two entries. It is still technically considered a pour over brewer, but there is one key difference that sets it apart from Chemex and the V60 and makes it more of an immersion pour over hybrid. 

There are three small holes on the bottom of a Kalita Wave dripper that serve to slow down the flow of water through your coffee. A slower flow rate means the water is in contact with the coffee grounds for longer than it is in a Chemex or V60, increasing the extraction. This means you have to grind your coffee more coarsely to avoid getting harsh, bitter flavors. A coarser grind extracts different flavors, and the result is an interesting, unique cup. 

Another nice side effect of the three-holed design is the Kalita Wave is very forgiving. It is much easier to make consistently great coffee in a Kalita Wave than it is in the Chemex or V60. When we’re in a rush, we can plop a filter in our Kalita Wave, haphazardly dump water in, and still end up with a delicious mug. 

Kalita makes glass, copper, and stainless steel versions of the wave, and they all perform equally well and are a breeze to clean. Don’t forget to order filters since the standard dripper doesn’t come with any.  

Pros

• Makes unique, delicious coffee
• Very easy to use
• Cleans easily 

Cons

• Filters not included
• Not a pure pour over 

4. Cafellissimo Pour Over Coffee Dripper – Manual Reusable Stainless Steel Cone Filter​ – Pour Over

At first glance, this Cafellissimo pour over cone looks identical to the V60, and you might be wondering why we included two identical cones on our list. On closer inspection, you’ll notice that this pour over coffee maker is actually an all-in-one brewer that doesn’t require a paper filter and instead uses a permanent built-in mesh. This makes setup faster and reduces waste, but also complicates cleaning slightly and changes your coffee’s taste. 

Let’s talk about taste first. Without a paper filter, more oils make it into your cup during brewing, changing the flavor you get and usually resulting in a more full-bodied experience. The tradeoff is you lose some of the subtler tasting notes, which can get lost in a big, robust cup. A stainless steel pour over cone is somewhat of a middle-ground between French press and pour over, like the Kalita Wave. You will have similar sediment content using the Cafellissimo as you would in a French press, so stick with a paper filter pour over if you like cleaner cups of coffee. 

One thing we don’t love about the Cafellissimo is the cleanup. It seems like it should be quick and painless, but it can be annoying at times. The fine mesh filter is great at keeping grinds out of your mug but also a pain to clean since smaller particles easily get stuck in the small gaps and are nearly impossible to dislodge. It might seem like a small nitpick, but it gets old quickly when you use it every day. 

In the end, if you don’t mind some taking a little extra time to clean your cone, and you prefer full-bodied, robust coffee over brighter, cleaner cups, the Cafellissimo is a great choice. 

Pros

• Made of durable stainless steel
• Makes full-bodied coffee
• No paper filter required

Cons

• Surprisingly difficult to clean
• Sometimes coffee comes out muddy

5. Clever Coffee Dripper and Filters, Large 18 oz – Pour Over

If the Kalita Wave takes a small departure from the standard pour over approach, the Clever Coffee dripper does a complete 180º turn. Clever’s coffee dripper works completely differently than the other pour overs on our list, which makes it very unique, but also barely pour over at all. 

Instead of letting water slowly pass through the coffee grounds, the Clever dripper stops flow completely until you release a valve on the bottom. This means that your coffee grounds sit submerged in water throughout the extraction process, making Clever dripper coffee closer to immersion-style brewing than pour over. 

What’s especially interesting is that the Clever drip uses this immersion form of extraction in conjunction with a paper filter, giving the coffee you make a tasting profile that is distinct from both other pour over brewers and French press coffee.

Of the five pour over brewers on this list, the Clever dripper is the simplest to use. Since water pools in the brewer, you don’t have to pay any attention at all to how you pour the water. Simply fill the dripper, wait, and drain. It’s very easy to make consistent coffee, which is a huge plus for people that don’t want to fiddle with their coffee maker. 

The primary drawback to the Clever dripper is that it doesn’t make true pour over coffee. If you are looking to replicate the bright, fruity flavors typically found in pour over coffee, the Clever isn’t the right tool for you. It makes excellent coffee, though, so it isn’t a bad choice if you like traditional coffee. 

The Clever dripper is made of hard plastic and is very easy to clean, due in part to its paper filters. It’s also a good deal since it ships with filters. If you’re not overly concerned with making traditional pour over, the Clever dripper is a great coffee maker.

Pros

• Easiest pour over to make
• Comes with filters
• Easy to clean
• Affordable

Cons

• Pour over enthusiast will be disappointed by the immersion-like coffee

6. KONA French Press Coffee Maker With Reusable Stainless Steel Filter – French Press

KONA’s French press is a glass body surrounded by durable, protective plastic that gives you the benefits of a glass carafe while reducing the chances of it breaking. We like glass French presses since they don’t hold flavor or stain easily like plastic or synthetic ones.

