French Press coffee is one of the easiest ways to upgrade your coffee experience if you’re starting to become a bit of an enthusiast. So you might be wondering which French Press would be a good entry-level option. I did some research to find out.
Mueller, Coffee Gator, Bodum, Veken and Poliviar have some of the best French Presses available under $50. All are capable of producing a delicious, full-bodied coffee at a reasonable price point.
I’ve included a closer analysis below to share my thoughts on each of these five affordable French Press coffee makers.
Comparing the best French Presses under $50
| Product | Durability | Coffee quality | Buy on Amazon |
| Mueller | ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ | ⭐⭐⭐⭐ | $25.97 USD |
| Coffee Gator | ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ | ⭐⭐⭐⭐ | $35.99 USD |
| Bodum | ⭐⭐⭐ | ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ | $48.70 USD |
| Veken | ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ | ⭐⭐⭐ | $25.99 USD |
| Poliviar | ⭐⭐⭐ | ⭐⭐⭐⭐ | $36.99 USD |
Mueller French Press ($25.97 USD)
| Price | Durability | Coffee quality | Volume |
| $25.97 USD | ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ | ⭐⭐⭐⭐ | 1,000 ml |
Positive reviews: The Mueller French Press has an impressive 4.8 star rating on Amazon from more than 16,000 customers, which suggests that it has a strong track record.
Customers love how the Mueller’s double-mesh filter does a great job at filtering out coffee grinds when pouring, which is a common complaint among French Press drinkers.
Negative reviews: Only 4% of all customer reviews are 3 stars or lower. Customers occasionally report minor dings and scratches upon delivery. However, no major defects are reported.
Some people rely on having a measurement line to gauge how much water to pour into the press. The Mueller does not have any volume measurement lines so you will have to measure your water in a measuring cup beforehand.
The product is deceivingly marketed as being made in Austria when it’s actually manufactured in China.
Conclusion: A reliable French Press with a strong track record of success from thousands of happy customers. I believe the Mueller offers the best all around value at $25.97 USD.
Pros
- Coffee stays warm longer due to the double insulated stainless steel walls.
- Coffee has less sediment due to the double-mesh filter design.
- No risk of shattering like glass French Presses.
- Easy to clean because of easy-to-dissemble plunger.
Cons
- Can be difficult to press due to the fine mesh filter causing resistance.
- Doesn’t come with extra mesh filters.
- No fluid measurements.
Coffee Gator French Press ($35.99 USD)
| Price | Durability | Coffee quality | Volume |
| $35.99 USD | ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ | ⭐⭐⭐⭐ | 1,000 ml |
Positive reviews: The Coffee Gator has a 4.7 star average review on Amazon from more than 3,000 customers. Many customers are grateful for the double-mesh filter that minimizes the amount of grounds that end up in your mug.
The product is designed without any weak plastics, which makes it feel like it will last for a long time. I couldn’t find any reviews about the product breaking.
Coffee Gator claims the pour spout is designed for easy, non-spill pouring. Many customer reviews agree that the press pours well.
Several people praised Coffee Gator’s customer support for being very responsive. It seems like product issues are addressed quickly and replacement pieces or entire units are replaced happily. The company seems to have a very positive reputation among its customers.
Negative reviews: Only 3% of all customer reviews are 2-star or lower. Also, the most recent 1-star review on Amazon was in 2019. It appears Coffee Gator considers feedback and improves its product accordingly.
Some customers aren’t happy with how small the bonus coffee canister is. Although many appreciate the nice add-on, they acknowledge that it’s probably not suitable for storing coffee beans due to the size.
Some customers report that this French Press is not great at retaining heat. This could be an issue for anyone planning on making multiple cups of coffee at once. However, there are also a considerable amount of positive reviews suggesting the heat retention is actually quite good.
Conclusion: The Coffee Gator French Press proves to be a reliable product offered by a reputable company. At $35.99 US price tag makes it a
Pros
- Double insulated stainless steel walls to keep coffee hot longer.
- Coffee has less sediment due to the double-mesh filter design.
- No risk of shattering like glass French Presses.
- Easy to clean because of easy-to-dissemble plunger.
- Outstanding customer support.
- BONUS: Comes with a mini coffee canister to store beans.
Cons
- Bonus coffee canister is very small.
- Despite the double-wall design, some reviews suggest it’s not great at keeping coffee hot for very long.
- Does not include extra filters, spoon or cleaning brush.
Bodum Chambord French Press ($48.70 USD)
| Price | Durability | Coffee quality | Volume |
| $48.70 USD | ⭐⭐⭐ | ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ | 1,000 ml |
Positive reviews: The Bodum French Press has a 4.6 star average rating out of more than 10,000 Amazon reviews. Bodum is recognized as being one of the most recognizable and trusted French Press brands.
