Aeropress vs French Press: What’s the Difference?

The most popular ways to make a cup of coffee are:

1. Drip coffee machines,
2. French presses,
3. Aeropress,
4. espresso makers, and
5. Instant coffee.

But if you’re looking for the methods that combine quality, ease of use, and mobility, you’re going to want to focus on Aeropress vs french press.

Both methods are easy, take a matter of minutes, and can be done on camping trips or hikes, as well as in your kitchen.

What is an Aeropress?

Aeropress is technically a brand. The Aeropress is a simple way to make a strong cup of coffee. It looks a little complicated, but you can learn how to use it in a matter of minutes.

Here’s how it works.

1. You take finely ground coffee (finer than you’d grind your coffee for a french press or drip coffee maker), and put in two or three tablespoons in the Aeropress system.

1. Then you fill it up with hot – but not boiling – water. You stir it gently, let it sit for 10-15 seconds.

1. After those 10-15 seconds, you take the plunger, and push down, making sure all of the coffee ends in a coffee cup. You’ll know it’s done when you hear a hissing sound.

Pros and Cons of an Aeropress

An Aeropress makes a concentrated, strong cup of coffee.

What is the French Press?

A french press is a more classic way of making a cup of coffee.

1. You take coarsely ground beans and add it to the french press. You don’t want your beans too fine because the french press works by pushing a metal filter down.
2. You add hot water, just under boiling temperature. I like to let water boil, and then remove it from the heat for fifteen seconds, and then pour the water into the french press.
3. You stir the coffee and then cover the french press for anywhere from 4 to 5 minutes. This is letting the coffee brew.
4. After those 4 to 5 minutes, you push down the plunger. All the beans are trapped at the bottom, and at the top is ready to serve coffee.

Again, this will taste more like a normal cup of coffee – just slightly better than a drip coffee maker.

Aeropress vs French Press

If you’re looking for a small but strong cup of coffee, go with the Aeropress. But if you like to drink coffee throughout the day – if you’re like me and you like to have 2 – 3 cups as you go about your work, then get a french press.

Plus, an Aeropress does require filters. This isn’t a huge deal-breaker, but it is technically more maintenance than a French press.

That being said – a cup of coffee from an Aeropress is addicting. I personally use the Aeropress when I go on camping trips because it’s lighter and easier to throw into a backpack than my six cup french press.

FAQs

Is an Aeropress better than a French Press?

No, an Aeropress is not better than a french press. A french press is also not better than an Aeropress. They both use different methods to deliver different types of cups of coffee.

Does the Aeropress make espresso?

No, an Aeropress does not make espresso. Espresso is made by using high amounts of pressure and finely ground coffee beans. Even stovetop espresso makers are technically not espresso because they can’t contain the amount of pressure an espresso machine needs to make to make a legitimate cup of espresso.

However, an Aeropress does make a stronger cup of coffee than a French press or drip coffee maker and this is because it uses less water.