The filter is a standard three-part French press filter that hugs the wall well and does an excellent job of reducing the fine particles that make it into your cup. All three parts are stainless still and separable, so you can clean them easily by hand or in the dishwasher. 

KONA offers both a 12-ounce and a 34-ounce version. We recommend the larger option since French press coffee isn’t affected by the amount of coffee you brew, and we like having the option to make a larger batch. 

The KONA French press isn’t the cheapest option you can find, but we think the extra money is worth it for the hard, protective plastic and easy to use filter design. Overall, this is a solid French press that will stand up to daily use for years.

Pros

• Durable despite the glass carafe
• Easy to clean
• Filter works well

Cons

• On the expensive side

7. Bodum Chambord SAN Plastic French Press – French Press

The Bodum Chambord French press boasts an impressive removable carafe design that makes it the easiest to clean French press we’ve ever used. Being able to remove the carafe from the handle is game-changing and really sets the Chambord apart from other French presses. 

Usually, we prefer glass carafes in our French presses since they’re easier to clean and won’t stain even with heavy use. We’ll make an exception for the Chambord because the SAN plastic is less breakable than glass and doesn’t seem to be prone to staining or holding flavors and smells.

There isn’t anything special to note about the filter, but it works as intended and is easy to separate and toss in the dishwasher. Bodum makes several different sizes of the Chambord, ranging from the tiny 12-ounce version all the way up to the mammoth 51-ounce option. We prefer the 34-ounce since it strikes the right balance of capacity and usability for our purposes. 

Unfortunately, every model of the Chambord is expensive compared to other French presses with a similar capacity. Whether the convenience of a removable carafe is worth the price is up to you, but we love it and are willing to pay extra for it. 

Pros

• Removable carafe is very convenient
• Easy to clean
• Works well

Cons

• Very expensive

8. Barista Warrior Insulated Stainless Steel French Press with Thermometer – French Press

We initially weren’t going to include the Barista Warrior French press on this list because of the price, but it is simply too good to be left off. The Barista Warrior’s best feature is the double-walled design, which keeps the coffee inside hot while the outside stays cool and safe to touch. If you regularly let your coffee sit in your French press while you sip your first cup, the Barista is perfect for you. Whenever you come back for a second cup, your coffee will still be hot and ready to drink. 

Another fantastic feature of the Barista Warrior is that all parts are stainless steel. There is no chance that this French press will ever break, and it is extremely easy to clean. 

The built-in thermometer is a nice add-on, but we don’t find ourselves using it very much since we boil water in a kettle with a thermometer already. If you don’t have a kettle with a thermometer, it is a nice feature to have.

With such a glowing review thus far, you might be wondering why this isn’t our top pick. Unfortunately, all of these excellent features will cost you a pretty penny since the Barista is quite expensive. We’re not sure that the additional durability is worth the increased price, and even though the double-walled design is fantastic, we don’t think it’s necessary. 

If you have some extra money to burn and want a marginal increase in quality, go for the Barista. It’s a fantastic French press with some seriously cool features, but they aren’t strictly necessary.

Pros

• Double-walled design keeps coffee hot
• Entirely stainless steel
• Built-in thermometer

Cons

• Very expensive

9. Secura French Press Coffee Maker – French Press

If you like the stainless steel design of the Barista Warrior but don’t love the price tag, check out the Secura French press. It has a similar all-stainless design without the hefty price. It isn’t double-walled and doesn’t come with a thermometer, but if those features aren’t important to you, the Secura is a great pick. 

We are impressed with the Secura’s quality, especially considering how affordable it is. A nice touch that we appreciate is that it comes with two replacement mesh filters. Sometimes filters bend out of shape over time or start to fray around the edges. Having extras on hand from the start adds to the longevity of the product. 

On the downside, you will probably need to replace the filter sooner than you would in another French press. It can be hard to tell at first, but the filter in the Secura French press is slightly thinner and softer than your standard French press filter. We found it wears out more quickly and – more problematically – lets more fine grounds into your cup. It isn’t enough to make a huge difference to your coffee’s taste, but you will definitely notice an increase in sludge at the bottom of your mug. 

Even with that said, the Secura is a great deal and a solid French press for people looking to save some cash. 

Pros

• Very affordable
• Ships with extra filters
• 100% stainless steel parts

Cons

• Filters feel flimsy
• Doesn’t filter as well as other French presses

10. Veken French Press Coffee Tea Maker 50oz – French Press

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The Veken French press is an excellent value and comes with extra mesh screen filters, a long stirring spoon, and a milk frother. If you are a fan of add-ons and extras, Veken has you covered. Despite the additional goodies, the Veken French press is surprisingly affordable, and even the large 50-ounce version is a steal. 