Many customers are happy with how easy the Bodum is to clean. The plunger can be easily disassembled, allowing you to deep clean between the mesh filter, cross plate and coil plate.
Negative reviews: The main customer concern is that it’s made of glass, making it vulnerable to shattering if you’re not careful.
Customers also note that the metal frame and handles do not always secure the glass carafe in place, causing it to come loose and sometimes fall out while pouring or cleaning. These issues were not common among reviews, but it’s something to consider and beware of due to the possible safety hazard of broken glass.
Conclusion: The Bodum French Press is a reliable choice from a well-liked brand. It has some drawbacks with its durability, but promises to brew a delicious cup of coffee.
Pros
- Made from one of the most reputable coffee manufacturers, Bodum.
- Easy to clean because of easy-to-dissemble plunger.
Cons
- There is always a risk of shattering when you buy a glass press. However, this Bodum has a shatterproof glass variant that reduces this risk.
- The metal frame does not reliably secure glass carafe in place.
Veken French Press ($25.99 USD)
| Price | Durability | Coffee quality | Volume |
| $25.99 USD | ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ | ⭐⭐⭐ | 1,000 ml |
Positive reviews: The Veken French Press has a 4.7 star rating from more than 2,000 Amazon reviews. Many customers enjoy how well the double-mesh design prevents coffee ground sludge from passing through the filter.
It’s one of only a few double-walled French Presses that have volumetric measure lines inside the carafe chamber. This means you don’t need to measure your water before pouring into the carafe. However, some customers report that the printed-on volume labels start wearing off after as few as 5 uses.
It also comes with two replacement mesh filters, a spoon and scrub brush which is a bonus. But a nice feature since the mesh filters can wear out through frequent use.
Negative reviews: Only 3% of all reviews are 2-star or below currently. The number one complaint is that the black finish peels off easily when it’s run through the dishwasher.
Conclusion: The Veken French Press doesn’t have a reputation like some of the other brands on this list, but it’s still a great option at the $25.99 price point.
Pros
- Coffee stays warm longer due to the double insulated stainless steel walls.
- Coffee has less sediment due to the double-mesh filter design.
- No risk of shattering like glass French Presses.
- Easy to clean because of easy-to-dissemble plunger.
- BONUS: Comes stirring spoon, cleaning scrub and two extra filter screens.
Cons
- Exterior prone to peeling off in the dishwasher.
Poliviar French Press ($36.99 USD)
| Price | Durability | Coffee quality | Volume |
| $36.99 USD | ⭐⭐⭐ | ⭐⭐⭐⭐ | 1,000 ml |
Positive reviews: The Poliviar French Press has a 4.7 star rating from more than 2,000 Amazon reviews. Its double-mesh filter reduces the amount of fine coffee grounds that end up in your cup – something that is important to many people.
Like the Veken, it comes with a volume meter on the inside of the carafe, which is a plus for those frustrated with measuring your water in a measuring cup beforehand.
The salt and pepper finish and wooden handles make this French Press the most visually unique of the presses on this list. It has an aesthetic that matches well with outdoor and camping equipment brands.
Customers agree that it retains heat quite well.
Negative reviews: 11% of all reviews are 2-stars or less. By far the most common complaint is issues with the wooden handle breaking off. It doesn’t seem like this product has the same level of durability as others made from 100% stainless steel.
Conclusion: The Poliviar is a beautiful-looking French Press with a good track record of success. There is some question of the durability of the product’s wooden handle, though.
Pros
- Coffee stays warm longer due to the double insulated stainless steel walls.
- Coffee has less sediment due to the double-mesh filter design.
- No risk of shattering like glass French Presses.
- Easy to clean because of easy-to-dissemble plunger.
- Most aesthetically unique press due to its wooden handle and salter-and-pepper carafe design.
Cons
- The wooden handle has been reported to break off.
Guide for buying a French Press under $50
Will a $50 French Press last as long?
French Presses under $50 can certainly last as long. Many are made from durable stainless steel that lasts for years. Glass French Presses are more vulnerable to shattering or breaking by accident.
Does $50 French Press coffee taste as good?
You can certainly brew a tasty and well extracted cup of French Press. However, many of the less expensive French Press designs don’t fully don’t stop extraction. Meaning, your coffee will start tasting bitter if it remains in the French Press for too long.
Are $50 French Presses dishwasher safe?
French Presses under $50 are not always dishwasher safe. In particular, non-reinforced glass has a higher chance of shattering in dishwashers. As you move above the $50 price point you will find more French Presses made with reinforced glass, which is less likely to shatter and is better suited for the dishwasher.
Stainless steel French Presses are recommended to be cleaned by hand if they have a double-wall design. The insulation could be compromised and cause your French Press to lose its ability to effectively retain heat. Also, the individual plunger pieces could warp.
