For a single cup made in under two minutes with almost nothing to wash, AeroPress wins. For a fuller-bodied cup, more than one serving at a time, and a brewer that never needs a filter, French press wins. Both are full immersion methods, coffee sits in water rather than water passing through it, but they part ways on filter, pressure and how much of the coffee's body ends up in your mug.
What is actually different between the two
A French press steeps coarse grounds in hot water for several minutes, then a metal mesh plunger pushes the grounds to the bottom. No paper touches the coffee, so more oil and fine particle stay in the cup, which is what gives French press its heavier, rounder body. An AeroPress steeps for a shorter time, then you press the water through a paper (or reusable metal) filter using hand pressure. That filter, combined with the shorter contact time, gives a cleaner, lighter cup that sits closer to a pour-over than to a French press.
Grind, ratio and time
| French press | AeroPress | |
|---|---|---|
| Grind | Coarse | Medium-fine |
| Ratio | 60 g per litre (about 1:16.7) | 1:14 to 1:16, or stronger if you plan to dilute |
| Water temp | Just off the boil | 175 to 205°F (80 to 96°C) |
| Brew time | 4 minutes | 1 to 2 minutes |
| Filter | Metal mesh, reusable | Paper (or metal disc), some waste with paper |
Which one forgives mistakes, and which travels better
A French press is forgiving on grind, coarse is coarse, but it punishes time. Leave the plunger down and the grounds in contact past about five minutes and the cup turns bitter and muddy, since nothing stops the extraction until you pour it out. An AeroPress is forgiving on time because the whole brew is over in a couple of minutes, which caps how far the extraction can run. It is also the one to pack for a trip: no glass, it works over any mug, and it fits in a bag. A French press mostly lives on the counter, since the glass carafe is the part most likely to break.
Cleanup and how long each one lasts
French press cleanup is a rinse of the mesh and carafe after each use, plus an occasional deeper clean to clear coffee oil buildup on the mesh. There are no filters to buy, and a well-made press can last years if the glass survives. AeroPress cleanup is faster, the puck and filter come out together with the plunger, but you go through paper filters over time (or switch to a reusable metal disc), and the rubber seal on the plunger wears out after a couple of years of daily use and needs replacing.
Which of our coffees fits each side
A French press flatters a coffee that is already round and low in acidity, since the fuller body it produces can turn a naturally bright coffee heavy or muddy. No. 1 Common Sense (Huila and Medellin-Antioquia, Colombia, medium roast, cocoa, red apple, brown sugar) is built for this: the label lists drip or French press as its home, and it holds together at full immersion instead of turning flat.
An AeroPress's shorter, cleaner extraction suits a coffee with fruit and acidity worth keeping intact. No. 2 Good Sense (Sidama, Ethiopia, natural process, medium-light, milk chocolate, fruit, caramel) is recommended on the label for pour-over, and its short, clean AeroPress brew keeps a similar amount of that fruit and caramel coming through, without the body a French press would add on top of it.
No. 3 Position is honestly not the best fit for either brewer. It is wet-hulled and dense, and the label points it toward espresso, moka pot or anything going under milk. Run it through a French press or an AeroPress and it comes out heavier and flatter than it does as a shot. If you already have a bag, save it for the moka pot, or see our French press pick for a coffee built for that brewer specifically.
Our pick
No. 1 Common Sense
Huila and Medellin-Antioquia, Colombia · 1,300 to 1,500 m · Fully washed, solar dried · Castillo, Caturra, Colombia, Typica · Medium roast
If you want one bag that works well in either brewer without a change in grind or ratio, this is it: cocoa and brown sugar that stay balanced whether you press it or push it through an AeroPress.
Do you actually need both
Not really. If you almost always brew for one person and value speed, buy an AeroPress. If you regularly make coffee for two or more, or you just prefer a heavier cup and do not mind the extra rinse, buy a French press. People who own both tend to keep the French press for weekends and the AeroPress for weekday mornings and travel, but that is a preference, not a rule either brewer forces on you.
Whichever you choose, the ratio table above holds. Browse all ten coffees or check our FAQ if you are still deciding what to buy first.
Questions people ask
Is AeroPress coffee stronger than French press?
Not by method alone. It comes down to the ratio you use. Some people brew AeroPress concentrated and add hot water after, closer to an Americano, while French press is almost always brewed at drinking strength straight from the carafe. Match the ratio in the table above and the two land at a similar strength.
Can I use the same grind for French press and AeroPress?
No. French press needs a coarse grind so the metal mesh does not let fine grounds through into your cup. AeroPress works best with a medium-fine grind, closer to table salt, since its paper filter can handle finer grounds without clogging. Use a French press grind in an AeroPress and the cup usually comes out thin.
Which one is easier to clean?
AeroPress. The used puck of grounds pops out with the filter when you push the plunger through, and there is no glass carafe to wash or risk cracking. A French press needs its mesh rinsed after every use and an occasional deeper clean to clear built-up coffee oil.
Free printable
Keep the ratio chart on your fridge
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