All of the pieces to the Veken French press are stainless steel, making them easy to clean and virtually indestructible. The only exception is the screen filter, which – like the Secura – is a little on the soft side. It isn’t unusable, and it does come with four replacements, but it doesn’t do as great a job at filtration as the earlier entries on this list. 

We really like the stirring spoon, and even though it’s a small detail, it makes our lives easier. Ordinary spoons are too short to reach the bottom of larger French presses, so the bar spoon design is a nice touch. 

Overall, the Veken is a solid French press with a less than perfect filter. We’re willing to give them a pass since they include replacement filters and the rest of the French press is well-designed and user-friendly. It’s the perfect choice for you if you want to save some money and need a milk frother and a dedicated coffee spoon.

Pros

• Comes with a spoon, frother, and extra filters
• Entirely stainless steel
• Very affordable

Cons

• The mesh filter isn’t the best

What Is French Press Coffee?

French press – also called a press pot or coffee press – is an immersion-style manual brewer that makes coffee by soaking grounds in near-boiling water. There are no moving parts or electricity required, and making a cup of coffee is as simple as dumping some water into a French press and waiting.

It’s one of the easiest brew methods to use and is known for making bold, full-bodied coffee. There aren’t many immersion brewing methods – we can only think of cold brew as another – but there is no doubt that French press is the most popular.

Related Article: Best Nespresso Machine: Reviews, Top Picks & Buyer’s Guide

What Is Pour Over Coffee?

Pour over coffee  – sometimes called filter coffee – refers to a family of brewing methods that extract flavor by pouring hot water over coffee grounds. There are several different versions of pour over coffee, but they all share this fundamental principle. Often, but not always, pour over coffee makers use a paper filter to help slow down the extraction process and produce a clean, clear cup of coffee.

It is very similar to drip and auto drip coffee but is done manually. Brewing by hand offers several advantages over an automatic drip coffee maker, most notably increased control over extraction.

Pour Over vs French Press

How It Works

Pour over coffee is all about controlling water flow by changing the grind size. If you want to change something about your pour over coffee, most often, you’ll start by adjusting the grind size. If you don’t have a grinder at home, pour over might not be the best method for you. 

On the other hand, you may be asking ‘how does a french press work’. French press coffee is generally simpler to make and once you find the proper grind size, you never have to worry about it again. Some grocery stores even have grinders with French press settings, alleviating the need for owning a grinder altogether. You won’t find a pour over setting on most grinders since every bean is different.

Brew Method

There is a significant amount of practice required to get the pour over brew method down. How fast you pour the water and where you pour it both affect your coffee. You need a steady hand to pour precisely, and a gooseneck kettle is basically required. In the beginning, it can be difficult to keep track of your pouring speed, how much you’re pouring, and where you’re pouring it.

On the contrary, the French press brew method coffee doesn’t care how you pour the water. All you have to worry about is making sure you use the right amount of water for the amount of coffee you used, and that’s it. Pouring water into a French press is an unceremonious event that takes no skill at all, making French press perfect if you’re a person that likes to make your coffee as quickly as possible.

Ease of Use/Convenience

We love pour over coffee, but we’ll be the first to say that it isn’t easy or convenient. The amount of effort required to make a great cup of pour over coffee is significantly greater than it is for French press. Once you learn the ropes, you are rewarded with delicious coffee, but it takes a while to get there. 

French press coffee is also excellent and is much less involved than pour over. We should point out in the pour over vs French press debate that the latter cleanup phase can be annoying, and the former is actually more convenient in this regard, especially if your pour over uses a paper filter.

Brewing Time

There are many variables that affect how long a pour over takes, but most methods finish draining between 2 and 3 minutes after you start pouring. 

French press almost universally takes 4 minutes to brew. Some recipes change this slightly but the vast majority you find will recommend letting the coffee steep for 4 minutes.

Control of the Brew

Looking at pour over vs French press, pour over is the clear winner when it comes to controlling your brew. You have almost infinite tunability with a pour over since you can change the grind size, pouring technique, number of pours, and about a thousand other parameters. 

French press coffee is almost always made the same way, and there is little room for experimentation. Because the coffee is submerged in water, you are restricted to using a coarse grind size. If you stray away from coarse grinds, your coffee will taste harsh and bitter since there aren’t any other tweaks you can make to French press coffee to compensate for a finer grind.

Resulting Brew (Flavor)

Most pour over coffee – depending on what beans you use – will have fruity and floral tasting notes with a light body and smooth mouthfeel. It is common for pour overs to have hints of citrus fruit and raspberry, and there is a wide variety of flavors you can coax out of a pour over.  

French press is known for producing full-bodied coffee with robust chocolatey flavors, earthy tasting notes, and caramel undertones. Beans with nutty flavor profiles also excel in a French press. French presses allow more coffee oils into your cup which is part of the reason French press coffee has a bolder taste than pour over coffee.

Portability

Both French presses and pour overs can be portable, although pour overs typically have an edge when it comes to traveling. Pour over brewers have fewer pieces and are usually smaller and lighter than French presses. Travel French presses exist, but even they aren’t as easy to throw in a bag as a solid plastic pour over cone. If you’re on the road a lot, pour over is probably the better choice for you.

Materials Used

Ceramic, stainless steel, plastic, and glass are the most common materials used in pour over brewers. Occasionally you can find copper cones, but these are less common and usually unnecessarily expensive. 

Glass is by far the most common material used in a French press carafe, but recently more food-safe plastic options have started cropping up. The filter in a French press is almost always made of stainless steel, which aids in durability and makes it easy to clean.

Sizes Available

Pour overs usually make between one and three cups, while French presses can make as little as one cup or as many as eight. Chemex is the notable exception, which comes in an eight-cup version perfect for making pour over for a large group.

Price Range

In general, a pour over vs French press is similarly priced. If money is your primary concern, look for plastic pour over cones since these will be the cheapest options. French presses can get pretty expensive if you need more than a four-cup capacity or if you want fancy features like double-walled insulation.

Advantages & Disadvantages

Pour over has several advantages for people looking for the most control and absolute best tasting coffee possible. Since pour over vs French press is a more flexible brew method, you can tune and tweak your process until you find the perfect cup of coffee that suits your personal taste. This versatility can also be a disadvantage if you want to make coffee with as little effort as possible. 

Conversely, French press is a better choice for people that want an easy way to make coffee that can accommodate making large batches at a time. Both French press and pour over take similar amounts of setup and cleanup, so the right choice for you depends on how involved you want to get.

Related Article: Best Keurig Models 2021: Reviews, Top Picks, & Buyer’s Guide

French Press vs Pour Over FAQ

What is a Chemex Coffee Maker?

A Chemex coffee maker is a glass carafe that uses thick paper filters to make clean, bright pour over coffee. There is a six-cup and an eight-cup version that both use the same Chemex filters.

Why French Press Coffee Is Bad For You?

There is some evidence that drinking unfiltered coffee like French press can raise cholesterol levels and is associated with an elevated risk of heart disease. If you’re concerned about this, you should consult a medical professional.

What Is the Best Type of Bean for French Press Brewing?

There aren’t any strict rules about what beans you can use in a French press, but many people prefer darker roasts when they’re brewing with a French press. Dark roasts typically have chocolatey, earthy flavor profiles that work well in immersion-style brewers like French presses, which accentuate those flavors. 

Central or South American coffee is a great choice for French press. Coffee from these regions is naturally sweeter and maltier, two characteristics that are highlighted when brewed in a French press.

What Is the Best Type of Bean for Pour Over?

On the other hand, light and medium roast coffee are better if you prefer using a pour over. Light roasts have more acidity than dark roasts and also let more of the coffee bean’s natural flavor dominate the taste. Pour over coffee brings out fruity tasting notes, which are more present in light roasts than dark roasts.

What Coffee to Water Ratio Should You Use for French Press?

In general, most French press recipes recommend using between a 1:15 and 1:17 coffee to water ratio for French press. Our favorite recipe uses 1:15 and we think this is the sweet spot for French press.

What Coffee to Water Ratio Should You Use for Pour Over?

The same 1:15 to 1:17 range is also a good starting point for pour over, but we usually use 1:16. We find it easier to detect some of the subtler flavors present in pour over with slightly less coffee than we use in a French press.

How Do You Keep Your Brewed Coffee Hot?

The best way to keep brewed coffee hot is to start with hot brewing vessels. Whether we are brewing with a French press or a pour over, we always preheat the brewing container. This keeps coffee hot throughout the brewing process, which helps your coffee stay hot for longer after you start drinking it.

Pour Over Coffee vs French Press

There is a lot to unpack in this article, but we hope you find it helpful! The pour over vs French press debate is near and dear to us, and we regularly brew coffee both ways. Which method you prefer depends on taste, but both are very capable of producing excellent coffee.

Overall, if you’re someone who likes to tinker and experiment, we recommend you give pour over a try. If instead, you want a mostly hands-off, easy to use brew method, go with French press. As you progress on your coffee journey, chances are you’ll want to try both anyway, so don’t worry about it too much and choose whichever seems better to you right now. If there’s one thing we’ve learned about coffee over the years, it’s that there’s always more to learn.